Ecological Risk Screening Summary - Marbled Eel (Anguilla marmorata) - Uncertain Risk

Species that are considered uncertain risk need a more in-depth assessment beyond the Risk Summary to better define the species’ risk to U.S. environments.

Anguilla marmorata, the marbled eel, is a catadromous tropical eel species ranging from the eastern coast of Africa to the western Pacific Ocean. Studies indicate it likely has multiple spawning areas, and there may be genetic differentiation among geographic locations. It is highly valued as a food fish. Individuals of this species have been found far outside the native range. Further information is needed to assess whether reports of this species outside of its native range are due to human-mediated translocation or whether individuals have naturally migrated outside their native range, and whether they have established in these new environments. A. marmorata has a medium climate match with the contiguous United States. A. marmorata reproduces and the young live in marine environments. RAMP (Sanders et al. 2018) was not developed for use in assessing climate match for marine species so the climate match in a marine environment cannot be assessed with an ERSS. Certainty of this assessment is therefore low, and the overall risk assessment category is uncertain.