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.
Oreochromis urolepis is a tilapia species native to Tanzania. It was introduced to water bodies in California in the 1970s to control mosquito larvae and aquatic plants. It has become established in southern California. Impacts of its introduction are not known. O. urolepis has a medium climate match with the contiguous United States overall, with the areas of highest match located in California and Arizona and areas of lowest match in northern and eastern states. Further information is necessary to determine what impacts, if any, this species is having where introduced, and what risk it poses to the United States as a whole. Overall risk assessment category is uncertain.
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Uncertain Risk
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