DYNAMICS OF THE BYTHOTREPHES INVASION OF THE ST LAWRENCE GREAT-LAKES

Bythotrephes cederstroemii, a predatory planktonic cladoceran, has recently invaded the St. Lawrence Great Lakes from its native Eurasia. This species was probably transported in the ballast water of ships returning from a port such as Leningrad to take on cargo in the Great Lakes. Life history analyses of Bythotrephes suggest that the invasion probably took place during the late 1970s or early 1980s when shipping traffic to the Great Lakes reached an all-time peak. Density and feeding rate data for Bythotrephes indicate that it is unlikely to have major impacts on prey populations in the lakes. © 1990, International Association for Great Lakes Research. All rights reserved.