Data from: The combined effects of multiple invasive species on persistence of imperiled Pahrump Poolfish

Many ecosystems have been invaded by more than one non-native species, but
research evaluating the combined effects of multiple invasive species has
been limited. In the southwest USA, many aquatic systems have been invaded
by multiple species such as non-native crayfish and non-native fishes. We
used experimental mesocosms to test individual and combined effects of
invasive Red Swamp Crayfish, Procambarus clarkii, and Western
Mosquitofish, Gambusia affinis, on endangered Pahrump Poolfish,
Empetrichthys latos. We found that crayfish alone reduced adult poolfish
survival; however, crayfish by themselves had moderate but non-significant
impacts on the production of poolfish juveniles. Mosquitofish had no
effect on the survival of poolfish adults, but significantly reduced
recruitment of juveniles. When both crayfish and mosquitofish were
present, both adult survival and juvenile production were significantly
decreased. These findings were consistent with the recent decline of a
wild poolfish population from over 10,000 fish to less than 1,000 poolfish
following the establishment of crayfish and mosquitofish. This study
demonstrates that conservation management of the Pahrump Poolfish must
have active management and removal of invasive species, otherwise
extirpation and eventually extinction will likely occur. This study also
provides an example of the compounding effects of multiple invasive
species.