International Journal of Molecular Ecology and Conservation, 2025, Vol.15, No.4, 153-162 http://ecoevopublisher.com/index.php/ijmec 15 3 Research Insight Open Access Genetic Differentiation and Invasive Expansion Mechanisms of Global Channa Populations Yue Zhu 1, Jinni Wu 2 Aquatic Biology Research Center, Cuixi Academy of Biotechnology, Zhuji, 311800, Zhejiang, China Corresponding email: jinni.wu@cuixi.org International Journal of Molecular Ecology and Conservation, 2025, Vol.15, No.4 doi: 10.5376/ijmec.2025.15.0016 Received: 10 May, 2025 Accepted: 18 Jun., 2025 Published: 03 Jul., 2025 Copyright © 2025 Zhu and Wu, This is an open access article published under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited. Preferred citation for this article: Zhu Y., and Wu J.N., 2025, Genetic differentiation and invasive expansion mechanisms of global channa populations, International Journal of Molecular Ecology and Conservation, 15(4): 153-162 (doi: 10.5376/ijmec.2025.15.0016) Abstract This study reviews the research achievements in molecular ecology in recent years, sorted out the genetic diversity and global population structure of the main species of the Channa spp., revealed the genetic differentiation patterns of the native and invasive populations, as well as the ecological genetic mechanisms behind the successful invasion and rapid spread of acanthus. This study analyzed the population characteristics of the native Asian habitat and invasive regions such as North America and Europe through regional case studies, explored the invasion paths and spread patterns of black fish, and evaluated the possible ecological risks they might bring in new water areas. At the same time, the challenges faced in the management of black fish invasion were also discussed, emphasizing the importance of using population genetic data for risk assessment and traceability management, and looking forward to possible ways to curb the global invasion of black fish in the future by establishing transmission prediction models, developing genetic control technologies and implementing ecological restoration strategies. Studies have shown that the Channa spp exhibits significant genetic differentiation worldwide, as well as an invasion and diffusion ability driven by both biological characteristics and human activities. Strengthening international collaboration and conducting risk monitoring and management based on molecular ecological data are key measures to deal with the invasion of black fish. This research not only holds significance for protecting biodiversity but also provides crucial evidence for the assessment and traceability of intrusion risks. Keywords Channa spp.; Genetic diversity; Invasive species; Population differentiation; Diffusion mechanism 1 Introduction Invasive species have become an important driver of global ecosystem change and biodiversity loss, and the environmental and economic losses they cause have attracted widespread attention from various countries (Early et al., 2016). The Channa spp. belongs to the family Channa of the order Siluriformes. It is a kind of carnivorous freshwater fish native to Asia. It is commonly known as "snakehead fish" because of its wide and flat head resembling a snake. Black fish have unique respiratory organs. They can breathe through gills and also breathe air with the assistance of gills. This enables them to survive in hypoxic environments and stay out of water for several days in moist conditions (Resh et al., 2021). Origin studies have shown that most species of black fish have typical reproductive characteristics combining R-strategy and K-strategy, such as rapid growth, early maturity and high reproductive capacity, and parental protection of young fish (Orrell et al., 2005; Harrington et al., 2022). For example, the northern black fish (Channa argus) can lay tens of thousands of eggs at a time, and the parent fish will guard the fish nest and the young fish, improving the survival rate of the offspring (Resh et al., 2021). These biological advantages enable black fish to rapidly establish populations and spread after being introduced to new environments, exerting intense predation and competitive pressure on native fish in the local waters (Li et al., 2016; Harrington et al., 2022). Since the second half of the 20th century, with the development of global aquaculture, edible and ornamental fish trade, some species of the genus Channa have been artificially introduced to regions outside Asia and gradually evolved into highly invasive alien fish species (Gozlan et al., 2010; Harrington et al., 2022). The appearance of black fish has been reported in local waters of the United States, Russia, the Middle East and even Africa. Among them, northern black fish have formed multiple resident populations in the eastern United States, causing ecological risks and fishery management problems (Wegleitner et al., 2016).
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