Theory, Practice, and Effects of Mysis relicta Introductions to North American and Scandinavian Lakes

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Abstract
Fisheries biologists have greatly altered the natural distribution of the crustacean Mysis relicta by introducing it into many lakes in both North America and Scandinavia to serve as a supplementary food source for fish. The original concept of Mysis as a deepwater benthic organism which remains isolated in the profundal zone of lakes needs to be modified to include its downstream dispersal capabilities. After introduction to a lake, Mysis will probably eventually reach all lakes in the downstream watershed. Recent studies indicate that rates of increase of introduced Mysis populations probably depend on available food and temperature. As well, introduced populations have been shown to modify benthic, phytoplankton, zooplankton, and fish communities. Most Mysis introductions have taken place without consideration of general criteria suggested for introduced species.

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