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USGS2026

Recent spread of introduced swamp eels (Percomorpha, Synbranchiformes, Synbranchidae) in Central Florida, USA, including first documented collections of cuchia, Ophichthys cuchia (Hamilton, 1822), in Florida

Swamp eels (Percomorpha, Synbranchiformes, Synbranchidae) were discovered in Florida in the 1990s and were considered established in the Greater Miami and Greater Tampa regions as early as 1997. We report detection of established populations of Sunda swamp eel, Monopterus javanensis Lacepède, 1800 and cuchia, Ophichthys cuchia (Hamilton, 1822) across multiple Orlando area watersheds in Central Florida. We report an additional occurrence of a single specimen of cuchia from Hillsboro Canal, Palm Beach County, Everglades drainage. Sampling was conducted from March 2023 through July 2025 in 52 Central Florida waterbodies, with emphasis on the middle and lower St. Johns River and the Upper Kissimmee River watersheds. Florida follows Louisiana and Texas as the third U.S. state between 2019 and 2023 to be found harboring established populations of cuchia. Live swamp eels, including both Sunda swamp eel and cuchia, have for decades been available for purchase at food markets throughout the United States, including Louisiana, Texas, and Florida. Ongoing trade in live swamp eels is likely leading to their introduction and establishment in the United States, with potential deleterious effects for aquatic ecosystems and human health.

Florida↗

USGS2014

Palila restoration research, 1996−2012

The Palila Restoration Project was initiated in 1996 by the U.S. Geological Survey to assist government agencies mitigate the effects of realigning Saddle Road (Highway 200) through Palila Critical Habitat (U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service 1998, Federal Highway Administration 1999). Ecological research on the palila (Loxioides bailleui), an endangered Hawaiian forest bird, carried out by the U.S. Geological Survey (formerly organized as the Research Division of U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service) since 1987 and research conducted by the Palila Restoration Project provided the scientific bases for developing a recovery strategy (U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service 2006) and its adaptive implementation. The main objectives of the Palila Restoration Project were to develop techniques for reintroducing the palila to a portion of its former range, investigate the biological threats to the palila and its habitat, and synthesize the existing body of ecological knowledge concerning the palila. Five broad study themes formed the research framework: 1. Population reintroduction and restoration 2. Demography and breeding ecology 3. Habitat use and food ecology 4. Vegetation ecology 5. Predator ecology and management An element that was not included in the research program of the project was the ecology and management of introduced ungulates, which has historically constituted the single greatest threat to Palila Critical Habitat (Banko et al. 2009). The absence of ungulate studies should not be interpreted to mean that we believe ungulates no longer damage palila habitat. Other research has already established that removing alien browsers and grazers from Mauna Kea is essential for the recovery of the subalpine forest on which palila now depend (Scowcroft and Giffin 1983; Scowcroft and Sakai 1983; Scowcroft and Conrad 1988, 1992; Hess et al. 1999). Moreover, the Federal District Court of Hawai‘i has ordered the state of Hawai‘i to remove browsing ungulates from Palila Critical Habitat (Banko et al. 2009, Hess and Banko 2011). This final report summarizes results of Palila Restoration Project research from December 1996 to December 2012. Even though some results contained in this report have been published in scientific journals and other technical reports (Appendix I), they are included here to provide a comprehensive chronicle of all project activities.

Hawaii↗