International Journal of Interdisciplinary and Multidisciplinary Studies (IJIMS), 2014, Vol 1, No.10, 1-5. 1 Available online at http://www.ijims.com ISSN: 2348 – 0343 Nile Tilapia(Oreochromis niloticus ) as a successful biological invader in Jammu (J&K) and its impacts on native ecosystem Rupinder Kour ٭, Sanjay Bhatia and Kudeep K Sharma Dept. of Zoology, University of Jammu, Jammu and Kashmir, India Corresponding author : Rupinder Kour Abstract The Nile tilapia is considered an omnivorous species and it ingest zooplanktons, phytoplanktons, or debris present in rivers. As a consequence, the release of Nile tilapia into non-native aquatic ecosystems may result in competition for food and space, thereby damaging native species. The wide environmental tolerance and high reproductive rate of Nile tilapia facilitate its use for aquaculture, but also render the species highly invasive. Here, we review the high frequency of Nile tilapia in non-native biodiversity and indicate the existence of the species under feral conditions and there impacts on the non-native ecosystem. Keywords: Nile tilapia, biological, invader, Jammu, J&K Introduction Although debated recently, it has historically been accepted that successful biological invasions detrimentally affect the structure and function of native ecosystems. Introduction of non-native fish species can reduce biodiversity and modify local community dynamics in freshwater systems. Exotic species have been identified as the third leading cause of extinction of vertebrate species in aquatic environments. Introductions of exotic species generally threaten the stability of ecosystems, resulting in extinction through long term predation and competition and leading to replacement of native species by exotic species. Other documented effects are hybridization with native species, disruption of the food chain and environmental degradation. 1,2 The accidental or deliberate spread of fish species by humans threatens the biodiversity and character of freshwater ecosystems. The study of invasive fishes has thus far concentrated on understanding the biological traits of potential invasive fish, 3 predicting the outcomes of invasions at local and larger scales 4,5,6 and assessing the impacts of invasions on ecosystems . 7 Tilapia is the second world wide cultured species after carps. They are also known as “Aquaculture Chicken” as they are present in all continents except Antarctic. The species is favoured among aqua culturists due to its ability to tolerate a wide range of environmental conditions, fast growth, successful reproductive strategies, and ability to feed at different trophic levels. The Nile tilapia, Oreochromis niloticus is responsible for reducing local biodiversity, through competition with other aquatic species for available food resources. Lack of predation and adaption to changing environmental conditions increase the impact of Nile tilapia on the icthylogical composition. 8,9 In some cases, the introductions have been accidental; tilapia fish have managed to escape from fish farms or ornamental fish breeders. In other cases, the introduction has been deliberate, e.g. to combat mosquito or aquatic weeds. Tilapia has also been introduced as food fish to lakes and other bodies of water. Nile Tilapia is native to the Nile River and to Africa in general. In general, tilapias have been introduced into over 100 tropical and subtropical countries worldwide, with a global distribution second