ABSTRACT
The rise of the People’s Republic of China led by Mao marked the post-World War II period, ending over 100 years of societal instability. This brought stability and prosperity to China that was characterized by rapid population increase. This resulted in a similarly rapid need for additional sources of animal protein, which was met by the development of fish farming in the west part of the country and the first translocations of cyprinid species such as black carp (Mylopharyngodon piceus ; Richardson 1846), grass carp (Ctenopharyngodon idella; Valenciennes 1844), silver carp (Hypophthalmichthys molitrix ; Valenciennes 1844) and bighead carp (Hypophthalmichthys nobilis ; Richardson 1845). These fishes, from the east of China, especially from the middle and lower reaches of the Yangtze River basin, were taken west and north-westwards and introduced into many waters of Chinese provinces including Yunnan, Qinghai, Gansu and Xinjiang. Although in small localities P. parva is used for food, the accidental transfer and release of P. parva within translocations of key carp species for aquaculture characterize the primary pathway of P. parva introduction
into its expanded range. Currently P. parva, although common in local markets, is often bought to feed other pet fish or reptiles. From the 32 markets surveyed across the native range, P. parva was never sold alive. However, in the west part of China, other secondary pathways, such as cultural or religious acts, have also been responsible for some secondary spread (Gozlan et al, 2010a). For example, people in Tibet traditionally buy small live fish in local fish markets and return them to the wild; in the last decade, P. parva has been reported from fish markets in big cities in Tibet such as Lhasa and Xigaze (Zhang, C., pers. comm.).
