Genetic and morphological differences between water chestnut (Myrtales: Lythraceae: Trapa) populations in the northeastern United States, Japan, and South Africa

Lynde L. Dodd; Nancy B. Rybicki; Ryan Thum; Yasuro Kadono; Kadiera Searfoss Ingram

Home/Archive/USGS

USGS · 70250106

Genetic and morphological differences between water chestnut (Myrtales: Lythraceae: Trapa) populations in the northeastern United States, Japan, and South Africa

Lynde L. Dodd·Nancy B. Rybicki·Ryan Thum·Yasuro Kadono·Kadiera Searfoss Ingram

View original source ↗Export metadata ↓

Abstract

This Special Report (SR) outlines preliminary work conducted under the Aquatic Plant Control Research Program (APCRP) to investigate genetic and morphological differences of Trapa taxa (water chestnut) in the Northeastern (NE) US. Comparisons of morphological characteristics and genetics were made between Trapa populations from the native region of Eurasia and Africa versus the NE US. Unpublished data suggests a new introduction of Trapa (herein referred to as Trapa sp.) has occurred in the Commonwealth of Virginia, US with unknown biology and life history. Observations of morphological and phenological characteristics of this potential new taxon of Trapa differ from those typically found with naturalized Trapa natans reported in the NE US. A better understanding of the biology and ecology of Trapa sp. is warranted to identify control strategies that would benefit water resource managers tasked with management of water chestnut.

Explore related subjects

Technical Report Report

Keep this discovery

Explore connections, maps & timelines

BibTeX RIS

Lynde L. Dodd, Nancy B. Rybicki, Ryan Thum, Yasuro Kadono, Kadiera Searfoss Ingram. 2019. Genetic and morphological differences between water chestnut (Myrtales: Lythraceae: Trapa) populations in the northeastern United States, Japan, and South Africa. https://pubs.usgs.gov/publication/70250106

Cite the original work for its findings. Save a collection to share your selection of sources.

KEEP EXPLORING

Related USGS reports

USGS2026

Cyanobacteria Assessment Network: Pilot study with Sentinel-2 derived chlorophyll data

Harmful algal blooms (HABs) affect global water quality, limiting uses like recreation and consumption because of excessive algal biomass and toxin production. These blooms cause surface scums, taste and odor issues, hypoxia, and negative health and socioeconomic impacts. The US Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) manages over 400 lakes and reservoirs and seeks to improve monitoring of HABs through Sentinel-2 (S2) satellite imagery. The purpose of this project is to develop workflows for a national chlorophyll-a product with 20 m spatial resolution, enabling HAB monitoring for over 270,000 lakes and reservoirs. The 1-year pilot study established a federal partnership to conduct preliminary S2 processing steps, using datasets from Florida, Ohio, and Oregon. Key steps included in situ data aggregation, data assimilation, S2 algorithm evaluation, spatial and temporal compositing, satellite sensor cross-validation, and web hosting of an example prototype product. The study covers 29 USACE reservoirs, with cross-validation using Sentinel-3 (S3) data from 212 lakes. The multiagency initiative aligns with federal agency missions to protect health and the environment, supports acts like the 2017 Harmful Algal Bloom and Hypoxia Research and Control Act, and has annual potential avoided costs of $42 million.

contiguous United States↗

USGS2026

Field evaluation of the Automated Barge Clearing Deterrent (ABCD): Hydrodynamic, navigation, and fish response effects

The escape and subsequent spread of invasive carp (notably, bighead carp [ Hypophthalmichthys nobilis ] and silver carp [ H. molitrix ]) from aquaculture ponds and sewage lagoons into the Mississippi and Illinois Rivers poses a significant risk to further spread of these fish into the Great Lakes. Prior research demonstrated that commercial tows can transport juvenile invasive carp through locks and other barriers to fish migration. A recent physical model study recommended a linear array of bubble diffusers, the Automated Barge Clearing Deterrent (ABCD), for further evaluation in mitigating the transport of small fish in commercial tows. The present field study evaluated the ABCD for navigation safety and barge junction flushing capacity. An instrumented commercial tow executed 119 lock approaches with the ABCD both operating and idle. Pilot interviews and tow trajectory analysis indicated no significant navigation safety issues. The measured velocity data, fish recapture data, and a simple fish displacement model indicated that the ABCD produced sufficient flow to expel all passive objects and many small juvenile invasive carp. However, the ABCD is less likely to expel large juvenile invasive carp due to their stronger swimming ability. The ABCD and two alternative configurations prove strong contenders for further development and application.

Illinois↗

USGS2025

Gulf Coast Basin CORE-CM initiative final report

The Bureau of Economic Geology at the University of Texas at Austin (UT-BEG) is leading the Gulf Coast Carbon Ore, Rare Earth, and Critical Minerals (CORE-CM) Initiative to assess the potential to produce critical minerals (CMs), including rare earth elements (REEs) from coal, coal ash, and produced water related to oil and gas production, and related materials (alumina processing waste [red mud], heavy mineral sands, graphite, and zeolite) within the Gulf Coast Basin. This project represents the first phase in a long-term program and provides reconnaissance data that will be foundational for future work by assessing resources and suggesting plans to be conducted in future work and expanding stakeholder engagement. The project includes several tasks designed to identify, characterize, and assess several necessary aspects for development of CMs and REEs in the Gulf Coast Basin.

Gulf Coast basin↗