Species name change for Koi carp in Aotearoa New Zealand

The system of taxonomy (the naming and classifying of things) is designed to evolve as we improve our understanding of evolutionary lineages, divergence and speciation. This means that taxon names and their relationships with other taxa are constantly being revisited and refined.

A growing body of research including this DOC report indicates that the Koi carp we have here in Aotearoa is an Asian lineage called Cyprinus rubrofuscus, rather than the European lineage Cyprinus carpio as previously thought. Regardless of their taxonomic classification, Koi are a highly invasive fish, and have spread rapidly through Te Ika-a-Māui since the 1960s. They are a destructive presence in our waterways, reducing water clarity by stirring up mud when they feed, and destroying native plant and fish habitat.

Based on the advice of pest fish experts Prof. Nick Ling (University of Waikato), Dave West (DOC) and Kerry Bodmin (DOC), we have now updated our reference database and historic Cyprinus carpio eDNA records to the more accurate Cyprinus rubrofuscus.

Image by Amy Gault

Although this may seem like a minor change, it does carry with it the need for several legislative adjustments. Aotearoa’s Unwanted Organism Register formerly included Cyprinus carpio but not Cyprinus rubrofuscus, so an application needed to be made to MPI to assign Unwanted Organism status for Cyprinus rubrofuscus. This has now been granted, meaning that Cyprinus rubrofuscus is now subject to the same regulations and restriction of sale and distribution as Cyprinus carpio.

However according to Kerry Bodmin, several management issues may still remain for Regional Councils and DOC where legislation and plans refer to the old name Cyprinus carpio.

Our computers are currently re-processing and updating all of the historic eDNA sample reports to reflect this name change on the Wilderlab explorer map. This means that koi eDNA records will now be searchable using the term ‘Cyprinus rubrofuscus’ rather than ‘Cyprinus carpio’ in the advanced taxon search option. This includes this record that really muddied the waters when it revealed koi DNA in a central Hawke’s Bay farm pond (full article here).

If you’d like to receive an updated version of your eDNA results that reflect this name change, don’t hesitate to contact our team at info@wilderlab.co.nz.