In which specific region is the walking catfish currently established as an invasive species?
Answer
Florida
While the walking catfish originates in Asia, its introduction outside this native range has led to significant ecological difficulties where it has become established as a problematic invader. The text explicitly identifies Florida as one specific location where this species has successfully colonized local ecosystems. This establishment is facilitated by the catfish’s unique survival characteristics, namely its high tolerance for poor water quality and its capability to breathe air and move across land, which helps it bypass surface barriers between water bodies, making eradication efforts extremely difficult once colonization takes hold.
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