What dual traits make the walking catfish a persistent ecological management headache?
Answer
Its terrestrial mobility and high survival rate when out of water
The ecological challenge posed by the walking catfish stems directly from the evolutionary features that make it such a biological marvel in its native habitat. The traits that enable its survival in desiccating or low-oxygen aquatic environments—namely, the ability to breathe air and move overland—are precisely what make it a persistent problem for ecosystem managers in invaded territories. Its terrestrial mobility allows it to colonize isolated water bodies that might otherwise remain separate, while its high survival rate out of water ensures that eradication attempts are exceptionally difficult, leading to its reputation as a persistent management headache.
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