We concentrated on the nonindigenous aquatic species of Florida that were revealed by a literature review during September 1993-January 1994. Limited additional 1995 references were added to the text during the review and editoring stages. Some information is on high-profile nonaquatic species. When experts were available, unpublished information about some groups of species was also obtained. However, resources were not available to gather new or unpublished information on all species. Recent published reviews were available of fishes (Courtenay et al. 1984, 1986, 1991), plants (Schardt and Schmitz 1990), and insects (Frank and McCoy 1992, 1993). We depended on the reviews and are indebted to W. R. Courtenay Jr., J. H. Frank, and D. C. Schmitz for assistance. No effort was made to include data on insects that immigrated (migrated on their own accord or were unintentionally introduced by humans) into Florida before 1970 because much of the information is scattered, not well documented, open to speculation, and beyond the scope of this study. Gathering and updating information on most of the other groups was impossible because of shortness of time and lack of sufficient resources.
We hope that the updating of the information on the status of nonindigenous species in Florida will be continued and that similar documents will be prepared for other states. Knowledge of the pathways of introduction is critical for the development of methods to stop the introduction and establishment of nonindigenous nuisance species while allowing the wise use of beneficial nonindigenous species.
