are likely, because most early captures were far from this location, in the southern Mississippi basin. Most of the captured fish have been confirmed to be diploid and assumed fertile. Two diploid fingerlings were captured near Cape Girardeau, Missouri in 2016, a sign of natural reproduction of this species in the wild. In Louisiana, many other reports by knowledgeable fishers of their capture have not been verified by biologists. Black carp are considered to be a serious threat to mollusks native to the United States, many of which are critically endangered. In 2007, the black carp was listed as an "injurious species" under the Lacey Act of 1900. Transporting live black carp, whether sterile or fertile, into the United States or across state lines is thus illegal in most cases. Anatomy and physiology Black carp have enameloid teeth located in the posterior pharynx between the cleithral bones. There are four teeth on the left side and five teeth on the right side of the pharynx in adults. As the black carp prepare to crush shelled prey, they forcibly occlude their pharyngeal teeth. A horny patch above the pharyngeal teeth helps to position and hold the prey in place as it is crushed. The pharyngeal teeth will be replaced multiple times during the life of the carp. Etymology Generic name from Greek mylo- "mill" + New Latin pharynx- "throat" + Greek odon "tooth". Specific name from Latin piceus "pitch-black." References External links Species Profile- Black Carp (Asian Carp) (Mylopharyngodon piceus), National Invasive Species Information Center, United States National Agricultural Library. Lists general information and reseources for black carp. Carp Cyprinid fish of Asia Freshwater fish of China Squaliobarbinae Taxa named by John Richardson (naturalist) Fish described in 1846