scholarly journals Exploiting intraspecific competitive mechanisms to control invasive cane toads ( Rhinella marina )

2012 ◽  
Vol 279 (1742) ◽  
pp. 3436-3442 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michael R. Crossland ◽  
Takashi Haramura ◽  
Angela A. Salim ◽  
Robert J. Capon ◽  
Richard Shine
Keyword(s):  
Invasive Species ◽  
Communication Systems ◽  
Native Species ◽  
Negative Effects ◽  
Specific Chemical ◽  
Rhinella Marina ◽  
Invasive Species Control ◽  
Tropical Australia ◽  
Competitive Mechanisms ◽  
Species Specific

If invasive species use chemical weapons to suppress the viability of conspecifics, we may be able to exploit those species-specific chemical cues for selective control of the invader. Cane toads ( Rhinella marina ) are spreading through tropical Australia, with negative effects on native species. The tadpoles of cane toads eliminate intraspecific competitors by locating and consuming newly laid eggs. Our laboratory trials show that tadpoles find those eggs by searching for the powerful bufadienolide toxins (especially, bufogenins) that toads use to deter predators. Using those toxins as bait, funnel-traps placed in natural waterbodies achieved near-complete eradication of cane toad tadpoles with minimal collateral damage (because most native (non-target) species are repelled by the toads' toxins). More generally, communication systems that have evolved for intraspecific conflict provide novel opportunities for invasive-species control.

High predatory efficiency and abundance drive expected ecological impacts of a marine invasive fish

2020 ◽  
Vol 637 ◽  
pp. 195-208 ◽  
Author(s):  
EM DeRoy ◽  
R Scott ◽  
NE Hussey ◽  
HJ MacIsaac
Keyword(s):  
Invasive Species ◽  
Native Species ◽  
Ecological Impact ◽  
Marine Species ◽  
Ecological Impacts ◽  
Negative Effects ◽  
Marine Predator ◽  
Eastern Gulf Of Mexico ◽  
Red Grouper ◽  
Per Capita

The ecological impacts of invasive species are highly variable and mediated by many factors, including both habitat and population abundance. Lionfish Pterois volitans are an invasive marine species which have high reported detrimental effects on prey populations, but whose effects relative to native predators are currently unknown for the recently colonized eastern Gulf of Mexico. We used functional response (FR) methodology to assess the ecological impact of lionfish relative to 2 functionally similar native species (red grouper Epinephelus morio and graysby grouper Cephalopholis cruentata) foraging in a heterogeneous environment. We then combined the per capita impact of each species with their field abundance to obtain a Relative Impact Potential (RIP). RIP assesses the broader ecological impact of invasive relative to native predators, the magnitude of which predicts community-level negative effects of invasive species. Lionfish FR and overall consumption rate was intermediate to that of red grouper (higher) and graysby grouper (lower). However, lionfish had the highest capture efficiency of all species, which was invariant of habitat. Much higher field abundance of lionfish resulted in high RIPs relative to both grouper species, demonstrating that the ecological impact of lionfish in this region will be driven mainly by high abundance and high predator efficiency rather than per capita effect. Our comparative study is the first empirical assessment of lionfish per capita impact and RIP in this region and is one of few such studies to quantify the FR of a marine predator.

scholarly journals Emerging fungal pathogen of an invasive grass: Implications for competition with native plant species

PLoS ONE ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 16 (3) ◽  
pp. e0237894
Author(s):  
Amy E. Kendig ◽  
Vida J. Svahnström ◽  
Ashish Adhikari ◽  
Philip F. Harmon ◽  
S. Luke Flory
Keyword(s):  
Invasive Species ◽  
Plant Species ◽  
Fungal Pathogen ◽  
Native Species ◽  
Grass Species ◽  
Leaf Spot Disease ◽  
Native Plant ◽  
Invasive Grass ◽  
Native Plant Species ◽  
Species Specific

Infectious diseases and invasive species can be strong drivers of biological systems that may interact to shift plant community composition. For example, disease can modify resource competition between invasive and native species. Invasive species tend to interact with a diversity of native species, and it is unclear how native species differ in response to disease-mediated competition with invasive species. Here, we quantified the biomass responses of three native North American grass species (Dichanthelium clandestinum, Elymus virginicus, and Eragrostis spectabilis) to disease-mediated competition with the non-native invasive grass Microstegium vimineum. The foliar fungal pathogen Bipolaris gigantea has recently emerged in Microstegium populations, causing a leaf spot disease that reduces Microstegium biomass and seed production. In a greenhouse experiment, we examined the effects of B. gigantea inoculation on two components of competitive ability for each native species: growth in the absence of competition and biomass responses to increasing densities of Microstegium. Bipolaris gigantea inoculation affected each of the three native species in unique ways, by increasing (Dichanthelium), decreasing (Elymus), or not changing (Eragrostis) their growth in the absence of competition relative to mock inoculation. Bipolaris gigantea inoculation did not, however, affect Microstegium biomass or mediate the effect of Microstegium density on native plant biomass. Thus, B. gigantea had species-specific effects on native plant competition with Microstegium through species-specific biomass responses to B. gigantea inoculation, but not through modified responses to Microstegium density. Our results suggest that disease may uniquely modify competitive interactions between invasive and native plants for different native plant species.

scholarly journals The pig of the Lençóis Maranhenses, first record of wild boar (Sus scrofa) in Maranhão State, Brazil

Check List ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 15 (4) ◽  
pp. 1-1
Author(s):  
Gilberto Nepomuceno Salvador ◽  
Nathali Garcia Ristau ◽  
Isabel Sanches da Silva ◽  
André Nunes
Keyword(s):  
Invasive Species ◽  
Wild Boar ◽  
Sus Scrofa ◽  
Native Species ◽  
National Park ◽  
First Record ◽  
Negative Effects ◽  
The World

The wild boar is one of the most dangerous invasive species. It is widespread in the world, including records for many Brazilian states. However, there is a lack of record from Maranhão state. In the present study, we reported a population of wild boar inside the Lençóis Maranhenses National Park, in Barrerinhas county, State of Maranhão. We discuss about the negative effects of this introduction on native species, including a record of predation by wild boar in nests of endangered turtles.

The Cane or “Bufo” Toad (Rhinella marina) in Florida

EDIS ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 2017 (5) ◽  
Author(s):  
Audrey C. Wilson ◽  
Steven A> Johnson
Keyword(s):  
Invasive Species ◽  
Native Species ◽  
Rhinella Marina ◽  
Central Florida ◽  
The World ◽  
History Of ◽  
The 1950S

Cane Toads are an invasive species in Florida and in many countries around the world. They have been established in Florida since the 1950s and have now spread to human-modified habitat throughout much of South and Central Florida. Cane Toads are larger and more poisonous than Florida's native toads; they can be fatal to dogs that try to eat them, and more research is necessary to understand their impacts on Florida's native species. This document covers the history of Cane Toads in Florida and how to distinguish them from native species.  It describes their ecology and impacts on both ecosystems and people. Finally, it provides advice for dealing with Cane Toads in yards and neighborhoods.

scholarly journals Responses of native and invasive woody seedlings to combined competition and drought are species-specific

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Andrea Bueno ◽  
Karin Pritsch ◽  
Judy Simon
Keyword(s):  
Invasive Species ◽  
Water Supply ◽  
Soil Water ◽  
Native Species ◽  
Woody Species ◽  
Total Soluble Protein ◽  
Summer Drought ◽  
Species Invasions ◽  
Species Specific ◽  
N Acquisition

Abstract Woody species invasions are a major threat to native communities with intensified consequences during increased periods of summer drought as predicted for the future. Competition for growth-limiting nitrogen (N) between native and invasive tree species might represent a key mechanism underlying the invasion process, because soil water availability and N acquisition of plants are closely linked. To study whether the traits of invasive species provide an advantage over natives in Central Europe in the competition for N under drought, we conducted a greenhouse experiment. We analysed the responses of three native (i.e., Fagus sylvatica, Quercus robur, and Pinus sylvestris) and two invasive woody species (i.e., Prunus serotina and Robinia pseudoacacia) to competition in terms of their organic and inorganic N acquisition, as well as allocation of N to N pools in the leaves and fine roots. In our study, competition resulted in reduced growth and changes in internal N pools in both native and invasive species mediated by the physiological characteristics of the target species, the competitor, as well as soil water supply. N acquisition, however, was not affected by competition indicating that changes in growth and N pools were rather linked to the remobilization of stored N. Drought led to reduced N acquisition, growth and total soluble protein-N levels, while total soluble amino acid-N levels increased, most likely as osmoprotectants as an adaptation to the reduced water supply. Generally, the consequences of drought were enhanced with competition across all species. Comparing the invasive competitors, P. serotina was a greater threat to the native species than R. pseudoacacia. Furthermore, deciduous and coniferous native species affected the invasives differently, with the species-specific responses being mediated by soil water supply.

scholarly journals Application of environmental DNA for monitoring and management of aquatic biological invasions: Emerging trends and advancements towards best practice

2021 ◽  
Vol 4 ◽  
Author(s):  
Emily Chen
Keyword(s):  
Invasive Species ◽  
Experimental Design ◽  
Native Species ◽  
Best Practice ◽  
Environmental Dna ◽  
Extraction Methods ◽  
Indigenous Species ◽  
Recent Emergence ◽  
Species Specific ◽  
Sampling Procedures

Introduction Aquatic Invasive Species (AIS) are a growing concern for global biodiversity as humans continue to accelerate the transport of non-indigenous species beyond their natural range. These species may possess traits that allow them to thrive in new environmental conditions such as non-selective feeding and high reproductive output, causing ecological harm through competition with native species for limited local resources. Consequently, environmental DNA (eDNA) has come to the forefront of AIS management in recent years as a promising method to detect or monitor invasive species using rapid and non-invasive sampling to complement traditional surveying. As eDNA’s potential is explored and beginning to be adopted for a variety of applications around the world, it is increasingly important to synthesize the trends in field and laboratory protocols from different working groups to establish guidelines that will allow greater comparability between studies and improve experimental design. Methodology and Results This meta-analytic study collated and reviewed information from previously published eDNA studies that targeted AIS in freshwater and marine environments to recognize current patterns in sampling techniques, laboratory protocols, and potential geographic or taxonomic biases. A total of 492 records from 192 full-text articles were used in the analysis, composed of 408 species-specific and 84 metabarcoding records. With regards to sampling procedures, many studies were not explicit enough for true replicability, lacking critical information such as the volume of filtered water and details of storage conditions. There was no observable trend for eDNA extraction methods in either species-specific or metabarcoding approaches, with choice of extraction method being mostly arbitrary among laboratories as well as influenced by the recent emergence of dedicated commercial kits . Discussion This analysis revealed a wide variety of choices for collecting and processing eDNA samples, so it is recommended that there should be some sort of standardized workflow diagram or decision tree for every stage of the experimental design in order for researchers to determine what approaches best meet their research objectives. There is also a clear need for improving metadata reporting guidelines; although the relevance of some criteria depends on the goals and limitations of specific projects, there should be a standardized minimum set of parameters to be reported for each eDNA study, from environmental variables to decontamination practices to PCR conditions. This will increase consistency and transparency through all stages of eDNA research, which is key to collectively improving methodologies and moving forward in this field.

scholarly journals Molecular Phylogenetics of Physa acuta (Pulmonata: Basommatophora): an Invasive species in Central Punjab Pakistan

2023 ◽  
Vol 83 ◽  
Author(s):  
B. Ansari ◽  
J. Altafa ◽  
A. Ramzan ◽  
Z. Ahmed ◽  
S. Khalil ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Genetic Diversity ◽  
Invasive Species ◽  
Multivariate Analysis ◽  
Native Species ◽  
Molecular Phylogenetics ◽  
Intermediate Hosts ◽  
Physa Acuta ◽  
Species Specific ◽  
High Level ◽  
Rapd Fragment

Abstract Physids belong to Class Gastropoda; belong to Phylum Mollusca and being bioindicators, intermediate hosts of parasites and pests hold a key position in the ecosystem. There are three species of Genus Physa i.e. P. fontinalis, Physa acuta and P. gyrina water bodies of Central Punjab and were characterized on the basis of molecular markers High level of genetic diversity was revealed by polymorphic RAPD, however SSR markers were not amplified. The multivariate analysis revealed polymorphism ranging from 9.09 percent to 50 percent among the three Physid species. Total number of 79 loci were observed for the three species under study and 24 loci were observed to be polymorphic. These RAPD fragment(s) can be developed into co dominant markers (SCAR) by cloning and can be further sequenced for the development of the Physa species specific markers to identify the introduced and native species in Pakistan.

scholarly journals Mapping Rocky Mountain ridged mussel beds with preliminary identification of overlapping Eurasian watermilfoil within the Canadian range

2020 ◽  
Vol 42 ◽  
pp. 19-31
Author(s):  
Joy Wade ◽  
Craig Stephen ◽  
Colin Robertson
Keyword(s):  
Invasive Species ◽  
Native Species ◽  
Myriophyllum Spicatum ◽  
Rocky Mountain ◽  
Mussel Beds ◽  
Eurasian Watermilfoil ◽  
Potential Habitat ◽  
Preliminary Identification ◽  
Invasive Species Control ◽  
Species At Risk Act

The Rocky Mountain ridged mussel (Gonidea angulata) is a bivalve species whose Canadian range is limited to the Okanagan Valley, British Columbia. In 2019, conflicts between habitat protection for the mussel and potential habitat alteration to control the invasive Eurasian watermilfoil (Myriophyllum spicatum) (milfoil), led to a decision to maintain the status of the mussels as Special Concern under Canada’s Species at Risk Act (SARA) rather than classify it as Endangered. Milfoil control can cause direct mortality and/or burial of the mussels, but there had been no systematic study of the impacts of milfoil control on mussel beds. The purpose of this study was to address knowledge gaps by delineating known mussel beds and potential overlap with milfoil to provide information for management decisions that balance the needs of native species protection and invasive species control. Rocky Mountain ridged mussels in three reference locations were enumerated using snorkel surveys. The presence and distribution of milfoil was documented in relation to five sites within these three locations. Milfoil was encroaching on one site, causing some changes to the substrate. At other sites, the differences in the depth and distribution of the mussel and the milfoil could allow milfoil control without damaging the mussel beds. It is recommended that, before milfoil removal near known mussel beds be undertaken, a detailed site evaluation be conducted to determine potential impacts. This study suggests presumed impediments to co-managing the mussels and controlling an invasive species should not preclude classifying the mussels as Endangered and affording protections under SARA.

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