Man's impact on the British flora and fauna

1974 ◽  
Vol 8 (1) ◽  
pp. 23-28 ◽  
Author(s):  
D L Hawksworth
Keyword(s):  
Introduced Species ◽  
Native Species ◽  
Intensive Agriculture ◽  
British Isles

The activities of man have led to the extinction of relatively few species of plants and animals native to the British Isles over the last two centuries. Many have declined considerably as a result of increasingly intensive agriculture, industrialization and urbanization but others have expanded into man-made habitats. Introduced species continue to arrive in increasing numbers. For the rarer native species there is a need for careful recording and research into status and habitats.

scholarly journals Diet composition of the invasive red-whiskered bulbul Pycnonotus jocosus in Mauritius

2010 ◽  
Vol 26 (3) ◽  
pp. 347-350 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jannie Fries Linnebjerg ◽  
Dennis M. Hansen ◽  
Nancy Bunbury ◽  
Jens M. Olesen
Keyword(s):  
Invasive Species ◽  
Introduced Species ◽  
Native Species ◽  
Diet Composition ◽  
Ecological Perspective ◽  
Positive Interactions ◽  
Invasional Meltdown ◽  
Ecological Processes ◽  
Successful Establishment ◽  
The Impact

Disruption of ecosystems is one of the biggest threats posed by invasive species (Mack et al. 2000). Thus, one of the most important challenges is to understand the impact of exotic species on native species and habitats (e.g. Jones 2008). The probability that entire ‘invasive communities’ will develop increases as more species establish in new areas (Bourgeois et al. 2005). For example, introduced species may act in concert, facilitating one another's invasion, and increasing the likelihood of successful establishment, spread and impact. Simberloff & Von Holle (1999) introduced the term ‘invasional meltdown’ for this process, which has received widespread attention since (e.g. O'Dowd 2003, Richardson et al. 2000, Simberloff 2006). Positive interactions among introduced species are relatively common, but few have been studied in detail (Traveset & Richardson 2006). Examples include introduced insects and birds that pollinate and disperse exotic plants, thereby facilitating the spread of these species into non-invaded habitats (Goulson 2003, Mandon-Dalger et al. 2004, Simberloff & Von Holle 1999). From a more general ecological perspective, the study of interactions involving introduced and invasive species can contribute to our knowledge of ecological processes – for example, community assembly and indirect interactions.

An eco-evolutionary rationale to distinguish alien and native status: why the dingo is a native species on mainland Australia

2021 ◽  
Vol 41 (3) ◽  
pp. 358-366
Author(s):  
Peter B. Banks
Keyword(s):  
Alien Species ◽  
Introduced Species ◽  
Native Species ◽  
Genetic Basis ◽  
Evolutionary Approach ◽  
Range Transport ◽  
The Status ◽  
Local Species ◽  
Natural Range ◽  
Native Status

Distinguishing between whether a species is alien or native can be problematic, especially for introduced species that are long-established in new areas outside of their natural range. Transport by humans is the criterion for alien status used by many definitions, whereas arbitrary time since arrival to a location is often used to define native status. Here I propose an eco-evolutionary approach to distinguish between alien and native status and use this to resolve uncertainty in the status of the dingo in Australia. Dingoes were transported to mainland Australia by humans, but more than 4000 years ago, and dingoes now interbreed with feral domestic dogs. Legally, this mix of events has the dingo classified as native in some jurisdictions and alien in others. I suggest that native status for introduced species should be based on (1) whether the species has evolved in their new environment; (2) whether local species recognise and respond to them as they do towards deep endemic native species, and; (3) whether their impacts benchmark against those of a native species or are exaggerated like those of other alien species. Dingoes are behaviourally, reproductively and morphologically different to close ancestors from south-east Asia, and this difference has a genetic basis indicative of evolution in Australia. There is abundant evidence that native prey species on mainland Australia recognise and respond to them as a dangerous predator, which they are. But there is strong evidence that dingo impacts on prey are not exaggerated, with effect sizes from mensurative experiments similar to those of experiments on native predators rather than alien predators. These three lines of evidence suggest dingoes should be considered native to mainland Australia. I suggest this eco-evolutionary approach to defining native status can be helpful in resolving the often-heated debates about when an alien species becomes native.

scholarly journals Taxonomic synopsis and analytical key for the genera of Solanaceae from Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil

2011 ◽  
Vol 25 (2) ◽  
pp. 346-362
Author(s):  
Edson Luís de Carvalho Soares ◽  
Márcia Vignoli-Silva ◽  
Lilian Auler Mentz
Keyword(s):  
Introduced Species ◽  
Native Species ◽  
Rio Grande ◽  
Identification Key ◽  
Rio Grande Do Sul ◽  
Number Of Species

This work consists of a taxonomic synopsis of the genera of Solanaceae in Rio Grande do Sul state, Brazil. Solanaceae is represented by 28 genera in this state: Acnistus Schott, Athenaea Sendtn., Aureliana Sendtn., Bouchetia Dunal, Browalia L., Brugmansia Pers., Brunfelsia L., Calibrachoa La Llave & Lex., Capsicum L., Cestrum L., Datura L., Dyssochroma Miers, Grabowskia Schltdl., Jaborosa Juss., Lycianthes (Dunal) Hassl., Melananthus Walp., Nicandra Adans., Nicotiana L., Nierembergia Ruiz & Pav., Petunia Juss., Physalis L., Salpichroa Miers, Schwenckia L., Sessea Ruiz & Pav., Solandra Sw., Solanum L. (including Cyphomandra Sendtn. and Lycopersicon Mill.), Streptosolen Miers and Vassobia Rusby. Of these, 23 consist of native species , while five are represented exclusively by introduced species. The total number of species is 149, of which 118 are native and 31 are introduced (adventitious or cultivated). An identification key for genera, and also comments on the most relevant taxonomic characters of each one are presented, plus comments on the species that occur in Rio Grande do Sul state.

scholarly journals Features of the water regime of aboriginal and introduced species of the genus Iris L. in the Southern Ural

2021 ◽  
Vol 210 (07) ◽  
pp. 2-15
Author(s):  
Liliya Beksheneva ◽  
Antonina Reut
Keyword(s):  
Introduced Species ◽  
Water Scarcity ◽  
Native Species ◽  
Water Regime ◽  
Meteorological Factors ◽  
Botanical Garden ◽  
Mode I ◽  
Native Flora ◽  
Rare And Endangered Species ◽  
Rare And Endangered

Abstract. The article presents the results of an experimental assessment of the peculiarities of the water regime of 9 species of the genus Iris L. growing in the South-Ural Botanical Garden-Institute UFRC RAS (I. sibirica L., I. pseudacorus L. ‒ species of native flora, I. aphylla L., I. biglumis Vahl., I. lacteal Pall., I. orientalis Mill., I. ruthenica Ker-Gawl., I. setosa Pall., I. spuria L. ‒ introduced species). The purpose is a comparative evaluation of the main parameters of the water regime within the generic complex and depending on the detection of meteorological factors in different phenological periods. Methods. Studies were performed in growing periods 2019–2020’s physiological using conventional techniques (artificial saturation method and wilting). Made a detailed analysis of daily and seasonal dynamics of the water regime of the three parameters: the total water content, water-holding capacity, water scarcity. Typical forest species Convallaria majalis L. was investigated for a comparative analysis of water regime indicators. Results. The similarities and differences in the peculiarities of the water regime were established between the studied species, the dependence of the indicators on meteorological conditions was revealed. According to the type of water regime cultivars were divided into four groups: a flexible water-quiet mode ‒ I. pseudacorus, flexible water-tight mode ‒ I. sibirica, I. ruthenica, stably-calm water mode ‒ I. aphylla, I. biglumis, I. setosa, stably-tight water mode ‒ I. spuria, I. lactea, I. orientalis. Among the studied parameters of water scarcity was the most dependent on meteorological factors. Scientific novelty. The study helps to identify ecological and physiological adaptations of exotic species in comparison with the native species that could become the basis for assessing the prospects of growing in the culture and conservation of rare and endangered species.

Monograph of Nylanderia (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) of the World, Part II: Nylanderia in the Nearctic

Zootaxa ◽  
2012 ◽  
Vol 3508 (1) ◽  
pp. 1 ◽  
Author(s):  
ROBERT J. KALLAL ◽  
JOHN S. LaPOLLA
Keyword(s):  
New Species ◽  
Introduced Species ◽  
Central America ◽  
Native Species ◽  
Junior Synonym ◽  
The World ◽  
The Caribbean ◽  
Three New Species ◽  
Nearctic Region

The taxonomy of the Nearctic Nylanderia fauna is revised. Three new species are established, bringing the total numberof native species from the region to 14. The new species are: N. magnella, N. querna, and N. trageri. Several speciespossess workers that are difficult to distinguish from each other and the presence of males is required for morphologicalidentification. This is particularly the case with N. vividula and N. terricola. Two subspecies are synonymized: N. vividulamjobergi is considered a junior synonym of N. vividula and N. vividula antillana is considered a junior synonym of N.guatemalensis. At least five Nylanderia species have been introduced to the Nearctic region, including: N. bourbonica,N. flavipes, N. fulva, N. pubens, and N. steinheili. Another species, N. guatemalensis, is also included because its widedistribution across the Caribbean and Central America suggest it could become introduced to the Nearctic region. Iden-tification keys are provided for the workers of native and introduced species and the males of native species. Distributionmaps are provided for native and introduced species. Photomontage images are provided for the worker of each introduced species and all castes of the native species.

scholarly journals We need to worry about Bella and Charlie: the impacts of pet cats on Australian wildlife

2020 ◽  
Vol 47 (8) ◽  
pp. 523 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sarah Legge ◽  
John C. Z. Woinarski ◽  
Chris R. Dickman ◽  
Brett P. Murphy ◽  
Leigh-Ann Woolley ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Introduced Species ◽  
Urban Areas ◽  
Native Species ◽  
Population Decline ◽  
Domestic Cat ◽  
Natural Environments ◽  
Residential Areas ◽  
Management Options ◽  
Feral Cats ◽  
Predation Rates

Research and management attention on the impacts of the introduced domestic cat (Felis catus) on Australian fauna have focussed mainly on the feral population. Here, we summarise the evidence for impacts of predation by pet cats on Australian wildlife. We collate examples of local wildlife population decline and extirpation as a result, at least in part, of predation by pet cats. We assemble information across 66 studies of predation by pet cats worldwide (including 24 Australian studies) to estimate the predation toll of pet cats in Australia, plus the predation pressure per unit area in residential areas. We compared these estimates to those published for feral cats in Australia. The per capita kill rate of pet cats is 25% that of feral cats. However, pet cats live at much higher densities, so the predation rate of pets per square kilometre in residential areas is 28–52 times larger than predation rates by feral cats in natural environments, and 1.3–2.3 times greater than predation rates per km2 by feral cats living in urban areas. Pet cats kill introduced species more often than do feral cats living in natural environments, but, nonetheless, the toll of native animals killed per square kilometre by pet cats in residential areas is still much higher than the toll per square kilometre by feral cats. There is no evidence that pet cats exert significant control of introduced species. The high predation toll of pet cats in residential areas, the documented examples of declines and extirpations in populations of native species caused by pet cats, and potential pathways for other, indirect effects (e.g. from disease, landscapes of fear, ecological footprints), and the context of extraordinary impacts from feral cats on Australian fauna, together support a default position that pet cat impacts are serious and should be reduced. From a technical perspective, the pet cat impacts can be reduced more effectively and humanely than those of feral cats, while also enhancing pet cat welfare. We review the management options for reducing predation by pet cats, and discuss the opportunities and challenges for improved pet cat management and welfare.

scholarly journals Ectoparasite extinction in simplified lizard assemblages during experimental island invasion

2020 ◽  
Vol 16 (8) ◽  
pp. 20200474 ◽  
Author(s):  
Christian L. Cox ◽  
Sean Alexander ◽  
Brianna Casement ◽  
Albert K. Chung ◽  
John David Curlis ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Introduced Species ◽  
Native Species ◽  
Population Expansion ◽  
Enemy Release ◽  
Total Density ◽  
Agonistic Interactions ◽  
Native Communities ◽  
Trombiculid Mite ◽  
Density And Biomass ◽  
Field Transplant

Introduced species can become invasive, damaging ecosystems and disrupting economies through explosive population growth. One mechanism underlying population expansion in invasive populations is ‘enemy release’, whereby the invader experiences relaxation of agonistic interactions with other species, including parasites. However, direct observational evidence of release from parasitism during invasion is rare. We mimicked the early stages of invasion by experimentally translocating populations of mite-parasitized slender anole lizards ( Anolis apletophallus ) to islands that varied in the number of native anoles. Two islands were anole-free prior to the introduction, whereas a third island had a resident population of Gaige's anole ( Anolis gaigei ). We then characterized changes in trombiculid mite parasitism over multiple generations post-introduction. We found that mites rapidly went extinct on one-species islands, but that lizards introduced to the two-species island retained mites. After three generations, the two-species island had the highest total density and biomass of lizards, but the lowest density of the introduced species, implying that the ‘invasion’ had been less successful. This field-transplant study suggests that native species can be ‘enemy reservoirs’ that facilitate co-colonization of ectoparasites with the invasive host. Broadly, these results indicate that the presence of intact and diverse native communities may help to curb invasiveness.

Plant invasions: the role of biotic interactions

2020 ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Introduced Species ◽  
Plant Invasion ◽  
Native Species ◽  
Native Plants ◽  
Biotic Interactions ◽  
Plant Invasions ◽  
Invasion Dynamics ◽  
Experimental Approaches ◽  
Antagonistic Interactions

Abstract This book contains 23 chapters divided into seven parts. Part I reviews the key hypotheses in invasion ecology that invoke biotic interactions to explain aspects of plant invasion dynamics; and reviews models, theories and hypotheses on how invasion performance and impact of introduced species in recipient ecosystems can be conjectured according to biotic interactions between native and non-native species. Part II deals with positive and negative interactions in the soil. Part III discusses mutualistic interactions that promote plant invasions. Part IV describes antagonistic interactions that hinder plant invasions, while part V presents the consequences of plant invasions for biotic interactions among native species. In part VI, novel techniques and experimental approaches in the study of plant invasions are shown. In the last part, biotic interactions and the management of ecosystems invaded by non-native plants are discussed.

Consequences of Multispecies Introductions on Island Ecosystems

2019 ◽  
Vol 50 (1) ◽  
pp. 169-190 ◽  
Author(s):  
James C. Russell ◽  
Christopher N. Kaiser-Bunbury
Keyword(s):  
Introduced Species ◽  
Native Species ◽  
Single Species ◽  
Evolutionary Relationships ◽  
Native Range ◽  
Top Down ◽  
Island Ecosystems ◽  
Bottom Up ◽  
Species Introductions ◽  
Resource Limited

The rate of non-native species introductions continues to increase, with directionality from continents to islands. It is no longer single species but entire networks of coevolved and newly interacting continental species that are establishing on islands. The consequences of multispecies introductions on the population dynamics and interactions of native and introduced species will depend on the form of trophic limitation on island ecosystems. Freed from biotic constraints in their native range, species introduced to islands no longer experience top-down limitation, instead becoming limited by and disrupting bottom-up processes that dominate on resource-limited islands. This framing of the ecological and evolutionary relationships among introduced species with one another and their ecosystem has important consequences for conservation. Whereas on continents the focus of conservation is on restoring native apex species and top-down limitation, on islands the focus must instead be on removing introduced animal and plant species to restore bottom-up limitation.

Interactions Between Introduced and Native Millipede Species in South Australia

1995 ◽  
Vol 43 (2) ◽  
pp. 129 ◽  
Author(s):  
TT Griffin ◽  
CM Bull
Keyword(s):  
Introduced Species ◽  
Native Species ◽  
Feeding Activity ◽  
South Australia ◽  
Habitat Choice ◽  
Activity Time ◽  
Species Overlap ◽  
Ecological Changes ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Very High

The Portugese millipede Ommaroiulus moreleti (Lucas) (Diplopoda:Julidae) has recently been introduced to South Australia where it has reached very high densities. In parts of the Adelaide Hills it now co-occurs with two native millipedes, Oncocladosoma clavigerum Jeekel (Diplopoda: Paradoxosomatidae) and Dimerogonus orophilus (Attems) (Diplopoda: Cambalidae). We attempted to show whether the introduced species, which has successfully invaded the detrivore community, has affected the ecology or behaviour of the native millipede members of that community. Experiments in laboratory and field arenas showed that the three species overlap broadly in activity time and microhabitat. The two native species showed no significant difference in habitat choice or aggregating behaviour when alone or mixed with the introduced O. moreleti, and the natives commonly aggregated with the introduced species. Although D. orophilus had reduced feeding activity in the presence of O. moreleti, neither native species rejected food that had been in contact with O. moreleti. We conclude that direct interactions between the introduced invader and the native species cause few behavioural or ecological changes within the detrivorous millipede community.

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