scholarly journals Human Fatalities Caused by Hornet, Wasp and Bee Stings in Spain: Epidemiology at State and Sub-State Level from 1999 to 2018

Biology ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (2) ◽  
pp. 73
Author(s):  
Xesús Feás
Keyword(s):  
Invasive Species ◽  
Standard Deviation ◽  
Native Species ◽  
State Level ◽  
Mortality Rates ◽  
Mean Value ◽  
Vespa Velutina ◽  
Castilla Y Leon ◽  
Low Levels

Epidemiology of fatalities in Spain due to hornet, wasp, and bee stings (Cause Code of Death: X23) is described. Over a 20-year period (1999–2018), a total of 78 fatalities were recorded, mostly occurring in males (85.9%), of 65 years and older (52.6%), at “unspecified places” (67.9%), and in the months of July and August (50%). The X23 mortality rates (X23MR) expressed in terms of annual rates and per million inhabitants, varied from 0.02 to 0.19 (mean value ± standard deviation = 0.09 ± 0.05), placing Spain at low levels in comparison with other countries. A more detailed and specific breakdown of the distribution of the yearly deaths at the sub-state level and across communities reveals some striking features. They were more concentrated in the communities of Galicia (35.8%), Andalucía (21.7%), and Castilla y León (12.8%). X23MR were estimated in Galicia at 1.82, 1.10, and 2.22 in 2014, 2016, and 2018, respectively; and in Asturias at 1.88 and 0.97, in 2014 and 2017, respectively. The role of the invasive species Vespa velutina (VV) is examined. Due to its habits, abundance, and broader distribution, the risk that VV represents to human health is unmatched by other Hymenoptera native species.

scholarly journals Human Fatalities Caused by Hornet, Wasp and Bee Stings in Spain: Epidemiology at State and Sub-state Level from 1999 to 2018

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Xesús Feás
Keyword(s):  
Invasive Species ◽  
Standard Deviation ◽  
Native Species ◽  
State Level ◽  
Mortality Rates ◽  
Mean Value ◽  
Vespa Velutina ◽  
Castilla Y Leon ◽  
Low Levels

Epidemiology of fatalities in Spain due to hornet, wasp and bee stings (Cause Code of Death: X23) is described. Over a 20-year period (1999-2018), a total of 78 fatalities were recorded, mostly occurring in males (85.9%), of 65 years and older (52.6%), at “unspecified places” (67.9%) and in the months of July and August (50%). The X23 mortality rates (X23MR) expressed in terms of annual rates and per million inhabitants, varied from 0.02 to 0.19 (mean value ± standard deviation = 0.09 ± 0.05), placing Spain at low levels in comparison with other countries. A more detailed and specific breakdown of the distribution of the yearly deaths at Sub-state level and across communities reveals some striking features. They were more concentrated in the Communities of Galicia (35.8%), Andalucía (21.7%) and Castilla y León (12.8%). X23MR were estimated in Galicia at 1.82, 1.10 and 2.22 in 2014, 2016 and 2018 respectively; and in Asturias at 1.88 and 0.97, in 2014 and 2017 respectively. The role of the invasive species Vespa velutina (VV), is examined. Due to its habits, abundance and broader distribution, the risk that VV represents to human health is unmatched by other Hymenoptera native species.

scholarly journals Native turncoats and indirect facilitation of species invasions

2018 ◽  
Vol 285 (1871) ◽  
pp. 20171936 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tobin D. Northfield ◽  
Susan G. W. Laurance ◽  
Margaret M. Mayfield ◽  
Dean R. Paini ◽  
William E. Snyder ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Invasive Species ◽  
Native Species ◽  
Potential Role ◽  
Indirect Interactions ◽  
Invasion Success ◽  
Competitive Interactions ◽  
Species Invasion ◽  
Species Invasions ◽  
Indirect Facilitation

At local scales, native species can resist invasion by feeding on and competing with would-be invasive species. However, this relationship tends to break down or reverse at larger scales. Here, we consider the role of native species as indirect facilitators of invasion and their potential role in this diversity-driven ‘invasion paradox’. We coin the term ‘native turncoats’ to describe native facilitators of non-native species and identify eight ways they may indirectly facilitate species invasion. Some are commonly documented, while others, such as indirect interactions within competitive communities, are largely undocumented in an invasion context. Therefore, we use models to evaluate the likelihood that these competitive interactions influence invasions. We find that native turncoat effects increase with the number of resources and native species. Furthermore, our findings suggest the existence, abundance and effectiveness of native turncoats in a community could greatly influence invasion success at large scales.

ECOLOGICAL AND CENOTIC ROLE OF ALIEN PLANT SPECIES IN FOREST ECOSYSTEMS OF THE VORONEZH CITY DISTRICT

2020 ◽  
Vol 6(72) (1) ◽  
pp. 88-96
Author(s):  
L. A. Lepeshkina ◽  
M. A. Klevtsova ◽  
A. A. Voronin
Keyword(s):  
Invasive Species ◽  
Alien Species ◽  
Native Species ◽  
Forest Ecosystems ◽  
Pine Forests ◽  
Oak Forests ◽  
Acer Negundo ◽  
Ecological Parameters ◽  
Parthenocissus Quinquefolia

The processes of depletion of zonal vegetation are closely related to the settlement of invasive species. Within the forest ecosystems of the urban district of Voronezh, 31 invasive species from 30 genera and 19 families were recorded. The method of ecological scales revealed the ecological-coenotic aspects of phytoinvasions. The sample involved geobotanical descriptions (grouped by formational feature) of native phytocenoses without an alien component in the flora and phytocenoses replacing them with the active participation of invasive species within the same research object. Infestations of these species are accompanied by the development of allogeneic successions, which are characterized by a decrease in the species diversity of communities and the role of native taxa in them. The processes of infestations are typical for the region and are observed in communities of floodplain forests and meadows, native and derived forests and sub-forests, broad-leaved and mixed forests, slope meadow and steppes. Plant invasions in the coniferous and deciduous forests of the district are characterized by the expansion of 3 species of woody (Acer negundo, Fraxinus pennsylvanica, Robinia pseudoacacia), 5 species of shrub (Sambucus racemosa, Caragana arborescens Lam., Viburnum lantana, Amelanchier spicata, Parthenocissus quinquefolia) and 4 species of herbaceous plants (Bidens frondosa, Impatiens parviflora, Galinsoga parviflora, Solidago canadensis). Phytoindication of pine forests shows the transformation of all 10 environmental indicators for communities with invasive species. For broad-leaved forests, the introduction of biomorphologically close taxa to native species does not lead to a sharp transformation of the ecological parameters of forest biotopes. The introduction of alien species into alder forests leads to a change in the ecological parameters of their biotopes towards mesophilization. This speeds up the process of the emergence of new alien species from the number of mesophytic taxa and an increase in the role of already settled ones. From 2007 to 2017, the invasive flora of the alder forests of the Voronezh increased from one species to four. According to the degree of invasiveness, the ecosystems of the southern upland, southwest oak forest, northern upland oak forests and pine forests have average values of 6.4 %, 6.1 %, 5.1 %, 5.7 %, respectively. Alder forests are minimally invasive, the share of invasive species is 1.3 %, which does not exceed 5 % of the threshold. Minor changes cover indicators: climate thermal mode (TM), continental climate (KN), climate aridity / humidity (OM), cryoclimatic (CR), soil trophicity (TR), soil acidity (RC), moisture variability (FH). Communities with a high level of participation of invasive species are actively developing in ecotonic conditions: forest edges and alder areas of terraces. As a result of the settlement of alien species in the Alder forests, a decrease in the price activity of the following native species is observed: Impatiens noli-tangere, Humulus lupulus, Solanum dulcamara, Thelypteris palustris, Paris quadrifolia, Maianthemum bifolium. To warn of the possible expansion of Acer negundo, Parthenocissus quinquefolia and Galinsoga parviflora, a high water cut regime for alder forests is required. Under the conditions of global and climatic changes, this is a rather complicated task, requiring constant monitoring of the abiotic and biotic components of the forest, as well as the regulation of nature management regimes in the floodplains of small rivers. The implementation of ecological and cenotic strategies for invasive species in forest communities is accompanied by a restructuring of the ecology of biotopes, which is expressed in the transformation of the ecological parameters of pine forests, mesophilization of alder biotopes, increasing the moisture content and richness of oak forests, the emergence of new alien species and reducing the cenotic activity of some native taxa. The most significant changes are subject to parameters: soil moisture (HD), soil nitrogen richness (NT), illumination/shading (LC).

scholarly journals The effect of recent competition between the nativeAnolis oculatusand the invasiveA. cristatelluson display behavior

PeerJ ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 6 ◽  
pp. e4888 ◽  
Author(s):  
Claire M. S. Dufour ◽  
Anthony Herrel ◽  
Jonathan B. Losos
Keyword(s):  
Invasive Species ◽  
Native Species ◽  
Interference Competition ◽  
Habitat Characteristics ◽  
Canopy Openness ◽  
Microhabitat Use ◽  
Display Time ◽  
Species Identity ◽  
Habitat Variation

Invasive species are a global threat to biodiversity. Cases where the invasion has been tracked since its beginning are rare, however, such that the first interactions between invasive and native species remain poorly understood. Communication behavior is an integral part of species identity and is subject to selection. Consequently, resource use and direct interference competition between native and invasive species may drive its evolution. Here, we tested the role of interactions between the recently introduced invasive lizardAnolis cristatellusand the nativeAnolis oculatuson variation in behavior and communication in Calibishie (Dominica). From May to June 2016, we filmed 122 adult males of both species displaying in banana farms under two contexts (allopatry and sympatry). We then recorded (i) the proportion of time spent displaying and (ii) the relative frequency of dewlap vs. push-up displays. To control for habitat variation, we measured and compared the habitat characteristics (canopy openness and habitat openness) of 228 males in allopatry and sympatry. While the habitat characteristics and total display-time did not differ between the contexts for the two species, the proportion of display-time spent dewlapping byA. cristatellusdecreased in sympatry. The display ofA. oculatusdid not differ between the contexts, however. Shifts in microhabitat use, predation pressure, or interspecific interference are potential factors which might explain the behavioral changes in display observed inA. cristatellus. This study highlights the role of behavioral traits as a first response of an invasive species to recent competition with a closely related native species.

scholarly journals Environmental niche and functional role similarity between invasive and native palms in the Atlantic Forest

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Carolina Bello ◽  
Ana Laura P. Cintra ◽  
Elisa Barreto ◽  
Maurício Humberto Vancine ◽  
Thadeu Sobral-Souza ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Invasive Species ◽  
Atlantic Forest ◽  
Native Species ◽  
Functional Role ◽  
Future Climate ◽  
Future Climate Change ◽  
Brazilian Atlantic Forest ◽  
Environmental Niche ◽  
The Impact

AbstractInvasive species can significantly affect native species when their niches are similar. Ecological and morphological similarities between the invasive Australian palm, Archontophoenix cunninghamiana, and the native palm from the Brazilian Atlantic Forest, Euterpe edulis, suggest that they have similar environmental requirements and functional roles (i.e., the function a species performs in an ecosystem). This similarity raises concerns about how the invasive palm could impact the native species in the present and future. We used spatial (species occurrences) and ecological information (frugivory events) to characterize the environmental niche and functional role of the two palms and assess their overlap. In addition, we predicted the potential area of occurrence of each palm within the Brazilian Atlantic Forest under current and future climate conditions.We estimated the environmental conditions used by the invasive plant based on its native distribution only, and based on all areas where the species is able to establish across the globe. We found that the environmental niches of the two palm species overlap up to 39%, which corresponds to 50% of the current geographic distribution of E. edulis in the Atlantic Forest. In the areas where the two species potentially co-occur, the impact of the invasive species on the native should be influenced by the invasive species interactions with frugivores. We found that the frugivory functional role of the two palms was similar (84% overlap) which suggest that A. cunninghamiana might disrupt the seed dispersal of the native palm. However, co-occurrence between the palms may decline with future climate change, as the potentially environmental suitable area for the invasive palm is predicted to decline by 10% to 55%. Evaluating the similarity in both the environmental niche, of the native and global extent, and the functional role of native and invasive plants provides a detailed understanding of the potential impact of invasive species on native species now and in the future.

Social Motives Predict Loneliness During a Developmental Transition

2017 ◽  
Vol 76 (4) ◽  
pp. 145-153 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jana Nikitin ◽  
Alexandra M. Freund
Keyword(s):  
Social Relationships ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Social Avoidance ◽  
Social Approach ◽  
Social Motives ◽  
Developmental Transitions ◽  
Avoidance Motivation ◽  
Negative Effect ◽  
Low Levels

Abstract. Establishing new social relationships is important for mastering developmental transitions in young adulthood. In a 2-year longitudinal study with four measurement occasions (T1: n = 245, T2: n = 96, T3: n = 103, T4: n = 85), we investigated the role of social motives in college students’ mastery of the transition of moving out of the parental home, using loneliness as an indicator of poor adjustment to the transition. Students with strong social approach motivation reported stable and low levels of loneliness. In contrast, students with strong social avoidance motivation reported high levels of loneliness. However, this effect dissipated relatively quickly as most of the young adults adapted to the transition over a period of several weeks. The present study also provides evidence for an interaction between social approach and social avoidance motives: Social approach motives buffered the negative effect on social well-being of social avoidance motives. These results illustrate the importance of social approach and social avoidance motives and their interplay during developmental transitions.

Social and Temporal Comparisons as Moderators of Psychological Resources Associations With Wellbeing

2016 ◽  
Vol 37 (2) ◽  
pp. 96-104 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hasida Ben-Zur
Keyword(s):  
Life Satisfaction ◽  
Positive Affect ◽  
Subjective Wellbeing ◽  
Social Comparisons ◽  
Self Esteem ◽  
Psychological Resources ◽  
Low Levels ◽  
Age Range ◽  
General Wellbeing

Abstract. The current study investigated the associations of psychological resources, social comparisons, and temporal comparisons with general wellbeing. The sample included 142 community participants (47.9% men; age range 23–83 years), who compared themselves with others, and with their younger selves, on eight dimensions (e.g., physical health, resilience). They also completed questionnaires assessing psychological resources of mastery and self-esteem, and three components of subjective wellbeing: life satisfaction and negative and positive affect. The main results showed that high levels of psychological resources contributed to wellbeing, with self-enhancing social and temporal comparisons moderating the effects of resources on certain wellbeing components. Specifically, under low levels of mastery or self-esteem self-enhancing social or temporal comparisons were related to either higher life satisfaction or positive affect. The results highlight the role of resources and comparisons in promoting people’s wellbeing, and suggest that self-enhancing comparisons function as cognitive coping mechanisms when psychological resources are low.

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.

Endangered Butterflies and their Non-Native Host Plants: Examining Shifting Values of Belonging in Restoration

2019 ◽  
Vol 3 (1) ◽  
pp. 1-9
Author(s):  
Robert M. Anderson ◽  
Amy M. Lambert
Keyword(s):  
Ecological Restoration ◽  
Native Species ◽  
Puget Sound ◽  
A Value ◽  
The Social ◽  
Remote Island ◽  
Scientific Truth ◽  
Native Host

The island marble butterfly (Euchloe ausonides insulanus), thought to be extinct throughout the 20th century until re-discovered on a single remote island in Puget Sound in 1998, has become the focus of a concerted protection effort to prevent its extinction. However, efforts to “restore” island marble habitat conflict with efforts to “restore” the prairie ecosystem where it lives, because of the butterfly’s use of a non-native “weedy” host plant. Through a case study of the island marble project, we examine the practice of ecological restoration as the enactment of particular norms that define which species are understood to belong in the place being restored. We contextualize this case study within ongoing debates over the value of “native” species, indicative of deep-seated uncertainties and anxieties about the role of human intervention to alter or manage landscapes and ecosystems, in the time commonly described as the “Anthropocene.” We interpret the question of “what plants and animals belong in a particular place?” as not a question of scientific truth, but a value-laden construct of environmental management in practice, and we argue for deeper reflexivity on the part of environmental scientists and managers about the social values that inform ecological restoration.

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