Complex origins indicate a potential bridgehead introduction of an emerging amphibian invader (Eleutherodactylus planirostris) in China

NeoBiota, Journal Year: 2022, Volume and Issue: 77, P. 23 - 37

Published: Oct. 14, 2022

Identifying the origins of established alien species is important to prevent new introductions in future. The greenhouse frog ( Eleutherodactylus planirostris ), native Cuba, Bahamas, and Cayman Islands, has been widely introduced Caribbean, North Central America, Oceania Asia. This invasive amphibian was recently reported Shenzhen, China, but potential introduction sources remain poorly understood. Based on phylogenetic analysis using mitochondrial 16S, COI CYTB sequences, we detected a complex origin this species, which may be from Hong Kong, Philippines, Panama Florida, USA, all pointing bridgehead introduction. In addition, nursery trade between four countries or regions mainland China 2011 2020 also significantly higher than other areas with less likelihood introductions, supported molecular results. Our study provides first genetic evidence emerging invader help develop control strategies face growing through globalization.

Language: Английский

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The threat of Peters's Rock Agama (Agama picticauda) to reptile diversity across the Lesser Antilles

Animal Conservation, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 27(1), P. 1 - 4

Published: June 12, 2023

During the ongoing sixth global extinction wave, island ecosystems are among most impacted due to a high introduction rate of non-native species (Tershy et al., 2015; Bellard, Cassey, & Blackburn, 2016; Fernández-Palacios 2021). Within one biodiversity hotspots (Myers 2000), Caribbean Lesser Antilles known for their degree endemism across numerous taxa, including reptiles (e.g., Smith 2004; Losos 2006). However, continuing introductions homogenizing regional herpetofauna diversity (Capinha, Marcolin, Reino, 2020), leading extinctions and loss functional trait islands (Kemp, 2023). The common terrestrial vertebrates, throughout Antilles, (Thorpe, 2022). Their interactions with native reptile have led local declines in both population sizes distribution ranges through predation, hybridization, disease transmission, competition resources (Daltry, Multiple already spread nearly regionwide, Gymnophthalmus underwoodi, Hemidactylus mabouia, Indotyphlops braminus, Anolis/Norops sagrei, Latin American Iguana iguana 2022; Thibaudier 2023; van den Burg 2023), while others spreading rapidly frenatus: 2023 references therein). Importantly, several these been introduced from populations Florida (Powell 2011); pattern we fear is likely be repeated by Peters's Rock Agama (Agama picticauda), although no established has yet reported Antilles. picticauda medium-sized lizard sub-Saharan western central Africa, sexual dichromatism size dimorphism. Adult males bright orange head tail, females light brown can yellow dorsolateral patches (Fig. 1). diurnally active, maximum recorded snout–vent length 15.7 cm (Krishnan 2019), produce up three clutches annually, each 5–12 eggs (Blunden Krysko, 2007; Enge, Moler, 2019). It occupies horizontal vertical surfaces where it uses sit-and-stalk approach identify pursue arthropods (Enge, Talley, 2004) small vertebrates (Henigan In Florida, first A. was found 1976 (Wilson Porras, 1983) since extended its range state 2004). Recent analyses show genetic variation within different origins (Nuñez, Avery, 2016). Given occupy climatic niches hybridization between differing could result ecological adaptability (Consuegra 2011), that turn increase establishment success when individuals translocated other regions. Alarmingly, appears as sightings being Bahamas Tortola (British Virgin Islands) (observations 139983395 89972864, https://www.inaturalist.org/). On Tortola, at least two adults well juveniles observed, suggestive an establishing (C. Petrovic, pers. obs.). Further research on status impacts urgently needed, immediate action necessary remove existing population. Although dietary ecology poorly studied, spreads this major impact species. There clear evidence preys smaller lizards. For example, Henigan al. (2019) dissected large female had cannibalized individual (5 length) residents observed predation Anolis iNaturalist record 19472282), attempt Ameiva ameiva (J. Wasilewski These data highly troubling given many taxa life stages ranges, (or sex) never grow larger. Species Alinea, Anolis, Bachia, Capitellum, Copeoglossum, Gymnophthalmus, Mabuya, Marisora Spondylurus would susceptible Ameiva, Cnemidophorus, Kentropyx Pholidoscelis: assemblage >45 Furthermore, adult lizards experience interspecific potential displacement. mainly urban suburban environments, suggesting low intact forests, threat forests transition (sub)urban areas, expected become widely distributed. Besides, not all Antillean limited (pet-free) gardens also act important habitats or even sanctuaries critically endangered Debrot, Boman, Madden, 2013). Finally, abundance volume shipments ports Caribbean, strongly emphasize responsibility authorities (including border control), transport shipping providers, prevent animals leaving those shores. Florida-based conservationists alien experts, experience, encouraged help stakeholders training knowledge transfer tackle biodiversity.

Language: Английский

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Trait‐environment associations diverge between native and alien breeding bird assemblages on the world's oceanic islands

Global Ecology and Biogeography, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 32(10), P. 1773 - 1789

Published: July 13, 2023

Abstract Aim To investigate spatial variations in the ecological trait structure of breeding bird assemblages on oceanic islands. test hypothesis that native and naturalized alien species are filtered by different processes, leading to diverging associations between traits insular environmental gradients. Location Oceanic islands worldwide. Time Period Current. Major Taxa Studied Terrestrial birds. Methods We assessed composition terrestrial from extent‐of‐occurrence maps 3170 169 4660 quantified their structures with respect diet, mobility body mass as standardized distance a mean pairwise index its expectation null model. used generalized additive models relate proxies conditions human impact land, accounting for all species, only only. Results Diet tended be more diverse than expected model, while towards clustering. Trait‐environment were idiosyncratic, but variables explain better impacts habitats. Islands invaded had similar noninvaded ones, although they hosted clustered masses. However, trait‐environment relationships diverged when considering or Main Conclusions Despite ecosystem‐level influences, have limited effect global patterns world's islands, either because account low proportion successful invaders suites. suggest filters related species' introductions distributions island constraints associated isolated environments.

Language: Английский

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Invasion is accompanied by dietary contraction in Ponto-Caspian amphipods

bioRxiv (Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory), Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: unknown

Published: Aug. 11, 2023

Abstract A species’ expansion beyond the native range is often assumed to be associated with an increased dietary niche breadth. However, empirical evidence remains limited due a scarcity of studies comparing both parental and invaded ranges. Here, we test trophic hypothesis by examining stable isotopes functional morphology across (NW Black Sea) (SE Baltic ranges two amphipods, Dikerogammarus villosus Pontogammarus robustoides , originating from Ponto-Caspian region – major source species invading Holarctic inland waters. Stable revealed that underwent twofold contraction shift towards decreased carnivory in range. This was morphologically mirrored overall reduction prey grasping appendages, antennae, mouthpart palps. The magnitude morphological change greater D. . Our findings indicate previous experimental reports aggressive predation reflect opportunistic foraging align local isotope which generally low position. We conclude can undergo rapid, if non-intuitive, changes diet outside range, likely contributing their invasive potential.

Language: Английский

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Global drivers of the conservation–invasion paradox

Conservation Biology, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: unknown

Published: May 6, 2024

Abstract The conservation–invasion paradox (CIP) refers to a long‐term phenomenon wherein species threatened in their native range can sustain viable populations when introduced other regions. Understanding the drivers of CIP is helpful for conserving and managing invasive species, which unfortunately still lacking. We compiled global data set 1071 introduction events, including 960 events (successful establishment outside its range) 111 non‐CIP (unsuccessful after introduction), involving 174 terrestrial vertebrates. then tested relative importance various predictors at location, event, levels with generalized linear mixed models model averaging. Successful occurred across taxonomic groups biogeographic realms, especially mammal group Palearctic Australia. Locations successful had fewer threat factors, less climate warming invaded probability event was highest efforts were great there more local congeners natural enemies. These results inform ex situ conservation non‐native mitigation.

Language: Английский

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