Article
Ecology
Sarah C. Donelan, A. Whitman Miller, Jim R. Muirhead, Gregory M. Ruiz
Summary: The introduction of nonindigenous species poses a threat to global ecosystems, and the variability in reproductive responses across species and transit routes is an important driver of species invasions. Integrating reproductive potential into management strategies is crucial for limiting the spread of nonindigenous species.
FRONTIERS IN ECOLOGY AND THE ENVIRONMENT
(2022)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Joleen Chan, Yiwen Zeng, Darren C. J. Yeo
Summary: This study focuses on assessing the risk of non-native fish establishment in tropical Southeast Asia, particularly in Singapore, using trait-based analysis. It emphasizes the importance of considering species traits such as climate match, prior invasion success, fecundity, trophic level, and involvement in the aquarium trade to minimize invasive risks and update regulatory lists. Additionally, the study suggests the need for more research on biological invasions in the tropics, especially in Asia.
Article
Ecology
Ellen C. Woods, Sonia E. Sultan
Summary: A central question in invasion biology is whether adaptive trait evolution following species introduction promotes invasiveness. A study on Polygonum cespitosum populations compared the traits between native- and introduced-range plants to determine the role of post-introduction adaptive trait evolution in the invasion process. The results showed that the introduced-range populations displayed a novel trait syndrome consisting of a fast-paced life history and sparse growth form, which led to higher fitness and propagule production. Several growth and reproductive traits also showed temperature-based clines, indicating adaptive evolution in the new range. These findings suggest that P. cespitosum has evolved key traits that contribute to its recent transition to invasiveness.
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Chris M. McGrannachan, Shyama Pagad, Melodie A. McGeoch
Summary: Standardized framework for recording pathway data can aid in developing indicators for reporting on alien introductions. While the 'escape' pathway is the most common, transport stowaways via shipping-related pathways are rapidly increasing. The unknown origin of most alien introduction events highlights information gaps in pathway data.
Article
Microbiology
Xin Gong, Ziyun Zhang, Hui Wang, Huixin Li, Feng Hu, Manqiang Liu, Lin Jiang, Xiaoyun Chen, Chao Ma
Summary: Inoculum size and heat perturbations have synergistic effects on predicting the invasion success of soil pathogens. Heating increases soil resource availability, but reduces resource differentiation between the pathogen and indigenous bacteria. The abundance of the pathogen increases with inoculum size in both heated and non-heated soils, with a greater effect in heated soils. Inoculum size and the increase in available carbon and nitrogen in the soil best predict invasion success.
Article
Plant Sciences
Wenxuan Zhao, Zhifang Xue, Tong Liu, Hanyue Wang, Zhiquan Han
Summary: This study examined the establishment and population growth of Ambrosia artemisiifolia in six different habitats and found that propagule pressure, soil moisture, and presence of native species significantly influenced its success. The results provide important insights for identifying high invasion risk areas and improving monitoring and prevention efforts.
FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE
(2023)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Marco R. Hernandez, Justin R. Barker, Hugh J. Macisaac
Summary: This study models the risk differences in cargo vessel discharges that meet the IMO D-2 standards and analyzes the impact on invasion risk. The results indicate that community composition strongly affects the risk, and colonization pressure has a significant influence at low community propagule pressure. The IMO D-2 standards require very low individual propagule pressures and community propagule pressures, and more empirical research is needed to determine if vessels can meet these requirements.
DIVERSITY AND DISTRIBUTIONS
(2023)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Jonah Levy, J. Michael Reed
Summary: The relationship between number of introduced individuals and introduction success is positively correlated, but successful establishment can still occur with smaller-than-expected founding populations, indicating the importance of chance in species introductions. A simulation model was used to evaluate the likelihood of success for the introduction of island canaries to Midway Atoll, with juvenile mortality rates found to have a significant impact on introduction success. Factors such as behavioral plasticity in mate selection, resistance to inbreeding depression, and reduction in juvenile mortality rates via human assistance were identified as potential contributors to increased likelihood of success in small introductions.
BIOLOGICAL INVASIONS
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Mario Mairal, Steven L. Chown, Justine Shaw, Desalegn Chala, John H. Chau, Cang Hui, Jesse M. Kalwij, Zuzana Munzbergova, Bettine Jansen van Vuuren, Johannes J. Le Roux
Summary: The study reveals that human activity significantly impacts the post-introduction dynamics of invasive species, leading to high genetic diversity and admixture of P. annua on Marion Island, while populations on unoccupied Prince Edward Island show low genetic diversity and structure. High genetic variation and admixture facilitated by human activity, coupled with high habitat suitability, suggest that P. annua is likely to increase its distribution and abundance in the future.
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Peter Kanuch, Asa Berggren, Anna Cassel-Lundhagen
Summary: The study on the bush-cricket Metrioptera roeselii found that establishment success in introductions is correlated with propagule size and introduction time. Larger propagule introductions had higher success rates, but genetic diversity was only partly correlated with propagule size. Over time, introduced populations became more similar to their founder populations, with differentiation in small propagule introductions disappearing.
BIOLOGICAL INVASIONS
(2021)
Article
Environmental Sciences
G. Martinez-Laiz, M. Ros, J. M. Guerra-Garcia, M. Faasse, A. M. Santos, M. P. Cabezas
Summary: This study aimed to investigate the post-establishment success of invasive Caprella scaura in Cadiz Bay, Spain and its connectivity with other world areas. By using mitochondrial markers, populations in Cadiz Bay were found to be connected with several European introduced populations, eastern USA, Sea of Japan, and Australia. There was no evidence to support a Brazilian origin of the populations in the Iberian Peninsula.
MARINE ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH
(2021)
Article
Ecology
Nicole L. Kinlock, Katharina Dehnen-Schmutz, Franz Essl, Jan Pergl, Petr Pysek, Holger Kreft, Patrick Weigelt, Qiang Yang, Mark van Kleunen
Summary: Species characteristics and cultivation practices are closely linked to the naturalization and invasiveness of alien plants. While certain characteristics like larger native range, early flowering, and outdoor cultivation are associated with naturalization, the relationship between traits and naturalization is often influenced by cultivation patterns. Cultivation variables, especially availability in present-day nurseries, play a significant role in explaining invasiveness, highlighting the importance of considering human influence on species introduction and cultivation in understanding the effects of species characteristics on invasion.
GLOBAL ECOLOGY AND BIOGEOGRAPHY
(2022)
Article
Ecology
Rafael O. Xavier, Alexander V. Christianini, Gabriela Pegler, Marcelo Boccia Leite, Dalva M. Silva-Matos
Summary: Invasive African grasses in the Cerrado region of southeastern Brazil have higher seed production, different timing of seed dispersal, and greater seed bank persistence compared to native grasses, which contribute to their successful invasion in this area.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Joan M. Bernhard, Johannes C. Wit, Victoria R. Starczak, David J. Beaudoin, William G. Phalen, Daniel C. McCorkle
Summary: Ocean chemistry is changing due to human activities, with increasing CO2 concentrations causing ocean acidification and oxygen depletion. Research shows that hypoxia is the major driving factor, with warming being secondary, and different foraminiferal species exhibit varied responses to these stressors.
FRONTIERS IN MARINE SCIENCE
(2021)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Guohuan Su, Adam Mertel, Sebastien Brosse, Justin M. Calabrese
Summary: Predicting the invasiveness of non-native species and the vulnerability of communities to invasions is challenging. This study shows that the establishment of non-native freshwater fish species in the US depends on the functional characteristics of both non-native and resident species. The researchers used trait-based analysis to profile invasive species and quantify community invasibility, finding that species with higher fecundity, longer lifespan, and larger size tend to be more invasive. The study highlights how the functional traits of non-native species and the functional characteristics of the invaded community contribute to invasiveness and invasibility, aiding in better predictions of invasions.
NATURE COMMUNICATIONS
(2023)