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As costs and efforts associated with control of invasive species are often significant, data on habitat variables associated with colonization potential are needed to prioritize and target areas for prevention efforts prior to introduction. Recently, invasive New Zealand Mudsnails (Potamopyrgus antipodarum; NZMS) have undergone significant range expansions in parts of the Mid-Atlantic United States such as Pennsylvania. However, data on chemical parameters in flowing waters at risk of colonization by NZMS are largely lacking for this region. We compiled a dataset of over 400 survey sites for NZMS throughout Pennsylvania and used available water chemistry data on 57 chemical parameters for a subset of these sites to evaluate parameter-specific chemical sensitivity associated with occurrence of NZMS. We found significant associations among NZMS and chemical variables such as alkalinity, hardness, calcium, nutrients, specific conductance, bromide, osmotic pressure, strontium, and sulfate. Chemical sensitivity results were used to create a statewide chemical suitability model, which suggests several regions in Pennsylvania are at high risk for NZMS colonization. Parameters in high-risk waters are likely attributable to factors such as agriculture, urbanization, and karst geology. This model is intended as a tool for prioritizing prevention efforts and monitoring in Pennsylvania streams and rivers. Resource agencies and partners could use our study and model as a template to predict colonization risk of NZMS or other invasive aquatic mollusks in other regions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Costus L. is the most species‑rich genus in Costaceae and is mainly distributed in the Neotropics and tropical Africa. Five Costus species have been introduced to Java, Indonesia, for ornamental purposes. During our botanical expeditions in Java from January to May 2023, we discovered three previously unreported species of Costus that occur spontaneously in the wild: C. phyllocephalus K.Schum., C. spicatus (Jacq.) Sw., and C. villosissimus Jacq. Their spontaneous populations have been found on roadsides and abandoned areas in West Java.

The southern American genus Praxelis Cass. has 18 species. In Singapore and Indonesia, notably Java, P. clematidea R.M.King & H.Rob. has naturalised. The first record in Indonesia was in Bogor in 2018, although it is unverified elsewhere. Praxelis clematidea was found in Bangka, Belitung, Jambi, Lampung, and Palangka Raya during our exploratory field research in 2020-2023. The naturalised populations proliferate in roadsides, ditches, open spaces, and disturbed areas. It thrives in a small swampy peat environment in Palangka Raya. Praxelis clematidea has been found outside Java, suggesting it could become an invasive alien species in Kalimantan and Sumatra. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Commercial success of a pet species predicts its invasiveness, making the most traded species more likely to become introduced. Turtles are among the most traded species, making it critical to monitor their introduction, and in Portugal several invasive turtle species have been detected in nature. This study reports the first official record of Mauremys sinensis and lists its unofficial records in Portugal. This is a critically endangered species in its native range but invasive out of its native range. Two M. sinensis individuals (one adult male and a juvenile) were found in a lake near Évora, alongside native Mauremys leprosa. Additionally, iNaturalist database analysis revealed 14 citizen science records of this species in 10 municipalities in Portugal since 2021 These records were located from North to South of continental Portugal but also in the Madeira Island. The presence of invasive turtles can impact native species through competition, predation, disease transmission, and hybridization. Pet trade is the primary source of these species, and legislation has been ineffective in preventing their introduction. This study also highlights the need for comprehensive strategies, including whitelists and blacklist, to address the invasive pet trade, protect native ecosystems, and prevent further introductions of species like M. sinensis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Psidium is a genus of plants that is found in the neotropical region and belongs to the Myrtaceae family. Currently, there are 92 identified species in this genus. Earlier botanists documented that the genus in Java, Indonesia, is comprised solely of two species - specifically P. guajava L. and P. guineense Sw. However, during our 2023 botanical study, we discovered another Psidium species - P. cattleyanum Sabine - from West and East Java. It was first introduced to the island as a living specimen at the Bogor Botanic Gardens, Bogor, Indonesia, in 1972. Since then, the species has been intentionally planted for ornamental purposes by the Sundanese community. Psidium cattleyanum differs morphologically from other Psidium species in Java. It has coriaceous leaves with inconspicuous lateral veins, and its ripe fruit is red. Our findings increase the number of Psidium species in Java to three. Description, photographs, an updated key, and a brief discussion are given. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Chronic phalaris toxicity (CPT) is a neurological disease caused by animals ingesting toxins produced by early growth stages of Phalaris aquatica, a pasture plant introduced to the southeastern regions of Australia post colonization. Little is known about the clinical progression of CPT in wildlife, as incidents are sporadic and predominantly reported when animals are in the end stages of disease and in a poor welfare state. We studied a cohort of 35 eastern gray kangaroos (Macropus giganteus) affected by CPT to clarify clinical prognosis and survival rates. Kangaroos were captured in May, June, and July of 2022 at Plenty Gorge Parklands, Victoria, Australia. Each animal was radiotracked for 180 d, clinical progression and disease outcomes monitored twice a week. By the conclusion of the study, 24 animals had died (19 by euthanasia due to deterioration, five found dead). Ten animals survived, with two demonstrating a reduction in clinical signs and eight showing full resolution of clinical signs. One animal was disqualified from the study. The overall survival rate was 29.4% (95% confidence interval 17.5–49.5%). The survival duration of animals that died ranged from 5 to 133 d. There was no difference in survival rate based on sex (P¼0.2), age class (P¼0.49) or the month of capture (P¼0.49). These results suggest that CPT is an important health and welfare concern for at- risk macropod populations, with high case-fatality rates and prolonged clinical durations. Further research to manage the disease via methods such as reducing Phalaris aquatica plant coverage and preventative treatments for animals is warranted to reduce disease incidences and improve disease outcomes in wildlife populations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Agrilus cuprescens (Ménétries, 1832), the rose stem girdler, is a Palearctic Buprestidae (Coleoptera) pest of Rosa and Rubus species. Its introduction and consequent spread across North America may now make it the most widely distributed Agrilus species, globally.No evidence reviewed indicated A. cuprescens was present in North America long before it was first reported on Rosa in New Jersey, USA, in 1913. The species incrementally progressed westward, reaching the Pacific coast in Washington, USA, 101 years later. Future spread is most likely within the northern Canadian prairies and the Pacific Northwest regions. Its presence in the latter region poses a contemporary threat to epicentres of Rubus production in both the United States and Canada. As of 2022, confirmed spread within the region extended nearly to the Canadian border in Washington and the southern Willamette Valley in Oregon.The most comprehensive, foundational investigations of A. cuprescens in North America were conducted in the late 1930s and early 1940s in New York, USA, and in Utah, USA, during the late 1950s and early 1960s following damaging outbreaks on Rubus. Ongoing research in the Pacific Northwest is attempting to refine information on this pest as it progresses towards naturalization within a new North American ecological and agricultural context.This review aggregates and clarifies the geographical progression, biological understandings and management of this species in North America, which has been fraught with a convoluted history of misidentifications, and varying degrees of consideration given to it as a pest of concern. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Effectively promoting the stability and quality of ecosystem services involves the successful management of domesticated species and the control of introduced species. In the pollinator literature, interest and concern regarding pollinator species and pollinator health dramatically increased in recent years. Concurrently, the use of loaded terms when discussing domesticated and non-native species may have increased. As a result, pollinator ecology has inherited both the confusion associated with invasion biology’s lack of a standardized terminology to describe native, managed, or introduced species as well as loaded terms with very strong positive or negative connotations. The recent explosion of research on native bees and alternative pollinators, coupled with the use of loaded language, has led to a perceived divide between native bee and managed bee researchers. In comparison, the bird literature discusses the study of managed (poultry) and non-managed (all other birds) species without an apparent conflict with regard to the use of terms with strong connotations or sentiment. Here, we analyze word usage when discussing non-managed and managed bee and bird species in 3614 ecological and evolutionary biology papers published between 1990 and 2019. Using time series analyses, we demonstrate how the use of specific descriptor terms (such as wild, introduced, and exotic) changed over time. We then conducted co-citation network analyses to determine whether papers that share references have similar terminology and sentiment. We predicted a negative language bias towards introduced species and positive language bias towards native species. We found an association between the term invasive and bumble bees and we observed significant increases in the usage of more ambiguous terms to describe non-managed species, such as wild. We detected a negative sentiment associated with the research area of pathogen spillover in bumble bees, which corroborates the subjectivity that language carries. We recommend using terms that acknowledge the role of human activities on pathogen spillover and biological invasions. Avoiding the usage of loaded terms when discussing managed and non-managed species will advance our understanding and promote effective and productive communication across scientists, general public, policy makers and other stake holders in our society.

Understanding why some small populations succeed while others fail to establish in novel environments has major implications in applied fields such as in situ species conservation and reintroductions. Species introductions outside their native range provide excellent opportunities to address such topic, since invasions usually start with small populations. We studied the life-history strategy of a population of the fire-bellied toad (Bombina bombina) introduced in France, outside the natural range of the species, to estimate its population demographic potential. The introduced population showed a fast life history strategy, with early sexual maturation at 2 years of age, a relatively short life-span (3.1 years in females and 2.3 in males, with a maximum age of 5 years), and survival rates similar to those of populations from its native range. The population presents the characteristics for becoming invasive and might pose a threat to the native yellow-bellied toad (B. variegata) populations nearby through hybridization, competition and as potential vector of pathogens and parasites. Its spread should be closely monitored and additional introductions avoided to limit its potential negative impact. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: Simple Summary: In northern Australia, large native herbivorous mammals (weighing over 1000 kg) disappeared about 46 kya, and they have been replaced in the last 200 years by a range of introduced mammalian herbivores up to 1000 kg in bodyweight. Only one native herbivore has an adult bodyweight approaching 100 kg, and for the past 200 years, the total biomass of introduced domestic and wild vertebrate herbivores has massively exceeded that of native herbivorous species. Following a comprehensive review, we conclude that the current guild of native and introduced mammalian herbivores differentially utilises the landscape ecologically. However, climate- and anthropogenically related changes due to fire, drought, flooding, predation and introduced weeds are likely to have significant impacts on the trajectory of their relative ecological roles and populations. Given their differing ecological and dietary characteristics, against this backdrop, it is unclear what the potential impact of the dispersal of deer species could have in northern Australia. There is a dearth of supporting evidence to inform appropriate sustainable management should deer range expansion occur. We identify suitable research required to fill the identified knowledge gaps. We explored the ecological and historical factors that led to formation of the unique guild of native and introduced mammalian herbivores between 5 and 1000 kg in northern Australia. Following the disappearance of large native herbivores about 46 kya, and until the arrival of Europeans and their livestock, the only herbivorous mammals were mid-sized endemic marsupial macropods, which continued to utilise the same vegetation as their much larger former neighbours. Only one species of contemporary native herbivore has an adult bodyweight approaching 100 kg, and for the past 150–200 years, the total biomass of introduced domestic and wild vertebrate herbivores has massively exceeded that of native herbivorous species. We conclude that the current guild of native and introduced mammalian herbivores differentially utilises the landscape ecologically. However, climate- and anthropogenically related changes due to fire, drought, flooding, predation and introduced weeds are likely to have significant impacts on the trajectory of their relative ecological roles and populations. Given their differing ecological and dietary characteristics, against this backdrop, it is unclear what the potential impact of the dispersal of deer species could have in northern Australia. We hence focus on whether sufficient knowledge exists against which the potential impacts of the range expansion of three deer species can be adequately assessed and have found a dearth of supporting evidence to inform appropriate sustainable management. We identify suitable research required to fill the identified knowledge gaps. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Galapagos Islands, officially annexed to the Republic of Ecuador in 1832, have been recognized as a World Heritage Site. Of the total land surface of the islands, 96.7% is national park land and 3.3% is a populated area made up of urban and rural areas (including crop and livestock areas). It is recognized that the islands have an important role in sustaining agricultural diversity, but that role has not been fully described until now. The objective of this study is to describe the diversity of species present in the agricultural systems of four inhabited islands of the Galapagos (Isabela, Santa Cruz, Floreana and San Cristobal). A representative sample of 208 farmers from these islands was interviewed, and the data collected were analyzed to assess the frequencies of various species present in the agricultural systems. The species diversity for crops, medicinal plants, native forests, introduced forests, native plants, pastures, and weeds in the agricultural systems is described. Indices of diversity by island, distribution of species by altitude on the islands, and an analysis of the various seed sources are provided. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Considering the medicinal and conservational significance of Saraca asoca, the present study employed three different geographical ranges for building ecological niche models. The vifstep procedure detected multicollinearity among 10 out of 19 predictor variables. The selected subset included mean diurnal range, isothermality, mean temperature of wettest quarter, mean temperature of driest quarter, annual precipitation, precipitation of driest month, precipitation seasonality, precipitation of warmest quarter, and precipitation of coldest quarter. The performances of machine learning and regression approaches were compared. Machine learning algorithm RF outweighed all other algorithms in performance. Following RF, model algorithms viz., Maxent, BRT, GLM, FDA, and Bioclim performed better in the declining order. Machine learning algorithms performed better than regression and profile-based approaches. The weighted average of True skill statistic was used to develop ensemble models. Potential habitats in native and introduced ranges in present and future conditions were identified. Introduction potential in unintroduced areas where herbal medicines were in greater use was also assessed. With rise in emissions, range of S. asoca may prefer an eastward expansion in native range and northward expansion in Andaman Nicobar Islands. If S. asoca is planted in recommended potential ranges in African and Latin American continents, eastward expansion in West Africa and westward expansion in Latin America may occur if temperature rises. The present study could develop a robust evidence-based hypothesis for ecologists, conservationists, herbal medicine manufactures, government agencies, and forest departments at national/international level to establish plantations for growing S. asoca. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Current ecological communities are in a constant state of flux from climate change and from species introductions. Recent discussion has focused on the positive roles introduced species can play in ecological communities and on the importance of conserving resilient ecosystems, but not how these two ideas intersect. There has been insufficient work to define the attributes needed to support ecosystem resilience to climate change in modern communities. Here, I argue that non‐invasive, introduced plant species could play an important role in supporting the resilience of terrestrial ecosystems to climate change. Using examples from multiple taxonomic groups and ecosystems, I discuss how introduced plants can contribute to ecosystem resilience via their roles in plant and insect communities, as well as their associated ecosystem functions. I highlight the current and potential contributions of introduced plants and where there are critical knowledge gaps. Determining when and how introduced plants are contributing to the resilience of ecosystems to climate change will contribute to effective conservation strategies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim. Formation of the species composition of the bioresource collection "State Collection of Entomoacariphages and Microorganisms" of the Lazarev Experimental Plant Protection Station – a branch of Federal Scientific Centre for Biological Plant Protection. The collection is based on species identified in local biocenoses as well as those introduced from regions with similar climatic conditions.Material and Methods. Collection and study of the effectiveness of native, invasive, introduced entomophages, the dynamics of their acclimatization and the possibility of their introduction into laboratory culture on the territory of the Black Sea coast of Sochi. Methods of their application in plant protection systems were tested.Results. The ability of Cryptolaemus montrouzieri Muls. to control the number of coccids, including Icerya purchase Maskell, has been experimentally established. Entomophages which are effective and adaptable to reproduction in laboratory conditions were selected: Dicyphus errans Wolff. and Macrolophus nubilis H.S., the aphidophage Harmonia axyridis Pall. and others.Conclusion. As a result of the study, wide polyphages of Dicyphus errans Wolff were found to be presented in the collection of the Lazarev Experimental Plant Protection Station, as well as and Macrolophus nubilis H.S., Cryptolaemus montrouzieri Muls., Leis dimidiata Fabr., Harmonia axyridis Pall., Encarsia partenopea Masi and Lysiphlebus fabarum Marsh. Acariphages are represented by Phytoseiulus persimilis Ath.‐Henr. and Amblyseius cucumeris Ond. The biological efficacy of Encarsia partenopea Masi has been evaluated in relation to Trialeurodes vaporariorum Westw. in the conditions of the protected ground of Sochi at the parasite ratio:host of 1:30; 68.6%, the best result being obtained with releases of 1:10; 79.19%. Research has begun on the development of methods for the laboratory breeding of Chilocorus renipustulatus.

Ecological roles of non‐native species can vary over space and time due to abiotic factors and characteristics of the invaded communities. For instance, nutrient availability, temperature, and flow regime can influence invasion outcomes in freshwaters. This variability makes it challenging to predict non‐native species' effects in newly introduced areas.New Zealand mud snails (Potamopyrgus antipodarum; NZMS) are among the most widespread aquatic invasive species globally and have recently been detected in highly productive, spring‐fed streams in the upper mid‐west U.S.A. that are important trout fisheries. We hypothesised that the nutrient‐rich, thermally stable groundwater‐fed streams would provide favourable conditions for NZMS populations, potentially amplifying their effects on native communities. We surveyed benthic macroinvertebrate community structure at 10 streams representing a gradient of NZMS densities in the Driftless Area of southern Wisconsin. At five of the streams, we quantified temporal variation in NZMS and other benthic macroinvertebrates over three seasons.NZMS populations varied considerably across sites and over time, ranging from a few hundred to over 70,000 snails/m2. NZMS numerically represented as much as 97% of the invertebrate community at the highest density sites. At two sites, NZMS increased in population density by 50‐fold and 22‐fold over the survey duration, while at other sites their densities were relatively constant. Based on a principal components analysis summarising stream environmental variables, NZMS densities were negatively associated with stream discharge and positively associated with nitrogen and phosphorus concentrations.The total density and biomass of all benthic invertebrates, and Ephemeroptera and Amphipoda in particular, were negatively associated with NZMS density and biomass. Based on multivariate analyses, overall benthic community composition differed based on NZMS invasion status, as well as across seasons.These results suggest that the environments of southern Wisconsin spring‐fed streams provide favourable conditions for NZMS populations, allowing them to dominate some benthic communities. NZMS effects are likely to vary strongly across streams and over time within streams, highlighting the importance of future work to mechanistically test biotic and abiotic factors influencing their abundance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Many freshwater turtle species have spread beyond their natural distributions through human agency, but introduced populations can be difficult to differentiate from natural ones. The occurrence of an Australian freshwater turtle, Emydura macquarii, in the Greater Sydney region, Australia's most populous urban and peri-urban area, has alternatively been assumed to be natural or deduced to be due to anthropogenic introduction. I apply multiple lines of evidence to show that the occurrence of E. macquarii in the Sydney region is not natural and that the species has proliferated and spread there much more than the notoriously invasive red-eared slider turtle, Trachemys scripta elegans. The E. macquarii population of the Sydney region is highly diverse morphologically, with individuals variously resembling E. macquarii from Queensland, the north coast of New South Wales, and the Murray–Darling Basin. Better understanding is needed of the population genetics of E. macquarii in the Sydney region, the interactions among the region's native and introduced turtles, and the impacts of E. macquarii on biota other than turtles. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A significant challenge in comparing and contrasting regional reviews of non-native marine species diversity is that evaluation methods vary widely, resulting in highly inconsistent taxonomic, habitat and historical coverage even in ostensibly well-studied regions. It is thus difficult to interpret whether strikingly different numbers of non-native species in different regions reflect differential invasion patterns or different assessment criteria and capabilities. We provide a comprehensive guide to the methods and techniques to assess the diversity and timing history of non-native and cryptogenic marine species. We emphasize the need to broaden taxonomic and habitat breadth when documenting invasions, to use a broader and deeper search term menu (including using older terms), to thoroughly access global systematic and invasion literature for local, regional records, and to delve deeper into invasion timing to avoid the use of dates-of-publication to assess invasion tempo and rates. Fundamental in all invasions work is the reassessment of the status of ostensibly native species which in fact may have been introduced decades or centuries earlier. We expand to 14 categories the criteria for the recognition of non-native species. Without thorough and vetted modern and historical assessments of the scale of invasions across temperate, subtropical, and tropical marine ecosystems, our ability to look deep into marine community ecology, evolution, and biogeography is strikingly compromised, as is our ability to frame robust invasion policy and management plans. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

It has long been hypothesised that introduced species can evolve to become better competitors, which in turn will enable some of them to become invasive. The evolution of increased competitive ability hypothesis (EICA) gives a possible answer for why some introduced plants become invasive by stating that they can escape natural coevolved enemies (pests, pathogens and herbivores) in their new environment, thus allowing them to shift resource allocation from producing expensive chemical defences, towards a higher growth rate and competitive ability. In order to test if there is evidence for increased competitive ability in introduced populations, we examined the performance of three Rumex species (R. obtusifolius, R. crispus and R. conglomeratus, Polygonaceae) from their native (United Kingdom) and introduced ranges (New Zealand), when grown alone and in competition with a conspecific from the same or a different provenance. Based on the predictions of EICA, we hypothesised that plants from the introduced provenance would: (i) have a faster growth rate and a larger biomass at harvest; and (ii) would perform better in competition with a conspecific from the native provenance than one from the introduced provenance. Intraspecific competition reduced biomass by as much as 50%. However, contrary to expectations, we found no difference between the performance of plants from native and introduced provenances when grown in direct competition with each other. Plant performance when grown with a conspecific from the same provenance was similar to performance when paired with one from a different provenance, showing that there was no provenance effect. These results were consistent for all three Rumex species. Our findings contradict the predictions of the EICA hypothesis suggesting that other factors are needed to explain the success of Rumex species in New Zealand. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Herewith, the current status of the inland waters ichthyofauna of Türkiye is revised, and an updated checklist of the freshwater lampreys and fishes is presented. As of November 2023, the freshwater ichthyofauna of Türkiye is known to consist of 427 species belonging to 20 orders, 37 families, and 97 genera. Among these, 21 species (4.9%) are alien, and 215 species (50.4%) are considered endemic to Türkiye. The orders with the largest numbers of species in the ichthyofauna of Türkiye are the Cypriniformes (297 species, 69.6%), followed by the Cyprinodontiformes (26 species, 6.1%), the Salmoniformes (25 species, 5.9%), the Gobiiformes (20 species, 4.7%), the Siluriformes (13 species, 3.0%), and the Clupeiformes (9 species, 2.1%). At the family level, the Leuciscidae has the greatest number of species (126 species; 29.8% of the total species), followed by Nemacheilidae (63 species, 14.8%), Cyprinidae (59 species, 13.8%), Cobitidae (29 species, 6.8%), Salmonidae (25 species, 5.9%), Aphanidae (23 species, 5.4%), Gobiidae (20 species, 4.7%), and Gobionidae (15 species, 3.5%). According to IUCN Red List criteria, among 403 naturally distributed species (alien species not included), four fish species are extinct, and 99 species (24.4%) are classified as threatened extinctions, including 28 (6.9%) CR, 44 (10.8%) EN, and 27 (6.7%) VU. After the latest checklist published in 2020, a total of 56 species, including 26 newly identified species from Türkiye and 30 new records documented from Turkish inland waters, were added. By the way, a total of 17 species have been excluded, mostly because of synonymization. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The presence of naturalized Alocasia cucullata (Lour.) G.Don (Araceae) in Java is reported for the first time in this paper. The species is an introduced ornamental plant native to India, Sri Lanka, and Indo-China and was only known in cultivation. In this study we collected samples from its naturalized populations in Sukabumi Regency (Cibadak Subdistrict) and Sumedang Regency (Jatinangor and Tanjungsari Subdistricts). The observed population grows along the roadside, coastal, ITB Jatinangor green space area, and palm oil plantation. In nature, A. cucullata may spread vegetatively either through root suckers, corms, and stem fragments. The description, distribution map, photographs, and a brief discussion are provided here. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The attention towards non-native sea anemone introductions has been steadily increasing as multiple species are reported from new locations each year. However, a lack of monitoring efforts and difficulties associated with the detection and identification of these species may result in overlooking introductions in certain areas. In the southern hemisphere, one of these non-native species is Metridium senile, whose current taxonomic and invasion status in Argentina is unclear. Here, we pooled scientific and community records to shed light on the past, current and future invasion scenario of this species. First, we clarified the taxonomic and invasion status of suspected M. senile populations from Argentina by revising available morphological descriptions and attributes associated with non-native species. Then, we inferred and described the potential dispersal pattern in Argentina from the late 1890s to present day. Finally, we provided a forecast of the species potential distribution range in the Southwestern Atlantic Ocean, along the coast and in off-shore areas. Enough evidence suggests that M. senile is a non-native species that has successfully established in Argentina. This species has been mistakenly considered as native for decades due to taxonomic errors and historical and geographical gaps (i.e., pseudoindigenous species). Its current distribution range in Argentina covers over 2000 km of coastline with a southward expansion in recent years. Moreover, according to our forecasted potential distribution, this species can spread further and reach novel areas in coastal and off-shore locations. As M. senile combines multiple traits of a successful invader, monitoring efforts should be implemented to early detect or prevent its establishment in areas recently colonized or at risk. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Compared to their native range, non-native plants often experience reduced levels of herbivory in the introduced range. This may result in reduced pressure to produce chemical defences that act against herbivores. We measured the most abundant secondary metabolites found in Rumex spp., namely oxalates, phenols and tannins. To test this hypothesis, we compared native (UK) and introduced (NZ) provenances of three different Rumex species (R. obtusifolius, R. crispus and R. conglomeratus, Polygonaceae) to assess whether any significant differences existed in their levels of chemical defences in either leaves and roots. All three species have previously been shown to support a lower diversity of insect herbivores and experience less herbivory in the introduced range. We further examined leaf herbivory on plants from both provenances when grown together in a common garden experiment in New Zealand to test whether any differences in damage might be consistent with variation in the quantity of chemical defences. We found that two Rumex species (R. obtusifolius and R. crispus) showed no evidence for a reduction in chemical defences, while a third (R. conglomeratus) showed only limited evidence. The common garden experiment revealed that the leaves analysed had low levels of herbivory (~ 0.5%) with no differences in damage between provenances for any of the three study species. Roots tended to have a higher concentration of tannins than shoots, but again showed no difference between the provenances. As such, the findings of this study provide no evidence for lower plant investments in chemical defences, suggesting that other factors explain the success of Rumex spp. in New Zealand. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study assessed the effects of the Argentine ant (Linepithema humile), an invasive species, on the indigenous ant fauna in Busan, South Korea. Ant communities were sampled using pitfall traps placed along two transects in areas where L. humile was recently discovered (2019) in South Korea. Overall, we identified 14 ant species belonging to 12 genera and four subfamilies. We found that the species richness of the native ant community was significantly lower in areas invaded by L. humile, and most epigeic ants from the study area were not found co-existing with the Argentine ant. Five native epigeic species, namely Nylanderia flavipes, Pristomyrmex punctatus, Tetramorium tsushimae, Formica japonica, and Lasius japonicus, were strongly impacted by the invasion. In contrast, no effects were observed on two epigeic species (Camponotus vitiosus and Monomorium chinense) and one hypogeic species (Brachyponera chinensis). These results indicate that the successful settlement of Argentine ant has had a significant negative impact on native ant diversity in South Korea, confirming that L. humile is a very effective and competitive colonizer, despite its restricted dispersal capability. Management programs need to urgently implement control measures to ensure that L. humile does not spread further in South Korea. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Grass species (family Poaceae) are globally distributed, adapted to a wide range of climates and express a diversity of functional strategies. We explored the functional strategies of grass species using the competitor, stress tolerator, ruderal (CSR) system and asked how a species' strategy relates to its functional traits, climatic distribution and propensity to become naturalized outside its native range. We used a global set of trait data for grass species to classify functional strategies according to the CSR system based on leaf traits. Differences in strategies in relation to lifespan (annual or perennial), photosynthetic type (C3 or C4), or naturalisation (native or introduced) were investigated. In addition, correlations with traits not included in the CSR classification were analyzed, and a model was fitted to predict a species' average mean annual temperature and annual precipitation across its range as a function of CSR scores. Values for competitiveness were higher in C4 species than in C3 species, values for stress tolerance were higher in perennials than in annuals, and introduced species had more pronounced competitive-ruderal strategies than native species. Relationships between the CSR classification, based on leaf traits, and other functional traits were analyzed. Competitiveness was positively correlated with height, while ruderality was correlated with specific root length, indicating that both above- and belowground traits underlying leaf and root economics contribute to realized CSR strategies. Further, relationships between climate and CSR classification showed that species with competitive strategies were more common in warm climates and at high precipitation, whereas species with stress tolerance strategies were more common in cold climates and at low precipitation. The findings presented here demonstrate that CSR classification of functional strategies based on leaf traits matches expectations for the adaptations of grass species that underlie lifespan, photosynthetic type, naturalization and climate. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: This study aims to investigate the behavior and ecology of nutria (Myocastor coypus), a semi-aquatic rodent that was introduced to South Korea for commercial farming and subsequently damaged aquatic ecosystems after its release. How the behavioral ecology of introduced nutria changes over time and across seasons remains unclear. Twenty-four adult nutria (twelve males and twelve females) were radio tracked in 2015–2016 to identify their home range size and activity patterns in the Macdo wetland, South Korea. This study found that the nutria home range size varied seasonally, with males having larger home ranges than females. Additionally, nutria showed crepuscular and nocturnal activity patterns throughout the year, with no significant difference between sexes. The findings of this study provide crucial information on the home range and activity patterns of introduced nutria in the Macdo wetland, which can guide management efforts to mitigate their impacts on the ecosystem. It is the first quantitative analysis of the home range and activity patterns of introduced nutria based on radio tracking data in the Macdo wetland. Nutria (Myocastor coypus) are semi-aquatic rodents that were introduced in South Korea for commercial farming but significantly damaged aquatic ecosystems. Understanding nutria ecological behavior is essential for developing effective control and eradication strategies to mitigate their impacts. Thus, this study aimed to investigate the home range and activity patterns of 24 nutria (12 males and 12 females) in the Macdo wetland in South Korea from 2015–2016 through radio tracking. The average minimum convex polygon home range of the nutria was 0.29 ± 0.55 km2, with a 95% kernel density estimation (KDE) home range of 0.43 ± 0.85 km2 and a 50% KDE home range of 0.05 ± 1.1 km2. The home range of males was larger than that of females; however, the winter home range of females was as large as that of males. The home range also varied seasonally, with the smallest observed in winter. The nutria showed crepuscular and nocturnal activity patterns throughout the year, with no significant difference between sexes. The activities in spring, summer, and autumn showed no significant differences, but the activity in winter was significantly different from that in the other seasons. This study may serve as a basis for developing appropriately timed and scaled management strategies to mitigate the impacts of nutria on ecosystems. In conclusion, several environmental and biological factors contribute to the behavior of nutria in South Korea. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Background The Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES) has estimated that invasive alien species (IAS) might cause billions of dollars of losses every year across the world. One example is South-East Asia, where IAS have caused an estimated loss of 33.5 billion USD, affecting the environment, human health, and agricultural production. Factors associated with climate change, such as increased carbon dioxide (CO2), heavy precipitation, and elevated temperatures is expected to facilitate biological invasion, leading only to further financial and public health loss. Thus, further study is needed to identify, collate and categorise what evidence exists on the impacts of climate change on fish and shellfish species that contribute to the list of “One Hundred of the World’s Worst Invasive Alien Species” as identified by the International Union for Conservation of Nature’s (IUCN). Such mapping will identify regions more at risk of biological invasion as climate change progresses. Methods We outline a systematic mapping review protocol that follows the Guideline and Standards for Evidence Synthesis in Environmental Management and RepOrting standards for Systematic Evidence Syntheses (ROSES). We describe how peer-reviewed articles will be collected from Web of Science and Scopus, and then analyzed to create knowledge maps on the impact climate change has on invasive species. Finally, we speculate on how our results will aid future management of invasive species in the light of climate change.

Biological invasions are a leading ecological issue of the 21st century because of their worldwide contributions to biodiversity loss and degradation of ecosystem services. Answering general questions about the mechanisms facilitating the spread of successful invasives is key to understanding how to manage them moving forward. The success of introduced primary producers has often been attributed to superior competitive ability or to their release from natural enemies that constrained them in their native range. In contrast, nonnative primary producers can successfully invade and establish in new areas by releasing allelochemical compounds into the environment that are toxic to the native flora. The interactive effects of allelopathy and competition remain underexplored. Here, we evaluated the mechanism of invasion by Guinea grass, a globally distributed tallgrass from tropical and subtropical Africa with known allelopathic effects associated with 2‐hydroxyphenylacetic acid (2HPAA). We asked if allelopathy and light availability interact to give Guinea grass a competitive advantage during seedling establishment in its introduced range. We used a fully factorial greenhouse experiment in which allelochemical concentrations and light availability treatments were based on empirical measurements of these variables at an invaded site in South Texas. Seedling recruitment and growth were assessed for three native species and for Guinea grass itself. We also described the metabolome (the complete set of small molecules) of an invasive grass for the first time to facilitate a comparison of the effect of the known allelochemical 2HPAA with that of the whole‐plant chemical extract. Shading and allelochemistry each reduced recruitment and growth by themselves, and a significant interaction of these stressors exacerbated the negative effects in the shade, resulting in short plants, low biomass, and ultimately decreased seedling recruitment. The whole‐plant metabolomic extract had significantly stronger effects than pure 2HPAA, and these negative effects were intensified in the shade. Moreover, the mechanism showcased here demonstrated that resource competition and biochemical interference are not mutually exclusive mechanisms that facilitate the spread of a globally distributed invasive species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The first records are presented of Pomacanthus maculosus (Forsskål, 1775) in the Tropical Eastern Pacific. The natural range of this fish species extends from the Persian Gulf to the coast of East Africa. Two adults were recorded at Los Arcos de Mismaloya, México, one in June 2018 and another in September 2020, 1 km from the site of the first observation. This species was probably introduced into this area as an aquarium release due to proximity of the two sites to highly dense human population centers.

This is the first record of two non-native terrestrial slug species from Sinaloa, Mexico. Deroceras laeve and Sarasinula plebeia were collected between 2019 and 2022 in Concordia and Mazatlan Municipalities (north-western Mexico). The external morphology and anatomic features of the dissected specimens coincide with the descriptions of each species, whose identities were also confirmed by their partial COI sequences. The ample occurrence of S. plebeia suggests that this species has an established population, while D. laeve was found as isolated individuals, likely associated with plant nurseries.

As part of a biological control program against rat (Rattus spp.) populations in oil palm plantations, Barn Owls (Tyto alba javanica) were translocated from Peninsular Malaysia and released in an oil palm plantation in Lahad Datu, Sabah, Malaysia, on the island of Borneo. We installed 16 nest boxes every 25 ha at the study site and monitored those nest boxes monthly from June 2014 to June 2018 to assess Barn Owl breeding parameters. We collected regurgitated pellets from nest boxes to analyze the prey of the owls. Average nest box occupancy rate throughout the entire study period was 66.7% (±6.1). Nest box occupancy was lower in the first year of the study (average occupancy rate 23% ± 3.6) but increased significantly in the following years. We recorded 84 successful breeding attempts and a total of 555 eggs throughout the study period; 61% of eggs hatched and 60% of eggs produced young that successfully fledged. Clutch size per laying pair ranged from 1 to 9 (average = 5.6) and the brood size at fledging ranged from 1 to 7 (average = 4.0). Diet of the Barn Owls consisted of only small mammals; rodents made up 99% of analyzed pellets, and shrews accounted for 1%. There has been no previous record of Barn Owls naturally occurring in Borneo and this is the first breeding population successfully translocated and established. Como parte de un programa de control biológico contra poblaciones de ratas (Rattus spp.) en plantaciones de palma aceitera, se traslocaron ejemplares de Tyto alba javanica desde Malasia peninsular y se liberaron en una plantación de palma aceitera en Lahad Datu, Sabah, Malasia. Instalamos 16 cajas nido cada 25 ha en el área de estudio y las revisamos mensualmente desde junio de 2014 hasta junio de 2018 para evaluar los parámetros reproductivos de T. a. javanica. Recogimos egagrópilas regurgitadas en las cajas nido para analizar las presas. La tasa de ocupación promedio de las cajas nido durante todo el período de estudio fue del 66.7% (± 6.1%). La ocupación de las cajas nido fue menor en el primer año del estudio (tasa de ocupación promedio 23% ± 3.6%), pero aumentó significativamente en los años siguientes. Registramos 84 intentos exitosos de cria y un total de 555 huevos durante todo el período de estudio; 61% de los huevos eclosionaron y 60% de los huevos dieron lugar a polluelos volantones. El tamaño de la puesta osciló entre 1 y 9 huevos (promedio = 5.6) y el tamaño de nidada al momento de volar osciló entre 1 y 7 (promedio = 4.0). La dieta de T. a. javanica consistió únicamente en pequeños mamíferos; los roedores constituyeron el 99% de las egagrópilas analizadas y las musarañas el 1%. No ha habido ningún registro previo de presencia natural de T. a. javanica en Borneo y esta es la primera población reproductora traslocada y establecida con éxito. [Traducción del equipo editorial] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The enemy release hypothesis states that introduced plants have a competitive advantage due to their release from co-evolved natural enemies (i.e., herbivores and pathogens), which allows them to spread rapidly in new environments. This hypothesis has received mixed support to date, but previous studies have rarely examined the herbivore community, plant damage, and performance simultaneously and largely ignored below-ground herbivores. We tested for enemy release by conducting large scale field surveys of insect diversity and abundance in both the native (United Kingdom) and introduced (New Zealand) ranges of three dock (Rumex, Polygonaceae) species: R. conglomeratus Murray (clustered dock), R. crispus L. (curly dock) and R. obtusifolius L. (broad-leaved dock). We captured both above- and below-ground insect herbivores, measured herbivore damage, and plant biomass as an indicator for performance. In the introduced range, Rumex plants had a lower diversity of insect herbivores, all insect specialists present in the native range were absent and plants had lower levels of herbivore damage on both roots and leaves. Despite this, only R. crispus had greater fresh weight in the introduced range compared to the native range. This suggests that enemy release, particularly from below-ground herbivores, could be a driver for the success of R. crispus plants in New Zealand, but not for R. conglomeratus and R. obtusifolius. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The current status of the inland waters ichthyofauna of Iran is revised and updated. A total of 292 fish species belong to 3 classes, 24 orders, 36 families and 106 genera inhabit the inland waters of Iran. Among these, 29 species (9.9%) are exotic and 102 species (35%) are endemic. Orders with the largest numbers of species in the ichthyofauna of Iran are the Cypriniformes (182 species) followed by Gobiiformes (30 species), Cyprinodontiformes (15 species), Siluriformes (12 species), Clupeiformes (10 species), Acipenseriformes and Cichliformes (7 species) and Mugiliformes (6 species). At the family level, the Cyprinidae has the greatest number of species (74 species; 25.34% of the total species), followed by the Nemacheilidae (47 species), Leuciscidae (42 species), Gobiidae (30 species), Aphaniidae (11 species), Clupeidae (10 species), Acipenseridae and Cichlidae and Sisoridae (7 species in each) and Cobitidae and Mugilidae (6 species). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This is the first record of two non-native terrestrial slug species from Sinaloa, Mexico. Deroceras laeve and Sarasinula plebeia were collected between 2019 and 2022 in Concordia and Mazatlan Municipalities (north-western Mexico). The external morphology and anatomic features of the dissected specimens coincide with the descriptions of each species, whose identities were also confirmed by their partial COI sequences. The ample occurrence of S. plebeia suggests that this species has an established population, while D. laeve was found as isolated individuals, likely associated with plant nurseries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Freshwater crayfish are an ecologically important component of freshwater ecosystems. A combination of factors, including high levels of species diversity, endemism, and limited morphological divergence among species have created a situation where taxonomy, accurate geographic ranges, and species identifications are in flux. We used genetic data to investigate the origin and status of a species of Faxonius (Cambaridae) in the upper James and Roanoke rivers in western Virginia. Mitochondrial DNA sequence data suggests that this species, F. ozarkae, is native to streams in the Ozarks of Missouri and Arkansas, and has been introduced into Virginia recently. Details of the initial introduction are not known, but may plausibly be connected to commercial fish stocking. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES) has estimated that invasive alien species (IAS) might cause billions of dollars of losses every year across the world. One example is South-East Asia, where IAS have caused an estimated loss of 33.5 billion USD, affecting the environment, human health, and agricultural production. Factors associated with climate change, such as increased carbon dioxide (CO2), heavy precipitation, and elevated temperatures is expected to facilitate biological invasion, leading only to further financial and public health loss. Thus, further study is needed to identify, collate and categorise what evidence exists on the impacts of climate change on fish and shellfish species that contribute to the list of "One Hundred of the World's Worst Invasive Alien Species" as identified by the International Union for Conservation of Nature's (IUCN). Such mapping will identify regions more at risk of biological invasion as climate change progresses. Methods: We outline a systematic mapping review protocol that follows the Guideline and Standards for Evidence Synthesis in Environmental Management and RepOrting standards for Systematic Evidence Syntheses (ROSES). We describe how peer-reviewed articles will be collected from Web of Science and Scopus, and then analyzed to create knowledge maps on the impact climate change has on invasive species. Finally, we speculate on how our results will aid future management of invasive species in the light of climate change. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The drainage of the Negro River is the most important watercourse in the Patagonia ecoregion and, together with the Colorado river basin, define an ecotone, i.e., a zoogeographic transition, where coexist the Brazilian and Patagonian lineages of freshwater fishes. The Patagonia ecoregion has 29 fish species, 15 native and the remaining introduced. For this study, the ichthyofauna of seven locations in the lower course of the Negro river drainage were sampled along two years. Gillnets, coastal trawls, cast nets, river trammel nets and fishing rods were used to catch specimens. A total of 13 species belonging to nine orders and 11 families were collected. The families Atherinopsidae and Characidae show the highest species richness and one exotic species, Cyprinus carpio Linnaeus, 1758, was recorded. The origin and distribution of some species is discussed, considering the role of human action and certain environmental factors.

Chronic phalaris toxicity (CPT) is a neurological disease caused by animals ingesting toxins produced by early growth stages of Phalaris aquatica, a pasture plant introduced to the southeastern regions of Australia post colonization. Little is known about the clinical progression of CPT in wildlife, as incidents are sporadic and predominantly reported when animals are in the end stages of disease and in a poor welfare state. We studied a cohort of 35 eastern gray kangaroos (Macropus giganteus) affected by CPT to clarify clinical prognosis and survival rates. Kangaroos were captured in May, June, and July of 2022 at Plenty Gorge Parklands, Victoria, Australia. Each animal was radiotracked for 180 d, clinical progression and disease outcomes monitored twice a week. By the conclusion of the study, 24 animals had died (19 by euthanasia due to deterioration, five found dead). Ten animals survived, with two demonstrating a reduction in clinical signs and eight showing full resolution of clinical signs. One animal was disqualified from the study. The overall survival rate was 29.4% (95% confidence interval 17.5-49.5%). The survival duration of animals that died ranged from 5 to 133 d. There was no difference in survival rate based on sex (P=0.2), age class (P=0.49) or the month of capture (P=0.49). These results suggest that CPT is an important health and welfare concern for at-risk macropod populations, with high case-fatality rates and prolonged clinical durations. Further research to manage the disease via methods such as reducing Phalaris aquatica plant coverage and preventative treatments for animals is warranted to reduce disease incidences and improve disease outcomes in wildlife populations., (© Wildlife Disease Association 2024.)

New Zealand's native shortfin eel (Anguilla australis) and endemic longfin eel (Anguilla dieffenbachii) have been negatively affected by wetland habitat loss. However, in Southland, open water wetland habitat has been created by hunters in the form of waterfowl hunting wetlands (duck ponds), habitat which can be utilised by eels. The aim of this study was to estimate the number and biomass of eels supported by Southland duck ponds to highlight the value of hunter-created wetlands as eel habitat. Eel population surveys were conducted in 56 duck ponds located on private agricultural land across Southland. Shortfin eels were found in 28 ponds with an average population size of 22 and biomass of 9.3 kg. Longfin eels were found in 26 ponds with an average population size of nine and biomass of 7.6 kg. Estimates indicate there are 7,013 ± (1761) duck ponds in Southland and they collectively support 36,000 shortfin eels weighing 15,500 kg and 60,000 longfin eels weighing 53,000 kg. Results from this study show that duck hunting ponds are utilised by shortfin and longfin eels. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Non‐native freshwater snails can play important roles as consumers, hosts, and prey. Despite their potential ecological importance, global patterns in non‐native snail taxonomy, geography, and ecology have not been documented. Our objectives were to use a semi‐quantitative systematic review to describe non‐native freshwater snail global diversity, distribution, mechanisms of introduction, and interactions with natural enemies, including parasites and predators.Based on 506 relevant publications, we recorded 95 non‐native freshwater snail species from 16 families. Six taxonomic families, and pulmonate snails as a group, were over‐represented relative to the number of species expected by chance. Eight snail species represented 63% of the research records. A few snail taxa (15%) were widespread global invaders, reported from four or more continents, while most invasions were limited to a single continent. Australia and the Pacific Islands were the largest 'sink' for non‐native snails, with the greatest difference in the number of non‐native taxa relative to native taxa that had spread to other continents.Aquarium hobby sales were implicated as the most common mechanism of introduction (41% of species), followed by "hitchhiking" on aquatic vegetation, human consumption, use for biocontrol, transportation in canals, commercial shipping, and outdoor recreation. A search of internet sales posts indicated that four of the six over‐represented snail families were readily available for purchase online.Non‐native snails hosted parasites of wildlife, livestock, and human health importance, yet on average had 80% lower parasite richness in their non‐native compared to native range. At least 65 taxa were documented as consumers of non‐native snails, including native predators of conservation concern. These findings suggest that non‐native snails often are released from parasitism, but may commonly experience biotic resistance from predators.Our synthesis emphasizes the relatively high diversity of non‐native snails, but the disproportionate role of a few taxonomic groups in driving ecological, economic, and public health challenges. Moving forward, it will be important to limit new snail introductions through policy, education, and monitoring, particularly as the effective control of established snail invasions remains challenging in most ecosystems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Concerns about the impact of pet dogs and cats on native wildlife populations have shaped pet control legislation, despite there being scant research of their impact in urban areas. Using an online questionnaire, we obtained data from 662 Australian dog and cat owners who had observed their pets capture prey in the previous 6 months. Of the pets observed to catch prey, dogs caught a median of 2 mammals, 2 birds, 2 reptiles, and 3 amphibians, whereas cats caught a median of 3 mammals, 2 birds, 4 reptiles, and 2 amphibians. Of mammals caught by dogs and cats, 88 and 93%, respectively, were identifiable as introduced mice, rats, and rabbits. Of pets that caught prey, a substantial proportion caught native animals (62% of dogs and 47% of cats). However, median numbers of native animals caught per dog (2) or cat (3) over 6 months were low. Small skinks and lizards comprised the greatest proportion for dogs and cats, but dogs also caught larger native prey (e.g., possums, kangaroos, and wallabies). Most birds caught by dogs and cats were common or introduced (dogs: crested pigeons and lorikeets; cats: noisy miners and rosellas). To design measures that will effectively protect Australia's native wildlife, thorough understanding of the role dogs and cats play in Australian urban ecosystems is required. These findings can inform that understanding, and assist with development of management strategies for urban dogs and cats, and as well as directing resources to efforts that will most protect urban wildlife.

This investigation revealed that there are 42 species belonging to fifteen families in eleven governorates of KSA. The highest number (seven) and percentage (20.60%) of introduced species were recorded in Dammam and Riyadh, while, the lowest values were recorded in the regions of Al-Baha, AlGhat and Jizan (one and 2.94%). As for Al-Baha a large number of introduced species (nineteen, 46.34%) were recorded, nearly half of the number of species examined, while no invasive species were recorded in Bisha, Dammam, and Tabuk. The life growth of the introduced species ranges from trees to young weeds. Phanerophytes (45%) had the highest proportion of life expectancy for the introduced plants, followed by Therophyte (40%) and Chamaephytes (15%), while the highest percentage (63%) among life ratios of the introduced and invasive plants was recorded for Therophyte, and the percentage of life growth of introduced plants indicates the dominance of herbs among other life forms. Regarding the total growth of life, the highest recorded percentage was in herbs (50%), followed by shrubs (19.05%), trees (16.67%), bush (9.52%) and grass (4.76%). The biological growth of weeds was dominant for the invasive plant species, followed by trees in the introduced species, and shrubs and trees in the introduced and invasive species. These indicate that the annual species and invasive weeds are better adapted to the environmental conditions in the studied areas in KSA. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Rhithropanopeus harrisii are small, estuarine crabs native to the Atlantic and Gulf coasts of North America. They have become an invasive species, establishing populations on the west coast of the United States, Europe, Panama, and Japan. Reproducing populations are also established in freshwater reservoirs in Texas and on the Texas/Oklahoma border. In order to compare levels of genetic diversity within introduced reservoir populations with those of native estuary populations and to determine possible source populations and routes of colonization among Texas reservoir populations, we obtained mitochondrial DNA sequences from reservoirs and several estuaries along the Texas and Louisiana coast. Overall, genetic diversity within reservoirs was lower than within estuaries; however, some reservoirs exhibited relatively high levels of genetic diversity indicating that they were founded by numerous individuals or individuals from divergent source populations. In contrast, two genetically divergent reservoir populations had greatly reduced genetic diversity suggestive of extreme founder effects. All estuary and reservoir haplotypes formed a monophyletic group separate from Atlantic coast haplotypes, thus colonization of Texas reservoirs occurred from the Gulf Coast as expected based on geographic proximity. There was minimal DNA sequence divergence among Gulf Coast and reservoir haplotypes and a lack of phylogeographic structure among estuary populations. However, there was significant population divergence among some estuaries based on haplotype frequencies. Genetic differences among estuaries were subtle in most cases, preventing identification of source populations using mitochondrial DNA sequences. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper reports on the first record of the Pacific oyster, Crassostrea gigas (Thunberg, 1793), in the southern Black Sea, based on a sample of 235 specimens collected from rocky shores 23 km west of the city of Ordu, northern Turkey. Species identification was confirmed by nucleotide sequencing of two mitochondrial gene fragments, viz. COI and 16S rRNA in five individual oysters. Analyses of mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase I (COI) sequences from southern Black Sea coastlines suggest that all samples were Pacific oyster, Crassostrea gigas. In addition, this study provides the first analysis of length-weight relationships (LWR) for C. gigas collected from the southern Black Sea. The relationship between mean shell length (SL) and mean total weight (W) was SL = 0.0143W1.6662 (r² = 0.6589). The specimens were morphometrically characterized as follows: mean shell length (SL) 59.57 ± 13.65 mm (range: 24.09–98.17 mm), mean shell width (SWi) 28.05 ± 6.91 mm (range: 10.50–50.87 mm), mean total weight (W), 13.62 ± 5.03 g (range: 0.78–36.89 g), and mean meat weight of 1.5 ± 0.90 g (range: 0.01–5.83 g). The relationships between the morphometric parameters suggested negative allometric growth. According to the results, C. gigas has created breeding populations on the Turkish Coasts, becoming the dominant species on some hard substrate, including rocky bottoms and large rocks used as fill locally to gain more land in the coastal area. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]