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Most European rewilding initiatives are based on the recovery of large herbivores, particularly European bison Bison bonasus, aiming at restoring ecosystem processes and increase trophic complexity. The growing support for the release of bison as a wild species, and change its legal status, in Spain, as an ecological analogue of the extinct steppe bison Bison priscus, makes it an excellent example to reflect the limits of a rewilding biogeographically advisable. We discuss if this initiative could be justified from ecological, biogeographical, ethical, and legal reasons. Besides remarkable taxonomic and functional differences between both bison species, the Mediterranean environment, under the present and future climatic scenarios, does not suit the European bison. Furthermore, there is no evidence to support the presumption that the European bison was ever present in the Iberian Peninsula, with legal implications. We expect that our approach will be inspirational for similar assessments on rewilding initiatives globally. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The traditional ecological reclamation measurements and assessments for the grassland areas damaged by open-pit mining often fall short in revealing the dynamics of plant communities affected by environmental filters during reconstruction, making reclamation efforts crucial. The trait-based community framework has been widely applied due to its great potential to predict the restoration process and provide insight into its mechanisms, but how the traits and environmental factors interact to form communities over time is still uncertain. Therefore, to make this process clear, we used the trait-based community framework, defining target species, non-target species, and common grass species, examining how the mix seed sowing and environment (two surface-covering materials applied to mine dump) affect re-vegetation composition, diversity, and functional traits in 14 years. Four treatments were tested: bio-fence surface-covering materials + sowing (BFS), plant-barrier surface-covering materials + sowing (PBS), sowing without any surface-covering materials (SOW), and a control without seeding and covering (CK). Natural grassland sites were regarded as reference (REF). Our findings indicated that the mix seed sowing and the interaction of surface-covering and time were primarily driving the dynamics of the plant community, affecting composition, the value of diversity, coverage, numbers, richness, and functional traits, such as the community-weighted mean (CWM) and functional diversity (FD), which increased and approached the sites REF. There were significant differences between the treatments and CK for the most traits. Although several results in the treatments approached the REF, significant differences still remained in the last observation year. With the sowing and surface-covering treatment, the re-built communities became more resource-acquisitive in terms of the CWM traits; even the value of the specific leaf area (SLA) exceed the REF after 14 years reclamation. We found those communities were dominated by target species that had a higher traits value than the non-target species, while the CK treatment became more resource-conservative over time due to non-target species dominating. The CWM in treatments tended toward reference levels for specific leaf area (SLA), leaf dry matter content (LDMC), and root dry matter content (RDMC), but not for seed mass (SM), thereby indicating that the above- and below-ground productivity of restored sites gradually overcame abiotic (surface-covering) and biotic (sowing) filters and approached target values. The functional diversity (FD) generally increased, with higher multivariate functional dispersion in the treatments containing more target species, suggesting that re-built communities achieve more resistance to invasion and disturbance over time. Hence, the trajectory of species and communities changing highlights the effectiveness of a trait-based approach in identifying better reclamation treatments and candidate species and provides a positive outlook for future re-vegetation community succession. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hay transfer is a promising method to restore temperate and subtropical grasslands, but its efficiency may depend on the harvesting timing and amount of hay used. We evaluated effects of harvest date (mid‐spring/November, early summer/December, and mid‐summer/February) and hay quantity (500 and 1000 g/m2) on vegetation cover, species richness, and species composition in an experimental study in subtropical southern Brazil for a period of 2 years. We transfer undried hay from a well‐conserved reference area onto a former grassland site degraded by pine plantations. Hay harvested during mid‐spring and early summer led to higher soil cover and species richness compared to the mid‐summer hay treatment in the first year of the experiment. A drought spell decreased vegetation cover in the second year following the hay transfer, with the mid‐spring hay treatment being the least affected. C3 grasses were more effectively introduced by mid‐spring and early summer hay, in contrast to C4 grasses that were better introduced by mid‐summer hay. Lower quantities of hay tended to lead to higher cover and species richness for all harvest dates. Freshly cut undried hay can be an effective way to reintroduce native species in degraded subtropical grasslands. We conclude that timing of hay collection and the amount of hay used influence vegetation cover and species composition at the restoration site and that multiple harvest dates increase restoration success. The drought in the second year of the experiment illustrates the need to consider the possibility of adverse climatic conditions in restoration planning. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Biological invasions pose a global challenge, threatening both biodiversity and human well-being. Projections suggest that as invasions increase, the financial costs associated with management and the ecological harm they cause will also escalate. Here, we examined whether long-term biomonitoring strategies were adequate to identify and track benthic aquatic non-native macroinvertebrate species by using the German subset (151 time series; 129 of which reported non-native species) of the currently most comprehensive European long-term dataset of 1816 macroinvertebrate community time series from 22 European countries. The detection of aquatic non-native species was directly linked to the availability of long-term sites and thus, monitoring effort, having identified the spatio-temporal occurrence of 32 non-native species. The available long-term monitoring site data were mostly concentrated in the western part of Germany, predominantly covering the Rhine River and its tributaries. The spatially biased network of long-term monitoring sites, therefore, naturally skews the detection and reporting of aquatic non-native species toward this area and underestimates Eastern and Southern regions, impeding the comprehension of invasion dynamics. However, based on the available data, we found that the absolute number of non-native species increased and the proportion of non-native species relative to native species decreased over time. This indicates complex ecological interactions between native and non-native species and underlines the value of long-term data for investigating invasion dynamics. Considering the value of comprehensive monitoring networks, a spatially biased network delays the application of management and mitigation plans, possibly worsening the ecological and economic effects of biological invasions in Germany. The results provided here indicate the disadvantages of biased datasets, but simultaneously underline the enormous potential of a dense network of long-term monitoring. Our results also highlight the urgent need to increase and diversify long-term biomonitoring efforts throughout Germany to cover the main freshwater resources and their connections where the introduction risk of non-native species is the highest. Centrally collating such data would provide a profound basis for the monitoring of spreading aquatic non-native species and could serve the implementation of national biosecurity efforts.

Biological invasions pose a global challenge, threatening both biodiversity and human well-being. Projections suggest that as invasions increase, the financial costs associated with management and the ecological harm they cause will also escalate. Here, we examined whether long-term biomonitoring strategies were adequate to identify and track benthic aquatic non-native macroinvertebrate species by using the German subset (151 time series; 129 of which reported non-native species) of the currently most comprehensive European long-term dataset of 1816 macroinvertebrate community time series from 22 European countries. The detection of aquatic non-native species was directly linked to the availability of long-term sites and thus, monitoring effort, having identified the spatio-temporal occurrence of 32 non-native species. The available long-term monitoring site data were mostly concentrated in the western part of Germany, predominantly covering the Rhine River and its tributaries. The spatially biased network of long-term monitoring sites, therefore, naturally skews the detection and reporting of aquatic non-native species toward this area and underestimates Eastern and Southern regions, impeding the comprehension of invasion dynamics. However, based on the available data, we found that the absolute number of non-native species increased and the proportion of non-native species relative to native species decreased over time. This indicates complex ecological interactions between native and non-native species and underlines the value of long-term data for investigating invasion dynamics. Considering the value of comprehensive monitoring networks, a spatially biased network delays the application of management and mitigation plans, possibly worsening the ecological and economic effects of biological invasions in Germany. The results provided here indicate the disadvantages of biased datasets, but simultaneously underline the enormous potential of a dense network of long-term monitoring. Our results also highlight the urgent need to increase and diversify long-term biomonitoring efforts throughout Germany to cover the main freshwater resources and their connections where the introduction risk of non-native species is the highest. Centrally collating such data would provide a profound basis for the monitoring of spreading aquatic non-native species and could serve the implementation of national biosecurity efforts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Phoxinus minnows are small freshwater fish found throughout Eurasia. The taxonomy of this genus is still under investigation, and new species are regularly described. They are frequently introduced outside their native range due to their use as live bait for angling, and such fish introductions can have diverse impacts on the recipient areas. Before the rise in interest regarding the diversity of this genus in the past 15 years, studies carried out on their biology and ecology reported their findings for the Eurasian minnow Phoxinus phoxinus Linnaeus, 1758, which was then considered ubiquitous. A parasites checklist for Phoxinus minnows has yet to be published, and the recent progress on the taxonomy of this genus has enabled us to propose a reassignment of parasite records to their proper host. The most thoroughly studied potential species were the North European species Phoxinus sp. 7 sensu Palandačić et al. 2017, Phoxinus isetensis, and P. phoxinus. We were able to highlight a gap in knowledge for numerous species that have received little‐to‐no attention in terms of parasitology. Systematic molecular identification of Phoxinus minnows should be conducted when studying their parasites, as a reliable identification of the host is vital in parasitology research. Future research will certainly reveal a species‐specific composition of the parasitofauna occurring in Phoxinus, especially among widespread parasites such as Gyrodactylus and Diplostomum. Such specificities could even become tools for assessing the introduction routes of Phoxinus species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The prevailing theory in invasion biology has been that introduced species have ecological and life‐history characteristics that predispose them to do more damage than native species. However, this principle has been challenged and the last decade has become involved in controversy around the hypothesis of whether origin matters. The objectives of this study were 1) to compare the intensity and types of environmental impacts of native European ungulates and their introduced counterparts using EICAT and 2) to discuss whether the results support the hypotheses on the importance of the origin of species. We relied on two previously published lists of literature on ungulate impacts. We conducted four types of comparisons: 1) same species, different locations, 2) different species, same location, 3) all species, all locations and 4) between impact mechanisms. All data comparisons between native European and introduced ungulate species indicated non‐significant differences in their levels and types of impacts. In conclusion, this study found that the negative impact of native European ungulates is like that produced by introduced species. Nevertheless, the mechanisms that determined high levels of damages in native and introduced ungulates may not be the same; thus, further research using the methodological tools provided by invasion biology is required. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Most European rewilding initiatives are based on the recovery of large herbivores, particularly European bison Bison bonasus, aiming at restoring ecosystem processes and increase trophic complexity. The growing support for the release of bison as a wild species, and change its legal status, in Spain, as an ecological analogue of the extinct steppe bison Bison priscus, makes it an excellent example to reflect the limits of a rewilding biogeographically advisable. We discuss if this initiative could be justified from ecological, biogeographical, ethical, and legal reasons. Besides remarkable taxonomic and functional differences between both bison species, the Mediterranean environment, under the present and future climatic scenarios, does not suit the European bison. Furthermore, there is no evidence to support the presumption that the European bison was ever present in the Iberian Peninsula, with legal implications. We expect that our approach will be inspirational for similar assessments on rewilding initiatives globally.

Anthropogenic transport of plants, food, and other materials has been a route of dispersal for many arthropods and some tropical species have inadvertently been introduced to European hothouses where they have established reproducing populations. This study reports the first records of the introduction of the arachnid order Schizomida to Danish hothouses: namely Stenochrus portoricensis as well as a new species of Bamazomus (Schizomida: Hubbardiidae). The latter, Bamazomus serendipitus sp. n. is described. Possible origins of introductions for both species are addressed, based on comparison of newly generated and publicly available DNA barcodes, history of introduction of plants, and for B. serendipitus sp. n. also morphological similarity to other Bamazomus species. Stenochrus portoricensis has likely been introduced from Costa Rica and B. serendipitus sp. n. is suggested to originate from Southeast Asia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We provide a synthesis of the history and the extent of human impact on the terrestrial ecosystems of the small islands and islets of the western Mediterranean. We focus on the exploitation of islands smaller than a few thousand hectares. The use of microinsular biotic resources (e.g., timber, soda ash, wild mammals) began as early as the Upper Palaeolithic, intensified during the Neolithic, and expanded during the Iron Age, peaking around the end of the nineteenth to the mid-twentieth century. As a consequence of long-lasting land exploitation, in many cases local terrestrial ecosystems were severely damaged and some of their living components disappeared. In other cases, even with uninterrupted human occupation over millennia, several insular resources have been sustainably managed. Although these small islands are currently under less pressure compared with neighbouring mainland coastlines, their protection or even the restoration is unquestionably necessary. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: Introduced species offer insight on whether and how organisms can shift their ecological niches during translocation. The genus Amazona offers a clear test case, where sister species Red‐crowned (A. viridigenalis) and Lilac‐crowned Parrots (A. finschi) have established breeding populations in southern California following introduction via the pet trade from Mexico where they do not coexist. After establishment in the 1980s, introduced population sizes have increased, with mixed species flocks found throughout urban Los Angeles. Here, we investigate the differences between the environmental conditions of the native and introduced ranges of these now co‐occurring species. Location: Southern California and Mexico. Methods: Using environmental data on climate and habitat from their native and introduced ranges, we tested whether Red‐crowned and Lilac‐crowned Parrots have divergent realized niches between their native ranges, and whether each species has significantly shifted its realized niche to inhabit urban southern California. We also analysed data from Texas and Florida introductions of Red‐crowned Parrots for comparative analysis. Results: There are significant differences in the native‐range niches of both parrot species, but a convergence into a novel, shared environmental niche into urban southern California, characterized by colder temperatures, less tree cover and lower rainfall. Texas and Florida Red‐crowned Parrots also show evidence for niche shifts with varying levels of niche conservatism through the establishment of somewhat different realized niches. Main Conclusions: Despite significant niche shifts, introduced parrots are thriving, suggesting a broad fundamental niche and an ability to exploit urban resources. Unique niche shifts in different U.S. introductions indicate that Amazona parrots can adapt to diverse environmental conditions, with cities offering a resource niche and the timing of introduction playing a crucial role. Cities can potentially serve as refugia for threatened parrot species, but the risk of hybridization between species emphasizes the need for ongoing monitoring and genetic investigations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Lagerstroemia is a native plant in China, which has been cultivated for more than 1 500 years. It is an excellent summer flower woody plant, and is widely used in urban landscaping because of its beautiful color, long flowering period and the advantage of purifying air. The germplasm resources of Lagerstroemia indica are extremely rich. There are about 60 species of Lagerstroemia in the world, 40% of which are in China. The results of national and regional investigations have laid a good foundation for the study of L. indica. In recent years, the cultivation and application of new cultivars have been increased in various regions. The breeding method is mainly traditional breeding, and many new cultivars with good characters and high market value have been cultivated. With the rapid development of breeding technology and molecular biology, a breakthrough has been made in the researches on molecular assisted breeding of L. indica. In this paper, the classification research, germplasm resources, breeding research and introduction and application of L. indica were reviewed. We systematically sorted out the germplasm resources of L. indica in China, including 24 wild species and 350 cultivars, discussed the research process and development trend of breeding of L. indica at home and abroad, and summarized the current situation of introduction and application research. In regard to the current research status of L. indica, this paper offered reflections on future research directions to enhance investigations of L. indica, improve germplasm resource banks, and establish information sharing channels; efforts on breeding should be expanded beyond flower color, fragrance, plant type, resistance and extension of flowering period; and biological and intelligent technologies should be leveraged to strengthen breeding techniques and accelerate innovation in L. indica germplasms. Continuous application forms for L. indica resources should be developed according to local conditions to fully realize their value.

The Western Antarctic Peninsula (WAP) experiences one of the highest rates of sea surface warming globally, leading to potential changes in biological communities. Long‐term phytoplankton monitoring in Potter Cove (PC, King George Island, South Shetlands) from the 1990s to 2009 revealed consistently low biomass values, and sporadic blooms dominated by cold‐water microplankton diatoms. However, a significant change occurred between 2010 and 2020, marked by a notable increase in intense phytoplankton blooms in the region. During this period, the presence of a nanoplankton diatom, Shionodiscus gaarderae, was documented for the first time. In some instances, this species even dominated the blooms. S. gaarderae is recognized for producing blooms in temperate waters in both hemispheres. However, its blooming in the northern Southern Ocean may suggest either a recent introduction or a range shift associated with rising temperatures in the WAP, a phenomenon previously observed in experimental studies. The presence of S. gaarderae could be viewed as a warning sign of significant changes already underway in the northern WAP plankton communities. This includes the potential replacement of microplankton diatoms by smaller nanoplankton species. This study, based on observations along the past decade, and compared to the previous 20 years, could have far‐reaching implications for the structure of the Antarctic food web. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Lagerstroemia is a native plant in China, which has been cultivated for more than 1 500 years. It is an excellent summer flower woody plant, and is widely used in urban landscaping because of its beautiful color, long flowering period and the advantage of purifying air. The germplasm resources of Lagerstroemia indica are extremely rich. There are about 60 species of Lagerstroemia in the world, 40% of which are in China. The results of national and regional investigations have laid a good foundation for the study of L. indica. In recent years, the cultivation and application of new cultivars have been increased in various regions. The breeding method is mainly traditional breeding, and many new cultivars with good characters and high market value have been cultivated. With the rapid development of breeding technology and molecular biology, a breakthrough has been made in the researches on molecular assisted breeding of L. indica. In this paper, the classification research, germplasm resources, breeding research and introduction and application of L. indica were reviewed. We systematically sorted out the germplasm resources of L. indica in China, including 24 wild species and 350 cultivars, discussed the research process and development trend of breeding of L. indica at home and abroad, and summarized the current situation of introduction and application research. In regard to the current research status of L. indica, this paper offered reflections on future research directions to enhance investigations of L. indica, improve germplasm resource banks, and establish information sharing channels; efforts on breeding should be expanded beyond flower color, fragrance, plant type, resistance and extension of flowering period; and biological and intelligent technologies should be leveraged to strengthen breeding techniques and accelerate innovation in L. indica germplasms. Continuous application forms for L. indica resources should be developed according to local conditions to fully realize their value. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An increasing focus on aquaculture using introduced strains or species poses a serious threat to native wild species in sub‐Saharan Africa, yet almost no policies have been enacted or regulations put in place to address this environmental challenge. Aquaculture in these regions has traditionally been conducted on a relatively small scale but is currently expanding rapidly and is projected to continue increasing in the coming decades, with increasing use of genetically improved strains. This expansion is occurring in a region known for its high biodiversity, creating challenges for increasing fish production without damaging wild fish populations. However, few studies have yet assessed the impacts of changes in aquaculture practice on the genetic composition and diversity of wild populations. The use of non‐native improved strains for aquaculture could cause competition, gene introgression when there is interbreeding with native populations or species, displacement of species and possible extinction of the native wild populations.After providing historical context on African aquaculture, this review describes the current methods of fish breeding and genetic improvement programmes for the main species of cultured fishes, focusing on the potential conservation impacts of the use of introduced (and selectively bred) farmed species. Existing aquaculture policies, legislation and regulations regarding the import and farming of fish are then compared across the main fish‐producing countries. We recommend a regional policy framework considering fish introduction, risk analysis and risk management, human resources development and genetic monitoring that could be drafted into the existing policies to strengthen conservation efforts.We conclude by making recommendations for refining existing regulations and for future research aimed at minimizing the impacts of aquaculture on wild fish populations in sub‐Saharan Africa. Aquaculture in this region needs implementation of responsible guidelines to avoid genetic impacts on native populations of high conservation value. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Xinjiang Agricultural Sciences is the property of Xinjiang Agricultural Sciences Editorial Department and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Historically, the neogregarine Apicystis bombi was isolated almost exclusively from bumble bees (Bombus spp.) where it disrupts adipose tissue, increasing hosts’ mortality rates. Records in solitary bees are scarce worldwide. To check for its presence in carpenter bees (genus Xylocopa), campaigns were performed in Argentina capturing 154 individuals of five species (X. augusti, X. splendidula, X. atamisquensis, X. frontalis, X. nigrocincta). The presence of A. bombi was detected by molecular means in X. augusti, X. atamisquensis, and X. nigrocincta in four of the nine provinces screened. The pathogenesis and eventual impact that A. bombi may cause in individuals or populations of Xylocopa species remain unknown. The presence of A. bombi in northern Argentina would be contradictory to the hypothesis that its occurrence is the exclusive result of its introduction to South America through invasive, infected exotic bumble bees.

The orb-weaving spider Argiope trifasciata (Forsskål, 1775) was scientifically described in Egypt while it has been considered native to North America. The aim of this study was to analyse the phylogenetic relationships of the Egyptian population and shed light on its introduction and migration history. The COX1 gene (mtDNA) of 49 samples from Egypt and Cyprus was analysed with 168 additional COX1 sequences available in GenBank and BOLD originating from nineteen other countries. Selected ecological parameters were also studied in an Egyptian desert habitat for comparison with North American populations. We found that spiders oriented their webs in relation to the sun's position (South and South-East) most likely to regulate their body temperature. The life cycle of A. fasciata in Egypt was found to be extended from what has been reported from other populations, partly possible because some individuals may survive throughout the winter. The phylogenetic analysis revealed that the sequences from Egypt and Cyprus clustered with Afro-Eurasian populations. Thirty haplotypes were found in Egypt and Cyprus of which 21 were unique. The analysis further revealed that the nearest American COX1 sequence was separated by 18 mutations. The high COXI divergence (5.1%) as well as the low gene flow (Fst = 0.75) between Afro-Eurasian and American populations, indicated that A. trifasciata has not been recently dispersed from America to Africa and other continents, but the genetic isolation was estimated to have happened around 2.04 My ago. If these spiders represent unique species or subspecies will need further research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A newly discovered species of Masteria L. Koch, 1873 collected at two Danish tropical hothouses, Masteria boggildisp. n., is described. It is the first member of Dipluridae (curtain-web spiders) known to have established breeding populations in Europe. The new species belong to a subgroup of Masteria species characterized by six eyes, piriform bulb, and short, unevenly sized inner and outer spermathecal lobes. Masteria boggildisp. n. appears most closely related to Neotropical species, particularly to species found in Ecuador. Possible paths to its introduction are suggested. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Bulletin de la Societe Zoologique de France is the property of Societe Zoologique de France and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

The distribution of the Alpine marmot released in the Northern Apennines has been largely unstudied. In this note, we summarise the current distribution and the altitude range of the Alpine marmot in the Apennine ridge, 80 years after their first releases. We searched for marmot occurrence on the Apennines (i) on citizen-science platforms and (ii) through a webmail on Sciuridae distribution in Italy. We collected 80 marmot records validated by photos and by field investigations. We showed that Alpine marmots are present on over 70,000 ha in the Apennines, between Emilia Romagna and Tuscany. Most occurrences were recorded between 1600 and 1700 m a.s.l., in lines with other works on this species. Although the introduction of the Alpine marmot in the Apennines appears to have been successful, further molecular and ecological data are needed to assess origins and potential environmental impacts (e.g. on soil stability) of these established populations. This work may represent a description of the current status of this species, to be compared with future monitoring. In turn, updating the distribution of the Alpine marmot in the Apennines in the next years may be useful to assess potential distribution shift towards higher altitudes as a response to local climatic change.

The impacts of species invasions can subside over time as ecosystems 'adapt' and invaders decline or increase over time as additional species invade. The character and timescales of invasion impacts provide important insights into ecosystem dynamics and management. Yet long-term studies of invasion impacts remain rare and often confound invasive species impacts with coincident environmental change. One way to address this challenge is to ask: what ecological changes over time since invasion are recapitulated in ecosystems that span a range of conditions, are located in different regions, and were invaded in different decades? We synthesize many-decade time series across seven ecosystems to resolve shared changes in seven key ecosystem features following invasion by zebra mussels and subsequent invasion by quagga mussels. These two congeners are among the most widespread invasive species that re-engineer and increasingly co-invade freshwater ecosystems. Seven polymictic shallow lakes with long-term data sets reveal remarkably similar trends, with the strongest ecosystem impacts occurring within 5–10 years of zebra mussel invasion. Surprisingly, plankton communities then exhibited a partial, significant recovery. This recovery was absent, and impacts of initial invasion amplified, in four lakes where quagga mussels outcompeted zebra mussels and more completely depleted phytoplankton. Thus, we show that the ecosystem impacts of invasive species can subside over time but amplify with serial introductions of competing, even closely similar, taxa. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sowing of regionally specific seed mixtures on former arable land is increasingly used to restore species‐rich grasslands but it often faces important obstacles in environmental conditions and colonisation from preserved surrounding grasslands. Long‐term landscape scale studies, which explore the processes governing plant establishment from seed mixtures and later colonisation from the surrounding landscape are scarce.We studied the species and functional trait composition of 32 grasslands restored 1–11 years before the first sampling by sowing regional seed mixtures in the White Carpathian Mts (SE Czech Republic). We compared them with 23 well‐preserved permanent grasslands in their surroundings. In each grassland, we estimated plant species cover in three plots of 25 m2, in restored grasslands in 2009, 2014 and 2019, in permanent grasslands in 2009.The species composition of the restored grasslands converged towards the permanent grasslands due to expansion of dry grassland species and retreat of mesic grassland and weed species. The majority (60%–71%) of the vegetation cover of restored grasslands was formed by sown species, while the species number was mainly determined by colonising unsown species (61%–63%). The species number of restored grasslands remained lower than that in permanent grasslands.Functional trait composition (community weighted mean) of the sown seed mixtures, permanent grasslands and restored grasslands overlapped in all three samplings. With increasing grassland age, species with resource‐retaining traits of low specific leaf area and high leaf dry matter content, lower stature, higher seed mass and lower capacity for clonal reproduction expanded. Functional trait diversity of the plots was mostly lower than expected by null model randomisations of community, which indicates strong environmental filtering. Comparison of newly colonising species and extinct species indicated that mainly species with traits similar to the rest of the community are able to colonise the grasslands successfully.Synthesis and applications: Sowing of regionally specific seed mixtures was successful and demonstrated to be a fast way of grassland restoration, particularly in terms of functional trait composition. The resulting species diversity depended on the colonisation processes, which are controlled by the functional composition of the local communities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aquarium pet trade is a source of potentially invasive crayfish species, which can be subsequently intentionally or unintentionally introduced into new environments. This can lead to biological invasions that represent a threat to native biodiversity and, in particular, freshwater ecosystem functioning. In global terms, Europe is the most affected region, and invasive crayfish species are increasing in number, establishing their populations and expanding their ranges. Despite being similarly affected, the situation in Serbia (SE Europe) has remained overlooked in this regard. A survey of the aquarium pet trade in this country revealed six different crayfish species traded as ornamentals. Marbled crayfish Procambarus virginalisLyko, 2017, a well-known invader, was traded in more than half of the studied towns and cities in Serbia and is commonly available both in pet shops and through e-commerce (online selling). Other potentially invasive crayfish include the red swamp crayfish Procambarus clarkii (Girard, 1852) and the Florida crayfish Procambarus alleni (Faxon, 1884), both of which are already established in some European inland waters. The presence of invasive species in the aquarium pet trade in Serbia could theoretically lead to their occurrence in the wild. Given that, in terms of cost and feasibility, the best defence against biological invasions is prevention. A rapid response to the findings discussed here could be the key to prevent future invasions of Serbian freshwater ecosystems by non-native crayfish species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Historically, the neogregarine Apicystis bombi was isolated almost exclusively from bumble bees (Bombus spp.) where it disrupts adipose tissue, increasing hosts' mortality rates. Records in solitary bees are scarce worldwide. To check for its presence in carpenter bees (genus Xylocopa), campaigns were performed in Argentina capturing 154 individuals of five species (X. augusti , X. splendidula , X. atamisquensis , X. frontalis , X. nigrocincta). The presence of A. bombi was detected by molecular means in X. augusti , X. atamisquensis, and X. nigrocincta in four of the nine provinces screened. The pathogenesis and eventual impact that A. bombi may cause in individuals or populations of Xylocopa species remain unknown. The presence of A. bombi in northern Argentina would be contradictory to the hypothesis that its occurrence is the exclusive result of its introduction to South America through invasive, infected exotic bumble bees. [Display omitted] • Xylocopa individuals were scrutinized for the neogregarine Apicystis bombi. • Apicystis bombi was found in X. augusti , X. atamisquensis and X. nigrocincta. • The new associations Xylocopa – A. bombi were found in four Argentine provinces. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In April 2001, 187 illegally collected and confiscated pancake tortoises (Malacochersus tornieri) were released in Mzinga and Irima rocky hills in the southern part of Tsavo East National Park, an area where there were no free-ranging wild populations. The aim of this study was to establish the status of this introduced population and identify the lessons that can be learned to guide future reintroductions. Prior to release, the specimens were marked by cutting numbered notches on the marginal scutes based on a coding system. In June 2022, a revisit to the April 2001 release sites was done to retrace this population in an effort to both recapture some of the individuals or find a new juvenile cohort. After 21 yrs, only 15 individuals were found—10 of which were recaptures, representing 5.3% of the total release population. Of these 10 recaptures, only 2 had clear marks and could be traced to a specific number that showed they were mature adults when released. The 8 recaptured tortoises did not have marks and their carapaces were either worn out to plain brownish or had faded dark marks. It was assumed that these were likely those young specimens released with a carapace length of less than 130 mm and that the notch mark disappeared during body growth. Using a combination of the carapace length, carapace color pattern, and absence of notch marks, 5 specimens were confirmed to have been born after the initial release, representing a new cohort. Pancake tortoise carapace growth in captivity has been found to be very fast, and specimens reach sexual maturity at 150 mm and in about 6 yrs, and after this no significant carapace growth occurs. This fast growth rate is not possible in the wild, where there are long periods of inactivity during the dry season. Hence, it is assumed that growth in captivity should be twice or thrice that in the wild. Therefore, using our data from new and recaptured tortoises, and comparing it with the growth rate and color change in captive specimens, it is possible to estimate the age of wild individuals. This study also shows that there is carapace color and pattern change with carapace growth with age, until a time when the color pattern starts fading with little or no change in carapace length. The study found only a very small proportion of the total number of individuals released. This could be attributed to the fact that the majority of the individuals (82.9% being mature adults, > 130 mm) were about 15–20 yrs old, and 21 yrs later they likely would have naturally died after exceeding their lifespan of about 25 yrs. Others may have died of predation before breeding. What is clear is that, despite the low number of encountered individuals from new cohorts, reintroduction of confiscated tortoises is a viable initiative to boost depleted wild populations. Finally, given that there are viable populations at captive breeding facilities, it is highly recommended that the international pet trade should focus on getting captive-bred specimens and leave the wild ones to boost local tourism. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Chickens were among the first domesticates introduced by Europeans to North America, where they quickly became established. Morphometric analyses of chicken remains from sites in eastern Canada and the Northeastern USA demonstrate that founding populations likely came from several different types of chicken. Comparison of these data with English medieval and post-medieval assemblages reveals that continued selection for larger body size in both populations resulted in larger chickens. However, the physical proportions of these birds remained consistent across time and space until the nineteenth century, when breeders began producing specialized laying, broiler, and show birds with exaggerated characteristics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Invasive species constitute a threat not only to native populations but also to the structure and functioning of entire food webs. Despite being considered as a global problem, only a small number of studies have quantitatively predicted the food web‐level consequences of invasions. Here, we use an allometric trophic network model parameterized using empirical data on species body masses and feeding interactions to predict the effects of a possible invasion of Amur sleeper (Perccottus glenii), on a well‐studied lake ecosystem. We show that the modeled establishment of Amur sleeper decreased the biomasses of top predator fishes by about 10%–19%. These reductions were largely explained by increased larval competition for food and Amur sleeper predation on fish larvae. In contrast, biomasses of less valued fish of lower trophic positions increased by about 0.4%–9% owing to reduced predation pressure by top piscivores. The predicted impact of Amur sleeper establishment on the biomasses of native fish species vastly exceeded the impacts of current‐day fishing pressures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Invasive species constitute a threat not only to native populations but also to the structure and functioning of entire food webs. Despite being considered as a global problem, only a small number of studies have quantitatively predicted the food web‐level consequences of invasions. Here, we use an allometric trophic network model parameterized using empirical data on species body masses and feeding interactions to predict the effects of a possible invasion of Amur sleeper (Perccottus glenii), on a well‐studied lake ecosystem. We show that the modeled establishment of Amur sleeper decreased the biomasses of top predator fishes by about 10%–19%. These reductions were largely explained by increased larval competition for food and Amur sleeper predation on fish larvae. In contrast, biomasses of less valued fish of lower trophic positions increased by about 0.4%–9% owing to reduced predation pressure by top piscivores. The predicted impact of Amur sleeper establishment on the biomasses of native fish species vastly exceeded the impacts of current‐day fishing pressures.

Projects on river basin integration are keen social-economical drivers in dry regions like the Brazilian semiarid, however, there are concerning ecological impacts implied in those projects. In a long-term analysis, ichthyofauna colonization and spread through the East Axis of the São Francisco River Integration Project (SFIP) was monitored to assess possible impacts on the receiving Paraíba River basin. The fish were collected semiannually (2012 to 2021) from 19 sites in the São Francisco (SF) and Paraíba (PB) basins. A total of 69 fish species were recorded, with distinct fish assemblages between SF (n = 50), PB (n = 35), and the SFIP artificial reservoirs (n = 25). The SFIP reservoirs were colonized by species from the donor basin (SF). In a pioneer finding, Anchoviella vaillanti was recorded for the first time in the receiving basin and it is in the process of establishment. The two SF species that reached PB through the SFIP canals (A. vaillanti and Moenkhausia costae) may be using their year-round reproduction and wide diet to successful spread and colonize the new environment. Since we detected species with potential to reach the receiving basin and became invasives, the implementation of barriers to contain their spread are recommended. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ecological networks experiencing persistent biological invasions may exhibit distinct topological properties, complicating the understanding of how network topology affects disease transmission during invasion-driven community assembly. We developed a trait-based network model to assess the impact of network topology on disease transmission, measured as community- and species-level disease prevalence. We found that trait-based feeding interactions between host species determine the frequency distribution of the niche of co-occurring species in steady-state communities, being either bimodal or multimodal. The width of the growth kernel influences the degree-biomass relationship of species, being either weakly positive or strongly negative. When this relationship is weakly positive, species-level disease prevalence is primarily correlated with biomass. However, when the degree-biomass relationship is strongly negative, species-level disease prevalence is determined by the difference between a host species' in-degree and out-degree closeness centrality. At the community level, disease prevalence is generally amplified by increasing host richness, community biomass, and the standard deviation of interaction generality, while it is diluted by higher network connectance. Our framework verifies the amplification effects of host richness during invasion-driven community assembly and offers valuable insights for estimating disease prevalence based on host network topology. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Projects on river basin integration are keen social-economical drivers in dry regions like the Brazilian semiarid, however, there are concerning ecological impacts implied in those projects. In a long-term analysis, ichthyofauna colonization and spread through the East Axis of the São Francisco River Integration Project (SFIP) was monitored to assess possible impacts on the receiving Paraíba River basin. The fish were collected semiannually (2012 to 2021) from 19 sites in the São Francisco (SF) and Paraíba (PB) basins. A total of 69 fish species were recorded, with distinct fish assemblages between SF (n = 50), PB (n = 35), and the SFIP artificial reservoirs (n = 25). The SFIP reservoirs were colonized by species from the donor basin (SF). In a pioneer finding, Anchoviella vaillanti was recorded for the first time in the receiving basin and it is in the process of establishment. The two SF species that reached PB through the SFIP canals (A. vaillanti and Moenkhausia costae) may be using their year-round reproduction and wide diet to successful spread and colonize the new environment. Since we detected species with potential to reach the receiving basin and became invasives, the implementation of barriers to contain their spread are recommended.

Wild pigs (Sus scrofa L.) are considered one of the 100 worst invasive species, causing adverse social, economic, and environmental impacts worldwide. Understanding their historical invasion process and following the distribution across the territory can serve as a preoccupant alert for the species' quick expansion. Our goal was to update the information about the invasion history and spatial distribution of wild pigs in Brazil. Using extant occurrence records in the literature and from official agencies, we built distribution maps of wild pigs' distribution in Brazil over time. We identified wild pigs reports in 1152 municipalities across the country, primarily concentrated in the southeast region of Brazil (52.95%). Our results revealed an accelerated increase of wild pigs in the last 30 years, especially across the southern, southeast and mid-west regions. This reinforces the need for immediate measures to control wild pigs and halt expansion. This is the first research showing complete historical invasion of wild pigs in Brazil. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As a biocontrol agent of aphids and coccids, the harlequin ladybird, Harmonia axyridis (Pallas) (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae), was introduced from its native Asian range into North America. There, it has spread quickly and widely, potentially contributing to the decline of endemic ladybirds. This study examined microbial communities residing in H. axyridis in its native and introduced or invaded regions. We collected ladybirds at 11 localities across mainland China (native range) and at seven localities across the USA (invaded range) and applied next‐generation amplicon sequencing to examine microbial communities. We found that the diversity of the microbial community of H. axyridis in the invaded range declined compared to the native range. The microbial community differed markedly in composition between native and invaded ranges. Among all identified 22047 amplicon sequence variants, only 4.2% were shared by the two ranges, whereas 4967 were unique to the invaded and 16159 to the native range. Our findings suggest that the composition of the microbial community of H. axyridis is largely restructured in the invaded North American region compared to the native Asian region. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mason bees, subgenus Osmia Panzer (Hymenoptera: Megachilidae), are economically and ecologically significant pollinators. In eastern North America, the rapid spread of 2 non-native species from Asia, Osmia cornifrons Radoszkowski and Osmia taurus Smith, has coincided with declines in native Osmia populations, raising concern about the effects of further exotic arrivals. Here we investigate the recent establishment in British Columbia, Canada of the European orchard bee, Osmia cornuta Latreille, previously thought to be limited to Europe and its periphery. We document O. cornuta records ranging more than 170 km, including sightings of live adults and the discovery of a multigenerational nest with hundreds of cocoons. We tested whether these cocoons could be discriminated from other Osmia species by training a machine learning classifier on features extracted from images. The best performing model could not reliably discriminate cocoons by species, raising the possibility O. cornuta could be inadvertently intermingled in future commercial shipments. Recent occurrence records of O. cornifrons and O. taurus were spatially isolated, suggesting ongoing anthropogenic dispersal of these species. We predicted the suitability of North American habitats for O. cornuta by estimating its native climate niche. This analysis indicated broad regions of the Pacific Northwest and eastern North America contain potentially suitable habitat. Our findings document the establishment of O. cornuta in North America and the potential for its expansion. Our study demonstrates the utility of accessible biodiversity data archives and public observation programs in tracking non-native species spread and highlights the need for future monitoring of exotic Osmia., (© The Author(s) 2024. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of Entomological Society of America.)

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Black-eared Rice Rat, Handleyomys melanotis (Thomas, 1893), is a small, abundant rodent thought endemic to Mexico. We present a new record of this rat on Cocinas Island off the Chamela coast of Jalisco, Mexico. On this protected island located at 19.5°N, 105.1°W, we captured 11 specimens with the physical characteristics that confirm their identity as H. melanotis. We explore the possible implications of this species on Cocinas Island. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: Commercial routes are reported as the main cause of biological invasions. Particularly, naval trade may accidentally bring several species to new areas where they are not native. This is particularly evident for coastal areas, where most biological invasions occur. In our work, we reported, for the first time, the presence of the ocellated skink, native to the largest Italian islands (Sardinia, Sicily and surrounding islets in a port area of continental Central Italy). We collected several individuals of this alien population and we sampled them for molecular analyses, comparing them with those naturally occurring in Sardinia, Sicily and the Mediterranean basin, including individuals accidentally introduced to peninsular Southern Italy. Differently from what previously suggested, the nucleus in Portici (Southern Italy) may have originated from Sardinia. The intense cork trade and touristic traffic between Sardinia and Southern Tuscany may have been responsible for the introduction of this lizard also to Central Italy. The ocellated skink (Chalcides ocellatus) is a widespread lizard, naturally distributed between the Maghreb and coastal Pakistan, with few insular populations in the Mediterranean coastal area. Some populations of this species have also been recorded in peninsular Italy, Campania and Southern Tuscany due to accidental introductions via touristic and commercial routes. In this work, we conducted genetic analyses on mitochondrial DNA COXI, cytb and 16S mtDNA genes on a sample of Italian insular and peninsular populations. Differently from what previously suggested, the nucleus in Portici (Southern Italy) may have originated from Sardinia. The intense trade and touristic traffic between Sardinia and Southern Tuscany may have been responsible for the introduction of this lizard also to Central Italy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the era of Anthropocene, an ability to predict the rate at which an alien invasive species spreads its range in a new habitat in response to climate change is of growing importance. The ability of modelling tools to predict the potential areas of spread can help in prioritizing for effective management of invasive species. Further, the methods used for modelling range spread of an alien invasive species can also be employed to assess the distributional implications of the species in response to climate change. An exotic weed Ethulia gracilis (Family Asteraceae), was recently found for the first time in India growing along the road side and in fallow lands. This raised serious issue of concern as the species can invade rapidly. In this study, we identified potential habitats of the species & areas where the species can invade both under current and future climate scenarios using ecological niche model. Our study highlights that climate change can accelerate the potential spread of the species in future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present study is a full review of the non-native freshwater fish species introduced into Argentina and their relationship to the main environmental features and introduction vectors of each freshwater ecoregion. The total number of non-native freshwater fish species was compiled through a literature survey; information on spatial–temporal patterns of species records and invasion vectors was retrieved for all ten freshwater ecoregions of Argentina. Our survey revealed that 18–22 non-native fish species had been recorded up to 1999, and a total of 40 introduced fish species, of which 18 are invasive and five potentially invasive, had been registered in seven Argentinean ecoregions as of May 2020. According to georeferenced records, the rainbow trout Oncorhynchus mykiss and common carp Cyprinus carpio were the non-native fish species with the greatest number of records and largest invaded areas, probably due to their species-specific ecological traits. Invasive fish species differed clearly between the Patagonia, Lower Paraná, and Lower Uruguay ecoregions, probably because of a combination of the environmental conditions, structure of native assemblages, and invasion pathways in each ecoregion. Except for the recognized impact of non-native salmonids, the adverse effects of introduced fish species have been little studied, indicating the need for further research to clarify the role of ecological shifts triggered by the introduction and establishment of non-native fish species in Argentina. In contrast to the high diversity of aquatic species and freshwater environments, the spread and impact of invasive fish species in Argentina is little known, particularly compared with other South American countries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Animal trade, such as birds, mammals and reptiles, is a common human activity. Among insects, few are as charismatic as bees. Their hives are commonly commercialized for multiple purposes, such as honey production, crop pollination and leisure. However, hive trade has the potential to adversely introduce species into novel places in a widespread way.Our main objectives were to evaluate the trade flow of stingless beehives in Brazil by comparing the geographical distances and climatic features between origin and destination as well as by determining the potential impact on endangered (EN) native bee species.We performed species distribution modelling to estimate their respective natural habitats. After that, we carried out a principal component analysis characterizing the climatic features found within their natural habitats and those where bees were negotiated. Subsequently, we applied hierarchical clustering followed by a Procrustes analysis to evaluate the contrast between the climatic niches of original and destination places. We also checked the conservation status of each species being commercialized and whether exotic species could be introduced within their areas.At least nine species of stingless bees were negotiated during the surveyed period. The hives were requested for almost 100 different localities. Over 40% of sellers and buyers were located outside the natural range of the stingless bee species being negotiated, and half of interested people were as far as 320 km. Climatic features vary considerably between natural habitat and traded regions. This implies that some species might suffer and perish due to intolerance to new climatic features. Nonetheless, species can be taken to new areas that are climatically suitable, creating a risk of biological introduction and invasion events. Finally, most hives were requested in places where equivalent bee species are under EN status.Synthesis and application. Even if managed in hives, exotic stingless bees are flying insects, meaning that they may interact and compete for resources with local bee populations. Therefore, stingless beehive displacement for non‐native places and at large spatial scales should be prevented in negotiations to safeguard their welfare and the sustainability of local populations in the long term. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Arnica montana is a threatened plant species that highly depends on species-specific conservation action. We conducted three experiments in montane heathlands to quantify the role of disturbance for population reinforcement of A. montana. In the first experiment, clusters of A. montana were raked to remove biomass and promote vegetative growth. In two other experiments, we analysed what kind of disturbance intensity is necessary to promote the establishment of A. montana by seeding and planting, respectively. Different traits with respect to population structure and growth of A. montana (e.g. abundance of rosettes and flowering stems) were measured. Raking resulted in the removal of bryophytes and parts of the herb layer and strongly fostered vegetative reproduction of A. montana. In general, disturbance enhanced the establishment of A. montana by seeding, however, the establishment rate was low. By contrast, planting of A. montana in plots whose surface was disturbed greatly increased the populations of A. montana. Our study highlights that populations of A. montana much depend for re-production on the disturbance of the above-ground vegetation. We identified (i) disturbance of vegetation within existing populations for fostering vegetative reproduction and (ii) planting of A. montana in previously disturbed vegetation as the most suitable measures for reinforcing populations of this species of European conservation concern. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Novel interactions between introduced oaks and their natural enemies across different continents provide an opportunity to test the enemy release hypothesis (ERH) at local and global scales. Based on the ERH, we assessed the impacts of native seed‐feeding insects on introduced and native oaks within and among continents. We combined a common‐garden experiment in China and biogeographic literature surveys to measure seed predation by insects and the proportion of acorn embryos surviving after insect infestation among 4 oak species with different geographical origins: Quercus mongolica origin from China, Q. robur and Q. petraea from Europe, and Q. rubra from North America. Mostly supporting the ERH, oaks in introduced continents escaped seed predation compared to those in native continents and compared to other native oaks in introduced continents. Common‐garden comparisons showed that total acorn infestation rate of introduced Q. rubra (section Lobatae) was considerably lower than that of native oaks (section Quercus) in China and Europe, likely because of the differences in seed traits associated with different oak sections. Literature surveys showed that seed predation of introduced oaks was lower in the introduced continent than in the native continent. Embryo survival was higher in introduced Q. rubra than native oaks in China and Poland. However, insect seed predation of recently introduced Q. rubra in China was similar to that in Europe, which is not consistent with the ERH. Our results suggest that reduced acorn attack by native insects and higher embryo survival after acorn damage could increase the establishment success or invasion risk of introduced oaks in non‐native continents. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]