Invasive Species News

Invasive species: 'Away-field advantage' weaker than ecologists thought

Fri, 17 May 2013 14:23 GMT

For decades, ecologists have assumed the worst invasive species—such as brown tree snakes and kudzu—have an “away-field advantage.” They succeed because they do better in their new territories than they do at home. A new study reveals that this fundamental assumption is not nearly as common as people might think.

Genome sequence of Tibetan antelope sheds new light on high-altitude adaptation

Fri, 17 May 2013 09:27 GMT

How can the Tibetan antelope live at elevations of 4,000-5,000m on the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau? Investigators now provide evidence of genetic factors that may be associated with the species' adaption to harsh highland environments.

Climate change may have little impact on tropical lizards: Study contradicts predictions of widespread extinction

Fri, 17 May 2013 07:58 GMT

Climate change may have little impact on many species of tropical lizards, contradicting a host of recent studies that predict their widespread extinction in a rapidly warming planet.

Asian lady beetles use biological weapons against their European relatives

Thu, 16 May 2013 13:25 GMT

Once introduced for biological pest control, Asian lady beetle populations have been increasing uncontrollably. Scientists have now found the reason for the animal's success. Its body fluid contains microsporidia, fungus-like protozoa that parasitize body cells and can cause immense harm to their host. The Asian lady beetle is obviously resistant to these parasites. However, transferred to native species, microsporidia can be lethal.

Invasive crazy ants are displacing fire ants in areas throughout southeastern US

Thu, 16 May 2013 11:39 GMT

Invasive "crazy ants" are displacing fire ants in areas across the southeastern United States, according to researchers at The University of Texas at Austin. It's the latest in a history of ant invasions from the southern hemisphere and may prove to have dramatic effects on the ecosystem of the region.

Natural 'keystone molecules' punch over their weight in ecosystems

Thu, 16 May 2013 05:39 GMT

Ecosystems are disproportionately influenced by "keystone molecules" that have powerful behavioral effects and contribute to ecosystem structure, according to a new general theory. The chemicals can each fill a variety of functions and affect multiple species. The actions of four keystone molecules are described, three of them toxins.

Insecticides lead to starvation of aquatic organisms

Wed, 15 May 2013 19:30 GMT

Neonicotinoid insecticides have adverse effects not only on bees but also on freshwater invertebrates. Exposure to low but constant concentrations of these substances – which are highly soluble in water – has lethal effects on these aquatic organisms.

World's most extraordinary species mapped for the first time

Wed, 15 May 2013 16:44 GMT

The black-and-white ruffed lemur, Mexican salamander and Sunda pangolin all feature on the first map of the world's most unique and threatened mammals and amphibians.

Frog once imported for pregnancy testing brought deadly amphibian disease to US

Wed, 15 May 2013 16:43 GMT

African frogs, originally imported for early 20th century pregnancy tests, carried a deadly amphibian disease to the US, according to new findings. African Clawed Frogs have long been suspected of spreading a harmful fungus called Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis. The earliest known case of the fungus was found in these frogs in their native South Africa. Now scientists have found the first evidence of the disease among introduced feral populations in the US.

Helping forests gain ground on climate change

Wed, 15 May 2013 11:50 GMT

Researchers in Canada have developed guidelines being used by foresters and the timber industry to get a jump on climate change when planting trees.

Tiny water creepy crawlies from South Korea and the Russian Far East

Wed, 15 May 2013 10:38 GMT

Tiny and hard to notice for the human eye water mites are present almost every stream and in in every continent apart from Antarctica. A new study explores the water mites of the family Torrenticolidae from a variety of habitats in South Korea and the Russian species, providing the description of two new species.

When green means danger: A stunning new species of palm-pitviper from Honduras

Tue, 14 May 2013 10:29 GMT

A remarkable new species of bright green palm-viper has been discovered in a threatened cloud forest in Honduras, and is named to honor grassroots conservationist Mario Guifarro, who was assassinated in 2007. Despite being superficially similar to other Honduran palm pitvipers, the closest relative to the new species lives over 600 km to the south in Costa Rica.

Do potatoes grow on vines? A review of the wild relatives of some favorite food plants

Tue, 14 May 2013 09:14 GMT

Solanum is is well-known for its agriculturally important species such as potatoes, tomatoes and eggplants, but also has many species that are less well known. The vining solanums related to the woody nightshade are often used as ornamentals. A new study completely revises the understanding of these vining species, known as the Dulcamaroid clade, providing extensive community-shared knowledge of the genus.

If You're a Tree-Hungry Beetle, Run

Tue, 14 May 2013 00:00 GMT

The state was bug-eyed with excitement to announce that the Asian longhorned beetle was gone from Staten Island and Manhattan, though the fight continues for Brooklyn, Queens and Long Island.

Global warming trends contribute to spread of West Nile virus to new regions in Europe

Mon, 13 May 2013 10:52 GMT

Global warming trends have a significant influence on the spread of West Nile Virus to new regions in Europe and neighboring countries, where the disease wasn’t present before, according to a new study. The study found that rising temperatures have a more considerable contribution than humidity, to the spread of the disease, while the effect of rain was inconclusive.

Land management options outlined to address cheatgrass invasion

Mon, 13 May 2013 07:33 GMT

A new study suggests that overgrazing and other factors increase the severity of cheatgrass invasion in sagebrush steppe, one of North America's most endangered ecosystems. Researchers said one of the most effective restoration approaches would be to minimize the cumulative impact of grazing, by better managing the timing, frequency of grazing and number of animals.

Invasion of the slugs; Halted by worms

Sun, 12 May 2013 19:16 GMT

The gardener’s best friend, the earthworm, is great at protecting leaves from being chomped by slugs, suggests new research. Although they lurk in the soil, they seem to protect the plants above ground. Increasing plant diversity also decreases the amount of damage slugs do to individual plants.

Who Would Kill a Monk Seal?

Sun, 12 May 2013 00:00 GMT

An endangered-species murder mystery.

Loss of eastern hemlock will affect forest water use

Thu, 09 May 2013 11:36 GMT

The loss of eastern hemlock from forests in the Southern Appalachian region of the United States could permanently change the area's hydrologic cycle, reports a new study.

Predator and Prey, a Delicate Dance

Thu, 09 May 2013 00:00 GMT

Not meddling with nature is central to America's modern wilderness tradition, but should we make an exception to save a population of wolves from extinction?

Biologist maps the family tree of all known snake and lizard groups

Wed, 08 May 2013 16:22 GMT

Biologists have created the first large-scale evolutionary family tree for every snake and lizard around the globe.

Global highways of invasive marine species calculated

Sun, 05 May 2013 06:37 GMT

New research has mapped the most detailed forecast to date for importing potentially harmful invasive species with the ballast water of cargo ships.

Boom in jellyfish: Overfishing called into question

Fri, 03 May 2013 08:47 GMT

Will we soon be forced to eat jellyfish? Since the beginning of the 2000s, these gelatinous creatures have invaded many of the world's seas, like the Japan Sea, the Black Sea, the Mediterranean Sea, etc. Is it a cyclic phenomenon, caused by changes in marine currents or even global warming? Until now, the causes remained unknown. A new study exposes overfishing as the main factor.

Midwestern frogs decline, mammal populations altered by invasive plant, studies reveal

Wed, 01 May 2013 13:51 GMT

Researchers have discovered a new culprit contributing to amphibian decline and altered mammal distribution throughout the Midwest region -- the invasive plant European buckthorn.

Substances in honey increase honey bee detox gene expression

Wed, 01 May 2013 12:20 GMT

A new study shows that some components of the nectar and pollen grains bees collect to manufacture food increase expression of detoxification genes that help keep honey bees healthy.

'Dirty dozen' invasive species threaten UK

Wed, 01 May 2013 08:18 GMT

Parts of the UK are at greater risk of invasion by non-native aquatic species than previously thought, according to new research. The first to include human factors in models used to predict where invasive species will arrive and spread, the study shows the Thames, Anglian and Humber river basins are most vulnerable.

In Central Park, Hunt for an Intruder Is On

Wed, 01 May 2013 00:00 GMT

The Harlem Meer, in the northeastern corner of Central Park, has long been a refuge for city people looking to indulge their inner Huck Finns, whiling away a lazy summer afternoon fishing for bass, yellow perch and black crappies. But late last week, signs started popping up around the lake notifying anglers of the arrival of an intruder. The dreaded northern snakehead, a fierce predator common in the rivers and lakes of Asia but considered an invasive species in American waters, ha...

In the Northeast, forests with entirely native flora are not the norm

Tue, 30 Apr 2013 13:21 GMT

Two-thirds of all forest inventory plots in the Northeast and Midwestern United States contain at least one non-native plant species, a new US Forest Service study found. The study across two dozen states from North Dakota to Maine can help land managers pinpoint areas on the landscape where invasive plants might take root.

The underground adventures of the Mediterranean frog Rana iberica

Tue, 30 Apr 2013 12:14 GMT

Although many amphibians have been reported to live or spend part of their life underground, the Mediterranean frog Rana iberica, has never been reported dwelling in subterranean habitats until now. A new study marks the first record of all life stages of the species from a drainage gallery of Serra da Estrela Natural Park in Portugal.

In Central Park, Hunt for an Intruder, the Snakehead Fish, Is On

Tue, 30 Apr 2013 00:00 GMT

The northern snakehead, an invasive, predatory fish that can live on land in the right conditions, has been spotted in the Harlem Meer in Central Park.