Difference between revisions of "Invasive Species of California"

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(American Bullfrog (Lithobates catesbeianus))
(American Bullfrog (Lithobates catesbeianus))
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==Amphibians==
 
==Amphibians==
 
===American Bullfrog ''(Lithobates catesbeianus)''===
 
===American Bullfrog ''(Lithobates catesbeianus)''===
Bullfrogs are large amphibians that will eat whatever they can fit in their mouths and out-compete their native counterparts <ref name="bu">https://www.wildlife.ca.gov/Conservation/Invasives/Species/Bullfrog</ref> A bullfrog's voracious appetite can lead it to eat rodents, bats, and other vertebrates, both terrestrial and aquatic<ref name="bu"/>.They were first released into the Western states as a natural pest control, but their numbers quickly increased <ref name="bu"/>. These large frogs are also known resistant carriers of the [http://www.amphibianark.org/the-crisis/chytrid-fungus/ chytrid fungus] known to infect and kill many other types of amphibians such as native frogs and salamanders. Shorebirds like herons and cranes will eat bullfrogs if they are in their reach, but the frogs emit a painful screech when trapped or harmed, which usually causes their predator to release them back. Some native snake venom is ineffective against the bullfrog, making them essentially a species with no predators. Bullfrogs prefer warm lentic habitats, but will tolerate cold or hot temperatures by hibernating or [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aestivation aestivating] until the temperature suits its preferences <ref name="bu"/>. [[File:bullfrog.jpg|200x200px|A bullfrog in a researcher's hand for size comparison]]
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Bullfrogs are large amphibians that will eat whatever they can fit in their mouths and out-compete their native counterparts <ref name="bu">https://www.wildlife.ca.gov/Conservation/Invasives/Species/Bullfrog</ref> A bullfrog's voracious appetite can lead it to eat rodents, bats, and other vertebrates, both terrestrial and aquatic<ref name="bu"/>.They were first released into the Western states as a natural pest control, but their numbers quickly increased <ref name="bu"/>. These large frogs are also known resistant carriers of the [http://www.amphibianark.org/the-crisis/chytrid-fungus/ chytrid fungus] known to infect and kill many other types of amphibians such as native frogs and salamanders. Shorebirds like herons and cranes will eat bullfrogs if they are in their reach, but the frogs emit a painful screech when trapped or harmed, which usually causes their predator to release them back. Some native snake venom is ineffective against the bullfrog, making them essentially a species with no predators. Bullfrogs prefer warm lentic habitats, but will tolerate cold or hot temperatures by hibernating or [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aestivation aestivating] until the temperature suits its preferences <ref name="bu"/>.
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[[File:bullfrog.jpg|250x250px|right||frame|A bullfrog in a researcher's hand for size comparison]]
  
 
==Mammals==
 
==Mammals==

Revision as of 19:56, 26 March 2019

Aquatic Invasive Species of California

Quagga and Zebra Mussels

Invasive quagga and zebra mussels are a major threat to our freshwater ecosystems. They are small, clam-like creatures that reproduce rapidly and deplete nutrients in the water. They jeopardize power and water infrastructures, damage ecosystems and destroy recreation. The first confirmed find of Zebra mussels in California occurred at San Justo Reservoir Jan. 10, 2008. Quagga and zebra mussels continue to spread and have infested 39 water bodies throughout the state. A map of all infested waters can be found here. The mission of the Invasive Species Program is to reduce the negative effects of aquatic invasive species on waterways of California. CDFW is involved in efforts to prevent the introduction of these species into the state, detect and respond to introductions when they occur, and prevent the spread of invasive species that have become established. Boaters are required to have their watercrafts inspected and cleaned at specific check stations around the state. For information on boating restrictions and inspections please contact the waterbody manager directly. [1]

New Zealand Mudsnails (Potamopyrgus antipodarum)

New Zealand Mudsnails (NZMS) are believed to have been introduced in Idaho, then brought west from shipments of sportfish and their eggs. While they are vigorous endangered species, they are becoming increasingly common in California's Central Coast. See more information at Invasive Invertebrates of the Central Coast.

Asian Clam (Corbicula fluminea)

Common across the entire country, the Asian Clam has made its way to California's Central Coast. See Invasive Invertebrates of the Central Coast for more information.

Plants

Birds

Wild turkey (Meleagris gallopavo)

Wild turkeys are becoming more common across California, specifically in urbanized areas near vegetation. They were first imported in the 1600s for hunting, and again in the 1990s. Turkeys have been in California for many decades, but recently, they have become a concern for local ecosystems because of their ability to compete with native species. It is still under debate whether a turkey is an invasive species, however. Turkeys are considered charismatic birds and enjoyed by many, but because they are large birds that move as a group, they are able to eat more than the smaller native ground birds [2]. Some ecologists believe that turkeys out-compete local native birds such as the California Quail, but many studies find that this is incorrect. [3] [4] Short-term experiments have shown that quail and turkey share common habitat, but quail prefer to live beside roads, where turkey prefer to live near large trees where they roost at night [2] [3] As adults, turkeys do not have many predators besides humans during the turkey hunting season, but as chicks they are prey for bobcats and other medium predators. Turkeys are generalists and have no preference for food; arguably eating whatever they can swallow. This, along with their increase in populations, may serve as a threat for local ground birds, but this is not proven. [3] [2]

Turkeys are common in wooded areas [3] [5] in Marina located in the California Central Coast (specifically on Inter-Garrison Road), but avoid highly urbanized areas [5] such as the California State University Monterey Bay Campus.

Amphibians

American Bullfrog (Lithobates catesbeianus)

Bullfrogs are large amphibians that will eat whatever they can fit in their mouths and out-compete their native counterparts [6] A bullfrog's voracious appetite can lead it to eat rodents, bats, and other vertebrates, both terrestrial and aquatic[6].They were first released into the Western states as a natural pest control, but their numbers quickly increased [6]. These large frogs are also known resistant carriers of the chytrid fungus known to infect and kill many other types of amphibians such as native frogs and salamanders. Shorebirds like herons and cranes will eat bullfrogs if they are in their reach, but the frogs emit a painful screech when trapped or harmed, which usually causes their predator to release them back. Some native snake venom is ineffective against the bullfrog, making them essentially a species with no predators. Bullfrogs prefer warm lentic habitats, but will tolerate cold or hot temperatures by hibernating or aestivating until the temperature suits its preferences [6].

A bullfrog in a researcher's hand for size comparison

Mammals

Feral Cats and Dogs (Felis catus, Canis lupus familiaris, respectively)

An overpopulation of domestic cats and dogs invariably leads to portions of these populations to become feral and homeless. As domesticated animals, these mammals do not completely lose their ability to hunt and survive without the help of humans. Feral dogs are mainly found very urban areas, where they feed on trash and discarded food, and hunt in packs for bigger prey, such as ungulates and other mammals [7]. Feral cats are more infamous for hunting local songbirds, and because they hunt so frequently, many of the songbird populations decline [8]. These populations have the potential to be endangered and threatened species of birds[8]. Domesticated cats also pose a threat to the local bird populations because of their tendency to hunt for enjoyment and their large population (95 million [9]) [8]. Both feral groups are capable of attacking people when provoked or for no apparent reason[7]

Insects

Asian Longhorned Beetles on a hardwood tree

The Asian Longhorned Beetle (Anoplophora glabripennis)

The Asian Longhorned Beetle (ALB) is a large, black and white beetle in the family Cerambycidae which bores into and feeds on a variety hardwood trees [10]. Like all beetles, they are capable of flight, but they are commonly transported as eggs and larvae in imported firewood, as well as firewood from the East coast. [10] The life cycle of the ALB occurs in the hardwood tries that the mother bores into, eventually killing the tree. Larvae can overwinter, causing a staggered release of adults into the environment. ALB are capable of killing entire forests if enough of them are present. [10] The ways to reduce the spread of ALB are to report their presence to local rangers, buy only locally produced firewood, and do not enter ALB quarantined areas of forests. [10] The eggs of ALB can be transferred in many ways, including firewood lumber, resulting in their potential widespread distribution. ALB are have not been recognized as invasive species in California, but a graduate student from California State University Monterey Bay saw one in Modoc County, California in July of 2018.

Argentine Ant (Linepithema humile)

The Argentine ant is a cosmopolitan invasive species across the country, but is very common in the Central Coast of California because of the Mediterranean climate. See more on Invasive Invertebrates of the Central Coast

References

  1. [1]
  2. 2.0 2.1 2.2 https://blogs.scientificamerican.com/guest-blog/california-s-wild-turkey-troubles/
  3. 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 https://dukespace.lib.duke.edu/dspace/bitstream/handle/10161/538/MP_ang6_a_200805.pdf.pdf?sequence=1
  4. https://ag.tennessee.edu/fwf/Documents/CHarper/Do%20wild%20turkeys%20influence%20quail%20or%20grouse%20populations.pdf
  5. 5.0 5.1 https://www.nwtf.org/hunt/wild-turkey-basics/habitat
  6. 6.0 6.1 6.2 6.3 https://www.wildlife.ca.gov/Conservation/Invasives/Species/Bullfrog
  7. 7.0 7.1 https://pdf.sciencedirectassets.com/271867/1-s2.0-S0921800905X01379/1-s2.0-S0921800904003027/main.pdf?x-amz-security-token=AgoJb3JpZ2luX2VjEE0aCXVzLWVhc3QtMSJHMEUCICubgZ6lM8br%2BIBB7kkD0d2VGXL47zmTQvFHByA9dfmqAiEAiGSX6l2vX0ZvRNR5egd8VOpfDtEPUT9S3NUmyCGhsncq4wMI9v%2F%2F%2F%2F%2F%2F%2F%2F%2F%2FARACGgwwNTkwMDM1NDY4NjUiDE%2FACr3anmt4VAoGDiq3A0JW9d6saGpK2O1c7kgpGGqpDjL288e2HgtJedQeWcQL18wwDlOnGHldOYjkIfuBmfBA%2F6jSTjV3dx86SkeWL5SnytpEyIKxSS%2Bf3CoBqdVbECI0S0Eh5NO6EtJrkfndekKFMs5r4yW0qfL%2F3S%2FCuKWewB%2BorwJCga4DdPrscTvD%2BOrg09cQVCEcMmsd2EkLq7qDBe5meU8Mph2cldSe2Fco6VZtVNnsqAORn%2BmkpiSxugnb6M0rO8RqXeUOa4zU5Adg6cma9DG%2FRV5U0v%2FljWprOCEh80N2%2B3Ea0AZN3JmHrQkxbTfnSX1QqA3rXQ5dS3o7Ni1VeWh8v7maYECGu3klUE80R732c7QQSzksri6UrqLRVq6oLKfFCNJPCpT9Xfe2TH0hYpiEtghKgguNp6iixNuzV%2F9QjEvOq0LdeSvYpnyNiVw2LnR0f9v3avDc7mkWMGcxTrnb2ggYVy5nOcq%2FaNxXnifccbcYh0oFOLnyedpZXLub213onMIIGLK1ahiBq2DXqrW9GONd5zvhmRnqPa%2Fui9jYPZlCNyuyt84Q0ILKqIThKfrTTewkejp%2FJFtWBGEQGmAw0Jjq5AU6tAEdfNTaPwwtnGoj%2BfF9athUsEdpiwmTeAJPdvE%2BbL%2BG70K8ZpbJwpZ%2FSL6AjIgMTRL%2BlcX8tCxpF%2FsQDlZ8q8aA8b%2FX7Gs%2FrCLVJJ5TPXbKyVtTioXdF9jbuQ9LvdKiUvQ7cYPrfLi5yIiw1d%2Fkj0%2FEfFU6i5%2Fn6I%2Bluo3VfCS9D3r52RP1oR46D1nljpAzlb2GTGeLSwmmZhofb6QMb0K%2B6dcSDWEt%2Bz4eEe6jUyq0pdr8nHE%3D&AWSAccessKeyId=ASIAQ3PHCVTYQJIHMTO7&Expires=1553636876&Signature=hhVHDqaGqiJDGiOrdPTZ%2F97bwXg%3D&hash=ac1bc64ae9515b4b71ecc365cddfaed9ef26c7147825b4cdc7a2e2d6fde645b0&host=68042c943591013ac2b2430a89b270f6af2c76d8dfd086a07176afe7c76c2c61&pii=S0921800904003027&tid=spdf-cac71c1c-7c00-49e5-acf8-4fa63c90a400&sid=9af7d78a287f524d683b491668d30ac1b6b0gxrqa&type=client "Feral dogs as invasive species"
  8. 8.0 8.1 8.2 https://abcbirds.org/threat/cats-and-other-invasives/
  9. https://www.statista.com/statistics/198102/cats-in-the-united-states-since-2000/
  10. 10.0 10.1 10.2 10.3 https://www.aphis.usda.gov/aphis/resources/pests-diseases/asian-longhorned-beetle/About-ALB