Invasive Species
ECOLOGY LAB
we research species that move outside of their native distribution
RESEARCH
our research focuses on the ways biological invasions work and how they alter ecosystems
cities provide unique opportunities for non-native species to establish and are also one of the main drivers of exotic species introductions
behavioural traits are key for exotic species to survive when in novel environments as it shifts fast according to changing conditions
when an invader establishes in a given area it changes the community that surrounds it, often promoting native populations decline
invasive species tend to be more tolerant to climate changes, in global warming scenarios they are expected to be even more successful
RECENT PUBLICATIONS
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reproductive interference: a hidden threat of biological invasions
Trends in Ecology & Evolution
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tree.2025.07.005
Invasive species threaten native populations in various ways, including through reproductive interference, but this remains understudied. Here, we present evidence that this interference reduces native fitness through courtship and mating. We emphasize the need for further research and highlight potential risks of using this mechanism as a management tool.
functional traits and stable isotopes reveal trophic interactions in a highly invaded reservoir: implications for fisheries
Proceedings of The Royal Society B
DOI: 10.1098/rspb.2025.0240
Freshwater reservoirs, although man-made, can shelter wildlife and provide benefits to people. In central Mexico, Zimapán Dam is under heavy pressure from human activities and invasive species. This study looked at how fish species share resources and interact in the dam, and how these relationships affect the local tilapia fishery. The fish community is almost entirely made up of non-native species, with only one native species remaining. We found that most species occupy different roles in the ecosystem, but tilapia share food sources with other invaders like bluegill and young largemouth bass, while also being prey for bigger fish such as adult largemouth bass, lowland cichlids, and catfish. These pressures may be driving tilapia numbers down, threatening an important source of income for local fishers. We suggest working together on flexible monitoring and targeted removal of invasive predators to protect both the ecosystem and community livelihoods.
typology of the ecological impacts of biological invasions
Trends in Ecology & Evolution
DOI: 10.1016/j.tree.2025.03.010
Biological invasions alter ecosystems by disrupting ecological processes that can degrade biodiversity, harm human health, and cause massive economic burdens. Existing frameworks to classify the ecological impacts either miss many types of impact or conflate mechanisms (causes) with the impacts themselves (consequences). We propose a comprehensive typology of 19 types of ecological impact across six levels of ecological organisation. This allows more accurate diagnosis of the cause of impact and can help triage management options to tackle each impact–mechanism combination. We integrated the typology with broad ecological concepts such as energy, mass, and information flow and storage. By highlighting cascading effects across multiple levels, this typology provides a clearer framework for documenting, and communicating invasion impacts, thereby improving management and research.
CONTACT US
Instituto de Ciencias del Mar y Limnología
Ciudad Universitaria UNAM, Mexico City
+ 52 555 622 5844