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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Feb, 2023
Invasive species represent a threat to biodiversity and ecosystem services and cost millions of dollars to the global economy. The viviparous Mexican fish known as the tequila splitfin (Zoogoneticus tequila) became extinct in the wild as a consequence of habitat loss and degradation, and interactions with invasive species. Tequila splitfins are native to the Teuchitlan River in Central Mexico; they were kept in captivity and reintroduced into their native distribution in 2016. Approximately 80% of the fish in the Teuchitlan River are exotic species, and over 50% are twospot livebearers (Pseudoxiphophorus bimaculatus). We performed an ex-situ mesocosm experiment to explore whether tequila splitfin populations would establish and increase, and how fish would behave when introduced into sites already colonised by other species. We tested this idea by introducing tequila splitfin individuals into empty mesocosms, mesocosms where individuals of the native Ameca splendens had established, mesocosms with individuals of the native Goodea atripinnis and mesocosms with individuals of exotic invasive twospot livebearers. All heterospecific species have been recorded in tequila splitfin's native range, are viviparous fish and share ecological requirements with them. We found that tequila splitfin abundance (number of individuals that survived and new individuals) was greater when sharing mesocosms with native species. Furthermore, they had reduced activity levels when inhabiting mesocosms with exotic invasive twospot livebearers, in comparison, interactions with natives proved to be beneficial. Our results highlight the need to remove exotic invasive species and protect other native species to increase reintroduction success. Close monitoring is needed during the initial stages of the reintroduction, and several reintroduction events from captive breeding facilities may also be necessary. When planning a reintroduction, it is critical to remove exotic species and make an effort to restore the habitat as close as possible to the original conditions.
Nov, 2022
Climate change and biological invasions are two of the major threats to biodiversity. They could act synergistically to the detriment of natives as non-native species may be more plastic and resilient when facing changing environments. The twoline skiffia (Skiffia bilineata) is an endangered Mexican topminnow that cohabits with invasive guppies (Poecilia reticulata) in some areas in central Mexico. Guppies have been found to take advantage from associating with the twoline skiffia and are considered partially responsible for the decline of its populations. Refuge use and exploratory behaviours are trade-offs between being safe from the unknown and the opportunity to explore novel areas in search for better resources or to disperse. The aim of this study is to investigate how a change in temperature affects the refuge use and exploratory behaviours for both species. We found that temperature affects the refuge use of twoline skiffias, and the swimming activity of both species. Skiffias explored the rock more than guppies regardless of the temperature scenario. Also, smaller fish spent more time performing exploratory behaviours than bigger ones. Our study is the first to test the effect of temperature on the refuge use and exploratory behaviour of a goodeid species, and our results contribute to the idea that some natives could be more affected by climate change than some invaders.
Sep, 2022
Human disturbance might be perceived as a threat by animals and interfere in their vital activities. Urbanisation generates changes in habitat structure that allows only a low number of species to adapt, which results in a decrease of species richness and an increase of the abundance of a few dominant species. To survive in urbanised areas, animals need to be highly tolerant to human approximation. One key characteristic of successful invasive species is their high behavioural plasticity. This plasticity could translate to higher chances of surviving in urbanised areas and becoming tough competitors for native species. The Eurasian collared-dove is a successful invader in Europe, it arrived to Mexico during the nineties and has been spreading in the country since. We compared its tolerance to human approximation to that of the already well-established feral pigeon and other native species in agricultural and urban sites. We found the Eurasian collared-dove is less tolerant to humans than the feral pigeon, but more tolerant than native species. Also, we observed that birds showed higher tolerance to humans in urban areas than in agricultural sites, regardless of the species. Interestingly, feral pigeons restrained their distribution to human settlements, and acting as a counterpart, common ground doves were only found in rural sites. However, the Eurasian collared-dove was present also in agricultural areas, which could suggest the Eurasian collared-dove represents a higher threat than the feral pigeon for native species in our study area. We highlight the importance to further understand the behavioural traits that could promote the Eurasian collared-dove invasion to better design management plans for dove diversity in urban areas.
CONTACT US
Instituto de Ciencias del Mar y Limnología
Ciudad Universitaria UNAM, Mexico City
+ 52 555 622 5844