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University of Nebraska - Lincoln

Managing Vertebrate Invasive Species

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Florida

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The Role Of Early Detection And Rapid Response In Thwarting Amphibian And Reptile Introductions In Florida, Todd S. Campbell Aug 2007

The Role Of Early Detection And Rapid Response In Thwarting Amphibian And Reptile Introductions In Florida, Todd S. Campbell

Managing Vertebrate Invasive Species

Prevention is the best policy for dealing with introduced species. However, biologists often spend an inordinate amount of time studying their spread and impacts rather than focusing on what should be done to thwart their establishment in the first place. Amphibian and reptile introductions are reaching epidemic proportions in Florida, largely due to irresponsible behavior by pet owners and the pet industry, but also due to ineffective preventive policies and actions. Prevention of additional amphibian and reptile introductions in Florida will require a comprehensive approach involving legal restrictions of certain problematic species, a massive public education effort, and a well-funded …


Florida’S Non-Native Avifauna, Michael L. Avery, Michael P. Moulton Aug 2007

Florida’S Non-Native Avifauna, Michael L. Avery, Michael P. Moulton

Managing Vertebrate Invasive Species

Florida has a mild climate, diverse natural habitats, and a growing, mobile human population. Florida also hosts thousands of species of introduced plants, fish, and wildlife. A recent compilation lists 196 non-native bird species, comprising 15 orders, which have occurred in Florida. The list includes 72 species of parrots and parakeets (psittaciformes), 51 passerines, and 22 species of waterfowl (anseriformes). First sightings of newly introduced bird species in Florida increased rapidly through the 1980s, but numbers of new species detected appear to have subsided since then. Sources of introductions are often not reported, but of those that are known, most …


Managing Non-Native Wildlife In Florida: State Perspective, Policy And Practice, Scott Hardin Aug 2007

Managing Non-Native Wildlife In Florida: State Perspective, Policy And Practice, Scott Hardin

Managing Vertebrate Invasive Species

Florida has more non-native wildlife species than any other state: 439 introduced species of fish, wildlife and marine organisms have been observed and at least 123 are established, i.e., highly unlikely to be extirpated without human intervention. Florida is an epicenter for non-native species with a long established pet industry, major tourist attractions, and major ports, primarily Miami. The large number of established species is due to climate match with that of popular tropical pets, habitat disturbance that facilitates invasion, and a depauperate vertebrate fauna in tropical and subtropical portions of Florida. The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission’s approach …


Tree Squirrels As Invasive Species: Conservation And Management Implications, Geoffrey H. Palmer, John Koprowski, Tony Pernas Aug 2007

Tree Squirrels As Invasive Species: Conservation And Management Implications, Geoffrey H. Palmer, John Koprowski, Tony Pernas

Managing Vertebrate Invasive Species

The impact of invasive species on native biodiversity is increasing worldwide. Mammalian invaders are formidable ecological and economic threats, and tree squirrels are models of such challenges. We review the worldwide distribution of tree squirrel introductions and detail their nearly universal success. The biological characteristics of tree squirrels that enable success as invasive species are: high reproductive potential, high vagility, diverse food habits, ability to construct nests, and plasticity in human-impacted landscapes. We document costs and benefits of tree squirrel introductions, and discuss existing management strategies planned for some species. We focus on an introduced population of Mexican red-bellied squirrels …