Invasive Species News

Black locust tree shows promise for biomass potential

Thu, 13 Jun 2013 12:36 GMT

Researchers evaluating the biomass potential of woody crops, are taking a closer look at the black locust (Robinia pseudoacacia), which showed a higher yield and a faster harvest time than other woody plant species that they evaluated, said a crop scientist.

Rapid adaptation is purple sea urchins' weapon against ocean acidification

Wed, 12 Jun 2013 17:40 GMT

In the race against climate change and ocean acidification, some sea urchins may still have a few tricks up their spiny sleeves, suggesting that adaptation will likely play a large role for the sea creatures as the carbon content of the ocean increases.

Taking back the yard: Dealing with invasive plants

Wed, 12 Jun 2013 15:23 GMT

There’s nothing more frustrating for gardeners than discovering that their well-planned plots or rolling lawns have been infiltrated by invasive plant species, the perennial marauders of the back yard set. While many people panic and immediately start yanking or mowing the intruders when they first make their appearance, a gardening expert advises that it’s best to investigate the plant that’s choking your columbines or blighting your lawn before complicating the problem with an errant course of action.

A critically endangered beauty: The passion flower Passiflora kwangtungensis

Wed, 12 Jun 2013 09:19 GMT

The Chinese passion vine species Passiflora kwangtungensis strikes with the beauty of its clusters of white-greenish flowers and its small round fruit. Feared extinct for a long period of time, this engaging plant has been rediscovered in Hunan Province, but it remains highly endangered. A recent study discusses the conservation status of P. kwangtungensis, raising concerns about the future preservation of the species.

Whitebark pine trees: Is their future at risk?

Mon, 10 Jun 2013 12:31 GMT

There's trouble ahead for the whitebark pine, a mountain tree that's integral to wildlife and water resources in the western United States and Canada. Over the last decade, some populations of whitebark pines have declined by more than 90 percent. But these declines may be just the beginning.

Pollinators easily enhanced by flowering agri-environment schemes

Mon, 10 Jun 2013 10:30 GMT

European agri-environment schemes enhance wild pollinators on farmland, new research shows. The effects increased with the number of flowers brought back by the schemes. Recent studies have shown that wild pollinators are instrumental in providing pollination services to crops. Agri-environment schemes can therefore help counteract pollination loss.

River dredging reduced fish numbers, diversity

Mon, 10 Jun 2013 10:30 GMT

Comparing dredged and undredged sections of the Allegheny River, reduced populations of fish and less variety of aquatic life occurred in areas where gravel extraction took place, according to researchers.

Drought, river fragmentation forcing endangered fish out of water, biologist finds

Thu, 06 Jun 2013 10:00 GMT

North American drought has caused dramatic changes in native fish communities.

Bees and other pollinating insects are just one factor in food production

Wed, 05 Jun 2013 10:15 GMT

No food for the human race without bees? It is not quite as straightforward as that. A case study by ecologists in a coffee-growing area in India reveals that pollinating insects are just one production factor among many. Farmers have several possibilities to increase their harvest.

Mosquitoes reared in cooler temperatures have weaker immune systems

Mon, 03 Jun 2013 17:32 GMT

Scientists have discovered mosquitoes reared in cooler temperatures have weaker immune systems, making them more susceptible to dangerous viruses and thus more likely to transmit diseases to people. The finding may have a bearing on urban epidemics resulting from viral diseases, such as West Nile fever and chikungunya fever, which are transmitted by infected mosquitoes.

The jewels of the ocean: Two new species and a new genus of octocorals from the Pacific

Mon, 03 Jun 2013 12:55 GMT

Two new beautiful species of octocorals and a new genus have been described from the well explored west coast of North America. Despite the 3,400 known species nowadays, these colorful marine jewels continue to surprise with new discoveries which calls for a detailed exploration of the remarkable biodiversity of octocorals.

Threatened frogs palmed off as forests disappear

Mon, 03 Jun 2013 10:39 GMT

The study describes how forests converted to palm oil plantations are causing threatened forest dwelling frogs to vanish, resulting in an overall loss of habitat that is important for the conservation of threatened frog species in the region.

Effects of interannual climate variability on tropical tree cover: Satellite data reveal how tropical ecosystems may respond to climate extremes

Sun, 02 Jun 2013 13:44 GMT

Tree cover in the tropics will likely change in surprising ways as climate change increases the frequency of extreme rainfall events, according to a new study.

Climate change threatens extinction for 82 percent of California native fish

Thu, 30 May 2013 16:00 GMT

Of 121 native fish species in California, researchers predict 82 percent are likely to be driven to extinction or very low numbers as climate change speeds the decline of already depleted populations.

Croaking chorus of Cuban frogs make noisy new neighbors

Thu, 30 May 2013 15:58 GMT

Scientists have shown the adverse impact of invasive frog species’ songs.

More at-risk bird species in Brazilian forest than previously thought

Wed, 29 May 2013 18:09 GMT

In a new study, a team of researchers has applied a novel method for linking large-scale habitat fragmentation to population sustainability.

Rare species perform unique roles, even in diverse ecosystems

Tue, 28 May 2013 17:10 GMT

A new study reveals the potential importance of rare species in the functioning of highly diverse ecosystems. Using data from three different ecosystems -- coral reefs, tropical forests and alpine meadows -- a team of researchers has shown that it's primarily the rare species, rather than more common ones, that have distinct traits involved in unique ecological functions. As biodiversity declines, these unique features are particularly vulnerable to extinction because rare species are likely to disappear first.

Striking green-eyed butterfly discovered in the United States

Tue, 28 May 2013 11:25 GMT

Striking olive-green eye colour allows scientists to distinguish a new butterfly species, which was confirmed using Smithsonian entomology collections. Previously unrecognized because of its similarity with the common Gray Ministreak, the newly described Vicroy's Ministreak was named after the wife of Jeffrey Glassberg, who discovered it. It may turn out to be the last distinctive butterfly species from the United States.

Research aims for insecticide that targets malaria mosquitoes

Fri, 24 May 2013 09:35 GMT

A team of scientists is working toward an insecticide that would target malaria-carrying mosquitoes but do no harm to other organisms.

Ants and carnivorous plants conspire for mutualistic feeding

Wed, 22 May 2013 17:03 GMT

An insect-eating pitcher plant teams up with ants to prevent mosquito larvae from stealing its nutrients, according to new research.

Norway spruce genome sequenced: Largest ever to be mapped

Wed, 22 May 2013 12:10 GMT

Scientists have mapped the gene sequence of Norway spruce (the Christmas tree) -- a species with huge economic and ecological importance -- and that is the largest genome to have ever been mapped. The genome is complex and seven times larger than that of humans.

Drought makes Borneo's trees flower at the same time

Wed, 22 May 2013 07:53 GMT

Tropical plants flower at supra-annual irregular intervals. In addition, mass flowering is typical for the tropical forests in Borneo and elsewhere, where hundreds of different plant timber species from the Dipterocarpaceae family flower synchronously. This phenomenon is all the more puzzling because both temperature and day length are relatively constant all year round due to geographical proximity to the equator.

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.