invasive vs non-native species #Biosecurity

In our series of topics Ocean Wolf is working on, we will discuss the cryptic introduction of alien species this week. In Biosecurity, many scientists often speak about invasive species if the organisms were newly introduced to a region. Even though most invasive species are introduced organisms, also native species can become invasive species (Giangrande et al., 2020). Hence, we have to separate these two concepts. Through changes in the environment (e.g. increased temperature), non-native and native species can invade a habitat and force other species out through competition, habitat alteration, predation and other reasons. Whereas non-native species are organisms that appear outside their native range, caused directly or indirectly by anthropogenic activities. This differentiation between invasive and non-native species becomes particularly clear in shellfish aquaculture. Because of Ocean Acidification and rising temperatures, native and non-native shell-infesting species can easily access a shell and spread further. However, with increasing temperatures, the native invasive species could become less successful in their spread due to limitations in reproduction, survival, food availability and much more. Whereas the non-native invasive is potentially better adapted at higher temperatures and, therefore, reproduces and spreads faster. Hence, it is advisable to use the term non-native or alien species instead of invasive species.
The introduction of these non-native species can occur from multiple regions. In other cases, more than one similar-looking species could be introduced. Both and related cases bring their own specific risk to our Biosecurity. The unifying term for multifaceted introductions is "cryptic introduction". Some scientists understand "cryptic introduction" as the introduction of one species hidden by a similar-looking species. However, by agreeing with Roman and Darling (2007), we also understand the introduction of one species from different donor regions as a form of cryptic introduction. While the introduction of similar-looking species won't increase the species-specific gene pool, whereas by the introduction of the same species from multiple regions, the gene pool of the local population will significantly increase.
In consequence, the population can become more stable and tolerant to stressors. This form of cryptic introduction allows the species to spread further and have a more stable population. Hence, it is important to monitor and reduce the introduction of already established non-native species. If you would like to learn more about hashtag#crypticintroduction
hashtag#biosecurity hashtag#invasivespecies hashtag#nonnative hashtag#alienspecies and related topics, please get in touch with us.
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Doll © Isabel Rubio