Invasive species in Puerto Rico

Invasive species are species that are native to foreign environments which may have important effects on a specific area's economy, ecosystem and infrastructure. These species can be introduced by natural causes or human intervention. There are many invasive species that exist around the world. One that is abundant around Puerto Rico is the lionfish.

Mammals
  • Mongoose: Sugar planters introduced Urva auropunctata syn. Herpestes auropunctatus, called the "Javan mongoose" or now the "small Indian mongoose", to Puerto Rico in the nineteenth century as a way to control the invasive rat population. Although it was immediately incredibly successful in improving crop yields,[1][2][3] they are also responsible for 70% of all rabies cases, albeit that rabies is quite rare, on the island.[4] Note that until recently, the species was believed to be U. javanicus, and most sources still classify the creature under this species. The two taxa are impossible to distinguish without genetic testing. It was introduced in either 1877 or 1887 to the island.[3] It is also believed to prey on the native fauna of the island, especially the green iguana has been greatly reduced in number.[2]

Reptiles
  • Although once believed to be native to the island, green iguana may have been introduced to Puerto Rico by the Taíno millennia ago. Green iguanas are native to South and Central America and were found throughout the Caribbean during the time of Columbus. Although possibly introduced, iguanas are not called "invasive" by any authorities.

Plants
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References
  1. Espeut, W. B. 1882. On the acclimatization of the Indian mongoose in Jamaica. Proceedings of the Zoological Society of London 1882:712–714.
  2. George A. Seaman; John E. Randall (1962). "The Mongoose as a Predator in the Virgin Islands". Journal of Mammalogy. 43 (4): 544–546. doi:10.2307/1376922. JSTOR 1376922.
  3. Roy, Sugoto (10 January 2020). "Herpestes auropunctatus (small Indian mongoose)". Invasive Species Compendium. CAB International. Retrieved 12 February 2020.
  4. "Expanding rabies work to mongooses in Puerto Rico". wildlife.org. THE WILDLIFE SOCIETY. Retrieved 2017-10-20.


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