Invasive species alert sign — Courtesy: Shutterstock — Image by: Jules Johnson
A study headed by scientists at the University of Florida sought to identify species that might be invasive to the state.
The group of specialists examined 460 species, comprising scientists, government entities, and nonprofits. Based on their propensity to establish and proliferate throughout the state, creatures were assigned a score. The experts also took into account the species’ potential to harm the economy and ecology.
“If we could stop them before they got established, we could save a lot of money and protect the habitats,” lead scientist Dr. Deah Lieurance, who is now an assistant professor of invasive species, biology, and management at Penn State University, said. “We have pretty unique ecosystems in Florida we’d like to try to keep as pristine as possible.”
The study focused on the following species because it thought they would become invasive in Florida.
ALEWIFE FISH
The United States Geological Survey (USGS) claims that the alewife is a tiny herring that can alter the food web of a lake by reducing the amount of food available for native species.
“It can have some big–picture effects on the ecosystem,” Lieurance said.
ZEBRA MUSSELS
The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation (FWC) states that zebra mussels are among the most problematic invasive species in North America and that they are “common hitchhikers on boats, fishing equipment and aquarium plants.”
Furthermore, moss balls—a rare kind of algae—contain zebra mussels, which some people use to filter the water in aquariums.
In 2021, the FWC released a warning on moss balls and the harm they could cause to the ecology.
RED SWAMP CRAYFISH
According to the USGS, “the red swamp crayfish is readily available through the biological supply trade and may be released following classroom or laboratory use.”
According to Lieurance, “We had quite a few crayfish that made the top 40 list.”
CRAB-EATING MACAQUE MONKEYS
“This was my surprise species,” Lieurance said. “They do eat crabs, as their name implies, but they’re also a very close relative to the macaques that we already have here in Florida.”
This is one of the reasons these monkeys were ranked as highly probable invaders and threats to human health.
The rhesus macaque monkeys are linked to the macaque monkeys that consume crabs. The herpes virus was discovered to be present in a few rhesus macaque monkeys discovered in Marion County’s Silver Springs State Park.
“I think the biggest value in this study is to bring awareness to invasive species and the potential to have even more,” Lieurance said.
Every five years, she recommends doing a study similar to this one.
“Big picture globally, we’re losing about $419 billion per year to invasive species,” Lieurance, who is currently working on projects in Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands, said. “Repeating this process regularly can keep us ahead of the game when it comes to managing invasive species.”
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Chris began his writing as a hobby while attending Florida Southern College in Lakeland, Florida. Today he and his wife live in the Orlando area with their three children and dog.
