What
is an invasive species?
According
to the USDA Executive Order 13112, an invasive species is a non-native species
(including seeds, eggs, spores, or other propagules) whose introduction causes
or is likely to cause economic harm, environmental harm, or harm to human
health.
MAMMALS
Scientific Name: Sus scrofa
Origin: Europe, Asia, North Africa
Introduction: brought by Spanish explorers and settlers in the 1500s
Ecological Impacts: compete with native animals for food, consume native plants and animals, disturb soil and ground vegetation
Management Strategies: permitted hunting on private property and in wildlife management areas
Scientific
Name: Anolis sagrei
Origin:
Cuba, Bahamas, Cayman Islands
Introduction:
first reported in 1880s, introduced by cargo
Ecological
Impacts: competes with and consumes eggs and juveniles of the native Green Anole
Management
Strategies: capture and removal, public reporting
AMPHIBIANS
AMPHIBIANS
Common
Name(s): Cuban Tree Frog
Scientific
Name: Osteopilus septentrionalis
Origin:
Caribbean
Introduction:
1920s by cargo
Ecological
Impacts: competes with and preys on smaller native tree frogs
Management
Strategies: capture and removal, public reporting
FISH
Common
Name(s): Brown Hoplo
Scientific
Name: Hoplosternum littorale
Origin:
South America
Introduction:
1950s, aquarium release and/or aquaculture escape
Ecological Impacts: possibly competes with native fish, consumes native invertebrates
Management
Strategies: capture and removal, public reporting
Scientific
Name: Hemichromis letourneuxi
Origin:
Africa
Introduction:
1960s, aquarium release and/or aquaculture escape
Ecological
Impacts: aggressive behavior, consumes small native fish and invertebrates, may
compete with native fish
Management
Strategies: capture and removal, public reporting
INVERTEBRATES
Common
Name(s): Island Apple Snail
Scientific
Name: Pomacea maculata
Origin:
South America
Introduction:
1980s, pet trade
Ecological
Impacts: consumes native plants, competes with the native Florida Apple Snail
Management
Strategies: collection and removal of adult snails and egg masses
PLANTS
Common
Name(s): Melaleuca
Scientific
Name: Melaleuca quinquenervia
Origin:
Australia, New Guinea
Introduction:
early 1900s, landscape ornamental
Ecological
Impacts: fast growing, displace native plants
Management
Strategies: regiment of prescribed fires, manual removal, herbicide application
Scientific
Name: Lygodium microphyllum
Origin:
Africa, Southeast Asia, South Pacific islands, Australia
Introduction:
1960s, landscape ornamental
Ecological
Impacts: dense canopies smother native plants
Management
Strategies: regiment of prescribed fires, manual removal, herbicide application
Common
Name(s): Brazilian Pepper
Scientific
Name: Schinus terebinthifolius
Origin:
Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay
Introduction:
1800s
Ecological
Impacts: produces dense canopy which shades out other plant life, poor habitat
for wildlife, alters natural fire regimes, related to poison ivy and may cause
allergic skin reaction
Management
Strategies: regiment of prescribed fires, manual removal, herbicide application
Common
Name(s): Water Hyacinth
Scientific
Name: Eichhornia crassipes
Origin:
South America
Introduction:
1880s
Ecological
Impacts: produces dense canopy on water surface, shades out native submerged
plant species, lower dissolved oxygen concentrations, can increase flooding
Management
Strategies: manual removal, herbicide application
POTENTIAL THREATS (no confirmed sightings at Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary, but may become present in the future)
Common
Name(s): Burmese Python
Scientific
Name: Python bivitattus
Origin:
South Asia
Introduction:
1980s, pet trade
Ecological
Impacts: very few predators, prey on and reduce native species populations,
prey on threatened and endangered species
Management
Strategies: monitoring of bird and mammal populations, capture and removal, public reporting
Common
Name(s): Green Iguana
Scientific
Name: Iguana iguana
Origin:
Central and South America, Caribbean
Introduction:
1960s, pet trade
Ecological
Impacts: consumes a wide variety of vegetation, considered a nuisance by
property owners, burrows can damage infrastructure
Management
Strategies: capture and removal, public reporting
Scientific
Name: Salvator merianae
Origin:
Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay, Uruguay
Introduction:
Early 2000s, pet trade
Ecological
Impacts: preys on native species, consumes the threatened Gopher Tortoise
juveniles
Management
Strategies: capture and removal, public reporting
HOW CAN YOU HELP?
Volunteer
at Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary
At
Corkscrew, removal of non-native plants and animals is an ongoing process. One
way you can help is to volunteer with our resource management team.
Be
a responsible pet owner
Before
buying an exotic pet, please ask yourself a few questions. How big will this
animal eventually get and what does it eat? Will you be able to care for this
animal for the length of its life? If you have an exotic pet already and are no
longer capable of caring for it, please don't release it. There are hobby
groups, local museums, zoos, pet shops, and other programs that can assist. For
additional help, contact FWC's adoption hotline at 888-IVE-GOT1.
Educate
yourself
Educating
yourself and others on the invasive plant and animal problem is also a great
way to help. Another avenue is contacting your local, state, and/or federal
representatives and voice your concerns about the impacts invasive plants and
animals are having. To learn more about the Audubon Florida's efforts in the
war on invasives, please visit the Florida Invasive Species Task Force page.
Report
sightings
-Amy, Education Intern
Additional resources: Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary Invasive Species, Florida's Nonnative Fish & Wildlife, USDA National Invasive Species Information Center
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