The non-native midge Eretmoptera murphyi is Antarctica’s most persistent non-native insect and is known to impact the terrestrial ecosystems. It inhabits by considerably increasing litter turnover and availability of soil nutrients. The midge was introduced to Signy Island, South Orkney Islands, from its native South Georgia, and routes of dispersal to date have been aided by human activities, with little known about non-human-assisted methods of dispersal. This study is the first to determine the potential for dispersal of a terrestrial invertebrate species in Antarctica by combining physiological sea water tolerance data with quantitative assessments of ocean current journey times. Fourth instar larvae tolerated sea water submergence for up to 21 days, but submerged egg sacs had significantly reduced hatching success. Using near-surface drifter data, we conclude that ocean current dispersal from Signy Island would not present a risk of species transfer beyond the South Orkney Islands on the tested timescales. However, if E. murphyi were to be introduced to the South Shetlands Islands or Adelaide Island, which are located offshore of the Antarctic Peninsula, there would be a risk of successful oceanic dispersal to neighbouring islands and the Antarctic Peninsula mainland. This study emphasises the need for effective biosecurity measures and demonstrates the role that currently undocumented pathways may have in dispersing non-native species.

中文翻译：

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洋流是南极洲最持久的非本土陆生昆虫的潜在传播途径

非本地蚊子 Eretmoptera murphyi 是南极洲最持久的非本地昆虫，众所周知会影响陆地生态系统。它通过显着增加凋落物周转和土壤养分的可用性来栖息。蠓从其原产地南乔治亚岛被引入南奥克尼群岛的西格尼岛，迄今为止，人类活动已经帮助了它们的传播途径，而对非人类辅助的传播方法知之甚少。这项研究首次通过将生理海水耐受性数据与洋流行程时间的定量评估相结合，确定了南极洲陆生无脊椎动物物种的扩散潜力。四龄幼虫可耐受海水浸没长达 21 天，但浸没的卵囊显着降低了孵化成功率。使用近地表漂流者数据，我们得出结论，在测试的时间尺度上，来自西尼岛的洋流扩散不会带来物种转移到南奥克尼群岛以外的风险。但是，如果将墨菲伊蚊引入位于南极半岛近海的南设得兰群岛或阿德莱德岛，则存在成功通过海洋扩散到邻近岛屿和南极半岛大陆的风险。这项研究强调需要采取有效的生物安全措施，并证明目前未记录的途径在分散非本地物种方面可能发挥的作用。墨菲被引入位于南极半岛近海的南设得兰群岛或阿德莱德岛，将有成功通过海洋扩散到邻近岛屿和南极半岛大陆的风险。这项研究强调需要采取有效的生物安全措施，并证明目前未记录的途径在分散非本地物种方面可能发挥的作用。墨菲被引入位于南极半岛近海的南设得兰群岛或阿德莱德岛，将有成功通过海洋扩散到邻近岛屿和南极半岛大陆的风险。这项研究强调需要采取有效的生物安全措施，并证明目前未记录的途径在分散非本地物种方面可能发挥的作用。