Review Paper
Intentional introduction pathways of alien birds and mammals in Latin America

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.gecco.2020.e00949Get rights and content
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Highlights

  • The main introductions pathways were the pet trades for birds and hunting for mammals.

  • A higher diversity of alien bird’s species in countries with a high percentage of urban populations and % of GDP.

  • A higher diversity of alien mammals in countries with a high number of trafficked species.

  • The number of pieces confiscated was negatively related to the number of intentionally introduced species.

Abstract

Assessing the pathways by which alien species are introduced is essential if we are to identify potential risks and evaluate management decisions. Intentional introductions are responsible for the introductions of millions of animals throughout Latin America. We explore: (1) the relative role of several intentional introduction pathways (hunting, feeding, fur, biological control, the pet trade and others) in the general context of introductions of alien species; (2) the relative importance of the intentional pathways across the different taxa; (3) similar patterns as regards the composition of alien species across countries, (4) the underlying factors that drive the richness of alien species in Latin America, and (5) the potential impacts of alien species on the region. According to our results, 69 species of mammals and 62 species of birds were introduced into Latin America by means of intentional pathways, of which the most important taxa were Artiodactyls, Primates, Passeriformes and Psittaciformes. The main introductions pathways were the pet/ornamental trades (70.9%) for birds, and hunting (39.1%) and pet trade/ornamental purposes (37.7%) for mammals. The composition of species differed among countries, with a higher richness of species in those countries with a high percentage of urban populations, with a higher native species biodiversity, with a high % of GDP owing to imports (birds) and in those with a high number of trafficked species (mammals). This review stresses that the pet trade and hunting are important pathways for the introduction of alien species, some of which have had severe impacts on many countries.

Keywords

Delivering alien species
Geographical pattern
Global database
Intentional species introduction
Invasion pathways

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