Invasive species in China — an overview

China is a vast country with rich biodiversity, which makes China especially vulnerable to invasive species. It has a long history of introduction of non-native species, especially those with perceived beneficial impacts. Its rapid economic development, including an explosive growth in international trade and transportation, has increased the potential for new introductions. Currently, alien species are widespread in the country, occur in many ecosystems, represent most major taxonomic groups, and are introduced unintentionally as well as intentionally for cultivation. The paper lists various cases of invasive species which have caused significant threats or damages to local natural or artificial ecosystems, and indicates that two example industries (fresh water fisheries and lawn grasses) have brought or tend to bring in many invasive species and hence have caused or will cause changes and loss of biodiversity in local ecosystems. Based on these studies, it is suggested that China combat the problem through enhancing awareness, development of a database on invasive species, strengthening international co-operation, preparing case studies and introducing the necessary legislation, regulations and monitoring.     

Some biological aspects and life history strategies of Nile tilapia Oreochromis niloticus (L.) in Lake Victoria, Kenya

The life history characteristics of introduced Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus L.) in Lake Victoria, including, sex ratio, fecundity, reproduction, weight‐length relationship and body condition were studied and compared with those of other populations. Samples were collected by trawling and seining in the Kenyan sector of Lake Victoria between June 1998 and December 2000. Males predominated over females (sex ratio 1.42 : 1 : 00). O. niloticus spawned throughout the year but with a peak between December and June. Length at first maturity was (mean ± SD) 30.81 ± 0.09 for females and 34.5 ± 6 0.48 for males. There was little seasonal variation in relative condition, which ranged from 0.92 to 1.05 in males and 0.94 to 1.07 in females. Gonadosomatic index (GSI) was low during the postspawning period (July to October) and high during the protracted breeding period (December and June). Fecundity ranged from 905 to 7619 oocytes for fish of 28 to 51 cm total length (TL) respectively. The relationships between fecundity (F) and total length (L), weight (W) and ovary weight (OW) were: F = 8.159L^1.53, F = 96.269W^0.4504, F = 1806 + 39.4OW. The slope b of the weight‐length relationship was 3.08–3.32 for males and 3.07–3.22 for females. Growth was allometric in both cases and was significantly different from the expected value of 3. The life history strategy of O. niloticus is discussed in context of environmental changes occurring in the lake.     

半干旱黄土丘陵区沙棘优良品种引种选育试验研究

1985-1998年先后在黄土高原半干旱区的陕西吴旗,安塞县进行了沙棘优良品种引种选育试验研究。通过引种国内不同地理种源20余种优良沙棘类型。引进俄罗斯优良沙棘品种,采用家系选择法进行试验研究,初步筛选出生态经济型5种沙棘类型,经济型2种类型。前者生长迅速,树冠好,根系发达,郁闭快,水土保持效益好,且果实较大（果径0.8-0.9cm,百果重20-31g),单株产果量为2-3.5kg,Vc和含油量较高,其生态,经济性状较当地野生沙棘为好。此种类型沙棘适于在黄土丘陵大面积荒沟,荒坡种植,通过引种俄罗斯大果,无刺沙棘为好。此种类型沙棘适于在黄土丘陵大面积荒沟,荒坡种植,通过引种俄罗斯大果,无刺沙棘优良品种与本地野生中国沙棘对比分析看,出,其适应性,抗性较中国沙棘差,经济性状较好,通过试验筛选出2种优良类型,果径为0.9-1.3cm,百果重46-52g,单株产果量2-3.5kg,无刺或少刺,此项研究为在半干旱黄土丘陵区大面积荒山,荒沟建造高产,优质沙棘林,高效,持续发展沙棘产业具重要意义,在引种试验中必须掌握好其关键技术,建立好采穗圃,种子园,并建立一定面积的集约经营的高产,优质沙棘园及良种繁育基地,掌握好抚育管理技术,特别是水,肥管理技术。     

Multiple introductions,admixture and bridgehead invasion characterize the introduction history of Ambrosia artemisiifolia in Europe and Australia

Admixture between differentiated populations is considered to be a powerful mechanism stimulating the invasive success of some introduced species. It is generally facilitated through multiple introductions; however, the importance of admixture prior to introduction has rarely been considered. We assess the likelihood that the invasive Ambrosia artemisiifolia populations of Europe and Australia developed through multiple introductions or were sourced from a historical admixture zone within native North America. To do this, we combine large genomic and sampling data sets analysed with approximate Bayesian computation and random forest scenario evaluation to compare single and multiple invasion scenarios with pre‐ and postintroduction admixture simultaneously. We show the historical admixture zone within native North America originated before global invasion of this weed and could act as a potential source of introduced populations. We provide evidence supporting the hypothesis that the invasive populations established through multiple introductions from the native range into Europe and subsequent bridgehead invasion into Australia. We discuss the evolutionary mechanisms that could promote invasiveness and evolutionary potential of alien species from bridgehead invasions and admixed source populations.     

ILLEGAL TRANSLOCATION AND GENETIC STRUCTURE OF FERAL PIGS IN WESTERN AUSTRALIA

Abstract: Unlike many regions in the world where wild pigs (Sus scrofa) are threatened, in Australia they are a significant invasive species. As such, the molecular ecology of feral pigs was investigated to understand their social and population genetic structure. Samples from 269 adult animals were collected over their distribution in southwestern Australia. Using 14 highly polymorphic microsatellite markers, we identified 7 inferred feral pig populations that had moderate heterozygosity (mean = 0.580) and displayed a high level of differentiation (mean R_ST = 0.180). In revealing the genetic structure of feral pigs, we detected anomalies in the putative origin of some individuals. Samples from these animals were collected from 2 main areas: recently colonized regions that were previously uninfested, and established feral pig populations, where animals from geographically isolated areas had been introduced. In the latter, these corresponded to areas that were in close proximity to public road access and towns. Given the large distances immigrants were found from their population of origin (from 50 to >400 km), the generally low levels of dispersal of southwest feral pigs, and the grouping and sex of these pigs, we suggest that these individuals have been deliberately and illegally translocated to supplement recreational hunting stocks. Additionally, we could not detect any genetic contribution in these feral pigs from domestic pig herds, suggesting that the deliberate release of domestic pigs to restock feral populations is relatively uncommon. Our molecular data allowed some inferences regarding the success or lack thereof of current management practices, and offered considerable insights into the dynamics of the feral pig populations and identification of “new” approaches that may allow for better control of this highly destructive species.     

The effects of BmNPV on biochemical changes in primary cultures of Bombyx mori embryonic tissue

The effect of Bombyx mori nuclear polyhedrosis virus (BmNPV) on biochemical changes of TC-100 medium containing 10% fetal bovine serum (FBS) in embryonic primary cultures of silkworm was investigated. The primary cultures that reached 60% confluence were infected by 0.5, 1, and 2-ml viral inoculums (diluted with TC-100 medium representing multiplicity of infection (MOI) of 0.25, 0.5, and 1). Glucose, uric acid, urea, total protein, cholesterol, and alkaline phosphatase were measured in the medium of BmNPV-infected primary cultures. All biochemical compounds showed significant changes. Glucose decreased considerably by about 55 mg/ml, while different concentrations of the virus inoculums did not demonstrate significant differences among them. Total protein had only increased in 2 ml concentration and there were no changes in other concentrations. Uric acid as a by-product accumulated dramatically in all concentrations, while the amount of urea reduced in all treatments and this reduction was more evident in lower concentrations. Cholesterol consumption was high in cultures postinfection, while alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity decreased in infected cells.     

Animal xenodiversity in Italian inland waters: distribution, modes of arrival, and pathways

The paper provides a list of the non-indigenous animal species occurring today in Italian inland waters. Xenodiversity was found to amount to 112 species (64 invertebrates and 48 vertebrates), which contribute for about 2% to the inland-water fauna in Italy. Northern and central regions are most affected, and Asia, North America, and the rest of Europe are the main donor continents. The large majority of non-indigenous species entered Italy as a direct or indirect effect of human intervention. A difference between invertebrates and vertebrates was found for their mode of arrival (unintentional for invertebrates and intentional for vertebrates). Accidental transport, in association with both fish (for aquaculture or stock enhancement) and crops, has been the main vector of invertebrate introductions, whereas vertebrates were mostly released for stocking purposes. Overall stock enhancement (47.92%) and culture (37.5%) prevailed over the other pathways. Seventeen and 7 species of our list are included among the 100 worst invasive species of Europe (DAISIE) and of the world (IUCN), respectively. For some (but not all) non-indigenous species recorded in Italy the multilevel impact exerted on the recipient communities and ecosystems is known, even if rarely quantified, but knowledge on their chronic impact is still missing. Additional research is needed to provide criteria for prioritizing intervention against well established invaders and identify which new potential invader should be targeted as “unwanted”.     

几种草坪草的引种栽培试验研究

通过对引种栽培的8种草坪草的物候期、覆盖度、再生速度、品质特性及抗逆性等方面进行分析研究和综合评价,筛选出适合北方温带环境条件下栽培的几种优良草坪草品种——新哥来德(Poa pratensis cv．Nugtade)、枪手股(P.pratensis cv．BlueChip)、午夜(P．pratensis cv．Midnight)、帕特(Agrostis tenuis cv．Putter)、贝克(碧西)(Festuca arundinacea cv．Plxie)等。对陕西关中草坪草的引种和适地栽植提供一定的理论依据。     

水杉在中国北方城市中的应用研究

水杉(Metasequoia glyptostroboides)是世界上珍稀的孑遗植物,仅产于中国四川、湖北及湖南三省交界的局部地区。沈阳是中国水杉引种栽植的最北界,本文对水杉在沈阳生长的生存条件进行研究,为水杉在沈阳园林树种中的进一步应用提供理论依据。