A case study of human exacerbation of the invasive species problem: transport and establishment of polygyne fire ants in Tallahassee, Florida, USA |
| |
Authors: | Joshua R King Walter R Tschinkel Kenneth G Ross |
| |
Institution: | (1) Department of Biological Science, Florida State University, Tallahassee, FL 32306-4370, USA;(2) Department of Entomology, University of Georgia, Athens, GA 30602, USA |
| |
Abstract: | Understanding how exotic invasive species are spread is fundamental for ecology and conservation biology. Human transport
has become one of the primary modes of dispersal for exotic species. We examined how the multiple queen, or polygyne, social
form of the fire ant Solenopsis invicta is spread along roadsides in Tallahassee, Florida, USA. We then determined the likely source of this expanding population,
which was a central soil depot. A survey of road maintenance practices in counties of several southeastern states and Texas
revealed that the use of a central soil depot is a common practice. Road maintenance therefore may be the primary source for
the establishment of new polygyne fire ant populations in this region and elsewhere. Control efforts focused on the soil depots
will help to limit further spread of polygyne fire ants and perhaps other invasive organisms, particularly invasive weeds. |
| |
Keywords: | Human transport Invasive ants Polygyny Roadsides Soil depots Solenopsis invicta |
本文献已被 SpringerLink 等数据库收录! |
|