A5034980331- Plant and animal studies
- Biological Control of Invasive Species
- Insect behavior and control techniques
- Insect and Pesticide Research
- Bird parasitology and diseases
- Forest Insect Ecology and Management
- Insect and Arachnid Ecology and Behavior
- Insect-Plant Interactions and Control
- Vector-borne infectious diseases
- Avian ecology and behavior
- Insect Pest Control Strategies
- Insect symbiosis and bacterial influences
- Hemiptera Insect Studies
- Animal and Plant Science Education
- Animal Ecology and Behavior Studies
- Pacific and Southeast Asian Studies
- Ecology and Vegetation Dynamics Studies
- Species Distribution and Climate Change
- African Botany and Ecology Studies
- Cassava research and cyanide
- Insect Utilization and Effects
- Coral and Marine Ecosystems Studies
- Marine Ecology and Invasive Species
- Research on scale insects
- Study of Mite Species
Charles Darwin Foundation
2016-2025
University of Minnesota
2016
Galapagos (Belgium)
2005-2006
Universidad de Los Andes
2002
Our ability to predict the identity of future invasive alien species is largely based upon knowledge prior invasion history. Emerging species-those never encountered as aliens before-therefore pose a significant challenge biosecurity interventions worldwide. Understanding their temporal trends, origins, and drivers spread pivotal improving prevention risk assessment tools. Here, we use database 45,984 first records 16,019 established investigate dynamics occurrences emerging Even after many...
Alien species are the principal threat to conservation of Galápagos Islands, but little is known about status nonindigenous insects and their effects on biota. Currently, 463 alien insect have probably been introduced Galápagos, an increase 186 unintentional introductions since inventory in 1998. now constitute 23% total fauna. Six be invasive a biota: two fire ant wasps, scale insect, ectoparasitic dipteran. The ecological impacts remaining unknown, making prioritization action for...
Alien species, one of the biggest threats to natural ecosystems worldwide, are particular concern for oceanic archipelagos such as Galápagos. To enable more effective management alien we reviewed, collated and analysed all available records species We also assembled a comprehensive dataset on pathways among Galápagos Islands, including tourist resident numbers, vessels, their itineraries visitation sites, aircraft capacity occupancy, air sea cargo biosecurity interceptions. So far, 1,579...
Successful monitoring underpins effective wildlife management insofar as serves to track the response of resources and identify whether should be continued or changed. Here we provide both general guidelines specific examples for design implementation programs adaptive based, in part, on lessons have learned Galapagos Islands, where development a comprehensive program its is underway. To effective, (1) framed by well-articulated objectives that are closely linked goals; (2) measure subset...
Wildlife on isolated oceanic islands is highly susceptible to the introduction of pathogens. The recent establishment in Galápagos Islands mosquito Culex quinquefasciatus , a vector for diseases such as avian malaria and West Nile fever, considered serious risk factor archipelago's endemic fauna. Here we present evidence from monitoring aeroplanes genetic analysis that C. regularly introduced via aircraft into Archipelago. Genetic population structure admixture demonstrates these mosquitoes...
Darwin's finches are highly innovative. Recently we recorded for the first time a behavioural innovation in outside foraging context: individuals of four species rubbed leaves endemic tree Psidium galapageium on their feathers. We hypothesised that this behaviour serves to repel ectoparasites and tested repellency P. leaf extracts against parasites negatively affect fitness finches, namely mosquitoes invasive hematophagous fly Philornis downsi. Mosquitoes transmit pathogens which have...
The release of biological control agents has been an important means controlling invasive species for over 150 years. While these releases have led to the sustainable 250 pest and weed worldwide, a minority caused environmental harm. A growing recognition risks focus on risk assessment beginning in 1990s along with precipitous decline releases. this new greatly improved safety control, it came at cost lost opportunities solve problems associated species. framework that incorporates benefits...
Invasive species pose significant threats to island ecosystems, often leading the decline of native and disruption ecological balance. The avian vampire fly (Philornis downsi), introduced Galápagos Islands Ecuador, has emerged as a major threat endemic avifauna, parasitizing multiple Darwin's finches other passerines. Yet, genetic mechanisms its invasion remain unclear. In this study, we conducted first whole-genome sequencing analysis P. downsi populations from their range in mainland...
The development of effective techniques to eradicate populations invasive ant species is crucial the conservation native biodiversity. An intensive program was initiated in 2001 little fire ant, Wasmannia auropunctata (Roger) from ∼21 ha on Marchena Island Galápagos Archipelago. Linear transects, approximately 10 m apart, were cut through vegetation infested area and a buffer zone 6 ha. Amdro® (Hydramethylnon) applied manually up three times treatment at three-month intervals between March...
Philornis downsi (Dodge and Aitken) is a bird-parasitic muscid fly native to mainland South America that recently invaded the Galápagos Islands where it parasitizing Darwin's finches other land birds. This parasite was previously known only from Argentina, Brazil, Trinidad Tobago. The first report of P. Ecuador provided, supporting hypothesis invasion route its range includes Ecuador. Four different morphologies pupal exuviae, which belong species, were uncovered. Dipteran puparia found in...
The Galápagos ant fauna has long been understudied, with the last taxonomic summary being published almost a century ago. Here, comprehensive and updated overview of known species Islands is provided distributions. list based on an extensive review literature, identification more than 382,000 specimens deposited in different entomological collections, recent expeditions to islands. composed five subfamilies (Dolichoderinae, Dorylinae, Formicinae, Myrmicinae, Ponerinae), 22 genera, 50...
The composition and diversity of bacteria forming the microbiome parasitic organisms have implications for differential host pathogenicity host-parasite co-evolutionary interactions. pathogens can therefore consequences that are relevant managing disease prevalence impact on affected hosts. Here, we investigate an invasive fly Philornis downsi, recently introduced to Galápagos Islands, where it poses extinction threat Darwin's finches other land birds. Larvae infest nests consume blood...
Captive rearing of insect pests is necessary to understand their biology and develop control methods. The avian nest fly, Philornis downsi Dodge Aitken, a blood-sucking parasite during its larval stage serious threat endemic birds in the Galapagos Islands where it considered invasive. In order procure large numbers flies for biological studies, media diets were trialed P. under controlled conditions absence host. eggs obtained from field-caught female flies, once hatched they reared on...
The neotropical parasitoid Conura annulifera (Walker) (Hymenoptera: Chalcididae) is known to parasitize bird-parasitic flies in the genus Philornis (Diptera: Muscidae) including P. downsi (Dodge and Aitken), a species that has invaded Galápagos islands negatively impacting populations of Darwin's finches. We report here some aspects life history, field ecology, host specificity C. annulifera. collected puparia four 13 bird nests during 2015 2016 western mainland Ecuador found three other...
The invasive parasitic fly, Philornis downsi (Muscidae), is one of the greatest threats to avifauna Galapagos Islands. larvae this fly feed on blood and tissues developing nestlings at least 18 endemic native birds. aim current study was investigate biotic abiotic factors that may influence population dynamics parasite. To vegetation zone related climatic numbers, a bi-weekly monitoring program using papaya-baited traps carried out dry, lowland site humid, highland Santa Cruz Island between...
Abstract Aim The Hemiptera is the fifth‐largest insect order but among non‐native species approximately tied with Coleoptera as most species‐rich (Hemiptera comprise 20% more than in world fauna). This over‐representation may result from high propagule pressure or invasiveness. Here, we assess reasons for this group by analysing geographical, temporal and taxonomic variation numbers of historical invasions. Location Global. Method We assembled lists invasions 12 regions, countries islands...
Abstract Permethrin is increasingly used for parasite control in bird nests, including nests of threatened passerines. We present the first formal evaluation effects continued permethrin exposure on reproductive success and liver function a passerine, zebra finch (Taeniopygia guttata), two generations. experimentally treated all nest material with 1% solution or water provided to breeding finches building. The consecutive clutches produced by parental generation one clutch first-generation...