Endemic species predation by the introduced smooth-billed ani in Galápagos

• DOI: 10.1007/s10530-020-02251-3
• Publication Date: 2020-03-31T01:02:40Z
• Authors: Sophia C. Cooke; David Anchundia; Emma Caton; Lucy E. Haskell; Heinke Jäger; Yatindra Kalki; Óscar Mollá; Jacqueline Rodríguez; Tristan D. Schramer; Anna Walentowitz; Birgit Fessl
• Keywords: Pollinator; Composite material; 0106 biological sciences; Impact of Pesticides on Honey Bee Health; Invasive Species; Predation; Genomic Insights into Social Insects and Symbiosis; 01 natural sciences; Agricultural and Biological Sciences; Range (aeronautics); Introduced species; Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology; Genetics; Alien bird species; Impacts of introduced species; Invertebrate; 14. Life underwater; Pollination; Biology; Ecology, Evolution, Behavior and Systematics; Archipelago; Island invasions; Ecology; Invasive species; Life Sciences; 15. Life on land; Materials science; Insect Science; FOS: Biological sciences; Pollen; Impact of Pollinator Decline on Ecosystems and Agriculture; Endemic species; Endemism

AbstractThe introduced smooth-billed ani Crotophaga ani has become widespread across the Galápagos archipelago in the past half-century. It is known to predate upon a range of native and endemic species, and is a potential vector for the spread of invasive plants and parasites. Here we report previously undocumented examples of smooth-billed ani predation in Galápagos, including that of an endemic racer snake and a scorpion. We highlight the possibility of smooth-billed anis having a serious impact on the endemic Galápagos carpenter bee, a major pollinator, as well as native and endemic Lepidopterans and other invertebrates. In addition, we report smooth-billed ani predation of other introduced species and note the importance of further research on the wide-scale impacts of smooth-billed anis in Galápagos and their role within the archipelago’s ecological networks.