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Invasion by Cedrela odorata threatens long distance migration of Galapagos tortoises.
Blake, Stephen; Cabrera, Freddy; Rivas-Torres, Gonzalo; Deem, Sharon L; Nieto-Claudin, Ainoa; Zahawi, Rakan A; Bastille-Rousseau, Guillaume.
Afiliação
  • Blake S; Department of Biology Saint Louis University St. Louis Missouri USA.
  • Cabrera F; Max Planck Institute of Animal Behavior Radolfzell Germany.
  • Rivas-Torres G; WildCare Institute Saint Louis Zoo Saint Louis Missouri USA.
  • Deem SL; Charles Darwin Foundation Puerto Ayora Galapagos Ecuador.
  • Nieto-Claudin A; Charles Darwin Foundation Puerto Ayora Galapagos Ecuador.
  • Zahawi RA; Ecuador Colegio de Ciencias Biológicas y Ambientales and Galapagos Academic Institute for the Arts and Sciences Universidad San Francisco de Quito Quito Ecuador.
  • Bastille-Rousseau G; Department of Wildlife Ecology and Conservation University of Florida Gainesville Florida USA.
Ecol Evol ; 14(2): e10994, 2024 Feb.
Article em En | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38357592
ABSTRACT
Invasive alien species are among the most pervasive threats to biodiversity. Invasive species can cause catastrophic reductions in populations of native and endemic species and the collapse of ecosystem function. A second major global conservation concern is the extirpation of large-bodied mobile animals, including long-distance migrants, which often have keystone ecological roles over extensive spatial extents. Here, we report on a potentially catastrophic synergy between these phenomena that threatens the endemic biota of the Galapagos Archipelago. We used GPS telemetry to track 140 migratory journeys by 25 Western Santa Cruz Island Galapagos tortoises. We plotted the spatial interaction between tortoise migrations and recently established non-native forest dominated by the invasive tree Cedrela odorata (Cedrela forest). We qualified (a) the proportion of migratory journeys that traversed Cedrela forest, and (b) the probability that this observed pattern occurred by chance. Tortoise migrations were overwhelmingly restricted to small corridors between Cedrela forest blocks, indicating clear avoidance of those blocks. Just eight of 140 migrations traversed extensive Cedrela stands. Tortoises avoid Cedrela forest during their migrations. Further expansion of Cedrela forest threatens long-distance migration and population viability of critically endangered Galapagos tortoises. Applied research to determine effective management solutions to mitigate Cedrela invasion is a high priority.
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Texto completo: 1 Base de dados: MEDLINE Idioma: En Revista: Ecol Evol Ano de publicação: 2024 Tipo de documento: Article

Texto completo: 1 Base de dados: MEDLINE Idioma: En Revista: Ecol Evol Ano de publicação: 2024 Tipo de documento: Article