Non-marine Ostracoda (Crustacea) collected from pet shops and a hobbyists aquaria in Japan, including two new species.

Samples obtained from pet shops and a hobbyists aquaria in Japan have revealed a diverse non-marine ostracod fauna, consisting of 19 species, all contaminants of aquaria stocked with exotic fish, shrimps and/or aquatic plants. Of these, six are newly recorded for Japan, including two new species, belonging to the genera Pseudostrandesia and Tanycypris. Pseudostrandesia tenebrarum Smith & Ozawa, 2021, previously suspected to be an alien species in Japan, was again found in pet shops in this study. We also report living specimens of Potamocypris acuminata Fuhrmann & Goth, 2011, a species previously only known from Pleistocene deposits of Germany. The six new records for Japan reported herein are likely alien species as evidenced by previous records or congeneric species, with origins in East Asia, South East Asia, and the Americas. Thus, there are now seven ostracod species recognized as probable alien hitchhikers in the Japanese pet trade. This study highlights that the pet trade is a viable route for hitchhiking ostracod species to enter Japan, and such species have the potential to become invasive.

An Influx of Non-Native Bird Species into the Natural Environment Owing to the Accidental Release of Pet Birds in Japan.

The escape of pet birds into the wild raises concerns about the introduction of invasive avian species. This study investigated the impact of escaped pet birds on the introduction of non-native species in Japan. Data sourced from four lost-and-found pet websites between January 2018 and December 2021 revealed 12,125 recorded escapes exhibiting both daily occurrences and seasonal fluctuations. Statistical modeling identified the monthly average temperature (positively correlated) and maximum electricity demand (negatively correlated) as influential factors. Text analysis revealed "window" and "open" as frequently cited reasons for escapes. Budgerigars (Melopsittacus undulatus) and Cockatiels (Nymphicus hollandicus) accounted for 76% of the total escape, suggesting a low perceived risk of establishment in nonnative environments. Interestingly, two globally established invasive species, the Rose-ringed Parakeet (Psittacula krameri) and Monk Parakeet (Myiopsitta monachus), were among the escaped birds. While the Rose-ringed Parakeet is locally naturalized in Tokyo and its adjacent prefectures, the Monk Parakeet failed to establish itself in Japan. Despite the limited number of escaped Monk Parakeets, ongoing efforts are crucial for preventing the potential re-establishment of species with such capabilities.