1
|
Shivambu TC, Shivambu N, Nelufule T, Moshobane MC, Seoraj-Pillai N, Nangammbi TC. Returning to the Wilderness: Potential Habitat Suitability of Non-Native Pet Birds in South Africa. BIOLOGY 2024; 13:483. [PMID: 39056678 PMCID: PMC11274018 DOI: 10.3390/biology13070483] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/14/2024] [Revised: 06/23/2024] [Accepted: 06/26/2024] [Indexed: 07/28/2024]
Abstract
The global trade of non-native pet birds has increased in recent decades, and this has accelerated the introduction of invasive birds in the wild. This study employed ensemble species distribution modelling (eSDM) to assess potential habitat suitability and environmental predictor variables influencing the potential distribution of non-native pet bird species reported lost and sighted in South Africa. We used data and information on lost and found pet birds from previous studies to establish and describe scenarios of how pet birds may transition from captivity to the wild. Our study revealed that models fitted and performed well in predicting the suitability for African grey (Psittacus erithacus), Budgerigar (Melopsittacus undulatus), Cockatiel (Nymphicus hollandicus), Green-cheeked conure (Pyrrhura molinae), Monk parakeet (Myiopsitta monachus), and Rose-ringed parakeet (Psittacula krameri), with the mean weighted AUC and TSS values greater than 0.765. The predicted habitat suitability differed among species, with the suitability threshold indicating that between 61% and 87% of areas were predicted as suitable. Species with greater suitability included the African grey, Cockatiel, and Rose-ringed parakeet, which demonstrated significant overlap between their habitat suitability and reported lost cases. Human footprint, bioclimatic variables, and vegetation indices largely influenced predictive habitat suitability. The pathway scenario showed the key mechanisms driving the transition of pet birds from captivity to the wild, including the role of pet owners, animal rescues, adoption practices, and environmental suitability. Our study found that urban landscapes, which are heavily populated, are at high risk of potential invasion by pet birds. Thus, implementing a thorough surveillance survey is crucial for monitoring and evaluating the establishment potential of pet species not yet reported in the wild.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Tinyiko C. Shivambu
- Faculty of Science, Department of Nature Conservation, Tshwane University of Technology, Private Bag X680, Pretoria 0001, South Africa; (N.S.); (T.N.); (N.S.-P.); (T.C.N.)
| | - Ndivhuwo Shivambu
- Faculty of Science, Department of Nature Conservation, Tshwane University of Technology, Private Bag X680, Pretoria 0001, South Africa; (N.S.); (T.N.); (N.S.-P.); (T.C.N.)
| | - Takalani Nelufule
- Faculty of Science, Department of Nature Conservation, Tshwane University of Technology, Private Bag X680, Pretoria 0001, South Africa; (N.S.); (T.N.); (N.S.-P.); (T.C.N.)
| | - Moleseng C. Moshobane
- South African National Biodiversity Institute, Pretoria National Botanical Garden, 2 Cussonia Avenue, Brummeria, Silverton 0184, South Africa;
| | - Nimmi Seoraj-Pillai
- Faculty of Science, Department of Nature Conservation, Tshwane University of Technology, Private Bag X680, Pretoria 0001, South Africa; (N.S.); (T.N.); (N.S.-P.); (T.C.N.)
| | - Tshifhiwa C. Nangammbi
- Faculty of Science, Department of Nature Conservation, Tshwane University of Technology, Private Bag X680, Pretoria 0001, South Africa; (N.S.); (T.N.); (N.S.-P.); (T.C.N.)
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Gippet JMW, Sherpa Z, Bertelsmeier C. Reliability of social media data in monitoring the global pet trade in ants. CONSERVATION BIOLOGY : THE JOURNAL OF THE SOCIETY FOR CONSERVATION BIOLOGY 2023; 37:e13994. [PMID: 36424881 DOI: 10.1111/cobi.14041] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/29/2022] [Revised: 09/27/2022] [Accepted: 11/16/2022] [Indexed: 05/30/2023]
Abstract
The global pet trade is a major risk to biodiversity and humans and has become increasingly globalized, diversified, digitalized, and extremely difficult to control. With billions of internet users posting online daily, social media could be a powerful surveillance tool. But it is unknown how reliably social media can track the global pet trade. We tested whether Instagram data predicted the geographic distribution of pet stores and the taxonomic composition of traded species in the emerging pet trade in ants (Hymenoptera, Formicidae). We visited 138 online stores selling ants as pets worldwide and recorded the species traded. We scraped ∼38,000 Instagram posts from ∼6300 users referencing ants as pets and analyzed comments on post and geolocation (available for ∼1800 users). We tested whether the number of Instagram users predicted the number of ant sellers per country and whether the species referenced as pets on Instagram matched the species offered in online stores, with a particular focus on invasive species. The location of Instagram users referencing ants as pets predicted the location of ant sellers across the globe (R2 = 0.87). Instagram data detected 439 of the 631 ant species traded in online stores (70%), including 59 of the 68 invasive species traded (87%). The number of Instagram users referencing a species was a good predictor of the number of sellers offering the species (R2 = 0.77). Overall, Instagram data provided affordable and reliable data for monitoring the emerging pet trade in ants. Easier access to these data would facilitate monitoring of the global pet trade and help implement relevant regulations in a timely manner.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jérôme M W Gippet
- Department of Ecology and evolution, University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Zoé Sherpa
- Department of Ecology and evolution, University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Cleo Bertelsmeier
- Department of Ecology and evolution, University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Nelufule T, Robertson MP, Wilson JRU, Faulkner KT. An inventory of native-alien populations in South Africa. Sci Data 2023; 10:213. [PMID: 37061528 PMCID: PMC10105770 DOI: 10.1038/s41597-023-02119-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/13/2022] [Accepted: 03/29/2023] [Indexed: 04/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Species can be both native and alien to a given administrative region. Here we present the first consolidated inventory of these 'native-alien populations' for South Africa, and provide an overview of the data it contains. To gather data, literature searches were performed and experts were consulted both directly and via an on-line survey. Putative native-alien populations were then scored based on a newly developed protocol. The final inventory contains information on 77 native species from 49 families across nine classes that have formed 132 native-alien populations across the terrestrial, freshwater, and marine environments. The phenomenon is rare when compared to the prevalence of related phenomena, such as alien species introduced from other countries (2033 alien species in South Africa), but is under-reported. However, they pose a specific problem for regulators and managers and their importance will likely increase with global change. These data will be integrated with an existing alien species list and, we hope, will provide a useful foundation to address the issue. We encourage those working on biodiversity to contribute more records.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Takalani Nelufule
- Centre for Invasion Biology, Department of Zoology and Entomology, University of Pretoria, Pretoria, South Africa.
- South African National Biodiversity Institute, Kirstenbosch Research Centre, Cape Town, South Africa.
| | - Mark P Robertson
- Centre for Invasion Biology, Department of Zoology and Entomology, University of Pretoria, Pretoria, South Africa
| | - John R U Wilson
- South African National Biodiversity Institute, Kirstenbosch Research Centre, Cape Town, South Africa
- Centre for Invasion Biology, Department of Botany and Zoology, Stellenbosch University, Stellenbosch, South Africa
| | - Katelyn T Faulkner
- Centre for Invasion Biology, Department of Zoology and Entomology, University of Pretoria, Pretoria, South Africa
- South African National Biodiversity Institute, Kirstenbosch Research Centre, Cape Town, South Africa
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Shivambu N, Shivambu TC, Downs CT, Willows‐Munro S. Genetic diversity of rodent species sold in South African pet shops. Afr J Ecol 2022. [DOI: 10.1111/aje.13085] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Ndivhuwo Shivambu
- Centre for Excellence in Invasion Biology, and Centre for Functional Biodiversity, School of Life Sciences University of KwaZulu‐Natal Pietermaritzburg South Africa
| | - Tinyiko C. Shivambu
- Centre for Excellence in Invasion Biology, and Centre for Functional Biodiversity, School of Life Sciences University of KwaZulu‐Natal Pietermaritzburg South Africa
| | - Colleen T. Downs
- Centre for Excellence in Invasion Biology, and Centre for Functional Biodiversity, School of Life Sciences University of KwaZulu‐Natal Pietermaritzburg South Africa
| | - Sandi Willows‐Munro
- Centre for Excellence in Invasion Biology, and Centre for Functional Biodiversity, School of Life Sciences University of KwaZulu‐Natal Pietermaritzburg South Africa
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Shivambu TC, Shivambu N, Downs CT. An assessment of avian species sold in the South African pet trade. Afr J Ecol 2022. [DOI: 10.1111/aje.13029] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Tinyiko C. Shivambu
- Centre for Excellence in Invasion Biology, and Centre for Functional Biodiversity, School of Life Sciences University of KwaZulu‐Natal Pietermaritzburg South Africa
| | - Ndivhuwo Shivambu
- Centre for Excellence in Invasion Biology, and Centre for Functional Biodiversity, School of Life Sciences University of KwaZulu‐Natal Pietermaritzburg South Africa
| | - Colleen T. Downs
- Centre for Excellence in Invasion Biology, and Centre for Functional Biodiversity, School of Life Sciences University of KwaZulu‐Natal Pietermaritzburg South Africa
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Searching the web builds fuller picture of arachnid trade. Commun Biol 2022; 5:448. [PMID: 35589969 PMCID: PMC9120460 DOI: 10.1038/s42003-022-03374-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/18/2022] [Accepted: 04/14/2022] [Indexed: 11/08/2022] Open
Abstract
Wildlife trade is a major driver of biodiversity loss, yet whilst the impacts of trade in some species are relatively well-known, some taxa, such as many invertebrates are often overlooked. Here we explore global patterns of trade in the arachnids, and detected 1,264 species from 66 families and 371 genera in trade. Trade in these groups exceeds millions of individuals, with 67% coming directly from the wild, and up to 99% of individuals in some genera. For popular taxa, such as tarantulas up to 50% are in trade, including 25% of species described since 2000. CITES only covers 30 (2%) of the species potentially traded. We mapped the percentage and number of species native to each country in trade. To enable sustainable trade, better data on species distributions and better conservation status assessments are needed. The disparity between trade data sources highlights the need to expand monitoring if impacts on wild populations are to be accurately gauged and the impacts of trade minimised.
Collapse
|
7
|
Shivambu N, Shivambu TC, Downs CT. Survey of non‐native small mammals traded in South Africa. Afr J Ecol 2022. [DOI: 10.1111/aje.12999] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Ndivhuwo Shivambu
- Centre for Excellence in Invasion Biology, and Centre for Functional Biodiversity School of Life Sciences University of KwaZulu‐Natal Pietermaritzburg South Africa
| | - Tinyiko C. Shivambu
- Centre for Excellence in Invasion Biology, and Centre for Functional Biodiversity School of Life Sciences University of KwaZulu‐Natal Pietermaritzburg South Africa
| | - Colleen T. Downs
- Centre for Excellence in Invasion Biology, and Centre for Functional Biodiversity School of Life Sciences University of KwaZulu‐Natal Pietermaritzburg South Africa
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
|
9
|
Harrington LA, Auliya M, Eckman H, Harrington AP, Macdonald DW, D'Cruze N. Live wild animal exports to supply the exotic pet trade: A case study from Togo using publicly available social media data. CONSERVATION SCIENCE AND PRACTICE 2021. [DOI: 10.1111/csp2.430] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Lauren A. Harrington
- Wildlife Conservation Research Unit, Department of Zoology University of Oxford, Recanati‐Kaplan Centre Abingdon UK
| | - Mark Auliya
- Department of Conservation Biology Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research GmbH – UFZ Leipzig Germany
- Zoological Research Museum Alexander Koenig Bonn Germany
| | | | - Alix P. Harrington
- Wildlife Conservation Research Unit, Department of Zoology University of Oxford, Recanati‐Kaplan Centre Abingdon UK
| | - David W. Macdonald
- Wildlife Conservation Research Unit, Department of Zoology University of Oxford, Recanati‐Kaplan Centre Abingdon UK
| | - Neil D'Cruze
- Wildlife Conservation Research Unit, Department of Zoology University of Oxford, Recanati‐Kaplan Centre Abingdon UK
- World Animal Protection London UK
| |
Collapse
|
10
|
Volery L, Jatavallabhula D, Scillitani L, Bertolino S, Bacher S. Ranking alien species based on their risks of causing environmental impacts: a global assessment of alien ungulates. GLOBAL CHANGE BIOLOGY 2020; 27:1003-1016. [PMID: 33289257 DOI: 10.1111/gcb.15467] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/14/2020] [Accepted: 10/28/2020] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
For an efficient allocation of the limited resources to alien species management, the most damaging species should be prioritized. Comparing alien species based on their impacts is not straightforward, as the same species can cause different types and magnitudes of impacts when introduced to different contexts, making it difficult to summarize its overall impact. The Environmental Impact Classification of Alien Taxa (EICAT) systematically summarizes and compares detrimental impacts caused by alien populations to native biota and has been adopted by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). For each alien species, all reported impacts to native populations within the introduced range are classified into five levels of severity, from negligible impact to irreversible local extinction. Currently, EICAT only compares alien species based on their highest impact, thereby ignoring variation in impact magnitudes. Here, we used information on the variation in impact magnitudes of alien species to estimate their risks to cause high impacts if introduced to a novel environment. We demonstrate the usefulness of this approach by classifying the global impacts of alien ungulates. We found impact reports for 27 of the 66 alien ungulate species established worldwide, highlighting substantial knowledge gaps in invasion science. We classified a total of 441 impacts to native fauna and flora caused by these 27 species. Twenty-six of the species were found to cause harmful impacts (native population declines or local extinctions). Mouflon (Ovis orientalis, Gmelin, 1774) and dromedary (Camelus dromedarius, Linnaeus, 1758) had a higher risk of causing local extinctions if introduced to a novel environment than sika deer (Cervus nippon, Temminck, 1838) and goats (Capra hircus, Linnaeus, 1758). Including risk of high impacts allows to discriminate among species with the same EICAT classification and improves alien species prioritization for management.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Lara Volery
- Department of Biology, University of Fribourg, Chemin du Musée 10, CH-1700, Fribourg, Switzerland
| | - Divija Jatavallabhula
- Department of Biology, University of Fribourg, Chemin du Musée 10, CH-1700, Fribourg, Switzerland
| | - Laura Scillitani
- Department of Life Sciences and Systems Biology, University of Turin, Via Accademia Albertina 13, 10123, Torino, Italy
| | - Sandro Bertolino
- Department of Life Sciences and Systems Biology, University of Turin, Via Accademia Albertina 13, 10123, Torino, Italy
| | - Sven Bacher
- Department of Biology, University of Fribourg, Chemin du Musée 10, CH-1700, Fribourg, Switzerland
| |
Collapse
|
11
|
Shivambu TC, Shivambu N, Lyle R, Jacobs A, Kumschick S, Foord SH, Robertson MP. Tarantulas (Araneae: Theraphosidae) in the pet trade in South Africa. AFRICAN ZOOLOGY 2020. [DOI: 10.1080/15627020.2020.1823879] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Tinyiko C Shivambu
- Centre for Invasion Biology, School of Life Sciences, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Pietermaritzburg, South Africa
- Centre for Invasion Biology, Zoology and Entomology, University of Pretoria, Pretoria, South Africa
| | - Ndivhuwo Shivambu
- Centre for Invasion Biology, School of Life Sciences, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Pietermaritzburg, South Africa
- Centre for Invasion Biology, Zoology and Entomology, University of Pretoria, Pretoria, South Africa
| | - Robin Lyle
- Biosystematics Division, Agriculture Research Council-Plant Protection Health and Protection, Pretoria, South Africa
| | - Adriaana Jacobs
- Biosystematics Division, Agriculture Research Council-Plant Protection Health and Protection, Pretoria, South Africa
| | - Sabrina Kumschick
- Centre for Invasion Biology, Department of Botany and Zoology, Stellenbosch University, Stellenbosch, South Africa
- South African National Biodiversity Institute, Kirstenbosch Research Centre, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Stefan H Foord
- Department of Zoology and Centre for Invasion Biology, University of Venda, Thohoyandou, South Africa
| | - Mark P Robertson
- Centre for Invasion Biology, Zoology and Entomology, University of Pretoria, Pretoria, South Africa
| |
Collapse
|
12
|
Shivambu N, Shivambu TC, Downs CT. Assessing the potential impacts of non-native small mammals in the South African pet trade. NEOBIOTA 2020. [DOI: 10.3897/neobiota.60.52871] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
Abstract
The pet trade is one of the most important pathways by which small mammals are introduced to non-native areas. To prevent the introduction and invasion of non-native pets, an impact assessment protocol is useful in understanding which pets might have potential negative impacts should they escape or be released from captivity. In this study, we used the Generic Impact Scoring System (GISS) to assess the potential effects associated with 24 non-native small mammal species sold in the South African pet trade. European rabbits Oryctolagus cuniculus, house mice Mus musculus, Norwegian rats Rattus norvegicus and eastern grey squirrels Sciurus carolinensis had the highest potential impacts for both socio-economic and environmental categories. We found no statistically significant difference between the overall environmental and socio-economic impact scores. Impacts on agricultural and animal production (livestock) were the main mechanisms in the socio-economic category, while the impacts on animals (predation), competition and hybridisation prevailed for environmental impacts. The non-native mammal pet species with high impacts should be strictly regulated to prevent the potential impacts and establishment of feral populations in South Africa.
Collapse
|