Introduced and invasive alien species of Antarctica and the Southern Ocean Islands

Abstract

Open data on biological invasions are particularly critical in regions that are co-governed and/or where multiple independent parties have responsibility for preventing and controlling invasive alien species. The Antarctic is one such region where, in spite of multiple examples of invasion policy and management success, open, centralised data are not yet available. This dataset provides current and comprehensive information available on the identity, localities, establishment, eradication status, dates of introduction, habitat, and evidence of impact of known introduced and invasive alien species for the terrestrial and freshwater Antarctic and Southern Ocean region. It includes 3066 records for 1204 taxa and 36 individual localities. The evidence indicates that close to half of these species are not having an invasive impact, and that ~ 13% of records are of species considered locally invasive. The data are provided using current biodiversity and invasive alien species data and terminology standards. They provide a baseline for updating and maintaining the foundational knowledge needed to halt the rapidly growing risk of biological invasion in the region.

Detection of SARS-CoV-2 in Wastewater Associated with Scientific Stations in Antarctica and Possible Risk for Wildlife

“…Antarctica has long been considered a geographically isolated continent [1]. Consequently, the introduction of any organism has the potential to disrupt the existing biota [2][3][4]. Even microorganisms responsible for causing infections in humans face substantial barriers in reaching the continent [5].…”

First record of the introduced ladybird beetle, Coccinella undecimpunctata Linnaeus (1758), on South Georgia (sub‐Antarctic)

“…Coccinella undecimpunctata is established in North America (Smyth et al, 2013 ), Australia (Pope, 1988 ) and New Zealand (Galbreath & Cameron, 2015 ). It has not been recorded in the natural environment on South Georgia or elsewhere in the sub‐Antarctic (Leihy et al, 2023 ), although Houghton et al ( 2016 ) note that it has been found in association with cargo on Antarctic logistics vessels. Here we provide the first report of the presence of the Eurasian ladybird, C. undecimpunctata Linnaeus (1758) (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae) on South Georgia.…”