Introduced Mammals of the World

Abstract

Winner in the Scholarly Reference section of the 2004 Australian Awards for Excellence in Educational Publishing.
 Introduced Mammals of the World provides a concise and extensive source of information on the range of introductions of mammals conducted by humans, and an indication as to which have resulted in adverse outcomes. It provides a very valuable tool by which scientists can assess future potential introductions (or re-introductions) to avoid costly mistakes. It also provides tangible proof of the need for political decision makers to consider good advice and make wise and cautious decisions. Introduced Mammals of the World also provides a comprehensive reference to students of ecological systems management and biological conservation.
 This book is a companion volume to Introduced Birds of the World, by the same author, published in 1981, and which remains the premier text of its kind in the world more than twenty years after it was published. Introduced Mammals of the World provides the most comprehensive account of the movement of mammals around the world providing details on the date(s) of introduction, the person/agency responsible, the source populations, the location(s) of release, the fate of the introductions, and the impact if known, for over 300 species of mammal.

Rats are not the only introduced rodents producing ecosystem impacts on islands

“…The spread of the Czechoslovakian introduction to cover all of Europe in ca. 50 years is legendary (Long 2003). On islands and mainland they have had many of the same sorts of impacts as nutria, and some of these are real ecosystem impacts, but, at least on islands, they have not yet generated the magnitude of changes that beaver and nutria have.…”

“…Introduced muskrat populations are established in the Queen Charlotte islands, where they were once very abundant and a source of major concern, but the population crashed dramatically and mysteriously in 1944-1945 and has never substantially recovered . Introduced muskrats have also established populations on Vancouver Island, Anticosti Island (at the outlet of the St. Lawrence River to the Gulf of St. Lawrence), and several Alaskan islands (Long 2003). On none of these islands are they considered a major threat to habitat like beaver or nutria.…”

“…The other rodent species that has received the most attention in this regard is the muskrat (Ondatra zibethicus), which has been introduced widely on continents as well as islands and in some areas has caused huge damage (Lever 1985;Long 2003). The spread of the Czechoslovakian introduction to cover all of Europe in ca.…”

“…On Vancouver Island and nearby Salt Spring Island, there are established populations and concern but no reports yet of major damage. Nutria have been introduced to many continental regions, and in a few places (e.g., Florida, Oregon, the Netherlands) cause similar damage to that seen in Britain (Long 2003). In Louisiana, introduced nutria are converting substantial areas of marsh to open water and threatening the very existence of cypress swamps (Cox 1999).…”

“…Nutria are established on some of the islands comprising both Japan and Denmark but are not viewed there as a major pest to natural ecosystems, as they are in some mainland areas (Long 2003). On Vancouver Island and nearby Salt Spring Island, there are established populations and concern but no reports yet of major damage.…”