Range expansion of two invasive springtails on sub-Antarctic Macquarie Island

Invertebrate monitoring as measure of ecosystem change

“…Moreover, variation remains in the level of survey effort and knowledge among taxonomic groups (Convey et al 2006b). Despite these impacts and improved biosecurity, non-native invertebrates continue to arrive and establish on SOI (Hughes et al 2011;Houghton et al 2016;Phillips et al 2017).…”

“…Cosmopolitan groups like Coleoptera, Collembola and Acarina were detected by all trapping methods. For the Collembola, their ubiquity in many samples exemplified their abundance and diversity on the island, with 35 species recorded (Phillips, et al, 2017). They also occur in a variety of habitats, from soil-dwellers to canopy species (Greenslade 2006;Terauds et al 2011).…”

“…Alternatively, they may already be established, perhaps with localised distribution and are as yet undetected. For example, the recent identification of the minute invasive springtail (Isotomidae: Parisotoma notabilis) on Macquarie Island (Phillips et al 2017), which is likely to have been established for some time, was an unanticipated result of more detailed springtail molecular work. Also unanticipated, Phillips et al (2017) discovered two alien springtail species established in the environment that were thought extinct on the island, since the greenhouses they were apparently restricted to had been demolished (Greenslade 2006).…”

“…On Macquarie Island, there are more than 350 invertebrate species across 28 orders (21 orders of arthropods), including 14 aquatic species (Greenslade 2006). Of the terrestrial species, 24 species (nine orders) are from class Insecta, 119 species of Acarina, 34 species of Collembola, three Crustacea and three Araneae (Greenslade 2006;Phillips et al 2017).…”

“…established only alongside human activity, inside buildings, stored food etc. but not in the outside environment), were included in the 'established' group, given their potential to establish in the natural environment with changing environmental and climatic conditions, as has occurred previously (see for example, Volonterio et al 2013;Phillips et al 2017).…”