According to the Ministry of Environment and Sustainable Development e , through the National Information System on Invasive Exotic Species, more than 650 invasive species were detected in Argentina .Many of these species were introduced by man, with the intention of obtaining economic benefits, "increase" the local level of sport hunting, or combat pests that were damaging agriculture or livestock.
Although the idea of greater diversity in nature may seem interesting, the introduction of exotic animals and plants, Without a previous study of its environmental impact, it usually threatens the survival of the native fauna and flora of the country .In this new article of Animals and Pets Online, we present the main 12 invasive alien species in Argentina and its consequence s for the country's ecosystem.
1.Pinto starling (Sturnus vulgaris)
The introduction of these birds is very recent in Argentina, but it already generates great concern for its impact on fauna and flora.Originally from Europe and Asia, the European starling was taken to Argentina in recent years.from the decade of the 80s .Since their arrival in the country, it has expanded extensively through the fields and has also easily adapted to large cities.
The first problem is that they generate considerable losses in the agricultural production of small and medium rural producers, since it feeds on fruits and seeds.In addition, they compete for food and move the horns from their territory , which are the national bird of Argentina.Therefore, its consequence goes beyond the environment, also threatening a symbol of national history.
2.The Canadian beaver (Castor canadensis)
Despite its remarkable beauty and sympathetic appearance, the beaver is one of the greatest threats to the ecosystem of the southernmost region of Argentina.Beavers were introduced in the province of Tierra del Fuego, in the southern tip of the Argentine Patagonia, during the decade of 40 .The intention was to promote the development of the province through the production of leather and skins .
Beavers build small dikes with tree trunks in freshwater courses, where they live and protect themselves.This natural habit not only causes an intense decrease in native forests of the Tierra del Fuego province, as it also interferes with its river courses.In addition, these mammals are predators and feed on the native fauna of the Fuegian waters, causing a huge imbalance in their ecosystem.Fortunately, this species did not experience a migration for other prov incias.
3.American Vison (Neovison vison)
The American mink was introduced in Argentina, during the decade of the 30s, with the intention of exploiting its foot l in the fashion industry .A cruel purpose that generated an unfortunate impact on the local ecosystem.The minks are predatory animals and have contributed to the significant reduction of the native birdlife of the Argentine Patagonia, mainly of a very dear species called "Tobian Maca".
4.Rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss)
The variety of trout popularly known as "rainbows" was introduced in Argentina during the decade of the 40s, as an attempt to promote sport fishing of this species as a tourist attraction and a possibility of economic development in different regions of the interior.
This objective was carried out and today Argentina is a world reference in trout sport fishing, however, the fishing was so intense in its principles that, today, there are numerous projects to recover the population of these fish in the lakes, rivers and lagoons of the Argentine Patagonia. Why recover an invasive species? Because the fishing activity generates economic benefits for various cities, as it increases national and international tourism.It is worth noting that, at present, fishing is only allowed with the return of all species of Patagonian trouts.
Like any invasive species, rainbow trout compete for food and territory with specimens native to the regions where they are installed, although their environmental impact has been, in part, controlled by the fishing activity itself, the introduction of rainbow trout led to the disappearance of native icticola species from Argentina , like the naked girl.
5.Jabali (Sus scrofa)
Wild boars are native to Eurasia and North Africa.In 1905, Pedro Luro introduced these animals in the Argentine country, with the aim of increasing their hunting ground .Unfortunately, sport hunting was very popular in Argentina, and today, the wild boar is still raised as a hunting ground in the Argentine pampas and part of the Patagonian region.
The population of wild boars has been concentrated mainly in the center of the country, where caused a huge damage to the ground .To feed, the wild boars remove the superficial lands with their large and powerful fangs, to "lift" possible underground dams.> They compete for territory and food with cattle and many other native animals of the Argentine pampas, like the puma.
6.Bull Frog (Lithobates catesbeianus)
The bullfrog, originally from North America, was introduced in Argentina during the 1980s.In principle, the goal was to explore its meat as a new possibility of economic development .No However, the activity has not been very profitable and the bull frogs were released.They expanded rapidly and, currently, can be found from North to South of the country.
This species is a voracious predator , feeding on amphibians, insects, reptiles, birds and small mammals, which has generated a devastating impact on fauna and flora autochthonous from almost every province Argentina.
In addition, its consumption is not recommended by the Ministry of Health, as it has been discovered that many specimens carry a virus that causes intestinal bleeding , being highly dangerous for human health.
7.Red-bellied Squirrel (Callosciurus erythraeus)
This species of squirrel native to Asia was introduced in Argentina in the 70s.It is not known who brought the first specimens to the American continent, but its introduction into Rioplatense lands has been quite unusual.it occurred to him that introducing some squirrels in Buenos Aires could offer a more "picturesque" touch to the province .It was like this that several pairs of red-bellied squirrels were released in the town of Lujan, in the North of the province of Buenos Aires.
These squirrels multiplied rapidly throughout the Argentine territory, adapting to their diverse microclimates.Then, not only did they compete for territory and food with native birds, but also invaded numerous buildings to house their nests in safe environments.
8.Red-eared turtle (Trachemys scripta elegans)
The red-eared turtle is native to the warm areas of the United States and Mexico.It is not known exactly when they were introduced in Argentina, but, from the 80s, its population begins to grow having become a exotic pet quite coveted.
Unfortunately, some people do not assume the responsibility of adopting a turtle and provide them with proper care, or they do not know that these animals can live for many years.Therefore, many red-eared turtles were abandoned in ponds , small lagoons or bodies of water around the cities.
This was the beginning of an uncontrolled multiplication that led to a remarkable reduction of native fauna and flora .These turtles are predators of plants and animals aquatic, and compete with numerous native species for territory and food.
9.Red deer (Cervus elaphus)
The red deer is native to much of the northern hemisphere, having been introduced in Argentina at the beginning of the 20th century.Again, the goal was to create a large species to increase the level of Hunting .The problem was that the red deer reproduced much faster than their breeders would have imagined.
Many specimens escaped and the deer population expanded throughout the country.Today, continue to represent a significant threat not only for livestock, but also for all native herbivorous mammals of the Argentine soil.
10.European fever (Lepus europaeus)
As the name implies, the European hare is a typical mammal of Europe.It has been introduced in Argentina and Chile during the first years of the 20th century.It is a kind of rapid reproduction, which favored its expansion throughout the South American continent.The uncontrolled increase in its population negatively impacts agricultural plantations and also reduces the availability of food for other species autochthonous.
11.Tamarisk (Tamarix)
Although it is not an animal, the tamarisk is a small tree native to the western basin of the Mediterranean Sea.They reproduce quickly in well-drained soils and under intense sun rays.Therefore, its population multiplied intensely in the province of Mendoza, in the Cuyana region of Argentina.
They stay on the banks of reservoirs and rivers and consume a huge volume of water to grow.This generates a Very negative impact on the ecosystem of the province, because it salinizes the surface layers of the soil.In addition, damages the local economy , because it diverts the irrigation of the plantations.
12.Giant African snail (Achatina fulica)
Giant African snails generate huge damage for small Argentine producers who depend on subsistence farming.In 2016, the invasion of African snails in the Argentine provinces of Corrientes and Misiones provoked an environmental alert at the national level, however, the greater risk of overpopulation is associated with the risk of health of the local population.
Many copies of these snails are carriers of a parasite called Strongyloides stercoralis , which is associated with the development of numerous diseases , such as meningitis and strongiloidiasis, which is why they are considered one of the greatest pests in tropical and subtropical regions of South America.
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