Species

One of InDyNet’s core tasks is to investigate population dynamics of invasive species, and of native species impacted by invaders. Here’s an overview of the invasive species we currently focus on.

  1. American mink

    The American mink (Neogale vison) is one of the most successful invasive mammals in Europe. We investigate and compare its dynamics across several European countries and its native North American range.

    Amercian Mink
    American mink (Neogale vison, photo: Anna Wójtowicz)
  2. Zebra and quagga mussels

    Zebra and quagga mussels (Dreissena polymorpha and D. rostriformis) are among the world’s most notorious invaders, with large and widespread ecological and economic effects. Their long-term population dynamics are poorly known, and we analyze and compare these across lakes and rivers from Europe and North America.

    Zebra Mussels
    Invasive zebra mussels (Dreissena polymorpha) on a rock taken out of the Hudson River, USA (photo: Heather Malcom).
  3. Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis (Bd)

    The invasive chytrid parasite Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis (Bd) is causing the disease chytridiomycosis and has devastated amphibian populations worldwide. We are looking at the spatiotemporal infection dynamics of Bd across the globe.

    Chytrid-infected frog
    Chytrid-infected frog (photo: Forrest Brem; taken from: Gewin, V. 2008. Riders of a modern-day ark. PLoS Biology 6, e24).
  4. Ants

    We also investigate long-term population dynamics of ants in invasive vs. native ranges. Specifically, we globally review and quantitatively analyze datasets with abundance or presence-absence data for ants in their invasive or native range.

    Fire ant
    The invasive red imported fire ant, Solenopsis invicta (photo: Alex Wild, produced by the University of Texas “Insects Unlocked” program).
  5. Fishes

    In another InDyNet sub-project, we analyze the effects of invasive fish species on fish communities at both taxonomic and functional levels. These analyses are currently focused on rivers in France.

    Wels catfish
    Wels catfish (Silurus glanis) are invasive in French rivers (photo: Camille Musseau)