User:Zebra850/Invasive species in Puerto Rico

Zebra850 (talk) 22:39, 13 April 2023 (UTC)

Mammals
Rats: Mus musculus and R. rattus are invasive rat species in El Yunque National Forest. The latter, also known as a black rat, is believed to be  a larger threat because of its wider range. The former, or the house mouse, is mainly limited to roadside areas.

Reptiles
Boa constrictor: Native to Central and South America, the boa constrictor has recently been observed in Puerto Rico. A small population was found in the city of Mayagüez, where at least 150 boas have been removed. Although recently discovered, it is believed that the population has existed in the area for several decades due to an incidental release.

Arthropods
Africanized bee: Known to have attacked researchers and certain endangered bird species. First seen on the island in 1994, the honeybee has also inhabited a majority of tree cavities. It has evolved to become a lesser threat to the area over time, although it is still present in the area.

Aedes aegypti: Also known as the yellow fever mosquito, aides aegypti originated in Africa and is a danger to humans. The mosquito is capable of spreading diseases such as the Zika virus and dengue fever. A distinctive characteristic of the species is its white marks on its leg, and can transported from low to high elevations.

Hypogeococcus sp.: This invasive mealybug, better known as the Harrisia cactus mealybug, has been assigned its classification for their influence on plant species in Puerto Rican dry forests. Native cacti infected by the bug were observed to have produced fewer fruits and flowers than their healthy counterparts. A higher mortality rate was also seen in certain cactus species, due to Harrisia cactus mealybug.