Journal articles on the topic 'Invasive plants – Australia'
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Correia, Marta, Sílvia Castro, and Susana Rodríguez-Echeverría. "Reproductive success of Acacia longifolia (Fabaceae, Mimosoideae) in native and invasive populations." Australian Journal of Botany 63, no. 5 (2015): 387. http://dx.doi.org/10.1071/bt14318.
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The reproductive biology of exotic species affects their capacity to become naturalised and invasive in non-native areas. Selfing is a common trait in many invasive plants probably because it provides reproductive assurance under low availability of pollination vectors and sexual partners. Nonetheless, the predominantly self-incompatible Australian Acacia species are among the most aggressive plants worldwide. To address whether there have been changes in selfing ability and natural reproductive success of A. longifolia during invasion, we compared one population in the invaded area (Portugal) with one population in the native range (Australia). We specifically assessed floral traits, fruit set and offspring traits for selfing and open-pollination treatments. Within each pollination treatment, no differences were found between areas, suggesting that the level of self-compatibility has not changed during invasion. However, the number of aborted seeds and seed size were significantly different between pollination treatments in Australia but not in Portugal. There were significant differences in the number of seeds per pod and in seed weight between ranges. A lower number of aborted seeds, a higher number of fully developed seeds and a greater seed size were found in the invaded area for both pollination treatments. In spite of the low selfing ability of A. longifolia in the invaded area, there was an increase in the quantity and size of the seeds produced in the new region, even for self-pollinated fruits, which might contribute to A. longifolia invasiveness.
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Shaik, Razia S., Brendan J. Lepschi, David Gopurenko, Nigel A. R. Urwin, Geoffrey E. Burrows, and Leslie A. Weston. "An integrative morphological and molecular approach to identification of three Australian cucurbitaceous invasive weeds: Citrullus colocynthis, C. lanatus and Cucumis myriocarpus." Australian Systematic Botany 29, no. 5 (2016): 247. http://dx.doi.org/10.1071/sb16027.
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Camel melon (Citrullus lanatus), colocynth (Citrullus colocynthis) and prickly paddy melon (Cucumis myriocarpus) are summer-growing invasive weeds distributed throughout Australia. We used DNA-sequence information from samples collected across Australia and morphological data from glasshouse-grown plants to determine diagnostic features of these species, and to determine the infraspecific identity of Australian Citrullus lanatus and Cucumis myriocarpus. All species possessed distinct genotypes and haplotypes at nuclear G3pdh and chloroplast ycf6–psbM gene regions and could be easily identified on the basis of molecular phylogenetic analysis. A combination of vegetative, floral, fruit and seed characters also allowed for species identification at all developmental stages. On the basis of our morphological and molecular analyses, Australian camel melon and prickly paddy melon populations were identified as Citrullus lanatus var. citroides and Cucumis myriocarpus subsp. myriocarpus respectively.
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Aghighi, S., L. Fontanini, P. B. Yeoh, G. E. St J. Hardy, T. I. Burgess, and J. K. Scott. "A Conceptual Model to Describe the Decline of European Blackberry (Rubus anglocandicans), A Weed of National Significance in Australia." Plant Disease 98, no. 5 (May 2014): 580–89. http://dx.doi.org/10.1094/pdis-11-13-1124-fe.
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Human activities have had an adverse impact on ecosystems on a global scale and have caused an unprecedented redispersal of organisms, with both plants and pathogens moving from their regions of origin to other parts of the world. Invasive plants are a potential threat to ecosystems globally, and their management costs tens of billions of dollars per annum. Rubus anglocandicans (European blackberry) is a serious invasive species in Australia. Herbicide and cultural control methods are generally inefficient or require multiple applications. Therefore, a biological control program using stem and leaf rust strains is the main option in Australia. However, biological control using rusts has been patchy, as host factors, climate, and weather can alter the impact of the rust at different locations. In 2007, Yeoh and Fontanini noticed that blackberry plants on the banks of the Donnelly and Warren rivers in the southwest of Western Australia were dying in areas that were being regularly monitored for the impact of rust as a biological control agent. The symptoms on blackberry became known as the disease “blackberry decline”. Continuous and intensive investigations are required to discover the different biotic and abiotic components associated with specific declines in plant populations. The only agent so far introduced to Australia for the biological control of blackberry is the rust Phragmidium violaceum.
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Lee, E., S. J. Wylie, and M. G. K. Jones. "First Report of ‘Candidatus Phytoplasma aurantifolia’ Associated With Severe Stunting and Necrosis on the Invasive Weed Pelargonium capitatum in Western Australia." Plant Disease 94, no. 10 (October 2010): 1264. http://dx.doi.org/10.1094/pdis-07-10-0477.
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Pelargonium capitatum (rose pelargonium) is a plant indigenous to southern Africa, originally brought to Western Australia for its ornamental qualities. It has since become naturalized in the Southwest Australian Floristic Region, recognized for its high level of species endemism, where it is a serious invasive weed in bushlands and coastal dunes. Since P. capitatum outcompetes native species it is listed among the top 10 most important coastal weeds of the region (3). In 2008, large patches of stunted, dying, and dead P. capitatum plants were observed within a population covering coastal dunes at Woodman Point, Western Australia (GPS coordinates 32°07′40.51″S, 115°45′28.39″E). Diseased plants had small misshapen leaves in clumps that were often chlorotic or pink, shortened internodes, and exhibited phylloidy typical of infection by a phytoplasma. From August 2009 to January 2010, samples from symptomatic and asymptomatic plants were collected from the site and from plants of an asymptomatic population at another site located on the Murdoch University campus nearby. DNA was extracted from 15 samples collected from symptomatic and asymptomatic plants at the dune site and from five at the campus site. Briefly, 2 to 5 g of leaf and stem tissue was cut into 5-mm pieces and shaken overnight in 30 ml of phosphate-buffered saline buffer. Supernatant was filtered and a pellet was collected by centrifugation. After resuspension in 500 μl of extraction buffer (200 mM Tris-HCl [pH 7.5] 250mM NaCl, 25mM ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid, 0.5% sodium dodecyl sulfate, and 2% polyvinylpyrrolidone), DNA was precipitated in 500 μl of cold isopropanol. Samples were tested for the presence of phytoplasma ribosomal 16S DNA by nested PCR using phytoplasma universal primers P1/P7 followed by amplification with primers Tint, R16mF2, and R16mR1 (1,2,4). Phytoplasma-specific DNA sequences were synthesized directly from amplicons using the above primers. Phytoplasma was detected from both symptomatic and asymptomatic plant samples collected from the dune site but not from the campus site. Analysis of the nine sequences obtained (GenBank Accession Nos. HM583339, HM583340, HM583341, HM583342, HM583343, HM583344, HM583345, HM583346, and HM583347) revealed high sequence identity between isolates (~99%) and with the ‘Candidatus Phytoplasma aurantifolia’ (16SrII) group of phytoplasmas (1,4). Presence of phytoplasma in symptomatic plants was confirmed by histological examination of stem sections stained with Dienes' stain. This finding is significant because there is potential for utilizing this phytoplasma to control P. capitatum where it has invaded ecologically significant sites, although its effect on indigenous plants must be determined first. Although phytoplasmas within the 16SrII group have been identified in Australia previously (1,4), to our knowledge, this is the first report of it infecting P. capitatum. References: (1) K. S. Gibb et al. Phytopathology 85:169, 1995. (2) D. E. Gundersen and I.-M. Lee. Phytopathol. Mediterr. 35:144, 1996. (3) B. M. J. Hussey et al. Western Weeds. A Guide to the Weeds of Western Australia. 2nd ed. Plant Protection Society of Western Australia, Victoria Park, 2007. (4) M. Saqib et al. J. R. Soc. West. Aust. 90:175, 2007.
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Norton, Sally L., Colin K. Khoury, Chrystian C. Sosa, Nora P. Castañeda-Álvarez, Harold A. Achicanoy, and Steven Sotelo. "Priorities for enhancing the ex situ conservation and use of Australian crop wild relatives." Australian Journal of Botany 65, no. 8 (2017): 638. http://dx.doi.org/10.1071/bt16236.
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Crop wild relatives – the wild cousins of cultivated plants – are increasingly recognised for their potential to contribute to the productivity, nutritional quality and sustainability of agricultural crops. However, the use of these genetic resources is dependent upon their conservation in genebanks and consequent availability to plant breeders, the status of which has not been comprehensively analysed in Australia. Such conservation assessments are given urgency by reports of increasing threats to natural populations due to habitat destruction, climate change, and invasive species, among other causes. Here we document Australian wild plants related to important food crops, and outline their priorities for ex situ conservation. Given that no major domesticated food plants originated in the country, Australia’s native flora of crop wild relatives is surprisingly rich, including potentially valuable cousins of banana, eggplant, melon, mung bean, pigeonpea, rice, sorghum, sweetpotato, soybean and yam. Species richness of the wild relatives of major food crops is concentrated in the northern and north-eastern tropical regions, in the Northern Territory, Western Australia, and Queensland. Geographic priorities for collecting of these taxa for ex situ conservation, due to the limited representation of their populations in genebanks, largely align with areas of high species richness. Proposed dam building and agricultural expansion in northern Australia make conservation action for these species more urgent. We outline key steps needed for enhancing the ex situ conservation of Australia’s heritage of major food crop wild relatives, and discuss the critical activities required to increase their use.
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Bean, Anthony R. "A new system for determining which plant species are indigenous in Australia." Australian Systematic Botany 20, no. 1 (2007): 1. http://dx.doi.org/10.1071/sb06030.
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An examination of Floras and related literature from various countries of the world has revealed a wide range of interpretations and concepts for indigenous plants. Nevertheless, an indigenous plant species has been universally defined as one that was not deliberately or accidentally introduced by man. An important recent addendum to the ‘indigenous’ definition is that it must disperse from an area where it is considered native. Particularly problematic are the so-called ‘pantropical’ or ‘cosmopolitan’ plants. These species are usually invasive and abundant, but most could not have crossed major barriers without the assistance of humans, and hence should be regarded as non-native species throughout much of their range. The accurate assessment of the alien or indigenous status of these and other taxa has been hampered by a lack of knowledge about their geographic origins and dispersal ability. Australian botanists have frequently adhered to a concept of indigenous plants being any that were thought to be present before European settlement in their region of interest – 1788 for the Sydney area, and as late as the 1850s for northern Australia. This definition is unrealistic and unworkable, especially when considering the ‘pantropical’ species. The transport of plants by maritime traders and explorers into the Indonesian and west Pacific areas has occurred for at least the past 3000 years. European colonisation in those areas from the 16th century accelerated plant introductions. Some of those plant species undoubtedly made their way to Australia before European settlement. This paper presents explicit definitions for indigenous (native) or alien (exotic, introduced, non-indigenous) plant species in Australia. A system of assessment using a combination of ecological, phytogeographical and historical criteria (the EPH system) allows the determination of ‘origin status’ for individual species. As a case study, data are presented for 40 plant species of disputed origin status. These species are assessed against the criteria, and a recommended origin status given for Australian occurrences.
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Limbongan, Amelia A., Shane D. Campbell, and Victor J. Galea. "Novel Encapsulated Herbicide Delivery Mechanism: Its Efficacy in Mimosa Bush (Vachellia farnesiana) Control." Plants 10, no. 11 (November 18, 2021): 2505. http://dx.doi.org/10.3390/plants10112505.
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Mimosa bush (Vachellia farnesiana) is an invasive woody weed widely distributed in Australia. While it can be controlled using several mechanical and chemical techniques, this study evaluated a novel herbicide delivery mechanism that minimizes the risk of spray drift and potential non-target damage. This method, developed by Bioherbicides Australia, involves the implantation of encapsulated granular herbicides into the stem of intact plants or into the stump after cutting off plants close to ground level (cut stumps). Trials were implemented near Moree (New South Wales, Australia) on intact (two experimental runs) plants and cut stumped (two experimental runs) plants. For each trial, an untreated control plus the conventional basal bark application of a liquid formulation of triclopyr + picloram mixed with diesel was included for comparison. Encapsulated glyphosate, aminopyralid + metsulfuron-methyl, hexazinone and clopyralid were also tested in all trials. In addition, encapsulated triclopyr + picloram, and metsulfuron-methyl were included in one of the intact plant trials. Aminopyralid + metsulfuron-methyl was consistently most effective on cut stump and intact plants, whilst clopyralid provided highest mortality when applied to cut stumps and single-stemmed intact plants. Particularly for multi-stemmed intact plants, clopyralid should be applied to each stem. Overall, the highest efficacy was achieved on single stemmed plants, but with further refinement of the technique, it should be possible to achieve similar results for multi-stemmed individuals. This method resulted in a reduction in the use of herbicide and environmental contamination while significantly improving speed of treatment.
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Xu, Weinan, Hua Li, Krishnapillai Sivasithamparam, Dieu Thi Tran, Michael G. K. Jones, Xin Chen, and Stephen J. Wylie. "Spillover of a Tobamovirus from the Australian Indigenous Flora to Invasive Weeds." Viruses 14, no. 8 (July 29, 2022): 1676. http://dx.doi.org/10.3390/v14081676.
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The tobamovirus yellow tailflower mild mottle virus (YTMMV) was previously reported in wild plants of Anthocercis species (family Solanaceae) and other solanaceous indigenous species growing in natural habitats in Western Australia. Here, we undertook a survey of two introduced solanaceous weeds, namely Solanum nigrum (black nightshade) and Physalis peruviana (cape gooseberry) in the Perth metropolitan area and surrounds to determine if YTMMV has spread naturally to these species. At a remnant natural bushland site where both solanaceous weeds and indigenous Anthocercis hosts grew adjacent to one another, a proportion of S. nigrum and P. peruviana plants were asymptomatically-infected with YTMMV, confirming spillover had occurred. Populations of S. nigrum also grow as weeds in parts of the city isolated from remnant bushland and indigenous sources of YTMMV, and some of these populations were also infected with YTMMV. Fruit was harvested from virus-infected wild S. nigrum plants and the seed germinated under controlled conditions. Up to 80% of resultant seedlings derived from infected parent plants were infected with YTMMV, confirming that the virus is vertically-transmitted in S. nigrum, and therefore infection appears to be self-sustaining in this species. This is the first report of spillover of YTMMV to exotic weeds, and of vertical transmission of this tobamovirus. We discuss the roles of vertical and horizontal transmission in this spillover event, and its implications for biosecurity.
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Fox, J. C., Y. M. Buckley, F. D. Panetta, J. Bourgoin, and D. Pullar. "Surveillance protocols for management of invasive plants: modelling Chilean needle grass (Nassella neesiana) in Australia." Diversity and Distributions 15, no. 4 (July 2009): 577–89. http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.1472-4642.2009.00562.x.
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ALLSOPP, PETER GEOFFREY, and PAUL HUTCHINSON. "Extralimital Dynastinae (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae) in Australia." Journal of Insect Biodiversity 12, no. 2 (November 14, 2019): 48–77. http://dx.doi.org/10.12976/jib/2019.12.2.2.
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The identification, origin, introduction, establishment, spread and pest status of extralimital (introduced, those that naturally occur within and outside Australia, and possibly introduced but of uncertain origin) dynastines in Australia and its territories are reviewed. We examine likely introduction pathways and the species’ life histories and attempt to draw out factors that predispose some species to establish, naturalise and then become invasive. Six categories of extralimital dynastines are identified: established and have spread widely (invasive)—Cyclocephala signaticollis Burmeister, 1847, Heteronychus arator (Fabricius, 1775); established but have not spread widely (sleepers)—Oryctes rhinoceros (Linnaeus, 1758), Oryctoderus latitarsus Boisduval, 1835 (possibly), Papuana woodlarkiana (Montrouzier, 1855) (possibly), Temnorhynchus retusus (Fabricius, 1781); known from one or only a few specimens that have arrived but not established—H. parumpunctatus Burmeister, 1847, Or. centaurus Sternberg, 1910, Pa. angusta Arrow, 1914, Pentodon algerinus algerinus (Fuessly, 1778); with distributions that extend from New Guinea into northeastern Australia—Pa. woodlarkiana (possibly), Od. latitarsus (possibly), Xylotrupes carinulus Rowland, 2011; whose records within Australia are doubtful—Dipelicus integriceps (Fairmaire, 1877), D. montrouzieri (Reiche, 1860), Or. nasicornis (Linnaeus, 1758), Pa. tibialis Arrow, 1941, Phyllognathus degener Fairmaire, 1891; species whose identity is unclear—Carne’s (1981) enigmatic species. Characters that make a species an ideal tramp species are: adults feed and are active for an extended period after emergence; larval development is relatively quick; adults and larvae are associated with potted plants and lawn grasses; the native distribution is in the Southern Hemisphere so that life cycles are synchronised between original and introduced localities. Shipping ballast and potted plants were the probable major pathways of introduction, but now rapid air and land transport provide the means for movement into and within Australia of hitchhiker species. Key words: Dynastinae, introductions, exotic species, pest species, quarantine, biosecurity
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Ollivier, Melodie, Elena Kazakou, Maxime Corbin, Kevin Sartori, Ben Gooden, Vincent Lesieur, Thierry Thomann, Jean-François Martin, and Marie Stéphane Tixier. "Trait differentiation between native and introduced populations of the invasive plant Sonchus oleraceus L. (Asteraceae)." NeoBiota 55 (April 6, 2020): 85–115. http://dx.doi.org/10.3897/neobiota.55.49158.
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There is growing evidence that rapid adaptation to novel environments drives successful establishment and spread of invasive plant species. However, the mechanisms driving trait adaptation, such as selection pressure from novel climate niche envelopes, remain poorly tested at global scales. In this study, we investigated differences in 20 traits (relating to growth, resource acquisition, reproduction, phenology and defence) amongst 14 populations of the herbaceous plant Sonchus oleraceus L. (Asteraceae) across its native (Europe and North Africa) and introduced (Australia and New Zealand) ranges. We compared traits amongst populations grown under standard glasshouse conditions. Introduced S. oleraceus plants seemed to outperform native plants, i.e. possessing higher leaf and stem dry matter content, greater number of leaves and were taller at first flowering stage. Although introduced plants produced fewer seeds, they had a higher germination rate than native plants. We found strong evidence for adaptation along temperature and precipitation gradients for several traits (e.g. shoot height, biomass, leaf and stem dry matter contents increased with minimum temperatures, while germination rate decreased with annual precipitations and temperatures), which suggests that similar selective forces shape populations in both the native and invaded ranges. We detected significant shifts in the relationships (i.e. trade-offs) (i) between plant height and flowering time and (ii) between leaf-stem biomass and grain yield between native and introduced plants, indicating that invasion was associated with changes to life-history dynamics that may confer competitive advantages over native vegetation. Specifically, we found that, at first flowering, introduced plants tended to be taller than native ones and that investment in leaf and stem biomass was greater in introduced than in native plants for equivalent levels of grain yield. Our study has demonstrated that climatic conditions may drive rapid adaption to novel environments in invasive plant species.
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Lach, Lori, Benjamin D. Hoffmann, and Melinda L. Moir. "Native and non-native sources of carbohydrate correlate with abundance of an invasive ant." NeoBiota 63 (December 17, 2020): 155–75. http://dx.doi.org/10.3897/neobiota.63.57925.
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Invasive species threaten many ecological communities and predicting which communities and sites are invasible remains a key goal of invasion ecology. Although invasive ants often reach high abundances in association with plant-based carbohydrate resources, the source and provenance of these resources are rarely investigated. We characterized carbohydrate resources across ten sites with a range of yellow crazy ant abundance in Arnhem Land, Australia and New Caledonia to determine whether yellow crazy ant (Anoplolepis gracilipes) abundance and trophic position correlate with carbohydrate availability, as well as the relative importance of native and non-native sources of carbohydrates to ant diet. In both locations, measures of yellow crazy ant abundance strongly positively correlated with carbohydrate availability, particularly honeydew production, the number of tended hemipterans, and the number of plants with tended hemipterans. In Arnhem Land, 99.6% of honeydew came from native species, whereas in New Caledonia, only 0.2% of honeydew was produced by a native hemipteran. More honeydew was available in Australia due to three common large-bodied species of Auchenorrhyncha honeydew producers (treehoppers and leafhoppers). Yellow crazy ant trophic position declined with increasing yellow crazy ant abundance indicating that in greater densities the ants are obtaining more of their diet from plant-derived resources, including honeydew and extrafloral nectar. The relationships between yellow crazy ant abundance and carbohydrate availability could not be explained by any of the key environmental variables we measured at our study sites. Our results demonstrate that the positive correlation between yellow crazy ant abundance and honeydew production is not contingent upon the provenance of the hemipterans. Native sources of carbohydrate may play an underappreciated role in greatly increasing community invasibility by ants.
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Douglas, Michael M., Stuart E. Bunn, and Peter M. Davies. "River and wetland food webs in Australia's wet - dry tropics: general principles and implications for management." Marine and Freshwater Research 56, no. 3 (2005): 329. http://dx.doi.org/10.1071/mf04084.
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The tropical rivers of northern Australia have received international and national recognition for their high ecological and cultural values. Unlike many tropical systems elsewhere in the world and their temperate Australian counterparts, they have largely unmodified flow regimes and are comparatively free from the impacts associated with intensive land use. However, there is growing demand for agricultural development and existing pressures, such as invasive plants and feral animals, threaten their ecological integrity. Using the international literature to provide a conceptual framework and drawing on limited published and unpublished data on rivers in northern Australia, we have derived five general principles about food webs and related ecosystem processes that both characterise tropical rivers of northern Australia and have important implications for their management. These are: (1) the seasonal hydrology is a strong driver of ecosystem processes and food-web structure; (2) hydrological connectivity is largely intact and underpins important terrestrial–aquatic food-web subsidies; (3) river and wetland food webs are strongly dependent on algal production; (4) a few common macroconsumer species have a strong influence on benthic food webs; and (5) omnivory is widespread and food chains are short. The implications of these ecosystem attributes for the management and protection of tropical rivers and wetlands of northern Australian are discussed in relation to known threats. These principles provide a framework for the formation of testable hypotheses in future research programmes.
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Cuneo, Peter, Catherine A. Offord, and Michelle R. Leishman. "Seed ecology of the invasive woody plant African Olive (Olea europaea subsp. cuspidata): implications for management and restoration." Australian Journal of Botany 58, no. 5 (2010): 342. http://dx.doi.org/10.1071/bt10061.
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Knowledege of the seed ecology of invasive exotic species, including soil seedbank dynamics, is essential to understanding key factors in successful invasion and in identifying management opportunities. African Olive, Olea europaea L. subsp. cuspidata, is an exotic invasive woody plant in Hawaii, Norfolk Island and eastern Australia, and is now well established in the Cumberland Plain region of western Sydney, Australia. In the present study, the key aspects of the seed ecology of African Olive were determined for populations in western Sydney. Extracted seed germinated at a wide range of temperatures, consistent with tolerance of a wide range of climatic conditions. A seed-burial experiment indicated a slow decrease in viability down to 70.3% during the first year, followed by a rapid decline down to 14.7% in the second year. Probit analysis indicated that under field conditions, seed persistence in the soil was ~29 months (2.4 years). In situ germination was low (3.3%) and did not occur until the mechanical constriction of the endocarp was released through decomposition. The woody seed endocarp was found to be permeable to water, indicating that physical dormancy was not imposed by providing a barrier to water uptake. Within its invasive range, African Olive produces abundant seed. However, the rapid loss of viability of soil-stored seed results in a narrow window of opportunity for germination. The short persistence of seed in the soil may provide an opportunity for managers to achieve control of African Olive once mature plants are removed.
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Ferdinands, Keith, Kerry Beggs, and Peter Whitehead. "Biodiversity and invasive grass species: multiple-use or monoculture?" Wildlife Research 32, no. 5 (2005): 447. http://dx.doi.org/10.1071/wr04036.
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Invasive plants are recognised as a major threat to biodiversity conservation worldwide. Despite this recognition, our understanding of the mechanisms controlling the invasion process and its impact on flora and fauna is often poor. We examined the impact of an invasive aquatic grass species, para grass (Urochloa mutica), on seasonally inundated wetlands in tropical northern Australia. Flora and avifauna were surveyed at sites invaded by para grass and in native vegetation. Spatial information systems were used to design surveys and determine environmental correlates of para grass distribution and so predict the potential future spread of para grass and infer impacts in the absence of control. Where para grass was present the median number of plant taxa was ~75% lower. Few birds showed preference for habitats invaded by para grass, and most birds were associated with areas of native vegetation or other habitats with little or no para grass. The study identified several wetland habitats that are at greater risk of invasion, based on the apparent habitat preferences of para grass. The degradation or loss of some of these ‘at-risk’ habitats, including Oryza meriodionalis grasslands that play an integral role in the wetland food chain, has important ramifications for the levels of biodiversity supported by the wetlands.
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Ajamian, Chad, Hsing-Chung Chang, Kerrie Tomkins, William Farebrother, Rene Heim, and Shahriar Rahman. "Identifying Invasive Weed Species in Alpine Vegetation Communities Based on Spectral Profiles." Geomatics 1, no. 2 (April 1, 2021): 177–91. http://dx.doi.org/10.3390/geomatics1020011.
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This study examined the use of hyperspectral profiles for identifying three selected weed species in the alpine region of New South Wales, Australia. The targeted weeds included Orange Hawkweed, Mouse-ear Hawkweed and Ox-eye daisy, which have caused a great concern to regional biodiversity and health of the environment in Kosciuszko National Park. Field surveys using a spectroradiometer were undertaken to measure the hyperspectral profiles of leaves and flowers of the selected weeds and companion native plants. Random Forest (RF) classification was then applied to distinguish which spectral bands would differentiate the weeds from the native plants. Our results showed that an accuracy of 95% was achieved if the spectral profiles of the distinct flowers of the weeds were considered, and an accuracy of 80% was achieved if only the profiles of the leaves were considered. Emulation of the spectral profiles of two multispectral sensors (Sentinel-2 and Parrot Sequoia) was then conducted to investigate whether classification accuracy could potentially be achieved using wider spectral bands.
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Bailey, P., J.-L. Sagliocco, J. Vitou, and D. Cooke. "Prospects for biological control of cutleaf mignonette, Reseda lutea (Resedaceae), by Baris picicornis and Bruchela spp. in Australia." Australian Journal of Experimental Agriculture 42, no. 2 (2002): 185. http://dx.doi.org/10.1071/ea01059.
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In South Australia, Reseda lutea is abundant, invading pastures and crops on calcareous soils while in its native Mediterranean range it is uncommon in occurrence and is not reported as a weed of cultivated crops. Its invasive behaviour in South Australia may be attributed to vegetative growth of root fragments spread by cultivation, while propagation by seed is of minor importance. Surveys in Spain, Portugal, Morocco, France, Turkey and Israel indicated that agronomic differences, particularly depth of cultivation and seeding rates of cereals may explain why it is not a crop weed in these countries. Another difference is that plants in the region of origin have an associated fauna not present in Australia. These potential biological control agents include a root-boring weevil, Baris picicornis, flower- and seed-feeding urodontids, Bruchela suturalis and B. rufipes, and a leaf spot pathogen,Cercospora resedae. Baris picicornis was introduced from France and Turkey, under quarantine, to Australia but laboratory specificity-testing demonstrated that it could complete its life cycle on 2 commercially grown cultivars of Brassica rapa (choy sum and Chinese cabbage). Because of this, it is not proposed to release B. picicornis in Australia at present. Bruchela suturalis was also introduced into Australian quarantine from France but attempts to change its annual life cycle to Southern Hemisphere seasons were not successful, and a culture could not be established. Both Baris picicornis and Bruchela spp. remain promising agents, and further work on their introduction is justified by their potential for biological control of R. lutea.
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Buru, Joshua Comrade, Olusegun O. Osunkoya, Kunjithapatham Dhileepan, Jennifer Firn, and Tanya Scharaschkin. "Eco-physiological performance may contribute to differential success of two forms of an invasive vine, Dolichandra unguis-cati, in Australia." NeoBiota 46 (May 10, 2019): 23–50. http://dx.doi.org/10.3897/neobiota.46.33917.
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Invasive plant species are hypothesized as being more efficient at resource acquisition and use, resulting in faster growth than co-occurring non-invasive plant species. Nonetheless, some findings suggest that trait differences between invasive and non-invasive species are context dependent. In this study, two forms of an invasive vine species,Dolichandraunguis-cati, were used to test the context-dependent hypothesis.Dolichandraunguis-catiis a weed of national significance in Australia with two different forms: the ‘long pod’ (LP) and ‘short pod’ (SP). The two forms have different levels of distribution on the eastern Seaboard of the continent, with the SP form occurring extensively in both States of Queensland and New South Wales while the LP form is found only in isolated sites in South-East Queensland. This study examines whether differences in eco-physiological performance could be responsible for differential success of the two forms. A partially factorial experiment was set up in controlled conditions where potted plants of both forms were grown under two levels of light, water and nutrient resources (high and low) for 15 months. We measured several traits that are known to correlate with plant performance and resource use efficiency (RUE). The SP form exhibited higher values of carbon assimilation, RUE, number of subterranean tubers and leaf nitrogen than the LP form. However, the LP form produced greater biomass than the SP form, with the difference driven mainly by high resource conditions. The LP form displayed significantly higher phenotypic integration (number of traits significantly correlated) than the SP form in response to all treatments while the SP form exhibited higher phenotypic integration than the LP form in response to high resource conditions only. The SP form displayed traits that are well suited for successful colonization, possibly explaining its increased success in Australia, while the LP form possessed traits of opportunistic plants. Overall, we find that the two forms of the weedy vine deploy different carbon economies in response to resource conditions, which is evidence of the context-dependent trait hypothesis.
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Steppe, Carlee, Sandra B. Wilson, Zhanao Deng, Keri Druffel, and Gary W. Knox. "Morphological and Cytological Comparisons of Eight Varieties of Trailing Lantana (Lantana montevidensis) Grown in Florida." HortScience 54, no. 12 (December 2019): 2134–38. http://dx.doi.org/10.21273/hortsci14443-19.
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Trailing lantana (Lantana montevidensis) is a popular low-growing ornamental plant valued for its heat and drought tolerance and continuous purple or white flowering throughout much of the year. Recently, trailing lantana was predicted to be invasive by the University of Florida/Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF-IFAS) Assessment of Non-Native Plants in Florida, and therefore not recommended for use. All cultivars fall under this designation unless proven otherwise. Eight trailing lantana varieties were obtained from wholesale growers and naturalized populations found in Texas and Australia. Plants were propagated vegetatively, finished in 4-inch pots, and planted under field conditions to determine morphological and cytological differences among varieties. Australian trailing lantana differed morphologically from the other varieties in its smaller habit, leaves (which had serrate-crenate leaf margins, and fewer appressed hairs), heavy fruiting, and cold sensitivity (observational reduced growth and flowering during winter months). Nuclear DNA content analysis suggests that Australian trailing lantana is likely a tetraploid and all other varieties evaluated were likely triploids with high levels of sterility. Pollen stainability of Australian trailing lantana was moderately high (58.83%), whereas pollen production was rarely observed in all other varieties. Results support that there are two forms of trailing lantana, the U.S. varieties distinguished by their leaf and flower morphology, ploidy level, and the absence of fruit and viable pollen.
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Adams, Vanessa M., and Samantha A. Setterfield. "Approaches to strategic risk analysis and management of invasive plants: lessons learned from managing gamba grass in northern Australia." Pacific Conservation Biology 22, no. 2 (2016): 189. http://dx.doi.org/10.1071/pc15041.
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Given the environmental damages caused by invasive species, it is critical to allocate limited management budgets carefully. To address this need, there are a variety of approaches for analysing invasive species risk and designing management strategies; these range from pre–border risk assessment through to local-scale prioritisation of management actions. Risk assessment can be broadly characterised into three components: risk analysis, risk characterisation and risk management. For each component we give a brief review of current approaches and then present innovative tools being developed and applied in northern Australia. We use gamba grass (Andropogon gayanus Kunth.) as a case study to contrast the benefits of the different approaches presented. With our case study, we demonstrate the practical application of novel risk management tools, with results from these tools that are being used locally to prioritise management actions. Lastly, we note that for even greater benefit to be achieved, the new spatial prioritisation approaches presented must be accompanied by further development of data and methods to accommodate planning for multiple weed species and incorporation of further human dimensions (e.g. social and cultural values).
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E. Twigg, Laurie, Tim J. Lowe, and Gary R. Martin. "The presence and implications of viable seed in the faeces of invasive free-ranging European Rabbits and Red Foxes." Pacific Conservation Biology 15, no. 3 (2009): 158. http://dx.doi.org/10.1071/pc090158.
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Invasion by weeds and other undesirable plants threatens global biodiversity. However, the role of mammals in maintaining and spreading weeds is often overlooked. Here we confirm that two widely distributed and abundant Australian mammalian pests, the European Rabbit (Oryctolagus cuniculus) and the Red Fox (Vulpes vulpes), can spread viable seed. Our assessment mainly involved determining the number and viability of seeds recovered from faeces of free-ranging individuals inhabiting several areas within the Mediterranean region of south-western Australia, an internationally recognized biodiversity hotspot. In summer, viable seeds were recovered from 3?4% of the rabbit faecal pellets (n = 190) compared to 21?40% of pellets in autumn (n = 235). Ten (77%) of the 13 species of seed identified were weeds. Of the 1,136 seeds recovered, 16% germinated. In all, 13-30% of rabbits passed viable seeds in summer, increasing to 44?73% of rabbits in autumn. In captive wild rabbits, mean passage time of marked seed through the intestinal tract ranged from 4?7 h. This, together with the small home ranges of Australian European rabbits, suggests that they may generally disperse seeds over 1?2 km. Nine to 27% of foxes passed viable seed. Although 48% of scats (n = 62) contained whole seed, only 12.9% of all scats contained viable seed (range 9.1%?19.0%). Viable seeds (4/8) were also recovered from the hides of some shot foxes. In all, 63% (12/19) of seed species identified in the scats and pelts of foxes were weeds. Rabbits (primary dispersal) and foxes (primary, and secondary dispersal via seeds ingested with prey) may be important dispersers of viable seed, and may be essential for less common, but important, long-distance plant dispersal, particularly by some invasive species. Thus, suppression of weeds can be added to the benefits of reducing the abundance of rabbits and foxes to protect the unique biota and agricultural production in southwestern Australia.
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Wang, Jian. "Diversity of exotic vascular plant species on Moreton Island in subtropical Australia: increase over 100 years." Australian Journal of Botany 62, no. 5 (2014): 379. http://dx.doi.org/10.1071/bt14032.
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There have been significant increases in the richness of exotic vascular plant species over the past century on Moreton Island, Australia. In total, 120 exotic species (including eight declared plants) in 90 genera and 42 families were collected and collated through field surveys during 2008–2010 and from the Queensland Herbarium collections. One-hundred years ago, no exotic vascular plant species were recorded. Sixteen years later, 14 exotic species in 14 genera from 11 families were collected. A half century later (1973–1975), a detailed vegetation survey recorded 66 exotic species (including five declared plants) belonging to 57 genera from 30 families. This increase coincides with a history of increasingly frequent wild fires, increasing human activities and greater presence of feral animals. The most significant increase occurred after the 1973–1975 surveys, namely an increase of 54 more species, equivalent to an 81.8% increase. These latter species included 17 (31.5%) woody species, 11 (20.4%) graminoid species and 26 (48.1%) forb species. The Sorensen similarity index (ISS) of total exotic species between the surveys of 1973–1975 and 2008–2010 was intermediate (ISS = 0.62). Index for woody species (ISS = 0.60) was also intermediate. Indices for annual graminoids (ISS = 0.53) and perennial forbs (ISS = 0.40) were all relatively low between the studies. Perennial graminoids and annual forbs had high similarity indices, namely, 0.75 and 0.72, respectively. The invasiveness of these plants was also assessed and it was shown that the ‘highly invasive’ and ‘generally invasive’ species were relatively few in number. The findings highlight the rapid increase and change in exotic vascular plant species on Moreton Island and the need for a more robust understanding of the exotic species’ dynamics of the island in order to inform weed management and native vegetation protection services.
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Wilson, Claire E., Stephen J. Darbyshire, and Rosita Jones. "The Biology of Invasive Alien Plants in Canada. 7. Cabomba caroliniana A. Gray." Canadian Journal of Plant Science 87, no. 3 (July 1, 2007): 615–38. http://dx.doi.org/10.4141/p06-068.
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The freshwater aquatic plant Cabomba caroliniana, or fanwort, was recently reported in a lake northeast of Peterborough, Ontario, where it has successfully established and survived winter conditions since at least 1991. This is the first documented occurrence of fanwort becoming naturalized in Canada. Fanwort is a popular aquarium plant that is native to South America and possibly the southeastern United States and has been introduced in several Asian, Pacific and European countries through the discarding or deliberate planting of aquarium plants in natural waterways. It is particularly invasive in China, Japan and Australia, and in parts of the United States, where its range is spreading. Fanwort grows rapidly and forms dense stands that clog waterways, impeding flow, obstructing navigation, altering fish habitat and excluding other vegetation. It does not produce mature seed in the northern parts of its North American range, but can multiply clonally and spread quickly by stem fragmentation. It produces turion-like stems at the end of the growing season, which assist in over-wintering under adverse conditions. Fanwort is difficult to control with herbicides and is resistant to mechanical management techniques as populations can quickly re-establish from plant fragments. Populations near the Trent-Severn Waterway in Canada are extensively established and management tools are not available to attempt eradication. An integrated management plan that focuses on early detection and rapid response in surrounding water bodies may succeed in mitigating the economic and environmental impacts and limiting the spread of fanwort. Key words: Cabomba caroliniana, fanwort, cabomba de Caroline, CABCA, aquatic plant, weed biology, invasive alien
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Boyne, Richard L., Susan P. Harvey, Kunjithapatham Dhileepan, and Tanya Scharaschkin. "Variation in leaf morphology of the invasive cat's claw creeper Dolichandra unguis-cati (Bignoniaceae)." Australian Journal of Botany 61, no. 6 (2013): 419. http://dx.doi.org/10.1071/bt13063.
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The invasive liana cat’s claw creeper Dolichandra unguis-cati (L.) L.G. Lohmann (syn. Macfadyena unguis-cati (L.) A.H. Gentry) exhibits intraspecific variation in leaf morphology, but this is rarely noted in the published literature. The present study documents variation in leaf morphology in two forms of the species that occur in Australia (long pod and short pod). Leaf morphology is compared between the two forms and the position of the shoots (trunk and ground) at the only two sites in which they co-occur. Leaves were categorised on the basis of leaflet number and the presence or absence of tendrils. Simple leaves were produced mainly on shoots growing along the ground and were more abundant in the short-pod form. Long-pod plants were dominated by bifoliate leaves with tendrils. Cat’s claw creeper exhibits considerably wider variation in leaf morphology than recorded previously. Variations in leaf morphology may be linked to differences in the genotype, developmental stage and plastic responses of the plants. Understanding these variations may have implications for taxonomic delimitation and improved management, particularly biological control involving leaf-feeding insects.
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Elsworth, P., D. Berman, and M. Brennan. "Changes in small native animal populations following control of European rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus) by warren ripping in the Australian arid zone." Wildlife Research 46, no. 4 (2019): 343. http://dx.doi.org/10.1071/wr18088.
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Context European rabbits have a great impact on native vegetation and small vertebrates in Australia. Rabbits consume vegetation and promote invasive plants and invasive predators, and compete directly and indirectly with native animals suppressing those populations. Aims We explored the changes in small native vertebrates and invertebrates following the removal of rabbits. Methods Warren ripping was undertaken on a property in south-western Queensland at four sites and the results of pitfall trapping were compared with four nearby paired control sites. Invertebrates and small mammals were counted in pitfall traps, and bird surveys were conducted in all treatment and control sites. Key results Following a rabbit-control program, we observed a four-fold increase in the number of dunnarts trapped in treatment plots, whereas no change was observed in control plots. The spring following the rabbit-control program also saw an increase in some lizards in treatment plots. Conclusions The presence of rabbits in arid-zone Australia can suppress native animal populations. Implications Many species of small native mammals and lizards rely on food sources that fluctuate greatly with environmental conditions. The presence of rabbits altering the landscape, supporting introduced predators, reducing vegetation and, therefore, insects, adds increased pressure for insectivorous species. Rabbit control through warren ripping in arid-zone Australia is an effective method to reduce rabbit numbers, and allowed for an increase in small vertebrates in treated areas.
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ZUPARKO, ROBERT L., DALVA LUIZ DE QUEIROZ, and JOHN LA SALLE. "Two new species of Tamarixia (Hymenoptera: Eulophidae) from Chile and Australia, established as biological control agents of invasive psyllids (Hemiptera: Calophyidae, Triozidae) in California." Zootaxa 2921, no. 1 (June 16, 2011): 13. http://dx.doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.2921.1.2.
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Tamarixia schina Zuparko sp. nov. and T. dahlsteni Zuparko sp. nov. are described. Both species have become established in California following their introductions from Chile and Australia, respectively, for control of invasive psyllids. Tamarixia schina is known from Calophya schini (Hemiptera: Calophyidae) on Schinus molle (Anacardiaceae) and T. dahlsteni from Trioza eugeniae (Hemiptera: Triozidae) on Syzygium paniculatum (Myrtaceae). The use of Tamarixia in biological control is discussed, and an annotated list of world species including distribution, hosts, and host plants, is provided. Tetrastichus atamiensis Ashmead is transferred to Tamarixia as Tamarixia atamiensis (Ashmead) comb. n.
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Head, Lesley, and Jennifer Atchison. "Governing invasive plants: Policy and practice in managing the Gamba grass (Andropogon gayanus) – Bushfire nexus in northern Australia." Land Use Policy 47 (September 2015): 225–34. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.landusepol.2015.04.009.
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Konowalik, Kamil, and Marta Kolanowska. "Climatic niche shift and possible future spread of the invasive South African Orchid Disa bracteata in Australia and adjacent areas." PeerJ 6 (December 20, 2018): e6107. http://dx.doi.org/10.7717/peerj.6107.
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Orchids are generally regarded as plants with an insignificant invasive potential and so far only one species has proved to be harmful for native flora. However, previous studies on Epipactis helleborine and Arundina graminifolia indicate that the ecological aspects of range extension in their non-native geographical range are not the same for all species of orchids. Disa bracteata in its native range, South Africa, is categorized as of little concern in terms of conservation whereas in Australia it is naturalized and considered to be an environmental weed. The aim of this research was to determine the ecological preferences enabling the spread of Disa bracteata in Western and South Australia, Victoria and Tasmania and to evaluate the effect of future climate change on its potential range. The ecological niche modeling approach indicates that most of the accessible areas are already occupied by this species but future expansion will continue based on four climate change scenarios (rcp26, rcp45, rcp60, rcp85). Further expansion is predicted especially in eastern Australia and eastern Tasmania. Moreover, there are some unpopulated but suitable habitats in New Zealand, which according to climate change scenarios will become even more suitable in the future. The most striking result of this study is the significant difference between the environmental conditions recorded in the areas which D. bracteata naturally inhabits and invasive sites—that indicates a possible niche shift. In Australia the studied species continues to populate a new niche or exploit habitats that are only moderately represented in South Africa.
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Thrimawithana, Amali H., Chen Wu, John T. Christeller, Robert M. Simpson, Elena Hilario, Leah K. Tooman, Doreen Begum, et al. "The Genomics and Population Genomics of the Light Brown Apple Moth, Epiphyas postvittana, an Invasive Tortricid Pest of Horticulture." Insects 13, no. 3 (March 7, 2022): 264. http://dx.doi.org/10.3390/insects13030264.
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The light brown apple moth, Epiphyas postvittana is an invasive, polyphagous pest of horticultural systems around the world. With origins in Australia, the pest has subsequently spread to New Zealand, Hawaii, California and Europe, where it has been found on over 500 plants, including many horticultural crops. We have produced a genomic resource, to understand the biological basis of the polyphagous and invasive nature of this and other lepidopteran pests. The assembled genome sequence encompassed 598 Mb and has an N50 of 301.17 kb, with a BUSCO completion rate of 97.9%. Epiphyas postvittana has 34% of its assembled genome represented as repetitive sequences, with the majority of the known elements made up of longer DNA transposable elements (14.07 Mb) and retrotransposons (LINE 17.83 Mb). Of the 31,389 predicted genes, 28,714 (91.5%) were assigned to 11,438 orthogroups across the Lepidoptera, of which 945 were specific to E. postvittana. Twenty gene families showed significant expansions in E. postvittana, including some likely to have a role in its pest status, such as cytochrome p450s, glutathione-S-transferases and UDP-glucuronosyltransferases. Finally, using a RAD-tag approach, we investigated the population genomics of this pest, looking at its likely patterns of invasion.
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Avila, G. A., M. Davidson, M. van Helden, and L. Fagan. "The potential distribution of the Russian wheat aphid (Diuraphis noxia): an updated distribution model including irrigation improves model fit for predicting potential spread." Bulletin of Entomological Research 109, no. 1 (April 18, 2018): 90–101. http://dx.doi.org/10.1017/s0007485318000226.
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AbstractDiuraphis noxia (Kurdjumov), Russian wheat aphid, is one of the world's most invasive and economically important agricultural pests of wheat and barley. In May 2016, it was found for the first time in Australia, with further sampling confirming it was widespread throughout south-eastern regions. Russian wheat aphid is not yet present in New Zealand. The impacts of this pest if it establishes in New Zealand, could result in serious control problems in wheat- and barley-growing regions. To evaluate whether D. noxia could establish populations in New Zealand we used the climate modelling software CLIMEX to locate where potential viable populations might occur. We re-parameterised the existing CLIMEX model by Hughes and Maywald (1990) by improving the model fit using currently known distribution records of D. noxia, and we also considered the role of irrigation into the potential spread of this invasive insect. The updated model now fits the current known distribution better than the previous Hughes and Maywald CLIMEX model, particularly in temperate and Mediterranean areas in Australia and Europe; and in more semi-arid areas in north-western China and Middle Eastern countries. Our model also highlights new climatically suitable areas for the establishment of D. noxia, not previously reported, including parts of France, the UK and New Zealand. Our results suggest that, when suitable host plants are present, Russian wheat aphid could establish in these regions. The new CLIMEX projections in the present study are useful tools to inform risk assessments and target surveillance and monitoring efforts for identifying susceptible areas to invasion by Russian wheat aphid.
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De Biase, A., E. Colonnelli, S. Belvedere, A. La Marca, M. Cristofaro, and L. Smith. "Genetic and morphological studies ofTrichosirocalusspecies introduced to North America, Australia and New Zealand for the biological control of thistles." Bulletin of Entomological Research 106, no. 1 (November 9, 2015): 99–113. http://dx.doi.org/10.1017/s000748531500084x.
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AbstractTrichosirocalus horridussensu lato has been used as a biological control agent of several invasive thistles (Carduusspp.,Cirsiumspp. andOnopordumspp.) since 1974. It has been recognized as a single species until 2002, when it was split into three species based on morphological characters:T. horridus, Trichosirocalus brieseiandTrichosirocalus mortadelo, each purported to have different host plants. Because of this taxonomic change, uncertainty exists as to which species were released in various countries; furthermore, there appears to be some exceptions to the purported host plants of some of these species. To resolve these questions, we conducted an integrative taxonomic study of theT. horridusspecies complex using molecular genetic and morphological analyses of specimens from three continents. Both mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit I and nuclear elongation factor 1α markers clearly indicate that there are only two distinct species,T. horridusandT. briesei. Molecular evidence, morphological analysis and host plant associations support the synonymy ofT. horridus(Panzer, 1801) andT. mortadeloAlonso-Zarazaga & Sánchez-Ruiz, 2002. We determine thatT. horridushas been established in Canada, USA, New Zealand and Australia and thatT. brieseiis established in Australia. The former species was collected fromCarduus, CirsiumandOnopordumspp. in the field, whereas the latter appears to be specific toOnopordum.
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TAYLOR, GARY S., SUSAN E. HALBERT, ASHIRWAD TRIPATHY, and DANIEL BURCKHARDT. "A new Australian species of invasive psyllid, Acizzia convector Burckhardt & Taylor, sp. nov. (Psylloidea: Psyllidae) associated with Acacia auriculiformis and A. mangium (Fabaceae)." Zootaxa 5228, no. 1 (January 11, 2023): 61–72. http://dx.doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5228.1.3.
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Acizzia convector Burckhardt & Taylor, sp. nov., a psyllid originating from Australia, is described from material from Australia (NT), South and Southeast Asia (Brunei, Cambodia, India, Laos, Malaysia [Sabah], Singapore and Thailand) and North America (USA [Florida from six counties]). The new species is diagnosed and illustrated, and a key is provided to identify the adults of Acizzia species adventive in the New World. The new species develops on Acacia auriculiformis and A. mangium (Fabaceae), two mimosoids planted and widely naturalised throughout the tropics. While the presence of A. convector sp. nov. in Florida is probably recent (earliest record from October 2014), it occurs in Southeast Asia at least since the 1980s. The wide distribution of the host plants in tropical Africa and South America would allow the psyllids also to occur there.
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Christina, Mathias, Fawziah Limbada, and Anne Atlan. "Climatic niche shift of an invasive shrub (Ulex europaeus): a global scale comparison in native and introduced regions." Journal of Plant Ecology 13, no. 1 (August 16, 2019): 42–50. http://dx.doi.org/10.1093/jpe/rtz041.
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Abstract Aims Invasive species, which recently expanded, may help understand how climatic niche can shift at the time scale of the current global change. Here, we address the climatic niche shift of an invasive shrub (common gorse, Ulex europaeus) at the world and regional scales to assess how it could contribute to increasing invasibility. Methods Based on a 28 187 occurrences database, we used a combination of 9 species distribution models (SDM) to assess regional climatic niche from both the native range (Western Europe) and the introduced range in different parts of the world (North-West America, South America, North Europe, Australia and New Zealand). Important Findings Despite being restricted to annual mean temperature between 4°C and 22°C, as well as annual precipitation higher than 300 mm/year, the range of bioclimatic conditions suitable for gorse was very large. Based on a native versus introduced SDM comparison, we highlighted a niche expansion in North-West America, South America and to a lesser degree in Australia, while a niche displacement was assessed in North Europe. These niche changes induced an increase in potential occupied areas by gorse by 49, 111, 202 and 283% in Australia, North Europe, North-West America and South America, respectively. On the contrary, we found no evidence of niche change in New Zealand, which presents similar climatic condition to the native environment (Western Europe). This study highlights how niche expansion and displacement of gorse might increase invasibility at regional scale. The change in gorse niche toward new climatic conditions may result from adaptive plasticity or genetic evolution and may explain why it has such a high level of invasibility. Taking into account the possibility of a niche shift is crucial to improve invasive plants management and control.
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Henderson, L. "Comparisons of invasive plants in southern Africa originating from southern temperate, northern temperate and tropical regions." Bothalia 36, no. 2 (August 21, 2006): 201–22. http://dx.doi.org/10.4102/abc.v36i2.362.
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A subset of invasive alien plant species in southern Africa was analysed in terms of their history of introduction, rate of spread, countries/region of origin, taxonomy, growth forms, cultivated uses, weed status and current distribution in southern Africa, and comparisons made of those originating from south of the tropic of Capricorn, north of the tropic of Cancer and from the tropics. The subset of 233 species, belonging to 58 families, includes all important declared species and some potentially important species. Almost as many species originate from temperate regions (112) as from the tropics (121). Most southern temperate species came from Australia (28/36), most tropical species from tropical America (92/121) and most northern temperate species from Europe (including the Mediterranean) and Asia (58/76). Transformers account for 33% of all species. More transformers are of tropical origin (36) than of northern temperate (24) and southern temperate origin (18). However. 50% of southern temperate species are transformers, compared to 32% of northern temperate and 29% of tropical species. Southern temperate transformer species are mainly woody trees and shrubs that were established on a grand scale as silvicultural crops, barriers (hedges, windbreaks and screens) and cover/binders. Most aquatics, herbs, climbers and succulent shrubs an. trom the tropics. Ornamentals are the single largest category of plants from all three regions, the tropics having contributed twice as many species as temperate regions.
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Gaertner, Mirijam, Alana Den Breeyen, Cang Hui, and David M. Richardson. "Impacts of alien plant invasions on species richness in Mediterranean-type ecosystems: a meta-analysis." Progress in Physical Geography: Earth and Environment 33, no. 3 (June 2009): 319–38. http://dx.doi.org/10.1177/0309133309341607.
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Besides a general consensus regarding the negative impact of invasive alien species in the literature, only recently has the decline of native species attributable to biological invasions begun to be quantified in many parts of the world. The cause-effect relationship between the establishment and proliferation of alien species and the extinction of native species is, however, seldom demonstrated. We conducted a meta-analysis of studies in Mediterranean-type ecosystems (MTEs) to examine: (1) whether invasion of alien plant species indeed causes a reduction in the number of native plant species at different spatial and temporal scales; (2) which growth forms, habitat types and areas are most affected by invasions; and (3) which taxa are most responsible for native species richness declines. Our results confirm a significant decline in native species richness attributable to alien invasions. Studies conducted at small scales or sampled over long periods reveal stronger impacts of alien invasion than those at large spatial scales and over short periods. Alien species from regions with similar climates have much stronger impacts, with the native species richness in South Africa and Australia declining significantly more post-invasion than for European sites. Australian Acacia species in South Africa accounted for the most significant declines in native species richness. Among the different growth forms of alien plants, annual herbs, trees and creepers had the greatest impact, whereas graminoids generally caused insignificant changes to the native community. Native species richness of shrublands, old fields and dune vegetation showed significant declines, in contrast to insignificant declines for forest habitats.
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Boyne, Richard L., Olusegun O. Osunkoya, and Tanya Scharaschkin. "Variation in leaf structure of the invasive Madeira vine (Anredera cordifolia, Basellaceae) at different light levels." Australian Journal of Botany 61, no. 5 (2013): 412. http://dx.doi.org/10.1071/bt13083.
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Madeira vine (Anredera cordifolia (Ten.) Steenis) is a climber in the angiosperm family Basellaceae. It is native to South America and has naturalised in Australia. It is regarded as a serious environmental weed because of the structural damage it causes to native vegetation. The present study, for the first time, documents anatomical and morphological traits of the leaves of A. cordifolia and considers their implications for its ecology and physiology. Plants were grown under three different light levels, and anatomical and morphological leaf characters were compared among light levels, among cohorts, and with documented traits of the related species, Basella alba L. Stomata were present on both the adaxial and abaxial sides of the leaf, with significantly more stomata on the abaxial side and under high light. This may account for the ability of this species to fix large amounts of carbon and rapidly respond to light gaps. The leaves had very narrow veins and no sclerenchyma, suggesting a low construction cost that is associated with invasive plants. There was no significant difference in any of the traits among different cohorts, which agrees with the claim that A. cordifolia primarily propagates vegetatively. The anatomy and morphology of A. cordifolia was similar to that of B. alba.
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Tabassum, Samiya, and Michelle R. Leishman. "Mixed evidence for shifts to faster carbon capture strategies towards range edges of two coastal invasive plants in eastern Australia." Biological Invasions 22, no. 2 (October 11, 2019): 563–75. http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s10530-019-02111-9.
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Grice, A. C., S. D. Campbell, J. R. McKenzie, L. V. Whiteman, M. Pattison, K. Headricks, and M. H. Andrew. "Problems of population structure exemplified by the invasive tropical shrub Parkinsonia aculeata l. in northern Australia." Rangeland Journal 26, no. 2 (2004): 237. http://dx.doi.org/10.1071/rj04016.
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Age-class frequency distributions are valuable means of describing plant populations because they can be used to infer population history. Variables other than age are also often used to describe plant populations, either because they more accurately reflect an attribute of interest, or because it is difficult to determine age. However, interpretation of frequency distributions based on variables other than age can be problematic. We discuss these problems and illustrate them using data from six populations of the invasive rangeland shrub Parkinsonia aculeata L. We used three different measures of plant size: height, canopy diameter and stem cross-sectional area. Structures based on these measures were compared with structures based on three different estimates of above-ground biomass derived from them. For each variable, structures differed greatly between populations, and for each population, they were strongly dependent on the variable used to describe it. Population structures based on three-dimensional variables (above-ground biomass) tend to be more strongly positively skewed than those based on two-dimensional (area) measures of plant size. These in turn are more strongly positively skewed than those based on one-dimensional (height, diameter) measures. The statistical basis of this general phenomenon is discussed. The results highlight the difficulties of deriving histories and projecting futures of populations from size-class frequency distributions without accompanying knowledge of the temporal patterns of change in size variables as plants grow.
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Parsons, Melissa, and Mark Southwell. "Flooding and geomorphology influence the persistence of the invasive annual herb Noogoora burr (Xanthium occidentale Bertol.) in the riparian zone of the dryland Darling River, Australia." Rangeland Journal 37, no. 5 (2015): 433. http://dx.doi.org/10.1071/rj14116.
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The relationship between flooding, and the establishment and persistence of exotic species, is not well understood in highly variable dryland rivers. Increased moisture associated with floods is likely to stimulate establishment and growth of exotic plants, but floods may also act as a stress to exotic plants if floods last for weeks to months. This study examined how physical drivers of dryland rivers – flood inundation and geomorphology – influence the persistence of Xanthium occidentale Bertol. in the dryland Darling River, Australia. The distribution of X. occidentale was associated with flood-related moisture subsidy, moderated by channel geomorphology. Dead stalks and burrs on the ground occurred above the 8-m height of the previous flood. Adult and juvenile plants occurred below 8 m corresponding to smaller flood events. Flatter geomorphic units (floodplains and benches) contained more plants and burrs, whereas steeper geomorphic units (banks) did not retain burrs, limiting plant abundance. Flooding is not a stress to X. occidentale. A glasshouse experiment showed that flood durations of up to 40 days had minimal effect on the germination, survival and growth of X. occidentale burrs, seeds or seedlings. Weed management strategies for X. occidentale in dryland rivers could be enhanced by targeting periods following flooding when moisture availability is increased on the flatter geomorphic units in the river channel.
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Dormontt, Eleanor E., Peter J. Prentis, Michael G. Gardner, and Andrew J. Lowe. "Occasional hybridization between a native and invasiveSeneciospecies in Australia is unlikely to contribute to invasive success." PeerJ 5 (August 15, 2017): e3630. http://dx.doi.org/10.7717/peerj.3630.
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BackgroundHybridization between native and invasive species can facilitate introgression of native genes that increase invasive potential by providing exotic species with pre-adapted genes suitable for new environments. In this study we assessed the outcome of hybridization between nativeSenecio pinnatifoliusvar.pinnatifoliusA.Rich. (dune ecotype) and invasiveSenecio madagascariensisPoir. to investigate the potential for introgression of adaptive genes to have facilitatedS. madagascariensisspread in Australia.MethodsWe used amplified fragment length polymorphisms (141 loci) and nuclear microsatellites (2 loci) to genotype a total of 118 adults and 223 seeds fromS. pinnatifoliusvar.pinnatifoliusandS. madagascariensisat one allopatric and two shared sites. We used model based clustering and assignment methods to establish whether hybrid seed set and mature hybrids occur in the field.ResultsWe detected no adult hybrids in any population. Low incidence of hybrid seed set was found at Lennox Head where the contact zone overlapped for 20 m (6% and 22% of total seeds sampled forS. pinnatifoliusvar.pinnatifoliusandS. madagascariensisrespectively). One hybrid seed was detected at Ballina where a gap of approximately 150 m was present between species (2% of total seeds sampled forS. madagascariensis).ConclusionsWe found no evidence of adult hybrid plants at two shared sites. Hybrid seed set from both species was identified at low levels. Based on these findings we conclude that introgression of adaptive genes fromS. pinnatifoliusvar.pinnatifoliusis unlikely to have facilitatedS. madagascariensisinvasions in Australia. Revisitation of one site after two years could find no remainingS. pinnatifoliusvar. pinnatifolius, suggesting that contact zones between these species are dynamic and thatS. pinnatifoliusvar. pinnatifoliusmay be at risk of displacement byS. madagascariensisin coastal areas.
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Temreshev, Izbasar I., and Vladimir L. Kazenas. "Callosobruchus phaseoli (Gyllenhal, 1833) (Coleoptera, Chrysomelidae, Bruchinae): a new invasive species in Kazakhstan." Acta Biologica Sibirica 6 (July 23, 2020): 87–92. http://dx.doi.org/10.3897/abs.6.e53070.
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An invasive seed-beetle species cowpea weevil Callosobruchus phaseoli (Gyllenhal, 1833), was found in the south-eastern Kazakhstan (Almaty city) for the first time. Its areal includes India (species origin), South and Central America, Europe, Middle East (Israel), North Africa, Arabian Peninsula, Far East, China, Japan, Sri Lanka, Indonesia, Burma, Philippines, Hawaiian Islands, Australia, and Oceania. Damaged plants are adzuki bean Vigna angularis (Willd.) Ohwi & H. Ohashi (1969), mung bean Vigna radiata (L.) R. Wilczek, broad bean Vicia faba Linnaeus, 1753, pea Pisum sativum Linnaeus, 1753, pigeon pea Cajanus cajan (L.) Huth, 1893, hyacinth bean Lablab purpureus (L.) Sweet, 1826, Wisteria sp., lima bean Phaseolus lunatus Linnaeus, 1753, common bean Phaseolus vulgaris Linnaeus, 1753 and other species of beans, chickpea Cicer arietinum Linnaeus, 1753, Sesbania sp., rattlepod Crotalaria spectabilis Roth., lupine Lupinus sp. Emerged beetles immediately mate and begin to lay eggs on the same day. Beetle damage both in field and in storage. We were not able to find the species during the monitoring of agriculture lands and natural landscapes near the city. We assumed that the invasion occurred recently and the species did not have time to spread outside Almaty. Since C. phaseoli was discovered in Almaty, which is a transit crossroad for many trade routes, further species distribution should be predicted. The most probable corridor for further invasion of cowpea weevil in Kazakhstan is the south and southeast parts of the country, namely Almaty, Zhambyl, Turkestan, and Kyzylorda oblast's.
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Frawley, Jodi. "State investment in science and entrepreneurship for environmental change in Queensland, 1912–16: The story of Cactus Estates Ltd." Queensland Review 23, no. 1 (May 31, 2016): 2–19. http://dx.doi.org/10.1017/qre.2016.3.
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AbstractGovernments across the globe use public–private partnerships to foster entrepreneurship while limiting their risk. The Prickly Pear Destruction Act 1912 enabled the Queensland government to enter contracts with private entities for land heavily covered with prickly pear (Opuntia and Nopalea species). The story of Cactus Estates Ltd, the first negotiation under the Act, provides an opportunity to analyse this response to local ecologies changed by nineteenth-century plant transfers. Most scholarship on the invasion of prickly pear focuses on the science of entomology due to the spectacular success of the introduction of Cactoblastis cactorum in 1926. This article examines an earlier period in the history of applied science in Queensland. The Queensland government, along with scientific and business communities, pursued poisons for controlling the density of plant growth as the preferred mechanism for eliminating plants. Cactus Estates Ltd experimented with arsenic-based poisons for this purpose. An examination of Cactus Estates Ltd provides evidence of the state's willingness to produce a multifaceted approach to dealing with invasive species in Australia in the early twentieth century.
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Braby, Michael F., Brian M. Thistleton, and Michael J. Neal. "Host plants, biology and distribution ofAcraea terpsicore(Linnaeus, 1758) (Lepidoptera: Nymphalidae): a new butterfly for northern Australia with potential invasive status." Austral Entomology 53, no. 3 (February 15, 2014): 288–97. http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/aen.12078.
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Mickaill, Lily N. N., Stephen A. J. Bell, and Chad T. Beranek. "Dispersal potential in two restricted and five wide-ranging Senecio (Asteraceae) taxa from central eastern New South Wales, Australia." Australian Journal of Botany 68, no. 5 (2020): 333. http://dx.doi.org/10.1071/bt20015.
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Knowledge on how life history traits affect distribution in range-restricted and endemic plants is paramount for conservation and management, particularly for threatened species. Traits relating to dispersal ability are important in the ongoing persistence of range restricted species and may present a pathway to extinction or invasion. This is evident in the highly diverse and cosmopolitan genus Senecio (Asteraceae), where both threatened and invasive species occur within Australia. In this study, propagule geometry, settling velocity and dispersal potential for two range-restricted and threatened native taxa (S. linearifolious var. dangarensis Belcher ex I.Thomps., S. spathulatus var. attenuatus I.Thomps.) are contrasted with four native taxa that occupy wider ranges (S. amygdalifolius F.Muell., S. l. var. arachnoideus I.Thomps., S. l. var. macrodontus (DC.) I.Thomps., S. pinnatifolius A.Rich. var. pinnatifolius) and one introduced, wide-ranging species (S. madagascariensis Poir.). Differences were found in settling velocity and propagule morphology across all taxa. Based on propagule morphology, S. amygdalifolius has the greatest dispersal potential, S. spathulatus var. attenuatus the smallest, whereas all other taxa were similar. Although useful, dispersal potential alone does not fully explain distributional differences between all range-restricted and widespread taxa, and close assessment of habitat attributes may be required to further elucidate dispersal limitations in some taxa.
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Caesar, A. J., R. T. Lartey, and T. Caesar-TonThat. "First Report of Anthracnose Stem Canker of the Invasive Perennial Weed Lepidium draba Caused by Colletotrichum higginsianum in Europe." Plant Disease 94, no. 9 (September 2010): 1166. http://dx.doi.org/10.1094/pdis-94-9-1166c.
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Exotic perennial Lepidium draba, native to Eurasia, is an invasive weed in dense stands in rangelands and disturbed areas in several states of the western United States and an agricultural weed in the prairie provinces of Canada. To determine strategies, such as a potential multipathogen strategy (1), for biological control of the weed, surveys that included the native range were conducted in spring 2009 to detect diseases that occur on this weed. Several stunted and chlorotic plants were found scattered throughout a stand of L. draba growing in a vacant lot near Riddes, Switzerland (46°08′22.99″N, 7°9′19.02″E): ( http://maps.google.com/maps?source=earth&ll=46.13983490,7.15503250&layer= c&cbll=46.13983490,7.15503250&cbp=1,360,,0,5 ). Affected plants had reddish brown cankers on the lower stems, usually elongated and irregular in shape and slightly sunken. Insect injury was associated with the cankers. Symptoms often occurred on plants that were also infected with Rhizoctonia solani. After surface disinfestation with 0.1% sodium hypochlorite, tissue adjacent to and including lesions were plated on acidified potato dextrose agar and incubated at 20 to 25°C for 1 week. Zonate, dark gray colonies with sparse mycelia resulted that exhibited abundant, faintly pink spore masses with numerous dense clusters of black setae. Spores were single celled, hyaline, cylindrical to oval shaped, and 13.5 to 19.5 × 4 to 5.5 μm. Setae were 1- to 3-septate and 20 to 42 × 3 to 5 μm. These morphological traits correspond to Colletotrichum higginsianum. For pathogenicity tests, three 4-month-old L. draba plants were sprayed until runoff with a 106 conidia/ml suspension of the fungus and incubated for 72 h in plastic bags at 20 to 25°C in a quarantine greenhouse. Within 4 days, water-soaked lesions appeared that coalesced, resulting in chlorosis and collapse of inoculated leaves. Such symptoms are typical of infection by C. higginsianum and similar necrotrophic species (4). Fungi isolated from inoculated leaves were identified as C. higginsianum. To assess the host range of C. higginsianum, three plants each of turnip, radish, mustard greens, kale, broccoli raab, and Chinese cabbage, all in the Brassicaceae to which L. draba belongs, were inoculated with the same conditions used for the pathogenicity tests. Control plants in pathogenicity and host range tests were sprayed with sterile distilled water and all experiments were repeated at least once. All control plants were symptomless. Leaf necrosis occurred on radish and turnip and to a lesser extent on the lower leaves of Chinese cabbage and broccoli; numerous scattered dark necrotic flecks and small grayish leaf spots occurred on kale and mustard greens, respectively. These results are similar to previous studies (2,3) involving a cultivated species as the host in the field. The ITS1, 5.8S, and ITS2 sequences of this fungus (GenBank No. HM044877) were 99% similar to sequences of multiple isolates of C. higginsianum (GenBank Nos. AB042302, AB042303, AB455253, AJ558109, and AJ558110). To our knowledge, this is the first report of C. higginsianum on a wild species of the Brassicaceae, although a Colletotrichum sp. was reported on wild radish in Australia (1). References: (1) A. Maxwell and J. K. Scott. Australas. Plant Pathol. 37:523, 2008. (2) R. O'Connell et al. Mol. Plant-Microbe Interact. 17:272, 2004. (3) R. P. Scheffer. N. C. Agric. Exp. Stn. Tech. Bull. 1950. (4) H. Sun and J. Z. Zhang. Eur. J. Plant Pathol. 125:459, 2009.
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Bennett, Brett M. "Decolonization, Environmentalism and Nationalism in Australia and South Africa." Itinerario 41, no. 1 (April 2017): 27–50. http://dx.doi.org/10.1017/s0165115317000079.
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Decolonization influenced the rise of environmental activism and thought in Australia and South Africa in ways that have been overlooked by national histories of environmentalism and imperial histories of decolonization. Australia and South Africa’s political and cultural movement away from Britain and the Commonwealth during the 1960s is one important factor explaining why people in both countries created more, and more important, public indigenous botanic gardens than anywhere else in the world during that decade. Effective decolonization from Britain also influenced the rise of indigenous gardening and the growing popularity of native gardens at a critical period in gardening and environmental history. Most facets of contemporary gardening—using plants indigenous to the site or region, planting drought-tolerant species, and seeing gardens as sites to help conserve regional and national flora—can be dated to the 1960s and 1970s. The interpretation advanced here adds to historical research tracing how the former Commonwealth settler colonies experienced effective decolonization in the same era. This article expands the focus of research on decolonization to include environmentalism. The interpretation of the article also augments national environmental histories that have hitherto downplayed the influence of decolonization on the rise of environmentalism. Putting decolonization into the history of the rise of environmental thought and action sheds light on why people in contemporary Australia and South Africa are so passionate about protecting indigenous flora and fauna, and so worried about threats posed by non-native invasive species.
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Ndlovu, Mpilonhle S., Julie A. Coetzee, Menzi M. Nxumalo, Reshnee Lalla, Ntombifuthi Shabalala, and Grant D. Martin. "The Establishment and Rapid Spread of Sagittaria Platyphylla in South Africa." Water 12, no. 5 (May 21, 2020): 1472. http://dx.doi.org/10.3390/w12051472.
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Sagittaria platyphylla Engelm. (Alismataceae) is a freshwater aquatic macrophyte that has become an important invasive weed in freshwater systems in South Africa, New Zealand, Australia, and recently China. In South Africa, due to its rapid increase in distribution and ineffective control options, it is recognised as one of the country’s worst invasive aquatic alien plants. In this paper, we investigate the spread of the plant since its first detection in 2008, and the management strategies currently carried out against it. Despite early detection and rapid response programmes, which included chemical and mechanical control measures, the plant was able to spread both within and between sites, increasing from just one site in 2008 to 72 by 2019. Once introduced into a lotic system, the plant was able to spread rapidly, in some cases up to 120 km within 6 years, with an average of 10 km per year. The plant was successfully extirpated at some sites, however, due to the failure of chemical and mechanical control, biological control is currently being considered as a potential control option.
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Siegrist, Mélanie, and Ottmar Holdenrieder. "Die Verticillium-Welke – eine Option zur Bekämpfung des Götterbaumes in der Schweiz?" Schweizerische Zeitschrift fur Forstwesen 167, no. 5 (May 1, 2016): 249–57. http://dx.doi.org/10.3188/szf.2016.0249.
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The Verticillium wilt – an option for control of Ailanthus in Switzerland? Ailanthus (Ailanthus altissima), a species native to China, is becoming increasingly invasive in Australia, Europe and North America. More and more frequently, the tree is also found in Swiss forests and, due to its high competitiveness, is regarded as an invasive species. In Europe and North America, A. altissima is occasionally affected by a wilt disease, which is caused by several species of the genus Verticillium. The precise identity of the pathogens was only recently clarified by molecular genetic methods. In addition to Verticillium dahlia, a wide spread fungus mainly affecting agricultural crops as well as woody plants, the recently described species Verticillium non alfalfae was detected on dying A. altissima trees. Individual genotypes of this pathogen in North America show high host specificity and are already used for biological control of A. altissima in US forests. Our article summarizes the current lit er ature on Ailanthus and the Verticillium wilt and furthermore discusses the question of whether the use of V. nonalfalfae as a mycoherbicide should also be considered for Switzerland.
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HEIKKILÄ, J. "A review of risk prioritisation schemes of pathogens, pests and weeds: principles and practices." Agricultural and Food Science 20, no. 1 (December 4, 2008): 15. http://dx.doi.org/10.2137/145960611795163088.
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Societys resources are scarce, and biosecurity actions need to be targeted and prioritised. Various models have been developed that prioritise and rank pests and diseases according to the risks they represent. A prioritisation model allows utilisation of scientific, ecological and economic information in decision-making related to biological hazards. This study discusses such models and the properties associated with them based on a review of 78 prioritisation studies. The scope of the models includes all aspects of biosecurity (human, animal and plant diseases, and invasive alien species), but with an emphasis on plant health. The geographical locations of the studies are primarily North America, Europe, Australia and New Zealand. Half of the studies were conducted during the past five years. The review finds that there generally seems to be several prioritisation models, especially in the case of invasive plants, but only a select few models are used extensively. Impacts are often accounted for in the model, but the extent and economic sophistication of their inclusion varies. Treatment of uncertainty and feasibility of control was lacking from many studies.;
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Prider, Jane. "The reproductive biology of the introduced root holoparasite Orobanche ramosa subsp. mutelii (Orobanchaceae) in South Australia." Australian Journal of Botany 63, no. 5 (2015): 426. http://dx.doi.org/10.1071/bt14134.
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An understanding of the timing and constraints on seed production is necessary for the successful control of many invasive plant species. In the present study, we investigated the reproductive traits of the annual root holoparasite, Orobanche ramosa L. subsp. mutelii (F.W.Shultz) Cout. (branched broomrape), which occurs in the western Murray mallee area of South Australia. Flowering stems emerge above the ground from early September. Each flower spike has from 2 to 24 flowers and the first flower opens on the base 8 days after emergence and senesces 6 days later. An additional flower opens acropetally every 1–2 days. The species is autogamous and self-pollination can occur before anthesis. Mature seeds were observed from 9–10 days after flower senescence and capsules dehisced 12 days later. Although each plant is in flower only for an average of 20 days, in large populations or multi-branched plants, the flowering period extends over several weeks, with a peak in mid-October. Seed production in sampled populations was highly variable, ranging from 1000 to over 200 000 per plant. Large plants with several branching stems produced the most seeds, although capsules produced per stem and seeds per capsule were also variable. There is a brief window of opportunity for control of O. ramosa subsp. mutelii after it emerges above the soil surface and before it sets seed. Weedy root parasites such as Orobanche ramosa can have devastating impacts on host crops, but are difficult to control because most growth occurs underground. We identified key characters that contribute to the success of this introduced plant, including self-pollination, rapid maturation of the reproductive stages and high seed output. Vigilance is required so that plants can be controlled before they set seed.