Air potato (Dioscorea bulbifera) is native to Asia and Africa. This plant was introduced to Florida in 1905. It is known as the most invasive plant species to Florida since 1993. Air potato is a vine that can grow up to 70 feet long or more; it takes over trees and open land. This plant grows extremely fast, it is known to grow up to 8 inches a day, and take over native plants in the process. It forms from “potatoes” or aerial tubers that grow from the stem of the plant and root into the ground. The removal of this plant is fairly simple. It is important to remove the entire plant from the area, including the vine and the roots. However, it is sometimes difficult to remove the “potato” from the ground as they can be large. This then requires a small shovel to remove the seed and roots from the ground. After removal, one should place the plant in a bucket and take it to a proper disposal site. Without this, the plant will continue to grow and take over even more native plants and habitat for wildlife.
https://plants.ifas.ufl.edu/plant-directory/dioscorea-bulbifera/ The Goldfish or Carassius auratus is a fish that everyone should know about. But usually when we picture these fish we think about the cute little yellow fish in the bowl or the fish that can be won at the fair if one is skillful enough but these fish if released can easily become an invasive species. These fish have been introduced all over North America from fish hatcheries, ponds, personal aquariums and bait buckets. Goldfish in captivity are bred for the bright colour that we think of as iconic now but in the wild they take on more muted tones like olive green. These fish have also been known to hybridize with other wild fish. These fish in the wild are known to grow up to 12 to 14 inches long. This invasive species is known to compete with native species for food and sometimes even forage for their food which can increase the turbidity of the water.
https://nas.er.usgs.gov/queries/FactSheet.aspx?speciesID=508 https://toronto.citynews.ca/2020/05/11/why-you-should-never-release-goldfish-into-lakes-or-ponds/ The Muscovy ducks were brought from South and Central America over a century ago. Females reach about 10 pounds, and males can grow as large as 12 or 15 pounds. Ducks that are taken in as pets can grow even larger. Muscovy ducks were introduced into the wild primarily by individuals who kept them as pets. These ducks are known for breeding and reproducing at rapid rates. Most of the controversies surrounding the ducks are presented between avid local bird watchers who enjoy viewing the ducks and residents who loathe their nuisance. These ducks often destroy native foliage, flowerbeds and landscaping while searching for food. These birds are also known to be highly aggressive.
The European Starling or Sturnus vulgaris is an invasive species from Europe. These birds were brought to America so that people could see a bird that was featured in the Shakespearean play Henry the IV part 1. About 100 individuals of this species were released in 1890 by Shakespeare enthusiasts in New York. Now they are one of the most abundant birds in America with a population of approximately 200 million and are present now all the way across North America from Alaska to Mexico and from coast to coast. These birds compete with native species and also attack crops and eat livestock feed. They also have the possibility to carry diseases and due to their flocking nature and their adaptation to urban settings they have taken to roosting near airports and may end up in the jet thrusters of planes and cause damage to the plane. European starlings are black birds with white spots.
indianapublicmedia.org/amomentofscience/the-invasion-of-the-starlings.php Colocasia esculenta (Wild Taro) is native to Southeast Asia and was used as a crop for its underground tubers. The tubers were used as vegetables or made into various other kinds of food. In Florida, Taro can be found along the coastlines or in wetlands and the plant can grow up to 4 feet tall. Because of this, they are able to disperse easily through flooding or streams. The large leaves the plant produces can block the sun from other plant species and prevent their overall growth and development. This plant can create a dense population in one area, preventing the growth of any other plant species. Many residents of Florida use Taro for curb appeal, not knowing that they are invasive to the area. This continues the issue as they are highly invasive and when residents continue to plant them, it is only contributing to the problem and adds more issues to the current environment in Florida. Taro is quite easily removed by cutting down the stems and pulling out the corm from the soil. However, it is recommended to be careful when cutting the stems and leaves as they contain oxalic acid, which can be harmful to humans by causing irritation.
https://plants.ifas.ufl.edu/plant-directory/colocasia-esculenta/ Today we will be presenting the giant african land snail. Although, this large Gastropoda may seem cute and innocent, don't let it fool you. The Giant African land snail is one of the most invasive species in Florida and one of the largest and most damaging snails in the world. Its life span is relatively short, living for about 3-5 years. However, these creatures can cause a lot of destruction within that time. These snails first invaded Florida in the 1960’s, between 1966 and 1975 there was an eradication program that lasted nine years. This program costs the state of Florida 1 million dollars and has caused the eradication of approximately 17,000 snails. Giant African land snails feed on more than 500 species of plants and agricultural crops. They also destroy homes by harvesting calcium from the stucco and plaster to build their shells. They are also known to carry a parasite known as rat lungworm, which can cause a form of meningitis in humans and animals. Florida’s commissioner of agriculture Paul Putnam states "As strange or funny as it sounds, it's a threat to human health, the environment and agriculture.” These species can produce at insanely rapid rates due to it not having any natural predators and females being able to lay up to 12,000 eggs a year. If you happen to come across one of these creatures you can report a giant African land snail call this USDA helpline number 1-888-397-1517.
https://www.invasivespeciesinfo.gov/terrestrial/invertebrates/giant-african-snail The wild hog (Sus Scrofa) is also called feral hog, feral swine, feral pig, wild boar, wild pig, or piney woods rooter. This non-native species was introduced to Florida in the early 16th century by Spanish explorers. Wild hogs can weigh up to 150 pounds and grow anywhere between 5-7 feet long. Although these animals are great for scavenging for food, they are known to destroy and plow over large areas of vegetation. Due to the invasion of this species, it is not only permitted but encouraged that they be hunted and people may do so without a license, permits, or fees. Due to the ratio of wild hog populations to available food sources, they often will resort to eating agricultural crops and even livestock.
http://arff.org/wild-pigs There are two species of Lionfish that are currently classified as invasive in Southern Florida, the Pterois volitans & P. miles. These fish are native to the Indian and Pacific Ocean and were released into Florida wildlife in one of two ways. The first way was through ballast water, the water that gets carried in the belly of giant intercontinental trade ships as larval lionfish need very little oxygen and food. However, it is more commonly believed that they were from aquarium releases, both an accidental release when an aquarium was flooded during hurricane Andrew in 1992 as well as private owners releasing their Lionfish. Lionfish are usually red brown and white striped with 18 venomous spines that they utilize against predators. These fish usually grow 12 to 15 inches long but they have been known to reach up to 18 in long in areas where they are non native. Lionfish not only compete with other species for food and territory but are most negatively impactful as they devour organisms that serve important ecological roles in reefs, like eating fish that keep algae in check. As far as what people can do, if you are a spear fisher or diver, you can remove the Lionfish either with a pole spear, a handheld net, or report the location of your lionfish to MyFWC.com/Lionfish or by using the Report Florida Lionfish smart phone app. If you are not a diver or spear fisher, you can request Lionfish at your local restaurant or seafood market.
https://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=111695369 Probably the most well known invasive species in Florida, Schinus terebinthifolia (Brazilian Pepper) is native to South America. This tree was imported to Florida in the mid 1800s for decorative purposes. If you are allergic to poison ivy, you are probably allergic to Brazilian Pepper! This plant has similar effects as poison ivy, causing skin irritation and respiratory problems when it is in bloom. This plant is characterized as a small tree, but it can grow up to 30 feet tall and is the most difficult invasive plant to remove. Brazilian Pepper grows in very thick and in a dense population that does not allow other native plants the ability to grow. It can grow in most Florida environments, typically wetland and terrestrial ecosystems. As this plant grows very fast, it is most important to cut down the tree when it is noticed. The most effective way of removal is to cut it down to the stump and spray with herbicides and also make sure to avoid spraying any native plants around it.
https://plants.ifas.ufl.edu/plant-directory/schinus-terebinthifolia/ There are multiple species of tegu that have been introduced into the Florida wildlife. While only one, the Argentine black and white tegu (Salvator merianae), has been currently labeled a threat the ecosystem. Both the gold tegu (Tupinambis teguixin) and the red tegu (Salvator rufescens) have the capability of becoming invasive species. The Argentine black and white tegu were introduced to Florida mostly through the pet trade and from individuals releasing their pet tegus. Argentine black and white tegus can grow up to 4 feet long, the gold tegu growing up to 3 feet, and the red tegu can clock in at 4.5 feet long. Tegus are omnivores and will eat both fruits and vegetables as well as eggs, insects, cat and dog food, or even small lizards and rodents. Tegus in Florida have been particularly damaging to crocodile and sea turtle populations as they dig up the nests and eat the eggs. They have also damaged the ground nesting birds population by consuming the eggs and will eat whatever small mammals they can get a hold of. If you see a wild tegu in South Florida, you can report a sighting to 1-888-IVE-GOT1, online at IveGot1.org, or by downloading and reporting on the IveGot1 reporting app. And remember don’t release your pets into the wild! https://www.evergladescisma.org/the-dirty-dozen/tegu-lizards/ |
AuthorsHello! We are three students trying to inform the public on the invasive species of South Florida. |