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Buying environmental problems: The invasive potential of imported freshwater turtles in Argentina
Author(s) -
Nori Javier,
Tessarolo Geiziane,
Ficetola Gentile F.,
Loyola Rafael,
Di Cola Valeria,
Leynaud Gerardo
Publication year - 2017
Publication title -
aquatic conservation: marine and freshwater ecosystems
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.95
H-Index - 77
eISSN - 1099-0755
pISSN - 1052-7613
DOI - 10.1002/aqc.2715
Subject(s) - biodiversity , invasive species , ecological niche , alien species , range (aeronautics) , freshwater ecosystem , introduced species , geography , ecology , ecosystem , distribution (mathematics) , niche , alien , fishery , biology , habitat , population , materials science , mathematics , composite material , demography , sociology , census , mathematical analysis
In recent years, decision‐makers in Argentina have allowed the legal import of thousands of specimens of freshwater turtles. Given their invasive potential, many of the imported species have become established and have spread to other countries. The three most commonly imported species recently have been Graptemys pseudogeographica , Trachemys scripta , and Pseudemys nelsoni , all of them native to North America. This study assessed the invasive potential of these species in Argentina based on (i) bioclimatic envelope models, (ii) distribution of water bodies, (iii) location of the most populated cities, (iv) comparisons between their alien and native climatic niches, and (v) the main ecological traits of those species. The results showed that these species are able to establish viable populations in Argentina, especially T. scripta and G. pseudogeographica . This is because the country offers a large amount of suitable climatic space for these species, in which there are large areas with rivers and other water bodies. The situation is especially problematic in freshwater ecosystems of the north east, as well as in the most populated portion of the country. A range of regulatory policies are suggested, which could help to reduce biodiversity loss and economic impacts in the future.