species Archives - usatoday24

has unleashed an invasive species that drains its rivers

March 22, 2026 by usatoday24

If historically there is a star tree species for reforestation and wood production, those are conifers. The pine of all life. We have seen it in the mountains of Galicia, in Euskadi and also in New Zealand. There are no shortage of reasons to choose them: they grow very quickly, they are cheap, they withstand adverse conditions well, they provide versatile wood and their seeds disperse very well. They fulfill their mission of reforestation. Maybe too well: its seeds have a kind of membranous wings that allows them to fly far with the wind, escaping from the plantations. So much so that in New Zealand the “wild conifers” or “wilding conifers” They are already a national problem. what’s happening. That conifers originally planted in managed plantations are escaping from those areas and their control, colonizing open landscapes. As details The New Zealand Ministry of Primary Industry, there are already more than 2 million hectares affected. Before they decided to launch a control program, it was even worse: they were expanding at a rate of 90,000 hectares a year. Why is it important. The fact that there is a pine forest where it shouldn’t brings serious problems: They drain the water. The conifer canopy intercepts water before it reaches the ground, so runoff is reduced, aquifers are recharged less, and there is less water in rivers and reservoirs. The estimated loss is up to 40%. And if there is less water in rivers and reservoirs, it can affect the production of electricity with hydroelectric plants. They affect biodiversity. The introduced species were not native and their rapid expansion displaces native vegetation in one of the most biodiverse countries on the planet. Fires and agricultural production. Its uncontrolled presence reduces the space for agriculture and favors the spread of fires. Why were they planted? This problem that is bringing the New Zealand government to its head began precisely with government programs of the 60s and 70s. At that time the administration massively planted Pinus radiata, Pseudotsuga menziesii and other exotic species with the aim of reforesting areas, avoiding deforestation and protect the inland highlands . In fact, The New Zealand Parliament recognized in 2023 how he had sprinkled with seeds by air. And as we have already seen, conifers are the perfect invader: productive, resistant and fast growing. What could go wrong. The difficult and expensive task of keeping the wild conifer at bay. The oceanic country has been trying to stop wild pines for more than a decade and almost 200 million dollars. In 2015 they approved the strategy against wild conifers with a vision of containment and eradication by 2030 (spoiler: it will not be like that), but the lack of financing has been its endemic evil. With specific injections like the one in 2020 100 million dollarsframed within a post-pandemic job creation project, then even the Parliamentary Commissioner for the Environment (PCE) of New Zealand has had to write a letter to the president to complain about the lack of means. Without sufficient and sustained funding, the program takes one step forward, another step back: controlled areas are recolonized. Who should pay? The tricky issue about the matter, which touches on elements as critical as water or electricity production, is that it requires an ambitious and continuous plan over time to be effective. The PCE points out explicitly to the state, which promoted plantations and aerial seeding, but also points to the logging industry insofar as it has also benefited from these problematic species, posing a possible tax. On the other hand, and as affected are the energy companies, who are as interested as anyone in solving the problem. In fact, the prime minister has already entered into talks. In Xataka | The Mediterranean Sea is becoming tropicalized: the Balearic Islands welcome an invasive plant that until now was impossible in its waters In Xataka | The US has such a big problem with Asian carp in its rivers that it has decided something extreme: electrocute them Cover | Kerin Gedge

One of the 100 most harmful species in the world has settled in Spain. It’s a cute domestic turtle

March 18, 2026 by usatoday24

These are not good times for Spanish tortoises. On the peninsula we only have two native species of freshwater turtle: the leprous ones (Mauremys leprosa) and the European ones (Emys orbicularis). Both are in decline and it is not (only) because of hunting and the destruction of their habitats; It is, above all, for something much more prosaic: the hundreds of turtles that are sold every year and that they end up abandoned in rivers, reservoirs or ponds. This is not new; we have been around since 97 prohibiting the sale of more and more exotic turtles. The problem is that the situation has gotten completely out of hand. The turtles have become a real plague in the interior provinces. Turtles are a terrible gift. And, as I say, we have known this for almost 30 years. The State (in 1997, in 2013 and in 2025) has successively prohibited the sale of more and more species of turtles. It hasn’t helped much: every time a species is banned, it is replaced by another. Especially between individuals. They all end up in the same way: in the natural environment. The best example is less than a year old: in May 2025, the Ministry expanded the Spanish Catalog of Invasive Exotic Species incorporating the two genera of turtles (Pseudemys and Mauremys) that the stores began to sell when the Trachemys in 2013. There is no systematic study of the problem, but the signs are clear. In Salamanca, for example there is confirmed presence of painted turtles and Florida red-bellied turtles. And in Extremadura, according to the Boardthere are eight exotic turtles for every native one in the Guadiana. In Catalonia, to finish the walk through the peninsular geography, 17 different species have been found in different natural areas. And it’s not nonsense. After all, the Florida turtle is one of the 100 most harmful invasive alien species in the world. Although They have been banned for more than 30 years throughout Europe, they continue to wreak havoc. These species represent the second cause of biodiversity loss in the world. What to do if we have a turtle at home? It is important to note that, one way or another, it is only legal to have banned turtles at home if they were purchased before the ban and were declared at the time to the relevant authority. But its transfer, sale or reproduction is prohibited; and, of course, release them into the natural environment. Image | Pedro Novales In Xataka | There are more and more turtles on the beaches of the Spanish Mediterranean. This is not good news for anyone involved.

the appearance of two new species of toxic puffer fish is the best proof

March 16, 2026 by usatoday24

The cold Atlantic waters of the Rias Baixas in Galicia they are changing. Until now we were accustomed to a rich marine biodiversity dominated by native species from temperate and cold waters, but now researchers have found visitors as exotic as they are unwanted: puffer fish. Something is happening. Although this discovery may remain a biological anecdote to add to encyclopedias, the truth is that we are facing an indicator that the “tropicalization” of our seas is knocking at the door. This has been demonstrated by the research staff of the Oceanographic Center of Vigowhich set off alarm bells by documenting the presence of these exotic fish. We didn’t expect them. The published study in Fisher is a pioneer by analyzing for the first time globally the diversity of fish in the order of Tetraodontiformes, which is where puffer fish, sunfish and triggerfish are found in Spanish waters. In total, they have cataloged 26 different species, paying special attention to their distribution areas between the Peninsula and the Canary Islands. But the big surprise has come in Galicia with two unprecedented sightings that have been rigorously confirmed through morphological analysis, photographs and also with DNA itself. The two species. The first species that attracted attention was a green drum, captured for the first time in Galician waters off the Costa da Vela in 2021. The second specimen is a land drum, located in 2025 in the middle of the Pontevedra estuary. Tropicalization. Here the almost obligatory question is: What is a puffer fish doing swimming calmly through the Pontevedra estuary? The short answer is climate change. The long and scientific answer is the tropicalization of the sea. Just like the researcher points out Rafael Bañón, the progressive warming of ocean waters is blurring marine thermal boundaries and this allows species that originate from tropical and subtropical waters to now find temperatures in the Galician Atlantic comfortable enough not only to survive, but to expand their territory. They are a problem. In addition to the ecological challenge it poses and the movement of local species, we must also remember the risk to public health that it entails. And one of the best-known characteristics of puffer fish, especially due to Japanese gastronomy and its famous fuguis that they harbor tetrodotoxin inside. And it is nothing more than a powerful neurotoxin for which there is no known antidote and which can be lethal if ingested. Although in Spain there is no culture of consumption of these fish, the risk of amateur or commercial fishermen catching them by accident and ending up on someone’s plate without the necessary care may exist. In this way, monitoring is needed for these new species and others that may arrive due to the temperature changes that are recorded. Images | Brian Yurasits WINDENRIC In Xataka | Although it may seem impossible, there is a 12-millimeter fish that makes as much noise as an airplane turbine

The Ebro is filling with brown prawns, an invasive species that we are going to find more and more on our plates.

March 1, 2026 by usatoday24

When a fisherman from Vinaròs arrives at the fish market with his catch of the day, he finds more and more specimens of a crustacean that should not be there: the brown shrimp. Four years ago there were barely one or two per boat. Today there are days when up to 40 kilos are caught. This invasive species has arrived in the Mediterranean, has reproduced, and has no intention of leaving. The presentations. Its scientific name is Penaeus aztecus and comes from the Gulf of Mexico and the east coast of the United States. Although for the non-expert eye, the one who finds a plate of prawns on the table on Christmas Day, at first glance there is not much aesthetic difference with the normal one, there is. Thus, it has a uniform brown color that tends to be yellowish, it lacks those bands characteristic of the native, its body is more stylized and its head is pointed, and its antennae have a characteristic reddish tone. BioInvasions Records. Authors from the Institute of Marine Sciences (CSIC, Barcelona) Chronology of an invasion. The first time They detected the brown shrimp in the Mediterranean It was in Turkish waters in 2009. It possibly arrived as a stowaway in the ballast water of large ships that load water in the Caribbean to stabilize and then release it in Mediterranean ports along with larvae of this invasive species. From there, it has expanded rapidly westward. In 2023 the CSIC confirmed with morphological and genetic analyzes its presence on the Catalan coast and in the area of the Ebro delta. Later, it has been seen in other ports of the Valencian Community and in the Mar Menor (Murcia) in record time. A perfect invasion. But the clearest proof of its expansion is not geographical but biological: the discovery of mature females in the Ebro delta confirms that the species is capable of completing its reproductive cycle in Spanish waters. It is already an established population. The testimony of the fishermen’s brotherhood of the Vinaroz fish market It constitutes a good alarm thermometer, detailing that in just four years they have gone from encountering a unit to capturing 40 kilos and the curve does not stabilize: each campaign surpasses the previous one. The brown shrimp is a thermophilic species. If it has found an ideal new home in the Mediterranean, it is partly because the sea is warming and its waters are already more and more similar to its original habitat. What’s wrong with the shrimp here? At the moment there is no data that shows the collapse of the native shrimp, but there is a reality: it is competing with the brown shrimp for space and food. And there is a mirror in which to look: in the Gulf of Taranto in Italy, the presence of the native shrimp has already reversed. And a reminder: the one with the blue crab. Is it eaten? The “good news” is that brown shrimp is edible and, in fact, gastronomically speaking, it is tasty. However, its market price is noticeably lower: 12-13 euros per kilo compared to more than 40 euros per kilo for native shrimp. But there is an underlying problem: they can give you a hard time and pay for brown shrimp at the price of native shrimp, since it is sold mixed and unlabeled. This is a traceability problem for the consumer. What can be done. Converting the consumption of brown shrimp as a way to control its population is a possibility, either directly or with preparations, although it is imperative to establish regulation in the fish market to differentiate it. In Xataka | The US has such a big problem with Asian carp in its rivers that it has decided something extreme: electrocute them In Xataka | The Iberian Peninsula is being invaded: more than 1,200 exotic species have come to stay Cover | BioInvasions Records and Natural History Sciences

Spanish ants are using other species as “sexual livestock” to expand across Europe. And it’s working for them

February 17, 2026 by usatoday24

Nature has given us many ways to reproduce. From the simplest mechanism (clonality) to really very elaborate systems of sexual reproduction: where some species generate males and females, others produce a huge number of ‘morphs’ depending on the season, population density or social caste. But in all these cases, even the most complex ones, “the phenotypes produced by a female invariably belong to the same species.” Or so we believed. Because the Spanish ants have done so by jumping that “apparently universal restriction” into the air and are taking advantage of it to domesticate other species at will. They are doing what? As it sounds: after examining more than 120 populations and sequences of almost 400 different individuals, researchers from the University of Montpellier they came to the conclusion that the queens of Messor ibericus they are cloning males Messor structor to create hybrid workers that allow them to progressively expand throughout Europe. Evidently, although these hybrid workers are used as the workforce of the anthill, we are not talking about a system of slavery of other species analogous to the human systems of ancient times. However, it is fun and very interesting. Juvé et al. (2025) Why is this happening? When we talk about cocial insects, colonies function almost as if they were factories: if there are no workers, there is no nest, no food, and no viable reproduction. What happens in this case is that (according to the researchers) the queens of the Messor ibericus They cannot produce viable workers without the genetic contribution of other species. And, without thinking twice, they do it. Why is it important? For many reasons, but above all because it opens up an incredible melon: it brings back to the debate table the real meaning of “being a species.” It also forces us to rethink what we know about sexual reproduction and allows us to understand colonies as ‘superorganisms’ that are much more complex than we believed until now. So… can we really talk about sexual domestication? In this context, ‘sexual domestication’ appears as a visual metaphor of a complex process. However, there is no doubt that the appearance of colonies with internal reproductive ‘livestock’ changes the rules of the game. And not only on a scientific level: the fact that they are gaining ground throughout the continent shows that the strategy is successful. Very successful. Towards a European hegemony of the Spanish ant… No no. We can hardly say that. Today, all the ants on the continent are experiencing a real invasion: that of the Argentine or red fire ants. This is a biological invasion linked to globalization. In this case, what is happening is that by freeing yourself from dependence on M. builder (because it can produce reserves of its genetic material without needing colonies of this species), the M. ibericus They can move with complete freedom and that means they are moving into new and unexplored territories. But the complete battle, facing the fire ant, is yet to come. And they are already losing it. Image | Phil Honle In Xataka | New species of insects are not discovered in exotic places: we have just found two new ants in Andalusia

A simple gadget is making a species evolve live and direct: hummingbirds

January 11, 2026 by usatoday24

During the late 1820s, Rene Lesson visited many times the ornithological collection of François Victor Masséna. Every morning, he crossed the doors of the Parisian palace of the Dukes of Rivoli and immersed himself in the more than 12,000 species they had accumulated there. Some say he fell in love there. Sometimes, just before immersing himself in work, he would come across a very young woman Anna d’EsslingMasséna’s wife. Lesson, who was well aware of his social situation, never said anything; but in his papers he described Anna as “a woman of exceptional beauty, elegance and education.” I imagine that, for this reason, when he discovered the amethyst-headed hummingbird among the Duke’s specimens, he thought of her. I imagine that, for this reason, Lesson named it after him. What I can’t imagine is what the French ornithologist would think if we told him that we were “evolving” the hummingbird he gave to Anna until we changed it forever. But that’s how it is. The evolution live and direct. I came to this story (and Global Change Biology study which supports it) thanks to a bluit by Carlos Cabido. It is, as the evolutionary ecologist says, “another case of rapid evolution that has generated observable adaptive changes in a very short period.” The “smoking gun.” But let’s start at the beginning: researchers at the University of California Berkeley analyzed the population expansion and the morphological changes in the beaks of hummingbirds in relation to a very specific device: the feeders that, since the 1930s, have been used on the west coast of the United States. These are simple sugar water dispensers, but (always according to researchers) they have caused a series of very striking changes. What changes? On a regional and temporal scale, “the density/use of feeders appears as the best predictor of population expansion”; well above other variables analyzed. This means that the installation of these dispensers is the key to the expansion of hummingbirds. Linked to that, researchers they observed significant changes in the morphology of the beak: it has become longer (to better access the feeder) and sharper (in a context where territoriality is becoming more important because it is linked to a very concentrated resource). And all this in a couple of decades. That is, in about ten generations. Why is it important? Above all, because it is one more example that a cheap, massive and standardized device (if it creates a new food environment) can reconfigure body structures and behavioral repertoires. And, beyond all that, because it shows that, if environmental change is intense and sustained, natural selection works like a shot. However, all that glitters is not a hummingbird. In fact, Anna’s hummingbird is almost an exception. As far as we know, countless hummingbird species They are suffering (and big time) the changes linked to the Anthropocene: although the Anna is growing, its first cousins are in clear decline. And yes, it is our fault. Yeah this study shows that we have great power to change nature, the overview reminds us that “with great power comes great responsibility.” Image | Robert Bottman In Xataka | The domestication of cats remains a mystery. But we are closer to knowing where and why it happened

In 2020, humanity was confined by covid. And that caused a species of bird to modify its beak to survive

December 31, 2025 by usatoday24

During the COVID-19 pandemic the world stopped completely. Something that scientists have named ‘anthropause‘: a sudden silence of human activity that left many of us confined at home and that even affected nature. This effect was so extreme that even a species of bird changed its beak as science has now seen. The study. Although in the past we saw some disorders in nature, such as the appearance of wild boars in Barcelona or dolphins in Venetian ports, now a team from UCLA has gone further. a study published in PNAS indicates that a population of urban birds modified his physical anatomy in record time. The objective they had was to survive the absence of humans at that time. But the most surprising thing is that when everything returned to normal and humans began to go outside, the birds returned to their original beak. The dilemma. To understand the discovery, you first have to know the protagonists: the dark eyed juncos. Some small birds that are very common in the field of the University of California in Los Angeles. Before 2020, these birds had short, wide beaks. Something that makes perfect sense, since they were in an environment full of students and, therefore, His diet was based on leftovers. that were left This is why it needed to have a robust beak to handle these ‘artificial’ foods. In contrast, their relatives that live in wild forests have longer, thinner beaks, designed like precision tweezers to search for insects and seeds hidden in vegetation. The pandemic. When UCLA closed its doors in 2020 and the students disappeared, so did the easy food. And this was where the university researchers saw a unique opportunity to study what happens when you eliminate humans from the ecological equation. The results. What was seen in this case is the new generations of reeds that were born precisely in this time of ‘loneliness’ they developed longer and thinner beaks. All this because since there was no human garbage, they had to behave like wild birds again, foraging on the ground and looking for food alternatives. But what was most fascinating happened after the reopening. As soon as students (and their snacks) returned to campus in 2022, the morphology of the peaks quickly reverted to the urban form with a short, thick shape. This is ultimately an extremely rapid evolutionary change that is very rare to see. A change of mind. What makes this study so relevant to the scientific community is the speed of the field. Generally, we think of evolution as a process that takes thousands of years. However, what we observed here suggests that urban species have a much more elastic capacity for adaptation than we believed. Since it’s not just the peak. Previous studies by the same team had already noted behavioral changes: during the pandemic, these birds lost their fear of humans, becoming less aggressive and more curious, although that behavior also readjusted with our return. Its importance. This case is a brutal reminder of our ecological footprint. We don’t just alter the climate or the landscape; our mere presence and our waste acts as an evolutionary force that shapes the biology of the animals around us like these birds. The UCLA rushes have taught us that nature is not static; It is a dynamic system that reacts to our habits almost in real time. The question that remains in the air is: if a couple of years of silence changed the shape of a bird, what other invisible changes are we causing without realizing it? Images | Vincent van Zalinge David Mitran In Xataka | The insects of Antarctica had been living peacefully for thousands of years. Until microplastics arrived

a 100 square meter spider web where two enemy species live in peace

November 15, 2025 by usatoday24

He fear of spiders is one of the most common phobias. So much so that there are video games that allow you to change the design of spiders for that of other animals and there is even research into how. recreate them in less scary ways. With this I want to tell you that, if they give you the creepswhat they have discovered in a cave between Albania and Greece will be the new scene of your nightmares: the biggest spider web in the world, a megacity that has more than 111,000 spiders. And the most curious thing has nothing to do with the size of the structure. In short. A few days ago, in the magazine Subterranean Biologya team of researchers described their great discovery: in the Sulfur Cave between Albania and Greece, they had found a mega city of spiders. Actually, the initial discovery was made by speleologists from the Czech Speleological Society in 2022, but scientists from Transylvania University were the ones who visited and documented the cave in recent years. What draws the most attention is a nightmare scenario: a ‘silk’ structure that covers about 106 square meters and in which a whopping 111,000 spiders live. It is located about 50 meters from the cave entrance, in a very narrow, permanently dark area, and researchers believe there are thousands of individual funnel-shaped spider webs that have come together to create the structure. The colony. For that reason alone, the find is worth mentioning, but the most interesting thing is not the size, but rather the people responsible. If we were talking about a single species, well, it would be impressive due to its dimensions, but what is relevant here is that there are two species that coexist in the megacity: The curious thing is that both are solitary species and have never before been documented to form colonies. Furthermore, under normal conditions, the domestic tegenaria would hunt the Prinerigone vagansmuch smaller, but the researchers realized that both coexisted peacefully. Paradise. The reason? The total darkness may be inhibiting the spiders’ senses, allowing coexistence, but the toxic sulfuric environment may also be playing a role. What they are clear about is that the ecosystem is perfectly oiled: There is no photosynthesis as there is no light, so the microorganisms that are present are sulfur-oxidizing bacteriaconverting inorganic compounds into organic matter that sticks to the walls. There are chironomid larvae that feed on these biofilms. From the larvae, Tanytarsus albisutus emerge, mosquitoes that do not bite and that form dense swarms in an inland stream and of which there are an estimated 2.4 million individuals. By accident, they fall into the webs of the spider megacity and estimate that each spider touches 200 mosquitoes, so they are well fed, they do not need to hunt or leave the structure and they continue to expand the colony. The two species in love and company Implications. One of the researchers, István Urák, has commented that they often think they completely know a species “to the point that we think we understand everything about it, but even then unexpected discoveries can happen.” And he does not say this because the two species coexist, but because they have carried out DNA analyzes that have revealed that the populations of the Sulfur Cave are genetically different from their conspecifics that inhabit the surface. This means one thing: in the evolutionary line, those on the surface have gone one way and those in the cave have gone another, remaining isolated enough to evolve in another way and adapt specifically to the hostile environment they inhabit. These differences mean that microbial diversity is lower in cave spiders and females produce fewer eggs per sac than those on the surface, possibly because since they do not have predators, they do not have to produce as many offspring. a mine. Urák’s team is working on a follow-up study that may shed more light on these spiders, but in addition to the silk megacity, other teams have documented another thirty species of invertebrates that have adapted to this peculiar environment. Among them, another spider: the Metellina merianae who, unlike the other two, prefers to live in solitude. And, regardless of curiosity and even scientific interest, researchers have stressed the importance of protecting this colony. For this reason, the exact location of the cave has not been shared, but the situation is complex because it is located on the border between Albania and Greece and it remains to be seen which country has the power to protect it. In the end, they have been developed in a very specific way and any external element that is introduced can be a contaminant. Beyond the rejection that spiders produce for many of us, this discovery puts on the table that, even in conditions as hostile as a cave without light, with little oxygen and the presence of toxic gaseslife not only makes its way, but “enemy” species can form enormous communities that live in harmony. For the sake of the Prinerigone vagansmay there never be a lack of mosquitoes… Images | Marek Audy, Subterranean Biology In Xataka | We have genetically edited a spider to produce a fluorescent red web. And the implications are promising.

In 1970, a zoologist released a species of rodent into the Caucasus to repopulate it. A century later the destruction is gigantic

November 11, 2025 by usatoday24

In the 1970s a story occurred, one of many, where the man tried to modify the ecosystem of an island and it went completely wrong, so much so that It took them half a century to solve it.. However, among the stories with the sending of a “solution” to an enclave as the protagonist, good to annihilate, good for repopulatingfew like the one that occurred 70 years ago in an area of the Caucasus. Unlike the story from Japan, here there is still no way to solve it. Introduction: Soviet ecological ambition. About the 1920s, the Soviet zoologist Nikolai Vereshchagin undertook an ambitious project to “reanimate” and repopulate the fauna of the Caucasus. The idea seemed simple: introduce non-native species. Inspired by the desire to restore ecosystems and provide economic benefits through hunting and the fur trade, Vereshchagin brought animals from different parts of the worldconfident that they would thrive in the mountains and wetlands of Azerbaijan. Apparently, through his investigations and his book “The Mammals of the Caucasus”Vereshchagin documented the constant change in the region and argued in favor of what would become known as “acclimatization”: a species adaptation strategy that sought to enrich local biodiversity, even if over time it proved to have… let’s say, unintended effects. The coypu: from Soviet experiment to invader. And of all Vereshchagin’s most notable experiments, one is written in capital letters with the introduction of the coypualso known as otter or river rat, a species of giant rodent native to South America. Were 213 copies brought to the region, which quickly adapted and thrived in the wetlands of Azerbaijan. Because? Originally, the coypus They were brought for the quality of their skins, used in the making of luxury coats and hats. However, what began as a resource exploitation project soon became an ecological problem. The reason? Coypus demonstrated a high reproductive capacity and adaptability that allowed them to survive and multiply as if there were no tomorrow without the natural predators of their original habitat. This rat is a danger. To give us an idea, currently the coypu is considered one of the 100 most dangerous invasive species worldwide. In Azerbaijan, their populations are ubiquitous in wetlands, causing significant environmental damage by destroying native vegetation and competing with native species for space and resources. Additionally, their presence threatens the habitats of endangered birds, such as the cotton-headed duck and Siberian crane, as both depend on these wetlands for their survival. We are talking about a species whose adults measure approximately 60 cm long and have a 30 cm tail. When fully grown, they weigh as much or more than a Jack Russell terrier. Although they look similar to the capybara (the largest rodent in the world), coypu tend to have fewer “followers.” One fact gives an idea: its most notable feature is its protruding teeth, a pair of long, orange incisors that they never stop growing. Impact on biodiversity. The ecological impact of coypu in Azerbaijan was tremendous over the years, and especially significant due to the natural wealth of the Caucasusa region considered as one of the 25 hotspots of global biodiversity. The creature not only devastated the vegetation in humid areas, but its destructive behavior also affected bird nesting areas. In fact, studies carried out in Italy show that these giant rodents can reach crush nests by resting on themincreasing the risk for local species. Not only that. The species continued to spread to this day, and from the Caucasus it passed to neighboring countries, which has made its management even more complicated. The lack of a detailed study on the size and distribution of their populations in Azerbaijan poses all kinds of additional obstacles for environmentalists, who do not have a solid basis for developing mitigation strategies. Management and reward programs. Today, and in response to the uncontrolled expansion of the species, some experts suggest implementing reward programs for capture, an idea similar to those that have been effective in enclaves of the United States such as Louisiana, where it is offered a payment for each coypu queue delivered. However, others warn that these programs, while temporarily reducing populations, can result in commercial hunts that do not completely eradicate the species. In this regard, the proposal to reestablish a reward system, in force in Soviet times, is viewed favorably by organizations such as WWF Azerbaijan. However, the current system of fees and penalties in the country, which even requires hunters to pay additional payments for “environmental damage,” discourages coypus hunting. Therefore, there is a clear contrast with other countries where the reduction of invasive populations is actively encouraged. Lessons learned and future. Like so many other similar stories with the “hand” of man throughthe story of coypu in Azerbaijan is a reminder of the risks of introducing foreign species without very careful planning and long-term impact assessment. Although no one doubts that the projects of Vereshchagin and his contemporaries were based on good intentions, the collateral effects of their decisions have been tremendous for the region’s biodiversity. Today, environmentalists like Zulfu Farajli told the BBC who advocate for greater public awareness of the impact of coypus on local ecosystems, as well as more effective management policies. Ultimately, the case of this creature in Azerbaijan highlights the importance of developing a conservation approach based on science and sustainability, ensuring that ecosystems can recover and thrive without the threat of invasive species. Hopefully, the solution will never be a giant rat, please. Image | Peter Trimming, Khagani Hasanov1988 In Xataka | Japan sent the wrong creature to eradicate snakes from an island. The disaster was so big that it took half a century to solve it In Xataka | We have just found a surprising remedy against Argentine ant infestations: a dose of caffeine

more than 1,200 exotic species are here to stay

October 25, 2025 by usatoday24

The Iberian Peninsula is being invaded and not by a war between humans, but for 1,200 non-native species that have settled on our land. A phenomenon that represents a great threat to native fauna and flora and that now requires international cooperation to protect ecosystems and especially the animals and plants that are native to our peninsula. The study. According to a study published in Diversity and Distributions, the number of exotic species established on the peninsula now exceeds 1,200, including plants, insects, mollusks, crustaceans and vertebrates introduced intentionally or by accident. The protagonists in this case are Spain, Portugal and Andorra, which are the first affected by this silent invasion. The team, led by Ismael Soto and with participation, has documented 1,273 species that currently maintain themselves independently by feeding and reproducing. The data. In the results of the research it has been seen that at first it has been seen that the species that are invading us come mainly from the Palearctic region (Europe, temperate Asia and northern Africa) followed by the American species. But not everything is animals, as you might think, but 75% of the invaders correspond to vascular plants and insects. Although the big question here is: how did they get in here? The answer lies in the gardens and nurseries that, together with mechanisms linked to international transportation, participate with ornamental plant trade that are not original to the peninsula. Where. This is not something that is similar throughout the geography of the peninsula. Mainly, exotic species are concentrated in coastal areas and large cities, and that is why we see a large number of these in Andalusia, Catalonia or the Valencian Community. Something that is also related to the number of ports that exist as they are a great gateway for international trade in these invasive species. What damage do they cause? When the species arrive on the peninsula, they have a detrimental effect on our ecosystem, and that is why they generate so much alarm around them. Among the effects we find are: Ecosystem modification which can cause the local extermination of native species. Transmission of diseases to natural habitats that change their structure. Alteration of food webs and displacement of native species due to direct competition. For example, we can find a predatory species that ends up with a native species as its ideal prey. Examples. There are some species that are undoubtedly perfect examples of this. One of them is the american red crab (Procambarus clarkii) that was introduced into our habitat in 1973 and that today is responsible for great ecological damage, since it has caused the disappearance of native aquatic species, which also triggers socioeconomic problems. Another case is the bullhead (Silurus glanis), whose voracity and expansion as a fishing trophy have made it the dominant predator in several rivers and reservoirs, threatening the survival of other aquatic species. The ants. Although they seem to be going their own way, the reality is that exotic ants like Argentina (Linepithema humile) It has expanded through cities and coasts, causing large effects on ecosystems and generating high control costs. Floors. Most of the invasive species we have in this case are not animals, but plants. One of the classic examples is the fern Azolla filiculoides what is capable of consuming all the oxygen in the water and suffocate the native aquatic species that will use this oxygen. Another example is the water hyacinth which It is among the 100 most invasive species in the world for its impact on lagoons and aquatic ecosystems. What can be done? The prevention and control of exotic species requires continuous monitoring, restoration of degraded habitats and effective policies based on science and citizen participation. Sectors such as aquaculture, recreational fishing, the pet trade and horticulture are critical points where preventive measures can make a difference. The authors insist on the urgency of strengthening international collaboration and applying shared strategies between the scientific community, environmental managers and civil society. Only in this way will it be possible to face one of the greatest threats to Iberian biodiversity, protect endemic species and maintain ecological balance in this hot spot of European biodiversity. Images | Joshua Ralph Ivan Bandura In Xataka | England is experiencing an unprecedented invasion. The problem is that they are octopuses, and they are devouring everything they can find.

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