Landscape Heterogeneity and Environmental Dynamics Improve Predictions of Establishment Success of Colonising Small Founding Populations.

In long-distance dispersal events, colonising species typically begin with a small number of founding individuals. A growing body of research suggests that establishment success of small founding populations can be determined by the context of the colonisation event and the new environment. Here, we illuminate the importance of these sources of context dependence.

Within-population variation in an invasive fish' sociability when associating with conspecifics or heterospecifics.

Behavioural traits are key to promote invasion success because they are easier to adjust to changing environmental conditions than morphological or life history traits. Often, research has overlooked variance in behavioural traits within populations or has assumed it to be mere noise. However, a recent focus towards individual variation of behaviour of successful invaders has revealed new and more profound insights into the invasion process.

Taming the terminological tempest in invasion science.

Standardised terminology in science is important for clarity of interpretation and communication. In invasion science - a dynamic and rapidly evolving discipline - the proliferation of technical terminology has lacked a standardised framework for its development. The result is a convoluted and inconsistent usage of terminology, with various discrepancies in descriptions of damage and interventions.

Invasive species behaviour in a toxic world.

Invasive species and chemical pollution both threaten biodiversity. Here, we discuss how pollution, through its impacts on wildlife behaviour, shapes invasion dynamics by altering species interactions. Addressing knowledge gaps will have implications for the management of invasive species and conservation of native ecosystems in an increasingly toxic world.

The invasive twospot livebearer's biology, and its current and potential global distribution.

Poeciliids are widely recognized as successful invaders, possessing traits associated with invasion success. Native to Central America and south-eastern Mexico, the twospot livebearer (Pseudoxiphophorus bimaculatus) is a species recently recognized as invasive in both Central and northern Mexico. Despite its invasive status, limited research exists on its invasion process and the potential threats it poses to native species.

Could non-native species boost their chances of invasion success by socializing with natives?

Most invasions start with the introduction of a few individuals and the majority fail to establish and become invasive populations. A possible explanation for this is that some species are subject to Allee effects-disadvantages of low densities-and fail to perform vital activities due to the low availability of conspecifics. We propose that 'facilitation' from native individuals to non-natives through heterospecific sociability could enhance chances of the latter establishing in novel environments by helping them avoid Allee effects and even reducing the minimum number of non-native individuals necessary to achieve the density for a viable population (the Allee effect threshold).

Effect of a temperature gradient on the behaviour of an endangered Mexican topminnow and an invasive freshwater fish.

Climate change and biological invasions are two of the major threats to biodiversity. They could act synergistically to the detriment of natives as non-native species may be more plastic and resilient when facing changing environments. The twoline skiffia (Skiffia bilineata) is an endangered Mexican topminnow that cohabits with invasive guppies (Poecilia reticulata) in some areas in central Mexico.

Sex, size and habitat complexity effects on emergence latency and latency to locate food of the invasive porthole livebearer (Poeciliopsis gracilis).

Biological invasions are considered the second major cause of plant, amphibian, reptile, and mammal loss worldwide. Like islands, freshwater ecosystems are especially susceptible to the negative impacts of invasions. The porthole livebearer (Poeciliopsis gracilis), recently identified as invasive in the Mexican Central Plateau, is increasing its populations and could impact freshwater ecosystems like its cousin species the guppy (Poecilia reticulata).

Exotic predators are not better biocontrol agents: the harlequin ladybird is not the most voracious in Mexico.

The use of exotic species for pest biocontrol has been a common pathway for introduction and dispersal of invasive species that may have undesired outcomes. Biocontrol agents are believed to be a less damaging alternative than pesticides, but some species may also prey on or parasitize native species or outcompete them for resources. The harlequin ladybird () is a well-known biocontrol agent originally from Asia that has established invasive populations in 59 countries around the globe.

Sociability between invasive guppies and native topminnows.

The role of interspecific social interactions during species invasions may be more decisive than previously thought. Research has revealed that invasive fish improve their foraging success by shoaling with native Mexican species, and potentially increase the chances of invasion success. However, do native individuals tend to associate with invaders as well? We tested the hypothesis that the twoline skiffia (Neotoca bilineata) and the Lerma livebearer (Poeciliopsis infans), both native endemic Mexican topminnows, will associate with guppies, a notorious invasive species present in Mexico.

From effective biocontrol agent to successful invader: the harlequin ladybird () as an example of good ideas that could go wrong.

The use of biological control agents to control pests is an alternative to pesticides and a tool to manage invasive alien species. However, biocontrol agents can themselves become invasive species under certain conditions. The harlequin ladybird () is a native Asian biocontrol agent that has become a successful invader.

Exotic invaders gain foraging benefits by shoaling with native fish.

Freshwater habitats are under increasing threat due to invasions of exotic fish. These invasions typically begin with the introduction of small numbers of individuals unfamiliar with the new habitat. One way in which the invaders might overcome this disadvantage is by associating with native taxa occupying a similar ecological niche.