Skip to main content

Advertisement

SpringerLink
Log in

Non-indigenous terrestrial vertebrates in Israel and adjacent areas

  • Original Paper
  • Published:
Biological Invasions Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

We investigated characteristics of established non-indigenous (ENI) terrestrial vertebrates in Israel and adjacent areas, as well as attributes of areas they occupy. Eighteen non-indigenous birds have established populations in this region since 1850. A database of their attributes was compiled, analyzed, and compared to works from elsewhere. Most ENI bird species are established locally; a few are spreading or widespread. There has been a recent large increase in establishment. All ENI birds are of tropical origin, mostly from the Ethiopian and Oriental regions; the main families are Sturnidae, Psittacidae, Anatidae, and Columbidae. Most species have been deliberately brought to Israel in captivity and subsequently released or escaped. Most of these birds are commensal with humans to some degree, are not typically migratory, and have mean body mass larger than that of the entire order. ENI birds are not distributed randomly. There are centers in the Tel-Aviv area and along the Rift Valley, which is also a corridor of spread. Positive correlations were found between ENI bird richness and mean annual temperature and urbanization. Mediterranean forests and desert regions have fewer ENI species than expected. Apart from birds we report on non-indigenous species of reptiles (2) and mammals (2) in this region.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1
Fig. 2
Fig. 3

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Amitai P, Bouskila A (2001) Handbook of amphibians & reptiles of Israel. Keter Publishing House Ltd., Jerusalem (In Hebrew)

    Google Scholar 

  • Beer R (1994) Black-headed conure – South American escapee nesting in Israel. Torgos 22:71–74 (In Hebrew)

    Google Scholar 

  • Blackburn TM, Duncan RP (2001a) Establishment patterns of exotic birds are constrained by non-random patterns in introduction. J Biogeogr 28:927–939

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Blackburn TM, Duncan RP (2001b) Determinants of establishment success in introduced birds. Nature 414:195–197

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Blackburn TM, Gaston KJ (1994) The distribution of body sizes of the worlds bird species. Oikos 70:127–130

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bodenheimer FS (1958) The present taxonomic status of the terrestrial mammals of Palestine. B Res Counc Israel 7B:165–187

    Google Scholar 

  • Bouskila A (1986) On the danger of red-eared slider spreading in natural habitats in Israel. Hardun 3:27–30 (In Hebrew)

    Google Scholar 

  • Bouskila A (2002) The class Reptilia. In: Dolev A, Perevolotsky A (eds) Endangered species in Israel, red list of threatened animals – vertebrates. Nature and parks Authority and The Society for the Protection of Nature in Israel, Jerusalem, pp 71–121 (In Hebrew)

  • Cadi A, Joly P (2003) Competition for basking places between the endangered European pond turtle (Emys orbicularis galloitalica) and the introduced red-eared slider (Trachemys scripta elegans). Can J Zool 81:1392–1398

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Carter J, Leonard BP (2002) A review of the literature on the worldwide distribution, spread of, and efforts to eradicate the coypu (Myocastor Coypus). Wildlife Soc B 30:162–175

    Google Scholar 

  • Cassey P (2001) Are there body size implications for the success of globally introduced land birds? Ecography 24:413–420

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Cassey P (2003) A comparative analysis of the relative success of introduced land birds on islands. Evol Ecol Res 5:1011–1021

    Google Scholar 

  • Cassey P, Blackburn TM, Sol D, Duncan RP, Lockwood JL (2004) Global patterns of introduction effort and establishment success in birds. Proc R Soc Lond B (Supplement) 271:S405–S408

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Colautti RI, Grigorovich IA, MacIsaac HJ (2006) Propagule pressure: a null model for biological invasions. Biol Invasions 8:1023–1037

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Dolev A, Perevolotsky A (2002) Endangered species in Israel, red list of threatened animals – vertebrates. Nature and parks Authority and The Society for the Protection of Nature in Israel, Jerusalem (In Hebrew)

  • Duncan RP, Young JR (1999) The fate of passeriform introductions on oceanic islands. Conserv Biol 13:934–936

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Duncan RP, Blackburn TM, Sol D (2003) The ecology of bird introductions. Annu Rev Ecol Evol Syst 34:71–98

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Dvir E (1985) Out of the cage. Teva Va-Aretz 27:10–16 (In Hebrew)

  • Dvir E (1988) Far from the cage – the rose ringed parakeet (Psittacula krameri) establishing in our area. Torgos 7:57–67 (In Hebrew)

    Google Scholar 

  • Ebenhard T (1987) Introduced birds and mammals and their ecological effects. Swed Wildlife Res 13:5–107

    Google Scholar 

  • Hatzofe O, Yom-Tov Y (2002) Global warming and recent changes in Israel’s avifauna. Israel J Zool 48:351–357

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ilani G (1985) Zoological news: American turtles in Israel’s waters. Teva Va-Aretz 27:37–38 (In Hebrew)

    Google Scholar 

  • Jaffe S (1988) Climate of Israel. In: Yom-Tov Y, Tchernov E (eds) The zoogeography of Israel, the distribution and abundance at a zoogeographical crossroad. Dr. W. Junk Publishers, Dordrecht, the Netherlands, pp 79–94

    Google Scholar 

  • Jeschke JM, Strayer DL (2005) Invasion success of vertebrates in Europe and North America. P Natl Acad Sci USA 102:7198–7202

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Klawinski PD, Vaughan RK, Saenz D, Godwin W (1994) Comparison of dietary overlap between allopatric and sympatric geckos. J Herpetol 28:225–230

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kolar CS, Lodge DM (2001a) Progress in invasion biology: predicting invaders. Trends Ecol Evol 16:199–204

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Kolar CS, Lodge DM (2001b) Predicting invaders – response. Trends Ecol Evol 16:546

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Leshem Y, Yom-Tov Y (1996) The magnitude and timing of migration by soaring raptors, pelicans and storks over Israel. Ibis 138:188–203

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lever C (1985) Naturalized mammals of the world. Longman Scientific & Technical, New York

    Google Scholar 

  • Lever C (1987) Naturalized birds of the world. Longman Scientific & Technical, New York

    Google Scholar 

  • Lever C (2003) Naturalized reptiles and amphibians of the world. Oxford University Press, Oxford

    Google Scholar 

  • Lockwood JL (1999) Using taxonomy to predict success among introduced avifauna: relative importance of transport and establishment. Conserv Biol 13:560–567

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lodge DM (1993) Species invasions and deletions: community effects and responses to climate and habitat change. In: Kareiva PM, Kingsolver JG, Huey RB (eds) Biotic interactions and global change. Sinauer Associates Inc., Sunderland, Massachusetts, pp 367–387

    Google Scholar 

  • Long JL (1981) Introduced birds of the world. David & Charles, Newton, Australia

    Google Scholar 

  • Long JL (2003) Introduced mammals of the world. CABI Publishing, Wallingford, UK

    Google Scholar 

  • Lowe S, Browne M, Boudjelas S, De Poorter M (2000) A selection from the Global Invasive Species Database. 100 of the World’s Worst Invasive Alien Species. Published by The Invasive Species Specialist Group (ISSG) a specialist group of the Species Survival Commission (SSC) of the World Conservation Union (IUCN), 12pp. First published as special lift-out in Aliens 12, December 2000. Updated and reprinted version: November 2004

  • Luiselli L, Capula M, Capizzi D, Filippi E, Jesus VT, Anibaldi C (1997) Problems for conservation of pond turtles (Emys orbicularis) in central Italy: is the introduced red-eared turtle (Trachemys scripta) a serious threat? Chelonian Conserv Biol 2:417–419

    Google Scholar 

  • Mack RN, Simberloff D, Lonsdale WM, Evans H, Clout M, Bazzaz FA (2000) Biotic invasions: causes, epidemiology, global consequences, and control. Ecol Appl 10:689–710

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Maurer BA (1998) The evolution of body size in birds. II. The role of reproductive power. Evol Ecol 12:935–944

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Mendelssohn H, Yom-Tov Y (1999a) Fauna Palaestina: mammalia of Israel. Israel Academy of Sciences and Humanities, Jerusalem

    Google Scholar 

  • Mendelssohn H, Yom-Tov Y (1999b) A report of birds and mammals which have increased their distribution and abundance in Israel due to human activity. Israel J Zool 45:35–47

    Google Scholar 

  • Mooney HA (1999) The global invasive species program (GISP). Biol Invasions 1:97–98

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Moran S (2003) Checklist of vertebrate damage to agriculture in Israel, updated for 1993–2001. Phytoparasitica 31:109–117

    Google Scholar 

  • Motro Y (2001) Risk assessment for the import of the exotic turtle, red eared slider (Trachemys scripta) to Israel. Internal report for the Research division in the Nature Reserve and Parks Authority, Jerusalem (In Hebrew)

  • Moulton MP, Sanderson JG (1997) Predicting the fates of Passeriform introductions on oceanic islands. Conserv Biol 11:552–558

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Moulton MP, Sanderson JG (1999) Fate of Passeriform introductions: reply to Duncan and Young. Conserv Biol 13:937–938

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Myers JH, Simberloff D, Kuris AM, Carey JR (2000) Eradication revisited: dealing with exotic species. Trends Ecol Evol 15:316–320

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Nemtzov S, Hatzofe O (2003) Priorities for dealing with terrestrial invasive vertebrates. Internal paper for the Israel Nature and Parks Authority, Jerusalem (In Hebrew)

  • Parker IM, Simberloff D, Lonsdale WM, Goodell K, Wonham M, Kareiva PM, Williamson MH, Von Holle B, Moyle PB, Byers JE, Goldwasser L (1999) Impact: toward a framework for understanding the ecological effects of invaders. Biol Invasions 1:3–19

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Paz U (1986) Plants and animals of the land of Israel – birds. Ministry of Defense, Tel-Aviv (In Hebrew)

  • Pimentel D, Lach L, Zuniga R, Morrison D (2000) Environmental and economic costs of nonindigenous species in the United States. Bioscience 50:53–65

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Qumsiyeh MB (1996) Mammals of the holy land. Texas Tech University Press, Lubbock, Texas

    Google Scholar 

  • Rejmanek M, Reichard S (2001) Predicting invaders – comment. Trends Ecol Evol 16:545–546

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Roll U, Dayan T, Simberloff D (2007a) Non-indigenous insect species in Israel and adjacent areas. Biol Invasions 9:629–943

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Roll U, Dayan T, Simberloff, D, Goren M (2007b) Characteristics of the introduced fish fauna of Israel. Biol Invasions doi:10.1007/s10530-006-9083-8

  • Schmitz DC, Simberloff D (1997) Biological invasions: a growing threat. Issues Sci Technol 13:33–40

    Google Scholar 

  • Shalmon B (1999) La-Teva Nolad report 1999 – on the status of wild animals in Israel. The Society for the Protection of Nature in Israel, Tel-Aviv (In Hebrew)

  • Shirihai H (1996) The birds of Israel. Academic Press, London

    Google Scholar 

  • Shoham D, Mendelssohn H, Yom-Tov Y (1997) Range increase and breeding biology of the palm dove Streptopelia senegalensis in Israel. Israel J Zool 43:307–309

    Google Scholar 

  • Simberloff D (1986) Introduced insects: a biogeographic and systematic perspective. In: Mooney HA, Drake JA (eds) Ecology of biological invasions of North America and Hawaii. Springer-Verlag, New York, pp 3–26

    Google Scholar 

  • Simberloff D (1996) Impacts of introduced species in the United States. Consequences 2:12–23

    Google Scholar 

  • Simberloff D (2003) How much information on population biology is needed to manage introduced species? Conserv Biol 17:83–92

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Sol D (2001) Predicting invaders – comment. Trends Ecol Evol 16:544

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Sol D, Lefebvre L (2000) Behavioural flexibility predicts invasion success in birds introduced to New Zealand. Oikos 90:599–605

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Sol D, Timmermans S, Lefebvre L (2002) Behavioural flexibility and invasion success in birds. Anim Behav 63:495–502

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Tchernov E (1988) The paleobiogeographical history of the southern Levant. In: Yom-Tov Y, Tchernov E (eds) The zoogeography of Israel, the distribution and abundance at a zoogeographical crossroad. Dr. W. Junk Publishers, Dordrecht, the Netherlands, pp 159–250

    Google Scholar 

  • Vaughan RK, Dixon JR, Cooke JL (1996) Behavioral interference for perch sites in two species of introduced house geckos. J Herpetol 30:46–51

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Veltman CJ, Nee S, Crawley MJ (1996) Correlates of introduction success in exotic New Zealand birds. Am Nat 147:542–557

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Walker B, Steffen W (1997) An overview of the implications of global change for natural and managed terrestrial ecosystems. Conserv Ecol 1:2

    Google Scholar 

  • Whittaker RJ (1998) Island biogeography. Oxford University Press, Oxford

    Google Scholar 

  • Williamson M (1996) Biological invasions. Chapman and Hall, London

    Google Scholar 

  • Yom-Tov Y (1988) The zoogeography of the birds and mammals of Israel. In: Yom-Tov Y, Tchernov E (eds) The zoogeography of Israel, the distribution and abundance at a zoogeographical crossroad. Dr. W. Junk Publishers, Dordrecht, the Netherlands, pp 389–409

    Google Scholar 

  • Zohary M (1982) Plants of the Bible: a complete handbook to all the plants with 200 full-color plates taken in the natural habitat. Cambridge University Press, Cambridge

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgments

We thank Amos Bouskila, Ron Elazari-Volcani, Ohad Hatzofe, Shmuel Moran, Simon Nemtzov, Tzila Shariv, Yehudah L. Werner, and Yoram Yom-Tov for help in obtaining data. We thank the internal university fund (Tel-Aviv University) for supporting this research.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Zoology, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, 69978, Israel

    Uri Roll & Tamar Dayan

  2. Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, TN, 37996-1610, USA

    Daniel Simberloff

Authors
  1. Uri Roll
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Tamar Dayan
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Daniel Simberloff
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Uri Roll.

Appendices

Appendices

Appendix 1: vegetation zones of the different ENI bird species in this region

Table A1 The average number of ENI bird species in each of the region’s 34 vegetation zones. Vegetal zones after Zohary (1982)
Full size table
Table A2 The different vegetal zones used for the six lumped vegetation and soil types
Full size table

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Roll, U., Dayan, T. & Simberloff, D. Non-indigenous terrestrial vertebrates in Israel and adjacent areas. Biol Invasions 10, 659–672 (2008). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10530-007-9160-7

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10530-007-9160-7

Keywords

Search

Navigation