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An invaded wet ecosystem in Central Italy: An arrangement and evidence for an alien food chain

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Abstract

The aim of this work is to provide an account of alien species richness and composition in a remnant Mediterranean coastal wetland of Central Italy. Data were obtained from different taxa-specific methods, in 2001–2005 (terrestrial vertebrates) and in 2005 (fish, arthropoda, mollusca).

Among the 353 species sampled, 17 (4.8 %) are aliens (7.1% if we consider only vertebrates).Data on abundance, introduction type and status of alien species are reported. A crustacean, Procambarus clarkii, a fish, Gambusia sp. and three rodents, Myocastor coypus, Rattus norvegicus and Mus domesticus are the naturalized invasive species that locally could constitute a threat on economic and ecological levels. Data on Agapornis nigrigenis and Quelea cardinalis represent the first records for Italy. We also report evidence of a food chain on three levels, among the most invasive species (predation of Gambusia sp. by Procambarus clarkii and of Rattus norvegicus on Procambarus clarkii).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche, Institute of Ecosystem Studies, via A. Borelli 50, 00161, Rome, Italy

    Giovanni Amori

  2. Conservation Nature Office, Environmental Service, Province of Rome, via Tiburtina, 691, 00159, Rome, Italy

    Corrado Battisti

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  1. Giovanni Amori
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  2. Corrado Battisti
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Correspondence to Giovanni Amori.

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Amori, G., Battisti, C. An invaded wet ecosystem in Central Italy: An arrangement and evidence for an alien food chain. Rend. Fis. Acc. Lincei 19, 161–171 (2008). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12210-008-0009-5

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