Biology Reference
In-Depth Information
per jurisdiction. However, the values in Fig. 2.5 will be slight underestimates because
multiple naturalizations within a single jurisdiction will not appear in the numerators.
Failure of the tens rule has been found across a variety of other taxa as well (Hayes
and Barry, 2007), so its success as a rule may be uncertain
What implications do the data and patterns discussed herein have for respond-
ing to herpetofaunal invasions? I would suggest that the scope of data employed
in the above analyses is sufficiently comprehensive that additional study to gain a
clearer picture of global patterns of this phenomenon is not required, although, no
doubt, improvements could be made in understanding the dynamics of introduc-
tion within particular jurisdictions by the application of data not used herein, such
as information on importation volume and species composition. What is abun-
dantly clear from the preceding analyses is that herpetological introductions are
growing exponentially in most regions of the world and that they involve all major
taxa and a diversity of pathways. This is not a phenomenon limited to iconically
invaded locations like Florida or Hawaii. Unlike many other major taxa (e.g.,
plants, birds, marine invertebrates), whose transport is dominated by one or a few
intentional or accidental pathways, herpetofaunal introductions involve a mix of
both. So, unlike many other taxa, successfully managing herpetofaunal introduc-
tions must involve responding to both. Despite this, I have clearly demonstrated
that the pet-trade and aesthetically related pathways - pathways that promote the
keeping of animals and their frequent escape, release, or intentional introduction
via private owners, wholesalers, retailers, exhibitors, or zoo personnel - are of
overwhelming importance in creating the modern explosion of alien herpetofaunal
invasions. The growing cargo and nursery-trade pathways cannot safely be
ignored, but if herpetofaunal invasions are to be stopped, it must be a first priority
to halt the careless or arrogant release of animals by pet fanciers, dealers, and zoo
personnel. The means of doing this, and further implications of these pathway-
analysis findings for management and research, will be considered in detail in the
final chapter, which is devoted to that subject.
