Foreign Animal Species

[MeadowMouse]

Interesting to see the debate on introduced North American Species in the UK. It has happened in reverse though. Our Small White Butterfly got introduced into the US and is now driving out the native Mustard White. An interesting point is that the Mustard White is the same species as out Green-veined White which happily co-exists with the Small White in the UK and the rest of Europe yet in North America the two species cannot co-exist.

[paul m]

Originally Posted by MeadowMouse

Interesting to see the debate on introduced North American Species in the UK. It has happened in reverse though. Our Small White Butterfly got introduced into the US and is now driving out the native Mustard White. An interesting point is that the Mustard White is the same species as out Green-veined White which happily co-exists with the Small White in the UK and the rest of Europe yet in North America the two species cannot co-exist.

Indeed, the traffic for centuries was mainly the other way round. The Eurasian 7-spot ladybird' Coccinella septempunctata, has invaded most of the eastern part of USA-Canada and was regarded as something of a threat to native species. Nobody seems too concerned about it now that the 'harlequin', Harmonia axyridis, has established!

Sometimes these invaders only shift the balance a little without making other species go extinct. I wonder if the green-veined white will settle in smaller numbers for in selective habitats? After all, it's not that common in *most* of UK - but might have been if it didn't have to compete with the small white?

[frostfire]

American species haven't only been introduced to Britain, but also continental Europe. In 1934 two pairs of raccoons were set free in Germany and during WOII more escaped from a raccoon farm when a bomb hit nearby. The raccoons have now gone over the borders into most of Germany's neighbouring countries and their large numbers have been causing chaos in German cities. Here in Holland there seem to be 10 raccoons at the moment. It is thought that they should'nt cause too much damage here even though they do eat the eggs of native birds here. The Dutch environment is a good place though for them, so it is thought their numbers will increase even if it is only slowly... How are other continental countries doing for raccoons?

And whilst I'm on the subject of species from one country (accidently) being brought over to other countries, I read an article from 2000 saying if there weren't drastic meassures taken soon, New Zealands status of being snake free wouldn't stand much longer as Australian ships kept bringing them over. Does anybody know how New Zealand is doing for snakes now 8 years on?

[goosey]

Some interesting facts there frostfire!

Originally Posted by frostfire

American species haven't only been introduced to Britain, but also continental Europe. In 1934 two pairs of raccoons were set free in Germany and during WOII more escaped from a raccoon farm when a bomb hit nearby. The raccoons have now gone over the borders into most of Germany's neighbouring countries and their large numbers have been causing chaos in German cities. Here in Holland there seem to be 10 raccoons at the moment. It is thought that they should'nt cause too much damage here even though they do eat the eggs of native birds here. The Dutch environment is a good place though for them, so it is thought their numbers will increase even if it is only slowly... How are other continental countries doing for raccoons?

I have lived in Holland 16 years (albeit on the west coast - so the raccoons won't have made it this far) but I have never even heard of them being here. With a bit of luck I will see one in the future.

Originally Posted by frostfire

And whilst I'm on the subject of species from one country (accidently) being brought over to other countries, I read an article from 2000 saying if there weren't drastic meassures taken soon, New Zealands status of being snake free wouldn't stand much longer as Australian ships kept bringing them over. Does anybody know how New Zealand is doing for snakes now 8 years on?

I wonder why the snakes being brought to New Zealand from Australia has so recently become a problem. I would have thought that trade for the previous 200 years between the two countries would have resulted in the escapee snakes making a home in New Zealand along time ago. When regulations and customs were not so strenuous. Strange .