Abstract
Because biological invasions can cause many negative impacts, accurate predictions are necessary for implementing effective restrictions aimed at specific high-risk taxa. The pet trade in recent years became the most important pathway for the introduction of non-indigenous species of reptiles worldwide. Therefore, we decided to determine the most common species of lizards, snakes, and crocodiles traded as pets on the basis of market surveys in the Czech Republic, which is an export hub for ornamental animals in the European Union (EU). Subsequently, the establishment and invasion potential for the entire EU was determined for 308 species using proven risk assessment models (RAM, AS-ISK). Species with high establishment potential (determined by RAM) and at the same time with high potential to significantly harm native ecosystems (determined by AS-ISK) included the snakes Thamnophis sirtalis (Colubridae), Morelia spilota (Pythonidae) and also the lizards Tiliqua scincoides (Scincidae) and Intellagama lesueurii (Agamidae).
Highlights
Invasive species are considered to be among the major causes of biodiversity loss [1,2,3], and conservation agencies around the world devote significant attention to this issue [4].Time, money, and considerable effort are spent each year in the eradication, control and mitigation of non-native species [5]
We evaluated invasion potential in the European Union for ornamental amphibians [27] and freshwater turtles [28] based on import data and offers from wholesalers from the Czech Republic
To identify species of reptiles that are being offered in European Union (EU) countries, we took species listed in materials of the Customs Administration and, surveyed the online price lists of five leading Czech wholesalers of ornamental animals and domestic producers of these animals to complete the list of potentially invasive reptiles
Summary
Invasive species are considered to be among the major causes of biodiversity loss [1,2,3], and conservation agencies around the world devote significant attention to this issue [4].Time, money, and considerable effort are spent each year in the eradication, control and mitigation of non-native species [5]. Invasive species are considered to be among the major causes of biodiversity loss [1,2,3], and conservation agencies around the world devote significant attention to this issue [4]. Despite the increasing interest of ecologists and conservation biologists in invasions [6], there is no sign that the introduction rate of non-indigenous species is slowing down [7]. Vertebrates are introduced more intentionally compared to other organisms [8]. The spread of non-native vertebrates took place in several historically specific waves and different taxonomic groups were at the peak of occupying new territories at different times. Birds and mammals were introduced into new countries mainly in the 19th century and in the second half of the
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