Introduced species of the Pantanal

Introduced species of the Pantanal

After reading a couple blog posts about the invasive feral pig, I became interested in what other invasive species have impacted the Pantanal. I learned that invasive species are the third most important threat to biodiversity in the Pantanal, after habitat loss and direct impact on species.

Exotic pasture grasses, introduced for cattle ranching, have begun spreading into forested regions of the Pantanal. They can be a problem because they promote fire and are quicker to grow back afterwards than many native species. The most prominent example of this is the African grass of the genus Brachiaria. Through competition and altering of disturbance regimes, these invasions can alter the function and structure of native ecosystems.

Brachiaria decumbens, an exotic pasture grass

Another important addition are the mosquitos Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus, which can be vectors for dengue and yellow fever. This mosquitos were most likely introduced several centuries ago with the slave trade. Another invasive insect is the African bee, which was introduced to Brazil in 1956 and has since spread throughout the country. It is a rather aggressive bee and has been known to attack people, horses and other animals in the Pantanal.

Apis mellifera scutellata, the African bee

Other introduced species having an impact on the biota of the Pantanal include the tucunaré, a predatory fish originally from the Amazon, the golden mussel from China (Limnoperna fortunei) and domestic cats and dogs, and pests such as mice and rats which can carry diseases.

Limnoperna fortunei, the golden mussel

-Palani