Invasive predators and global biodiversity loss (original) (raw)

NASA/ADS

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Abstract

Invasive mammalian predators are arguably the most damaging group of alien animal species for global biodiversity. Thirty species of invasive predator are implicated in the extinction or endangerment of 738 vertebrate species—collectively contributing to 58% of all bird, mammal, and reptile extinctions. Cats, rodents, dogs, and pigs have the most pervasive impacts, and endemic island faunas are most vulnerable to invasive predators. That most impacted species are insular indicates that management of invasive predators on islands should be a global conservation priority. Understanding and mitigating the impact of invasive mammalian predators is essential for reducing the rate of global biodiversity loss.

Publication:

Proceedings of the National Academy of Science

Pub Date:

October 2016

DOI:

10.1073/pnas.1602480113

Bibcode:

2016PNAS..11311261D