Alien invertebrates transported accidentally to the Polish Antarctic Station in cargo and on fresh foods

Abstract

During three austral summer seasons cargo, expeditioner clothes and equipment of the Polish Antarctic Expedition were examined for the presence of alien propagules. De− tailed inspections were undertaken at the station buildings, searching for any invertebrates. During each austral summer fresh fruits and vegetables were also inspected. A total of 359 invertebrates and their remains were found in cargo transported to Arctowski Station, or caught in the station's facilities. The majority of samples were classified as cultivation pests (26%), food pests (43%), wood−destroying pests (4%), domestic insects and arachnids (15%). Through supply of the research station a wide range of alien organisms can be acci− dentally transported and ultimately introduced to the Antarctic. This study has clearly dem− onstrated that almost all cargo items can be a potential vector for alien organisms. Species from a broad range of biological groups can be transported to the Antarctic and remain in a viable state.

Diaspores of the Introduced Species Poa annua L. in Soil Samples from King George Island (South Shetlands, Antarctica)

“…Only Poa annua has survived at Arctowski Station since 1985 and seems to have established a stable population (Olech, 1998;Olech and Chwedorzewska, 2011). Our latest studies show that a lot of non-indigenous propagules entered the Arctowski Station via cargo, personal clothing, and equipment of expeditioners (Lityńska-Zaj ą ac et al, 2012; Chwedorzewska et al, 2013). This clearly demonstrates that many intact diaspores can be quite easily unintentionally transported to the Antarctic.…”

Invasive non‐native species likely to threaten biodiversity and ecosystems in the Antarctic Peninsula region

“…Chown et al (2012) examined the importation of plant propagules into Antarctica in association with the clothing and personal equipment of tourists and other personnel on ships and aircraft. Cargo and associated packing material are also a major vector for propagule importation into Antarctica (Chwedorzewska, Korczak-Abshire, Olech, Lityńska-Zając, & Augustyniuk-Kram, 2013;Houghton et al, 2016;Hughes, Misiak, Ulaganathan, & Newsham, 2018). The delivery of cargo and building materials for the construction of Halley VI Research Station on the Brunt Ice Shelf (located to the east of the APR) resulted in the importation of an estimated 5,000 seeds representing 34 taxa (Lee & Chown, 2009b).…”

Peer Review #1 of "Trichocera maculipennis (Diptera)—an invasive species in Maritime Antarctica (v0.1)"

“…Manuscript to be reviewed Chwedorzewska et al, 2013) suggest that almost all cargo for scientific stations in South Shetlands Islands can be a potential vector for non-native organisms.…”