Traits related to biological invasion: A note on the applicability of risk assessment tools across taxa

Abstract

Biological invasions are occurring frequently and with great impact to agricultural production and other ecosystem services. In response to this, the Australian Weed Risk Assessment (AWRA) was created to assess the potential 'weediness' of plants based on answers to questions related to biogeography, undesirable attributes, and biology or ecology. This basic model has been expanded and adapted for use on other taxa, often without adequate validation. Since invasive insect crop pests are a major economic cost to agricultural production, there is interest in using an expanded model for insects. Here, we review traits related to invasiveness of insects based on a systematic review of the literature. We then compare the identified invasive traits of insects with those identified for plants in the AWRA. Using insects as a case study, we illustrate that although there is some overlap in invasive traits, there are many unique traits related to invasion for both insects and plants. For insects, these traits relate largely to social behaviour. This lack of congruence may also be the case for other taxa. To increase predictive power, a taxon-specific risk assessment tool and deliberate verification are required.

Selection despite low genetic diversity and high gene flow in a rapid island invasion of the bumblebee, Bombus terrestris

“…As invasive insects spread and persist, they are exposed to novel environments and selection pressures that may vary widely during range expansion into new areas (Gibert et al., 2016; Novak, 2007). Consequently, they may rapidly adapt to their new environmental conditions, for example, via plastic or genetic phenotypic changes (Gibert et al., 2016; Novak, 2007) in life‐history (Common et al., 2020; Wilson et al., 2009), morphological (Huey, 2000; Jardeleza et al., 2022; Koch et al., 2020; Lester, 2005; McGlynn, 1999; Mondor et al., 2007), behavioural (Common et al., 2023; Emiljanowicz et al., 2017; Holway & Suarez, 1999) or physiological (Yu et al., 2012) traits. Such trait adjustments may lead to changes in diet breadth, reproductive investment, dispersal rate and climatic tolerance, which have been linked with insect invasion success (e.g.…”

“…Such trait adjustments may lead to changes in diet breadth, reproductive investment, dispersal rate and climatic tolerance, which have been linked with insect invasion success (e.g. Common et al., 2023; Emiljanowicz et al., 2017). However, to what extent phenotypic or genetic changes in such traits aid insect invasion success has yet to be determined (Manfredini et al., 2019), and thus, if traits related to invasiveness show consistency across species (Emiljanowicz et al., 2017).…”

“…Common et al, 2023;Emiljanowicz et al, 2017). However, to what extent phenotypic or genetic changes in such traits aid insect invasion success has yet to be determined (Manfredini et al, 2019), and thus, if traits related to invasiveness show consistency across species (Emiljanowicz et al, 2017).…”

Propagule pressure helps overcome adverse environmental conditions during population establishment

“…An understanding of the factors involved in the successful establishment of populations is critical to understanding how species shift their ranges, with direct applied implications for reintroduction biology, invasion science and assisted migration ( Hayes and Barry, 2008 ; Emiljanowicz et al., 2017 ; Kueffer et al., 2013 ). In general, establishment success is a function of environmental suitability, life history traits and introduction dynamics ( Howeth et al., 2016 ; Iles et al., 2016 ; Casties et al., 2016 ; Wilson et al., 2009 ; Cassey et al., 2004 ; Enders et al., 2020 ; Catford et al., 2009 ), with important factors including the recipient environment's climate, biodiversity and disturbance regime; the reproductive capacity and adaptability of the introduced species; the number of individuals introduced; and the pathway along which individuals are introduced.…”

Seven years of NeoBiota – the times, were they a changin’?

“…On the other hand, there were also more general ones related to, e.g. the EU regulation on invasive species (Tanner et al 2017), a complete set of biota, namely those of soil (McNeill et al 2017), or the role of traits (Emiljanowicz et al 2017). Other trait studies were also more prominent in the second phase: Buru et al (2016) compared growth traits between abundant and uncommon forms of Dolichandra unguis-cati (Bignoniaceae), a non-native vine in Australia.…”