Chapter 5
Terrestrial Vertebrate Invasions
in South Africa
John Measey , Cang Hui , and Michael J. Somers
Abstract In this chapter we review the current knowledge on terrestrial vertebrate
invasions in South Africa. Thirty species of mammals, birds, reptiles and amphibians are considered to have arrived over the last 10,000 years, with two thirds
having become invasive in the last 150 years. Half of the species are mammals, a
third birds, with three reptiles and two amphibians. Although there are multiple
pathways, there appears to be a trend from species that were deliberately introduced
in the past, to accidental introductions in the last ~100 years, which are a by-product
of increasing trade, both internationally and within South Africa. Few invasive
terrestrial vertebrate species have had their impacts formally assessed within
South Africa, but international assessments suggest that many can have Moderate
or Major environmental and socio-economic impacts. Of particular concern is
the growing demand for alien pets within the region, with increasing amounts of
escapees being encountered in the wild. We consider the importance that the NEM:
BA Alien and Invasive Species Regulations have had on the research of invasive
terrestrial vertebrates in South Africa, and emphasise the importance of regulations
for domestic exotics.
J. Measey (*)
Centre for Invasion Biology, Department of Botany and Zoology, Stellenbosch University,
Stellenbosch, South Africa
e-mail: jmeasey@sun.ac.za
C. Hui
Centre for Invasion Biology, Department of Mathematical Sciences, Stellenbosch University,
Stellenbosch, South Africa
Theoretical Ecology Group, African Institute for Mathematical Sciences, Cape Town,
South Africa
M. J. Somers
Centre for Invasion Biology, Mammal Research Institute, Department of Zoology
and Entomology, University of Pretoria, Pretoria, South Africa
© The Author(s) 2020
B. W. van Wilgen et al. (eds.), Biological Invasions in South Africa, Invading
Nature - Springer Series in Invasion Ecology 14,
https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-32394-3_5
115
Terrestrial Vertebrate Invasions
in South Africa
John Measey , Cang Hui , and Michael J. Somers
Abstract In this chapter we review the current knowledge on terrestrial vertebrate
invasions in South Africa. Thirty species of mammals, birds, reptiles and amphibians are considered to have arrived over the last 10,000 years, with two thirds
having become invasive in the last 150 years. Half of the species are mammals, a
third birds, with three reptiles and two amphibians. Although there are multiple
pathways, there appears to be a trend from species that were deliberately introduced
in the past, to accidental introductions in the last ~100 years, which are a by-product
of increasing trade, both internationally and within South Africa. Few invasive
terrestrial vertebrate species have had their impacts formally assessed within
South Africa, but international assessments suggest that many can have Moderate
or Major environmental and socio-economic impacts. Of particular concern is
the growing demand for alien pets within the region, with increasing amounts of
escapees being encountered in the wild. We consider the importance that the NEM:
BA Alien and Invasive Species Regulations have had on the research of invasive
terrestrial vertebrates in South Africa, and emphasise the importance of regulations
for domestic exotics.
J. Measey (*)
Centre for Invasion Biology, Department of Botany and Zoology, Stellenbosch University,
Stellenbosch, South Africa
e-mail: jmeasey@sun.ac.za
C. Hui
Centre for Invasion Biology, Department of Mathematical Sciences, Stellenbosch University,
Stellenbosch, South Africa
Theoretical Ecology Group, African Institute for Mathematical Sciences, Cape Town,
South Africa
M. J. Somers
Centre for Invasion Biology, Mammal Research Institute, Department of Zoology
and Entomology, University of Pretoria, Pretoria, South Africa
© The Author(s) 2020
B. W. van Wilgen et al. (eds.), Biological Invasions in South Africa, Invading
Nature - Springer Series in Invasion Ecology 14,
https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-32394-3_5
115