Humankind has redistributed a large number of species outside their native geographic ranges. Although the majority of introduction attempts fail to establish populations, the cumulative negative effect of successful non-native species has been and will continue to be large. Historical records of land bird introductions provide one of the richest sources of data for testing hypotheses regarding the factors that affect the successful establishment of non-native populations. However, despite comprehensive summaries of global avian introductions dating back two decades only very recent studies have examined the successful establishment of non-native bird species worldwide. It is clear that a non-random pattern exists in the types of land bird species that have been chosen by humans to be introduced outside their native range. Out of the 44 avian families from which species have been chosen for introduction almost 70% of introduction attempts have been from just five families (Phasianidae, Passeridae, Fringillidae, Columbidae, Psittacidae). Notably, these families include game species, insectivorous song birds, and species from the pet trade. It has been hypothesised that the fate of introduced species may be determined in part by heritable characteristics that are shared by closely related taxa. In my analyses, I have used current comparative methods to demonstrate that intrinsic eco-physiological characteristics are significant predictors of the worldwide success of introduced land bird species. The results of my analyses contribute to a greater ecological understanding of the traits that correlate with the successful establishment of non-native species. Notably, the three major conclusions that I have drawn from this thesis are: 1. Non-random patterns of successful establishment exist for introduced land bird taxa that have experienced a repeated number of introduction attempts. This result supports the idea that introduced species have an inherent likelihood of either succeeding or failing to establish non-native populations. 2. Eco-physiological traits are important correlates for determining the variability in introduction outcome for non-native land bird species. With reliable information on introduction attempts and taxa-specific traits predictive models are possible that quantify the outcome of repeated introduction attempts across non-native species. 3. Islands are not universally less resistant than mainland regions to the successful establishment of non-native species. This perception is a reflection of the greater number of introduction attempts to islands rather than an effect of biotic resistance. Any differences in the success of introduction attempts can be attributed largely to differences in the proportion of introductions that have been made across biogeographic regions. I have highlighted that data are accessible for global analyses of the variability in the successful establishment of non-native species. Although establishment success is not a deterministic process, the characteristics of an introduced species can influence the probability of its succeeding. I have shown that with adequate eco-physiological information, and for introduced land bird species at least, this probability can be predicted. These results refute previous suggestions that the stochastic component of species introductions will always overshadow any emerging patterns of successful establishment among non-native populations.

The impacts of Invasive Non-Native Species (INNS) are well documented, and INNS management is widely considered one of top threats to global biodiversity and ecosystem function. The American signal crayfish, Pacifastacus leniusculus, is a destructive invader of freshwater ecosystems. In Scotland, this species currently has a restricted distribution. Despite the known impacts and high rates of dispersal, little is being done to manage populations that threaten to spread into Scotland's economically important catchments. One barrier to action on the management of signal crayfish is uncertainty over the implementation and efficacy of control methods. Capture-mark-recapture analysis was used to estimate the size- and season-specific capture probabilities of three traditional and two novel mechanical removal methods. By simulating the effect of harvest with these removal methods on a density-independent population model, a range of optimal seasonal combinations of removal methods were derived. Little empirical evidence exists in compensatory density-dependent dynamics in signal crayfish. I found that the probability of an individual cannibalising was affected by its size and also the density of conspecifics around it. I trialled a seasonally optimal combination of removal methods in two populations, manipulating sections of stream with different crayfish removal intensities, and tracked the movements of marked individuals. There was a high rate of dispersal (33%) that was influenced by the quality of the patch it was leaving, dispersing to, and the intensities of removal applied to the stream sections. Crayfish had a greater probability of moving to high density sections with the highest removal treatment. My conclusions suggest that conventional removal efforts (trapping), may fail due to compensatory effects on mortality and dispersal, and that novel approaches such as targeting smaller size classes are required, but only after quantitative predictions and field trials.

No description available.

No description available.

In 2003, an intertidal fish, the Australian oyster blenny (Omobranchus anolius) was discovered in Auckland, New Zealand. Subsequent surveys of the inner Hauraki Gulf found only 24 specimens, the majority of which (n=20) occurred at a single location within Tamaki River. Most non-indigenous species do not establish viable populations, few of those that do spread; even fewer become abundant and widespread and have negative ecological impacts. Little was known about the ecology of this fish, it was unclear whether it would establish and spread in New Zealand, and in the event it did, what effect it would have on native flora and fauna.

Thesis (Ph.D.)--University of Adelaide, School of Earth and Environmental Sciences, Discipline of Environmental Biology, 2004. / "April 2004" Bibliography: leaves 152-171.

Thesis (M.S.)--Eastern Illinois University, 2009. / Includes bibliographical references.

Thesis (M. Sc.)(Wildlife Management)--University of Pretoria, 2003. / Abstract in English. Includes bibliographical references.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--Auburn University, 2009. / Abstract. Vita. Includes bibliographical references.

Thesis (M.S.)--Missouri State University, 2008. / "August 2008." Includes bibliographical references (leaves 70-81). Also available online.