Invasive species in the Philippines

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The following is a list of invasive alien species (IAS) in the Philippines. These species are regarded to have a negative effect on the local ecosystem and the economy, although not all species introduced from outside the archipelago are considered as "invasive". [1]

Contents

Notable species

Animals

PictureCommon nameSpecies nameIntroducedNative toNotes
Rhinella marina (Philippines).jpg Cane toad Rhinella marinaNationwideCentral AmericaOften erroneously referred to as "bullfrogs", cane toads are the most widely distributed invasive amphibian species. Sightings has been reported in at least 24 major islands across the Philippines, and is noted to have been recorded in the Palawan island group. The species was introduced in the Philippines in the 1930s, as a pest control method in sugar cane plantations. [2]
Pelodiscus.jpg Chinese softshell turtle Pelodiscus sinensisChina [3]
Bicak baligi.jpg Clown knifefish Chitala ornata Laguna de Bay Indochina Regarded as an ornamental fish in the Philippines, the clown knifefish is believed to have been introduced to Laguna de Bay in 2009 due to flooding caused by Typhoon Ketsana (Ondoy). It is considered as an invasive species due to the knifefish preying on native fishes as well as introduced species cultivated for human consumption such as milkfish and Tilapia. [4]
Gfp-gambusia.jpg Eastern mosquitofish Gambusia holbrookiSoutheastern United StatesIntroduced in the Philippines in 1905 as a means to combat malaria. [5]
Callosciurus finlaysonii - Finlayson's squirrel (variable squirrel)-cropped.jpg Finlayson's squirrel Callosciurus finlaysonii Indochina First reported in gated subdivisions and golf courses in Metro Manila, the Finlayson's squirrel has also been sighted in Batangas and Nueva Ecija. The squirrels are considered as a threat to native bird species. [6]
Achatina fulica - walking (cropped).JPG Giant African land snail Lissachatina fulicaNationwideEast AfricaIntroduced in the Philippines in 1942 during World War II by the Imperial Japanese military from Taiwan. A crop pest. [7]
Golden apple snail laying eggs, Singapore.jpg Golden apple snail Pomacea canaliculataNationwideSouth AmericaIntroduced in the Philippines from Argentina via Taiwan in the 1980s. It was originally intended as a protein source for farmers' diet and was also kept as an aquarium pet. It is regarded as a crop pest in rice cultivation. [8] [9]
Trachemys scripta elegans 001.JPG Red-eared slider Trachemys scripta elegansSouthern United StatesPopularly kept as pets. The importation of turtles to the Philippines has been banned to manage the proliferation of the turtles in the country. [10]
FRESH TILAPIA.jpg Tilapia VariousAfricaIntroduced in the Philippines in the 1970s. Although the fish has been made a staple of Filipino diet, it is noted to have displaced other native fishes fit for human consumption. Wild Tilapia has been recorded in Lake Sebu, Agusan Marsh and Liguasan Marsh. [11]

Plants

PictureCommon nameSpecies nameIntroducedNative toNotes
Chromolaena odorata 07126.jpg Hagonoy Chromolaena odorataNationwideSouth AmericaNow a prevalent weed in the Philippines, the plant was introduced in the southern Philippines in the 1960s. [12] It also easily spreads in agricultural land reducing space for edible plants consumed by livestock. Hagonoy itself is poisonous to livestock due to its allelopathic properties. [13]
Pasig River Algae.jpg Water Hyacinth
(Water lily)
Eichornia crassipes [14] NationwideSouth AmericaNoted to cover the Pasig River and affect Laguna de Bay during the rainy season. It competes with native plant species and covers wide swathes of surface causing low level of oxygen in the water. The plants however are recognized for their role in removing heavy metal in the Pasig River's polluted waters. [15] [16]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Lake Victoria</span> Lake in East-central Africa

Lake Victoria is one of the African Great Lakes. With a surface area of approximately 59,947 km2 (23,146 sq mi), Lake Victoria is Africa's largest lake by area, the world's largest tropical lake, and the world's second-largest fresh water lake by surface area after Lake Superior in North America. In terms of volume, Lake Victoria is the world's ninth-largest continental lake, containing about 2,424 km3 (1.965×109 acre⋅ft) of water. Lake Victoria occupies a shallow depression in Africa. The lake has an average depth of 40 m (130 ft) and a maximum depth of 80–81 m (262–266 ft). Its catchment area covers 169,858 km2 (65,583 sq mi). The lake has a shoreline of 7,142 km (4,438 mi) when digitized at the 1:25,000 level, with islands constituting 3.7% of this length.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Manila Bay</span> Natural harbor on the island of Luzon, Philippines

Manila Bay is a natural harbor that serves the Port of Manila, in the Philippines. Strategically located around the capital city of the Philippines, Manila Bay facilitated commerce and trade between the Philippines and its neighboring countries, becoming the gateway for socio-economic development even prior to Spanish occupation. With an area of 1,994 km2 (769.9 sq mi), and a coastline of 190 km (118.1 mi), Manila Bay is situated in the western part of Luzon and is bounded by Cavite and Metro Manila on the east, Bulacan and Pampanga on the north, and Bataan on the west and northwest. Manila Bay drains approximately 17,000 km2 (6,563.7 sq mi) of watershed area, with the Pampanga River contributing about 49% of the freshwater influx. With an average depth of 17 m (55.8 ft), it is estimated to have a total volume of 28.9 billion cubic meters. Entrance to the bay is 19 km (11.8 mi) wide and expands to a width of 48 km (29.8 mi). However, width of the bay varies from 22 km (13.7 mi) at its mouth and expanding to 60 km (37.3 mi) at its widest point.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ampullariidae</span> Family of gastropods

Ampullariidae, whose members are commonly known as apple snails, is a family of large freshwater snails that includes the mystery snail species. They are aquatic gastropod mollusks with a gill and an operculum. These snails simultaneously have a gill and a lung as functional respiratory structures, which are separated by a division of the mantle cavity. This adaptation allows these animals to be amphibious. Species in this family are considered gonochoristic, meaning that each individual organism is either male or female.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Philippine forest turtle</span> Species of turtle

Siebenrockiella leytensis is a species of freshwater turtle endemic to the Philippines. It is classified as critically endangered. It is known as the Philippine forest turtle, the Philippine pond turtle, the Palawan turtle, or the Leyte pond turtle. Despite the latter common name, it does not occur in the island of Leyte but is instead native to the Palawan island group. It is locally known as bakoko in Cuyonon.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Wakema Township</span> Township in Ayeyarwady Region, Myanmar

Wakema Township is a township of Myaungmya District in central Ayeyarwady Region, Myanmar. The first Prime Minister of Burma, U Nu was born in the principal town, Wakema. The township is one of a few townships outside Kayin State with a majority Karen ethnic population.

<i>Pomacea</i> Genus of gastropods

Pomacea is a genus of freshwater snails with gills and an operculum, aquatic gastropod mollusks in the family Ampullariidae, the apple snails. The genus is native to the Americas; most species in this genus are restricted to South America.

<i>Pomacea canaliculata</i> Species of gastropod

Pomacea canaliculata, commonly known as the golden apple snail or the channeled apple snail, is a species of large freshwater snail with gills and an operculum, an aquatic gastropod mollusc in the family Ampullariidae, the apple snails. South American in origin, this species is considered to be in the top 100 of the "World's Worst Invasive Alien Species". It is also ranked as the 40th worst alien species in Europe and the worst alien species of gastropod in Europe.

<i>Pomacea diffusa</i> Species of gastropod

Pomacea diffusa, common name the spike-topped apple snail, is a species of freshwater snail, an aquatic gastropod mollusk in the family Ampullariidae, the apple snails.

<i>Pomacea maculata</i> Species of gastropod

Pomacea maculata is a species of large freshwater snail with an operculum, an aquatic gastropod mollusk in the family Ampullariidae, the apple snails.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Turtle Islands Wildlife Sanctuary</span>

Turtle Islands Wildlife Sanctuary is a protected area encompassing the municipality of Turtle Islands in Tawi-Tawi, Philippines. It spans six islands: Great Bakkungan, Baguan, Boan, Langaan, Lihiman, and Taganak.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ginataang kuhol</span>

Ginataang kuhol is a Filipino snail stew made from apple snails in coconut milk with leafy vegetables, onion, garlic, ginger, siling haba chilis, bagoong alamang, and salt and pepper. Labuyo chilis are also commonly added for a spicier version. The leafy vegetables can include water spinach, moringa leaves, and chili pepper leaves, among others.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Manila Dolomite Beach</span> Urban beach in Manila, Philippines

Manila Baywalk Dolomite Beach, commonly known as Dolomite Beach, is an artificial beach along Manila Bay in Manila, Philippines created through the process of beach nourishment. It is part of an overall integrated coastal zone management aimed at coastal defense of the Manila Bay Rehabilitation project. When completed, the beach will cover a total length of 900 meters of Manila Baywalk.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Baseco Beach</span> Beach in the Philippines

Baseco Beach is an urban beach located at Baseco Compound in Port Area, Manila, Philippines. A part of the beach was redeveloped by the city as the Baseco Park, using rehashed materials such as rehabilitated old lamp posts from other parts of the city.

Perivitellins are egg proteins found in the perivitelline fluid of many gastropods. They are multifunctional complexes providing the developing embryo with nutrition, protection from the environment, and defense against predators.

Jaime "Ka Jimmy" Tadeo was a Filipino peasant and organic farming activist.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Pomacea columellaris</span> Species of snail

Pomacea columellaris is a South American species of freshwater snail in the apple snail family, Ampullariidae.

Pomacea columbiensis is a species of freshwater snail in the family Ampullariidae. It is native to Colombia, found in the Magdalena and Cauca rivers, and Ecuador, in the Pastaza River.

References

  1. Fernandez, Rudy (January 16, 2016). "Imported 'invasive' species threaten Philippine fishery industry". The Philippine Star. Retrieved June 1, 2021.
  2. Panela, Shaina (August 29, 2019). "Oops? QC barangay goofed in releasing cane toads to estero". Rappler. Retrieved June 1, 2021.
  3. De Vera-Ruiz, Ellalyn (October 19, 2020). "Invasive species Chinese softshell turtle found in QC". Manila Bulletin. Retrieved June 1, 2021.
  4. Encelan, Mirzi Angela (April 29, 2017). "Eliminating 'pest' Knife Fish from Laguna Lake". Los Baños Times. Retrieved June 1, 2021.
  5. Madarang, Catalina Ricci (August 27, 2019). "Ignoring warnings, government releases invasive frogs, fishes in hopes to fight dengue". Interaksyon. Retrieved June 2, 2021.
  6. Mayuga, Jonathan (May 31, 2021). "Invasive squirrel species seen as threat to wildlife and farms". BusinessMirror. Retrieved June 1, 2021.
  7. Sosa, Benjamin III; Batomalaque, Gizelle; Fontanilla, Ian Kendrich (December 2014). "An Updated Survey and Biodiversity Assessment of the Terrestrial Snail (Mollusca: Gastropoda) Species in Marinduque, Philippines". Philippine Journal of Science. 143 (2): 202. ISSN   0031-7683.
  8. Joshi, R. C. (2007). "Problems with the Management of the Golden Apple Snail Pomacea canaliculata: an Important Exotic Pest of Rice in Asia". Area-Wide Control of Insect Pests. pp. 257–264. doi:10.1007/978-1-4020-6059-5_24. ISBN   978-1-4020-6058-8.
  9. "Pomacea canaliculata". Asian-Pacific Alien Species Database. National Institute for Agro-Environmental Sciences. Retrieved June 1, 2021.
  10. Teves, Catherine (April 8, 2021). "Surrender invasive turtles, DENR tells public". Philippine News Agency. Retrieved June 1, 2021.
  11. Mayuga, Jonathan (November 27, 2021). "Plan vs janitor fish, other IAS completed". BusinessMirror. Retrieved June 1, 2021.
  12. "Primer on Biological Control of Hagonoy (Chromolaena odorata)" (PDF). CPD Technology Guide No. 8. Crop Protection Division Davao Research Center Agricultural Research & Development Branch - Philippine Coconut Authority. 2008.
  13. Joshi, Ravindra. "Invasive alien species (IAS): Concerns and status in the Philippines" (PDF). Philippine Rice Research Institute: 11-9.{{cite journal}}: Cite journal requires |journal= (help)
  14. "Framework for Philippine Plant Conservation Strategy and Action Plan". Biodiversity Management Bureau: 22.{{cite journal}}: Cite journal requires |journal= (help)
  15. Mayuga, Jonathan (June 23, 2019). "Water hyacinth: Bane or boon?". BusinessMirror. Retrieved June 1, 2021.
  16. "Water hyacinth invades every empty surface of Pasig River in Manila". GMA News. October 4, 2020. Retrieved June 1, 2021.