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Read more about the article Endemic ants give alien ants a hard time
The Argentine ant (Linepithema humile). Photo credit: Melanie de Morney
2014 / News

Endemic ants give alien ants a hard time

C·I·B postdoctoral associate Dr. Natasha Mothapo used behavioural experiments to see if the African big-headed ant (Pheidole megacephala) can help to keep the spread of invasive Argentine ants (Linepithema humile) in check. Dr. Mothapo found that both species were very aggressive during fights. Their mortality rates were similar during one-on-one clashes, but Argentine ants suffered more deaths than did big-headed ants. When competing for food in the same environment, the African big-headed ant was able to keep Argentine ants from gaining access to the food.

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1 July 2014
Read more about the article Endemic fish threatened by predatory impacts of rainbow trout
2014 / News

Endemic fish threatened by predatory impacts of rainbow trout

Rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) is among the most widely introduced fish in rivers of the Cape Floristic Region, and may pose a serious threat to endemic fish such as redfin minnows, members of the genus Pseudobarbus, which are a unique and vulnerable group of freshwater fishes. In the Cape Floristic Region alone, there are twelve species of redfin minnow, some of which live in only a single river or stretch of river. Nine Cape minnow species face a serious threat of extinction by introduced predatory fish, such as trout.

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23 June 2014
Read more about the article A prickly situation – C·I·B study supports National Strategy for invasive cacti
2014 / News

A prickly situation – C·I·B study supports National Strategy for invasive cacti

Cactus plants are a familiar sight in many gardens and nurseries throughout South Africa. However, native to North and South America, these plants are becoming serious invaders across South Africa. In 1976, 12 species were reported as invasive, now, already 34 species are considered problematic. They all share certain characteristics which include heavy fruiting, vegetative reproduction, spines, good dispersal mechanisms and a lack of natural enemies because of their taxonomic isolation. In response to this threat, in June 2012, a national Cactus Working Group (CWG) was called into action to develop a strategy for the control of invasive cacti.

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17 June 2014
Read more about the article Tackling Invasive Alien Species in Europe: the Top 20 Issues
Some of the invited speakers at the Freshwater Invasives: Networking for Strategy (FINS). Back row (left to right): Joe Caffrey (Inland Fisheries Ireland), Phil Hulme (Lincoln University, New Zealand), Olaf Weyl (SAIAB/CIB), Fergus O’Dowd (Minister of Fisheries Ireland), Hugh MacIsaac (University of Windsor, Canada), Anthony Ricciardi (McGill University, Canada). Front row: Toril Loennechen Moen (Norwegian Biodiversity Information Centre), Jarle Steinkjer (Directorate for Nature Management, Norway), Frances Williams (CABI, Kenya), Niall Moore (Non-native Species Secretariat for Great Britain), Helen Roy (Biological Records Centre, UK).
2014 / News

Tackling Invasive Alien Species in Europe: the Top 20 Issues

Globally, Invasive Alien Species (IAS) are considered to be one of the major threats to native biodiversity. In Europe, there are about 12,000 alien species, 11% of which are invasive, causing environmental, economic and social damage. Given Global trends, it is reasonable to expect that the rate of biological invasions into Europe will increase in the coming years.

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10 June 2014
Read more about the article New alien species hiding in our harbours
A diver surfaces to pass a sample to C·I·B researchers (Photo credit: Dr T Robinson)
2014 / News

New alien species hiding in our harbours

Marine alien species have not been as well studied in South Africa as their terrestrial counterparts. However, recent research by C·I·B researchers has shed some light on the occurrence of marine alien species in Western Cape harbours.

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27 May 2014