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The movement of species from other geographic areas, for economic or even accidental reasons, is one of the greatest threats to ecosystems.
When the exotic (non-native) species proliferates outside its original distribution area, it is considered an invasive species, which may have a negative impact on local biodiversity
For this reason, the Aquatic Ecology research group of the University of Murcia studies the impact that an invasive aquatic insect species may have on native species of coryxes (aquatic insects known commonly as "aquatic bugs" and belonging to the order of the Hemiptera) that inhabit the coastal wetlands of the Iberian peninsula.
To do this, they have focused on the invasive species Trichocorixa verticalis verticalis, an insect originating from the Atlantic coast of the Americas, comparing its ecological niche with that of three others with which it could compete or coexist in the same environment.
The study has determined the ecological similarity of these species (ecological niche) through laboratory experiments and field data.
This niche has been characterized in relation to its tolerance to salinity, its reproductive rate, life cycle, flight capacity and its feeding: "If they have very similar niches can logically compete, if they share only some characteristics could coexist in the same place "Explains Josefa Velasco, researcher at UMU.
Likewise, the coexistence of native species between the invaded area (south of Spain and Portugal, north of Morocco) and regions where the invader has not yet arrived (southeastern Iberian) has been compared.
The findings of the study suggest that Trichocorixa could coexist with native species, reducing its impact.
The coexistence between this species and native species could be due to their ecological differences, which would allow access to different resources and reduce competition.
For example, Trichocorixa is smaller and has a wider spectrum of food sources compared to native species.
In addition, the invasive species has a greater ability to fly and a higher reproductive rate in conditions of high salinity, allowing it to spread successfully.
The methodology chosen has been used in laboratory experiments, combined with field data recorded in a database that, for three decades, the research group on Aquatic Ecology of the University of Murcia has been compiling.
In the sampling, data collection and analysis of results have also participated researchers from the Doņana Biological Station, led by the renowned researcher Andy J. Green.
Trichocorixa verticalis verticalis has invaded southwest Europe and coastal areas of northern and central Africa, where it occupies salty marshes and wetlands.
In the Iberian peninsula, from Doņana, where our team detected it for the first time, has expanded to other wetlands of Cadiz and coasts of Portugal.
In Morocco, it expands more quickly, from the Atlantic coast (Salinas de Larache) to near the border with Algeria, already in the Mediterranean.
It is hypothesized that it has probably reached our shores through the ballast water of ships, since the new points of invasion where it has been located coincide with the ports with the highest intensity of maritime traffic.
In Spain it seems that its expansion is stagnant, having not yet surpassed the province of Cadiz.
However, in Morocco its expansion seems to be accelerating.
In Portugal it also seems to be expanding towards the north.
Although its potential areas to conquer could spread throughout the Mediterranean to France, currently neither in Almeria nor in Murcia has detected the species.
It is believed that this is due to the disappearance of many of the coastal wetlands of Andalusia in favor of urban development, a situation that has occurred in Morocco to a lesser degree.
Source: Universidad de Murcia
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