The conservation threat posed by invasive alien species has become well-recognized over the past two decades, even as the problem continues to increase rapidly in scope. Research and management attention to this issue has, however, been taxonomically biased toward groups having large, obvious impacts, and the invasive potential of other organisms with subtle or cryptic impacts remains largely unassessed. Alien reptiles and amphibians, although providing a few of the better-known examples of severe invasion impacts, have never been scientifically assessed as a group for their potential invasiveness. This book examines the means by which alien reptiles and amphibians are transported by humans; surveys their ecological, evolutionary, economic, and health impacts; reviews the management responses taken against them; and summarizes the immediate research and management efforts needed to mitigate the threat posed by these organisms. It also provides a comprehensive database of herpetofaunal introductions worldwide and a bibliography of supporting literature. The purpose of the book is to summarize our current understanding of herpetofaunal invasiveness and stimulate additional management and research activities needed to reduce the impacts of these species.

Zusammenfassung
Transportation of species to areas outside their native ranges has been a feature of human culture for millennia. During this time such activities have largely been viewed as beneficial or inconsequential. However, it has become increasingly clear that human-caused introductions of alien biota are an ecological disruption whose consequences rival those of better-known insults like chemical pollution, habitat loss, and climate change. Indeed, the irreversible nature of most alien-species int- ductions makes them less prone to correction than many other ecological problems. Current reshuffling of species ranges is so great that the present era has been referred to by some as the Homogocene in an effort to reflect the unique mag- tude of the changes being made. These alien interlopers often cause considerable ecological and economic d- age where introduced. Species extinctions, food-web disruptions, community alte- tions, ecosystem conversion, changes in nutrient cycling, fisheries collapse, watershed degradation, agricultural loss, building damage, and disease epidemics are among the destructive and frequently unpredictable ecological and economic effects that invasive alien species can inflict. The magnitude of these damages c- tinues to grow, with virtually all environments heavily used by humans now do- nated by alien species and many natural areas becoming increasingly prone to alien invasion as well. Attention to this problem has increased in the past decade or so, and efforts to prevent or limit further harm are gaining wider scientific and political acceptance.

Inhalt

Background to Invasive Reptiles and Amphibians.- Patterns.- Impacts of Alien Reptiles and Amphibians.- Management Responses.- Implications for Policy and Research.- Appendices.