Parasites, pathogens, and invasions by plants and animals
Abstract
Biological invasions cause billions of dollars in economic damage each year and are a serious threat to native biodiversity. Introduced animals and plants may escape 75% or more of the parasite and pathogen species from their native range. While they do accumulate novel parasite species from their new location, this number is generally only a fraction of the number lost. Individual plants and animals are also generally less frequently infected (prevalence minus percent individuals infected) in introduced compared to native conspecific populations. In conjunction with other biological and physical factors, release from parasites helps explain the increased demographic performance of invasive species, potentially accounting for much of the damage they cause.