Alien mammal' invasion of Europe

By Matt Walker Editor, BBC Nature. Adaptation

Alien mammals, including wild boar, raccoons, and beavers, have invaded Europe to a greater extent than we thought. A new study has found that 71 mammal species have invaded Europe since Neolithic times, while another 30 species have successfully extended their ranges across the continent. At least 58 of these species directly damage the environment, according to the report published in the journal Integrative Zoology. The research focused on alien outsiders that now threaten native biodiversity. Alien mammals have been introduced into Europe on at least 740 occasions, the study found. For 635 of those, the researchers could reconstruct the date of introduction. The UK ranks among the three most invaded regions, with 18 alien mammal species having colonised its shores. The other two are also islands, with 21 alien species establishing themselves in Sardinia and 19 in Corsica. Some species are also being introduced so they can be hunted. Alien mammals severely threaten the futures of a significant number of native species, including some at a high risk of extinction. Nine of the 26 most influential alien mammals are already of European origin, but have colonised new regions, the report says.