What is an invasive specie?

Organism that has harmful effects on our economy, our environment, or our health. The Pigeon is an example, they introduced infectious diseases to the Galapagos Islands as a result to high illness and deaths, reduced productivity, and extinction of Galapagos fauna

Galapagos
Since the discovery of Galapagos in 1535, humans have brought many alien species to the islands some intentionally, including pigeons, goats, pigs, cats, and food plants have been carried to the islands accidentally.

Specific specie
The pigeons de castilla have made their home in urban areas. These birds are known as carriers of diseases for other birds, as well as parasites. The virus that causes Newcastle disease in chickens and other birds has been found in the pigeons de castilla.

Virus
In the Galpagos, due to the close relationship between the common pigeon and the introduced ones, there is a high possibility of transmission of further diseases, such as the threat to farm birds from Newcastle's virus.

Arrival
Pigeons de castilla were introduced to the Galpagos islands around 1972. In 1985 it was estimated that there were 230 introduced pigeons with 112 of them on San Cristbal. Since then the numbers have grown.

Impact
There are parasites in the common Galpagos pigeons which have crossed over from the pigeons de castilla. The pigeons de castilla can cause serious problems for the aviculture because they are carriers and transmitters of many bacteria, fungi, viruses and parasites that affect other birds.

Possible effects
Salmonella: This is only one of many bacteria that pigeons de castilla transmit to humans resulting in cramps and diarrhea Toxoplasmosis: It represents a particular threat to women as it can affect their fertility as well as being a threat to unborn children causing them to be born with serious mental and physical problems. Psitacosis: can cause complications such as pneumonia, hepatitis, arthritis, and miscarriages. Histoplasmosis and Cryptococosis: these diseases are caused by fungi carried by pigeons in mnay places of the world

Control
Rock pigeons can negatively affect global biodiversity from islands .Theres a report on a 7 year campaign to remove rock pigeons from the Galapagos Islands. Shooting with a air rifle was the most efficient elimination system. If they don't completely eliminate the population there could be a revival in the population of pigeons de castilla. So far 743 individuals were eliminated

Interesting fact
Rock pigeons are carriers of many diseases which affect humans, and wild life, and are capable of transmitting at least 40 diseases. While they are resistant to many diseases they become points of infection for transmission to other birds.

Bibliography
http://www.hear.org/galapagos/invasives/topics/mana gement/vertebrates/projects/diseases.htm http://www.hear.org/galapagos/invasives/topics/mana gement/vertebrates/projects/doves.htm http://www.angelfire.com/moon/cimei/Introduced.ht ml#palomas+ http://feigalapagos.org/faq.html

Images
http://www.ecologyandsociety.org/vol9/iss1/art5/inlin e.html http://www.hear.org/galapagos/invasives/topics/mana gement/vertebrates/projects/diseases.htm http://www.angelfire.com/moon/cimei/Introduced.ht ml http://feigalapagos.org/faq.html http://gpsociety.org/learn-more/cats-and-dogs