Quantifying errors and omissions in alien species lists : the introduction status of Melaleuca species in South Africa as a case study
Date
2017
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Pensoft Publishers
Abstract
Introduced species lists provide essential background information for biological invasions research and
management. The compilation of these lists is, however, prone to a variety of errors. We highlight the
frequency and consequences of such errors using introduced Melaleuca (sensu lato, including Callistemon)
species in South Africa as a case study. We examined 111 herbarium specimens from South Africa and
noted the categories and sub-categories of errors that occurred in identification. We also used information
from herbarium specimens and distribution data collected in the field to determine whether a species was
introduced, naturalized and invasive. We found that 72% of the specimens were not named correctly.
These were due to human error (70%) (misidentification, and improved identifications) and species identification
problems (30%) (synonyms arising from inclusion of Callistemon, and unresolved taxonomy).
At least 36 Melaleuca species have been introduced to South Africa, and field observations indicate that ten
of these have naturalized, including five that are invasive. While most of the errors likely have negligible
impact on management, we highlight one case where incorrect identification lead to an inappropriate
management approach and some instances of errors in published lists. Invasive species lists need to be
carefully reviewed to minimise errors, and herbarium specimens supported by DNA identification are
required where identification using morphological features is particularly challenging.
Description
CITATION: Jacobs, L. E. O., et al. 2017. Quantifying errors and omissions in alien species lists : the introduction status of Melaleuca species in South Africa as a case study. NeoBiota, 32:89-105, doi:10.3897/neobiota.32.9842.
The original publication is available at https://neobiota.pensoft.net
The original publication is available at https://neobiota.pensoft.net
Keywords
Invasive species -- Lists -- South Africa -- Case studies, Introduced organisms -- Lists -- South Africa -- Case studies, Alien species -- Lists -- South Africa -- Case studies, Melaleuca -- South Africa, Bottlebrush -- South Africa, Biological invasions -- Management
Citation
Jacobs, L. E. O., et al. 2017. Quantifying errors and omissions in alien species lists : the introduction status of Melaleuca species in South Africa as a case study. NeoBiota, 32:89-105, doi:10.3897/neobiota.32.9842