Volume 4, Issue 3 June 2011 Aliens of Xamayca a newsletter on non-indigenous species in Alien Amongst Us Bronze Mannikin ( cucullata)

INSIDE THIS ISSUE:

Alien Amongst Us — Bronze Manni- kin (Lonchura 1 Source: http://www.warwicktarboton.co.za/birdpgs/357BrMan.html cucullata) Mannikins and munias are a Restall in the 1990’s. While this been recorded in small flocks group of native to the served to split a few species into on the island. tropical and subtropical regions full species status and streamline of the Old World such as , the naming process, it also intro- The most likely means of intro- southeastern Asia to Taiwan, duced a bit of confusion as one duction of these species into Invasive Alien Spe- Indonesia and the Philippines. species sometimes have more the Jamaican landscape is from cies through the 2 These birds are seed-eaters be- than one English names and rec- intentional or unintentional Eyes of an Intern longing to the genus Lonchura ognized by different Latin names release of caged birds. The of which there are forty-one by various authorities. At least Bronze Mannikin and the Tri- species worldwide. They are three species, the Scaly-breasted coloured Munia for example, very colourful songbirds made Munia (Lonchura punctulata), were first recorded subsequent popular by the international pet also known as the Nutmeg Man- to the passage of Hurricane trade. This popularity has re- nikin, the Tricoloured Munia (L. Gilbert in 1988. They have Melaleuca and 3 sulted in them being one of the malacca), also known as the Tri- since been seen in flocks in Wild Ginger most common caged birds. Un- coloured Mannikin, and the open grassy fields, freshwater fortunately however, this pet Black-headed Munia (L. atri- marshes and along road mar- trade is believed to be the main capilla) also known as the Chest- gins. Their distribution is still reason behind the establishment nut Mannikin have established very local and may be rare to of new populations outside their populations in Jamaica. The latter fairly common where they oc- native range. two were once considered sub- cur. Children’s 4 Corner species of L. malacca and were The mannikins and munias have recently given species status. A The mannikins and munias undergone recent reclassifica- fourth species, the Bronze Man- could prove potentially invasive tion and name changes based nikin (L. cucullata also known as posing a threat to the native largely on work done by Robin Spermestes cucullatus) has also Cont’d on page 2 Volume 4, Issue 3 Page 2 Mannikins and Munias in Jamaica cont’d flora and fauna in the areas of the island nias therefore plays an important role in References: where they are established. Being grain and emphasizing the ease with which non- Avibase - the world database http:// avibase.bsc-eoc.org (accessed: 27 June 2011) seed-eaters they will compete with native native bird species can become estab- Jamaican birds such as the Yellow-faced lished in the wild through the pet trade. Haynes-Sutton, Ann, Audrey Downer, and Robert Sutton. 2009. A photographic guide Grassquit (Tiaris olivaceus), Black-faced This highlights the deficiencies of the to the birds of Jamaica. London: Christopher Grassquit (T. bicolor), Yellow-shouldered present wildlife management legislations Helm of A&C Black Publishers ltd. Grassquit (Loxipasser anoxanthus) and even such as the Wildlife Protection Act Raffaele, Herbert, James W. Wiley, Orlando the larger Greater Antillean Bullfinch (1945) and the Endangered Species Garrido, Allan Keith, and Janis Raffaele. (Loxigilla violacea). These introduced spe- (Conservation and Regulation of Trade) 1998. A guide to the birds of the west indies. New Jersey: Princeton University Press. cies are also potential pests to various grain Act (2000). A comprehensive wildlife crops such as rice. trade policy to regulate the activities of Restall, Robin. 1997. Munias and mannikins. the pet trade industry is urgently needed. New Haven: Yale University Press

At present, mannikins and munias are not This however, will only be effective if Restall, Robin. 2008. Proposal (#368) to South recorded in any great numbers on the island the required funding, monitoring and American Classification Committee recogni- tion of Tricolored Munia as the English which suggests that their impact may be enforcement programmes are in place. common name for Lonchura malacca. http:// minimal. In addition, grains are not a sig- Contributed by: www.museum.lsu.edu/~remsen/ nificant crop item in Jamaica. The presence Ricardo Miller SACCprop368.html (accessed: 27 June 2011) of numerous species of mannikins and mu- Invasive Alien Species through the Eyes of an Intern

Ms. Gabrielle Watson a recent graduate purposes are some means through which Marine invasive: from the Marine Biology programme at “would-be” invasive species can become a : Lionfish (Pterois sp.) the University of the West Indies is cur- nuisance if they are not properly man- Plant: Caulerpa taxifolia rently a volunteer in the Ecosystems aged. Management Branch. She was asked to Freshwater invasive: give her views on invasive alien species Invasive alien species can be plants, ani- Animal: Red-claw Lobster (Cherax sp.) and she had this to say. mals or micro-organisms and they can Plant: Water Hyacinth (Eichhornia cras- become invasive in any type of ecosys- sipes) An invasive alien species is any species tem, including but not limited to freshwa- whose presence becomes detrimental to ter, marine, wetland and terrestrial envi- Wetland invasive: or has the potential to become detrimen- ronments. They often act by preventing Animal: Green-lipped Mussel (Perna tal to a country’s natural biodiversity, other species from growing to maturity viridis) economy or populace. Invasive alien spe- by, in the case of plants, overtopping/ cies are often thought to be restricted to overgrowth of other species and in the Land invasive: alien (foreign/introduced) species, how- case of , by preying on juvenile Animal: Small Indian Mongoose ever it should be noted that native species stages of the animal’s development. Inva- (Herpestes javanicus ) may become invasive in the event that sive species may also lead to species ex- Plant: Lantana sp. their populations are not effectively moni- tinction. Contributed by: tored. Biological manipulation, breeding Gabrielle J. Watson programmes, wildlife/pet trade and trade Examples of species invasive in Jamaica: Intern—Ecosystems Management Branch of plants for agricultural or ornamental Page 3 Aliens of Xamayca

MELALEUCA

Scientific Name: Melaleuca quinquenervia Common Names: Bottlebrush/Paperbark Tree Native Land: Australia

DESCRIPTION: • aggressive and highly invasive plant that grows very rapidly, typically up to 3-6 feet per year, • produces dense stands that displace native plants and ani- mals, • two distinctive stands have been identified in the Black River Lower Morass, the largest freshwater wetland ecosys- tem in Jamaica, • introduction of this plant was deliberate and is used exten- sively in landscaping. EFFECTS The infestation of this plant results in the degradation of eco- system structure and function; it also reduces native species biodiversity. www.google.com

WILD GINGER

Scientific Name: Alpinia allughas Common Names: Wild Ginger

DESCRIPTION: • grows of the banks of streams, canals and rivers and is also found in forests, marshy tracts and swamps, • propagated via rhizomes and is thought to be dispersed via water.

EFFECTS: • forms large thickets which smother under-story plants and out competes native species • found to be taking over the natural vegetation of the Black River Morass and other wetland ecosystems throughout Jamaica

FACT SHEET on IAS in the Black For additional information on the MTIASIC Project River Pilot Project submitted by: in Jamaica and invasive alien species, contact: “Mitigating the Threat of Invasive Alien Species in the Insular ” Project GEF/UNEP/CABI MTIASIC Project THE MTIASIC PROJECT IN JAMAICA The National Environment & Planning Agency 10 Caledonia Avenue, Kingston 5 CHILDRENS’ CORNER

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The Aliens of Xamayca is a quarterly newsletter of the Ecosystems Management Branch of NEPA that features non-native species in Jamaica. Persons interested in writing articles for the newsletter may submit them to the Editor at [email protected].