From the cage to the wild: introductions of Psittaciformes to Puerto Rico

From the cage to the wild: introductions of Psittaciformes to Puerto Rico Wilfredo Falcón1 ,2 ,3 and Raymond L. Tremblay1 ,2 1 Department of Biology, University of Puerto Rico at Humacao, Humacao, Puerto Rico, United States of America 2 Center for Applied Tropical Ecology and Conservation, University of Puerto Rico, Río Piedras, Puerto Rico, United States of America 3 Bureau of Research and Conservation of Habitats and Biodiversity, Puerto Rico Department of Natural and Environmental Resources, San Juan, Puerto Rico, United States of America ABSTRACT Introduced psittacine birds can become highly invasive. In this study, we assessed invasions of Psittaciformes in Puerto Rico. We reviewed the literature, public databases, citizen science records, and performed in situ population surveys across the island to determine the historical and current status and distribution of psittacine species. We used count data from Ebird to determine population trends. For species whose populations were increasing, we modelled their potential distribution using niche modeling techniques. We found 46 Psittaciformes in Puerto Rico, of which 26% are only present as pets, at least 29 species have been reported in the wild, and of those, there is evidence that at least 12 species are breeding. Our results indicate that most introduced species which have been detected as established still persist, although mostly in localized areas and small populations. Clear evidence of invasiveness was found for Brotogeris versicolurus and Myiopsitta monachus, which have greatly expanded their range in recent years. Psittacara erythrogenys and Eupsittacula canicularis also showed population increases, although to a lesser degree. The niche models predicted suitable areas for the four species, and also indicate the potential for range expansion. We discuss the factors leading to invasion success, assess the potential impacts, and we discuss possible management strategies and research prospects. Submitted 28 February 2018 Accepted 28 August 2018 Published 30 October 2018 Corresponding author Wilfredo Falcón, Academic editor Patricia Gandini Additional Information and Declarations can be found on page 18 DOI 10.7717/peerj.5669 Copyright 2018 Falcón and Tremblay Distributed under Creative Commons CC-BY 4.0 Subjects Ecology, Zoology Keywords Birds, Cacatuidae, Parrots, Islands, Biological invasions, Psittacidae, Puerto Rico, Predicted distribution INTRODUCTION With the globalization of economies, the rate of species introductions has risen considerably to the extent that the shifts in species distributions and the reorganization of biodiversity are now considered a signature of the Anthropocene (Seebens et al., 2017). In parallel, invasive species have gained broad attention from ecologists, government agencies and the public due to the potential and realized negative impacts on economies, human health, native species, and ecosystem services (Sanders et al., 2003; Mooney, 2005; Davis, 2009; Lockwood, Hoopes & Marchetti, 2013). One of the factors that most contributed to the establishment of non-native species in recent history has been the pet trade (Smith et al., 2009). OPEN ACCESS How to cite this article Falcón and Tremblay (2018), From the cage to the wild: introductions of Psittaciformes to Puerto Rico. PeerJ 6:e5669; DOI 10.7717/peerj.5669 Psittaciformes are among the exotics species most commonly sold as pets, with twothirds of the known species in this group known to occur in the pet trade (parrots, conures and cockatoos) (Cassey et al., 2004b). In the 1990’s the global pet trade in Psittaciformes generated USD $1.4 billion and was largely supplied by four million wild-caught birds (Thomsen et al., 1992). Four general modes of introductions to native habitats have been identified for parrots: releases by traders due to oversupply or legal complications (Forshaw, 1973; Robinson, 2001), or the accidental or intentional releases by pet owners (Blackburn, Lockwood & Cassey, 2009). Two thirds of successful avian introductions have been on islands (Blackburn, Lockwood & Cassey, 2009), however, it should be noted that most unsuccessful introductions have not been documented (Mori et al., 2014). In Puerto Rico, many species of Psittaciformes have been imported for sale as pets, especially since the 1950’s, and by 2000, eight had likely become established (Pérez-Rivera, 1985; Raffaele, 1989; Camacho-Rodríguez, ChabertLlompart & López-Flores, 1999; Oberle, 2000). As with any exotic, invasive species, local, state, and federal agencies are concerned with the possible effects that these species may have on ecosystem processes and populations of indigenous species. Of particular concern in Puerto Rico is the US Federal Government and World Conservation Union listed, critically endangered species, the endemic Puerto Rican amazon, Amazona vittata (Snyder, Wiley & Kepler, 2007). In this study, we review the introduction and persistence of Psittaciformes in Puerto Rico, by evaluating their historic and present distributions. In addition, we assess population trends, and present the predicted distribution of the most successful psittacine species on the island using niche modelling techniques. Finally, we identify possible factors that may have contributed to the successful establishment of Psittaciformes in Puerto Rico and discuss our results in the context of potential impacts, management and prospects. MATERIALS AND METHODS Members of the Psittaciformes, which comprise about 393 species in 92 genera that include macaws, cockatoos, parrots, and conures, are mostly pantropical, although some species inhabit temperate areas in the southern hemisphere (Juniper & Parr, 1998; Forshaw, 2010). They are considered one of the most endangered groups of birds in the world, and threats include trapping for trade, habitat destruction and hunting (Snyder et al., 2000). Historical and current status of Psittaciformes To assess the historical introductions of Psittaciformes to Puerto Rico, and their current status, we surveyed historical reports on the distribution of the species (Forshaw, 1973; Pérez-Rivera & Vélez-Miranda, 1980; Pérez-Rivera, 1985; Pérez-Rivera et al., 1985; Raffaele, 1989; Camacho-Rodríguez, Chabert-Llompart & López-Flores, 1999; Oberle, 2000) . We also recorded species occurrences based on observations made during 2013–2017. In addition, we surveyed the E-bird (http://ebird.com/) online database, which contain records from amateurs and professional ornithologists. Well curated open access observational data, such as that available through Ebird, provides a base for evidence-based research, conservation and management actions in Falcón and Tremblay (2018), PeerJ, DOI 10.7717/peerj.5669 2/26 a cost-effective way, especially in the absence of scientifically-derived data (Sullivan et al., 2017). Still, these data are not free of biases. To collect data, Ebird employs relatively unstructured protocols wit (...truncated)