Leech-turtle Interactions in Invasion Success
The increasing global introduction of alien species underscores the urgent need to identify the factors that drive their establishment and spread, particularly in biodiversity hotspots. Because alien species often benefit from the absence of natural enemies (e.g., parasites), we investigated leech parasitism in native and invasive freshwater turtles that have been coexisting for over a decade within a tropical assemblage. By focusing on parasite–host interactions, our study highlights a key yet often overlooked mechanism that may facilitate invasion success. This work provides an important baseline for future research and management strategies aimed at mitigating the ecological impacts of invasive species.
Read the full article, here