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From: newton@cit-vax.Caltech.Edu (Mike Newton)
Newsgroups: sci.bio
Subject: Re: Ecosystemic Contamination (mongeese...)
Keywords: rain
Message-ID: <12248@cit-vax.Caltech.Edu>
Date: 15 Oct 89 10:52:59 GMT
Reply-To: newton@cit-vax.UUCP (Mike Newton)
Organization: California Institute of Technology
Lines: 30


oxy!palosaari@csvax.caltech.edu (Jedidiah Jon Palosaari) writes:

>>Although not a problem in North America, the mongoose was introduced in
>>Hawaii to reduce the rat population about 100-200 years ago.  Instead, the
>>mongooses decided they liked bird eggs better, and reduced the Hawaiian song
>>bird population to some 23 species, allowing the mongoose to become
>>populous enough to become a pest.  In fact, all mammals except for one type
>>of bat were introduced to Hawaii, although most long ago by the polynesians.

i'd correct the last sentence to read _land_ mammal.  (minor quibble)
(still not sure of it's correctness, but it'd be closer)

the mongoose story is worse than the above hints :  mongeese are
inherently daytime critters.  rats are noctural.   

hawaii also offers many examples of plant `infestations' too.  these
can be serious enough to drive out dependent, native, non-plant species.

- mike


-- 
newton@csvax.caltech.edu	Beach Bums Anonymous, Pasadena President
Caltech 256-80			(Hilo -- it's not just another rainy day!)
Pasadena CA 91125		Life's a beach.  Then you graduate.
-- 
newton@csvax.caltech.edu	Beach Bums Anonymous, Pasadena President
Caltech 256-80			(Hilo -- it's not just another rainy day!)
Pasadena CA 91125		Life's a beach.  Then you graduate.