Catalogue of alien animal species in the Czech Republic

Abstract

The catalogue of alien animal species registered in the Czech Republic, with data on their origin, date on the first observation, way of introduction (accidental, deliberate, spontaneous), invasive status (casual, non-invasive, post-invasive, invasive), habitat (eusynanthropic, urban, agricultural, natural), trophic requirements and possible influences (plant or stored-product pest, biodiversity influence). In total 595 species are listed, i.e. 1.8% of the fauna of this country; of these, 22 species of molluscs (8.8% of the local fauna), 451 spp. of arthropods (1.5%), 383 spp. of insects (1.4%), and 55 spp. of vertebrates (9.2%). Among the registered species, 248 spp. (41.8%) are confined to closed and heated spaces by their occurrence, and 287 spp. have become naturalized (48.2%). Of these 113 spp. are considered invasive (19% of alien spp.). 65 spp. (10.9% of aliens) are pests of stored products, 84 spp. (14.1%) are parasites of important animals, 53 spp. (8.9%) are pests of plants grown in heated rooms (above all, glasshouses), 28 ssp. (4.7%) are agricultural or forest pests, and 39 spp. (6.6%) may influence local biodiversity. The origin of the naturalized alien species is mostly in North America (70; 24.4%), the Mediterranean (61; 21.3%), E Asia (44; 15.4%), Central and SW Asia (43; 15%), and S or SE Asia (30; 10.5%).