Question

Describe/discuss two examples of non-native plants or animals that were introduced by humans and that are now causing serious problems in the Galapagos Islands.

Answer 1

Example1:

When resources are limited,the competitively superior species will eventually eliminate the other species e.g. the Abingdon tortoise in Galapagos islands became extinct within a decade after goats were introduced on the island, actually due to the greater browsing efficiency of the goats.

Example 2:

The fly, Philorins downsi which was accidentally introduced into the Galapagos island has become a major threat to the existing brids.These flies lay eggs in the nostrils of the younger nestlings, and the developing larvae feed on the blood and tissues causing infections finally leading to the death of the birds.