CHARACTERISTICS OF INVASIVE SPECIES

(From Williams and Meffe-Status and Trends of the Nation's Biological Resources-Nonindigenous Species, U.S. Geological Survey)

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·          High rate of reproduction; pioneer species; short generation time 

·          Long-lived 

·          High dispersal rates 

·          Single-parent reproduction (for example, a gravid or pregnant female can colonize) 

·          Vegetative or clonal reproduction 

·          High genetic variability 

·          Phenotypic plasticity 

·          Broad native range 

·          Abundant in native range 

·          Tolerant of wide range of conditions 

·          Habitat generalist 

·          Broad diet (polyphagous) 

·          Gregarious 

·          Human commensal

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* Current site content modified from original content developed by the University of Southern Mississippi/College of Marine Sciences/Gulf Coast Research Laboratory through a grant administered by the Gulf of Mexico Program.