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Mosquito Invasion Threatens Galapagos Wildlife

By Rob Quinn,  Newser Staff

Posted Aug 12, 2009 2:10 AM CDT

(Newser) – Scientists fear that winged invaders could wipe out native species on the islands where Charles Darwin developed his theory of evolution, the Times of London reports. Mosquitoes have been hitching rides to the Galapagos on incoming aircraft, and now Galapagos species—including iguanas, tortoises, and Darwin's finches—are in serious danger from mosquito-borne diseases they have no resistance to, a new study finds.

"The animals have evolved in the absence of these diseases, so they have virtually no resistance," warns the lead researcher. "You only need a single infectious mosquito to initiate a disease cycle." Scientists say that authorities must rigorously disinfect all flights, or the Galapagos could face an ecological disaster similar to the 19th-century mosquito invasion of Hawaii, which wiped out dozens of bird species.

Mosquito-borne diseases like malaria or West Nile fever could qipe out species like the Galapagos tortoise.
Mosquito-borne diseases like malaria or West Nile fever could qipe out species like the Galapagos tortoise.   (©kylemac)
An adult pink male iguana stands on the rim of the Volcan Wolf crater on Isabela Island, one of the the Galapagos Islands.
An adult pink male iguana stands on the rim of the Volcan Wolf crater on Isabela Island, one of the the Galapagos Islands.   (AP Photo/Gabriele Gentile)
Marine iguanas sunbathe on the volcanic rocks of Loberia Beach on San Cristobal Island in the Galapagos Archipelago.
Marine iguanas sunbathe on the volcanic rocks of Loberia Beach on San Cristobal Island in the Galapagos Archipelago.   (AP Photo/Ricardo Mazalan, File)
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COMMENTS
Showing 3 of 3 comments
Spudsy
Aug 12, 2009 5:59 AM CDT
Damn you suck Spudsy what a useless waste of..........oh, crap.
Spudsy
Aug 12, 2009 5:58 AM CDT
This is exactly why I so unselfishly refused to visit these precious islands. That and of course the fact that I have no money, no vacation time, no intelligence to understand the place, and lack any desire or expectations of a life better than sitting here in my dingy underwear drinking vast quantities of cheap beer and wasting any potential I probably never had by just typing on Newser all day.
kokuaguy
Aug 12, 2009 3:16 AM CDT
If it's not already too late then by all means the strictest enforcement measures should be used.

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