05 June 2023 , 11:15
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Alien species could be harbouring a variety of unknown germs which might have serious consequences for its new environment, scientists have claimed.
Invasive species, which are sometimes known as 'aliens', not only colonise their new surroundings, but they may also carry a whole host of invasive micro-organisms, according to researchers at the Senckenberg Natural History Collections in Germany.
The theory is a type of invasion biology concept, which the scientists named 'nested invasions'.
They also warned that the impact of these alien microbes was completely unknown.
"Community ecology concepts are at the heart of a holistic understanding of the dynamics and mechanisms of biological invasions," said Dr Raffael Ernst.
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The scientists analysed the skin of a tiny frog species - known as Johnstone's whistling frog (Jam Press/Franziska Leonhardt)"This is especially true when assessing the complex and diverse microbiota associated with each invasive species.
"To date, traditional studies have largely failed to account for these nested immigrations, and thus have ignored a potentially important aspect of invasion processes.
"However, we can summarise by saying that alien species do not arrive alone!"
All animals carry trillions of microbes on their skin, including bacteria and viruses, as well as fungi in their digestive tracts.
The scientists analysed the skin of a tiny frog species - known as Johnstone's whistling frog - to uncover the alien micro-organisms lurking on amphibians' skin.
All animals carry trillions of microbes on their skin, including bacteria and viruses (Jam Press/Franziska Leonhardt)Johnstone's whistling frog is already known as a highly invasive species that's spread throughout the Caribbean, Central and Southern America, as well as mainland Europe.
They're generally no larger than 35mm long, and originated in the lesser Antilles before spreading across the world.
The scientists found that high levels of bacteria was spread between the frogs and the environment.
It meant that more attention should be given to the spread of microbes from alien species, in order to avoid deadly new diseases.
Meanwhile, Brits have also been warned about another invasive species; butterfly bush.
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Butterfly bush is an invasive weed that's often seen climbing up chimneys, and it's believed to be even worse than the well-known Japanese knotweed.