Our paper is out in Biological Invasions!
In a cross-oceanic collaboration, we compiled the largest data set to date of common myna records worldwide. We analysed the data via species distribution models (SDMs) to identify the current and potential global distribution of this species, and the factors that shape them.
Our findings indicate an extensive expansion in the common myna global distribution, with the potential of large areas worldwide being at risk of common myna invasion, thus threatening local biodiversity globally. We also found that the Common Myna range expansion has been facilitated by proximity to urbanized areas and broad environmental tolerance, reflecting the major role of anthropogenic impact in increasing the global distribution of avian invaders.
We also provide empirical evidence that SDMs are a valuable, reliable tool in estimating future species distributions given the appropriate predictors, and emphasize its importance in informing global management practices.
Find out whether your country is at risk of Common Myna invasion: areas colored red on the map are at high risk, areas colored blue are at low risk.
This study was in collaboration with Dr. Salit Kark and Matthew McKinney (The University of Queensland), under the supervision of Dr. Roi Dor (Tel Aviv University). You can find it here:
https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s10530-018-1900-3