Revista Chilena de Historia Natural 78 (1): 143-154, 2005
REVIEW ARTICLE
Invasive vertebrate species in Chile and their control and monitoring by governmental
agencies
We provide an overview of the current status of vertebrate invasive species throughout
Chile, updating information on terrestrial exotics and reporting for the first time the situation of exotic freshwater fishes. In addition, we
document the legislation and programs that the Chilean government has implemented to limit the entry of exotics to the country or
minimize their impact on native wild flora and fauna and on natural ecosystems. We document what is known about the introduction of
26 exotic fish species to continental waters of the country, discussing the distribution and putative effects of those 11 species that may
be considered invasive. From a previous list of 24 terrestrial vertebrate invaders, we withdraw the Argentine tortoise (Chelonoidis
chilensis), reindeer (Rangifer tarandus) and mouflon (Ovis ammon) because there are no data on their
subsistence in the wild. On the other hand, we add three new species: red-eared freshwater turtle (Trachemys scripta),
monk parakeet (Myiopsitta monachus), and red-crested cardinal (Paroaria coronata), thus keeping the
total number of terrestrial invaders unchanged at 24 species. The chief agency in charge of existing laws and regulations regarding the
import of exotic freshwater species is the National Fisheries Service (SERNAPESCA, in Spanish), a dependency of the Ministry of
Economy. The main agency in charge of enforcing existing laws and regulations regarding the import of exotic terrestrial species to
Chile is the Agriculture and Livestock Service (SAG, in Spanish), a dependency of the Ministry of Agriculture. Currently, SAG is not only
controlling major border passes, seaports and airports, but also is funding studies to monitor and control already existing invaders. In
addition, the Chilean Forest Service (CONAF, in Spanish) is also concerned about invasive species, but only if they enter national
parks and reserves within the National System of Protected Wildlife Areas (SNASPE, in Spanish).
Key words:
exotic fishes, exotic
amphibians, exotic reptiles, exotic birds, exotic mammals
