The proliferation of non-native species in the freshwater ecosystems of East Central Mexico is considered a primary threat to the integrity of local native community structure. However, a general understanding of consistent and predictable impacts of non-native species on native freshwater diversity is limited, in part, because of a lack of broad-scale studies including data from numerous localities across multiple drainages. In this study, we captured 85 neotropical fish belonging to nine species in the Alvarado Lagoon, Veracruz, southeast from the Gulf of Mexico. Of these, the presence of three non-native species was confirmed: the pantano cichlid Cincelichthys pearsei, the jaguar cichlid Parachromis managuensis and the vermiculated sailfin catfish Pterygoplichthys disjunctivus. The species settlement in the region is a consequence of aquaculture practices with food purpose and ornamental production.

The members of the heterobranch family Veronicellidae Gray, 1840 (commonly referred to as leatherleaf slugs) include some of the most widespread and agriculturally damaging invasive slugs. In a recent survey at Sagar Island of Sunderban Biosphere Reserve, four specimens hitherto unknown from the Reserve were collected. The specimens were identified as Laevicaulis haroldi Dundee, 1980, a native of South Africa. The first observation of this species in India was noted during 2005 in Maharashtra and recently from Uttar Pradesh. The current record from West Bengal affirmed this slug to be an invasive alien species in India. Categorized as IUCN-Endangered in its native range, this species might have a wider distribution in India. In addition, the current study underscores the need of identifying invasive alien species and quantifying their population dynamics in India.

Tuta absoluta (Meyrick) (Lepidoptera, Gelechiidae), a highly devastating and invasive pest attacking tomatoes either in greenhouses or in open fields, is currently spreading throughout many countries in Africa. Six major vegetable production areas in Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), were surveyed between October and November 2016 to report any possible occurrence of the invasive Tuta absoluta. Morphological identification of the sampled adult insect individuals was based on phenotypic characters using a stereomicroscope while molecular identification was carried out using polymerization chain reaction-based approaches targeting the mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase subunit I (COI) gene. Results showed that T. absoluta was found in a commercial tomato farm in Nsele area, while it was absent in the five other sampled sites. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that T. absoluta populations found in Nsele were genetically close to those from Tunisia and Kenya. This is the first report of T. absoluta occurrence and damage in tomatoes grown in DRC where effective and sustainable pest management programs against this invasive insect should be developed and implemented to avoid major crop yield and economic losses.

Alligator snapping turtles (Macrochelys temminckii Troost, 1835), Chelydridae, is native to the United States and is popular as a pet in many countries despite its large size and inclusions in CITES (Appendix III). On October 15, 2019, an alligator snapping turtle was found at the bottom of a stream in Gwangju, Republic of Korea. The turtle measured 310 mm in carapace length and weighed 7.6 kg. We presumed the shortest distance moved by this turtle was 1.54 km by stream or 1.26 km by land. This is the third record of an alligator snapping turtle in Korea. The first was reported in 2011 and the second in 2014. These repeated sightings of alligator snapping turtles suggest that more individuals are likely to be found in the wild in the Republic of Korea. We highlight the management problems of non-native species, including the alligator snapping turtle, starting with a lack of monitoring species that are imported into the country to inadequate surveys undertaken in the wild across the country.