IsoLampro

The introduction of alien species is one of the main threats to global biodiversity and the conservation of ecosystems. Introduced species can establish itself in the new area and cause damage to the environment, the economy and/or human health. In the case of island ecosystems, biological invasions achieve greater relevance, due to the presence of a unique biota characterized by the presence of a large number of endemic species. In the Canary Islands, one of the most recent examples of invasive species is the California kingsnake (Lampropeltis californiae), accidentally or deliberately introduced in Gran Canaria around 1998 from individuals bred in captivity and kept as pets. This species, which is native of United States and Mexico, is currently considered an invasive species on the island, capturing more than 500 individuals per year since 2011.