DOI: 10.5285/afeb9f5e-bd69-4e3d-9d50-e935134f4c78
title: Non-native species introduced to Antarctica, 1911-2023

description: This dataset curates over 200 records of known non-native species introductions to Antarctica, where introductions are considered to include inadvertent and deliberate introductions to the environment where the specimen/s were not immediately removed. Each record contains information on occurrence status, location coordinates, observation year, estimated survival time and more. The dataset was compiled by Theme 2 of the SCAR Scientific Research Programme Ant-ICON (Integrated Science to inform Antarctic and Southern Ocean Conservation).

This project was supported by NERC core funding to the BAS Environment Office and Biodiversity, Evolution, and Adaptation Team, and by the Royal Commission for the Exhibition of 1851.
description: From 2023-10-01 to 2024-03-01 records of non-native species were collected using existing data and literature.

A recent dataset was published by Leihy et al. 2023 Scientific Data containing occurrence records for introduced and invasive alien species in the Antarctic and sub-Antarctic islands. The 218 Antarctic records from Leihy et al. 2023 were used as a base for the current dataset.

A strict criterion was applied to these records, removing records that a) were domestic animals deliberately introduced (e.g. dogs, pigs, hamsters), b) where the non-native species was immediately removed or destroyed upon introduction (e.g. non-native species inadvertently transported to Antarctica with cargo or food that was immediately destroyed upon unpacking at a scientific research station), c) where the non-native species record was for a single individual where there was no evidence it had survived in-situ and may have arrived in Antarctica already dead (e.g. a record for a spider skeleton caught in a wind trap outside Marble Point), or d) where the evidence from the original source was too unreliable or weak for it to be included (e.g. potential contamination or mid-identification). 

This process retained 115 of the original Leihy et al. 2023 records. 

A detailed review of the Antarctic non-native species literature, including recent Antarctic Treaty Consultative Meeting reports, added another 115 records to the dataset that met the above criteria. The dataset includes deliberate introductions (i.e. transplant experiments) to the Antarctic environment. It is acknowledged that there are likely records that should be included that have been missed, particularly if the observations were published in books that are hard to access or in an article or report not in English.

The sources for the 230 records were checked, using the original reference wherever possible, and information was confirmed and/or added on:
-occurrence status
-category of introduction
-taxonomic details
-latitude and longitude of observation site
-further location details (including Antarctic Conservation Biogeographic Region, and which [if any] Antarctic Specially Protected Area the record occurs within)
-observation year, publish year and reference/s
-eradication year (if relevant)
-survival time
-notes on occurrence
description: The information for each occurrence record was carefully checked by members of the project team, and where anything was unclear a discussion was had. Uncertainties are reflected in the 'occurenceRemarks' field.

NA's are included where the information in that cell is non-applicable (for example, 'eradictionYear' for records where the species is still currently present). Cells with 'no data' mean that the relevant information was not available in the listed references or was so unclear that it could not be included with any certainty.