EXOTIC SPECIES PROJECT
Exotic Species
Wanted Dead or Alive
http://whyfiles.org/160invasive_spec/index.html
Courtesy of M. Littleton, Carver H.S., Carver, Mass.
Also known as: Invasive Species, Nonindigenous Species, Non-native Species, Introduced Species
Background Information: Go to the Environmental Literacy Council’s web page and read their information on
Non-native Species:
http://www.enviroliteracy.org/article.php/40.html
Choose a Species: Visit one of the following web sites (or the links at the bottom of the above web page). The
only requirement for choosing a species is that it must be a species that is invasive in the U.S. Here is a list of
some. However, you may choose another after checking with your instructor first.
1. Asian clam (Corbicula fluminea)
2. Asian swamp eel (Monopterus albus)
3. Chinese mystery snail (Cipangopaludina chinensis malleata)
4. Water hyacinth (Eichhornia crassipes)
5. Snakehead fish (Channa micropeltes)
6. Yellow iris (Iris pseudacorus)
7. Nutria (Myocastor coypus)
8. Kudzu (Pueraria montana var. lobata)
9. Redbelly tilapia (Tilapia zillii)
10. Zebra mussel (Dreissena polymorpha)
11. European starling (Sturnus vulgaris)
12. Fire ant (Solenopsis invicta)
13. Asian longhorned beetle
14. Gypsy moth
15. Sea lamprey
16. Bush/Maack’s honeysuckle
17. Purple loosestrife
18. Hydrilla
19. Japanese beetle
20. Emerald Ash borer
21. Tree-of heaven
22. Autumn olive
23. Asian carp
24. Buckthorn
25. Asian ladybird beetle
26. European green crab
Species profile page of Invasivespecies.gov:
http://invasivespecies.gov/profiles/main.shtml
Biodiversity and Conservation: A Hypertext Book by Peter J. Bryant
http://darwin.bio.uci.edu/~sustain/bio65/lec09/b65lec09.htm
Research: Obtain more information on your species by doing a web search. Be sure to document your sources.
(title and address of all web pages used – put these on back of your poster)
The product:
1. 1. A “Wanted” poster for your species. You must include:
NAME / ALSO KNOWN AS (latin name / common name / “criminal” name)
PICTURE – a drawing or photograph (color would be nice)
IDENTIFYING CHARACTERISTICS – key features to look for when identifying the criminal
LAST SEEN – where did the species originally come from? include a map.
SUSPECTED HIDEOUTS - include a map of the U.S. with its current distribution shaded; description
of preferred habitat
CRIMES COMMITTED by your species (crimes must be specific to your species and not general to all
invasive species)
REWARD for elimination of your species (think ecologically, economically, socially, politically –
again, be specific for your species)
Color, neatness, and creativity
2. 2. Bibliography -- list of internet sites /web addresses OR appropriate bibliographic information
3. 3. Presentation - you will share the information on your species with the class in a brief oral presentation
(2-3 minutes).
The presentation component will be graded on the following:
explanation of all the information on your poster in more detail than poster allows
introduction history (where it came from and how it got here)
methods of control
Submission of Final Product Can Be Hard Copy or Electronically