Anthony Ricciardi
@ecoinvasions.bsky.social
Ecologist (invasive species, freshwater biodiversity, bioinvasions, aquatic ecosystems) | Professor of Biology, McGill University | Director of the Bieler School of Environment | My lab account: @ricciardilab.bsky.social
Reposted by Anthony Ricciardi
What would you share with an earlier version of yourself?
What I wish I knew: 33 thoughts for early career researchers
Thirty three reflections I wish someone had shared with me early in my research career.
predirections.substack.com
November 11, 2025 at 12:41 AM
What would you share with an earlier version of yourself?
Quote: "We predict that the spread of toads to the Pilbara will cause an additional five mammals and four reptile species to be added to the threatened species list, and cause another species to be upgraded in threat status."
www.nature.com/articles/s41...
www.nature.com/articles/s41...
Quantifying the potential impact of the cane toad (Rhinella marina) on biodiversity in Australia’s Pilbara region - Scientific Reports
Scientific Reports - Quantifying the potential impact of the cane toad (Rhinella marina) on biodiversity in Australia’s Pilbara region
www.nature.com
November 10, 2025 at 2:26 PM
Quote: "We predict that the spread of toads to the Pilbara will cause an additional five mammals and four reptile species to be added to the threatened species list, and cause another species to be upgraded in threat status."
www.nature.com/articles/s41...
www.nature.com/articles/s41...
Reposted by Anthony Ricciardi
In 2020 @wwf.panda.org identified the 100 global cities expected to suffer the greatest rise in water risk by 2050- home to at least 350 million people!
We've already seen several megacities just days away from running dry.
Here's a🧵 with eg's
We've already seen several megacities just days away from running dry.
Here's a🧵 with eg's
November 9, 2025 at 3:05 AM
In 2020 @wwf.panda.org identified the 100 global cities expected to suffer the greatest rise in water risk by 2050- home to at least 350 million people!
We've already seen several megacities just days away from running dry.
Here's a🧵 with eg's
We've already seen several megacities just days away from running dry.
Here's a🧵 with eg's
Reposted by Anthony Ricciardi
New analysis suggests invasive Polynesian rats played a major role in Rapa Nui’s deforestation by destroying palm seeds, highlighting the combined impact of invasive species and human activity. doi.org/g99c8s
Rapa Nui's catastrophic deforestation: Invasive rats, not just humans, may be to blame
Dr. Terry Hunt from the University of Arizona and Dr. Carl Lipo from the University of Birmingham have published a study in the Journal of Archaeological Sciences, reassessing the role of Polynesian rats (Rattus exulans) in the deforestation of Rapa Nui.
phys.org
November 6, 2025 at 2:40 PM
New analysis suggests invasive Polynesian rats played a major role in Rapa Nui’s deforestation by destroying palm seeds, highlighting the combined impact of invasive species and human activity. doi.org/g99c8s
Mosquitoes were introduced to Hawaii on ships c. 1826. Non-native birds acted as a reservoir for the pathogen in lowland areas as native birds (which lacked immunity) became limited to high altitude forests. Climate change allowed mosquitoes to colonize higher elevations.
www.cnn.com/science/hawa...
www.cnn.com/science/hawa...
Thousands of mosquitoes are being dropped by drone over islands in Hawaii. Here’s why | CNN
Native Hawaiian honeycreeper birds are being wiped out by avian malaria. Scientists think they can battle the problem by releasing more mosquitoes.
www.cnn.com
November 8, 2025 at 5:49 PM
Mosquitoes were introduced to Hawaii on ships c. 1826. Non-native birds acted as a reservoir for the pathogen in lowland areas as native birds (which lacked immunity) became limited to high altitude forests. Climate change allowed mosquitoes to colonize higher elevations.
www.cnn.com/science/hawa...
www.cnn.com/science/hawa...
No obituary of James Watson is complete without acknowledging that his Nobel Prize-winning discovery was facilitated by the pioneering work of Dr. Rosalind Franklin - who established her own remarkable legacy in a tragically short time span.
My ask of any science enthusiasts who tell the story of Rosalind Franklin:
Don't make her life be about the DNA debacle. She died far too young, but she was a promising scientist in her own right, a mentor and scientific author.
Not for Watson or Crick, but for her legacy.
Don't make her life be about the DNA debacle. She died far too young, but she was a promising scientist in her own right, a mentor and scientific author.
Not for Watson or Crick, but for her legacy.
Her sister wrote my favorite essay about her. She points out that RF would have been famous even if she'd never looked at DNA
www.thelancet.com/journals/lan...
www.thelancet.com/journals/lan...
November 8, 2025 at 5:24 AM
No obituary of James Watson is complete without acknowledging that his Nobel Prize-winning discovery was facilitated by the pioneering work of Dr. Rosalind Franklin - who established her own remarkable legacy in a tragically short time span.
Reposted by Anthony Ricciardi
Barred owls are an invasive species in western North America. Their westward spread was fueled by fire suppression, tree planting, and settlement, not by “natural expansion.” (Livezey 2009)
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1/4
November 6, 2025 at 5:33 AM
Barred owls are an invasive species in western North America. Their westward spread was fueled by fire suppression, tree planting, and settlement, not by “natural expansion.” (Livezey 2009)
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Reposted by Anthony Ricciardi
Brilliant story-telling and visuals, despite the tragic impacts of feral cats www.abc.net.au/news/2025-11...
Revered and reviled, cats in the crosshairs on Christmas Island
On a speck of land in the Indian Ocean, one of the world's most ambitious wars is being waged against feral cats. But not everyone is celebrating.
www.abc.net.au
November 7, 2025 at 11:27 PM
Brilliant story-telling and visuals, despite the tragic impacts of feral cats www.abc.net.au/news/2025-11...
New study from our lab: Feeding efficiency (trophic impact) of goldfish varies with combinations of thermal & salinity conditions typical of urban ponds in north temperate regions. Salinity enhances efficiency at temperatures below the thermal optimum of goldfish.
link.springer.com/article/10.1...
link.springer.com/article/10.1...
Effects of temperature and chloride salinity on the functional response of goldfish (Carassius auratus) - Biological Invasions
Freshwater animals released into temperate urban environments are increasingly subjected to the effects of elevated water temperatures (via climate warming) and salinization (via road salt application...
link.springer.com
November 6, 2025 at 8:12 PM
New study from our lab: Feeding efficiency (trophic impact) of goldfish varies with combinations of thermal & salinity conditions typical of urban ponds in north temperate regions. Salinity enhances efficiency at temperatures below the thermal optimum of goldfish.
link.springer.com/article/10.1...
link.springer.com/article/10.1...
As a grad student, I gave a talk at the 1994 International Zebra Mussel Conference (now called ICAIS) about a probable future N.Am. invasion by Limnoperna fortunei, the golden mussel. And in 1998 I wrote this warning:
redpath-staff.mcgill.ca/ricciardi/Ri...
The mussel was found in California in 2024
redpath-staff.mcgill.ca/ricciardi/Ri...
The mussel was found in California in 2024
November 6, 2025 at 1:47 AM
As a grad student, I gave a talk at the 1994 International Zebra Mussel Conference (now called ICAIS) about a probable future N.Am. invasion by Limnoperna fortunei, the golden mussel. And in 1998 I wrote this warning:
redpath-staff.mcgill.ca/ricciardi/Ri...
The mussel was found in California in 2024
redpath-staff.mcgill.ca/ricciardi/Ri...
The mussel was found in California in 2024
2024 essay on reconstructing the biogeography of the moose:
"As moose populations multiply in the Southern Rocky Mountains, decision-makers are questioning whether the animals are endemic or invaders. Archaeology can offer answers—and potential solutions." www.sapiens.org/archaeology/...
"As moose populations multiply in the Southern Rocky Mountains, decision-makers are questioning whether the animals are endemic or invaders. Archaeology can offer answers—and potential solutions." www.sapiens.org/archaeology/...
Do Moose “Belong” in Colorado?
As moose multiply in the Rocky Mountains, decision-makers question whether the animals are endemic or invaders. Archaeology offers answers.
www.sapiens.org
November 6, 2025 at 1:17 AM
2024 essay on reconstructing the biogeography of the moose:
"As moose populations multiply in the Southern Rocky Mountains, decision-makers are questioning whether the animals are endemic or invaders. Archaeology can offer answers—and potential solutions." www.sapiens.org/archaeology/...
"As moose populations multiply in the Southern Rocky Mountains, decision-makers are questioning whether the animals are endemic or invaders. Archaeology can offer answers—and potential solutions." www.sapiens.org/archaeology/...
The 2023 IPBES report on invasive alien species highlighted a global threat requiring multidisciplinary attention. In this 2021 paper, our team outlined four priority areas to advance invasion science in an era of rapid environmental change:
cdnsciencepub.com/doi/full/10....
cdnsciencepub.com/doi/full/10....
November 6, 2025 at 12:42 AM
The 2023 IPBES report on invasive alien species highlighted a global threat requiring multidisciplinary attention. In this 2021 paper, our team outlined four priority areas to advance invasion science in an era of rapid environmental change:
cdnsciencepub.com/doi/full/10....
cdnsciencepub.com/doi/full/10....
A 2017 article that rings more true today: "We can’t afford to dismiss the testimony of those with scientific and technical expertise. Like the airline pilots who we trust to fly our planes, scientists have knowledge and skills that many of us both lack and need." www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
We're in a post-truth world with eroding trust and accountability. It can't end well | Nick Enfield
In our new normal, experts are dismissed and alternative facts flagrantly offered. This suspicion of specialists is part of a bigger problem
www.theguardian.com
November 6, 2025 at 12:27 AM
A 2017 article that rings more true today: "We can’t afford to dismiss the testimony of those with scientific and technical expertise. Like the airline pilots who we trust to fly our planes, scientists have knowledge and skills that many of us both lack and need." www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
Reposted by Anthony Ricciardi
The head of a Thai NGO is being sued by an agribusiness giant for alleging the firm is linked to the outbreak of an invasive fish species in Thailand’s waterways.
The blackchin tilapia has spread to at least 19 provinces, where it outcompetes other aquatic species and is disturbing ecosystems.
The blackchin tilapia has spread to at least 19 provinces, where it outcompetes other aquatic species and is disturbing ecosystems.
Thai agri giant CPF sues activist over claims linking it to invasive fish outbreak
The secretary-general of a Thai agricultural watchdog is facing a lawsuit that observers say is part of corporate efforts to silence citizens who are calling for greater accountability over the…
news.mongabay.com
November 5, 2025 at 5:14 PM
The head of a Thai NGO is being sued by an agribusiness giant for alleging the firm is linked to the outbreak of an invasive fish species in Thailand’s waterways.
The blackchin tilapia has spread to at least 19 provinces, where it outcompetes other aquatic species and is disturbing ecosystems.
The blackchin tilapia has spread to at least 19 provinces, where it outcompetes other aquatic species and is disturbing ecosystems.
A comprehensive global assessment of the status & trends of alien species for major taxonomic groups. This is an outstanding product of the 2023 IPBES assessment on invasive species.
onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/...
onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/...
November 5, 2025 at 10:55 PM
A comprehensive global assessment of the status & trends of alien species for major taxonomic groups. This is an outstanding product of the 2023 IPBES assessment on invasive species.
onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/...
onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/...
After invasive predators (cats) are removed from an island, an endemic pigeon species recovers rapidly. Adult pigeon numbers rose from 111 to 966, and juvenile counts jumped from 9 to 189.
November 4, 2025 at 1:31 AM
After invasive predators (cats) are removed from an island, an endemic pigeon species recovers rapidly. Adult pigeon numbers rose from 111 to 966, and juvenile counts jumped from 9 to 189.
Reposted by Anthony Ricciardi
this scenario is exactly where an ethical framework would be important - something my colleague Gillian Crozier and I tried to address in our paper link.springer.com/article/10.1...
November 3, 2025 at 10:02 PM
this scenario is exactly where an ethical framework would be important - something my colleague Gillian Crozier and I tried to address in our paper link.springer.com/article/10.1...
Reposted by Anthony Ricciardi
Congratulations to the 2025 recipient of the Volvo Prize, @naomioreskes.bsky.social! Naomi's work addresses vital issues such as why we need to trust science; a topic that becomes even more important with every new day.
Read more here: www.environment-prize.com/laureates/na...
Read more here: www.environment-prize.com/laureates/na...
Why we should trust scientists
Many of the world's biggest problems require asking questions of scientists -- but why should we believe what they say? Historian of science Naomi Oreskes thinks deeply about our relationship to belie...
www.ted.com
November 2, 2025 at 8:40 PM
Congratulations to the 2025 recipient of the Volvo Prize, @naomioreskes.bsky.social! Naomi's work addresses vital issues such as why we need to trust science; a topic that becomes even more important with every new day.
Read more here: www.environment-prize.com/laureates/na...
Read more here: www.environment-prize.com/laureates/na...
Reposted by Anthony Ricciardi
An invasive species of slithering, blood-sucking parasites in the Great Lakes has long been curbed by a small government program—one that may not survive the Trump Administration.
The Feds Who Kill Blood-Sucking Parasites
Sea lampreys—invasive, leechlike creatures that once nearly destroyed the Great Lakes’ fishing economy—are kept in check by a small U.S.-Canadian program. Will it survive Trump’s slash-and-burn campai...
www.newyorker.com
October 28, 2025 at 8:38 PM
An invasive species of slithering, blood-sucking parasites in the Great Lakes has long been curbed by a small government program—one that may not survive the Trump Administration.