Mechanisms of multi-species mealybug invasions in Hainan Island of China: Integrating niche, distribution, and habitat drivers.

ABSTRACT: Mealybugs, highly invasive pests causing global agricultural damage, threaten China's tropical Hainan Island-a critical biosecurity zone. This study investigates spatial patterns, interspecific interactions, and environmental drivers of 15 invasive mealybug species using integrated ecological niche modeling (Maxent), niche/range overlap analyses, Joint Species Distribution Models (JSDM), and Structural Equation Models (SEM). Our research revealed that a strong coastal-inland richness gradient emerged, where humid tropical climates and monoculture plantations supported 11-15 species in eastern coasts, whereas topographic complexity limited invasions to 0-5 species in forested mountains. In parallel, high niche overlap (I ≥ 0.67) among species reflected climate-mediated thermal tolerance and

SUBMITTER: Si Q 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12551864 | biostudies-literature | 2025

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature