As you may have concluded, the Potomac River has a new resident species
in the Snakehead fish. Also, a couple of years ago zebra mussels were
found in a Northern Virginia quarry-lake.

This has brought me to thinking about what other major events have
occurred in Virginia's natural history. I am curious as to what if any
Virginia animal or plant species have become extinct in Virginia during
historic times and when. Also when and what new animal, plant, or
disease species have arrived or been discovered to have arrived in
historic times.

Some invasive species I am particularly curious about are

cat
European dog breeds
cattle
black rat
norway rat
coyote
gypsy moth
house sparrow
house mouse
house finch
domestic pig
European starling
chicken
nutria
rock dove

Some major species losses I am interested in include the red and gray
wolves and the buffalo.

particular questions that come to mind also include

Has an evasive species in Virginia ever been successfully eradicated, as
the state hopes to do to the Zebra Mussels?

What immigrant diseases have dramatically shaped Virginia's environment?
For example the fungi that decimated the American chestnut trees, or the
disease that decimated Virginia's native oysters.

I am also interested in if there is a source that discusses these
matters in any great detail.

Thank you in advance for any information you may have.

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