Don't limit your concern to animal species. Remember that the dandelion and the roadside mullein (Verbascum thapsis) are not native to the U.S. Mike Poston Rockville, Maryland ----- Original Message ----- From: <[log in to unmask]> To: <[log in to unmask]> Sent: Sunday, September 12, 2004 9:23 PM Subject: History of Virginia's Natural History > 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. > > To subscribe, change options, or unsubscribe, please see the instructions > at http://listlva.lib.va.us/archives/va-hist.html To subscribe, change options, or unsubscribe, please see the instructions at http://listlva.lib.va.us/archives/va-hist.html