"Florida's Invasive Species Problem Worst in the World"

"GAINESVILLE -- Florida has the world's worst invasive amphibian and reptile problem, and a new 20-year study led by a University of Florida researcher verifies the pet trade as the top cause of the non-native species introduction into the state's environment."

"The study uses fieldwork data from 12 co-authors throughout the state and research using specimens in the Florida Museum of Natural History collections on the University of Florida campus.

The research covers a period of 147 years. It shows that from 1863 through 2010, there have been 137 non-native amphibian and reptile species introduced to Florida. About 25 percent of those have been traced to one animal importer."

Environment News Service had the story September 30, 2011.