Pathogens as Biological Weapons of Invasive Species

“Invasive species are nonindigenous species that are introduced into new environments, where they become established and expand their range [1]. They undergo rapid proliferation following the colonization of new habitats, often at the expense of native species, thus having a negative impact on biodiversity. The prospering discipline of invasion ecology seeks to understand why some species become successful invaders, while others do not, even if they are closely related. Pathogens and parasites appear to play an important role in this context.”

http://journals.plos.org/plospathogens/article?id=10.1371%2Fjournal.ppat.1004714