Ecological functions of neotropical amphibians and reptiles: a review

Cortes-Gomez, AM; Agudelo, César Augusto Ruiz; Valencia-Aguilar, Anyelet; Ladle, Richard J.

doi:10.11144/javeriana.sc20-2.efna

Cited by 63 publications

(27 citation statements)

References 93 publications

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“…are grazers associated with leaf litter accumulation (Rugenski et al, 2012). We echo the call of Cortés-Gomez et al (2015) that more research is needed to evaluate the effects of amphibians (tadpoles, juveniles, and adults) in nutrient cycling in ecosystems, food-web dynamics, primary productivity, and ecological interactions at different temporal and spatial scales. Research questions should focus on understanding how feeding, excretion, and population dynamics could affect nutrient cycling in both aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems.…”

Section: Nutrient Cyclingmentioning

confidence: 94%

“…Research highlighting the relationships between amphibian diversity and ecosystem function is needed in light of the global decline of amphibian populations around the world (Connelly et al, 2011;Mendelson et al, 2006). Cortés-Gomez et al (2015) grouped the ecological functions of amphibians into three categories: nutrient cycling, energy flow through trophic chains (as predator and prey), and bioturbation.…”

Section: Ecolog I C Al Role S Of Tadp Ole Smentioning

confidence: 99%

“…As tadpoles grow and metamorphose, their body nutrient content composition (C:N:P) changes, representing the transition from emergent aquatic nutrient subsidies to terrestrial ecosystems (Cortés-Gomez et al, 2015;Whiles et al, 2006). As tadpoles grow and metamorphose, their body nutrient content composition (C:N:P) changes, representing the transition from emergent aquatic nutrient subsidies to terrestrial ecosystems (Cortés-Gomez et al, 2015;Whiles et al, 2006).…”

Section: Energy Flow Through Trophic Levelsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Bioturbation refers to the influence of organisms on the physical, chemical, and ecological dynamics of the benthic habitat (Cortés-Gomez et al, 2015). Tadpoles can play an important role as bioturbators, directly or indirectly modifying the distribution of sediments, stimulating microbial activity and nutrient uptake, and promoting trophic dynamics and energy flow in the system (Flecker, Feifarek, & Taylor, 1999;Ramamonjisoa & Natuhara, 2018;Ranvestel et al, 2004).…”

Section: Bioturbationmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Although amphibians are abundant and diverse in tropical ecosystems, information about their role in ecosystem function, regulation, and contribution towards ecosystem services is still lacking (Cortés-Gomez, Ruiz-Agudelo, Valencia-Aguilar, & Ladle, 2015). Tadpoles play an important role in freshwater habitats as primary and secondary consumers (Altig et al, 2007;Whiles et al, 2006), as they can have significant effects on basal food webs, zooplankton, nutrient availability, and macrophyte biomass (Arribas et al, 2015).…”

Section: Ecolog I C Al Role S Of Tadp Ole Smentioning

confidence: 99%

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Revisiting “what do tadpoles really eat?” A 10‐year perspective

et al. 2019

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Tadpoles are diverse and abundant consumers, and knowledge of their feeding ecology and trophic status is essential in understanding their functional roles within aquatic habitats. Here we revisit Altig, Whiles, and Taylor (2007)'s paper, which highlighted the knowledge gaps in tadpole feeding ecology and the application of modern techniques, such as stable isotope and fatty acid analyses to better quantify dominant food resources, food assimilation, and the trophic status of tadpoles. We reviewed the ecological studies that have been published since 2007 that used stable isotopes and fatty acid analyses, also metagenomics and ecological stoichiometry analyses. We describe the ecological roles of tadpoles in freshwater ecosystems and identify knowledge gaps regarding tadpole feeding ecology across biogeographic regions. Worldwide declines in amphibian abundance and diversity create an urgent need to document their feeding ecology and trophic status. As consumers, tadpoles play important functional roles in nutrient cycling, energy flow, and bioturbation. They also exhibit context‐dependent trophic plasticity in response to abiotic and biotic gradients, which complicates understanding of their trophic roles. Most studies of tadpole trophic ecology have been conducted primarily on species from the families Ranidae, Bufonidae, and Hylidae from Neotropic and Nearctic regions, while species in tropical regions such as Africa and Asia lack ecological information for tadpoles. There continues to be a need for studies of tadpole diets and/or trophic ecology in Africa and Southeast Asia regions where species endemism is threated by the growth of anthropogenic activities. The majority of studies have focused on trophic ecology of tadpoles from the perspective of single species or at relatively small spatial and temporal scales. Studies that address questions from an ecosystem perspective were scarce, but are critical for conservation and management. Future research should aim to address the role of tadpoles as consumers across broader spatiotemporal scales.

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Section: Nutrient Cyclingmentioning

confidence: 94%

Section: Ecolog I C Al Role S Of Tadp Ole Smentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Energy Flow Through Trophic Levelsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Bioturbationmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Ecolog I C Al Role S Of Tadp Ole Smentioning

confidence: 99%

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Revisiting “what do tadpoles really eat?” A 10‐year perspective

et al. 2019

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Functional diversity of snakes is explained by the landscape composition at multiple areas of influence

Rincón‐Aranguri

Toro‐Cardona

Galeano

et al. 2023

Ecology and Evolution

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Roadkill and landscape composition affect snakes at different spatial scales, depending on the functional trait value of the species, which is reflected in the functional diversity indices at the assemblage level. This study evaluated the effect of roads and landscape composition on snakes' functional diversity at different areas of influence (250, 500, 1000, and 2000 m buffer areas). We compared roadkill snake species with those assemblages inhabiting the adjacent vegetation in the Orinoco region, Colombia. We surveyed snakes using transects on the road and adjacent areas on

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Stable isotope analyses—A method to distinguish intensively farmed from wild frogs

Dittrich

Struck

Rödel

2017

Ecology and Evolution

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Consumption of frog legs is increasing worldwide, with potentially dramatic effects for ecosystems. More and more functioning frog farms are reported to exist. However, due to the lack of reliable methods to distinguish farmed from wild‐caught individuals, the origin of frogs in the international trade is often uncertain. Here, we present a new methodological approach to this problem. We investigated the isotopic composition of legally traded frog legs from suppliers in Vietnam and Indonesia. Muscle and bone tissue samples were examined for δ15N, δ13C, and δ18O stable isotope compositions, to elucidate the conditions under which the frogs grew up. We used DNA barcoding (16S rRNA) to verify species identities. We identified three traded species (Hoplobatrachus rugulosus, Fejervarya cancrivora and Limnonectes macrodon); species identities were partly deviating from package labeling. Isotopic values of δ15N and δ18O showed significant differences between species and country of origin. Based on low δ15N composition and generally little variation in stable isotope values, our results imply that frogs from Vietnam were indeed farmed. In contrast, the frogs from the Indonesian supplier likely grew up under natural conditions, indicated by higher δ15N values and stronger variability in the stable isotope composition. Our results indicate that stable isotope analyses seem to be a useful tool to distinguish between naturally growing and intensively farmed frogs. We believe that this method can be used to improve the control in the international trade of frog legs, as well as for other biological products, thus supporting farming activities and decreasing pressure on wild populations. However, we examined different species from different countries and had no access to samples of individuals with confirmed origin and living conditions. Therefore, we suggest improving this method further with individuals of known origin and history, preferably including samples of the respective nutritive bases.

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Ecological functions of neotropical amphibians and reptiles: a review

Cited by 63 publications

References 93 publications

Revisiting “what do tadpoles really eat?” A 10‐year perspective

Revisiting “what do tadpoles really eat?” A 10‐year perspective

Functional diversity of snakes is explained by the landscape composition at multiple areas of influence

Stable isotope analyses—A method to distinguish intensively farmed from wild frogs

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