Effects of invasive larval bullfrogs (Rana catesbeiana) on disease transmission, growth and survival in the larvae of native amphibians

Blaustein, Andrew R.; Jones, Devin K.; Urbina, Jenny; Cothran, Ricky D.; Harjoe, Carmen C.; Mattes, Brian M.; Buck, Julia C.; Bendis, Randall J.; Dang, Trang D.; Gervasi, Stephanie S.; Relyea, Rick A.

doi:10.1007/s10530-020-02218-4

Cited by 7 publications

(4 citation statements)

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“…Marginal evidence for a reduction in relative growth rate was also detected, suggesting that a larger sample size would be needed to detect the proportionally smaller daily differences due to experimental treatments. Although other studies have reported reduced survival of Pacific chorus frogs in the presence of larval bullfrogs (e.g., small tanks in [ 39 , 43 ]), we did not see reduced survival due to bullfrog presence even under future climate conditions. Overwintered bullfrogs may counterintuitively have a smaller effect on competitors than first year bullfrog tadpoles [ 43 , 60 ], suggesting that larger negative effects of bullfrog tadpoles may be seen if the experiment were repeated with first year tadpoles of a more similar size to the Pacific chorus frog tadpoles in this experiment.…”

Section: Discussioncontrasting

confidence: 93%

“…Bullfrog larvae can act as predators or competitors with other amphibian larvae, often reducing the survival and growth of native amphibian larvae [ 36 – 38 ]. The effects of larval bullfrogs on survival in larval Pacific chorus frogs are unclear, with at least one study finding reduced chorus frog survival in the presence of overwintered larval bullfrogs [ 39 ] while other studies do not detect reduced survival [ 40 , 41 ]. Several studies observed a negative effect of bullfrog larvae on chorus frog development rate [ 12 , 42 ] and growth [ 40 , 43 ].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Effects of elevated temperature, reduced hydroperiod, and invasive bullfrog larvae on pacific chorus frog larvae

et al. 2022

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Climate change and invasive species threaten many ecosystems, including surface freshwater systems. Increasing temperatures and reduced hydroperiod due to climate change may promote the persistence of invasive species and facilitate new invasions due to potentially higher tolerance to environmental stress in successful invaders. Amphibians demonstrate high levels of plasticity in life history characteristics, particularly those species which inhabit both ephemeral and permanent water bodies. We tested the influence of two projected effects of climate change (increased temperature and reduced hydroperiod) on Pacific chorus frog (Pseudacris regilla) tadpoles alone and in combination with the presence of tadpoles of a wide-spread invasive amphibian, the American bullfrog (Lithobates catesbeianus). Specifically, we explored the effects of projected climate change and invasion on survival, growth, mass at stage 42, and development rate of Pacific chorus frogs. Direct and indirect interactions between the invasive tadpole and the native tadpole were controlled via a cage treatment and were included to account for differences in presence of the bullfrog compared to competition for food resources and other direct effects. Overall, bullfrogs had larger negative effects on Pacific chorus frogs than climate conditions. Under future climate conditions, Pacific chorus frogs developed faster and emerged heavier. Pacific chorus frog tadpoles developing in the presence of American bullfrogs, regardless of cage treatment, emerged lighter. When future climate conditions and presence of invasive American bullfrog tadpoles were combined, tadpoles grew less. However, no interaction was detected between climate conditions and bullfrog presence for mass, suggesting that tadpoles allocated energy towards mass rather than length under the combined stress treatment. The maintenance of overall body condition (smaller but heavier metamorphs) when future climate conditions overlap with bullfrog presence suggests that Pacific chorus frogs may be partially compensating for the negative effects of bullfrogs via increased allocation of energy towards mass. Strong plasticity, as demonstrated by Pacific chorus frog larvae in our study, may allow species to match the demands of new environments, including under future climate change.

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Section: Discussioncontrasting

confidence: 93%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Effects of elevated temperature, reduced hydroperiod, and invasive bullfrog larvae on pacific chorus frog larvae

et al. 2022

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“…The American bullfrog ( Lithobates catesbeianus ; hereafter referred to as bullfrog) is a large amphibian that is native to eastern North America, but is currently invading freshwater ecosystems all around the globe, thereby reducing native biodiversity via competition, predation, and the transmission of novel pathogens 43 – 45 . The species is ranked as one of the 100 most adverse invaders in the world 46 and is acknowledged by the European Union as a species of concern (EU Regulation 1143/2014).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Accurate detection and quantification of seasonal abundance of American bullfrog (Lithobates catesbeianus) using ddPCR eDNA assays

Everts

Halfmaerten

Neyrinck

et al. 2021

Sci Rep

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The invasive American bullfrog (Lithobates catesbeianus) imperils freshwater biodiversity worldwide. Effective management hinges on early detection of incipient invasions and subsequent rapid response, as established populations are extremely difficult to eradicate. Although environmental DNA (eDNA) detection methods provide a highly sensitive alternative to conventional surveillance techniques, extensive testing is imperative to generate reliable output. Here, we tested and compared the performance of two primer/probe assays to detect and quantify the abundance of bullfrogs in Western Europe in silico and in situ using digital droplet PCR (ddPCR). Although both assays proved to be equally target-specific and sensitive, one outperformed the other in ddPCR detection resolution (i.e., distinguishing groups of target-positive and target-negative droplets), and hence was selected for further analyses. Mesocosm experiments revealed that tadpole abundance and biomass explained 99% of the variation in eDNA concentration. Because per individual eDNA emission rates did not differ significantly among tadpoles and juveniles, and adults mostly reside out of the water, eDNA concentration can be used as an approximation of local bullfrog abundance in natural populations. Seasonal eDNA patterns in three colonized ponds showed parallel fluctuations in bullfrog eDNA concentration. An increase in eDNA concentration was detected in spring, followed by a strong peak coinciding with the breeding season (August, September or October), and continuously low eDNA concentrations during winter. With this study, we report the validation process required for appropriately implementing eDNA barcoding analyses in lentic systems. We demonstrate that this technique can serve as a solid and reliable tool to detect the early stages of bullfrog invasions and to quantify temporal changes in abundance that will be useful in coordinating large-scale bullfrog eradication programs and evaluating their efficiency.

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“…The American bullfrog (Lithobates catesbeianus; hereafter referred to as bullfrog) is a large amphibian that is native to eastern North America, but is currently invading freshwater ecosystems all around the globe, thereby reducing native biodiversity via competition, predation, and the transmission of novel pathogens [40][41][42] . The species is ranked as one of the 100 most adverse invaders in the world 43 and is acknowledged by the European Union as a species of concern (EU Regulation 1143/2014).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Accurate Detection and Quantification of Seasonal Abundance of American Bullfrog (Lithobates Catesbeianus) Using ddPCR eDNA Assays

Everts

Halfmaerten

Neyrinck

et al. 2020

Preprint

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

The invasive American bullfrog (Lithobates catesbeianus) imperils freshwater biodiversity worldwide. Effective management includes rapid detection and response to incipient invasions, as established populations are extremely difficult to eradicate. Although environmental DNA (eDNA) approaches provide a highly sensitive alternative to conventional surveillance techniques, extensive testing is paramount to generate reliable output. Here, we tested and compared the performance of two primer/probe assays to detect and quantify the abundance of bullfrogs in silico and in situ using digital droplet PCR. Although both assays proved to be equally specific and sensitive, one outperformed the other in detection resolution (i.e. distinguishing target and non-target droplets), and hence was selected for further analyses. Mesocosm experiments using density series of larval and juvenile bullfrogs revealed that eDNA concentrations could explain 99% of the larval abundance and biomass. Per individual eDNA emission rates did not differ significantly among life stages, indicating that eDNA concentrations can be used as a reliable proxy to asses bullfrog abundance in natural populations. Seasonal eDNA patterns in three infested ponds showed parallel fluctuations in bullfrog eDNA concentrations. A peak in late summer (August, September or October), coinciding with the breeding season, was followed by continuously low eDNA concentrations in winter and spring. These findings demonstrate that eDNA analyses can be used as a solid and reliable tool to detect the early stages of bullfrog invasions and to quantify temporal changes in abundance that will be useful in coordinating and evaluating large-scale bullfrog eradication programs.

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Effects of invasive larval bullfrogs (Rana catesbeiana) on disease transmission, growth and survival in the larvae of native amphibians

Cited by 7 publications

References 90 publications

Effects of elevated temperature, reduced hydroperiod, and invasive bullfrog larvae on pacific chorus frog larvae

Effects of elevated temperature, reduced hydroperiod, and invasive bullfrog larvae on pacific chorus frog larvae

Accurate detection and quantification of seasonal abundance of American bullfrog (Lithobates catesbeianus) using ddPCR eDNA assays

Accurate Detection and Quantification of Seasonal Abundance of American Bullfrog (Lithobates Catesbeianus) Using ddPCR eDNA Assays

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