Evidence of niche shift and invasion potential of Lithobates catesbeianus in the habitat of Mexican endemic frogs

Abstract

Invasive alien species are one of most severe threats to biodiversity and natural resources. These biological invasions have been studied from the niche conservatism and niche shifts perspective. Niche differentiation may result from changes in fundamental niche or realized niche or both; in biological invasions, niche differences between native and non-native ranges can appear through niche expansion, niche unfilling and niche stability. The American bullfrog Lithobates catesbeianus is an invasive species that can have negative impacts on native amphibian populations. This research examines the climate niche shifts of this frog, its potential range of expansion in Mexico and the risk of invasion by bullfrog in the habitats of 82 frog species endemic to Mexico, that based on their climatic niche similarity were divided in four ecological groups. The results indicate that species in two ecological groups were the most vulnerable to invasion by bullfrog. However, the climate niche shifts of L. catesbeianus may allow it to adapt to new environmental conditions, so species from the two remaining groups cannot be dismissed as not vulnerable. This information is valuable for decision making in prioritizing areas for conservation of Mexican endemic frogs.

Shifts in Climatic Niche Occupation in Astrophytum Coahuilense (H. Möller) Kayser and Its Potential Distribution in Mexico

“…Under these criteria, the results of the similarity test allow us to reject the null hypothesis of climatic similarity proposed by Broennimann et al [19], suggesting that the realized niche of A. coahuilense in zone A and zone B is climatically distinct. In this regard, most of the studies that indicate the occupation of different niches by a species have been documented in widely distributed species [50]. Our results provide evidence that this characteristic can also occur in species that have a restricted distribution.…”

Global distribution modelling, invasion risk assessment and niche dynamics of Leucanthemum vulgare (Ox-eye Daisy) under climate change

“…the tendency of invasive species to retain similar niche in the native and introduced regions 22 and niche shift perspective, i.e. any change in the niche position between the native and introduced regions 23,24 , or both 25 . Niche conservatism and shifts can have wide applications for understanding the effects of climate change on biological invasions 18,22,26 .…”

Amphibians and reptiles of the state of Durango, Mexico, with comparisons with adjoining states

“…Of the three non-native species, R. catesbeiana is of particular concern. Rana catesbeiana is known to have many impacts on native communities as a competitor, predator, and disease vector on a global scale (reviewed in Moutou and Pastoret 2010 ; Kraus 2015 ), as well as in Mexico (e.g., Luja and Rodriguez-Estrella 2010 ; Becerra Lopez et al 2017 ). The potential impacts of H. turcicus are less well documented, but its congener H. frenatus has affected native herpetofauna through competition (reviewed in Punzo 2005 ; Kraus 2015 ).…”