Invariant and vulnerable food web components after bullfrog invasion

Gobel, Noelia; Laufer, Gabriel; González‐Bergonzoni, Ivan; Soutullo, Álvaro; Arim, Matı́as

doi:10.1007/s10530-022-02956-7

Cited by 3 publications

(5 citation statements)

References 99 publications

(162 reference statements)

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“…Their capacity to feed on multiple aquatic and terrestrial prey throughout the spring and summer seasons offers them a great adaptability that may increase their success during invasions, as well as their impact on native organisms. Recent research has also emphasised the impact of tadpoles from invasive frogs on aquatic communities (Earl et al, 2023;Gobel et al, 2022). Therefore, future research assessing the global impact of invasive anurans on freshwater native communities is needed to further explore the complex consequences of invasive anurans on food webs.…”

Section: Con Clus Ionsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…For instance, invasive African clawed frogs (Xenopus laevis) mainly feed on zooplankton, macroinvertebrates and amphibians (Courant et al, 2017), and caused the decline of nektonic macroinvertebrates and amphibians (Courant et al, 2018a(Courant et al, , 2018b. Invasive American bullfrogs (Lithobates catesbeianus) have a trophic niche similar to that of marsh frogs (Jancowski & Orchard, 2013), and their colonization of freshwater habitats alters communities of aquatic vertebrates (Gobel, Laufer & Cortizas, 2019;Gobel et al, 2022). As yet, we have no evidence that marsh frogs have impacted populations of native amphibians in our study area despite their high predation pressure (Pille et al, 2021), as this would require long-term surveys involving for instance comparisons of population sizes before and after the invasion.…”

Section: Functional and Microhabitat Diversity Of Aquatic Preymentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Because ponds are sensitive biodiversity hotspots of great ecological importance (Dudgeon et al, 2006;Fehlinger et al, 2022;Reid et al, 2019), predation exerted by non-native species raises substantial concern for native aquatic communities. Therefore, some recent research has assessed the impact of invasive semi-aquatic anurans on aquatic communities (Courant et al, 2018b;Bissattini, Buono & Vignoli, 2019;Gobel, Laufer & Cortizas, 2019;Gobel et al, 2022). However, the microspatial, functional and temporal dimensions of the predation exerted by semi-aquatic invasive anurans are still unclear.…”

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confidence: 99%

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Functional and temporal facets of predation by marsh frogs across the aquatic–terrestrial ecotone of ponds and implications in the context of biological invasions

Pille,

Pinto,

Denoël

2023

Freshwater Biology

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Freshwater vertebrate predators can exert trophic control over aquatic and littoral communities. Among these predators, post‐metamorphic anurans exhibit a biphasic trophic spectrum by foraging in both terrestrial and aquatic habitats. Many studies have described their diet through the classical taxonomic classification of prey. However, these singular diet habits imply a complex, time‐dependent, realised trophic niche in which predation pressure occurs over many consumers that fill diverse functional roles throughout the aquatic and terrestrial interface of ponds. Among anurans, marsh frogs (Pelophylax ridibundus) have been introduced outside their range in many countries and are now invading nationwide areas, particularly in western Europe. Focusing on their foraging specificities will therefore further the understanding of the trophic role of these alien taxa in pond environments that are highly colonised. We collected stomach contents from 761 marsh frogs from introduced populations in 19 ponds in southern France once a month over 4 months of their active period in the spring. The populations of marsh frogs were studied in a geographic area that was devoid of native water frogs and their origin tracks back as far as south‐eastern Europe (i.e., more than 1,000 km from the studied sites, as evidenced previously by genetic analyses). Marsh frogs exhibited generalist and opportunistic feeding strategies. The trophic niche was strongly asymmetrical and broader in the terrestrial environment than in the aquatic environment. However, predation occurred in communities of large freshwater macroinvertebrates and amphibians. Whereas the composition of the terrestrial diet exhibited strong seasonal variations, predation pressure was continuously exerted on the same aquatic organisms over time. Primary consumers and consumers at higher trophic levels frequenting aquatic benthic, vegetated, pelagic, and surface microhabitats were preyed upon, underlying the multidimensional extent of the predation spectrum. The diversified feeding strategies of alien marsh frogs highlight the extent of potential ecological control by predation on pond communities. Because of their wide trophic niche, they exert predation pressure on most pond organisms, triggering possible top‐down control of the overall aquatic communities. Our results show that the integration of the functional traits and microhabitats of consumed prey may aid in a better understanding of how predation by anurans may target specific components of pond communities. More particularly, this study raises concerns about the predatory role of introduced anurans in the context of biological invasions.

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Section: Con Clus Ionsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Functional and Microhabitat Diversity Of Aquatic Preymentioning

confidence: 99%

mentioning

confidence: 99%

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Functional and temporal facets of predation by marsh frogs across the aquatic–terrestrial ecotone of ponds and implications in the context of biological invasions

Pille,

Pinto,

Denoël

2023

Freshwater Biology

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“…Although we know that bullfrog invasion can alter different components of invaded communities (e.g. Gobel et al, 2023), we know little about its effects on different taxonomic groups (mostly from diet records; Jancowski and Orchard, 2013). Most of the studies have focused on its impacts on native amphibians.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

American bullfrog (Lithobates catesbeianus) distribution, impact on native amphibians and management priorities in San Carlos, Uruguay

Laufer¹,

Gobel²,

Kacevas

et al. 2023

Knowl. Manag. Aquat. Ecosyst.

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Biological invasions are a major cause of biodiversity and ecosystem services loss. However, information on distribution and impacts is limited for many alien species, restricting the development of local management measures. The aim of this study is: to identify the current situation of the American bullfrog (Lithobates catesbeianus) invasion focus in San Carlos (Maldonado, Uruguay); to evaluate its impacts on native anurans; and to provide management tools. Between 2017 and 2019, 75 permanent ponds were sampled, finding an expanding bullfrog population (occupying 32 ponds, in 16.5 km2). Results show that native anuran richness was lower in the invaded ponds. Observed impacts were greater for the aquatic frog Pseudis minuta, probably due to greater encounter rates with the invader. The abundance of tadpoles was also lower in the invaded ponds. The local pond network was explored using graph theory, evaluating its topological role and centrality. In this network, a list of priority ponds was generated to prevent local bullfrog expansion. Given the relatively small size of this population, eradication seems feasible. Focusing on the key nodes could prevent further expansion, by using spatial prioritization to organize the recommended management of the pond network.

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“…As a result, five populations of A. catesbeiana were reported in Uruguay, three of which persist and appear to be expanding in Canelones, Maldonado, and Cerro Largo (south, southeast and northeast respectively). This invasive species is altering aquatic communities' structure and their food webs, and negatively impacting native amphibian's diversity (Laufer et al, 2008(Laufer et al, , 2018(Laufer et al, , 2021Laufer and Gobel, 2017;Gobel et al, 2019Gobel et al, , 2023. Furthermore, during the operation of the bullfrog farms, the presence of at least two significant diseases (chytridiomycosis and ranavirosis) that can impact native amphibians was detected (Mazzoni et al, 2003;Galli et al, 2006).…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

Preserving Uruguay’s freshwater systems: the need to restrict invasive species introductions for sustainable production

Laufer,

Mazzeo

2024

Knowl. Manag. Aquat. Ecosyst.

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This manuscript critically examines the history of non-native aquatic species introductions in Uruguay, emphasizing the role of public institutions. Despite global concerns about biodiversity threats from these introductions, Uruguay’s reliance on animal production and aquaculture involving non-native species has grown since the 1980s. State institutions, despite past failures, have promoted these introductions without comprehensive risk assessments. Notable cases, including failed attempts with species like the herbivorous carp, American bullfrog, Nile tilapia, Australian redclaw crayfish, and American mink, raise concerns about invasive populations due to a lack of proper risk assessments and prevention measures. Previous examples were deficient in escape monitoring, oversight of specimens after farm closures, and considerations for the presence of new pathogens. This highlights the need for more informed and responsible approaches to prevent invasive species’ establishment, advocating for rigorous analysis and risk assessments before any introduction. We propose overcoming historically fragmented decision-making processes by establishing a bridging structure that coordinates inter- and intra-institutional efforts, engages with the academic sector and social organizations, and evaluates the introductions. This platform can prioritize protecting aquatic ecosystems, fostering sustainable growth, and maintaining ecological balance, contributing to the solution of the problem by facilitating coordinated efforts and engaging diverse stakeholders.

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Invariant and vulnerable food web components after bullfrog invasion

Cited by 3 publications

References 99 publications

Functional and temporal facets of predation by marsh frogs across the aquatic–terrestrial ecotone of ponds and implications in the context of biological invasions

Functional and temporal facets of predation by marsh frogs across the aquatic–terrestrial ecotone of ponds and implications in the context of biological invasions

American bullfrog (Lithobates catesbeianus) distribution, impact on native amphibians and management priorities in San Carlos, Uruguay

Preserving Uruguay’s freshwater systems: the need to restrict invasive species introductions for sustainable production

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