Response of a native endangered axolotl, Ambystoma mexicanum (Amphibia), to exotic fish predator

Alcaraz, Guillermina; López-Portela, Xarini; Robles-Mendoza, Cecilia

doi:10.1007/s10750-015-2194-4

Cited by 19 publications

(4 citation statements)

References 44 publications

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“…Oreochromis niloticus has escaped culture facilities numerous times and established feral populations in many tropical and sub-tropical countries (Cone et al 1995, Jiménez-García et al 2001, Mendoza-Franco et al 2006Roche et al 2010Roche et al , Šimková et al 2019. It is estimated that over half of all tropical countries have at least one feral tilapia population (Deines et al 2016), with adverse effects such as competition for breeding grounds (Canonico et al 2005), predation on eggs (Alcaraz et al 2015), hybridization with native tilapias (Firmat et al 2013, Deines et al 2014) and stimulation of phytoplankton growth and eutrophication (Starling et al 2002). Native species of Oreochromis can decline rapidly after introduction of O. niloticus (Shipton et al 2008).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Historical museum collections help detect parasite species jumps after tilapia introductions in the Congo Basin

et al. 2020

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This study highlights the value of museum collections in invasion biology. It focuses on introduced tilapias, Oreochromis niloticus and Coptodon rendalli in the Congo Basin and their monogenean (Platyhelminthes) gill parasite fauna. Oreochromis niloticus was introduced throughout the Congo Basin while C. rendalli was introduced into the Lower Congo, but is native to the Middle and Upper Congo. In order to study the impact of these stocking events on the native parasite community we investigate the co-introduction and host switching of their parasites. Post-introduction material is compared with pre-introduction samples from museum collections of 5 native tilapias in the Congo basin. Nine of the known parasites of O. niloticus were co-introduced, while one, Cichlidogyrus rognoni, is missing and possibly not established. In contrast, no parasite species were found co-introduced with C. rendalli into the Lower Congo. The parasite fauna of Tilapia sparrmanii shared no species with O. niloticus. Oreochromis mweruensis shared five species with O. niloticus, but these were also found on the pre-introduction samples, and are considered native to both hosts. We report three putative host switches: Cichlidogyrus sclerosus and Cichlidogyrus tilapiae to Coptodon tholloni in the Lower Congo Basin and Gyrodactylus nyanzae to Coptodon rendalli in the Upper Congo.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Historical museum collections help detect parasite species jumps after tilapia introductions in the Congo Basin

et al. 2020

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“…This could be due to trout predation (Zamora et al 2018) because of trout escape from farms, which favors native species reduction (Gamradt et al 1997;Kiesecker and Blaustein 1997;Kiesecker et al 2001). Introduced fish species have been linked to reductions in amphibians' population sizes (Pearson and Goater 2009;Zambrano et al 2010;Alcaraz et al 2015;Zamora et al 2018), sometimes to the point of extinction from direct consumption (Watson et al 1991;Tyler et al 1998) increasing the loss of genetic diversity. We found a significant deviation from the HWE proportions due to a heterozygote deficiency in Organillos, Corral de Piedra and Raíces.…”

Section: Genetic Diversitymentioning

confidence: 99%

Genetic diversity and structure of two endangered mole salamander species of the Trans-Mexican Volcanic Belt

et al. 2019

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The most important factor leading to amphibian population declines and extinctions is habitat degradation and destruction. To help prevent further extinctions, studies are needed to make appropriate conservation decisions in small and fragmented populations. The goal of this study was to provide data from the population genetics of two micro-endemic mole salamanders from the Trans-Mexican Volcanic Belt. Nine microsatellite markers were used to study the population genetics of 152 individuals from two Ambystoma species. We sampled 38 individuals in two localities for A. altamirani and A. rivualre. We found medium to high levels of genetic diversity expressed as heterozygosity in the populations. However, all the populations presented few alleles per locus and genotypes. We found strong genetic structure between populations for each species. Effective population size was small but similar to that of the studies from other mole salamanders with restricted distributions or with recently fragmented habitats. Despite the medium to high levels of genetic diversity expressed as heterozygosity, we found few alleles, evidence of a genetic bottleneck and that the effective population size is small in all populations. Therefore, this study is important to propose better management plans and conservation efforts for these species.

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“…Many studies have shown a decrease in amphibians' activity in the presence of introduced predators (e.g. Griffiths et al 1998, Bosch et al 2006, Paoletti et al 2011, Alcaraz et al 2015, Berec et al 2016).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…However, it may be that in this situation the effects of introduced predators are more related to changes in L. archeyi microhabitat use rather than activity (measured by home range) or that an alternative measure, like distances moved, could better reflect effects of rats on frogs' activity. Alcaraz et al (2015) measured the activity of axolotls (Ambystoma mexicanum), Central Mexico native amphibians, as the total distance moved during a 3 h experiment, and found a decrease in their activity in the presence of combined chemical and visual cues from an introduced predatory fish. Similarly, Berec et al (2016) showed that the activity of European brown frog tadpoles (Rana temporaria), measured as the total path length of their swimming trajectories, decreased in the presence of an invasive predatory turtle.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Behavioural patterns of two native Leiopelma frogs and implications for their conservation

Ramírez¹

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<p>Amphibian populations are in general decline internationally. The current situation of amphibian populations highlights the urgent need for comprehensive information on species’ ecology to better assess conservation and management strategies. Movement behaviour and microhabitat selection give insights into how amphibians use the environment and interact with their surroundings, and are essential to establishing their sensitivity to the global decline phenomenon and identifying the critical habitat features essential for their success. New Zealand native frogs (Anura: Leiopelmatidae, Leiopelma, nine species) were formerly distributed throughout New Zealand, but habitat modification and predation by introduced mammalian predators have influenced recent (Holocene) extinctions and declines, reducing the fauna to four species with major range reductions. All extant Leiopelma are classified as threatened both nationally and internationally, creating an urgent need for species-specific behavioural research to support conservation management. I investigated activity, movement behaviour and microhabitat use of L. archeyi and L. pakeka for better evaluation of long term population viability and improved husbandry in captivity. L. archeyi is the smallest of the Leiopelma species and has been able to co-occur with introduced predators (e.g. rats), whereas L. pakeka is the largest, and the only natural population is confined to a predator-free island. I used a fine-scale tracking technique (i.e. non-toxic fluorescent powders) to track L. archeyi and L. pakeka movements throughout their activity periods when on the surface in their natural habitats, Whareorino Forest and Maud Island, respectively, to obtain detailed information on their activity patterns, movement behaviour, and microhabitat and retreat site use. I investigated in more detail L. pakeka retreat sites by measuring the dimensions of the retreat site entrances (width, height and diameter) as well as the activity inside those retreat sites. Lastly, I used long-term frog survey data to examine the indirect impacts (i.e. behavioural changes) ship rats (Rattus rattus) may have on L. archeyi by studying the microhabitat use and home range of this species in an area with and without rat control within Whareorino Forest. L. archeyi had a longer activity period than L. pakeka with the former being active up to two hours after sunrise, but L. pakeka moved more and further than L. archeyi during their activity periods. Additionally, L. archeyi had a smaller home range compared to L. pakeka which suggests more prominent site fidelity and more sedentary behaviour in this species. Both species actively sought out specific microhabitats among the ones that were available, either to use during movement or to use as retreat sites, but those microhabitat types also differed between species. L. archeyi were more often found above ground level than L. pakeka and tended to use microhabitats that provided cover. L. archeyi preferred to use trees as retreat sites (roots, branches or trunk) whereas L. pakeka used trees (roots) and rocks. L. pakeka retreat sites had lower and more stable temperatures than outside retreats. Frogs were active inside retreats with no evidence of sleep behaviour for at least the first few hours of retreat use. In the rat control area, L. archeyi used more soil, leaf litter and ferns, and were also more likely to be found at ground level than frogs in the presence of higher numbers of rats. Abiotic factors also influenced movement patterns and microhabitat selection of both species, affirming water balance and thermoregulation are important drivers in frog behaviour. Behavioural attributes and small body size could be aiding in the persistence of L. archeyi in the presence of rats, and large body size and differences in behavioural attributes are likely to put L. pakeka at risk if rats were to reach their habitat. My findings inform on the ecology and behaviour of two Leiopelma species providing valuable information on their habitat requirements, which will enable more effective captive husbandry and better assessment of the appropriateness of translocation sites, aiding in their conservation management.</p>

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Response of a native endangered axolotl, Ambystoma mexicanum (Amphibia), to exotic fish predator

Cited by 19 publications

References 44 publications

Historical museum collections help detect parasite species jumps after tilapia introductions in the Congo Basin

Historical museum collections help detect parasite species jumps after tilapia introductions in the Congo Basin

Genetic diversity and structure of two endangered mole salamander species of the Trans-Mexican Volcanic Belt

Behavioural patterns of two native Leiopelma frogs and implications for their conservation

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