The invasive cane toad (Bufo marinus) in West New Britain, Papua New Guinea: observations and potential impacts on native wildlife

Winkel, Dylan van; Lane, John

doi:10.1007/s10530-012-0212-2

Cited by 4 publications

(2 citation statements)

References 20 publications

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“…Examination of a location where the two species co-occur as invasive species would be instructive. However, although the global introduced ranges of ABSTs and cane toads overlap in New Guinea (van Winkel and Lane 2012; Licata et al . 2019), they do not occur in sympatry there (Richards, pers.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The toad less travelled: comparing life histories, ecological niches, and potential habitat of Asian black-spined toads and cane toads

Kelly¹,

Schwarzkopf²,

Christy³

et al. 2023

Wildlife Res.

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Context Invasive vertebrates have significant negative impacts on biodiversity and agricultural production worldwide. Increased connectivity among countries, through trade and tourism, is escalating the rate of introductions of vertebrate species, particularly herpetofauna, across international borders. In Australia, Asian black-spined toads (ABSTs; Duttaphrynus melanostictus) are one of the species most intercepted at borders. They are considered a biosecurity risk because of the potential for negative environmental impacts, similar to those caused by cane toads (Rhinella marina). Aims We aimed to compare ABSTs with cane toads to investigate potential impacts and distribution of ABSTs in the Australian context. We also aimed to identify knowledge gaps regarding ABST biology and the potential role of cane toads in an ABST invasion in Australia. Methods We undertook a literature review to obtain published data to compare the life history characteristics of ABSTs and cane toads. We also modelled climatic niche overlap and compared suitable habitat for both species in Australia. Key results Our results show ABSTs and cane toads have broadly similar reproductive life histories and feeding niches. In particular, similarities include large clutch sizes, preferred oviposition sites, and diet at tadpole and adult life stages. In Australia, the species share suitable potential habitat, particularly in North Queensland, where the majority of ABST incursions have occurred. The species differ in size, call characteristics, clutch size relative to body size, and egg development rate, although the environment also influences these traits. We identify gaps in our knowledge of ABST spatial ecology, thermal tolerances, water reliance, and habitat. Conclusions ABSTs pose a significant biosecurity threat to Australia. Similarities in life history to cane toads means they may have similar impacts, but may have a more limited distribution in Australia. Invasion of Australia by ABSTs would likely result in interactions with cane toads, but it is not possible to accurately determine the outcomes of those interactions without further investigation. Implications Addressing knowledge gaps and quantitatively determining the potential for competition between ABSTs and cane toads will assist surveillance and response planning for ABST incursions in Australia.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The toad less travelled: comparing life histories, ecological niches, and potential habitat of Asian black-spined toads and cane toads

Kelly¹,

Schwarzkopf²,

Christy³

et al. 2023

Wildlife Res.

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“…The highly invasive cane toad, Rhinella marina, is native to Central and tropical South America (Zug & Zug, ), but was introduced across the globe, including Australia, and has successfully invaded more than twenty countries to date (Lever, ). The cane toad is one of the World's worst alien invasive species (Lowe, Browne, Boudjelas, & De Poorter, ) and its impact on native fauna has been studied extensively (Letnic, Webb, & Shine, ; Shine, , ; van Winkel & Lane, ). It has been particularly well studied in Australia (a continent where no other members of the Family Bufonidae naturally occur; Anstis, ), where they were introduced in 1935 as part of an unsuccessful program to control cane beetles (Freeland & Martin, ).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Invasive cane toads are unique in shape but overlap in ecological niche compared to Australian native frogs

Vidal‐García

Keogh

2017

Ecology and Evolution

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SummaryInvasive species are an important issue worldwide but predicting invasiveness, and the underlying mechanisms that cause it, is difficult. There are several primary hypotheses to explain invasion success. Two main hypothesis based on niche spaces stand out as alternative, although not exclusive. The empty niche hypothesis states that invaders occupy a vacant niche space in the recipient community, and the niche competition hypothesis states that invaders overlap with native species in niche space. Studies on trait similarity/dissimilarity between the invader and native species can provide information on their niche overlap. Here, we use the highly invasive and well‐studied cane toad (Rhinella marina) to test these two hypotheses in Australia, and assess its degree of overlap with native species in several niche dimensions. We compare extensive morphological and environmental data of this successful invader to 235 species (97%) of native Australian frogs. Our study is the first to document the significant morphological differences between the invasive cane toad and a continent‐wide frog radiation: despite significant environmental overlap, cane toads were distinct in body size and shape from most Australian frog species, suggesting that in addition to their previously documented phenotypic plasticity and wide environmental and trophic niche breadth, their unique shape also may have contributed to their success as an invasive species in Australia. Thus, the invasive success of cane toads in Australia may be explained through them successfully colonizing an empty niche among Australian anurans. Our results support that the cane toad's distinct morphology may have played a unique role in the invasiveness of this species in Australia, which coupled with a broad environmental niche breadth, would have boosted their ability to expand their distribution across Australia. We also propose RLLR (Relative limb length ratio) as a potentially useful measure of identifying morphological niche uniqueness and a potential measure of invasiveness potential in anuran amphibians.

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Role of Outside Nations in Papua New Guinea’s Sustainability Model: China, U.S., UK, the EU, Russia, Australia, NZ and Japan Need Bob Marley and the Dalai Lama Coming to the Rescue

Huettmann¹

2023

Globalization and Papua New Guinea: Ancient Wilderness, Paradise, Introduced Terror and Hell

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The invasive cane toad (Bufo marinus) in West New Britain, Papua New Guinea: observations and potential impacts on native wildlife

Cited by 4 publications

References 20 publications

The toad less travelled: comparing life histories, ecological niches, and potential habitat of Asian black-spined toads and cane toads

The toad less travelled: comparing life histories, ecological niches, and potential habitat of Asian black-spined toads and cane toads

Invasive cane toads are unique in shape but overlap in ecological niche compared to Australian native frogs

Role of Outside Nations in Papua New Guinea’s Sustainability Model: China, U.S., UK, the EU, Russia, Australia, NZ and Japan Need Bob Marley and the Dalai Lama Coming to the Rescue

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