Western mosquitofish (Gambusia affinis) bolster the prevalence and severity of tadpole tail injuries in experimental wetlands

Shulse, Christopher D.; Semlitsch, Raymond D.

doi:10.1007/s10750-013-1502-0

Cited by 20 publications

(19 citation statements)

References 38 publications

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“…Species richness typically decreases when fish are present (Ruggiero et al, 2008). Many fish species are predators to macroinvertebrates, while those species introduced to serve anthropogenic purposes (e.g., mosquitofish) can cause substantial injuries to large numbers of larval amphibians in a wetland (Shulse & Semlitsch, 2013). Other introduced species like crayfish or mute swans are likely to impact either native species (e.g., amphibians) and habitat structure (e.g., macrophyte beds; Gayet et al, 2013), but the extent of adverse impacts generated by these species appears to be density-dependent.…”

Section: Highlightsmentioning

confidence: 99%

The ecological role of ponds in a changing world

Céréghino

Boix

Cauchie³

et al. 2013

Hydrobiologia

185

131

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The fifth conference of the European Pond Conservation Network (Luxembourg, June 2012) brought together researchers, environmental managers, and other stakeholders with the aim to share stateof-the-art knowledge on the ecology, management, and conservation of ponds in the context of the many challenges facing the wider water environment. Although well-known ecological patterns apply to most ponds in Europe and elsewhere, recent data highlight that part of the environmental variables governing pond biodiversity remain specific to climatic/biogeographic regions and to elevation ranges, suggesting that, in addition to common practice, management plans should include range-specific measures. Beyond the contribution of individual ponds to the aquatic and terrestrial life, connected networks of ponds are vital in the provision of new climate space as a response to global climate change, by allowing the observed northward and/or upward movements of species. In terms of services, ponds offer sustainable solutions to key issues of water management and climate change such as nutrient retention, rainfall interception, or carbon sequestration. While the ecological role of ponds is now wellestablished, authoritative research-based advice remains needed to inform future direction in the conservation of small water bodies and to further bridge the gap between science and practice.

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Section: Highlightsmentioning

confidence: 99%

The ecological role of ponds in a changing world

Céréghino

Boix

Cauchie³

et al. 2013

Hydrobiologia

185

131

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“…Introduced populations of D r a f t mosquitofish alter food webs (Pyke 2008) and negatively affect amphibians and fishes (Blanco et al 2004;Zeiber et al 2008;Segev et al 2009;Drake et al 2014;Shulse and Semlitsch 2014).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Some examples are the use of insecticides, draining bodies of water, releasing pathogens or parasites of larval mosquitoes, placing an oil film on the surface of the water, or introducing fish species such as the mosquitofish (Gambusia affinis (Baird & Girard, 1853) third instar mosquito larvae in 24 h. However, mosquitofish can disrupt food webs through competition for resources and predation (Pyke 2008;Shulse et al 2013). Introduction of mosquitofish into water bodies that previous lacked them can has been shown to negatively impact amphibian (Shulse and Semlitsch 2014) and fish populations (Blanco et al 2004). In fact, the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN) lists mosquitofish among the 100 worst invasive species worldwide (Lowe et al 2000).…”

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confidence: 99%

Larval salamanders are as effective at short-term mosquito predation as mosquitofish

2018

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Biological control of mosquitoes can have unintended ecological consequences. One example is the introduction of mosquitofish (Gambusia spp.) into ponds and wetlands.Mosquitofish are invasive in many parts of the world and have the potential to alter ecosystems by changing trophic interactions and extirpating amphibians. We sought to determine whether larval amphibians are capable of consuming larval mosquitoes as effectively as mosquitofish.We tested the predation ability of larval spotted salamanders (Ambystoma maculatum Shaw, 1802; n = 13), southern leopard frog tadpoles (Lithobates sphenocephalus Cope, 1886; n = 12) and mosquitofish (Gambusia affinis Baird and Girard, 1853; n = 13) across a range of body sizes in laboratory experiments. Our results showed that over a 24-h period, salamander larvae (mean ± SE; 238 ± 14) and mosquitofish (195 ± 17) consumed a statistically equivalent number of mosquito larvae, while tadpoles consumed a large number (113 ± 14) but significantly less. All species had significant (or marginally significant) positive relationships between body size and rate of mosquito consumption. Further studies into the ability of native larval amphibians to consume mosquito larvae are needed to assess whether amphibians can be successful at mosquito control instead of introducing nonnative species to new areas. third instar mosquito larvae in 24 h. However, mosquitofish can disrupt food webs through competition for resources and predation (Pyke 2008;Shulse et al. 2013). Introduction of mosquitofish into water bodies that previous lacked them can has been shown to negatively impact amphibian (Shulse and Semlitsch 2014) and fish populations (Blanco et al. 2004). In fact, the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN) lists mosquitofish among the 100 worst invasive species worldwide (Lowe et al. 2000).Introductions of mosquitofish also may be unnecessary, as amphibians could potentially reduce mosquitoes on their own. Salamander larvae are obligate predators and anuran larvae can also be predatory (Schiesari et al. 2009). Previous work found that larval mole salamanders Anuran larvae may also reduce mosquito survival through competition for resources (Blaustein and Margalit 1994;Mokany and Shine 2003b). Together, these studies suggest that larval amphibians may be an underappreciated source of mosquito control, but more data are needed.Our aim was to compare the predatory ability of tadpoles, larval salamanders, and mosquitofish across the body size gradients found in natural systems. We hypothesized there would be differences in mosquito consumption across our three test species. Salamander larvae are predators that can have strong effects on lower trophic levels in fishless ponds (Morin 1983;Holomuzki et al. 1994), thus we predicted they would have a similar predation ability as fish.The limited information on tadpoles indicates they could be weak predators of mosquito larvae.Specifically, we predicted mosquitofish and salamander larvae would consume equivalent numbe...

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“…Its widespread introduction can be attributed to its purported effectiveness in consuming larval mosquitoes (Pyke 2008). Previous studies have shown that G. affinis readily preys on amphibian eggs and larvae, both within (Walls et al 2002;Baber and Babbitt 2003;Zeiber et al 2008) and outside of its native range (Goodsell and Kats 1999;Komak and Crossland 2000;Segev et al 2009;Shulse and Semlitsch 2014;Fan et al 2016). G. affinis was introduced to China for mosquito control in 1927, and it now occurs throughout the southern water bodies of the Yangtze River (Li and Jie 2002).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Mosquitofish are usually actively swimming and foraging predators (Komak and Crossland 2000;Touchon and Wojdak 2014). Because of limited gape, mosquitofish often maim individual tadpoles by biting the tail fin; therefore, this species is considered a sublethal predator, but it can kill prey through multiple injuries (Walls et al 2002;Shulse and Semlitsch 2014;Touchon and Wojdak 2014).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Vulnerability and behavioral responses of South Chinese anuran tadpoles to native dragonfly (Pantala flavescens) naiads and introduced western mosquitofish (Gambusia affinis)

Fan

Zhen-shan

2017

Journal of Freshwater Ecology

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Alien predator species are a serious threat to amphibian populations. We studied the vulnerability and behavioral defenses of tadpoles of six Chinese anurans in response to the introduced, active foraging predator Gambusia affinis (western mosquitofish) and compared them with the responses to the native ambush predator Pantala flavescens (dragonfly and naiad stage) in laboratory experiments. The tadpoles were Bufo gargarizans, Duttaphrynus (formerly Bufo) melanostictus, Rana zhenhaiensis, Fejervarya multistriata, Microhyla onata, and Hoplobatrachus chinensis from Lishui, Zhejiang, South China. Our data showed that both native P. flavescens and introduced G. affinis could prey on the six tadpole species to different degrees and that the two toad tadpoles (B. gargarizans and D. melanostictus) were significantly less vulnerable to predation than the frog ones. The reduced vulnerability of toad tadpoles to predation may be attributed to their unpalatability and their continuous swimming ability, traits that are adaptive in more permanent habitats. Compared with the ambush predator P. flavescens, tadpoles reduced their activity level and used spatial avoidance measures when encountering G. affinis. Overall, our results suggest that some of the tadpoles in the study area are likely to recognize and respond to the predation threats of G. affinis.

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Western mosquitofish (Gambusia affinis) bolster the prevalence and severity of tadpole tail injuries in experimental wetlands

Cited by 20 publications

References 38 publications

The ecological role of ponds in a changing world

The ecological role of ponds in a changing world

Larval salamanders are as effective at short-term mosquito predation as mosquitofish

Vulnerability and behavioral responses of South Chinese anuran tadpoles to native dragonfly (Pantala flavescens) naiads and introduced western mosquitofish (Gambusia affinis)

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