Aliens in the backyard: Did the American bullfrog conquer the habitat of native frogs in the semi-deciduous Atlantic Forest?

2020 ◽  
pp. 93-98
Author(s):  
Lucas Ferrante
Keyword(s):  
Alien Species ◽  
Atlantic Forest ◽  
Native Species ◽  
Species Number ◽  
Forest Fragments ◽  
Population Declines ◽  
Stream Network ◽  
Amphibian Species ◽  
American Bullfrog ◽  
New Locations

The American bullfrog Lithobates catesbeianus has a natural distribution in North America, but was spread by human activities in different regions around the world. It is listed as the most invasive amphibian species, affecting terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems and the community of native species. In addition, the American bullfrog is extensively associated with lethal pathogens, with high correlation of the presence of this species with population declines and extinctions. Here we test if this alien species has spread through the landscape, establishing populations at new locations. We used diverse methods including georeferencing of satellite images, ethnobiological interviews and field data to evaluate the dispersion and effects of L. catesbeianus introduction on amphibian composition, species number, and density of individuals in forest fragments in an Atlantic Forest landscape. We did not find any relationship between density of individuals, number of species or composition of the native anuran assemblages in forest fragments in relation to the presence or proximity of American bullfrog introduction points. Additionally, we found that the dispersion potential of this species in the studied landscape is zero, as it was only found in those fragments where it was specifically introduced 15 years ago. The species has not established new populations in the landscape. Although exotic, L. catesbeianus thrives in lentic habitats and has no apparent effect on the structural metrics of the native anuran assemblage. Despite this alien species exhibiting a capacity to adapt and survive at the point of introduction, its potential for propagation is limited probably by the fragmented terrestrial landscape and regional stream network.

scholarly journals Ticks infesting birds in Atlantic Forest fragments in Rio Claro, State of Sao Paulo, Brazil

2013 ◽  
Vol 22 (1) ◽  
pp. 6-12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gustavo Seron Sanches ◽  
Thiago Fernandes Martins ◽  
Ileyne Tenório Lopes ◽  
Luís Flávio da Silva Costa ◽  
Pablo Henrique Nunes ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Atlantic Forest ◽  
Tick Species ◽  
Native Species ◽  
Sao Paulo ◽  
Native Forest ◽  
Forest Fragments ◽  
São Paulo ◽  
Eucalyptus Tereticornis ◽  
New Host ◽  
New Host Records

In the present study, we report tick infestations on wild birds in plots of the Atlantic Forest reforested fragments with native species and plots reforested with Eucalyptus tereticornis in the municipality of Rio Claro, State of Sao Paulo, Brazil. A total of 256 birds were captured: 137 individuals of 33 species, in planted native forest; and 128 individuals of 37 species, in planted Eucalyptus tereticornis forest. Nymphs of two tick species were found on the birds: Amblyomma calcaratumand Amblyomma longirostre, the former was more abundant in the fragments reforested with Atlantic forest native species, and the latter in the fragment reforested with E. tereticornis. New host records were presented for A. calcaratum.

scholarly journals Expanding the knowledge about the occurrence of anurans in the highest amphibian diversity area of Atlantic Forest: Parque Estadual da Serra do Mar, São Paulo, Brazil

2017 ◽  
Vol 17 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Fernando Rodrigues da Silva ◽  
Mariana Lúcio Lyra ◽  
Célio Fernando Baptista Haddad ◽  
Denise de Cerqueira Rossa-Feres
Keyword(s):  
Protected Areas ◽  
Atlantic Forest ◽  
Forest Fragments ◽  
Amphibian Species ◽  
Future Studies ◽  
Serra Do Mar ◽  
The Past ◽  
Anuran Species ◽  
Human Use ◽  
Management And Conservation

Abstract The vegetation cover in the Atlantic Forest has been converted to human use or degraded by human activities, which declined the vegetation to 16% of its original extent. Although several protected areas have been created in this Neotropical biome over the past decades, our knowledge of the amphibian species within these areas is still far from adequate. Here, we present lists of anuran species from three different areas of Parque Estadual da Serra do Mar: núcleos Curucutu, Santa Virgínia and São Sebastião. To survey anuran species, we visited six sampling units (two ponds, two streams and two trails inside forest fragments) in each locality. Samplings were accomplished from December 2014 to February 2015, December 2015 to February 2016 and December 2016 to February 2017, totalizing 27 days of field samplings in each sampling unit. We recorded 34 anuran species in the Núcleo Curucutu, 44 species in the Núcleo São Sebastião and 42 species in the Núcleo Santa Virgínia, totalizing 65 species belonging to 12 families (number of species in parentheses): Bufonidae (5), Brachycephalidae (6), Centrolenidae (1), Craugastoridae (1), Cycloramphidae (2), Hemiphractidae (1), Hylidae (29), Hylodidae (3), Leptodactylidae (12), Microhylidae (2), Odontophrynidae (2), and Phyllomedusidae (1). We hope that these lists can be useful for future studies as well as helping in the management and conservation planning of these protected areas.

scholarly journals Reproductive success of Cabralea canjerana (Meliaceae) in Atlantic forest fragments, Brazil

2015 ◽  
Vol 63 (2) ◽  
pp. 515 ◽  
Author(s):  
Edivani Villaron Franceschinelli ◽  
Roselaini Mendes do Carmo ◽  
Carlos De Melo e Silva Neto ◽  
Bruno Bastos Gonçalves ◽  
Leonardo Lima Bergamini
Keyword(s):  
Reproductive Success ◽  
Atlantic Forest ◽  
Native Species ◽  
Biological Diversity ◽  
Forest Tree ◽  
Fruit Production ◽  
Forest Fragments ◽  
Pollinator Visitation ◽  
Continuous Forest ◽  
Z Value

In Brazil, the Atlantic forest remnants have high biological diversity and a high level of endemism, but very little is known about the reproductive success of native species. <em>Cabralea canjerana</em> is a common tree in the Montane Atlantic forest, and its reproduction is highly dependent on pollinators. In order to contribute with the particular knowledge on this species, we collected data in three fragmented and three continuous forest sites, where the effects of fragmentation on both mutualistic (pollination) and antagonistic (seed predation) interactions were analysed. We determined fruit production and weight of 25 trees per site. The number of seeds and the percentage of predated and aborted seeds were also accessed for seven fruits of 10 trees per site. Pollinator visitation frequencies to flowers were recorded in two forest fragments and in two sites of the continuous forest. Our data showed<em> </em>that plants of <em>C. canjerana</em> produced more fruits (z-value=-8.24; p&lt;0.0001) and seeds per fruit (z-value=-6.58; p=0.002) in the continuous than in the fragmented sites. This was likely due to differences in pollination, because the number of pollinator visits was higher in the continuous forest than in the fragments. Seed abortion (z-value=4.08, p&lt;0.001) and predation (z-value=3.72, p=0.0002), on the other hand, were higher in the fragmented than in the continuous sites. Then, mutualistic and antagonistic interactions were affected by fragmentation, decreasing the reproductive success of the study tree. This study was the first to show a decrease in the reproductive output in forest fragments in an Atlantic forest tree species. This decrease may threaten the population structure and viability of <em>C. canjerana</em> in forest fragments.

Macrobenthic fauna associated with the invasive alien species Brachidontes pharaonis (Mollusca: Bivalvia) in the Levantine Sea (Turkey)

2017 ◽  
Vol 97 (3) ◽  
pp. 613-628 ◽  
Author(s):  
Melih Ertan Çinar ◽  
Kerem Bakir ◽  
Bilal Öztürk ◽  
Tuncer Katağan ◽  
Alper Doğan ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Alien Species ◽  
Native Species ◽  
Inorganic Nitrogen ◽  
Ecological Status ◽  
Species Number ◽  
Mussel Beds ◽  
Levantine Sea ◽  
Biogenic Habitat ◽  
Total Inorganic Nitrogen ◽  
Density And Biomass

The invasive alien mytilid species, Brachidontes pharaonis, forms a biogenic habitat in the mediolittoral and upper-infralittoral zones of the Levantine Sea, hosting a number of alien and native species. Examinations of samples taken from dense, continuous mussel beds at seven stations along the coast of northern Levantine Sea yielded 187 macro-benthic invertebrate species belonging to 11 taxonomic groups. Polychaeta accounted for 46% and 37% of the total number of species and individuals, respectively. The top three dominant species in the mussel beds were Stenothoe gallensis, Spirobranchus kraussi and Mytilaster minimus. The species with the highest frequency values on the mussel beds were Pseudonereis anomala, Phascolosoma stephensoni and Elasmopus pocillimanus. The highest density and biomass of the associated fauna were estimated as 42,550 ind m−2 and 1503 wwt g m−2, respectively. The species number in samples varied between 14 and 47 species. The environmental variables best explaining variations in zoobenthic community structures were salinity, dissolved oxygen and total inorganic nitrogen in the water column. The biotic indices, TUBI and ALEX, classified the ecological status of one or two stations as moderate or poor, based on the relative abundances of ecological and zoogeographic groups, respectively. A total of 21 alien species were found to be associated with the mussel bed, of which Syllis ergeni is being newly considered as a new established alien species for the Mediterranean Sea. The maximum density of associated alien species was calculated as 30,300 ind m−2. The alien species assemblages were greatly affected by salinity and total inorganic nitrogen.

scholarly journals Floristic findings in the Kabardino-Balkar Republic (Central Caucasus)

2021 ◽  
Vol 35 ◽  
pp. 00022
Author(s):  
Elena Stepanyan ◽  
Victoria Chadaeva ◽  
Nelli Tsepkova
Keyword(s):  
Alien Species ◽  
Native Species ◽  
Habitat Preferences ◽  
Oenothera Biennis ◽  
Steppe Species ◽  
Amorpha Fruticosa ◽  
Bidens Frondosa ◽  
New Locations ◽  
Echinocystis Lobata ◽  
Mercurialis Annua

The article presents information on floristic findings in the Kabardino-Balkari Republic. As a result of expedition research in 2020-2021 and inventory studies in the Herbarium of the Tembotov Institute of Ecology of Mountain Territories RAS, we revealed nine species new to the Kabardino-Balkar Republic and new locations of ten vascular plants species. Species new to the region flora were Carex acuta, Genista angustifolia, Amorpha fruticosa, Ambrosia psilostachya, Mercurialis annua, Echinocystis lobata, Phlomis majkopensis, Cleistogenes squarrosa, Bidens frondosa. New locations of seven species were identified for the Balkarskiy floristic region. These were three native species (Carex flacca subsp. erythrostachys, C. songorica, Eriophorum latifolium) and four alien species (Oenothera biennis, Elsholtzia ciliata, Sigesbeckia orientalis, Bidens frondosa). Carex elongata, Genista angustifolia, Ambrosia psilostachya, Mercurialis annua, Cleistogenes squarrosa, Amaranthus albus and alien species Acer negundo were revealed for the Tsentralno-Elbrusskiy and Kabardinskiy floristic regions, respectively. We also found the alien species Amorpha fruticosa, Echinocystis lobata and rare steppe species Phlomis majkopensis, Glaucium corniculatum in the Tursko-Sunzhensky floristic region. We provided data on floristic findings indicating the coordinates of the locations, species habitat preferences, and distribution in the Caucasus according to earlier literary sources.

scholarly journals Non-native Amphibian Pet Trade via Internet in Poland

2018 ◽  
Vol 4 (1) ◽  
pp. 30-40
Author(s):  
Mikołaj Kaczmarski ◽  
Krzysztof Kolenda
Keyword(s):  
Invasive Species ◽  
Native Species ◽  
Batrachochytrium Dendrobatidis ◽  
Amphibian Species ◽  
Monthly Basis ◽  
Pet Trade ◽  
Exotic Animals ◽  
American Bullfrog ◽  
Rare And Endangered ◽  
Online Stores

Abstract Overharvesting and trade in amphibian populations is one of the causes of their global decline. Online trade not only encourages the exploitation of an increasing number of rare and endangered amphibian species from all over the world but also influences the spread of invasive species. The aim of our research was to investigate the amphibian pet trade conducted in online stores and portals in Poland and determine its potential impact on native species. Between November 2013 and October 2014, we regularly (on a monthly basis) checked sale offers on the websites of the 18 biggest pet shops in the country specialised in exotic animals, on a nationwide auction portal and on three exotic pet fan portals. During the study, we reported 486 offers of 112 amphibian species in online stores and on portals. Most of the offers involved one of the four families of amphibians: poison dart frogs (Dendrobatidae), tree frogs (Hylidae), true toads (Bufonidae) and true salamanders (Salamandridae). Our data show increased interest in amphibians as pets in Poland. At least half of the offered species are possible hosts for the chytrid fungus Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis. However, only one species, the American bullfrog Lithobates catesbeianus (Shaw, 1802), appears to be a potential invasive species. To summarise, the species offered in Poland that are characterised as threatened are predominantly those that are relatively easy to breed and that are popular as pets. Further studies are required to investigate the real threat to wild amphibian populations caused by the pet trade

scholarly journals Species richness and relative abundance of birds in natural and anthropogenic fragments of Brazilian Atlantic forest

2004 ◽  
Vol 76 (2) ◽  
pp. 429-434 ◽  
Author(s):  
Luiz dos Anjos
Keyword(s):  
Species Richness ◽  
Atlantic Forest ◽  
Relative Abundance ◽  
Feeding Habits ◽  
Species Number ◽  
Fragmented Landscape ◽  
Forest Fragments ◽  
Forest Fragment ◽  
Forest Patches ◽  
Forest Remnants

Bird communities were studied in two types of fragmented habitat of Atlantic forest in the State of Paraná, southern Brazil; one consisted of forest fragments that were created as a result of human activities (forest remnants), the other consisted of a set of naturally occurring forest fragments (forest patches). Using quantitative data obtained by the point counts method in 3 forest patches and 3 forest remnants during one year, species richness and relative abundance were compared in those habitats, considering species groups according to their general feeding habits. Insectivores, omnivores, and frugivores presented similar general tendencies in both habitats (decrease of species number with decreasing size and increasing isolation of forest fragment). However, these tendencies were different, when considering the relative abundance data: the trunk insectivores presented the highest value in the smallest patch while the lowest relative abundance was in the smallest remnant. In the naturally fragmented landscape, time permitted that the loss of some species of trunk insectivores be compensated for the increase in abundance of other species. In contrast, the remnants essentially represented newly formed islands that are not yet at equilibrium and where future species losses would make them similar to the patches.

scholarly journals Influence of terrestrial habitat isolation on the diversity and temporal distribution of anurans in an agricultural landscape

2011 ◽  
Vol 27 (03) ◽  
pp. 327-331 ◽  
Author(s):  
Fernando Rodrigues da Silva ◽  
Denise de Cerqueira Rossa-Feres
Keyword(s):  
Urban Areas ◽  
Agricultural Landscape ◽  
Temporal Distribution ◽  
The State ◽  
Habitat Isolation ◽  
Forest Fragments ◽  
Population Declines ◽  
Amphibian Species ◽  
Semideciduous Forest ◽  
Anuran Species

Discontinuity between suitable aquatic and terrestrial habitats forces many amphibian species with aquatic larvae to undertake risky breeding migrations through disturbed environments, potentially contributing to population declines by reducing survival of adults and juveniles (Beckeret al. 2007). The north-western region of the state of São Paulo, Brazil, is characterized by fragments of mesophytic semideciduous forest and savanna, surrounded by a matrix of pasture, plantations and urban areas with only 4% of the remaining original vegetation of the state (Ribeiroet al. 2009). Currently, 36 anuran species have been recorded in this region, corresponding to almost 15% of the state's species (Araújoet al. 2009). The anuran species of this region are associated with open environments or are widely distributed in the different Brazilian biomes (Duellman 1999). Silva &amp; Rossa-Feres (2007) showed the importance of forest fragments in this region for 12 anuran species that breed in pools located in a pasture matrix.

scholarly journals Effects of land-use change and related pressures on alien and native subsets of island communities

PLoS ONE ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 15 (12) ◽  
pp. e0227169
Author(s):  
Katia Sánchez-Ortiz ◽  
Kara J. M. Taylor ◽  
Adriana De Palma ◽  
Franz Essl ◽  
Wayne Dawson ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Land Use ◽  
Land Use Change ◽  
Alien Species ◽  
Native Species ◽  
Species Number ◽  
Land Uses ◽  
Human Disturbances ◽  
Biogeographic Patterns ◽  
Island Species ◽  
Using Data

Island species and habitats are particularly vulnerable to human disturbances, and anthropogenic changes are increasingly overwriting natural island biogeographic patterns. However, quantitative comparisons of how native and alien assemblages respond to human disturbances are scarce. Using data from 6,242 species of vertebrates, invertebrates and plants, from 7,718 sites on 81 islands, we model how land-use change, human population density and distance to the nearest road affect local assemblages of alien and native species on islands. We found that land-use change reduces both richness and abundance of native species, whereas the number and abundance of alien species are high in plantation forests and agricultural or urban sites. In contrast to the long-established pattern for native species (i.e., decline in species number with island isolation), more isolated islands have more alien species across most land uses than do less isolated islands. We show that alien species play a major role in the turnover of island assemblages: our models show that aliens outnumber natives among the species present at disturbed sites but absent from minimally-disturbed primary vegetation. Finally, we found a homogenization pattern for both native and alien assemblages across sites within most land uses. The declines of native species on islands in the face of human pressures, and the particular proneness to invasions of the more remote islands, highlight the need to reduce the intensity of human pressures on islands and to prevent the introduction and establishment of alien species.

Species richness, turnover and equilibrium in insular floras near Perth, Western Australia

1977 ◽  
Vol 25 (2) ◽  
pp. 193 ◽  
Author(s):  
I Abbott
Keyword(s):  
Alien Species ◽  
Plant Species ◽  
Native Species ◽  
Species Turnover ◽  
Vascular Plant ◽  
Species Number ◽  
Island Area ◽  
Extinction Rates ◽  
Linear Correlations ◽  
Number Of Plant Species

In 1975 lists were made of the plant species occurring on 121 limestone islands, varying from 3 m2 to 160,900 m2 in area, west of Perth. Fifty-four of the islands supported no vascular plant species. An explanation of the different number of plant species found per island (S) was sought in terms of island area (A), elevation (E), and diversity of habitat types (H). Significant linear correlations were found between S and A, S and E, and S and H. The validity of neglecting islands with zero species number in regression analyses was evaluated and found to be wanting. Small islands (area < 5000 m2) tend to have impoverished floras; a study of the exceptions shows that the impoverishment is mainly due to exposure to sea spray.Inter-island distance plays a negligible part in determining the similarities of island floras. Comparisons of the present flora lists for 20 islands with those made by G. M. Storr in 1956 or 1959 show that species turnover has occurred. Although 12 islands show an increase in plant species number (as total plants, perennials, annuals and native species), this tendency is not significant. Annual species have higher extinction rates than perennial species and alien species higher ones than native species. Alien species also have higher immigration rates than native species. Floras of islands with cormorant colonies tend to have higher extinction rates than islands without. Islands with gull rookeries have higher immigration rates of alien species than islands without. Considering all 20 islands together there are no significant differences between extinction and immigration rates. These rates are independent of island area and isolation respectively. It is suggested that seabird colonies override the importance usually ascribed to island area and isolation in influencing these rates.

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