Abstract
BackgroundBiological invasion and climate change pose challenges to biodiversity conservation in the 21st century. Invasive species modify ecosystem structure and functioning and climatic changes are likely to produce invasive species' range shifts pushing some populations into protected areas. The American Bullfrog (Lithobates catesbeianus) is one of the hundred worst invasive species in the world. Native from the southeast of USA, it has colonized more than 75% of South America where it has been reported as a highly effective predator, competitor and vector of amphibian diseases.Methodology/Principal FindingsWe modeled the potential distribution of the bullfrog in its native range based on different climate models and green-house gases emission scenarios, and projected the results onto South America for the years of 2050 and 2080. We also overlaid projected models onto the South American network of protected areas. Our results indicate a slight decrease in potential suitable area for bullfrog invasion, although protected areas will become more climatically suitable. Therefore, invasion of these sites is forecasted.Conclusion/SignificanceWe provide new evidence supporting the vulnerability of the Atlantic Forest Biodiversity Hotspot to bullfrog invasion and call attention to optimal future climatic conditions of the Andean-Patagonian forest, eastern Paraguay, and northwestern Bolivia, where invasive populations have not been found yet. We recommend several management and policy strategies to control bullfrog invasion and argue that these would be possible if based on appropriate articulation among government agencies, NGOs, research institutions and civil society.
Highlights
Climate changes are likely to affect the distributional ranges of invasive species [1,2,3,4], which are one of the most serious global threats for biodiversity [5,1]
To estimate the influence of global climate change on the potential distribution of L. catesbeianus, we modeled the distribution of the species for three different time slices: present, 2050, and 2080
The geographic projection of the model in current conditions was in remarkable concordance with the reported feral populations of the American Bullfrog in South America
Summary
Climate changes are likely to affect the distributional ranges of invasive species [1,2,3,4], which are one of the most serious global threats for biodiversity [5,1]. The American Bullfrog (Lithobates catesbeianus) is endemic to eastern North America and has been introduced in approximately 40 countries in four continents via aquaculture and the aquarium trade [13]. It has been considered one of the hundred worst invasive species in the world [14]. Native from the southeast of USA, it has colonized more than 75% of South America where it has been reported as a highly effective predator, competitor and vector of amphibian diseases
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
