Invasive toads are close to but absent from Komodo National Park

Umar F Kennedi,Mirza D Kusrini,Ani Mardiastuti,Achmad Ariefiandy,A Setiawan Achmadi,A Setyo Budi,E Dwijayanti,Rusdianto Rusdianto,S Anita,Encilia Encilia,A Elang N.H,A Qodri,D.C Murniati,A.S Nurinsiyah

doi:10.1051/bioconf/20201900017

Abstract

The islands of Komodo National Park in the Wallacea region are the habitats of Komodo dragon (Varanus komodoensis). Although the Wallacea islands have lower species richness compared to the other large islands in Indonesia, they are rich in endemics, and the occurrence of invasive species would therefore threatened the ecological, economic and social balance of the regions. Several papers have hinted at the possibility of the invasion of Komodo National Parks by Asian toads, a situation which would potentially affect the survival of the Komodo dragon. To detect the presence of the invansive toad Duttaphrynus melanostictus in Komodo National Park and its surroundings areas we carried out an amphibian survey using a Visual Encounter Survey method during February to April 2018. The surveyed location consisted of two main islands within Komodo National Park (Rinca island and Komodo island), Flores island (Labuan Bajo and Cumbi village) and Sumbawa island (Sape). Two species of amphibians were found in Komodo National Park (Rinca island and Komodo island), while seven species of amphibians were found across all four locations. No D. melanostictus toads were found in Flores (including in Komodo National Park), however the toad was found to be abundant in Sape (Sumbawa island).

Highlights

One of the threats to the existence of endemic species is the presence of invasive species
There is a concern that the toad might become invasive in the Komodo National Park and potentially cause negative impacts on the population of Komodo dragon Varanus komodoensis [4]
This paper reports a survey of amphibian species richness in Komodo National Park and its surrounding area (Sape on Sumbawa island and Labuan Bajo and Cumbi village on Flores island) with the aim to detecting the presence of the Asian common toad D. melanostictus in the area

Summary

Introduction

One of the threats to the existence of endemic species is the presence of invasive species. There is a concern that the toad might become invasive in the Komodo National Park and potentially cause negative impacts on the population of Komodo dragon Varanus komodoensis [4]. Komodo National Park consist of five main islands (Komodo, Rinca, Nusa Kode, Gili Motang and Padar) and 126 smaller islands. Those five main islands are the home of the famous Komodo dragon V. komodoensis. This paper reports a survey of amphibian species richness in Komodo National Park and its surrounding area (Sape on Sumbawa island and Labuan Bajo and Cumbi village on Flores island) with the aim to detecting the presence of the Asian common toad D. melanostictus in the area

Methods

Findings

Result and Discussions