Reproductive phenology of the American Bullfrog in subtropical Brazil: photoperiod as a main determinant of seasonal activity.

Camila I Medeiros,Igor L Kaefer,Sonia Z Cechin,Camila Both

doi:10.1590/0001-3765201620150694

Abstract

The North American bullfrog Lithobates catesbeianus continues to invade ecosystems worldwide, potentially causing population declines and even extinctions. Within its native distribution, bullfrogs show prolonged reproductive seasons and high fertility. However, data on breeding biology of bullfrogs ex-situ in invaded localities mainly comes from anecdotal reports. Understanding how invasive species are adjusting their life histories to new colonized environments is important for conservation purposes. Here we describe temporal and spatial abundance, calling activity, spawning and tadpole distribution of bullfrogs in southern Brazil. Eighteen samplings occurred during one year. The abundance of individuals was positively related to longer photoperiods and higher temperatures. Reproductive activity was also positively associated with longer photoperiods. Calling sites, spawning and tadpoles were associated with microhabitats presenting hydrophytes, which may provide shelter and thermal stability to bullfrogs. The reproductive seasonal activity of bullfrogs can be highly variable across its growing geographical range, but in subtropical Brazil it is associated with photoperiod, a highly predictable abiotic determinant. In our study area, bullfrogs presented a breeding season twice as long as that observed in some native localities. We suggest that management strategies directed to bullfrog populations must consider the habitat structures and seasonal regimes determined by each invaded environment.

Highlights

When a species is introduced into new environments it may be able to survive, establish populations and become invasive
The abundance of L. catesbeianus observed in the two ponds ranged from three individuals in April to 103 individuals in December (Figure 1)
The total abundance of L. catesbeianus over the study period was explained by photoperiod and minimum temperature (R2 = 0.58; F3,15 = 12.93; p < 0.05)

Summary

Introduction

When a species is introduced into new environments it may be able to survive, establish populations and become invasive. Invasion success depends on biological attributes of the species Cechin of the most successful invasive species of the world (IUCN 2003), has been introduced in more than 40 countries and four continents over the last century (Lever 2003). Bullfrogs have the potential to affect native species in the acoustic niche (Both and Grant 2012). They can be a threat to native frogs through the dissemination of pathogens and diseases, such as chytridiomycosis (Berger et al 1998, Daszak et al 2004, Schoegel et al 2010)

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Conclusion