Bullfrog tadpoles affects Rhinella arenarum growth development under competitive conditions

JUNGBLUT, L.; RAICES, M.; POZZI, AG; PAZ DA

Chascomús

Congreso; XVI Jornadas Sociedad Argentina de Biología; 2014

Sociedad Argentina de Biología

Jungblut, LD; Raices, M; Pozzi, AG; Paz DA. Bullfrog tadpoles affect Rhinella arenarum growth and development under competitive conditions. XVI Jornadas de la Sociedad Argentina de Biología, Diciembre 2014, Chascomús, Buenos Aires , Argentina (Presentación de Póster). The American bullfrog (Lithobates catesbeianus) has been introduced throughout the world in the last century, including in Argentina. Adult bullfrogs  are voracious feeders that may eliminate native amphibians directly through predation or interference competition; or indirectly through exploitative competition, or introduction of diseases and parasites. However, the competitive abilities of L. catesbeianus or their effects on native fauna during the larval phase have been poorly studied. In this work we performed a laboratory experiment to examine the competitive effects of bullfrog tadpoles on the larvae of the native anuran Rhinella arenarum. Results showed that tadpoles of R. arenarum decreased the rate of growth and development after 4 weeks of interaction with bullfrog tadpoles. Moreover, long time exposure (until metamorphosis completed) reduced survivorship and delayed time to metamorphosis in R. arenarum compared with animals reared with conspecifics only, under identical experimental conditions. These finding demonstrates that tadpoles of L. catesbeianus (as observed in adults) have competitive advantages over other species that could facilitate its invasion in novel environments.