1
|
Shaykevich DA, Pareja-Mejía D, Golde C, Pašukonis A, O’Connell LA. Neural and sensory basis of homing behavior in the invasive cane toad, Rhinella marina. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2024.06.25.600658. [PMID: 38979178 PMCID: PMC11230440 DOI: 10.1101/2024.06.25.600658] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/10/2024]
Abstract
The behavioral, sensory, and neural bases of vertebrate navigation are primarily described in mammals and birds. However, we know much less about navigational abilities and mechanisms of vertebrates that move on smaller scales, such as amphibians. To address this knowledge gap, we conducted an extensive field study on navigation in the cane toad, Rhinella marina. First, we performed a translocation experiment to describe how invasive toads in Hawai'i navigate home following displacements of up to one kilometer. Next, we tested the effect of olfactory and magnetosensory manipulations on homing, as these senses are most commonly associated with amphibian navigation. We found that neither ablation alone prevents homing, suggesting that toad navigation is multimodal. Finally, we tested the hypothesis that the medial pallium, the amphibian homolog to the hippocampus, is involved in homing. By comparing neural activity across homing and non-homing toads, we found evidence supporting the involvement of the medial pallium, lateral pallium, and septum in navigation, suggesting a conservation of neural structures supporting navigation across vertebrates. Our study lays the foundation to understand the behavioral, sensory, and neural bases of navigation in amphibians and to further characterize the evolution of behavior and neural structures in vertebrates.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Daniela Pareja-Mejía
- Department of Biology, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
- Graduate Program in Zoology, Universidade Estadual de Santa Cruz, Bahía, Brazil
| | - Chloe Golde
- Department of Biology, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
| | | | - Lauren A. O’Connell
- Department of Biology, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
- Wu Tsai Institute for Neuroscience, Stanford University, Stanford CA, USA
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Bobadilla SY, Dacar MA, Jaksic FM, Ojeda RA, Fernanda Cuevas M. Habitat and food preferences of European rabbits in core and edge populations along the invasion front Patagonia-Monte, Argentina. Curr Zool 2024; 70:310-319. [PMID: 39035751 PMCID: PMC11255995 DOI: 10.1093/cz/zoad033] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/18/2023] [Accepted: 07/13/2023] [Indexed: 07/23/2024] Open
Abstract
The European rabbit Oryctolagus cuniculus is an exotic herbivorous mammal undergoing an active phase of geographical expansion in the arid ecosystems of Argentina. The Adaptive Flexibility Hypothesis states that populations at the range edge (new populations) will exhibit greater flexibility in the use of resources compared with populations located in the range core (older populations). The objective of this work was to compare the rabbit's use of spatial and trophic resources in relation to the establishment time of their populations. The sampling was carried out for 2 years (2017 and 2018) in sites with different establishment times for rabbit populations. Random sampling stratified by type of habitat was applied using 115 fixed strip transects of 1,000 m2 laid out across the study areas. Fresh rabbit signs were recorded in each transect, and environmental and anthropic variables were measured. Our results show that the individuals from the range edge are more selective in the use of habitat than those from the range core. At the microhabitat level, we observed a pattern in the particular components of habitat use by rabbits mainly linked to food availability and proximity to water. From a trophic perspective, rabbits could show flexible adjustment to novel conditions and environments in the range edge. The variability in resource use by the European rabbit confirms its ecological flexibility, pivotal for their advance toward new environments in Argentina.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sabrina Yasmin Bobadilla
- Ecología de Mamíferos de Tierras Secas, IADIZA, CCT-Mendoza CONICET, Av. Ruiz Leal s/n, Parque General San Martín, Mendoza 5500, Mendoza, Argentina
| | - María A Dacar
- Laboratorio de Filogeografía, Taxonomía Integrativa y Ecología (LFTIE), IADIZA, CCT-Mendoza CONICET, Av. Ruiz Leal s/n, Parque General San Martín, Mendoza 5500, Mendoza, Argentina
| | - Fabián M Jaksic
- Center of Applied Ecology and Sustainability (CAPES), Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Av. Libertador Bernardo O'Higgins 340, Santiago 8320000, Región Metropolitana, Chile
| | - Ricardo A Ojeda
- Laboratorio de Filogeografía, Taxonomía Integrativa y Ecología (LFTIE), IADIZA, CCT-Mendoza CONICET, Av. Ruiz Leal s/n, Parque General San Martín, Mendoza 5500, Mendoza, Argentina
| | - María Fernanda Cuevas
- Ecología de Mamíferos de Tierras Secas, IADIZA, CCT-Mendoza CONICET, Av. Ruiz Leal s/n, Parque General San Martín, Mendoza 5500, Mendoza, Argentina
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Mittan-Moreau CS, Kelehear C, Toledo LF, Bacon J, Guayasamin JM, Snyder A, Zamudio KR. Cryptic lineages and standing genetic variation across independent cane toad introductions. Mol Ecol 2022; 31:6440-6456. [PMID: 36198047 PMCID: PMC10091960 DOI: 10.1111/mec.16713] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/28/2022] [Revised: 09/21/2022] [Accepted: 09/29/2022] [Indexed: 01/13/2023]
Abstract
Widespread introduced species can be leveraged to investigate the genetic, ecological and adaptive processes underlying rapid evolution and range expansion, particularly the contributions of genetic diversity to adaptation. Rhinella marina, the cane toad, has been a focus of invasion biology for decades in Australia. However, their introduction history in North America is less clear. Here, we investigated the roles of introduction history and genetic diversity in establishment success of cane toads across their introduced range. We used reduced representation sequencing (ddRAD) to obtain 34,000 SNPs from 247 toads in native (French Guiana, Guyana, Ecuador, Panama, Texas) and introduced (Bermuda, southern Florida, northern Florida, Hawai'i, Puerto Rico) populations. Unlike all other cane toad introductions, we found that Florida populations were more closely related to native Central American lineages (R. horribilis), than to native Southern American lineages (R. marina). Furthermore, we found high levels of diversity and population structure in the native range, corroborating suggestions that R. marina is a species complex. We also found that introduced populations exhibit only slightly lower genetic diversity than native populations. Together with demographic analyses, this indicates founding populations of toads in Florida were larger than previously reported. Lastly, within R. marina, only one of 245 putatively adaptive SNPs showed fixed differences between native and introduced ranges, suggesting that putative selection in these introduced populations is based upon existing genetic variation. Our findings highlight the importance of genetic sequencing in understanding biological introductions and hint at the role of standing genetic variation in range expansion.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Cinnamon S Mittan-Moreau
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York, USA.,Kellogg Biological Station, Michigan State University, Hickory Corners, Michigan, USA
| | | | - Luís Felipe Toledo
- Laboratório de História Natural de Anfíbios Brasileiros (LaHNAB), Departamento de Biologia Animal, Instituto de Biologia, Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Campinas, Brazil
| | - Jamie Bacon
- Bermuda Zoological Society, Hamilton, Bermuda
| | - Juan M Guayasamin
- Laboratorio de Biología Evolutiva, Colegio de Ciencias Biológicas y Ambientales COCIBA, Instituto Biósfera, Universidad San Francisco de Quito USFQ, Cumbayá, Quito, Ecuador
| | | | - Kelly R Zamudio
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York, USA.,Department of Integrative Biology, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, Texas, USA
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
dos Santos CV, Kerkhoff J, Tomazelli CA, Wenceslau CF, Sinhorin AP, de Jesus Rodrigues D, Carneiro FS, Bomfim GF. Vasoconstrictor and hemodynamic effects of a methanolic extract from Rhinella marina toad poison. Toxicon 2022; 218:57-65. [PMID: 36113683 PMCID: PMC9832923 DOI: 10.1016/j.toxicon.2022.08.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/04/2022] [Revised: 08/10/2022] [Accepted: 08/28/2022] [Indexed: 01/13/2023]
Abstract
Rhinella marina toad is abundant in Brazil. Its poison contains cardiac glycosides called bufadienolides, which are extensively investigated for their bioactivity. Our aim was to characterize the vasoactivity of Rhinella marina poison (RmP) on the aorta of male Wistar rats. For this, the RmP was first collected and processed to obtain an alcoholic extract. To determine cardiovascular effects of RmP, we performed in vivo tests by administering RmP intravenously in doses of 0.1-0.8 mg/kg. Vascular reactivity was also performed through concentration-response curves to RmP (10 ng/mL to 200 μg/mL) in aortic segments with and without endothelium. RmP induced a concentration-dependent contraction in rat aorta which was partly endothelium-mediated. Nitric oxide contributes with this response in view that incubation with L-NAME increased the contractile response. Additionally, treatment with indomethacin [cyclooxygenase, (COX) inhibitor], nifedipine (L-type voltage-gated calcium channels blocker), and BQ-123 (ETA receptors antagonist) decreased maximum response, and ketanserin (5-HT2 receptors antagonist) decreased pEC50, suggesting active participation of these pathways in the contractile response. On the other hand, apocynin (NADPH oxidase inhibitor) did not alter contractility. Incubation with prazosin (α1-adrenergic receptor antagonist) abolished the contractile response, suggesting that the RmP-induced contraction is dependent on the adrenergic pathway. In the Na+/K+ ATPase protocol, a higher Emax was observed in the RmP experimental group, suggesting that RmP potentiated Na+/K+ATPase hyperpolarizing response. When this extract was injected (i.v.) in vivo, increase in blood pressure and decrease in heart rate were observed. The results were immediate and transitory, and occurred in a dose-dependent manner. Overall, these data suggest that the poison extract of R. marina toad has an important vasoconstrictor action and subsequent vasopressor effects, and its use can be investigated to some cardiovascular disorders.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Cintia Vieira dos Santos
- NUPADS – Health Education and Research Center, Institute of Health Sciences, Federal University of Mato Grosso, 78550-728, Sinop, MT, Brazil,Department of Pharmacology, Ribeirao Preto Medical School, University of São Paulo, 14049-900, Ribeirão Preto, SP, Brazil
| | - Jacqueline Kerkhoff
- Institute of Natural, Humanities and Social Sciences, Federal University of Mato Grosso, 78577-267, Sinop, MT, Brazil
| | - Caroline Aparecida Tomazelli
- Department of Physiology and Biophysics, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, University of São Paulo, 05508-000, São Paulo, SP, Brazil
| | - Camilla Ferreira Wenceslau
- Cardiovascular Translational Research Center, Department of Cell Biology and Anatomy, University of South Carolina School of Medicine, Columbia, SC, 29209, USA
| | - Adilson Paulo Sinhorin
- Institute of Natural, Humanities and Social Sciences, Federal University of Mato Grosso, 78577-267, Sinop, MT, Brazil
| | - Domingos de Jesus Rodrigues
- Institute of Natural, Humanities and Social Sciences, Federal University of Mato Grosso, 78577-267, Sinop, MT, Brazil
| | - Fernando Silva Carneiro
- Department of Pharmacology, Ribeirao Preto Medical School, University of São Paulo, 14049-900, Ribeirão Preto, SP, Brazil
| | - Gisele Facholi Bomfim
- NUPADS – Health Education and Research Center, Institute of Health Sciences, Federal University of Mato Grosso, 78550-728, Sinop, MT, Brazil,Corresponding author. Av. Alexandre Ferronato, 1200, Setor Industrial, 78550-728, Sinop, Mato Grosso, Brazil. (G.F. Bomfim)
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Shaykevich DA, Pašukonis A, O'Connell LA. Long distance homing in the cane toad (Rhinella marina) in its native range. J Exp Biol 2021; 225:273860. [PMID: 34940881 PMCID: PMC8917446 DOI: 10.1242/jeb.243048] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/22/2021] [Accepted: 12/16/2021] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
Many animals exhibit complex navigation over different scales and environments. Navigation studies in amphibians have largely focused on species with life histories that require accurate spatial movements, such as territorial poison frogs and migratory pond-breeding amphibians that show fidelity to mating sites. However, other amphibian species have remained relatively understudied, leaving open the possibility that well-developed navigational abilities are widespread. Here, we measured short-term space use in non-territorial, non-migratory cane toads (Rhinella marina) in their native range in French Guiana. After establishing site fidelity, we tested their ability to return home following translocations of 500 and 1000 m. Toads were able to travel in straight trajectories back to home areas, suggesting navigational abilities similar to those observed in amphibians with more complex spatial behavior. These observations break with the current paradigm of amphibian navigation and suggest that navigational abilities may be widely shared among amphibians. Summary: Translocation-homing experiments reveal that non-territorial, non-migratory Rhinella marina can navigate to home areas following displacements exceeding regular, natural movements, suggesting a previously unconsidered prevalence of navigational abilities amongst amphibians.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Daniel A Shaykevich
- Stanford University, Department of Biology, 371 Jane Stanford Way, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
| | - Andrius Pašukonis
- Stanford University, Department of Biology, 371 Jane Stanford Way, Stanford, CA 94305, USA.,CEFE, Univ Montpellier, CNRS, EPHE, IRD, Montpellier, France
| | - Lauren A O'Connell
- Stanford University, Department of Biology, 371 Jane Stanford Way, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Shine R, Alford RA, Blennerhasset R, Brown GP, DeVore JL, Ducatez S, Finnerty P, Greenlees M, Kaiser SW, McCann S, Pettit L, Pizzatto L, Schwarzkopf L, Ward-Fear G, Phillips BL. Increased rates of dispersal of free-ranging cane toads (Rhinella marina) during their global invasion. Sci Rep 2021; 11:23574. [PMID: 34876612 PMCID: PMC8651681 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-02828-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/16/2021] [Accepted: 11/15/2021] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Invasions often accelerate through time, as dispersal-enhancing traits accumulate at the expanding range edge. How does the dispersal behaviour of individual organisms shift to increase rates of population spread? We collate data from 44 radio-tracking studies (in total, of 650 animals) of cane toads (Rhinella marina) to quantify distances moved per day, and the frequency of displacement in their native range (French Guiana) and two invaded areas (Hawai’i and Australia). We show that toads in their native-range, Hawai’i and eastern Australia are relatively sedentary, while toads dispersing across tropical Australia increased their daily distances travelled from 20 to 200 m per day. That increase reflects an increasing propensity to change diurnal retreat sites every day, as well as to move further during each nocturnal displacement. Daily changes in retreat site evolved earlier than did changes in distances moved per night, indicating a breakdown in philopatry before other movement behaviours were optimised to maximise dispersal.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Richard Shine
- Department of Biological Sciences, Macquarie University, Sydney, NSW, 2109, Australia.
| | - Ross A Alford
- College of Science and Engineering, James Cook University, Townsville, QLD, 4811, Australia
| | | | - Gregory P Brown
- Department of Biological Sciences, Macquarie University, Sydney, NSW, 2109, Australia
| | - Jayna L DeVore
- School of Life and Environmental Sciences, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, 2006, Australia
| | - Simon Ducatez
- UMR 241 EIO (UPF, IRD, IFREMER, ILM), Institut de Recherche Pour le Développement (IRD), Papeete, Tahiti, French Polynesia
| | - Patrick Finnerty
- School of Life and Environmental Sciences, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, 2006, Australia
| | - Matthew Greenlees
- Department of Biological Sciences, Macquarie University, Sydney, NSW, 2109, Australia
| | - Shannon W Kaiser
- Department of Biological Sciences, Macquarie University, Sydney, NSW, 2109, Australia
| | - Samantha McCann
- School of Life and Environmental Sciences, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, 2006, Australia
| | - Lachlan Pettit
- School of Life and Environmental Sciences, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, 2006, Australia
| | - Ligia Pizzatto
- School of Life and Environmental Sciences, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, 2006, Australia.,School of Environmental and Life Sciences, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW, 2308, Australia
| | - Lin Schwarzkopf
- College of Science and Engineering, James Cook University, Townsville, QLD, 4811, Australia
| | - Georgia Ward-Fear
- Department of Biological Sciences, Macquarie University, Sydney, NSW, 2109, Australia
| | - Benjamin L Phillips
- School of BioSciences, University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, 3010, Australia
| |
Collapse
|