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Sugiura S, Hayashi M. Defenses of whirligig beetles against native and invasive frogs. PeerJ 2024; 12:e17214. [PMID: 38646489 PMCID: PMC11027905 DOI: 10.7717/peerj.17214] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2023] [Accepted: 03/19/2024] [Indexed: 04/23/2024] Open
Abstract
Many native insects have evolved defenses against native predators. However, their defenses may not protect them from non-native predators due to a limited shared history. The American bullfrog, Aquarana catesbeiana (Anura: Ranidae), which has been intentionally introduced to many countries, is believed to impact native aquatic animals through direct predation. Adults of whirligig beetles (Coleoptera: Gyrinidae), known for swimming and foraging on the water surface of ponds and streams, reportedly possess chemical defenses against aquatic predators, such as fish. Although whirligig beetles potentially encounter both bullfrogs and other frogs in ponds and lakes, the effectiveness of their defenses against frogs has been rarely studied. To assess whether whirligig beetles can defend against native and non-native frogs, we observed the behavioral responses of the native pond frog, Pelophylax nigromaculatus (Anura: Ranidae), and the invasive non-native bullfrog, A. catesbeiana, to native whirligig beetles, Gyrinus japonicus and Dineutus orientalis, in Japan. Adults of whirligig beetles were provided to frogs under laboratory conditions. Forty percent of G. japonicus and D.orientalis were rejected by P. nigromaculatus, while all whirligig beetles were easily consumed by A. catesbeiana. Chemical and other secondary defenses of G. japonicus and D. orientalis were effective for some individuals of P. nigromaculatus but not for any individuals of A. catesbeiana. These results suggest that native whirligig beetles suffer predation by invasive non-native bullfrogs in local ponds and lakes in Japan.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shinji Sugiura
- Graduate School of Agricultural Science, Kobe University, Kobe, Hyogo, Japan
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Du Y, Wang X, Ashraf S, Tu W, Xi Y, Cui R, Chen S, Yu J, Han L, Gu S, Qu Y, Liu X. Climate match is key to predict range expansion of the world's worst invasive terrestrial vertebrates. GLOBAL CHANGE BIOLOGY 2024; 30:e17137. [PMID: 38273500 DOI: 10.1111/gcb.17137] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/01/2023] [Revised: 12/13/2023] [Accepted: 12/16/2023] [Indexed: 01/27/2024]
Abstract
Understanding the determinants of the range expansion of invasive alien species is crucial for developing effective prevention and control strategies. Nevertheless, we still lack a global picture of the potential factors influencing the invaded range expansion across taxonomic groups, especially for the world's worst invaders with high ecological and economic impacts. Here, by extensively collecting data on 363 distributional ranges of 19 of world's worst invasive terrestrial vertebrates across 135 invaded administrative jurisdictions, we observed remarkable variations in the range expansion across species and taxonomic groups. After controlling for taxonomic and geographic pseudoreplicates, model averaging analyses based on generalized additive mixed-effect models showed that species in invaded regions having climates more similar to those of their native ranges tended to undergo a larger range expansion. In addition, as proxies of propagule pressure and human-assisted transportation, the number of introduction events and the road network density were also important predictors facilitating the range expansion. Further variance partitioning analyses validated the predominant role of climate match in explaining the range expansion. Our study demonstrated that regions with similar climates to their native ranges could still be prioritized to prevent the spread of invasive species under the sustained global change.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuanbao Du
- Key Laboratory of Animal Ecology and Conservation Biology, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Xuyu Wang
- Key Laboratory of Animal Ecology and Conservation Biology, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
- College of Ecology, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, Gansu Province, China
- Institute of Physical Science and Information Technology, Anhui University, Hefei, Anhui Province, China
| | - Sadia Ashraf
- Key Laboratory of Animal Ecology and Conservation Biology, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
- Key Laboratory of Zoological Systematics and Evolution, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Weishan Tu
- Key Laboratory of Animal Ecology and Conservation Biology, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
- Key Laboratory of Zoological Systematics and Evolution, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
- Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, Anhui Province, China
| | - Yonghong Xi
- Key Laboratory of Animal Ecology and Conservation Biology, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Ruina Cui
- Key Laboratory of Animal Ecology and Conservation Biology, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Shengnan Chen
- Key Laboratory of Animal Ecology and Conservation Biology, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
- Key Laboratory of Southwest China Wildlife Resources Conservation (Ministry of Education), China West Normal University, Nanchong, Sichuan Province, China
| | - Jiajie Yu
- Key Laboratory of Animal Ecology and Conservation Biology, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Lixia Han
- Key Laboratory of Animal Ecology and Conservation Biology, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
- College of Horticulture and Forestry Sciences, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, Hubei Province, China
| | - Shimin Gu
- Key Laboratory of Animal Ecology and Conservation Biology, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Yanhua Qu
- Key Laboratory of Zoological Systematics and Evolution, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Xuan Liu
- Key Laboratory of Animal Ecology and Conservation Biology, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
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Siliyavong S, Hoang NV, Nguyen TT, Nguyen T, Pham AV. New record and dietary ecology of a poorly known frog, Amolopsshihaitaoi Wang, Li, Du, Hou & Yu, 2022 (Amphibia, Anura, Ranidae), from Ha Giang Province, Vietnam. Biodivers Data J 2023; 11:e104316. [PMID: 37215464 PMCID: PMC10199336 DOI: 10.3897/bdj.11.e104316] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2023] [Accepted: 05/05/2023] [Indexed: 05/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Background The Hekou Torrent Frog (Amolopsshihaitaoi) was recently discovered from southern China and northern Vietnam in 2022. The knowledge about natural history and feeding ecology of this species is virtually lacking. New information Based on our recent fieldwork in northern Vietnam, we report a new population of A.shihaitaoi from Ha Giang Province. In this study, we provide novel data on the diet of A.shihaitaoi, based on stomach content analyses of 36 individuals (17 males and 19 females). A total of 36 prey categories with 529 items, comprising 515 items of invertebrates and 14 unidentified items, were found in the stomachs of A.shihaitaoi. The dominant prey items of the species were Hymenoptera (Formicidae), Orthoptera (Acrididae), Lepidoptera (Lepidoptera other), Mantodea (Mantidae) and Araneae. The importance index (Ix) of prey categories ranged from 7.1% to 11.5%. Hymenoptera (Formicidae) had the highest frequency of prey items, found in 36 stomachs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sonephet Siliyavong
- Pakse Teacher Training College, 13 South Road, Champasak, Laos Pakse Teacher Training College, 13 South Road Champasak Laos
| | - Ngoc Van Hoang
- Thai Nguyen University of Education, Thai Nguyen University, Thai Nguyen, Vietnam Thai Nguyen University of Education, Thai Nguyen University Thai Nguyen Vietnam
| | - Tao Thien Nguyen
- Institute of Genome Research, Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology, Hanoi, Vietnam Institute of Genome Research, Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology Hanoi Vietnam
| | - Truong Nguyen
- Institute of Ecology and Biological Resources, Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology, Hanoi, Vietnam Institute of Ecology and Biological Resources, Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology Hanoi Vietnam
- Graduate University of Science and Technology, VAST, Hanoi, Vietnam Graduate University of Science and Technology, VAST Hanoi Vietnam
| | - Anh Van Pham
- Faculty of Environmental Sciences, University of Science, Vietnam National University, Ha Noi, 334 Nguyen Trai Road, Hanoi, Vietnam Faculty of Environmental Sciences, University of Science, Vietnam National University, Ha Noi, 334 Nguyen Trai Road Hanoi Vietnam
- The Center for Biodiversity & Environment Research, Tay Bac University, Son La City, Son La Province, Son La, Vietnam The Center for Biodiversity & Environment Research, Tay Bac University, Son La City, Son La Province Son La Vietnam
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Abstract
Invasive non-native predators negatively affect native species; however, some native species can survive the predation pressures of invasive species by using pre-existing antipredator strategies or evolving defenses against invasive predators. The American bullfrog Lithobates catesbeianus (Anura: Ranidae) has been intentionally introduced to many countries and regions, and has impacted native animals through direct predation. Bombardier beetles (Coleoptera: Carabidae: Brachininae: Brachinini) discharge chemicals at a temperature of approximately 100 °C from the tip of the abdomen when they are attacked by predators. This "bombing" can successfully repel predators. However, adults of a native bombardier beetle Pheropsophus (Stenaptinus) occipitalis jessoensis have been reportedly found in the gut contents of the introduced bullfrog L. catesbeianus in Japan. These records suggest that the invasive bullfrog L. catesbeianus attacks the native bombardier beetle P. occipitalis jessoensis under field conditions in Japan; however, the effectiveness of the bombing defense against invasive bullfrogs is unclear. To test the effectiveness of the bombing defense against bullfrogs, we investigated the behavioral responses of L. catesbeianus juveniles to P. occipitalis jessoensis adults under laboratory conditions. Contrary to previous gut content results, almost all the bullfrogs (96.3%) rejected bombardier beetles before swallowing them; 88.9% rejected the beetles after being bombed, and 7.4% stopped attacking the beetles before being bombed. Only 3.7% successfully swallowed and digested the beetle. All of the beetles collected from non-bullfrog-invaded sites could deter bullfrogs, suggesting that the pre-existing defenses of bombardier beetles played an essential role in repelling bullfrogs. When treated beetles that were unable to discharge hot chemicals were provided, 77.8% of bullfrogs successfully swallowed and digested the treated beetles. These results indicate that bombing is important for the successful defense of P. occipitalis jessoensis against invasive bullfrogs. Although invasive bullfrogs have reportedly impacted native insect species, P. occipitalis jessoensis has an existing defense mechanism strong enough to repel the invasive predators.
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