American Bullfrog Lithobates Catesbeianus (Shaw, 1802) Invasion In Argentina
Biological Invasion, , Volume 12, Number 4, 4/10
Mauricio Sebastián Akmentins1 and Darío Elbio Cardozo2 1) CONICET-Centro de Investigaciones Básicas y Aplicadas, Facultad de Ingeniería, Universidad Nacional de Jujuy, Avenida Bolivia 1239, 4600 S. S. de Jujuy,
2) CONICET-IBIGEO-Museo de Ciencias Naturales, Universidad Nacional de Salta, Mendoza 2, 4400 Salta, Argentina
Abstract
The American bullfrog (Lithobates catesbeianus) has been introduced throughout the world over the past two centuries. This taxa is a potentially devastating invader because of its large size, prolific reproductive output, and broad ecological niche. Consequently, the extent of this ongoing biological invasion is an increasing conservation concern. In Argentina, several introduced populations have been reported. In most cases, these introductions have been intentional or incidental releases from breeding facilities, yet the consequences and effective controls for captive-breeding programs have not been assessed by government environmental agencies. Further studies are needed regarding the trophic ecology, reproductive biology, ecological niche, and chytrid fungus infection prevalence to predict the ultimate impacts of this species on native ecosystems. The aim of this work is to report a new alien population of L. catesbeianus at La Candelaria, Salta province, Argentina. This record represents the first population of American bullfrogs detected in northwestern Argentina
Mauricio Sebastián Akmentins (Corresponding author)
Email: mauriakme@gmail.com
Darío Elbio Cardozo
Email: darcardz@gmail.com
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