Predation by Atractosteus tropicus on Bufo marinus and its possible affect on population in a lowland tropical wet rainforest

Lewis, Todd R.; Ryall, Colin; LaDuke, Thomas C.; Grant, Paul B.C.

Abstract

Fish predation can affect amphibian populations. Most examples report invasive fish species and their negative effect on specific amphibians. Here we provide an occurrence of natural fish predation by the tropical gar Atractosteus tropicus on the cane toad Bufo marinus. We observed physical damage caused by A. tropicus attacking B. marinus. When adult B. marinus were removed from the population subadult toads re-filled the adult’s niche, re-supplementing the population. Local observations of predation by fish on amphibians are important to differentiate natural population fluctuations from amphibian population declines.

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Publication Date: Jun 1, 2010
• Deposit Date: Sep 17, 2022
• Publicly Available Date: Jul 26, 2023
• Journal: Boletín de la Sociedad Herpetológica Mexicana
• Electronic ISSN: 0817-988X
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 18
• Issue: 2
• Pages: 51-60
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.31219/osf.io/ru72b
• Keywords: Bufo marinus, Predation, Garfish, Population
• Public URL: https://uwe-repository.worktribe.com/output/9993650
• Publisher URL: http://sociedadherpetologicamexicana.org.mx/principal/Boletines/Documentos/Boletines/Vol18No2.pdf