Larval alarm pheromones as a potential control for invasive cane toads (Bufo marinus) in tropical Australia |
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Authors: | Mattias Hagman Richard Shine |
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Institution: | (1) School of Biological Sciences A08, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, 2006, Australia;(2) Department of Zoology, Stockholm University, 106 91 Stockholm, Sweden |
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Abstract: | Novel approaches to control invasive species are urgently needed. Cane toads (Bufo marinus) are large, highly toxic anurans that are spreading rapidly through tropical Australia. Injured toad larvae produce an alarm
pheromone that elicits rapid avoidance by conspecifics but not by frog larvae. Experiments in outdoor ponds show that repeated
exposure to the pheromone reduced toad tadpole survival rates (by >50%) and body mass at metamorphosis (by 20%). The alarm
pheromone did not induce tadpoles to seek shelter, but accelerated ontogenetic differentiation. Perhaps reflecting mortality
of weaker individuals during larval life, growth rates post-metamorphosis were higher in animals emerging from the pheromone
exposure treatment than from the control treatment. Nonetheless, body size differentials established at metamorphosis persisted
through the first 8 days of post-metamorphic life. We will need substantial additional research before evaluating whether
the alarm pheromone provides a way to reduce cane toad recruitment in nature, but our field trials are encouraging in this
respect. |
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