Flores-Nieves, Chris Z.

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    Effects of food concentration in the competition between larvae of the introduced cane toad (Rhinella marina) and the native white-lipped frog (Leptodactylus albilabris)
    (2012) Flores-Nieves, Chris Z.; Santos-Flores, Carlos J.; College of Arts and Sciences - Sciences; Logue, David; Borges Delgado, Sonia; Department of Biology; Santiago Román, Aidsa I.
    Invasive species are a major focus within conservation biology. The widely introduced cane toad, Rhinella marina, has gained particular interest in studies of effects of invasive species on native communities. In this study I examined the effects of invasive cane toad larvae on the growth, development and survival of a Puerto Rican native species, the white-lipped frog, Leptodactylus albilabris, when tadpoles were reared with different food levels. I conducted two experiments: (1) a food calibration experiment to determine low and high food concentrations adequate for larvae growth and survival, and (2) a competition experiment with varying species rations and food availability. In the food calibration experiment, lower food levels reduced survival and increased larval period for both species. Contrary to the expected results in the competition experiment, the presence of R. marina had no negative effects on L. albilabris development. Rather, the opposite outcome was observed; larvae of R. marina experienced severe reduction in growth and survival when in the presence of L. albilabris, particularly in the high food level treatments. Significant effects of the presence of L. albilabris on R. marina development were observed as early as the first two weeks, and continued on to metamorphosis. Adaptations to life on ephemeral habitats such as larger body size, higher activity levels and reduced larval period, combined with high food levels, may have provided L. albilabris with a competitive advantage over R. marina. Further studies are needed to determine if these interactions produce similar results under natural conditions.