Climate change and American Bullfrog invasion: what could we expect in South America?

ABSTRACT:

Background

Biological invasion and climate change pose challenges to biodiversity conservation in the 21(st) century. Invasive species modify ecosystem structure and functioning and climatic changes are likely to produce invasive species' range shifts pushing some populations into protected areas. The American Bullfrog (Lithobates catesbeianus) is one of the hundred worst invasive species in the world. Native from the southeast of USA, it has colonized more than 75% of South America where it has been reported as a highly effective predator, competitor and vector of amphibian diseases.

Methodology/principal findings

We modeled the potential distribution of the bullfrog in its native range based on different climate models and green-house gases emission scenarios, and projecte

SUBMITTER: Nori J 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3185029 | biostudies-literature | 2011

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature