American bullfrog (Lithobates catesbeianus) distribution, impact on native amphibians and management priorities in San Carlos, Uruguay

Biological invasions are a major cause of biodiversity and ecosystem services loss. However, information on distribution and impacts is limited for many alien species, restricting the development of local management measures. The aim of this study is: to identify the current situation of the American bullfrog (Lithobates catesbeianus) invasion focus in San Carlos (Maldonado, Uruguay); to evaluate its impacts on native anurans; and to provide management tools. Between 2017 and 2019, 75 permanent ponds were sampled, finding an expanding bullfrog population (occupying 32 ponds, in 16.5 km 2 ). Results show that native anuran richness was lower in the invaded ponds. Observed impacts were greater for the aquatic frog Pseudis minuta, probably due to greater encounter rates with the invader. The abundance of tadpoles was also lower in the invaded ponds. The local pond network was explored using graph theory, evaluating its topological role and centrality. In this network, a list of priority ponds was generated to prevent local bullfrog expansion. Given the relatively small size of this population, eradication seems feasible. Focusing on the key nodes could prevent further expansion, by using spatial prioritization to organize the recommended management of the pond network.Agencia Nacional de Investigación e Innovació

Graph theory as model to understand American bullfrog invasion in Uruguay

In this work it is presented a graph theory approach for the characterization of the data-set of ponds invaded by the aquatic amphibian Lithobates catesbeianus in the period 2007-2022 in Acegu´a (Uruguay). The topological characterization of the network of ponds with a mobility threshold distance of 700 m is presented. The vulnerability analysis of ponds is carried out using centrality metrics, community analysis and evaluating the connection probabilities between nodes, the goal is to classify nodes to prioritize the invasion control.Agencia Nacional de Investigación e Innovació

Rana toro o rana buey? Explorando la esterilización quirúrgica como herramienta de control de la invasión de rana toro

PresentaciónAgencia Nacional de Investigación e Innovació

Efectos de las invasiones biológicas y la degradación del hábitat en los anfibios

Efectos de las invasiones biológicas y la degradación del hábitat en los anfibios. Presentación en la conferencia AHA 2023Agencia Nacional de Investigación e Innovació

Dispersión de la rana toro, Lithobates catesbeianus, y prioridades para su manejo en Aceguá (Cerro Largo)

Presentación de modelos de dispersion de la rana toro, en el marco de un proyecto del Fondo María Viñas.Agencia Nacional de Investigación e Innovació

Entre la tierra y el pasto: preferencia de micro-hábitat en Allocosa sp. (Lycosidae), una araña lobo de los pastizales uruguayos

En pastizales uruguayos habitan arañas lobo del género Allocosa. Se analizó la preferencia de Allocosa sp. por zonas con vegetación o tierra desnuda. No se encontraron preferencias por un sustrato determinado tanto durante el día como en la noche. Los individuos mostraron menor actividad durante el día.Programa de Desarrollo de las Ciencias BásicasAgencia Nacional de Investigación e InnovaciónNational Geographi

Entre la tierra y el pasto: preferencia de micro-hábitat en Allocosa sp. (Lycosidae), una araña lobo de los pastizales uruguayos

En pastizales uruguayos habitan arañas lobo del género Allocosa. Se analizó la preferencia de Allocosa sp. por zonas con vegetación o tierra desnuda. No se encontraron preferencias por un sustrato determinado tanto durante el día como en la noche. Los individuos mostraron menor actividad durante el día.Programa de Desarrollo de las Ciencias BásicasAgencia Nacional de Investigación e InnovaciónNational Geographi

Invasiones biológicas y pérdida de hábitat: efectos en las comunidades de anfibios

Presentacion de avance de efectos de la rana toro en las comunidades de anfibios nativos de Aceguá, Cerro Largo-Uruguay.Agencia Nacional de Investigación e Innovació

Not the same: phylogenetic relationships and ecological niche comparisons between two different forms of Aglaoctenus lagotis from Argentina and Uruguay

Species are the fundamental category and the key to formulate conservation efforts. DNA and ecological niche modeling have become valuable tools for species delimitation. Wolf spiders include few web-living species, such as Aglaoctenus lagotis (Holmberg, 1876), a priority species for conservation in Uruguay. Behavioral and body coloration patterns of this species have allowed us to distinguish two groups (forms I and II). Here, we combine information from gene trees and multispecies coalescent analyses on mitochondrial (cox1, 12S, 16S + L1 + nad1) and nuclear (intron tif5A) DNA sequences, as well as from ecological niches comparisons, in order to clarify their taxonomic identity. We worked with localities in Uruguay and Argentina, including sympatric and allopatric areas. Gene trees were inferred with Maximum Likelihood, Bayesian, and statistical parsimony analyses. Molecular species delimitation analyses were conducted, and the species tree and divergence times were co-estimated. Characterization and comparison of the climatic requirements of both forms throughout annual and sexual periods were analyzed. Species delimitation and species tree analyses recovered three main lineages (Form I, Form IIa, and Form IIb). Form I is restricted to Uruguay and is closely related and sympatric with Form IIa. Form IIb is located in Argentina and in the Uruguayan west coast, generating a sympatric area of the three forms. Regarding to the sexual climatic niche, the three main lineages differ and do not overlap. Our results support the existence of more than one lineage within what is nowadays Aglaoctenus lagotis. Possible evolving processes explaining this scenario and the conservation consequences are discussed.Fil: González, Macarena. No especifíca;Fil: Kacevas, Nadia. No especifíca;Fil: Nori, Javier. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Córdoba. Instituto de Diversidad y Ecología Animal. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas Físicas y Naturales. Instituto de Diversidad y Ecología Animal; ArgentinaFil: Piacentini, Luis Norberto. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Parque Centenario. Museo Argentino de Ciencias Naturales "Bernardino Rivadavia"; ArgentinaFil: Bidegaray Batista, Leticia. No especifíca