Áreas vulnerables a la invasión actual y futura de la rana toro (Lithobates catesbeianus: Ranidae) en Colombia: estrategias propuestas para su manejo y control

The bullfrog is one of the most aggressive invasive species globally because of their wide dispersal ability, competence and their voracious eating habits. In Colombia, the species has been reported since the early 80's when entered the country as an economic alternative in the frog breeding and distribution has increased since then. This work has modeled potential distribution of the species in Colombia based upon the projection of the distribution in the native area in the northeastern United States. Likewise, the distribution was compared with the current potential future distribution of three global circulation models (CCCMA-CGCM31, CSIRO_MK30 and IPSL_CM4) and over two time horizons (2050 and 2080 yrs). It was determined that the Andes and the Caribbean Region in Colombia presents optimal areas for the establishment of the species present and the future. It is urgent to design and implement a management and control plan for Bullfrog populations in Colombia, to identify invaded areas and perform control of this species. This article provides some basis for the development of this plan in Colombia.La rana toro es una de las especies invasoras más agresivas a nivel global debido a su amplia capacidad de dispersión, de competencia y por sus hábitos alimenticios voraces y plásticos. En Colombia la especie ha sido reportada desde la década de los 80's cuando fue introducida al país como alternativa económica en la ranicultura y su distribución se ha incrementado desde ese entonces. En el presente trabajo se realizó un modelo de distribución potencial de la especie para Colombia basado en la proyección de la distribución actual en el área nativa, en el noreste de los Estados Unidos. Así mismo se comparó la distribución potencial actual con la distribución futura en tres modelos globales de circulación (CCCMA-CGCM31, CSIRO_MK30 y IPSL_CM4) y a lo largo de dos horizontes de tiempo (años 2050 y 2080). Se determinó que los Andes y la región Caribe en Colombia presentan áreas óptimas para el establecimiento de la especie en el presente y en el futuro. Es urgente realizar un plan de manejo y control de la rana toro en Colombia, identificar las áreas invadidas para controlar las poblaciones de esta especie y tomar medidas preventivas en áreas potenciales para la invasión

Áreas vulnerables a la invasión actual y futura de la rana toro (<em>Lithobates catesbeianus<em>: Ranidae) en Colombia: estrategias propuestas para su manejo y control

The bullfrog is one of the most aggressive invasive species globally because of their wide dispersal ability, competence and their voracious eating habits. In Colombia, the species has been reported since the early 80's when entered the country as an economic alternative in the frog breeding and distribution has increased since then. This work has modeled potential distribution of the species in Colombia based upon the projection of the distribution in the native area in the northeastern United States. Likewise, the distribution was compared with the current potential future distribution of three global circulation models (CCCMA-CGCM31, CSIRO_MK30 and IPSL_CM4) and over two time horizons (2050 and 2080 yrs). It was determined that the Andes and the Caribbean Region in Colombia presents optimal areas for the establishment of the species present and the future. It is urgent to design and implement a management and control plan for Bullfrog populations in Colombia, to identify invaded areas and perform control of this species. This article provides some basis for the development of this plan in Colombia

Classification and sensitivity of taxonomic and functional diversity indices of anurans in the Andean coffee cultural landscape

Taxonomical and functional facets of diversity are crucial to imderstanding the effects of landscape transformaron on species assemblages, although there is a lack of consensus on the degree of congruence between diversity’ indices across land-uses. We evaluated the effect of natural and anthropogenic land cover types on anurans in the Andean región of Colombia. Changes between land cover types were detected but no effect of dimatic season on the structure of anuran assemblages. Species with larger body sizes showed a greater affínity for anthropogenic land cover types. We analyzed the functional facet of diversity- (based on diet and morpho-logical traits) and discovered that the degree of congruence with taxonomic diversity metrics changed when comparing different land cover types. We evidenced a strong effect of the type of vegetation cover on the Hill numbers (from zero to third orders) for functional diversity’ but not for the other taxonomic diversity indices. Of all the diversity metrics evaluated, we found that Rao’s quadratic entropy, functional dispersión, and average functional diversity were the most sensitive indices to land-use change. Surprisingly, the surrounding of houses, the land cover type with the greater degree of anthropogenic intervention had the higher valúes of functional diversity, suggesting broader types of species resource acquisition. These results suggest the importance of landscape mosaics in the conservation of different facets of anuran diversity. We also emphasize the importance of measuring anuran functional traits to understand more comprehensively the effects of landscape trans-formation at the assemblage level and to appropriately direct conservation and management actions.N/

Functional Traits in Bees: the Role of Body Size and Hairs in the Pollination of a Passiflora Crop

Pollination is a vitally important function in nature and becomes an ecosystem service because it influences the food and nutritional security for people. However, the contribution of different functional traits of insects for pollen transport of plants is still poorly known. We explore the relationship between pollinator insect functional traits and the transport of pollen of sweet granadilla (Passiflora ligularis Juss) in eight crops. We sampled flower-visiting insects of this crop and recorded 10 functional traits (five by direct measurements and five from the literature) that were related to the amount of pollen carried by each insect. Bees (Apidae) were not only the most abundant insects but also the ones that loaded the highest amounts of pollen. Within these, the most abundant species was the exotic common honeybee (Apis mellifera (Linnaeus)) making up almost half of the specimens collected; however, this bee carried less pollen grains than other native bees. Bombus hortulanus (Smith) was one of the large-bodied native bees that carried more sweet granadilla pollen, despite not being an abundant species in the community. Body size was the most important trait determining the transport of sweet granadilla pollen, while the traits related to body hairs were not significant for the body’s pollen load. None of the functional traits evaluated was influenced by taxonomy at species-level. Our results suggest that large body sizes in bees are the most important traits in granadilla pollen transport, regardless of other changes in composition and structure of pollinating insect assemblages in the crop.Fil: Cortés Gómez, Angela M.. Pontificia Universidad Javeriana; ColombiaFil: González Chaves, Adrián. Universidade de Sao Paulo; BrasilFil: Urbina Cardona, Nicolás. Pontificia Universidad Javeriana; ColombiaFil: Garibaldi, Lucas Alejandro. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Cientificas y Tecnicas. Centro Cientifico Tecnologico Conicet - Patagonia Norte. Instituto de Investigaciones En Recursos Naturales, Agroecologia y Desarrollo Rural. - Universidad Nacional de Rio Negro. Instituto de Investigaciones En Recursos Naturales, Agroecologia y Desarrollo Rural.; Argentin

Conocimiento científico de los efectos del cambio climático sobre la biodiversidad continental: productividad de las instituciones colombianas y propuesta para un análisis integral

Understanding the effects of climate change (CC) on biodiversity is complex because it involves multiple scales of biodiversity, biotic interactions, phenology, asynchronies, and spatial scales. By reviewing publications on the relationship between CC and biodiversity, the areas of knowledge and institutions that contribute to understanding the subject were identified. We found 65,169 documents in peer-review literature databases, of which more than 70% were published in the last eight years. About 20 Colombian institutions (304 publications) have produced new knowledge on the subject, and in the last eight years have increased the number of knowledge areas worked, from 23 to 40 areas. Colombian institutions have collaborated with up to 500 institutions globally to produce new knowledge on the subject. In this work we propose five levels to understand the effects of CC on continental biodiversity and a conceptual diagram for their integration: (1) Geographic displacement in the distribution of species, (2) Changes in phenology: migration, flowering, and reproduction of individuals, (3) Modifications in morphology, body size and behavior in populations, (4) Modification of the structure of communities, and (5) Modification of biotic interactions. Finally, we identify challenges for the scientific research for understanding the effects of CC on biodiversity, evidence synergies between research topics, and propose key monitoring elements for the construction of indicators.Conocer los efectos del cambio climático (CC) sobre la biodiversidad es complejo pues diferentes escalas de biodiversidad, interacciones, fenología, asincronías y escalas espaciales están implicadas. Revisar las publicaciones sobre la relación entre CC y biodiversidad permite identificar las áreas de conocimiento e instituciones que aportan al entendimiento del tema. De los 65,169 documentos encontrados en las bases de datos revisadas, más del 70 % fueron publicados en los últimos 8 años. Alrededor de 20 instituciones colombianas (304 publicaciones) han producido nuevo conocimiento en el tema y en los últimos 8 años han incrementado el número de áreas de conocimiento trabajadas, de 23 a 40 áreas. Las instituciones colombianas han colaborado con hasta 500 instituciones en todo el mundo para producir nuevos conocimientos sobre el tema. En la presente reflexión se propone estudiar los efectos del CC sobre la biodiversidad continental en 5 niveles y se plantea un diagrama conceptual para su integración: 1. Desplazamiento geográfico en distribución de especies; 2. Cambios fenológicos: migración, floración y reproducción de individuos; 3. Modificaciones en la morfología, tamaño corporal y comportamiento en poblaciones; 4. Modificación de la estructura de comunidades; 5. Modificación en las interacciones bióticas. Por último, se plantean retos de estudio e interacción científica, se evidencian sinergias entre los temas de investigación y se proponen elementos clave para la construcción de indicadores

Abundance signals of amphibians and reptiles indicate strong edge effects in Neotropical fragmented forest landscapes

Fragmentation and habitat loss contribute considerably to global declines of amphibians and reptiles. However, few studies focus on forest edges, created during the fragmentation process, as proximate drivers of the local demographic structure of populations. Here, we use abundance data of amphibians and reptiles to study their responses to forest edges in nine fragmented forested landscapes of the Neotropics. Species-specific abundance data were collected in plots established at varying distances from their respective nearest forest edge. We tested for edge effects on the abundance of species, and used curve clustering techniques to group species with similar edge responses, i.e. species with either increasing or decreasing abundance from the matrix towards the forest interior. We also grouped species that showed no change in abundance with respect to the nearest forest edge and those whose abundance response was unimodal, peaking in either forest habitat or the surrounding matrix habitat. We found that 96% of all amphibians and 90% of all reptiles showed an edge response, with the abundance of 74.5% of amphibians and 57.3% of reptiles decreasing with increasing proximity to forest edges. However, species-specific edge effects were not always consistent, with some species having opposite edge responses when measured in different landscapes. The depth of edge effects exhibited by forest species, i.e. species that increased in abundance in the forest interior, extended up to one kilometre away from forest edges. We show that the median edge effect on forest species extends to 250 m within the forest interior, indicating that tropical forest patches with a mean diameter < 500 m (minimum area ≈ 78 ha) are unsuitable for half of forest-dependent species considered in this study

Global South leadership towards inclusive tropical ecology and conservation

Strengthening participation of Global South researchers in tropical ecology and conservation is a target of our scientific community, but strategies for fostering increased engagement are mostly directed at Global North institutions and researchers. Whereas such approaches are crucial, there are unique challenges to addressing diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) within the Global South given its socio-economic, cultural and scientific contexts. Sustainable solutions protecting biodiversity in the tropics depend on the leadership of Global South communities, and therefore DEI improvements in the Global South are paramount in our field. Here, we propose ten key actions towards equitable international collaborations in tropical ecology, which, led by Global South researchers, may improve DEI at institutional, national and international levels. At an institutional level, we recommend (1) becoming role models for DEI, (2) co-developing research with local stakeholders, and (3) promoting transparent funding management favouring local scientists. At a national level, we encourage (4) engagement in political actions protecting scientists and their research in tropical countries, (5) participation in improving biodiversity research policies, and (6) devising research that reaches society. At an international level, we encourage Global South researchers in international collaborations to (7) lead and direct funding applications, (8) ensure equitable workloads, and (9) procure equal benefits among national and foreign collaborators. Finally, (10) we propose that Global South leadership in DEI efforts has the most potential for worldwide improvements, supporting positive long-lasting changes in our entire scientific community. Supplementary materials provide this abstract in 18 other languages spoken in the Global South

Climate Change and American Bullfrog Invasion: What Could We Expect in South America?

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 projected the results onto South America for the years of 2050 and 2080. We also overlaid projected models onto the South American network of protected areas. Our results indicate a slight decrease in potential suitable area for bullfrog invasion, although protected areas will become more climatically suitable. Therefore, invasion of these sites is forecasted. CONCLUSION/SIGNIFICANCE: We provide new evidence supporting the vulnerability of the Atlantic Forest Biodiversity Hotspot to bullfrog invasion and call attention to optimal future climatic conditions of the Andean-Patagonian forest, eastern Paraguay, and northwestern Bolivia, where invasive populations have not been found yet. We recommend several management and policy strategies to control bullfrog invasion and argue that these would be possible if based on appropriate articulation among government agencies, NGOs, research institutions and civil society

The Effects of Governmental Protected Areas and Social Initiatives for Land Protection on the Conservation of Mexican Amphibians

Traditionally, biodiversity conservation gap analyses have been focused on governmental protected areas (PAs). However, an increasing number of social initiatives in conservation (SICs) are promoting a new perspective for analysis. SICs include all of the efforts that society implements to conserve biodiversity, such as land protection, from private reserves to community zoning plans some of which have generated community-protected areas. This is the first attempt to analyze the status of conservation in Latin America when some of these social initiatives are included. The analyses were focused on amphibians because they are one of the most threatened groups worldwide. Mexico is not an exception, where more than 60% of its amphibians are endemic. We used a niche model approach to map the potential and real geographical distribution (extracting the transformed areas) of the endemic amphibians. Based on remnant distribution, all the species have suffered some degree of loss, but 36 species have lost more than 50% of their potential distribution. For 50 micro-endemic species we could not model their potential distribution range due to the small number of records per species, therefore the analyses were performed using these records directly. We then evaluated the efficiency of the existing set of governmental protected areas and established the contribution of social initiatives (private and community) for land protection for amphibian conservation. We found that most of the species have some proportion of their potential ecological niche distribution protected, but 20% are not protected at all within governmental PAs. 73% of endemic and 26% of micro-endemic amphibians are represented within SICs. However, 30 micro-endemic species are not represented within either governmental PAs or SICs. This study shows how the role of land conservation through social initiatives is therefore becoming a crucial element for an important number of species not protected by governmental PAs

Extinction filters mediate the global effects of habitat fragmentation on animals

Habitat loss is the primary driver of biodiversity decline worldwide, but the effects of fragmentation (the spatial arrangement of remaining habitat) are debated. We tested the hypothesis that forest fragmentation sensitivity—affected by avoidance of habitat edges—should be driven by historical exposure to, and therefore species’ evolutionary responses to disturbance. Using a database containing 73 datasets collected worldwide (encompassing 4489 animal species), we found that the proportion of fragmentation-sensitive species was nearly three times as high in regions with low rates of historical disturbance compared with regions with high rates of disturbance (i.e., fires, glaciation, hurricanes, and deforestation). These disturbances coincide with a latitudinal gradient in which sensitivity increases sixfold at low versus high latitudes. We conclude that conservation efforts to limit edges created by fragmentation will be most important in the world’s tropical forests