Diet of introduced bullfrogs (Rana catesbeiana): Predation on and diet overlap with native frogs on Daishan Island, China

Journal of Herpetology
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Abstract

We examined diet of introduced Bullfrogs (Rana catesbeiana) and three native frog species (Rana limnocharisRana nigromaculata, and Bufo bufo gargarizans) co-occurring at a group of ponds on Daishan Island, east of China, to gain insight into the nature of potential interactions between Bullfrogs and native frog species. For postmetamorphic Bullfrogs, aquatic prey items dominated volumetrically. Prey size, diet volume and volumetric percentage of native frogs in diet increased with Bullfrog body size. The number and volumetric percentage of native frogs in the diet were not different for female and male Bullfrogs, and both were higher for adults than for juveniles. Diet overlap between males and juveniles was higher than that between males and females and between females and juveniles. Diet overlap with each native frog species of male Bullfrogs was lower than that of female Bullfrogs and juvenile Bullfrogs. We did not exam effects of Bullfrogs on native frogs but our results suggest that the primary threat posed by juvenile Bullfrogs to native frogs on Daishan Island is competition for food, whereas the primary threat posed by male Bullfrogs is direct predation. Female Bullfrogs may threaten native frogs by both competition and predation. These differences among Bullfrog groups may be attributed to differences in body size and microhabitat use.

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Publication type Article
Publication Subtype Journal Article
Title Diet of introduced bullfrogs (Rana catesbeiana): Predation on and diet overlap with native frogs on Daishan Island, China
Series title Journal of Herpetology
DOI 10.1670/78-05N.1
Volume 39
Issue 4
Year Published 2005
Language English
Publisher Society for the Study of Amphibians and Reptiles
Contributing office(s) Forest and Rangeland Ecosystem Science Center
Description 7 p.
First page 668
Last page 674
Country China
Other Geospatial Daishan Island
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