| Title: | Exploiting intraspecific competitive mechanisms to control invasive cane toads (Rhinella marina) |
| Author(s): | Crossland MR; Haramura T; Salim AA; Capon RJ; Shine R; |
| Address: | "School of Biological Sciences A08, University of Sydney, New South Wales 2006, Australia" |
| ISSN/ISBN: | 1471-2954 (Electronic) 0962-8452 (Print) 0962-8452 (Linking) |
| Abstract: | "If invasive species use chemical weapons to suppress the viability of conspecifics, we may be able to exploit those species-specific chemical cues for selective control of the invader. Cane toads (Rhinella marina) are spreading through tropical Australia, with negative effects on native species. The tadpoles of cane toads eliminate intraspecific competitors by locating and consuming newly laid eggs. Our laboratory trials show that tadpoles find those eggs by searching for the powerful bufadienolide toxins (especially, bufogenins) that toads use to deter predators. Using those toxins as bait, funnel-traps placed in natural waterbodies achieved near-complete eradication of cane toad tadpoles with minimal collateral damage (because most native (non-target) species are repelled by the toads' toxins). More generally, communication systems that have evolved for intraspecific conflict provide novel opportunities for invasive-species control" |
| Keywords: | "Animal Communication Animals Anura/metabolism Bufanolides/analysis/*pharmacology Bufo marinus/*metabolism Chromatography, Gas Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid Fresh Water Introduced Species Larva/*drug effects Northern Territory Ovum/*chemistry Pest C;" |
| Notes: | "MedlineCrossland, Michael R Haramura, Takashi Salim, Angela A Capon, Robert J Shine, Richard eng Evaluation Study England 2012/06/15 Proc Biol Sci. 2012 Sep 7; 279(1742):3436-42. doi: 10.1098/rspb.2012.0821. Epub 2012 Jun 13" |
