Study Finds Invasive Frogs Share Ability to Colonize Colder Climates Despite Different Introduction Histories
A new study published on bioRxiv analyzed five invasive Eleutherodactylus frog species and found that despite distinct introduction histories, all tend to colonize colder climates beyond their native ranges. Researchers synthesized global occurrence data and paired it with current and future climate projections to assess niche shifts. The findings suggest that shared traits among closely related invasive species could help guide targeted prevention strategies.
Researchers examined five invasive anuran species in the genus Eleutherodactylus — E. coqui, E. planirostris, E. johnstonei, E. antillensis, and E. martinicensis — reconstructing their historical introductions and evaluating climatic niche shifts between native and non-native ranges. Although the species showed disparate temporal and geographic introduction histories, all demonstrated a consistent pattern of expanding into colder environmental conditions than those found in their native habitats. Using current and future climate projections, the study found that suitable non-native habitat is likely to increase for most species under future climate scenarios, though this expansion is constrained under high greenhouse gas emission scenarios. The convergence on colder-climate colonization across species with different histories suggests this may be a conserved trait among widespread Eleutherodactylus frogs. The authors argue that identifying such shared invasion traits among congeners could offer a valuable, proactive tool for biological invasion prevention and management.
What's missing
As a preprint, this study has not yet undergone peer review, so its methods and conclusions have not been independently validated. The study does not address potential mechanisms explaining why these species consistently expand into colder climates, nor does it quantify the ecological or economic impacts of these invasions in non-native ranges.
What different sources said
- bioRxivCenter
Disparate introduction histories but similar climatic distribution patterns among congeneric invasive anurans
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