Impacts of invasive fishes on ghost frog tadpoles

Abstract

Global amphibian populations are declining, and invasive fish are known to impact many threatened species. South Africa has both a biodiverse amphibian fauna and a rich history of invasive fish introductions with high establishment success. Studies have identified some preliminary evidence for negative impacts of invasive salmonids on two ghost frog species (Anura: Heleophrynidae). This study aims to investigate whether these negative impacts previously reported are reflected across a broader scale. Tadpoles of two species, Heleophryne regis and H. purcelli were sampled in the presence and absence of invasive fish at 112 sites across 26 streams in the Western Cape province of South Africa. A generalised linear mixed model showed invasive fish to have the most significant negative effect explaining tadpole abundance. Mean tadpole abundance decreases by 18 times in the presence of invasive fish. Environmental variables with significant effects on tadpole abundance include pH, oxygen saturation, temperature, stream depth and non-native riparian vegetation type. We can define an environmental niche of ghost frog tadpoles which does not differ between species. We conclude that invasive fish have significant negative impacts on ghost frog tadpole abundance, but the effect of the environment should not be overlooked in amphibian conservation planning and invasive species management decisions. This study supports the removal of invasive fish and alien vegetation to improve the conservation of ghost frogs.