TAXONOMIC BIAS AND TRAITS OF THE GLOBAL AMPHIBIAN PET-TRADE

Abstract

The pet-trade is recognized as the major pathway for amphibian introductions worldwide, yet our understanding of the trade is limited. In this study, we systematically assess amphibian species in the pet-trade, i) characterising taxonomic bias and ii) evaluating species-traits as predictors of traded species and trade volume. We collated a global list of 443 traded amphibians and a regional dataset on trade volume. Species-traits (body size, native range size, clutch size, and breeding type) and conservation status, were considered as predictors of traded species and volume. We found a strong bias for certain Families, along with a preference for large-bodied and widely distributed species with a larval phase, in the pet-trade. However, species-traits performed poorly in predicting trade volume of pet amphibians in the USA. The identified species-traits and taxonomic bias of the trade is used to predict species likely to be traded as pets in the future.