10.5061/DRYAD.6595S
Clarke, Gregory S.
University of Sydney
Crossland, Michael R.
University of Sydney
Shilton, Cathy
Department of Primary Industries, Parks, Water and Environment
Shine, Richard
University of Sydney
Data from: Chemical suppression of embryonic cane toads Rhinella marina by
larval conspecifics
Dryad
dataset
2016
Bufo marina
Rhinella marina
toad
Larvae
allelopathy
Bufo marinus
suppression
Pheromones
pheromone
anuran
2016-08-21T00:00:00Z
2016-08-21T00:00:00Z
en
https://doi.org/10.1111/1365-2664.12528
28933 bytes
1
CC0 1.0 Universal (CC0 1.0) Public Domain Dedication
1. Mechanisms that evolved to suppress the development of potential
competitors may offer novel methods for species-specific control of
invasive organisms. The tadpoles of cane toads Rhinella marina compete for
limited food resources in small ponds, and older tadpoles eliminate
competitors not only by eating newly-laid eggs, but also by releasing a
chemical that suppresses development of conspecific eggs. 2. We conducted
laboratory trials to assess the magnitude and generality of this
suppression effect, and to identify the developmental stages capable of
producing the suppressor cue and those that are vulnerable to its
presence. 3. In all clutches that we tested, the suppressor cue reduced
larval growth, development and survival (>95% mortality vs.
<50% in controls). The suppressor exerts a general effect on larval
development, rather than causing malformations of specific organ systems.
4. Free-swimming tadpoles of all developmental stages produce the cue (but
are not affected by it), whereas embryos do not produce the cue, but are
vulnerable to it. Tadpoles produce the cue consistently rather than
facultatively (e.g. in response to detecting eggs). 5. A preliminary trial
shows that the cue is effective in natural spawning ponds as well as in
the laboratory. 6. Synthesis and applications. Our data have strong
implications for current methods of toad control (culling tadpoles will
remove suppression effects on the next generation, so it may be better to
maintain live toad tadpoles in secure containers rather than removing them
from the pond). Longer-term, understanding the chemical basis of this
powerful mechanism for intraspecific competition may facilitate invader
control.
Clarke_GS_2015_JAPPLE_Suppression_DataAll Data was collected throughout
experiments and entered into Excel spreadsheets. Data relating to each
figure in Clarke et al. 2015 is on separate worksheets. All information
relating to methodology, abbreviations and data collection are within the
associated paper.