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Click here to go back Details of this species in Northern Territory Status: Alien Invasiveness: Invasive Occurrence: Established and expanding Source: Lever, 2001 Arrival Date: 1982-1983 Introduction: Introduced by natural means Species Notes for this Location: Cane toads self-introduced to the Northern Territory from neighbouring Queensland. They have continued to expand their range. Management Notes for this Location: Location Notes: Impacts: Reduction in native biodiversity: Doody et al (2006) provided evidence of the direct impact of cane toads on the yellow-spotted monitor lizard (Varanus panoptes) and indirect impact on nest predation of the pig-nosed turtle (see Carettochelys insculpta in IUCN Red List of Threatened Species) eggs. The yellow-spotted monitor lizard and cane toads were surveyed for five years at two sites along the Daly River, Northern Territory, before and after the arrival of cane toads. Pig-nosed turtle nest predation was also surveyed for three years before, and one year after, the arrival of the toads. The authors conclude, "Collectively, our data and observations, combined with unpublished reports, indicate that: (1) cane toads arrived at our study sites during the wet seasons of 2003–04 and 2004–05; (2) the lizard V. panoptes readily succumbs to cane toad toxins; (3) V. panoptes has experienced a marked decline in relative population numbers coincident with the arrival of the toads at the site; and (4) V. panoptes has been reduced to such low numbers that it is currently no longer a significant predator of pig-nosed turtle (C. insculpta) eggs". Last Modified: 13/10/2003 10:28:26 a.m.