Osteopilus septentrionalis (amphibien)

Écologie Distribution Gestion Impacts Références et liens Contacts

Impact global The Cuban treefrog has sticky skin secretions that can be extremely irritating to the mucous membranes of people. The secretions can cause a burning and itching sensation that can sometimes last for more than an hour. It can also be a nuisance to people because of its many abundant hiding places, consistent food sources, and adequate breeding sites that are many times provided by human dominated landscapes where populations may become quite dense. The standard of living may be lowered in areas where the Cuban treefrog prospers. For example, this species has been found in toilet bowls and has clogged drains. The mating calls of male Cuban treefrogs can be an annoyance as well (Johnson, 2007). The Cuban treefrog may also be a vector of pathogens (Hedges et al, 2008). Studies suggest that this species has the potential to inflict substantial monetary and ecological damage on the habitat that it invades (Owen, 2005). Adults are predators to native animals in areas of invasion, but larvae can also be threatening. Cuban treefrogs as tadpoles will prey on heterospecific anuran larvae, which may reduce the survivorship of these heterospecific tadpoles (Smith, 2005a).          Étude de cas sur les impacts Anguilla   Modification de l'hydrologie: Osteopilus septentrionalis is believed to contaminate water, especially cisterns (Anguilla National Trust, 2007). Réduction de la biodiversité indigène: The Cuban tree frog may have possible effects on native lizards and arthropods, though this has yet to be evaluated (Townsend et al., 2000 in Varnham, 2006). Jamaica   Modification de l'hydrologie: Osteopilus septentrionalis has become a problem in the West Indies due to its invasion of drinking water tanks, cisterns, and toilet vent pipes (Bomford, Kraus, Braysher et al, 2005). Saint Barthelemy (Saint Barthélemy)     Compétition Prédation: La Rainette de Cuba consomme une grande variété de proies (escargots, araignées, insectes, amphibiens, lézards). L’espèce se comporte comme un hyper-prédateur et entre en compétition avec des espèces locales (Breuil & Ibéné, 2004). La diminution spectaculaire de l'hylode de la Martinique (voir Eleutherodactylus martinicensis dans la liste rouge de l’UICN des espèces menacées) à l'anse des Cayes entre 1996 et 2000 est probablement due à la prédation par cette rainette qui consomme effectivement des hylodes (Breuil, obs pers 2000). Saint Martin (France)     Compétition Prédation: La Rainette de Cuba consomme une grande variété de proies (escargots, araignées, insectes, amphibiens, lézards). L’espèce se comporte comme un hyper-prédateur et entre en compétition avec des espèces locales (Breuil & Ibéné, 2004). Florida (USA) (United States (USA))   Économique/Subsistance: Osteopilus septentrionalis is known to get into transformer boxes and electrical switches, which can sometimes cause short-circuits, which increases the maintenance costs for electrical utility companies as well as power to some customers in Florida (Johnson, 2007). Prédation: Osteopilus septentrionalis is a voracious predator as well as cannibalistic. Tadpoles are known to eat other tadpoles that are native to Florida. This species also preys on native Bufo terrestris, Gastrophryne carolinensis, Rana spenocephala, Hyla cinerea, H. v. versicolor and H. squirella in Florida (Bomford, Kraus, Braysher et al, 2005). Réduction de la biodiversité indigène: Competition, predation and ecosystem change could be responsible for the declines of some native anurans in South Florida, which is directly correlated with the introduction of Osteopilus septentrionalis (Bomford, Kraus, Braysher et al, 2005). Virgin Islands, USA   Réduction de la biodiversité indigène: Osteopilus septentrionalis is increasing in abundance across the United States Virgin Islands, and there is evidence that suggest that in the locations where it is well-established, the native frogs are decreasing (Platenberg & Boulon, 2006)