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Community Ecology of Invasions: Direct and Indirect Effects of Invasive Fish and Bullfrogs. Part 1: Background Information. How do multiple invaders influence native communities?. Western Mosquitofish ( Gambusia affinis ). American Bullfrog ( Lithobates catesbeianus = [Rana catesbeiana] ).
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Community Ecology of Invasions: Direct and Indirect Effects of Invasive Fish and Bullfrogs
Western Mosquitofish (Gambusia affinis) American Bullfrog (Lithobates catesbeianus = [Rana catesbeiana])
Through what mechanisms do invasive mosquitofish and bullfrogs influence native community members and one another? Approach: Mesocosm Experiment
Mesocosm Experiment Experimental Design 1.) Natives 2.) Natives + Bullfrogs 3.) Natives + Mosquitofish 4.) Natives + Bullfrogs + Mosquitofish
Daphnia sp. Pacific Chorus Frog Native Community California Newt Ramshorn Snail Western Toad
Mesocosm Food Web Newts Snails Treefrogs Zooplankton Toads California Newt Periphyton (attached algae) Phytoplankton (suspended algae) Western Toad
Mesocosm Results AmphibianSurvival
Conclusions • Effects of invaders on native amphibians were species-specific and varied with palatability and competitive ability of natives • Mosquitofish suppressed zooplankton, with cascading effects on phytoplankton • Invader effects were largely additive • Invaders did not negatively effect one another in a short-term experiment