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Predicting the potential distribution of the alien invasive American bullfrog (Lithobates catesbeianus) in Brazil

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Abstract

The non-native invasive anuran Lithobates catesbeianus is presently distributed in Brazil, especially in the Atlantic Rainforest biodiversity hotspot. Here, we use a maximum entropy ecological niche modeling algorithm (i) to model the North American native geographic distribution of this species and (ii) to project that model onto the whole of Brazil. After applying a threshold value that balances commission and omission errors, the projection results suggested high probabilities of occurrence mostly in southern and southeastern Brazil. We also present the first report on the species known distribution in Brazil, showing good agreement with model predictions. If the predictive map is interpreted as depicting invasiveness potential of L. catesbeianus, strategies to prevent further invasion in Brazil should be focused especially in the Atlantic Rainforest biodiversity hotspot.

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Acknowledgements

We are grateful to Marinez Siqueira for discussion and suggestions on early versions of the manuscript and to Denise Rossa-Feres and Reuber Brandão for valuable information about bullfrog distribution in Brazil. J. G. R. Giovanelli was supported by NatureServe and CNPq (# 130315/2007-9) schorlarships. This work was supported by the FAPESP Research Grant # 05/52727-5 to J. Alexandrino, and CNPq and FAPESP (01/13341-3) research grants to C. F. B. Haddad.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Herpetology Lab, Department of Zoology, UNESP-Rio Claro, 13506-900, P.O. Box 199, Rio Claro, SP, Brazil

    João G. R. Giovanelli, Célio F. B. Haddad & João Alexandrino

Authors
  1. João G. R. Giovanelli
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  2. Célio F. B. Haddad
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  3. João Alexandrino
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Correspondence to João Alexandrino.

  

  

Appendix 1 Occurrence points of Lithobates catesbeianus in Brazil based on field work, the literature, museum collections and personal communications (CFBH—Coleção de Anuros Célio F. B. Haddad, Unesp, Rio Claro, SP, Brazil; DZSJRP—Coleção do Departamento de Zoologia de São José do Rio Preto, Unesp, São José do Rio Preto, SP, Brazil)
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Giovanelli, J.G.R., Haddad, C.F.B. & Alexandrino, J. Predicting the potential distribution of the alien invasive American bullfrog (Lithobates catesbeianus) in Brazil. Biol Invasions 10, 585–590 (2008). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10530-007-9154-5

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