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Dufresnes C, Monod-Broca B, Bellati A, Canestrelli D, Ambu J, Wielstra B, Dubey S, Crochet PA, Denoël M, Jablonski D. Piecing the barcoding puzzle of Palearctic water frogs (Pelophylax) sheds light on amphibian biogeography and global invasions. GLOBAL CHANGE BIOLOGY 2024; 30:e17180. [PMID: 38465701 DOI: 10.1111/gcb.17180] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/17/2023] [Revised: 01/04/2024] [Accepted: 01/11/2024] [Indexed: 03/12/2024]
Abstract
Palearctic water frogs (genus Pelophylax) are an outstanding model in ecology and evolution, being widespread, speciose, either threatened or threatening to other species through biological invasions, and capable of siring hybrid offspring that escape the rules of sexual reproduction. Despite half a century of genetic research and hundreds of publications, the diversity, systematics and biogeography of Pelophylax still remain highly confusing, in no small part due to a lack of correspondence between studies. To provide a comprehensive overview, we gathered >13,000 sequences of barcoding genes from >1700 native and introduced localities and built multigene mitochondrial (~17 kb) and nuclear (~10 kb) phylogenies. We mapped all currently recognized taxa and their phylogeographic lineages (>40) to get a grasp on taxonomic issues, cyto-nuclear discordances, the genetic makeup of hybridogenetic hybrids, and the origins of introduced populations. Competing hypotheses for the molecular calibration were evaluated through plausibility tests, implementing a new approach relying on predictions from the anuran speciation continuum. Based on our timetree, we propose a new biogeographic paradigm for the Palearctic since the Paleogene, notably by attributing a prominent role to the dynamics of the Paratethys, a vast paleo-sea that extended over most of Europe. Furthermore, our results show that distinct marsh frog lineages from Eastern Europe, the Balkans, the Near East, and Central Asia (P. ridibundus ssp.) are naturally capable of inducing hybridogenesis with pool frogs (P. lessonae). We identified 14 alien lineages (mostly of P. ridibundus) over ~20 areas of invasions, especially in Western Europe, with genetic signatures disproportionally pointing to the Balkans and Anatolia as the regions of origins, in line with exporting records of the frog leg industry and the stocks of pet sellers. Pelophylax thus emerges as one of the most invasive amphibians worldwide, and deserves much higher conservation concern than currently given by the authorities fighting biological invasions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christophe Dufresnes
- Laboratory of Amphibian Systematics and Evolutionary Research (LASER), College of Biology and the Environment, Nanjing Forestry University, Nanjing, People's Republic of China
- Institut de Systématique, Evolution, Biodiversité (ISYEB), Muséum national d'Histoire naturelle, CNRS, Sorbonne Université, EPHE, Université des Antilles, Paris, France
| | - Benjamin Monod-Broca
- Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1, CNRS, ENTPE, UMR 5023 LEHNA, Villeurbanne, France
| | - Adriana Bellati
- Department of Ecological and Biological Sciences, University of Tuscia, Viterbo, Italy
| | - Daniele Canestrelli
- Department of Ecological and Biological Sciences, University of Tuscia, Viterbo, Italy
| | - Johanna Ambu
- Laboratory of Amphibian Systematics and Evolutionary Research (LASER), College of Biology and the Environment, Nanjing Forestry University, Nanjing, People's Republic of China
| | - Ben Wielstra
- Institute of Biology Leiden, Leiden University, Leiden, The Netherlands
- Naturalis Biodiversity Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Sylvain Dubey
- Department of Ecology and Evolution, University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | | | - Mathieu Denoël
- Laboratory of Ecology and Conservation of Amphibians (LECA), FOCUS, University of Liège, Liège, Belgium
| | - Daniel Jablonski
- Department of Zoology, Comenius University in Bratislava, Bratislava, Slovakia
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Pauwels OSG, Brecko J, Baeghe D, Venderickx J, Vanderheyden A, Backeljau T. Morphological, acoustic and genetic identification of a reproducing population of the invasive African clawed frog Xenopuslaevis (Anura, Pipidae) recently discovered in Belgium. Zookeys 2023; 1184:41-64. [PMID: 38023767 PMCID: PMC10664028 DOI: 10.3897/zookeys.1184.103702] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/18/2023] [Accepted: 10/01/2023] [Indexed: 12/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Using external morphology of adults and tadpoles, osteology from high-resolution microcomputed tomography, vocalization analysis, and DNA sequence data, the identity of a reproducing Belgian population of invasive Xenopus at the current northernmost edge of the distribution of the genus in Europe was assessed. All data concur to an identification as Xenopus (Xenopus) laevis (Daudin, 1802). Genetically it is most closely related to populations of the Cape region in South Africa. No studies on the natural history of the Belgian Xenopus population and its impact on the local environment have been made to date.
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Affiliation(s)
- Olivier S. G. Pauwels
- Scientific Heritage, Royal Belgian Institute of Natural Sciences, Rue Vautier 29, B-1000 Brussels, BelgiumScientific Heritage, Royal Belgian Institute of Natural SciencesBrusselsBelgium
| | - Jonathan Brecko
- Scientific Heritage, Royal Belgian Institute of Natural Sciences, Rue Vautier 29, B-1000 Brussels, BelgiumScientific Heritage, Royal Belgian Institute of Natural SciencesBrusselsBelgium
- Royal Museum for Central Africa, Leuvensesteenweg 13, B-3080 Tervuren, BelgiumRoyal Museum for Central AfricaTervurenBelgium
| | - Dimitri Baeghe
- Evolutionary Biology and Ecology (CP 160/12), Department of Organismic Biology, Faculty of Sciences, Université Libre de Bruxelles, Avenue F.D. Roosevelt 50, B-1050 Brussels, BelgiumUniversité Libre de BruxellesBrusselsBelgium
| | - Jeroen Venderickx
- Scientific Heritage, Royal Belgian Institute of Natural Sciences, Rue Vautier 29, B-1000 Brussels, BelgiumScientific Heritage, Royal Belgian Institute of Natural SciencesBrusselsBelgium
- Operational Directorate Natural Environment, Royal Belgian Institute of Natural Sciences, Vautierstraat 29, B-1000 Brussels, BelgiumOperational Directorate Natural Environment, Royal Belgian Institute of Natural SciencesBrusselsBelgium
| | - Ann Vanderheyden
- Barcoding Facility for Organisms and Tissues of Policy Concern (BopCo), Royal Belgian Institute of Natural Sciences, Vautierstraat 29, B-1000 Brussels, BelgiumBarcoding Facility for Organisms and Tissues of Policy Concern (BopCo), Royal Belgian Institute of Natural SciencesBrusselsBelgium
| | - Thierry Backeljau
- Barcoding Facility for Organisms and Tissues of Policy Concern (BopCo), Royal Belgian Institute of Natural Sciences, Vautierstraat 29, B-1000 Brussels, BelgiumBarcoding Facility for Organisms and Tissues of Policy Concern (BopCo), Royal Belgian Institute of Natural SciencesBrusselsBelgium
- Evolutionary Ecology Group, University of Antwerp, Universiteitsplein 1, B-2610 Antwerp, BelgiumUniversity of AntwerpAntwerpBelgium
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Premachandra T, Cauret CMS, Conradie W, Measey J, Evans BJ. Population genomics and subgenome evolution of the allotetraploid frog Xenopus laevis in southern Africa. G3 (BETHESDA, MD.) 2022; 13:6916838. [PMID: 36524354 PMCID: PMC9911082 DOI: 10.1093/g3journal/jkac325] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/22/2022] [Revised: 12/02/2022] [Accepted: 12/02/2022] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
Allotetraploid genomes have two distinct genomic components called subgenomes that are derived from separate diploid ancestral species. Many genomic characteristics such as gene function, expression, recombination, and transposable element mobility may differ significantly between subgenomes. To explore the possibility that subgenome population structure and gene flow may differ as well, we examined genetic variation in an allotetraploid frog-the African clawed frog (Xenopus laevis)-over the dynamic and varied habitat of its native range in southern Africa. Using reduced representation genome sequences from 91 samples from 12 localities, we found no strong evidence that population structure and gene flow differed substantially by subgenome. We then compared patterns of population structure in the nuclear genome to the mitochondrial genome using Sanger sequences from 455 samples from 183 localities. Our results provide further resolution to the geographic distribution of mitochondrial and nuclear diversity in this species and illustrate that population structure in both genomes corresponds roughly with variation in seasonal rainfall and with the topography of southern Africa.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tharindu Premachandra
- Department of Biology, McMaster University, Life Sciences Building Room 328, 1280 Main Street West, Hamilton, ON L8S4K1, Canada
| | - Caroline M S Cauret
- Department of Biology, McMaster University, Life Sciences Building Room 328, 1280 Main Street West, Hamilton, ON L8S4K1, Canada,Department of Botany and Plant Pathology, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR 97331, USA
| | - Werner Conradie
- Port Elizabeth Museum (Bayworld), P.O. Box 13147, Humewood, Gqeberha 6013, South Africa,Department of Conservation Management, Natural Resource Science and Management Cluster, Faculty of Science, Nelson Mandela University, George Campus, George 6019, South Africa
| | - John Measey
- Corresponding author: Centre for Invasion Biology, Department of Botany and Zoology, Stellenbosch University, Private Bag X1, Stellenbosch 7602, South Africa.
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Ginal P, Kruger N, Wagener C, Araspin L, Mokhatla M, Secondi J, Herrel A, Measey J, Rödder D. More time for aliens? Performance shifts lead to increased activity time budgets propelling invasion success. Biol Invasions 2022. [DOI: 10.1007/s10530-022-02903-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/02/2022]
Abstract
AbstractIn the Grinnellian niche concept, the realized niche and potential distribution is characterized as an interplay among the fundamental niche, biotic interactions and geographic accessibility. Climate is one of the main drivers for this concept and is essential to predict a taxon’s distribution. Mechanistic approaches can be useful tools, which use fitness-related aspects like locomotor performance and critical thermal limits to predict the potential distribution of an organism. These mechanistic approaches allow the inclusion key ecological processes like local adaptation and can account for thermal performance traits of different life-history stages. The African Clawed Frog, Xenopus laevis, is a highly invasive species occurring on five continents. The French population is of special interest due to an ongoing expansion for 40 years and a broad base of knowledge. We hypothesize that (1) the French population exhibits increased activity time in the invasive European range that could be devoted to fitness-relevant activity and (2) tadpoles may have less activity time available than adult frogs from the same range. We investigate how thermal performance traits translate into activity time budgets and how local adaptation and differences in the thermal responses of life-history stages may boost the European Xenopus invasion. We use a mechanistic approach based on generalized additive mixed models, where thermal performance curves were used to predict the hours of activity and to compare the potential activity time budgets for two life-history stages of native and invasive populations. Our results show that adult French frogs have more activity time available in Europe compared to South African frogs, which might be an advantage in searching for prey or escaping from predators. However, French tadpoles do not have more activity time in Europe compared to the native South African populations suggesting that tadpoles do not suffer the same strong selective pressure as adult frogs.
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Phenotypic variation in Xenopus laevis tadpoles from contrasting climatic regimes is the result of adaptation and plasticity. Oecologia 2022; 200:37-50. [PMID: 35996029 DOI: 10.1007/s00442-022-05240-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/25/2020] [Accepted: 08/06/2022] [Indexed: 10/15/2022]
Abstract
Phenotypic variations between populations often correlate with climatic variables. Determining the presence of phenotypic plasticity and local adaptation of a species to different environments over a large spatial scale can provide insight on the persistence of a species across its range. Amphibians, and in particular their larvae, are good models for studies of phenotypic variation as they are especially sensitive to their immediate environment. Few studies have attempted to determine the mechanisms that drive phenotypic variation between populations of a single amphibian species over a large spatial scale especially across contrasting climatic regimes. The African clawed frog, Xenopus laevis, occurs in two regions with contrasting rainfall regimes in southern Africa. We hypothesised that the phenotypic variation of life-history traits of X. laevis tadpoles emerges from a combination of plastic and genetic responses. We predicted that plasticity would allow the development of tadpoles from both regions in each environment. We also predicted that local adaptation of larval traits would drive the differentiation of reaction norms between populations and lower survival in tadpoles reared away from their home environment. We measured growth, time to metamorphosis, and survival in a reciprocal transplant experiment using outdoor mesocosms. Supporting our prediction, we found that the measured variation of all traits was explained by both adaptation and plasticity. However, the reaction norms differed between populations suggesting adaptive and asymmetric plasticity. All tadpoles experienced lower survival when translocated, but only translocated tadpoles from the winter rainfall region matched survival of local tadpoles. This has implications for the dynamics of translocated X. laevis into novel environments, especially from the winter rainfall region. Our discovery of their asymmetric capacity to overcome novel environmental conditions by phenotypic plasticity alone provides insight into their invasion success.
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Schoeman AL, du Preez LH, Kmentová N, Vanhove MPM. A monogenean parasite reveals the widespread translocation of the African Clawed Frog in its native range. J Appl Ecol 2022. [DOI: 10.1111/1365-2664.14271] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Anneke L. Schoeman
- African Amphibian Conservation Research Group, Unit for Environmental Sciences and Management, North‐West University Potchefstroom South Africa
- DSI‐NRF Centre of Excellence for Invasion Biology Stellenbosch South Africa
- South African Institute for Aquatic Biodiversity Grahamstown South Africa
| | - Louis H. du Preez
- African Amphibian Conservation Research Group, Unit for Environmental Sciences and Management, North‐West University Potchefstroom South Africa
- South African Institute for Aquatic Biodiversity Grahamstown South Africa
| | - Nikol Kmentová
- Hasselt University Centre for Environmental Sciences, Research Group Zoology: Biodiversity & Toxicology, Agoralaan Gebouw D Diepenbeek Belgium
| | - Maarten P. M. Vanhove
- Hasselt University Centre for Environmental Sciences, Research Group Zoology: Biodiversity & Toxicology, Agoralaan Gebouw D Diepenbeek Belgium
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7
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Origin of the green iguana (Iguana iguana) invasion in the greater Caribbean Region and Fiji. Biol Invasions 2021. [DOI: 10.1007/s10530-021-02524-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
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Wagener C, Kruger N, Measey J. Progeny of Xenopus laevis from altitudinal extremes display adaptive physiological performance. J Exp Biol 2021; 224:jeb.233031. [PMID: 34424980 DOI: 10.1242/jeb.233031] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/11/2020] [Accepted: 02/11/2021] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
Environmental temperature variation generates adaptive phenotypic differentiation in widespread populations. We used a common garden experiment to determine whether offspring with varying parental origins display adaptive phenotypic variation related to different thermal conditions experienced in parental environments. We compared burst swimming performance and critical thermal limits of African clawed frog (Xenopus laevis) tadpoles bred from adults captured at high (∼2000 m above sea level) and low (∼ 5 m above sea level) altitudes. Maternal origin significantly affected swimming performance. Optimal swimming performance temperature (Topt) had a >9°C difference between tadpoles with low altitude maternal origins (pure- and cross-bred, 35.0°C) and high-altitude maternal origins (pure-bred, 25.5°C; cross-bred, 25.9°C). Parental origin significantly affected critical thermal (CT) limits. Pure-bred tadpoles with low-altitude parental origins had higher CTmax (37.8±0.8°C) than pure-bred tadpoles with high-altitude parental origins and all cross-bred tadpoles (37.0±0.8 and 37.1±0.8°C). Pure-bred tadpoles with low-altitude parental origins and all cross-bred tadpoles had higher CTmin (4.2±0.7 and 4.2±0.7°C) than pure-bred tadpoles with high-altitude parental origins (2.5±0.6°C). Our study shows that the varying thermal physiological traits of Xenopus laevis tadpoles are the result of adaptive responses to their parental thermal environments. This study is one of few demonstrating potential intraspecific evolution of critical thermal limits in a vertebrate species. Multi-generation common garden experiments and genetic analyses would be required to further tease apart the relative contribution of plastic and genetic effects to the adaptive phenotypic variation observed in these tadpoles.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carla Wagener
- Centre for Invasion Biology, Department of Botany and Zoology, Stellenbosch University, Stellenbosch, 7602 South Africa
| | - Natasha Kruger
- Centre for Invasion Biology, Department of Botany and Zoology, Stellenbosch University, Stellenbosch, 7602 South Africa.,Univ Lyon, Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1, CNRS, ENTPE, UMR 5023 LEHNA, F-69622, Villeurbanne, France
| | - John Measey
- Centre for Invasion Biology, Department of Botany and Zoology, Stellenbosch University, Stellenbosch, 7602 South Africa
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Ginal P, Moreira FD, Marques R, Rebelo R, Rödder D. Predicting terrestrial dispersal corridors of the invasive African clawed frog Xenopus laevis in Portugal. NEOBIOTA 2021. [DOI: 10.3897/neobiota.64.60004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022]
Abstract
Invasive species, such as the mainly aquatic African clawed frog Xenopus laevis, are a main threat to global biodiversity. The identification of dispersal corridors is necessary to restrict further expansion of these species and help to elaborate management plans for their control and eradication. Here we use remote sensing derived resistance surfaces, based on the normalised difference vegetation index (NDVI) and the normalised difference water index (NDWI) accounting for behavioural and physiological dispersal limitations of the species, in combination with elevation layers, to determine fine scale dispersal patterns of invasive populations of X. laevis in Portugal, where the frog had established populations in two rivers. We reconstruct past dispersal routes between these two invaded rivers and highlight high risk areas for future expansion. Our models suggest terrestrial dispersal corridors that connect both invaded rivers and identify artificial water bodies as stepping stones for overland movement of X. laevis. Additionally, we found several potential stepping stones into novel areas and provide concrete information for invasive species management.
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Ginal P, Mokhatla M, Kruger N, Secondi J, Herrel A, Measey J, Rödder D. Ecophysiological models for global invaders: Is Europe a big playground for the African clawed frog? JOURNAL OF EXPERIMENTAL ZOOLOGY PART 2020; 335:158-172. [PMID: 33264517 DOI: 10.1002/jez.2432] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/24/2020] [Revised: 10/18/2020] [Accepted: 11/15/2020] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
One principle threat prompting the worldwide decline of amphibians is the introduction of nonindigenous amphibians. The African Clawed Frog, Xenopus laevis, is now one of the widest distributed amphibians occurring on four continents with ongoing range expansion including large parts of Europe. Species distribution models (SDMs) are essential tools to predict the invasive risk of these species. Previous efforts have focused on correlative approaches but these can be vulnerable to extrapolation errors when projecting species' distributions in nonnative ranges. Recent developments emphasise more robust process-based models, which use physiological data like critical thermal limits and performance, or hybrid models using both approaches. Previous correlative SDMs predict different patterns in the potential future distribution of X. laevis in Europe, but it is likely that these models do not assess its full invasive potential. Based on physiological performance trials, we calculate size and temperature-dependent response surfaces, which are scaled to geographic performance layers matching the critical thermal limits. We then use these ecophysiological performance layers in a standard correlative SDM framework to predict the potential distribution in southern Africa and Europe. Physiological performance traits (standard metabolic rate and endurance time of adult frogs) are the main drivers for the predicted distribution, while the locomotor performance (maximum velocity and distance moved in 200 ms) of adults and tadpoles have low contributions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Philipp Ginal
- Herpetological Section, Zoologisches Forschungsmuseum Alexander Koenig (ZFMK), Bonn, Germany
| | - Mohlamatsane Mokhatla
- Centre for Invasion Biology, Department of Botany and Zoology, Stellenbosch University, Stellenbosch, South Africa.,Rondevlei Scientific Services, Garden Route National Park, South African National Parks, Sedgefield, South Africa
| | - Natasha Kruger
- Centre for Invasion Biology, Department of Botany and Zoology, Stellenbosch University, Stellenbosch, South Africa.,Université de Lyon, Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1, CNRS, ENTPE, UMR 5023 LEHNA, Villeurbanne, France
| | - Jean Secondi
- Université de Lyon, Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1, CNRS, ENTPE, UMR 5023 LEHNA, Villeurbanne, France.,Faculté des Sciences, Université d'Angers, Angers, France
| | - Anthony Herrel
- Département Adaptations du Vivant, MECADEV UMR7179 CNRS/MNHN, Paris, France
| | - John Measey
- Centre for Invasion Biology, Department of Botany and Zoology, Stellenbosch University, Stellenbosch, South Africa
| | - Dennis Rödder
- Herpetological Section, Zoologisches Forschungsmuseum Alexander Koenig (ZFMK), Bonn, Germany
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Review: Examining the Natural Role of Amphibian Antimicrobial Peptide Magainin. Molecules 2020; 25:molecules25225436. [PMID: 33233580 PMCID: PMC7699765 DOI: 10.3390/molecules25225436] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/01/2020] [Revised: 11/17/2020] [Accepted: 11/17/2020] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Host defense peptides (HDPs) are a group of antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) that are crucial components of the innate immune system of many different organisms. These small peptides actively kill microbes and prevent infection. Despite the presence of AMPs in the amphibian immune system, populations of these organisms are in decline globally. Magainin is an AMP derived from the African clawed frog (Xenopus laevis) and has displayed potent antimicrobial effects against a wide variety of microbes. Included in this group of microbes are known pathogens of the African clawed frog and other amphibian species. Arguably, the most deleterious amphibious pathogen is Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis, a chytrid fungus. Investigating the mechanism of action of magainin can help understand how to effectively fight off infection. By understanding amphibian AMPs’ role in the frog, a potential conservation strategy can be developed for other species of amphibians that are susceptible to infections, such as the North American green frog (Rana clamitans). Considering that population declines of these organisms are occurring globally, this effort is crucial to protect not only these organisms but the ecosystems they inhabit as well.
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12
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Diversity of Parasites from Xenopus Laevis (Amphibia: Pipidae) and their Seasonal Rate of Infection in Selected Habitats in the Limpopo Province, South Africa. Helminthologia 2020; 57:252-267. [PMID: 32855613 PMCID: PMC7425233 DOI: 10.2478/helm-2020-0027] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/02/2019] [Accepted: 04/08/2020] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
This study determined the diversity and seasonality of parasites species of the African clawed frog, Xenopus laevis (Daudin, 1802), from three localities, namely Modjadjikloof, Mokopane and University of Limpopo, Limpopo Province, South Africa. A total of seven parasite species were collected and identified. They included two nematodes, Camallanus kaapstaadi Southwell & Kirshner, 1937 and Batrachocamallanus slomei (Southwell & Kirshner, 1937), a monogenean, Protopolystoma xenopodis (Price, 1943), a cestode, Cephalochlamys namaquensis (Cohn, 1906), a protozoan, Trichodina xenopodos Fantham, 1924, two digeneans, Progonimodiscus doyeri Ortlepp, 1926 and Dollfuschella rodhaini Vercammen-Grandjean, 1960. The most common and abundant parasite species by far were Cm. kaapstaadi, B. slomei and Cp. namaquensis, with Cm. kaapstaadi, B. slomei present in all localities. Trichodina xenopodos was a rare species, only present in host populations from Modjadjiskloof. Modjadjiskloof had the highest species richness (all seven parasite species) followed by Mokopane (five parasite species) and University of Limpopo (3 parasite species). There were also higher infection levels (prevalence and mean intensity) of Cm. kaapstaadi, B. slomei, Cp. namaquensis and Pt. xenopodis in hosts from Modjadjiskloof while Pd. doyeri and D. rodhaini infection levels were greater in Mokopane. The variability between localities shows that parasites with heteroxenous life cycles are more strongly associated with more pristine habitats. The variability in calculated indices (prevalence and mean intensity) also suggests that the occurrence of some of the parasites is affected by season, favouring higher infection rates during summer. This suggests that temperature has a direct role in the reproductive and developmental processes of these parasites. Neither length nor sex had an influence on the prevalence or intensity of parasites.
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Araspin L, Martinez AS, Wagener C, Courant J, Louppe V, Padilla P, Measey J, Herrel A. Rapid Shifts in the Temperature Dependence of Locomotor Performance in an Invasive Frog, Xenopus laevis, Implications for Conservation. Integr Comp Biol 2020; 60:456-466. [DOI: 10.1093/icb/icaa010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Abstract
Temperature is a critical abiotic factor impacting all aspects of the biology of organisms, especially in ectotherms. As such, it is an important determinant of the potential invasive ability of organisms and may limit population expansion unless organisms can physiologically respond to changes in temperature either through plasticity or by adapting to their novel environment. Here, we studied the African clawed frog, Xenopus laevis, which has become invasive on a global scale. We compared adults from an invasive population of western France with individuals from two populations in the native range in South Africa. We measured the thermal dependence of locomotor performance in adults given its relevance to dispersal, predator escape, and prey capture. Our results show significant differences in the limits of the 80% performance breadth interval for endurance with the French population showing a left shift in its limits congruent with the colder climate experienced in France. The French invasive population was introduced only about 40 years ago suggesting a rapid shift in the thermal physiology. Given that all individuals were acclimated under laboratory conditions at 23°C for 2 months this suggests that the invasive frogs have adapted to their new environment. These data may allow the refinement of physiologically informed species distribution models permitting better estimates of future ranges at risk of invasion.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laurie Araspin
- Bâtiment d’Anatomie Comparée, UMR 7179-CNRS, Département Adaptations du Vivant, Muséum National d’Histoire Naturelle-Sorbonne Universités (MNHN), 55 rue Buffon, 75005 Paris, France
- Centre for Invasion Biology, Department of Botany and Zoology, Stellenbosch University, Stellenbosch 7602, South Africa
| | - Anna Serra Martinez
- Bâtiment d’Anatomie Comparée, UMR 7179-CNRS, Département Adaptations du Vivant, Muséum National d’Histoire Naturelle-Sorbonne Universités (MNHN), 55 rue Buffon, 75005 Paris, France
| | - Carla Wagener
- Centre for Invasion Biology, Department of Botany and Zoology, Stellenbosch University, Stellenbosch 7602, South Africa
| | - Julien Courant
- Bâtiment d’Anatomie Comparée, UMR 7179-CNRS, Département Adaptations du Vivant, Muséum National d’Histoire Naturelle-Sorbonne Universités (MNHN), 55 rue Buffon, 75005 Paris, France
| | - Vivien Louppe
- Institut de Systématique, Evolution, Biodiversité (ISYEB), Muséum National, d’Histoire Naturelle, CNRS, Sorbonne Université, EPHE, Université des Antilles, 57 rue Cuvier, CP 51, 75231 Paris, France
| | - Pablo Padilla
- Bâtiment d’Anatomie Comparée, UMR 7179-CNRS, Département Adaptations du Vivant, Muséum National d’Histoire Naturelle-Sorbonne Universités (MNHN), 55 rue Buffon, 75005 Paris, France
- Behavioural Biology Group, Laboratory of Fish and Amphibian Ethology, Freshwater and OCeanic Science Unit of reSearch (FOCUS), University of Liège, 4020 Liège, Belgium
| | - John Measey
- Centre for Invasion Biology, Department of Botany and Zoology, Stellenbosch University, Stellenbosch 7602, South Africa
| | - Anthony Herrel
- Bâtiment d’Anatomie Comparée, UMR 7179-CNRS, Département Adaptations du Vivant, Muséum National d’Histoire Naturelle-Sorbonne Universités (MNHN), 55 rue Buffon, 75005 Paris, France
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14
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Repeated reduction in parasite diversity in invasive populations of Xenopus laevis: a global experiment in enemy release. Biol Invasions 2019. [DOI: 10.1007/s10530-018-1902-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/27/2022]
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15
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Babošová M, Vašeková P, Porhajašová JI, Noskovič J. Influence of temperature on reproduction and length of metamorphosis in Xenopus laevis (Amphibia: Anura). EUROPEAN ZOOLOGICAL JOURNAL 2018. [DOI: 10.1080/24750263.2018.1450456] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/27/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- M. Babošová
- Department of Environmental and Zoology, Faculty of Agrobiology and Food Resources, Slovak University of Agriculture, Nitra, Slovak Republic
| | - P. Vašeková
- Department of Environmental and Zoology, Faculty of Agrobiology and Food Resources, Slovak University of Agriculture, Nitra, Slovak Republic
| | - J. I. Porhajašová
- Department of Environmental and Zoology, Faculty of Agrobiology and Food Resources, Slovak University of Agriculture, Nitra, Slovak Republic
| | - J. Noskovič
- Department of Environmental and Zoology, Faculty of Agrobiology and Food Resources, Slovak University of Agriculture, Nitra, Slovak Republic
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16
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De Villiers FA, Measey J. Overland movement in African clawed frogs ( Xenopus laevis): empirical dispersal data from within their native range. PeerJ 2017; 5:e4039. [PMID: 29134157 PMCID: PMC5683045 DOI: 10.7717/peerj.4039] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/04/2017] [Accepted: 10/24/2017] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Dispersal forms are an important component of the ecology of many animals, and reach particular importance for predicting ranges of invasive species. African clawed frogs (Xenopus laevis) move overland between water bodies, but all empirical studies are from invasive populations with none from their native southern Africa. Here we report on incidents of overland movement found through a capture-recapture study carried out over a three year period in Overstrand, South Africa. The maximum distance moved was 2.4 km with most of the 91 animals, representing 5% of the population, moving ∼150 m. We found no differences in distances moved by males and females, despite the former being smaller. Fewer males moved overland, but this was no different from the sex bias found in the population. In laboratory performance trials, we found that males outperformed females, in both distance moved and time to exhaustion, when corrected for size. Overland movement occurred throughout the year, but reached peaks in spring and early summer when temporary water bodies were drying. Despite permanent impoundments being located within the study area, we found no evidence for migrations of animals between temporary and permanent water bodies. Our study provides the first dispersal kernel for X. laevis and suggests that it is similar to many non-pipid anurans with respect to dispersal.
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Affiliation(s)
- F André De Villiers
- Centre for Invasion Biology, Department of Botany & Zoology, Stellenbosch University, Stellenbosch, South Africa
| | - John Measey
- Centre for Invasion Biology, Department of Botany & Zoology, Stellenbosch University, Stellenbosch, South Africa
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17
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Louppe V, Courant J, Herrel A. Differences in mobility at the range edge of an expanding invasive population of Xenopus laevis in the west of France. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2017; 220:278-283. [PMID: 28100805 DOI: 10.1242/jeb.146589] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/21/2016] [Accepted: 10/26/2016] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
Theoretical models predict that spatial sorting at the range edge of expanding populations should favor individuals with increased mobility relative to individuals at the center of the range. Despite the fact that empirical evidence for the evolution of locomotor performance at the range edge is rare, data on cane toads support this model. However, whether this can be generalized to other species remains largely unknown. Here, we provide data on locomotor stamina and limb morphology in individuals from two sites: one from the center and one from the periphery of an expanding population of the clawed frog Xenopus laevis in France where it was introduced about 30 years ago. Additionally, we provide data on the morphology of frogs from two additional sites to test whether the observed differences can be generalized across the range of this species in France. Given the known sexual size dimorphism in this species, we also test for differences between the sexes in locomotor performance and morphology. Our results show significant sexual dimorphism in stamina and morphology, with males having longer legs and greater stamina than females. Moreover, in accordance with the predictions from theoretical models, individuals from the range edge had a greater stamina. This difference in locomotor performance is likely to be driven by the significantly longer limb segments observed in animals in both sites sampled in different areas along the range edge. Our data have implications for conservation because spatial sorting on the range edge may lead to an accelerated increase in the spread of this invasive species in France.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vivien Louppe
- UMR 7179 C.N.R.S./M.N.H.N., Département d'Ecologie et de Gestion de la Biodiversité, 57 rue Cuvier, Case postale 55, Paris Cedex 5 75231, France
| | - Julien Courant
- UMR 7179 C.N.R.S./M.N.H.N., Département d'Ecologie et de Gestion de la Biodiversité, 57 rue Cuvier, Case postale 55, Paris Cedex 5 75231, France
| | - Anthony Herrel
- UMR 7179 C.N.R.S./M.N.H.N., Département d'Ecologie et de Gestion de la Biodiversité, 57 rue Cuvier, Case postale 55, Paris Cedex 5 75231, France
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18
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Rödder D, Ihlow F, Courant J, Secondi J, Herrel A, Rebelo R, Measey GJ, Lillo F, De Villiers FA, De Busschere C, Backeljau T. Global realized niche divergence in the African clawed frog Xenopus laevis. Ecol Evol 2017; 7:4044-4058. [PMID: 28616199 PMCID: PMC5468131 DOI: 10.1002/ece3.3010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/03/2016] [Revised: 03/02/2017] [Accepted: 03/26/2017] [Indexed: 01/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Although of crucial importance for invasion biology and impact assessments of climate change, it remains widely unknown how species cope with and adapt to environmental conditions beyond their currently realized climatic niches (i.e., those climatic conditions existing populations are exposed to). The African clawed frog Xenopus laevis, native to southern Africa, has established numerous invasive populations on multiple continents making it a pertinent model organism to study environmental niche dynamics. In this study, we assess whether the realized niches of the invasive populations in Europe, South, and North America represent subsets of the species’ realized niche in its native distributional range or if niche shifts are traceable. If shifts are traceable, we ask whether the realized niches of invasive populations still contain signatures of the niche of source populations what could indicate local adaptations. Univariate comparisons among bioclimatic conditions at native and invaded ranges revealed the invasive populations to be nested within the variable range of the native population. However, at the same time, invasive populations are well differentiated in multidimensional niche space as quantified via n‐dimensional hypervolumes. The most deviant invasive population are those from Europe. Our results suggest varying degrees of realized niche shifts, which are mainly driven by temperature related variables. The crosswise projection of the hypervolumes that were trained in invaded ranges revealed the south‐western Cape region as likely area of origin for all invasive populations, which is largely congruent with DNA sequence data and suggests a gradual exploration of novel climate space in invasive populations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dennis Rödder
- Herpetology Section Zoologisches Forschungsmuseum Alexander Koenig (ZFMK) Bonn Germany
| | - Flora Ihlow
- Herpetology Section Zoologisches Forschungsmuseum Alexander Koenig (ZFMK) Bonn Germany
| | | | - Jean Secondi
- UMR 5023 Ecologie des Hydrosystèmes Naturels et Anthropisés ENTPE CNRS Université de Lyon Université Lyon 1 Villeurbanne France.,UMR CNRS 6554 LETG-LEESA University of Angers Angers France
| | | | - Rui Rebelo
- Centre for Ecology, Evolution and Environmental Changes Faculdade de Ciências da Universidade de Lisboa Lisboa Portugal
| | - G J Measey
- Centre for Invasion Biology Department of Botany & Zoology Stellenbosch University Stellenbosch South Africa
| | | | - F A De Villiers
- Centre for Invasion Biology Department of Botany & Zoology Stellenbosch University Stellenbosch South Africa
| | | | - Thierry Backeljau
- Royal Belgian Institute of Natural Sciences Brussels Belgium.,Evolutionary Ecology Group University of Antwerp Antwerp Belgium
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19
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Ihlow F, Courant J, Secondi J, Herrel A, Rebelo R, Measey GJ, Lillo F, De Villiers FA, Vogt S, De Busschere C, Backeljau T, Rödder D. Impacts of Climate Change on the Global Invasion Potential of the African Clawed Frog Xenopus laevis. PLoS One 2016; 11:e0154869. [PMID: 27248830 PMCID: PMC4889038 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0154869] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/14/2016] [Accepted: 04/20/2016] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
By altering or eliminating delicate ecological relationships, non-indigenous species are considered a major threat to biodiversity, as well as a driver of environmental change. Global climate change affects ecosystems and ecological communities, leading to changes in the phenology, geographic ranges, or population abundance of several species. Thus, predicting the impacts of global climate change on the current and future distribution of invasive species is an important subject in macroecological studies. The African clawed frog (Xenopus laevis), native to South Africa, possesses a strong invasion potential and populations have become established in numerous countries across four continents. The global invasion potential of X. laevis was assessed using correlative species distribution models (SDMs). SDMs were computed based on a comprehensive set of occurrence records covering South Africa, North America, South America and Europe and a set of nine environmental predictors. Models were built using both a maximum entropy model and an ensemble approach integrating eight algorithms. The future occurrence probabilities for X. laevis were subsequently computed using bioclimatic variables for 2070 following four different IPCC scenarios. Despite minor differences between the statistical approaches, both SDMs predict the future potential distribution of X. laevis, on a global scale, to decrease across all climate change scenarios. On a continental scale, both SDMs predict decreasing potential distributions in the species' native range in South Africa, as well as in the invaded areas in North and South America, and in Australia where the species has not been introduced. In contrast, both SDMs predict the potential range size to expand in Europe. Our results suggest that all probability classes will be equally affected by climate change. New regional conditions may promote new invasions or the spread of established invasive populations, especially in France and Great Britain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Flora Ihlow
- Herpetological Section, Zoologisches Forschungsmuseum Alexander Koenig, Bonn, Germany
- * E-mail:
| | | | - Jean Secondi
- UMR CNRS 5023 LEHNA, University Lyon 1, Lyon, France
- UMR CNRS 6554 LETG-LEESA, University of Angers, Angers, France
| | | | - Rui Rebelo
- Centre for Ecology, Evolution and Environmental Changes, Faculdade de Ciências da Universidade de Lisboa, Lisboa, Portugal
| | - G. John Measey
- Centre for Invasion Biology, Department of Botany & Zoology, Stellenbosch University, Private Bag X1, Matieland 7602, Stellenbosch, South Africa
| | - Francesco Lillo
- Dipartimento di Scienze e Tecnologie Biologiche Chimiche e Farmaceutiche, Università di Palermo, Palermo, Italy
| | - F. André De Villiers
- Centre for Invasion Biology, Department of Botany & Zoology, Stellenbosch University, Private Bag X1, Matieland 7602, Stellenbosch, South Africa
| | - Solveig Vogt
- Herpetological Section, Zoologisches Forschungsmuseum Alexander Koenig, Bonn, Germany
| | - Charlotte De Busschere
- Royal Belgian Institute of Natural Sciences, Brussels, Belgium and University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Thierry Backeljau
- Royal Belgian Institute of Natural Sciences, Brussels, Belgium and University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Dennis Rödder
- Herpetological Section, Zoologisches Forschungsmuseum Alexander Koenig, Bonn, Germany
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20
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van Sittert L, Measey GJ. Historical perspectives on global exports and research of African clawed frogs (Xenopus laevis). ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2016. [DOI: 10.1080/0035919x.2016.1158747] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
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