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What effects can environmental selection pressures have on species in an…
What effects can environmental selection pressures have on species in an ecosystem?
What are cane toads
Cane toads (Bufo Marius) are a native species of South and Middle America
Predators of insects and other small preys
In 1935, they were introduced to Northern Queensland from Hawaii
Poisonous pests - glands
The cane toad is poisonous in all of its life stages
Need constant access to moisture to survive
Absorb water through the skin on their belly
Absorb too much water and die
Die from water loss during dry conditions
Abiotic Factors effecting Cane toads
Non living things that shape an ecosystem
Flat landscapes, low grass and roads,
Temperature, moisture, food, lakes/rivers
Permanent water supply
Survive in moist areas
Biotic Factors effecting Cane toads
Living things that shape an ecosystem
Water during the wet season aids Cane Toads in gas exchange, hydration and reproduction
Cane Toads face few natural predators, competitors, or diseases in their introduced range
High fecundity (very fertile)
Toxicity
Mobile -can spread easily and rapidly
Ecological Niche
Cane Toads Ecosystem
Cane toads (Bufo marinus) entered Kakadu National Park
Attracted warmer water
Broad range of environmental and climatic conditions
Occupy many different habitats and compete for resources with many native species
Serious concern that the World Heritage status of Kakadu National Park
Likely to colonise almost every habitat type within Kakadu National Park
Woodlands - Kakadu National Park
Cane toads move from sites of temporary water to permanent water
Wet season will probably see the highest numbers of cane toad
Vegetation within the woodlands provide suitable shelter for cane toads during the Wet season
What is predation, competition symbiosis and disease?
Predation - when one organism kills and then consumes another within an ecosystem.
The toad is considered poisonous predators to species in ecosystem
The cane toad poisons anything that preys on it
Toads have caused the local extinctions of some of their predators
Competition - when organisms interact to the detriment of both species, due to a limiting factor.
Eat a wide variety of foods, depleting the food source for other animals.
Threat of cane toads both as a food source for the toad and as a competitor for other food sources
• Toads compete with native species for sheltering sites and food resources.
Symbiosis - when organisms interact closely or in a long-term relationship.
Disease - when an organism is subject to a disorder in their structure or function, not simply a result of physical injury
link to www.google.com.au
Impacts of Cane Toads
Populations
Longer legs than earlier generations - more agile
Reduced immune system function
Able to acclimatise to colder climate
Over 200 million Cane toads
Wildlife
Population decline
Poisonings when predators eat them
Australian birds and rodents inherited tolerance of toad
Hundreds of species almost extinct
Serious threat to wildlife
Species such as Northern Quoll have declined as a result
Australian Ecology
Depletion of native species - die eating toads
Poisoning of pets and humans
Depletion of native flora and fauna