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Cane toad cane toad - Coggle Diagram
Cane toad
Selection pressures upon organisms
Biotic factors
Poison (bufotoxins)
if exposed to, results in death/or sickness
adaptations that arise as a result
Structural Adaptations
Structural adaptions are sparse. As many adaptations occur within the behavioural, and physiological spectrum
Physiological Adaptations
Red-bellied blacksnakes possess genes that confer resistance to the toad's poison (through chemoreception)
Cane toad invasion does not elicit an effect upon most Australian Birds. More precisely, birds may experienced benefit as they can scavenge deceased Cane toads. Furthermore, the release of poison has no effect, due to the close evolutionary relationship Australian birds share with Asian birds, where toads with similar poison are incredibly common
Keelback snakes are capable of eating Cane toads without ill effect for unknown reasons
Fishes avoid early Cane toad life stages as they can detect their noxiousness, as well as being able to consume Cane toads
Behavioural adaptations
Quoll parents have taught offspring to abstain from Cane toads
Species become aware of the physical structure (colour, length, etc) of Cane toads, thus, avoiding digestion
Species feed upon the ventral, to avoid triggering the release of poison (Bufotoxins)
Native competition
able to forage within numerous habitats (not fixed to one)
other species bound to be endangered (due to toxins, and rapid expansion)
species will relocate or adapt to such colonisation
Native anurans will avoid digestion, or attempt to relocate by seeking new shelter
Abiotic factors
Indirect affects
As species change habitats seasonally, Cane toads are frequently expanding, thus, colonising most ecosystems which impede/or prevent other organisms from further breeding
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Depriving animals of essential sources (contaminating water, inundating shelters)
Ecological Niche - Kakadu National Park
impact upon organisms
Ground-dwelling arthropods are at incredibly high risk, due to the Cane toad's high density, and ability to consume hundreds of prey items in a night's stand
Cane toad tadpoles found preying on eggs of native frogs
beneficial impacts
Reduction in numbers of predators such as Goannas and snakes. Thus, this helps alleviate the impact upon ground-dwelling and nesting birds' species
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Cane toads have heavily impacted feral pigs and cats. Which reduces damage to native fauna/flora and ultimately, the landscape of Kakadu National Park
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Cane toads decrease the population of Goanna's within Kakadu, this could reduce the level of predation on crocodile eggs
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Many endemic aquatic invertebrates are subject to Cane toad competition
Population level affects
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Reduced Goannas
Feral cats declining
Feral pigs declining
Beetles declining
Snakes declining
Northern quoll, and northern bandicoot declining rapidly
Residents have reported a decline in the green tree frog
breeding/habitat locations
Cane toads regularly disperse into woodlands and open forests from wetland habitats (vegetation provides shelter, if dry)
Cane toads breed in both temporary and permanent water bodies
Floodplains and sheltered habitats are ideal during the early-to mid dry season
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Cane toads inundate many of the major wetland habitats during wet season
Must maintain an optimum water level (reduction/rise in moisture may result in death)
Adapting species
Wolf spiders
Centipedes
Few snakes species due to chemical stimuli
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Barramundi fish, and sooty grunters display signs of distress when trying to feast upon Cane toads; thus, such an instant reaction will assist the fish in avoiding Cane toads
Fish species able to detect cane toads
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Native competition
Frog tadpoles (ornate burrowing frog)
Frog tadpoles unable to detect the toxicity of Cane toads
Observed to prey upon the same species
Snails (larvae, backswimmers, leeches)
affected by poison
defensive mechanism (Bufotoxins)
Selection pressures upon the Cane toad
Abiotic factors
alternating seasons
Cane toads require water (absorption) to endure survival
If their current habitat becomes dry due to season change, Cane toads must relocate for water absorption to prevent death
Cane toad activity
Despite the ability to engage within vast habitats, if not present within Wetlands, activity is bound to be reduced, as dry habitats impede the Cane toad (less water absorption, sunlight exposure which forces the Cane toad under shetter to avoid dryness, etc)
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Biotic factors
Cane toad's skeletal structure is un-conducive to frequent transportation
hyper-expansion will result in spinal arthritis
if a collective of Cane toads change habitats on a frequent basis, this will result in minimal expansion, which is ultimately a benefit toward other species
offspring production may contain arthritis at early stages
vulnerability to predators capable of consumption; due to reduced movement
vulnerable to predators; primarily through psychological, and behavioural adaptation
dragonflies, freshwater prawn crabs and crayfish have been observed consuming Cane toad eggs without any effect. Perhaps, due to prior evolutionary change, or basic behavioural adaptation
Red-bellied black snakes persist within ecosystems where Cane toads are present. Thus, passing down characteristics to offspring. As they grow more tolerant, the probability of consuming Cane toads without death rises
Numerous species are forming adjustments in not only avoidance but consuming Cane toads through different means
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Eel-tailed catfish, glassfish, rainbowfish, et cetera, can consume Cane toads without any ill effect
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Ecosystem - Kakadu National Park
Wetlands
Fauna
Reptiles
Goannas (Varanids)
Saltwater Crocodiles
Elapid Snakes
Invertebrates
Large-Wolf spiders
Termites
Ants
Leeches
Native
Ornate burrowing frog
Flora
Dense vegetation
