Disease-Driven Amphibian Declines Alter Ecosystem Processes in a Tropical Stream

Whiles, Matt R.; Hall, Robert O.; Dodds, Walter K.; Verburg, Piet; Huryn, Alex D.; Pringle, Catherine M.; Lips, Karen R.; Kilham, Susan S.; Colón-Gaud, J. Checo; Rugenski, Amanda T.; Peterson, Scot D.; Connelly, Scott

doi:10.1007/s10021-012-9602-7

Cited by 121 publications

(121 citation statements)

References 47 publications

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“…Current adaptive variation in genotypes and phenotypes of a species is key to its resilience in the face of potential impacts of habitat alteration, emerging disease, or climate shifts; therefore, the focus of conservation planning has shifted to maintaining ecological processes and locations where such variation occurs [20,23]. In addition to its evolutionary consequences, the extirpation of local amphibian populations can cause severe impacts in ecosystem functioning and ecosystem services, especially due to their biphasic life stages and their role in nutrient cycling [48][49].…”

Section: Implications For Conservationmentioning

confidence: 99%

The Value of Including Intraspecific Measures of Biodiversity in Environmental impact Surveys is Highlighted by the Amazonian Brilliant-Thighed Frog (Allobates Femoralis)

Simões

Stow

Hödl

et al. 2014

Tropical Conservation Science

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The distribution of many vertebrate species in the Amazon basin is delimited by large rivers, which are frequently regarded as geographic barriers related with speciation and are therefore of high conservation value. Rapid development in the region includes plans to dam one of its thirteen major rivers, the Xingu. Environmental impact assessment is required for large scale development within the Brazilian portion of the Amazon Basin. However, impacts on biodiversity are only considered at the species level, and taxonomic work is far from described for many groups. In particular, anuran diversity is underestimated, in part owing to the scale of the region and, for some taxa, by morphological conservatism. Here we describe genetic and phenotypic variation in the brilliant-thighed frog, Allobates femoralis. We show that a unique genetic lineage, with a vocal repertoire distinct from that described for the species throughout its remaining geographic range, is located within the region to be directly and indirectly impacted by damming the Xingu River. Further, genetic variation within the A. femoralis group is largely structured in accordance to river systems, despite morphological conservatism. Our data add support for conservation policy to be amended to include intraspecific measures of diversity in order to more effectively conserve current biodiversity and evolutionary processes.Keywords Amazon, Amphibians, Bioacoustics, Dams, Hydropower, mtDNA Resumo Na bacia Amazônica, a distribuição de muitas espécies de vertebrados é delimitada por grandes rios, os quais são freqüentemente considerados barreiras geográficas relacionadas a processos de especiação e, portanto, de grande valor para conservação. O desenvolvimento da região ocorre de forma rápida e envolve projetos de barramento do Rio Xingu, um dos treze maiores rios da bacia. Estudos de impacto ambiental são obrigatórios em grandes projetos de infra-estrutura na Amazona brasileira. Entretanto, impactos sobre a biodiversidade são avaliados apenas até o nível de espécie, apesar de o conhecimento taxonômico ser bastante incompleto para muitos grupos de organismos. Especificamente, a diversidade de anuros é subestimada, em parte devido à escala da região e, para alguns taxa, devido a desafios impostos pela baixa variabilidade morfológica. Neste estudo, nós descrevemos a variação genética e fenotípica na rã-decoxa-brilhante, Allobates femoralis. Nós apontamos que uma linhagem genética única, com um repertório vocal distinto daquele descrito para a espécie ao longo do restante de sua distribuição, é encontrada dentro da região a ser impactada direta e indiretamente pelo barramento do rio Xingu. Além disso, a variabilidade genética em A. femoralis é fortemente particionada pelos sistemas fluviais, a despeito da morfologia conservativa do grupo. Os dados fornecidos apóiam que a política de conservação vigente seja atualizada, de forma a reconhecer medidas complementares de diversidade.

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Section: Implications For Conservationmentioning

confidence: 99%

The Value of Including Intraspecific Measures of Biodiversity in Environmental impact Surveys is Highlighted by the Amazonian Brilliant-Thighed Frog (Allobates Femoralis)

Simões

Stow

Hödl

et al. 2014

Tropical Conservation Science

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…To examine whether variation in consumer %P could be driven by variation in food quality, we also measured carbon (C), nitrogen (N), and P concentrations of periphyton growing on rocks from all streams. Periphyton was collected from five replicate Loeb samples in both riffles and pools of each stream, and values were then averaged using methods described in Connelly et al (2008) and Whiles et al (2013).…”

Section: Natural Thermal Gradientmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…As a result, the dominant grazers in these affected streams are now aquatic insects, such as the immature stages of mayflies (Colón-Gaud et al, 2010;Rantala et al, 2015). This community shift has altered ecosystem function in affected streams (Connelly et al, 2008;Rugenski et al, 2012;Whiles et al, 2013), and can also affect riparian ecosystems through the movement of adults of both taxa to the terrestrial environment (Vanni et al, 2013). As a result, differential growth and P sequestration between aquatic insects and tadpoles in response to thermal variation could further alter the trajectory of stream and riparian ecosystems in the tropics affected by amphibian decline.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Does the Growth Rate Hypothesis Apply across Temperatures? Variation in the Growth Rate and Body Phosphorus of Neotropical Benthic Grazers

Moody

Rugenski

Sabo

et al. 2017

Front. Environ. Sci.

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“…However, there is still a lot of work to be done on determining the exact contribution of amphibians and reptiles in ecosystem functioning and the provision of ecosystem services. Well-known studies by Whiles et al (2006Whiles et al ( , 2012 urgently need follow-ups in other ecosystems, if we are to further unearth the importance of amphibians and reptiles.…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

Ecosystem services assessments to improve management of marine habitats, amphibians and reptiles, forest biodiversity and silviculture, and medicinal plants

Oudenhoven

Groot

2013

International Journal of Biodiversity Science, Ecosystem Servic

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Disease-Driven Amphibian Declines Alter Ecosystem Processes in a Tropical Stream

Cited by 121 publications

References 47 publications

The Value of Including Intraspecific Measures of Biodiversity in Environmental impact Surveys is Highlighted by the Amazonian Brilliant-Thighed Frog (Allobates Femoralis)

The Value of Including Intraspecific Measures of Biodiversity in Environmental impact Surveys is Highlighted by the Amazonian Brilliant-Thighed Frog (Allobates Femoralis)

Does the Growth Rate Hypothesis Apply across Temperatures? Variation in the Growth Rate and Body Phosphorus of Neotropical Benthic Grazers

Ecosystem services assessments to improve management of marine habitats, amphibians and reptiles, forest biodiversity and silviculture, and medicinal plants

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