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RESEARCH ARTICLE
Contents Vol 36(6)

Predicting the ecological impact of cane toads (Bufo marinus) on threatened camaenid land snails in north-western Australia

David Pearson A , Matthew Greenlees B , Georgia Ward-Fear B and Richard Shine B C
+ Author Affiliations
- Author Affiliations

A Department of Environment and Conservation, PO Box 51, Wanneroo, 6946 WA, Australia.

B School of Biological Sciences, Heydon-Laurence Building A08, University of Sydney, NSW 2006, Australia.

C Corresponding author. Email: rics@bio.usyd.edu.au

Wildlife Research 36(6) 533-540 https://doi.org/10.1071/WR09060
Submitted: 17 May 2009  Accepted: 9 July 2009   Published: 29 September 2009

Abstract

The spread of cane toads (Bufo marinus) through north-western Australia may threaten populations of endemic camaenid land snails because these snails exhibit restricted geographic distributions, low vagility and ‘slow’ life-histories. We conducted laboratory trials to determine whether toads would consume camaenids if they encountered them, and conducted field surveys to evaluate the likelihood of such encounters (on the basis of habitat overlap). In laboratory trials with 13 camaenid species, cane toads were more likely to consume camaenids than were two species of native frogs that we tested (Cyclorana australis, Litoria caerulea). However, field surveys suggested that many camaenids are active on vertical surfaces in limestone outcrops, and cane toads rarely venture into these habitats. Although the preferred habitats and activity patterns of camaenids thus reduce their vulnerability to cane toads, we recommend regular surveys of toad and snail numbers to monitor toad impacts. Given the restricted distributions of threatened saxicoline camaenid species in the Kimberley, localised management of grazing stock and fire is feasible to maintain vine-thicket vegetation cover and snail populations, as well as reducing open habitats favoured by toads.


Acknowledgements

For funding, we thank the Western Australian Department of Environment and Conservation, the Australian Reptile Park, the Federal Department of Environment, and the Australian Research Council. Many thanks go to Vince Kessner for his assistance in the collection of snails from Kimberley sites. Lauren Brown and Bill Stewart helped with field equipment and logistics.


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