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Origin of the parasites of an invading species, the Australian cane toad (Bufo marinus): are the lungworms Australian or American?
Article first published online: 18 SEP 2008
DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-294X.2008.03922.x
© 2008 The Authors. Journal compilation © 2008 Blackwell Publishing Ltd
Additional Information
How to Cite
DUBEY, S. and SHINE, R. (2008), Origin of the parasites of an invading species, the Australian cane toad (Bufo marinus): are the lungworms Australian or American?. Molecular Ecology, 17: 4418–4424. doi: 10.1111/j.1365-294X.2008.03922.x
Publication History
- Issue published online: 9 OCT 2008
- Article first published online: 18 SEP 2008
- Received 14 July 2008; revision received 31 July 2008; accepted 7 August 2008
Keywords:
- amphibians;
- invasive species;
- mitochondrial gene;
- nuclear gene;
- parasite
Abstract
Phylogeographical analyses that identify the geographical origin of parasites in invading species can clarify the parasites’ potential for biological control of the invader and the risks posed by the parasite to native species. Our data on nuclear and mitochondrial genetic sequences show that the nematode lungworms (Rhabdias spp.) in invasive Australian populations of cane toads (Bufo marinus) are Rhabdias pseudosphaerocephala, a South American species. We did not find this lungworm species in any Australian frogs sympatric with cane toads, suggesting that the parasite does not attack Australian frogs and hence may offer potential as a biocontrol agent of the toad.