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The Xenopus laevis Invasion in Portugal: An Improbable Connection of Science, Mediterranean Climate and River Neglect

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Histories of Bioinvasions in the Mediterranean

Part of the book series: Environmental History ((ENVHIS,volume 8))

Abstract

The source populations of one of the most worldwide spread invasive amphibians —the African clawed frog , Xenopus laevis —inhabit the Mediterranean-type climate region of South Africa . Frogs captured here were exported to many world regions during the 20th century with scientific purposes. Soon after, established invasive populations were found in several places, the majority of them subject to Mediterranean-type climates. Here we reconstruct the historical contingencies that explain the transport , site of arrival, establishment, lag phase and expansion of this invasive frog in Portugal . Improbable events were associated with practically all stages of the invasion process. Individuals were probably brought to Portugal by a single researcher and their escape from her lab was facilitated by a disastrous flood . Despite the striking differences from native frogs , this species apparently lived undetected by biologists and authorities for more than 20 years in two streams in Lisbon metropolitan area , and the discovery of the invasive populations was only prompted by the beginning of stream restoration actions. Since 2010, this frog is being subject to a control and eradication program. We provide details on the progress of this program, as well as on the role that geographic and historical contingencies may have for its final success.

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Notes

  1. 1.

    The electrofishing method relies on two electrodes which deliver direct current through the water. Aquatic animals are affected by the electricity, which temporarily stuns the individuals, allowing the researchers to scoop them with nets.

  2. 2.

    Skeletochronology is one of the histological techniques that allow the determination of age in amphibians whose annual growth is cyclical. It is based on counting the lines of arrested growth that form usually once per year, during the winter. This allows estimating the age of the individuals, their age at sexual maturation and their longevity.

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Acknowledgements

The authors would like to acknowledge the funding of this study by BiodivERsA: “Invasive biology of Xenopus laevis in Europe: ecology, impact and predictive models” (BIODIVERSA/0001/2012). The authors would also like to thank Nicolau Ser, Francisco Moreira and Raquel Marques for their contributions to the field work. Alexandra Freitas provided constructive comments on the manuscript. Animals were captured under Permit from Instituto da Conservação da Natureza e das Florestas, I.P., within the scope of the ‘‘Plano de erradicação de Xenopus laevis nas ribeiras do Concelho de Oeiras.’’

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Departamento de Recursos Naturais e Conservação da Natureza, Instituto da Conservação da Natureza e das Florestas, IP, Avenida da República, 16 a 16B, 1050-191, Lisbon, Portugal

    Mónica Sousa

  2. Departamento de Ambiente e Equipamento, Município de Oeiras, Largo Marquês de Pombal, 2784-501, Oeiras, Portugal

    Angela Maurício

  3. Departamento de Biologia Animal & Centre for Ecology, Evolution and Environmental Changes, Faculdade de Ciências da Universidade de Lisboa, Campo Grande, 1749-016, Lisbon, Portugal

    Rui Rebelo

Authors
  1. Mónica Sousa
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  2. Angela Maurício
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  3. Rui Rebelo
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Mónica Sousa .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. IHC—Institute of Contemporary History, NOVA-FCSH, Lisbon, Portugal

    Ana Isabel Queiroz

  2. Department of Geography, Birkbeck, University of London, London, United Kingdom

    Simon Pooley

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Sousa, M., Maurício, A., Rebelo, R. (2018). The Xenopus laevis Invasion in Portugal: An Improbable Connection of Science, Mediterranean Climate and River Neglect . In: Queiroz, A., Pooley, S. (eds) Histories of Bioinvasions in the Mediterranean. Environmental History, vol 8. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-74986-0_6

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