Variation in Dietary Ecology of Two Invasive American Bullfrog (Lithobates catesbeianus) Populations in Southern California

Abstract

Invasive American Bullfrogs (Lithobates catesbeianus) are a threat to native species in riparian ecosystems worldwide. They are indiscriminate predators consuming both vertebrate and invertebrate prey, negatively affecting biodiversity. Documenting the diet and feeding ecology of invasive L. catesbeianus can help management agencies identify affected species and facilitate eradication efforts. We present a dietary analysis of two invasive L. catesbeianus populations over multiple breeding seasons (2016-2020), elucidating ontogenetic changes in diet and dietary differences between sexes and habitats. This is the first study to analyze dietary variation from contemporary populations of invasive L. catesbeianus occupying different watersheds in Southern California, an area where their invasion presents acute conservation challenges. Our analysis of 667 gut contents shows that adult females had more prey in their guts than adult males, even though male and female body size was not significantly different. Adults were more likely than juveniles to consume vertebrate prey, and juveniles were more likely than adults to have empty stomachs. We also found that invasive Red Swamp Crayfish (Procambarus clarkii), made up a substantial portion of the diet of adult L. catesbeianus at the site where they were present. These results provide an important ecological context for designing mitigation actions that ameliorate the impacts of invasive L. catesbeianus.