Indicator: IW-38 Cane toad distribution
Data
Distribution and Predicted Spread of Cane Toads in Australia
Sources adapted from 2001 State of the Environment (SoE) biodiversity theme report:
Sightings listed on the Frogwatch NT web site:
- Cane Toad News , and
Vanderduys, E and Wilson, S, Queensland Museum:
The rate of spread of cane toads is approximately 30 kilometres per year.
What the data mean
The distribution of cane toads in Australia is expanding and bio-climatic analyses suggest that they could eventually spread over most coastal areas.
Issues for which this is an indicator and why
Inland Waters — Response of biota - Invasive species
In 1935 cane toads were released throughout cane growing areas in Queensland to control cane beetles. They did not control the beetles but ate large numbers of beneficial insects.
The cane toad has a large gland behind the head that can exude a poisonous milky substance when the toads are disturbed. Cane toad poison is highly toxic to many animals. Aquatic animals are affected because the eggs and tadpoles of toads are also poisonous. Predators are vulnerable to the toads. Since introduction the cane toad has increased its distribution. Changes in the extent of its distribution provides some indication of the area where the species could become invasive.
Other indicators for this issue:
- IW-37 Examples of carp pressures and measures for removal and/or commercial catch
- IW-39 Examples of significant wetland weeds
- LD-40 Current research into pressures and contributions of naturalised introduced species
- BD-09 The change in extent of selected nationally significant invasive species
- BD-10 Examples of native species whose populations have declined where various invasive species have established resident populations
Biodiversity — Pressures on biodiversity - Invasive species
In 1935 cane toads were released throughout cane growing areas in Queensland to control cane beetles. They did not control the beetles but ate large numbers of beneficial insects.
The cane toad has a large gland behind the head that can exude a poisonous milky substance when the toads are disturbed. Cane toad poison is highly toxic to many animals. The eggs and tadpoles of toads are also poisonous. Predators are vulnerable to the toads. Since introduction the cane has increased its distribution. Changes in the extent of its distribution provides some indication of the area where the species could become invasive.
Other indicators for this issue:
- IW-37 Examples of carp pressures and measures for removal and/or commercial catch
- IW-39 Examples of significant wetland weeds
- BD-09 The change in extent of selected nationally significant invasive species
- BD-10 Examples of native species whose populations have declined where various invasive species have established resident populations
- LD-19 Land use and land use change
- LD-20 Total grazing pressure relative to net primary productivity
- LD-35 Temporal and spatial correlation between changing fire regimes and species change
- LD-40 Current research into pressures and contributions of naturalised introduced species
- BD-13 Examples of the impact of grazing on biodiversity
Land — Direct pressure of human activities on the land - Species introduction and species change
In 1935 cane toads were released throughout cane growing areas in Queensland to control cane beetles. They did not control the beetles but ate large numbers of beneficial insects.
The cane toad has a large gland behind the head that can exude a poisonous milky substance when the toads are disturbed. Cane toad poison is highly toxic to many animals, including terrestrial animals. The eggs and tadpoles of toads are also poisonous. Predators are vulnerable to the toads. Since introduction the cane toad has increased its distribution. Changes in the extent of its distribution provides some indication of the area where the species could become invasive.
Other indicators for this issue:
- LD-01 The proportion and area of native vegetation and changes over time
- LD-19 Land use and land use change
- LD-40 Current research into pressures and contributions of naturalised introduced species
- LD-20 Total grazing pressure relative to net primary productivity
- LD-35 Temporal and spatial correlation between changing fire regimes and species change
- BD-12 Examples of the impacts of fires on biodiversity
- BD-13 Examples of the impact of grazing on biodiversity
- IW-37 Examples of carp pressures and measures for removal and/or commercial catch
- IW-39 Examples of significant wetland weeds
- BD-09 The change in extent of selected nationally significant invasive species
- BD-10 Examples of native species whose populations have declined where various invasive species have established resident populations
Further Information
- Developing a cane toad biological control (Hyatt and Robinson 2004)
- Cane Toad Site
- Queensland Museum - Information Leaflets
- ABC News in Science - Cane toad invasion halted in Western Australia (28 February 2003)
- A preliminary risk assessment of cane toads in Kakadu National Park (van Dam et al. 2002)
- Issues Associated with the progressive entry into the Northern Territory of cane toads
Source: Sutherst RW, Floyd RB & Maywald GF 1995, The potential geographical distribution of the cane toad, Bufo marinus L. in Australia, Conservation Biology 9(6), 294-299.
Source: van Beurden, E.K. 1981, Bioclimatic limits to the spread of Bufo marinus in Australia: A baseline.
Key
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