Preliminary evaluation of non-native rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) impact on the Cederberg ghost frog (Heleophryne depressa) in South Africa’s Cape Fold Ecoregion

S AvidonDepartment of Conservation Ecology and Entomology, Stellenbosch University, Stellenbosch, South Africa

JM SheltonDepartment of Conservation Ecology and Entomology, Stellenbosch University, Stellenbosch, South Africa;Freshwater Research Centre, Cape Town, South Africa;DST/NRF Research Chair in Inland Fisheries and Freshwater Ecology, South African Institute for Aquatic Biodiversity, Grahamstown, South AfricaCorrespondence[email protected]

http://orcid.org/0000-0001-7174-5446

SM MarrDST/NRF Research Chair in Inland Fisheries and Freshwater Ecology, South African Institute for Aquatic Biodiversity, Grahamstown, South Africa;South African Institute for Aquatic Biodiversity, Grahamstown, South Africa;Centre for Invasion Biology, South African Institute for Aquatic Biodiversity, Grahamstown, South Africa

http://orcid.org/0000-0001-8655-5522

TA BellinganCentre for Invasion Biology, South African Institute for Aquatic Biodiversity, Grahamstown, South Africa;Department of Entomology and Arachnology, Albany Museum, Grahamstown, South Africa

http://orcid.org/0000-0002-3064-1744

KJ EslerDepartment of Conservation Ecology and Entomology, Stellenbosch University, Stellenbosch, South Africa;Centre for Invasion Biology, Stellenbosch University, Stellenbosch, South Africa

http://orcid.org/0000-0001-6510-727X

OLF WeylDST/NRF Research Chair in Inland Fisheries and Freshwater Ecology, South African Institute for Aquatic Biodiversity, Grahamstown, South Africa;South African Institute for Aquatic Biodiversity, Grahamstown, South Africa;Centre for Invasion Biology, South African Institute for Aquatic Biodiversity, Grahamstown, South Africa

http://orcid.org/0000-0002-8935-3296

Abstract

We evaluated the impact of non-native rainbow trout Oncorhynchus mykiss on a population of endemic Cedarberg ghost frog Heleophryne depressa in the upper Krom River (Olifants-Doring River Catchment, Cape Fold Ecoregion). We compared H. depressa abundance (using kick-sampling and underwater video analysis) and environmental conditions between sites above and below a waterfall that marks the upper distribution limit of O. mykiss. Heleophryne depressa abundance was significantly greater above the waterfall than that below it, and, because there was no significant difference in measured environmental variables, O. mykiss presence is identified as the most likely explanation for the observed decrease in H. depressa abundance.

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Preliminary evaluation of non-native rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) impact on the Cederberg ghost frog (Heleophryne depressa) in South Africa’s Cape Fold Ecoregion

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Preliminary evaluation of non-native rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) impact on the Cederberg ghost frog (Heleophryne depressa) in South Africa’s Cape Fold Ecoregion

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