Predation by Atractosteus tropicus on Bufo marinus and its possible affect on population in a lowland tropical wet rainforest

Abstract

Fish predation can affect amphibian populations. Most examples report invasive fish species and their negative effect on specific amphibians. Here we provide an occurrence of natural fish predation by the tropical gar Atractosteus tropicus on the cane toad Bufo marinus. We observed physical damage caused by A. tropicus attacking B. marinus. When adult B. marinus were removed from the population subadult toads refilled the adults niche, resupplementing the population. Local observations of predation by fish on amphibians are important to differentiate natural population fluctuations from amphibian population declines.