American bullfrog invasion in Argentina: Where should we take urgent measures?

Abstract

Argentina is the country with the most geographically extended biologicalinvasion of the American bullfrog (Lithobates catesbeianus) in South America after Brazil.Here, we used a maximum entropy ecological niche modeling algorithm (using records ofthe native range of American bullfrog) to project the model onto the whole of Argentina.We determined the most suitable habitats for this invasive alien species and where weconsider urgent measures should be taken. Our projections showed good agreement withknown feral populations of American bullfrog in Argentina. By implementing the ??Multivariate Environmental Similarity Surface?? analysis, we be able to determine thatfactors such as low precipitations or highest altitudes could be limiting the species? abilityto invade the west and south of the country. We suggest that strategies should focus ondetecting established feral populations of the American bullfrog and preventing furtherintroductions or range expansion of feral populations in the northeast portion of thecountry. Lastly, we report a new feral population of bullfrogs in Argentina.