• Login
     
    View Item 
    •   ORFEO Home
    • Royal Museum for Central Africa
    • RMCA publications
    • View Item
    •   ORFEO Home
    • Royal Museum for Central Africa
    • RMCA publications
    • View Item
    JavaScript is disabled for your browser. Some features of this site may not work without it.

    Morphological, acoustic and genetic identification of a reproducing population of the invasive African clawed frog Xenopus laevis (Anura, Pipidae) recently discovered in Belgium

    Authors
    Pauwels, OSG.
    Brecko, J.
    Baeghe, D.
    Venderickx, J.
    Vanderheyden, A.
    Backeljau, T.
    Show allShow less
    Discipline
    Biological sciences
    Subject
    Natural heritage Collections
    Audience
    Scientific
    Date
    2024
    Metadata
    Show full item record
    Description
    The African clawed frog (Xenopus laevis) is an aquatic invasive species of amphibian imported from South Africa for medical research and aquarium pet trade. Released on purpose or by accident, an invasive spread of Xenopus laevis to natural ecosystems was registered on most continents. In the absence of natural predators, their population densities can increase quickly causing damage to local aquatic ecosystems. Using external morphology of adults and tadpoles, osteology from high-resolution microcomputed tomography, vocalization analysis and DNA sequence data, this study assessed the identity of a reproducing Belgian Xenopus population at the current northernmost edge of the distribution of the genus in Europe. Morphological analysis of adult and tadpoles confirms that the Xenopus population from Comines-Warneton belongs to the species Xenopus laevis. Genetic analysis indicates two phylogeographic lineages of South African origin invading France, one originating from northern South Africa and Rooikrantz Dam and the other originating from the southwestern Cape. Given the relative isolation of the Belgian pond, the abundance of Xenopus laevis in the pond, and the presence of tadpoles as well as subadults and large adults, it is certain that X. laevis has been present since several years. Most likely surrounding streams and ponds are also housing them and the area needs to be monitored closely in the future to prevent further spread. Citation: Pauwels, O.S.G., Brecko, J., Baeghe, D., Venderickx, J., Backeljau, T. & Vanderheyden, A. 2024. Morphological, acoustic and genetic identification of a reproducing population of the invasive African clawed frog Xenopus laevis (Anura, Pipidae) recently discovered in Belgium. Abstract 248 in: ICAIS 2024 Abstracts of Presentations. 23rd International Conference on Aquatic Invasive Species, May 12-16, Halifax, Canada.
    Citation
    Pauwels, OSG.; Brecko, J.; Baeghe, D.; Venderickx, J.; Vanderheyden, A.; Backeljau, T. (2024). Morphological, acoustic and genetic identification of a reproducing population of the invasive African clawed frog Xenopus laevis (Anura, Pipidae) recently discovered in Belgium. , 23rd International Conference on Aquatic Invasive Species,
    Identifiers
    uri: https://orfeo.belnet.be/handle/internal/13860
    Type
    Conference
    Peer-Review
    No
    Language
    eng
    Links
    NewsHelpdeskBELSPO OA Policy

    Browse

    All of ORFEOCommunities & CollectionsBy Issue DateAuthorsTitlesDisciplinesThis CollectionBy Issue DateAuthorsTitlesDisciplines
     

    DSpace software copyright © 2002-2016  DuraSpace
    Send Feedback | Cookie Information
    Theme by 
    Atmire NV