A new facet of the invasion of Xenopus laevis in Chile: First record of egg predation on a native amphibian

Abstract

Xenopus laevis, one of the most successful invasive species worldwide, is distributed in Chile from the Atacama Region to the Maule Region, where it could compete with native amphibians and act as a vector for diseases. Here, we document for the first time the predation of Rhinella atacamensis egg clutches by X. laevis, which was confirmed through stomach content analysis. This record reveals a new threat to the reproduction and conservation of native Chilean amphibians.