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general population near Durban. Thus, this species is an excellent African model system to research invasion-derived divergent phenotypes. Their research is aimed at examining if behavioural, morphological and physiological traits exist within the invasive population and determining if rapid, localised evolution is providing Guttural Toads an invasion advantage. Furthermore, they are examining how changes in diet and trophic level have provided the toad with colonisation advantages when populations transition into urban or invaded habitats.
The CIB research teams’ efforts in the Durban Botanical Gardens play an integral role in uncovering this story. Not only are these toads abundant and readily breeding within the grounds, but the general population has been subjected to increasing rates of urbanisation for the last 170 years. This means that within the invasion pathway, this particular population represents a key transitional step, and may hold the answer to when certain advantageous phenotypes were introduced as the toad became urbanised, before spreading into their invaded ranges.This research is ongoing and part of two MSc projects and a postdoctoral research position.We look forward to seeing what fascinating information is discovered as these projects unfold.
A pitfall trap for measuring the invertebrate diversity, which will allow us to see what food is available to the toads.
A Guttural Toad at the Botanical Gardens hanging out in the underbrush after being measured.
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