Biotic acceptance in introduced amphibians and reptiles in E urope and N orth A merica

Abstract

Aim The biotic resistance hypothesis argues that complex plant and animal communities are more resistant to invasion than simpler communities. Conversely, the biotic acceptance hypothesis states that non‐native and native species richness are positively related. Most tests of these hypotheses at continental scales, typically conducted on plants, have found support for biotic acceptance. We tested these hypotheses on both amphibians and reptiles across E urope and N orth A merica. Location Continental countries in E urope and states/provinces in N orth A merica. Methods We used multiple linear regression models to determine which factors predicted successful establishment of amphibians and reptiles in E urope and N orth A merica, and additional models to determine which factors predicted native species richness. Results Successful establishment of amphibians and reptiles in E urope and reptiles in N orth A merica was positively related to native species richness. We found higher numbers of successful amphibian species in E urope than in N orth A merica. Potential evapotranspiration ( PET ) was positively related to non‐native species richness for amphibians and reptiles in E urope and reptiles in N orth A merica. PET was also the primary factor determining native species richness for both amphibians and reptiles in E urope and N orth A merica. Main conclusions We found support for the biotic acceptance hypothesis for amphibians and reptiles in E urope and reptiles in N orth A merica, suggesting that the presence of native amphibian and reptile species generally indicates good habitat for non‐native species. Our data suggest that the greater number of established amphibians per native amphibians in E urope than in N orth A merica might be explained by more introductions in E urope or climate‐matching of the invaders. Areas with high native species richness should be the focus of control and management efforts, especially considering that non‐native species located in areas with a high number of natives can have a large impact on biological diversity.

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