Evolution of "Super-Invasive" Cane Toads

The cane toad (Bufo marinus) has become invasive in much of its introduced range, impacting significantly on biodiversity in these regions. Not only does the cane toad prey upon and compete with native species, it also produces a potent toxin that can be deadly to would-be predators. Nowhere is the impact of the cane toad more apparent than in Australia and a recent study indicates that edge-of-range populations there are evolving to become even better invaders.

Cane toads in Australia (image courtesy of WAtoday.com.au)