Invasive Species: The Cane Toad Term Paper

(Invasive species in Florida) the annual cost of invasive plants, animals and diseases in losses to Florida's agriculture is approximately at $179 million. (Invasive species in Florida)

The toad has also incurred costs in terms of the danger to human and animal health. The toxic secretions for the toad are especially dangerous to domestic animals such as dogs and cats. (100 of the World's Worst Invasive Alien Species). There have also been reports on the way that these invasive creatures has actually affected many local species of animals; for example it has been found that Cane toads are one of the reasons for the decline of populations of monitor lizards in Guam.(Discover Life - Bufonidae: Bufo marinus...)

More research is needed on the particular effects that these animals have on the region. As one study notes, " No proper studies of the effects of cane toads on native fauna appear to have been made" (Bufo marinus: amphibian). Central to the impact and problem of the Cane toad in Florida is the fact that the introduction of an invasive species leads to an imbalance in the natural ecosystem, which has repercussions in many areas.References

100 of the World's Worst Invasive Alien Species. Retrieved February 12, 2008 from http://www.issg.org/database/species/search.asp?st=100ss&fr=1&str=

ADW: Bufo marinus: Information. Retrieved February 12, 2008 at http://animaldiversity.ummz.umich.edu/site/accounts/information/Bufo_marinus.html

Bufo marinus (amphibian). Retrieved February 12, 2008 at http://www.issg.org/database/species/ecology.asp?si=113&fr=1&sts=

Bufo marinus - (Linnaeus, 1758). Retrieved February 12, 2008 at http://www.natureserve.org/explorer/servlet/NatureServe?searchName=BUFO+MARINUS

Discover Life ? Bufonidae: Bufo marinus (Linneaus, 1758) ? Cane toad, Giant toad, Marine toad, Sapo grande. Retrieved February 12, 2008 at http://pick4.pick.uga.edu/mp/20q?search=Bufo+marinus&url=http:/www.invasivespeciesinfo.gov&txt=InvasiveSpeciesInfo.gov

Florida Exotics species, Species results. Retrieved February 12, 2008 at http://myfwc.com/nonnatives/exotics/SpeciesNumberResults.asp?SPPNO=43

Florida Wildlife Extension at UF/IFAS. Retrieved February 12, 2008 at http://www.wec.ufl.edu/extension/wildlife_info/faq/frogstoads.php

Invasive species in Florida. Retrieved February 12, 2008 at http://64.233.183.104/search?q=cache:6_hBkoF8o5EJ:www.defenders.or'g/resources/publications/invasives/florida.pdf+cost+of+Cane+Toads+to+florida&hl=en&ct=clnk&cd=17&gl=za.....