DFW Invasive Species
Puerto Rican Coqui
Puerto Rican Coqui
LOCATION
This species is currently found on St. Thomas, St. John and St. Croix. They can be found in flower pots and in most vertical habitats.
Scientific name
Eleutherodactylus coqui
Caribbean tree frog
Common coqui
Puerto Rican tree frog
Caribbean tree frog
Common coqui
Puerto Rican tree frog
NATIVE ORIGIN
The Puerto Rican coqui is endemic to the island of Puerto Rico, in the Caribbean. Although its native island is close by, the Puerto Rican Coqui was not in the Virgin Islands until recently transported by humans.
The Puerto Rican Coqui is a small frog, averaging around 1.5-2.5 inches long. Their coloration varies from grey to a grey- brown. Their most distinguishing characteristic is their call, a two tone “ko-kee”, that begins when the sun sets, as they are a nocturnal species.
The Puerto Rican coqui is believed to have been introduced to the US Virgin Islands in the early 90s through the importation of horticultural material arriving from Puerto Rico.
Their populations were originally found around agricultural areas and gardens (Platenberg 2007), but have since spread throughout most of all three islands.
The Puerto Rican coqui is able to reproduce all year long, and do not have a tadpole stage, so water is not required for reproduction. Females have roughly 28 eggs per clutch and roughly 4-6 clutches per year (Campbell 2000).
The Puerto Rican coqui is able to reproduce all year long, and do not have a tadpole stage, so water is not required for reproduction. Females have roughly 28 eggs per clutch and roughly 4-6 clutches per year (Campbell 2000).
Ecological Impact
PREDATORS
FUNGUS
PREDATORS
In their highest densities, Puerto Rican coqui populations are able to consume 350,000 prey items per hectare, per night (Beard 2007). This undoubtably would have an impact on native organisms here in the USVI.
Due to their high prey rate, they may also be displacing native frogs (Platenberg 2007).
Due to their high prey rate, they may also be displacing native frogs (Platenberg 2007).
FUNGUS
This frog is known to have introduced a chytrid fungus to the island of Hawaii, which is known to cause amphibian decline (Beard and O’ Neill 2005). Whether or not this fungus is able to survive in the USVI is unknown, but could it could pose a threat to native wildlife in the future (Platenberg 2007)
Management/Control
MONITORING
MONITORING
Presently, there is limited research on how to best mitigate the impacts of the Puerto Rican Coqui here in the Virgin Islands. Submitting sightings is very helpful, which informs management of hotspots to focus on.
What You Can Do!
GET INVOLVED
GET INVOLVED
If you see a Puerto Rican coqui, submit the sighting on our website and note the location. If you feel comfortable, you can pick up the frog (with a glove) and put it in your freezer, then dispose of it a few hours later.
References
Beard KH, Vogt KA, Kulmatiski A (2002) Top-down effects of a terrestrial frog on nutrient dynamics. Oecologia 133:583–593
BEARD, K. H., AND E. M. O’NEILL. 2005. Infection of an invasive frog Eleutherodactylus coqui by the chytrid fungus Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis in Hawaii. Biological Conservation 126:591-595.
Platenberg, Renata J., “IMPACTS OF INTRODUCED SPECIES ON AN ISLAND ECOSYSTEM: NON-NATIVE REPTILES AND AMPHIBIANS IN THE US VIRGIN ISLANDS” (2007). Managing Vertebrate Invasive Species. 39.
