Red-eyed coqui

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Red-eyed coqui
Eleutherodactylus antillensis01.jpg
Scientific classification Red Pencil Icon.png
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Amphibia
Order: Anura
Family: Eleutherodactylidae
Genus: Eleutherodactylus
Species:
E. antillensis
Binomial name
Eleutherodactylus antillensis
(Reinhardt & Lutken, 1863)

The red-eyed coqui, churi, coqui churi, or coqui de las Antillas (Eleutherodactylus antillensis) is a species of frog in the family Eleutherodactylidae that is found in Puerto Rico, the British and U.S. Virgin Islands, and introduced to Panama. [2] Although there are many similar species that are endemic to these tropical locations, its unique physical, habitual, and behavioral characteristics distinguish it from other members of the genus Eleutherodactylus. This genus contains around 185 species that are located in the southern United States, Central America, South America, and the Caribbean, with 16 different species endemic to Puerto Rico. [3] The red-eyed coqui was not brought into Panama City from its native habitats until the late 1960s. There it became established in urban parks before it began to colonize outside the city in the 1980s. [2] In Puerto Rico, the largest island inhabited by the red-eyed coqui, it is found up to 1,200 meters above sea level. [2] It is often compared to the common coqui, Puerto Rico's unofficial territorial symbol, but upon a closer ecological look, the red-eyed coqui has many differences.

Contents

Physical characteristics

The red-eyed coqui is best physically described by its angular, broad flat head, short body, cinnamon red colored eyes, black spotted thighs, a black streak on each side of its snout, a short black line above the tympanum (external auditory membrane), and a light colored line along the center of its back. [2] Its upper body is a pale gray to dull brown color, and it contains individual non-webbed toes and long digits. [2] People often confuse this species for the common coqui since their niches are seemingly unique. [4]

Habitat

The red-eyed coqui is found in lowland or intermediate elevation forests, such as dry forest, and is abundant in open, disturbed habitats. In contrast to common coquis, the red-eyed coqui is generally found in dry habitats. [5] It can survive a long periods without rain as long as it remains hydrated in its hidden location. [5] In Panama, however, it is found in urban areas, residential gardens, and unoccupied land. [4] Although it is widely dispersed, it is not as abundant as other Eleutherodactylus species. [6] In the day it hides under grass roots, loose barks of trees, rocks, logs, and trash. On the other hand, at night it hides in low bushes and tree branches which aids in its predation tactics. [3]

Behavior

Red-eyed coquis are nocturnal predators. They eat insects, spiders, other arthropods, and mollusks primarily at night. [3] From dusk until dawn males call using a churee-churee sound with no pause between the notes, and an assumed territorial call kee-kee-kee. [3] After midnight, however, the calls decrease greatly. [2] In order to attract a mate, the male red-eyed coqui makes calls from prominent perches rather than low hidden locations until it finds a female. [2] Their reproductive cycle is also unique. Members of the genus Eleutherodactylus do not require water as part of the reproduction process, because they do not pass through a tadpole stage. The female lays an egg clutch of 24 to 42 eggs under a thin layer of damp leaf litter or soil. [4] The eggs hatch and a fully formed miniature version of an adult develops. Adults may guard the hatchlings as they develop. [4]

Survival

On the IUCN Red List the red-eyed coqui is classified as of 'least concern', meaning that in the absence of any threats it is not considered to be close to extinction. [1] This is partly due to the wide range of suitable habitats for the red-eyed coqui's range. [2] Puerto Rico's increasing forest habitat assists in the increase of suitable habitats for the frog. [6] It is not clear how external factors specifically threaten the species, but its predator, the Cuban tree frog (Osteopilus septentrionalis), regulates its population. [2]

See also

External audio
Frog Call
Nuvola apps arts.svg Click here for Red-eyed Coqui Vocals

Related Research Articles

Common coquí Species of amphibian

The common coquí or coquí is a species of frog endemic to Puerto Rico belonging to the family Eleutherodactylidae. The species is named for the loud call the males make at night. This sound serves two purposes. "CO" serves to repel other males and establish territory while the "KEE" serves to attract females. Since the auditory systems of males and females respond preferentially to different notes of the male call, this is an example of a sex difference in a sensory system. The common coquí is a very important aspect of Puerto Rican culture, and it has become an unofficial territorial symbol of Puerto Rico.

Golden coquí Species of amphibian

The golden coquí is a rare species of frog endemic to Puerto Rico.

<i>Eleutherodactylus</i> Genus of amphibians

Eleutherodactylus is a genus of frogs in the family Eleutherodactylidae. Many of the 200 species of the genus are commonly known as "rain frogs" or "robber frogs", due to their sharp, high-pitched, insect-like calls.

Web-footed coquí Species of amphibian

The web-footed coqui, stream coqui, Puerto Rican stream frog, or Karl's robber frog, Eleutherodactylus karlschmidti, is a possibly extinct Puerto Rican frog species in the family Eleutherodactylidae. It was first described by Chapman Grant in 1931, and was named after herpetologist Karl Patterson Schmidt. It is the largest Eleutherodactylus species of Puerto Rico.

Fauna of Puerto Rico Animals found in the United States Territory of Puerto Rico

The fauna of Puerto Rico is similar to other island archipelago faunas, with high endemism, and low, skewed taxonomic diversity. Bats are the only extant native terrestrial mammals in Puerto Rico. All other terrestrial mammals in the area were introduced by humans, and include species such as cats, goats, sheep, the small Indian mongoose, and escaped monkeys. Marine mammals include dolphins, manatees, and whales. Of the 349 bird species, about 120 breed in the archipelago, and 47.5% are accidental or rare.

The whistling coquí, Cochran's treefrog, or Cochran's robber frog is a species of frog native to Puerto Rico, the US Virgin Islands, and the British Virgin Islands. This nocturnal insectivore is also referred to as the coquí pitito in Puerto Rico. Their distinctive song is a single, rising whistle, which is repeated and followed by three clicking sounds.

Coquí is the common name for several species of small frogs in the genus Eleutherodactylus native to Puerto Rico. They are onomatopoeically named for the very loud mating call which the males of two species, the common coqui and the upland coqui, make at night. The coquí is one of the most common frogs in Puerto Rico, with more than 16 different species found within its territory, including 13 in El Yunque National Forest. Other species of this genus can be found in the rest of the Caribbean and elsewhere in the Neotropics, in Central and South America. The coquí is an unofficial national symbol of Puerto Rico; there is a Puerto Rican expression that goes, “Soy de aquí, como el coquí”, which translates to “I’m from here, like the coquí."

Eneidas coquí Species of amphibian

Eneida's coquí is a species of coquí, a small variety of frog endemic to the main island of Puerto Rico and its archipelago. Known as coquí de Eneida in Puerto Rico, this amphibian is mainly terrestrial. Its average adult size is from 1.0 to 1.2 inches. It has a number of small warts located across its back and eyelids. Its main color is a light tone of greenish or grayish brown with a yellow tint on its underbelly. They often have a pair of light colored concave lines located on their backs. Their eyes are golden or green colored, generally dark colored with black venal reticulation. Its habitat is located in mountains that are 1,000 to 3,000 feet above sea level. This species seems to have suffered a population reduction, in the process disappearing from areas formerly considered its natural habitat. The reason behind this reduction is under study, and Eneida's coquí has been designated an endangered species until the cause is discovered. This population decrease is not considered to be linked with the loss of its habitat, which has prevented the protection of its habitat.

Grass coqui Species of amphibian

The grass coqui or coqui de las hierbas is a species of frog in the family Eleutherodactylidae, endemic to Puerto Rico. Its natural habitats are subtropical or tropical moist lowland forest, subtropical or tropical moist montane forest, subtropical or tropical seasonally wet or flooded lowland grassland, plantations, rural gardens, and heavily degraded former forest. It is threatened by habitat loss.

Cricket coqui Species of amphibian

The cricket coqui, green coqui, or coqui grillo is a species of frog in the family Eleutherodactylidae endemic to Puerto Rico. Its natural habitats are subtropical or tropical moist lowland forest and subtropical or tropical moist montane forest.

Antilles coqui Species of amphibian

The Antilles coqui, commonly known as the Montserrat whistling frog, Barbados whistling frog, or the Lesser Antillean whistling frog, is a species of frog in the family Eleutherodactylidae found in Bermuda, the Caribbean and northern South America. Its natural habitats are subtropical or tropical moist lowland forest, subtropical or tropical moist montane forest, subtropical or tropical moist shrubland, subtropical or tropical dry lowland grassland, arable land, pastureland, plantations, rural gardens, urban areas, and heavily degraded former forests.

The locust coqui is a species of frog in the family Eleutherodactylidae endemic to Puerto Rico. Its natural habitats are subtropical or tropical moist lowland forests and subtropical or tropical moist montane forests. E. locustus has suffered a population decline of more than 80% due to introduced predators and amphibian chytrid disease. Scientists believe amphibian chytrid disease may be exacerbated by climate change - warmer temperatures in dry, moist habitats, causing stress that may lead to greater susceptibility to the disease.

Mona coqui Species of amphibian

The Mona coqui,, Eleutherodactylus monensis, is a species of frog in the family Eleutherodactylidae endemic to Mona, Puerto Rico. Its natural habitats are subtropical or tropical dry forest and subtropical or tropical dry shrubland.

<i>Eleutherodactylus portoricensis</i> Species of amphibian

Eleutherodactylus portoricensis is a frog native to Puerto Rico that belongs to the family Eleutherodactylidae. Its vernacular English names are upland coqui, mountain coqui, and Puerto Rican robber frog. It is found in the Toro Negro State Forest and other similar mountainous regions.

Bronze coqui Species of amphibian

The bronze coqui, Richmond's coqui, coquí caoba, or coquí de Richmond is a species of frog in the family Eleutherodactylidae. The specific epithet, richmondi,

Dwarf coqui Species of amphibian

The dwarf coqui or elfin coqui is a species of frog endemic to Puerto Rico. It is placed in the subgenus Eleutherodactylus.

Melodius coqui Species of amphibian

The melodius coqui or coquí melodioso is a frog species in the family Eleutherodactylidae endemic to Puerto Rico. Its natural habitats are subtropical or tropical moist lowland forest and subtropical or tropical moist montane forest. It is threatened by habitat loss.

<i>Eleutherodactylus juanariveroi</i> Species of amphibian

Eleutherodactylus juanariveroi, the Puerto Rican wetland frog or, is an endangered species of coqui, a frog species, endemic to Puerto Rico. It was discovered in 2005 by Neftalí Rios, and was named after Puerto Rican herpetologist Juan A. Rivero, in honor of his contributions to Puerto Rican herpetology.

Puerto Rican rock frog Species of amphibian

The Puerto Rican rock frog, Eleutherodactylus cooki, also known as the Puerto Rican cave-dwelling frog or rock coqui, and locally as coquí guajón, or guajón for brevity, is a threatened frog species from the coqui genus. This unique species of tropical frogs dwells primarily in crevices and grottos in the Cuchilla de Panduras mountain range in southeastern Puerto Rico. The native name guajón is derived from its habitat, guajonales, which are caves formed by rock formations between huge stones. Despite being the state animal and considered emblematic of the region, of the 17 species of coquí, three are believed to be extinct and the rest are rare and declining in numbers. The Puerto Rican rock frog is extremely restricted in geographical distribution. The frog is threatened due to deforestation, agricultural, rural, and industrial development, and the associated infrastructure. It is sometimes called the “demon of Puerto Rico" because of its eerie call and phantom-like appearance. The species was first described by American herpetologist, Chapman Grant in 1932.

Los Tres Picachos State Forest

Los Tres Picachos State Forest is one of the 20 forest that make up the public forest system of Puerto Rico. The forest is located in the Central Mountain Range or Cordillera Central, along the Los Tres Picachos mountain ridge, one of the island's highest mountains, named after the distinctive three peaks of the highest mountain in the forest. The state forest is located in the municipalities of Jayuya and Ciales.

References

  1. 1 2 IUCN SSC Amphibian Specialist Group (2021). "Eleutherodactylus antillensis". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species . 2021: e.T56425A3038940. doi: 10.2305/IUCN.UK.2021-1.RLTS.T56425A3038940.en . Retrieved 15 November 2021.
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 "Red-eyed coqui (Eleutherodactylus antillensis)". Arkive.org. Archived from the original on 2019-01-31. Retrieved 20 February 2014.
  3. 1 2 3 4 Mowbray, Alan (2007). "Antillean Coqui". fs.usda.gov. Retrieved 20 February 2014.
  4. 1 2 3 4 Villanueva-Rivera, Luis J. (7 November 2004). "Eleutherodactylus antillensis". AmphibiaWeb. Retrieved 20 February 2014.
  5. 1 2 Gould, W.A.; Alarcn, C.; Fevold, B.; Jiménez, M.E.; Martinuzzi, S.; Potts, G.; Solórzano, M.; Ventosa, E. (2007). "Eleutherodactylus antillensis". Prgap.org.Missing or empty |url= (help)
  6. 1 2 "Antillean Frog". USGS.gov. U.S. Department of the Interior, U.S. Geological Survey. 14 December 2012.Missing or empty |url= (help)
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