Cuban tree frog

The Cuban tree frog (Osteopilus septentrionalis) is a large species of tree frog that is native to Cuba, the Bahamas, and the Cayman Islands; but has become invasive in several other places around the Americas.[3] Its wide diet and ability to thrive in urban areas has made it a highly invasive species with established colonies in places such as Florida,[4] the Hawaiian island of Oahu, and the Caribbean Islands.[5] These tree frogs can vary in size from 2 to 5.5 inches (5 to 12.7 cm) in length. Due to their large size, Cuban tree frogs can eat a wide variety of things, particularly native tree frogs, and their removal has shown to result in an increase in the amount of native tree frogs in an area.[6] The tadpoles of Cuban tree frogs also heavily compete with native frog tadpoles, which can cause negative effects in body mass, size at metamorphosis, and growth rates for the native tadpoles.[7]

Cuban tree frog
On Grand Cayman
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Amphibia
Order: Anura
Family: Hylidae
Genus: Osteopilus
Species:
O. septentrionalis
Binomial name
Osteopilus septentrionalis
Synonyms
  • Hyla septentrionalis
    A.M.C. Duméril & Bibron, 1841
  • Osteopilus septentrionalis
    — Trueb & Tyler, 1974[2]
on Grand Cayman
In Florida

Description

Cuban tree frogs are the largest tree frogs in North America, ranging from 2 to 5.5 inches or (5 to 12.7 cm) in length.[8] Cuban tree frogs are mostly gray, brown, or green, with young frogs having more green coloration than adults. These frogs have rough, warty skin with blotchy or mottled patterning.[9] Cuban tree frogs have the ability to change their color and pattern to camouflage themselves.[10] The inner thighs of these frogs are bright yellow, which helps to confuse a predator when the frog jumps and reveals the color. The toes have sticky pads that are useful in their arboreal life.[8]

The skin on their heads is fused to the skull; if the head of an adult frog is rubbed (between the eyes), the skin does not move. This special adaptation prevents water loss, since fewer blood vessels occur in the "co-ossified" (fused) area. Cuban tree frogs are able to secretes a toxic mucus from their skin which can cause a fiery sensation if it makes contact with a person's eyes.[8]

Behavior

Cuban tree frogs are mainly nocturnal and sleep during the day, preferring to hunt and breed when the sun goes down.[10] Being very voracious, this tree frog will eat almost anything large enough to fit in its mouth, including smaller frogs. Their foraging will occasionally take them up utility poles, where they can cause short-circuits of utility switches, causing costly power outages.[11] Cuban tree frogs will sometimes sleep on palm trees or in potted plants, which can aid in their spread.

Life cycle

As with most frogs, female Cuban tree frogs are larger than males. During the breeding season, the male will have a black nuptial pad on his hand or wrist that helps him hold onto the female during amplexus.[12]

Cuban tree frogs breed year round depending on the conditions, preferring to breed during the wetter months. Optimal conditions are considered to be 81.5 °F (27.5 °C) with high humidity (97.8%) and rain.[13] A female can lay several hundred eggs to over a thousand in a single clutch. Eggs can hatch in under 30 hours and tadpoles can fully develop in one month.[13] They have wide caudal fins and two rows of labial teeth on the top of their mouths and four rows on the bottom.[14] Tadpoles survive on algae and will occasionally eat other tadpoles,[13] and on rare occasions, recently metamorphosed juveniles.[15] After metamorphosis, froglets are between 0.55 and 0.67 inches (14 and 17 mm) long.[14]

Distribution

The Cuban tree frog is native to Cuba, the Bahamas, and the Cayman Islands. This large frog has been introduced in Puerto Rico, the US Virgin Islands, and the British Virgin Islands.[16] Whether the species was native to the Key West region of Florida is debated,[13] or if it was introduced to the area. First discovered in the 1930s, these frogs arrived via cargo ships in the 1800s.[15] They can survive in brackish water, which may have helped the species to spread to various islands.[14] The Cuban tree frogs' progressive colonization into the mainland of Florida is believed to be abetted by use of State Road A1A construction during the 1940s.[17] The species is now established in southern Florida and parts of the panhandle region, and can be found as far north as South Carolina.[5]

The Cuban tree frog is known to hitchhike on shipments of potted plants,[18] vegetation, packaging,[17] boats, and other motorized vehicles.[5] Once in a new location, the frogs become an invasive species. In Puerto Rico, they have become a predator of the common coquí (Eleutherodactylus coqui).[19] They have several good colonizing traits, such as high fecundity, short generation time, a diverse diet, good competitive ability, and the ability to coexist with humans.[17] In addition, they also secrete a toxic mucus from their skin which helps to limit the number of natural predators.[20]

Cuban tree frogs are known to inhabit a variety of habitats, including estuaries, low-density suburban development, small towns, agricultural areas, particularly ones with exotic plants, and lowland forests and swamps.[21] Within their habitats, they can be found in damp, shady areas, particularly around shrubs and trees,[9] by cisterns, rain barrels,[14] and buildings. They like to be near medium and large sized trees and prefer conditions where the temperature remains above 10 degrees Celsius.[10]

Conservation

This large frog directly impacts native ecosystems by eating native frogs, lizards, and snakes, and poses a threat to the biodiversity of the areas into which it spreads by causing native tree frog populations to decline. These effects are most noticeable in urban and suburban areas, where native tree frogs, such as the American green tree frog (Hyla cinerea) and the squirrel treefrog (Hyla squirella) are rapidly disappearing. It has spread throughout peninsular Florida, and is also commonly found in isolated populations as far north as southern Georgia.[22] It is inadvertently carried on vehicles or ornamental plants, spreading to new areas, and has been transported as far north and west as Saskatchewan, Canada.[23] Because of its effects on the biodiversity, some experts have recommended killing the animal when it is found in a new habitat. This can be done, most humanely, through the application of Orajel to the abdominal skin, waiting fifteen minutes for the frog to be fully anaesthetized, and then placing it in a freezer for a few hours.[18]

In captivity

Cuban tree frogs are commonly available in the pet trade within the United States.[20] They are inexpensive, and when cared for properly tend to live five to ten years. They feed readily on any animal they can fit in their mouths, which can result in cannibalistic behavior if frogs housed together have a significant size difference.[24] Their toxic mucus can burn the eyes and trigger an allergic (or asthmatic) reaction; as a result, this species is not an ideal pet species, especially for children.[8]

The Cuban tree frog's colonization of Oahu is believed to be a result of accidental or deliberate release of pets. Therefore, the species is now banned from sale in Hawaii. Conviction of importation of a Cuban tree frog carries a maximum fine of $25,000 and a year in jail.[20]

References
  1. IUCN SSC Amphibian Specialist Group (2021). "Osteopilus septentrionalis". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2021: e.T55811A3032751. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2021-1.RLTS.T55811A3032751.en. Retrieved 12 November 2021.
  2. Schwartz A, Thomas T. 1975. A Check-list of West Indian Amphibians and Reptiles. Carnegie Museum of Natural History Special Publication No. 1. Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania: Carnegie Museum of Natural History. 216 pp. (Osteopilus septentrionalis, p. 45).
  3. "Osteopilus septentrionalis". NAS - Nonindigenous Aquatic Species. Archived from the original on 2010-06-10.
  4. "Cuban Treefrog".
  5. Elliot, Lang; Gerhardt, H. Carl; Davidson, Carlos (2009). The frogs and toads of North America: a comprehensive guide to their identification, behavior, and calls. New York, New York: Houghton Mifflin. p. 28. ISBN 978-0-618-66399-6.
  6. Rice, Waddle, Miller, Crocket, Mazzotti, Percival (2011). "Recovery of native treefrogs after removal of nonindigenous Cuban Treefrogs, Osteopilus septentrionalis". Herpetologica. 67 (2): 105–117. doi:10.1655/HERPETOLOGICA-D-10-00020.1. S2CID 84251137 – via USGS.{{cite journal}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  7. Smith, Kevin G. (15 February 2004). "Effects of nonindigenous tadpoles on native tadpoles in Florida: evidence of competition" (PDF). Biological Conservation. 123 (4): 433–441. doi:10.1016/j.biocon.2005.01.005 – via ELSEVIER.
  8. "Cuban Tree Frog Facts and Information | SeaWorld Parks & Entertainment". seaworld.org. Retrieved 2020-05-22.
  9. Long, Kim (1999). Frogs a Wildlife Handbook. Boulder, Colorado: Johnson Books. p. 72. ISBN 1-55566-226-9.
  10. "Cuban Tree Frog: Facts, Characteristics, Habitat and More | Animal Place". 24 May 2012. Retrieved 2020-05-22.
  11. "Invasive Cuban tree frogs threaten native wildlife, damage utilities, says UF expert". University of Florida. 2007-06-07. Archived from the original on 2010-06-13. Retrieved 2010-11-27.
  12. "Cuban Tree Frog". www.frog-life-cycle.com. Retrieved 2020-05-23.
  13. Lannoo, Michael J. (2005). Amphibian declines: the conservation status of United States species. Berkeley and Los Angeles, California: University of California Press. pp. 463–465. ISBN 0-520-23592-4.
  14. Brunt, M. A.; Davies, J. E. (1994). The Cayman Islands: natural history and biogeography. AA Dorderecht, The Netherlands: Kluwer Academic Publishers. pp. 410–412. ISBN 0-7923-2462-5.
  15. Crump, Martha L.; Crump, Alan (2009). Sexy orchids make lousy lovers & other unusual relationships. Chicago, Illinois: University of Chicago Press. p. 42. ISBN 978-0-226-12185-7.
  16. "Study: Invasive fist-sized treefrogs in New Orleans". WBRZ. 2018-05-01. Retrieved 2018-05-01.
  17. Collins, James P.; Crump, Martha L. (2009). Extinction in our times: global amphibian decline. New York, New York: Oxford University Press, Inc. pp. 61–62. ISBN 978-0-19-531694-0.
  18. "Cuban Tree Frog Found In Georgia". CBS News. 2004-10-21. Retrieved 2010-10-22.
  19. Rana depredadora del coquí campea por su respeto en Puerto Rico(in Spanish)
  20. Grenard, Steve (2008). Frogs and Toads. Hoboken, New Jersey: Wiley Publishing Inc. pp. 95–96. ISBN 978-0-470-16510-2.
  21. "Cuban Treefrog - Osteopilus septentrionalis". Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission. Retrieved 2010-11-28.
  22. "Cuban Tree Frog Found In Georgia". CBS News. 2004-10-21.
  23. "Florida frog hops ride to Regina". CBC News. Retrieved 2013-04-17.
  24. Badger, David (1995). Frogs. Stillwater, Minnesota: Voyageur Press, Inc. p. 76. ISBN 0-89658-674-X.

Further reading
  • Behler JL, King FW. 1979. The Audubon Society Field Guide to North American Reptiles and Amphibians. New York: Alfred A. Knopf. 743 pp. ISBN 0-394-50824-6. (Osteopilus septentrionalis, pp. 410–411 + Plates 155, 178).
  • Conant R. 1975. A Field Guide to Reptiles and Amphibians of Eastern and Central North America, Second Edition. Boston: Houghton Mifflin. xviii + 429 pp. ISBN 0-395-19979-4 (hardcover), ISBN 0-395-19977-8 (paperback). (Hyla septentrionalis, pp. 325–326 + Plate 47 + Map 282).
  • Duméril A-M-C, Bibron G. 1841. Erpétologie générale ou Histoire naturelle des Reptiles, Tome huitième [Volume 8]. Paris: Roret. 792 pp. (Hyla septentrionalis, new species, p. 538). (in French).
  • Trueb L, Tyler MJ. 1974. Systematics and evolution of the Greater Antillean hylid frogs. Occ. Pap. Mus. Nat. Hist. Univ. Kansas (24): 1-60. (Osteopilus septentrionalis, new combination, pp. 39–41).
  • Wright AA, Wright AH. 1933. Handbook of Frogs and Toads: The Frogs and Toads of the United States and Canada. Ithaca, New York: Comstock Publishing Co. xi + 231 pp. (Hyla septentrionalis, pp. 126–127).
  • Cadigan M “Invasive Cuban Tree Frog Spotted in SW Florida.” WPTV. WPTV, February 2, 2018. https://www.wptv.com/news/state/invasive-cuban-treefrog-spotted-in-fort-myers).
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