Cuban tree frog

Cuban tree frog
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Amphibia
Order: Anura
Family: Hylidae
Subfamily: Hylinae
Genus: Osteopilus
Species: O. septentrionalis
Binomial name
Osteopilus septentrionalis
(A.M.C. Duméril & Bibron, 1841)
Synonyms
  • Hyla septentrionalis
    A.M.C. Duméril & Bibron, 1841
  • Osteopilus septentrionalis
    — Trueb & Tyler, 1974[2]

The Cuban tree frog (Osteopilus septentrionalis) is an amphibian native to the Caribbean region of the Western Hemisphere. It is the largest tree frog of North America. Its wide diet and ability to thrive amongst humans has made it a highly invasive species with established colonies in northern Florida, the Hawaiian island of Oahu, and throughout the Caribbean Islands.[3] They range in size from 3 to 5.5 in (76 to 140 mm) and vary in color from olive-brown and bronze to gray or grayish-white. A nocturnal, tree-dwelling frog, it is known to eat almost anything that will fit in its mouth and to mate year-round. Cuban tree frogs are commonly available as pets; however, because the animal secretes a toxic mucus from its skin that can cause a burning sensation in the eyes, it is not an ideal pet. Further distribution of the species is believed to have been expanded by the release of these pet animals.

Description

In Cuba

The Cuban tree frog ranges in size from 3 to 5.5 in (76 to 140 mm) in length. It is the largest tree frog in North America. It has a rough, warty skin.[4] Its toepads are much larger than those of other tree frogs, and it often has an orange tint to its eyes.[5] It varies in color from olive-brown or bronze to gray[5] or grayish-white.[6]

Cuban tree frogs can change colors depending on their temperature and environment. Many individuals have darker splotches on the back, and some splotchy banding on the legs. In many individuals, the hidden surfaces of their legs are bright yellow. When the frog leaps to avoid a predator, these bright-yellow patches are visible, and may help to confuse the predator. Also, 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. When handled, Cuban tree frogs secrete a toxic mucus from their skin. In humans, this can cause an allergic reaction or burning sensation to the eyes and nose, and even trigger asthma.

Behavior

As excellent climbers, the Cuban tree frogs will typically sleep above ground during the day.[3] During the night, they forage for insects around sources of artificial light.[3] They will eat anything they can overpower and fits into their mouths, including snails, spiders, insects, other frogs (even other Cuban tree frogs), snakes, lizards,[3] small crustaceans,[7] and hatchling birds in their nests.[6] Their foraging will occasionally take them up utility poles, where they can cause short-circuits of utility switches, causing costly power outages.[8]

Lifecycle

Cuban tree frogs are sexually dimorphic – females are larger than males. Breeding males can be identified by their development of black nuptial pads on their thumbs,[7] which help the males to hold onto the females during mating.

Cuban tree frogs breed year round, but most commonly in the wet season, between May and October. Optimal conditions are considered to be 81.5 °F (27.5 °C) with high humidity (97.8%) and rain.[9] They lay a partial clutch of eggs in varying size ranging from 100-1,000. The full clutch is on average a total of 3,961 and varies based on female body size. Eggs can hatch in under 30 hours and can fully develop in one month.[9] Much like their adult counterparts, newly hatched tadpoles occur in a variety of colors and patterns.[9] They have wide caudal fins and two rows of labial teeth on the top of their mouths and four rows on the bottom.[7] Tadpoles survive on algae and will occasionally eat other tadpoles,[9] and, on rare occasions, recently metamorphism juveniles.[10] After transformation, they are between 0.55 and 0.67 inches (14 and 17 mm) long, and their tails are entirely absorbed.[7]

Distribution

In Cuba

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, the British Virgin Islands, many islands of the Lesser Antilles, and Hawaii. Whether the species was native to the Key West region of Florida is debated,[9] or if it was introduced to the area. First discovered in the 1930s,[11] they may have arrived on ships in the 1800s[10] or could have made it to the area by natural means.[11] They can survive in brackish water, which may have helped the species to spread to various islands.[7] 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.[12] The species is now established in southern Florida and parts of the panhandle region, and can be found as far north as South Carolina.[3]

The Cuban tree frog is known to hitchhike on shipments of potted plants,[13] vegetation, packaging,[12] boats, and other motorized vehicles.[3] Once in a new location, the frogs become an invasive species. 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.[12] In addition, they also secrete a toxic mucus from their skin which helps to limit the number of natural predators.[6]

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.[14] Within their habitats, they can be found in damp, shady areas, particularly around shrubs and trees,[4] by cisterns, rain barrels,[7] and buildings.

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.[15] 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.[16] 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.[13]

In captivity

Cuban tree frogs are commonly available in the pet trade within the United States.[6] They are inexpensive, and when cared for properly, tend to live five to 10 years. They feed readily on commercially available crickets, but while in captivity, they may turn to cannibalism.[5] 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. 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.[6]

References

  1. ↑ Blair Hedges; Luis Díaz; Beatrice Ibéné; Rafael Joglar; Robert Powell; Federico Bolaños; Gerardo Chaves (2010). "Osteopilus septentrionalis". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Version 2014.3. International Union for Conservation of Nature. Retrieved 18 April 2015.
  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. 1 2 3 4 5 6 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.
  4. 1 2 Long, Kim (1999). Frogs a Wildlife Handbook. Boulder, Colorado: Johnson Books. p. 72. ISBN 1-55566-226-9.
  5. 1 2 3 Badger, David (1995). Frogs. Stillwater, Minnesota: Voyageur Press, Inc. p. 76. ISBN 0-89658-674-X.
  6. 1 2 3 4 5 Grenard, Steve (2008). Frogs and Toads. Hoboken, New Jersey: Wiley Publishing Inc. pp. 95–96. ISBN 978-0-470-16510-2.
  7. 1 2 3 4 5 6 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.
  8. ↑ "Invasive Cuban tree frogs threaten native wildlife, damage utilities, says UF expert". University of Florida. 2007-06-07. Retrieved 2010-11-27.
  9. 1 2 3 4 5 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.
  10. 1 2 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.
  11. 1 2 Dorcas, Mike; Gibbons, J. Whitfield (2008). Frogs and toads of the southeast. Athens, Georgia: University of Georgia Press. pp. 102–105. ISBN 978-0-8203-2922-2.
  12. 1 2 3 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.
  13. 1 2 "Cuban Tree Frog Found In Georgia". CBS News. 2004-10-21. Retrieved 2010-10-22.
  14. ↑ "Cuban Treefrog - Osteopilus septentrionalis". Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission. Retrieved 2010-11-28.
  15. ↑ "Cuban Tree Frog Found In Georgia". CBS News. 2004-10-21.
  16. ↑ "Florida frog hops ride to Regina". CBC News. Retrieved 2013-04-17.

Further reading

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