Population Densities of the Coquí, Eleutherodactylus coqui (Anura: Leptodactylidae) in Newly Invaded Hawaii and in Native Puerto Rico

Woolbright, Lawrence L.; Hara, A. H.; Jacobsen, C. M.; Mautz, William J.; Benevides, Francis L.

doi:10.1670/79-05w.1

Cited by 47 publications

(47 citation statements)

References 6 publications

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“…Both species predominantly consume leaf litter invertebrates (Beard 2007;Olson and Beard in press). The smaller greenhouse frog (mean SVL 17 mm for males, 22 for females) consumes more prey items per frog than the coqui (mean SVL 30 mm for males, 38 for females) Olson and Beard in press), while densities of coquis may be higher (Woolbright et al 2006;Beard et al 2008;Olson et al in press). Coquis have been shown to alter invertebrate communities and affect ecosystem processes, such as herbivory and leaf litter decomposition rates (Choi and Beard in press;Sin et al 2008).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 97%

Detection probabilities of two introduced frogs in Hawaii: implications for assessing non-native species distributions

et al. 2011

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Two nonnative Caribbean frogs, the Puerto Rican coqui and the Cuban greenhouse frog, recently invaded Hawaii. Because of its louder breeding call, management efforts have focused on the coqui, while little has been done to address the more cryptic greenhouse frog, even though it may be as widespread and have similar ecological impacts. The goal of this research was to determine the distribution and detection probability of both species on the island of Hawaii. We conducted a breeding call presence/absence survey at 446 sites every 2 km along major road networks. We re-surveyed 125 sites twice to determine detection and occupancy probabilities. Greenhouse frog detection probabilities (0.24, 0.29, 0.48, for each of the three visits, respectively) were lower than coqui detection probabilities (0.58, 0.73, 0.50, respectively) and increased with visits while those of the coqui did not. Greenhouse frog detection probabilities were lower in the presence of coquis for the first two surveys (0.12, 0.14) than in sites with greenhouse frogs alone (0.41), while greenhouse frogs had no effect on the detection of coquis. Site occupancy estimates for the greenhouse and coqui frog were 0.35 and 0.31, respectively, suggesting the species are similarly widespread. Results suggest multiple visits to sites are required to detect the greenhouse frog. Furthermore, results suggest that accounting for detectability is essential when determining the extent of invasion of cryptic species.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 97%

Detection probabilities of two introduced frogs in Hawaii: implications for assessing non-native species distributions

et al. 2011

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“…We placed seven frogs in each of 10 enclosures of each litter type to approximate natural densities [from a recent Hawaiian estimate of 28,000-89,000 frogs/ha (Woolbright et al 2006)]. To standardize treatments and because male frogs are easier to identify than female frogs, we used adult male frogs to control for greater female growth rates (Woolbright 1989) and prey consumption rates (Beard 2007).…”

Section: Frog Treatmentmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Eleutherodactylus coqui Thomas, a terrestrial frog endemic to Puerto Rico, was accidentally introduced into Hawaii around 1988 via the horticulture trade (Kraus et al 1999). This species is of concern because it is able to reach densities up to 89,000/ha in some locations in Hawaii (Woolbright et al 2006), and thus could be consuming an estimated 675,000 invertebrates (mostly litter invertebrates) ha -1 night -1 (Beard 2007). Additionally, research suggests that E. coqui can reduce invertebrate prey (Beard et al 2003;Sin et al 2008;Stewart and Woolbright 1996).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Invasive litter, not an invasive insectivore, determines invertebrate communities in Hawaiian forests

Tuttle

Beard

Pitt³

2008

Biol Invasions

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In Hawaii, invasive plants have the ability to alter litter-based food chains because they often have litter traits that differ from native species. Additionally, abundant invasive predators, especially those representing new trophic levels, can reduce prey. The relative importance of these two processes on the litter invertebrate community in Hawaii is important, because they could affect the large number of endemic and endangered invertebrates. We determined the relative importance of litter resources, represented by leaf litter of two trees, an invasive nitrogen-fixer, Falcataria moluccana, and a native tree, Metrosideros polymorpha, and predation of an invasive terrestrial frog, Eleutherodactylus coqui, on leaf litter invertebrate abundance and composition. Principle component analysis revealed that F. moluccana litter creates an invertebrate community that greatly differs from that found in M. polymorpha litter. We found that F. moluccana increased the abundance of non-native fragmenters (Amphipoda and Isopoda) by 400% and non-native predaceous ants (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) by 200%. E. coqui had less effect on the litter invertebrate community; it reduced microbivores by 40% in F. moluccana and non-native ants by 30% across litter types. E. coqui stomach contents were similar in abundance and composition in both litter treatments, despite dramatic differences in the invertebrate community. Additionally, our results suggest that invertebrate community differences between litter types did not cascade to influence E. coqui growth or survivorship. In conclusion, it appears that an invasive nitrogen-fixing tree species has a greater influence on litter invertebrate community abundance and composition than the invasive predator, E. coqui.

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“…In its native Puerto Rico, densities are typically around 20,000 frogs/ha, but in some areas in Hawaii it has been documented to reach densities up to 90,000 frogs/ha and consume 690,000 invertebrates/ha/night (Woolbright et al 2006;Beard et al 2008). Because of its high densities and generalist feeding behavior, it was hypothesized to reduce invertebrates and change ecosystem functions (Beard and Pitt 2005).…”

Section: Scope Of the Issues/damage Caused By The Speciesmentioning

confidence: 99%

Ecology, Impacts, and Management of Invasive Rodents in the United States

Witmer¹,

Shiels²

2017

Ecology and Management of Terrestrial Vertebrate Invasive Species in the United States

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Population Densities of the Coquí, Eleutherodactylus coqui (Anura: Leptodactylidae) in Newly Invaded Hawaii and in Native Puerto Rico

Cited by 47 publications

References 6 publications

Detection probabilities of two introduced frogs in Hawaii: implications for assessing non-native species distributions

Detection probabilities of two introduced frogs in Hawaii: implications for assessing non-native species distributions

Invasive litter, not an invasive insectivore, determines invertebrate communities in Hawaiian forests

Ecology, Impacts, and Management of Invasive Rodents in the United States

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