Eleutherodactylus planirostris
From Gisac
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Audio recording of a greenhouse frog |
Taxonomy
Taxonomic Tree
Kingdom Animalia -- animals
- Phylum Chordata -- chordates
- Class Amphibia -- amphibians
- Order Anura -- frogs and toads
- Family Leptodactylidae -- neotropical frogs
- Species Eleutherodactylus planirostris
- Family Leptodactylidae -- neotropical frogs
- Order Anura -- frogs and toads
- Class Amphibia -- amphibians
Taxonomic Serial Number
Common Name
greenhouse frog
Micronesian Distribution
Guam
Native Distribution
Caribbean
Description and Basic Biology
Eleutherodactylus planirostris is a treefrog, roughly the size of a dime. The dorsum is brown in color with black flecks. They reproduce year-round, but breeding is concentrated in the wet season. Though they are treefrogs, E. planirostris reside mostly on and under the substrate. They can be found in tall or loose grasses, or among low foliage in bushes and shrubs.
Environmental Impacts
The reduction of native arthropod species is the foremost concern for wildlife management, as the frogs often exist in high densities outside of their native range. On Guam, greenhouse frogs may also provide an additional food source for brown treesnakes. If juvenile snakes are given another abundant food source, it is likely that the age distribution of snakes will change and that snake numbers overall will increase, further hampering efforts to control its population.
Economic Impacts
In Hawaii, especially on the Big Island, calls have prompted visitors to complain.
Method(s) of Introduction
This species travels on ornamental vegetation, and they are regularly found in and on ornamental bromeliads, palms, bamboos, pots, and shipping containers.
Known Controls
Physical removal is the least damaging method for control, but is not effective for large infestations. Chemical control has been successful using a 16% concentration of citric acid. The application is harmful to plants, especially the ornamentals on which coquis are most likely to be found. Hot water (113+° F) is effective for destroying adults and eggs in immersion. Landowners have made barriers of hydrated lime to prevent movement onto properties.
