Eleutherodactylus Planirostris Research Articles

Complex origins indicate a potential bridgehead introduction of an emerging amphibian invader (Eleutherodactylus planirostris) in China

Identifying the origins of established alien species is important to prevent new introductions in the future. The greenhouse frog (Eleutherodactylus planirostris), native to Cuba, the Bahamas, and the Cayman Islands, has been widely introduced to the Caribbean, North and Central America, Oceania and Asia. This invasive alien amphibian was recently reported in Shenzhen, China, but the potential introduction sources remain poorly understood. Based on phylogenetic analysis using mitochondrial 16S, COI and CYTB sequences, we detected a complex introduction origin of this species, which may be from Hong Kong, China, the Philippines, Panama and Florida, USA, all pointing to a bridgehead introduction. In addition, the nursery trade between the four countries or regions and mainland China from 2011 to 2020 was also significantly higher than other areas with less likelihood of introductions, which supported the molecular results. Our study provides the first genetic evidence of the potential sources of this emerging amphibian invader in mainland China, which may help develop alien species control strategies in the face of growing trade through globalization.

Anurans of select green spaces of Davao City, Mindanao Island, Philippines

Abstract. Delima-Baron EM, Ruales CAS, Tripole C. Tagoon MDT, Susulan TB. 2022. Anurans of select green spaces of Davao City, Mindanao Island, Philippines. Biodiversitas 23: 4810-4815. Data on anurans in green spaces, especially in highly urbanized cities, including Davao, is still very limited. We present for the first time a checklist of anuran species from six green spaces of Davao City previously not surveyed for anuran data. Anurans were documented from January to April 2019 using visual encounter techniques coupled with microhabitat searches on several nocturnal surveys. Eighteen species representing seven families were recorded. Three endemic species: Pelophryne brevipes, Fejervarya moodiei, and F. vittigera, were added to the current list of anurans known from green spaces of Davao City, bringing the total known species for Davao City to 23. Thirteen of the species recorded are endemic. Two species under the Near Threatened category of IUCN, Limnonectes magnus and Sanguirana everetti, were also documented. The study also accounted for four invasive species: Rhinella marina, Eleutherodactylus planirostris, Hoplobatrachus rugulosus, and Kaloula pulchra. However, these species were encountered only in sites with artificial structures nearby, prominent noise, and has less heterogeneous vegetation. Data adds to the limited account of anurans in Davao City’s green spaces. Adding more species also implies that the list of anurans from Davao City’s green spaces is far from complete. Exploration of other green spaces available in the city is necessary to fully understand anuran species composition and the value of green spaces to the persistence of this taxon even in highly urbanized areas.

Notes on the diet of the Cuban Flat-headed Frog, Eleutherodactylus planirostris (Eleutherodactylidae) from two understudied habitats in Western Cuba

Notes on the diet of the Cuban Flat-headed Frog, Eleutherodactylus planirostris (Eleutherodactylidae) from two understudied habitats in Western Cuba

Impact of Global Climate Change on the Distribution Range and Niche Dynamics of Eleutherodactylus planirostrish in China

Simple SummaryEleutherodactylus planirostris has a strong dispersal ability, and the main route of introduction to new regions is likely due to transport via seedlings. This species is taken into account as one of the foremost successful invasive amphibian species with direct or indirect negative impacts in multiple regions. In our study, we predict the potential distribution of E. planirostris in China by species distribution models (SDMs) methods. The results show that this species has a much larger suitable habitat area in China than reflected by the current distribution, so the species is likely to spread from the Pearl River Delta to surrounding areas. Under future warming, its invasive range will expand northward in China.Species distribution models (SDMs) have become indispensable tools in risk assessment and conservation decision-making for invasive species. Eleutherodactylus planirostris has a strong dispersal ability, and the main route of introduction to new regions is likely transport via seedlings. This species is understood as one of the foremost successful invasive amphibian species with direct or indirect negative impacts in multiple regions. In this study, we used MaxEnt to assess suitable areas for this species under current and future climates globally and in China. We considered seven climatic variables, three timepoints (current, 2050, and 2070), and three CO2 emission scenarios. Annual mean temperature, precipitation of the driest month, and annual precipitation were the most important variables predicting E. planirostris occurrence. This species has a much larger suitable habitat area in China than reflected by the current distribution, so the species is likely to spread from the Pearl River Delta to surrounding areas. Under future warming, its invasive range will expand northward in China. In conclusion, this study assessed the risk of invasion of this species and made recommendations for management and prevention.

First Record of the Greenhouse Frog Eleutherodactylus planirostris (Anura, Eleutherodactylidae) from San Andrés, Colombian Caribbean Islands

We report for the first time the greenhouse frog Eleutherodactylus planirostris from San Andrés, the largest Colombian Caribbean island. This record represents the second known frog species on the island, and the second invasive Eleutherodactylus species reported from Colombian territory. In addition, we describe and discuss the morphology and some aspects of the natural history of this newly documented and well-established population. Additional research about the ecological impacts of invasion of E. planirostris on natural ecosystems and native species of San Andrés are required.

Amphibian species vary in their learned avoidance response to the deadly fungal pathogen Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis

Abstract Lethal and sublethal effects of pathogens should theoretically select for host avoidance of these pathogenic organisms. Some amphibians can learn to avoid the pathogenic fungus Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis (Bd) after one infection‐clearance event. Here, we investigated whether four taxonomically distinct amphibians, Cuban tree frogs Osteopilus septentrionalis, southern toads Anaxyrus (Bufo) terrestris, greenhouse frogs Eleutherodactylus planirostris and pine woods tree frogs Hyla femoralis, exhibited any innate or learned avoidance of Bd on a moist substrate and, if so, what cues they used to identify the fungus. Cuban tree frogs, pine woods tree frogs and greenhouse frogs did not appear to exhibit detectable innate or learned avoidance of Bd. However, southern toads learned to avoid Bd after only one exposure. Southern toads avoided any treatment containing Bd metabolites but did not avoid treatments that lacked Bd metabolites even when dead zoospores were present. Bd metabolites appeared to be the cues that amphibians use to avoid Bd. These metabolites may have a distinct smell or may cause discomfort, which would be consistent with a classical or Pavlovian conditioning response. Synthesis and applications. Not all species of amphibians respond the same way to Bd exposure; some can learn to avoid Bd and the metabolites it produces, while others do not. These findings have important implications for both management practices and policy, and should be considered when developing disease models and conservation plans for amphibians.

First Records in El Salvador and New Distribution Records in Honduras for Eleutherodactylus planirostris Cope, 1862 (Anura, Eleutherodactylidae), with Comments on its Dispersal and Natural History

We registered the first three localities for the invasive frog Eleutherodactylus planirostris in El Salvador within urban sites, and four new localities in Honduras, including three new department records and the first record from a protected area in Honduras. We discuss the invasion progress of the species in these two countries and mention one of several possible ways in which this species is dispersing in Honduras and how some populations are occupying new habitats from their dispersal points.

Nuevos registros de la rana de invernadero <i>Eleutherodactylus planirostris</i> en Veracruz, México

Eleutherodactylus planirostris es una especie nativa de Cuba, Bahamas e Islas Caimán en el Mar Caribe que ha sido introducida accidentalmente a distintas partes del mundo, incluido el continente americano. Esta especie ha sido registrada en distintas localidades de Veracruz en el Golfo de México. Las tres nuevas localidades para esta especie reportadas en este estudio sugieren que podría estar distribuida ampliamente en la región.

Occurrence of Rat Lungworm (Angiostrongylus cantonensis) in Invasive Coqui Frogs (Eleutherodactylus coqui) and Other Hosts in Hawaii, USA

The rat lungworm (Angiostrongylus cantonensis) has emerged as an important human and animal health concern in Hawaii, US. Although the life cycle of the parasite requires both rat and gastropod hosts, other animals acting as paratenic hosts, such as frogs and centipedes, have been identified as sources of infection. We investigated the occurrence of rat lungworm infections in potential paratenic hosts in Hawaii to provide information on how they might be involved in transmission of angiostrongyliasis. We confirmed the presence of rat lungworm in 87% (21/24) of introduced Puerto Rican coqui frogs (Eleutherodactylus coqui) in Hilo, Hawaii, by real-time PCR. Additionally, four Cuban greenhouse frogs (Eleutherodactylus planirostris), two cane toads (Rhinella marina), and three centipedes (Scolopendra subspinipes) were found to be infected. In the frogs and toads, multiple tissue types were positive, including stomach and intestine, muscle, liver, heart, and brain, indicating larval migration. We identified rat lungworm infections in frogs, toads, and centipedes in Hawaii and highlighted the lack of knowledge of the role paratenic hosts may be playing in the transmission and life cycle maintenance of rat lungworm in Hawaii.

Island Hopping in a Biodiversity Hotspot Archipelago: Reconstructed Invasion History and Updated Status and Distribution of Alien Frogs in the Philippines1

Six alien frogs have been introduced in the Philippines: chronologically, Hylarana erythraea, Rhinella marina, Lithobates catesbeianus, Hoplobatrachus rugulosus, Kaloula pulchra, and Eleutherodactylus planirostris. Here, we collected and synthesized historical and geographical data to reconstruct their history of invasion and to update their current invasion status and distribution in the Philippines. Four pathway categories (falling in 8 subcategories) have facilitated their introduction: (1) intentional ‘release’ for biological control and hunting in the wild; (2) ‘escape’ from farms; (3) ‘contamination’ of agricultural commodities, fish stocks, and ornamental plants/nursery materials; and (4) ‘stowaway’ on container/bulk and (hitchhiker on) ship/boat – of which the last two were important in most recent introductions. Their spatio-temporal pattern of distribution showed a stratified-diffusion process of spread involving primarily leading-edge and long-distance dispersal. The pathways that facilitated their secondary (post-introduction) long-distance dispersal were either the same as those of their introduction or shifted over time. Estimation of rate of spread showed that H. erythraea, R. marina, H. rugulosus, and K. pulchra have not reached spatial saturation and are conditioning to spread, with the latter spreading fastest. The status of Lithobates catesbeianus, whether it successfully established or not, is undetermined. Meanwhile, the other alien frogs are now considered fully invasive species, of which R. marina is the most widespread, whereas E. planirostris is the least distributed. Our study provides science-based information that can help guide the development and implementation of pathway-specific measures to prevent and control future and current invasions by alien frogs.

Pathogen Dynamics in an Invasive Frog Compared to Native Species.

Emerging infectious diseases threaten the survival of wildlife populations and species around the world. In particular, amphibians are experiencing population declines and species extinctions primarily in response to two pathogens, the fungus Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis (Bd) and the iridovirus Ranavirus (Rv). Here, we use field surveys and quantitative (q)PCR to compare infection intensity and prevalence of Bd and Rv across species and seasons on Jekyll Island, a barrier island off the coast of Georgia, USA. We collected oral and skin swabs for 1year from four anuran species and three families, including two native hylids (Hyla cinerea and Hyla squirella), a native ranid (Rana sphenocephala), and the invasive rain frog Eleutherodactylus planirostris. Bd infection dynamics did not vary significantly over sampling months, but Rv prevalence and intensity were significantly higher in fall 2014 compared to spring 2015. Additionally, Rv prevalence and intensity were significantly higher in E. planirostris than in the other three species. Our study highlights the potential role of invasive amphibians as drivers of disease dynamics and demonstrates the importance of pathogen surveillance across multiple time periods and species to accurately capture the infectious disease landscape.

Survey of Ranavirus and Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis in Introduced Frogs in Hawaii, USA

Ranaviruses and the fungus Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis are globally important agents of emerging infectious amphibian diseases. Amphibians on Oahu, the Hawaiian Island with the greatest potential for disease introduction through the movement of goods and people, have never been surveyed for ranaviruses or B. dendrobatidis. We surveyed all five species of frogs on Oahu, Hawaii, US for these pathogens. Of 325 individuals sampled from six sites, none were positive for ranavirus. However, we found B. dendrobatidis in a total of four individuals of three species, the cane toad (Bufo marinus), the American bullfrog (Rana catesbeiana), and the greenhouse frog (Eleutherodactylus planirostris), but not in the green and black poison dart frog (Dendrobates auratus) or the Japanese wrinkled frog (Rana rugosa). The apparent lack of ranavirus and low prevalence of B. dendrobatidis are noteworthy given how widespread these pathogens are in terms of both global distribution and host range. Surveillance should continue to document any changes in B. dendrobatidis prevalence or the arrival of ranaviruses in Hawaii.

Depredación de Hemidactylus mabouia (Squamata: Gekkonidae) or Tropidophis pardalis (Serpentes: Tropidophiidae)

Se registra por primera vez la depredación, en vida libre, de la salamanquesa Hemidactylus mabouia (Moreau de Jonnés, 1818) por el Majacito Bobo Tropidophis pardalis (Gundlach, 1840). Además, se mencionan otros dos vertebrados, el lagarto Anolis porcatus Gray, 1841 (Squamata: Dactyloidae) y la ranita Eleutherodactylus planirostris (Cope, 1862), como presas de esta pequeña boa en la misma localidad.

Introduction of Eleutherodactylus planirostris (Amphibia, Anura, Eleutherodactylidae) to Hong Kong

An unidentified small frog species was first encountered in Hong Kong Special Administration Region (SAR), China, in 2000, where the local amphibian diversity is well-studied. We herein identified this unknown frog as Eleutherodactylus planirostris (greenhouse frog) using DNA barcoding. We found that its distribution in Hong Kong is widespread (>18 localities), and breeding has been observed in multiple occasions. The populations in at least four localities persisted for over seven years. We discuss its potential negative impacts to terrestrial ecosystems in Hong Kong, with particular concern of its potential competition with the endemic Liuixalus romeri . We call for studies to investigate the impacts of the introduced E. planirostris on the local ecosystem. Screening for E. planirostris in exported plants from Hong Kong should be carried out.

Monitoring cryptic amphibians and reptiles in a Florida state park.

We monitored cryptic herpetofauna at Savannas Preserve State Park, Florida, by combining artificial cover counts with a quantitative paradigm for constructing and calculating population indices. Weekly indices were calculated from two consecutive days of data collection each week for 7 months from mid-winter to mid-summer in three habitats. Seventeen species were observed at least once, and time trends using index values were followed for six species. Among these, abundance and seasonal pattern information were obtained for an exotic species (greenhouse frog) and a species identified by the Florida Committee on Rare and Endangered Plants and Animals as threatened (Florida scrub lizard). We identified winter as the optimal time in this area to monitor populations for conducting annual assessments. This combined observation and indexing approach could provide managers or researchers with an economical means to quantitatively index population trends for multiple cryptic herpetofauna species simultaneously. Using artificial cover to sample within a population indexing design can be generalized beyond monitoring herpetofauna. Other forms of artificial cover that can be used as observation stations include aquatic artificial substrates, artificial tree cavities, artificial reefs, and other artificial aquatic structures and artificial sea grass units, among many others, and a wide range of taxa are suitable for population monitoring using artificial cover as observation stations in the approach we present, including insects, soil invertebrates, micro and macro aquatic invertebrates, fish, crustaceans, and small mammals.

Diet of the Nonnative Greenhouse Frog (Eleutherodactylus planirostris) in Maui, Hawaii

Abstract The Greenhouse Frog (Eleutherodactylus planirostris) is one of the most widespread frog species in the world. Because of its high population densities, widespread distribution, and consumption of native invertebrates in some invaded sites, understanding its impacts in Hawaii is important. We analyzed stomach contents of 397 frogs from 10 study sites in Maui. Results suggest Greenhouse Frogs are active, ant-specialist predators in the leaf litter. Ants (Formicidae) were the dominant prey found in stomachs in both number and volume. Furthermore, only ants were consumed in a higher proportion than they were sampled in the environment. Because ants dominated their diets, and because all ants are nonnative to Hawaii, this means Greenhouse Frogs consumed primarily nonnative invertebrates (>80%) in the areas sampled. Although results suggest that most native taxa are not at risk from Greenhouse Frog predation, the only locations where we could currently find Greenhouse Frogs were in human-dominated lowl...

Expansion of the Range of the Introduced Greenhouse Frog,Eleutherodactylus planirostris, in Coastal Alabama

Eleutherodactylus planirostris (Greenhouse Frog), originally from Cuba, the Bahamas, and the Florida Keys, has been introduced to mainland Florida and has spread across the southeastern US. We used automated recording devices to determine the distribution and activity patterns of Greenhouse Frogs at 15 headwater-slope wetlands in Baldwin County, AL, during 2011 and 2012. We detected this species at 5 widely distributed wetlands confirming that the Greenhouse Frog has spread since its initial introduction to Alabama.

Seasonal Reproduction of the Greenhouse FrogEleutherodactylus planirostris(Anura: Eleutherodactylidae) in Havana, Cuba

The gonadal and fat body cycles and their relationship to environmental factors are described for the Antillean frog Eleutherodactylus planirostris during a seasonal cycle in Havana, Cuba. Reproduction was discontinuous in both sexes. Bimodal vitellogenesis was observed from April—October. The first vitellogenic wave occurred April—June. In August an ovarian weight downgrade was observed due to oviposition. The second wave was September—October. Spermatogenesis started in March, with a high spermatogenic activity during June and July, and ended in November. In both sexes, fat bodies varied seasonally and showed an inverse relationship to the gonadal cycle, which supports its possible role as an energetic reserve for reproduction. Temperature was the environmental factor that significantly influenced the vitellogenic activity. Photoperiod was inversely related to fat bodies of both sexes.

Evaluating the Effects of Land Use on Headwater Wetland Amphibian Assemblages in Coastal Alabama

Anthropogenic land use is known to impact aquatic ecosystems in several ways, including increased frequency and intensity of floods, stream channel incision, sedimentation, and loss of microtopography. Amphibians are susceptible to changes in wetland and surrounding habitats. This study evaluated amphibian assemblages of fifteen headwater slope wetlands in coastal Alabama across a gradient of land uses. Amphibians were surveyed on a seasonal basis and land use was delineated within wetland watersheds and within a 200-m buffer surrounding each wetland. Amphibian presence/absence and land use data were used to develop species occupancy models. Both urban and agricultural land use were shown to influence amphibian occurrence. Species richness ranged from five to ten species across sites; however, five species only occurred in wetlands surrounded by forested lands. Many species were detected more frequently on these wetlands compared to wetlands surrounded by urban or mixed land uses. Occupancy models showed Acris gryllus was negatively associated with the amount of agriculture within a buffer around the wetland. Hyla squirella, Lithobates clamitans, and L. sphenocephalus were positively associated with agricultural land within a watershed. Anaxyrus terrestris and the non-native Eleutherodactylus planirostris were positively associated with the amount of impervious surface area within the wetland buffer.

First record of the invasive greenhouse frog (Eleutherodactylus planirostris) in the Mexican Caribbean

Based on morphological identification and a molecular analysis of specimens collected in the urban zone of Playa del Carmen in the state of Quintana Roo, we report the first record of the invasive greenhouse frog (Eleutherodactylus planirostris) in the Mexican Caribbean. The presence of E. planirostris in the Yucatán Peninsula suggests an urgent need for research to evaluate its invasion and ecological impacts.