Eleutherodactylus cooki
Encyclopedia
Eleutherodactylus cooki, also known as the Puerto Rican Rock Frog, Puerto Rican Cave Dwelling Frog, Rock Coqui, and Guajon Coqui, and known locally as Coquí Guajón, or guajón for brevity, is a threatened frog species from the coqui
genus. It is a unique species of tropical frog that dwells primarily in crevices and grottos in the Cuchilla de Panduras mountain range in southeastern Puerto Rico
. The native name guajón is derived from its habitat, guajonales, which are caves formed by rock formations between huge stones. Despite being the state animal and considered emblematic of the region, of the 17 species of coquí, three are believed to be extinct and the rest are rare and declining in numbers. The guajón is extremely restricted in geographical distribution. The frog is threatened due to deforestation, agricultural, rural, and industrial development, and the associated infrastructure. The guajón is sometimes called the “demon of Puerto Rico" (demonio de Puerto Rico in Spanish) because of its eerie call and phantom-like appearance. The species was first described by American herpetologist, Chapman Grant
in 1932.
in color and size. The species is characterized by large truncate discs under the frogs’ feet and a peculiar, melodious, low voice completely different from any other coquí species in Puerto Rico.
. This species is one of sixteen species of the genus Eleutherodactylus, commonly known as “coquíes” that inhabit the island. The phylogenetics relations of frogs were established from the West Indies
, utilizing morphological characteristics belonging to the genera Eleutherodactylus. Three groups or classes were recognized for the West Indies
: Eleutherodactylus inoptatus
, Eleutherodactylus ricordii
, and Eleutherodactylus unistrigatus. This species is a member of the West Indies subset of the Eleutherodactylus unistrigatus group. The guajón is the second largest species of Eleutherodactylus in Puerto Rico
.
, and Yabucoa), and in the municipalities of Patillas, Humacao, and Las Piedras
in Puerto Rico
. The guajón occurs at low and intermediate elevations from 18 to 1183 feet (360.6 m) above sea level (36-360.7 meters above sea level) where they inhabit caves formed by large boulders of granite rock known as “guajonales” or streams with patches of rocks without cave systems. It is believed that it is limited in distribution by the rock formations where it occurs.
, construction and industrial development, runoff from the use of pesticides and fertilizers in agriculture, the use of caves as garbage dumps, and fire. It is a habitat specialist, meaning that it is adapted to particular environmental conditions, and abrupt changes in these conditions could result in population declines.
, due to its restricted distribution, specialized habitat utilization, and threats to their habitat. At the time, the United States Fish and Wildlife Service
determined designation of critical habitat not prudent. In 2003 the Center for Biological Diversity
filed a lawsuit compelling the Service to designate critical habitat and prepare a recovery plan for the species. The Center secured a settlement agreement with the Service and the Service published a final recovery plan for the species in 2004 and designated 260 acres (1.1 km²) in Puerto Rico as critical habitat in 2007. The guajón is also designated as vulnerable by the Puerto Rico Department of Natural and Environmental Resources, and is afforded protection by Commonwealth laws.
Coquí
The Common Coquí or Coquí is a frog native to Puerto Rico belonging to the Eleutherodactylus genus of the Leptodactylidae family. The species is named for the loud sound the males make at night. This sound serves two purposes...
genus. It is a unique species of tropical frog that dwells primarily in crevices and grottos in the Cuchilla de Panduras mountain range in southeastern Puerto Rico
Puerto Rico
Puerto Rico , officially the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico , is an unincorporated territory of the United States, located in the northeastern Caribbean, east of the Dominican Republic and west of both the United States Virgin Islands and the British Virgin Islands.Puerto Rico comprises an...
. The native name guajón is derived from its habitat, guajonales, which are caves formed by rock formations between huge stones. Despite being the state animal and considered emblematic of the region, of the 17 species of coquí, three are believed to be extinct and the rest are rare and declining in numbers. The guajón is extremely restricted in geographical distribution. The frog is threatened due to deforestation, agricultural, rural, and industrial development, and the associated infrastructure. The guajón is sometimes called the “demon of Puerto Rico" (demonio de Puerto Rico in Spanish) because of its eerie call and phantom-like appearance. The species was first described by American herpetologist, Chapman Grant
Chapman Grant
Chapman Grant was an American herpetologist, historian, and publisher. He was the last living grandson of United States President Ulysses S. Grant...
in 1932.
Description
Female guajóns are slightly larger than males, reaching a mean size of 2.01 inches (51.1 mm) in length whereas the males reach about 1.71 inches. Guajóns are solid brown with whitish under parts and large, white-rimmed eyes, giving them a phantom-like appearance. Breeding males and some females may have a yellow throat and abdomen. Therefore it is the only Eleutherodactylus species which exhibits sexual dimorphismSexual dimorphism
Sexual dimorphism is a phenotypic difference between males and females of the same species. Examples of such differences include differences in morphology, ornamentation, and behavior.-Examples:-Ornamentation / coloration:...
in color and size. The species is characterized by large truncate discs under the frogs’ feet and a peculiar, melodious, low voice completely different from any other coquí species in Puerto Rico.
Taxonomy
The guajón (Eleutherodactylus cooki) is a petricolous (i.e., inhabiting rocks) frog species endemic to the southeastern part of Puerto RicoPuerto Rico
Puerto Rico , officially the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico , is an unincorporated territory of the United States, located in the northeastern Caribbean, east of the Dominican Republic and west of both the United States Virgin Islands and the British Virgin Islands.Puerto Rico comprises an...
. This species is one of sixteen species of the genus Eleutherodactylus, commonly known as “coquíes” that inhabit the island. The phylogenetics relations of frogs were established from the West Indies
Caribbean
The Caribbean is a crescent-shaped group of islands more than 2,000 miles long separating the Gulf of Mexico and the Caribbean Sea, to the west and south, from the Atlantic Ocean, to the east and north...
, utilizing morphological characteristics belonging to the genera Eleutherodactylus. Three groups or classes were recognized for the West Indies
Caribbean
The Caribbean is a crescent-shaped group of islands more than 2,000 miles long separating the Gulf of Mexico and the Caribbean Sea, to the west and south, from the Atlantic Ocean, to the east and north...
: Eleutherodactylus inoptatus
Eleutherodactylus inoptatus
Eleutherodactylus inoptatus is a species of frog in the Leptodactylidae family.It is found in the Dominican Republic and Haiti.Its natural habitats are subtropical or tropical moist lowland forests, subtropical or tropical moist montanes, plantations , rural gardens, and heavily degraded former...
, Eleutherodactylus ricordii
Eleutherodactylus ricordii
Eleutherodactylus ricordii is a species of frog in the Leptodactylidae family.It is endemic to Cuba.Its natural habitats are subtropical or tropical moist lowland forests, subtropical or tropical moist montanes, and rocky areas....
, and Eleutherodactylus unistrigatus. This species is a member of the West Indies subset of the Eleutherodactylus unistrigatus group. The guajón is the second largest species of Eleutherodactylus in Puerto Rico
Puerto Rico
Puerto Rico , officially the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico , is an unincorporated territory of the United States, located in the northeastern Caribbean, east of the Dominican Republic and west of both the United States Virgin Islands and the British Virgin Islands.Puerto Rico comprises an...
.
Distribution and habitat
The guajón is restricted to the Cuchilla de Panduras mountain range (Maunabo, San LorenzoSan Lorenzo, Puerto Rico
San Lorenzo is a municipality of Puerto Rico located in the eastern central region, north of Patillas and Yabucoa; south of Gurabo; east of Caguas and Cayey; and west of Juncos and Las Piedras. San Lorenzo is spread over ten wards and San Lorenzo Pueblo...
, and Yabucoa), and in the municipalities of Patillas, Humacao, and Las Piedras
Las Piedras, Puerto Rico
Las Piedras is a municipality in east Puerto Rico located in the center region of the island, north of Yabucoa; south of Canóvanas and Río Grande; east of Juncos and San Lorenzo; and west of Naguabo and Humacao. Las Piedras is spread over 7 wards and Las Piedras Pueblo...
in Puerto Rico
Puerto Rico
Puerto Rico , officially the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico , is an unincorporated territory of the United States, located in the northeastern Caribbean, east of the Dominican Republic and west of both the United States Virgin Islands and the British Virgin Islands.Puerto Rico comprises an...
. The guajón occurs at low and intermediate elevations from 18 to 1183 feet (360.6 m) above sea level (36-360.7 meters above sea level) where they inhabit caves formed by large boulders of granite rock known as “guajonales” or streams with patches of rocks without cave systems. It is believed that it is limited in distribution by the rock formations where it occurs.
Population Trends
The hidden and complex habitats where the guajón occurs makes it difficult to study and therefore, little detailed information is known about its population’s status and distribution or the health of known populations. The species is extremely limited in geographic distribution and habitat requirements. Populations of species with a small range, or restricted to a specific habitat, are most susceptible to loss or depletions because of localized human activities that change their habitats. The habitat of this species is naturally fragmented and the majority of the known populations are on private land where increased levels of land development are occurring. The guajón is threatened by deforestationDeforestation
Deforestation is the removal of a forest or stand of trees where the land is thereafter converted to a nonforest use. Examples of deforestation include conversion of forestland to farms, ranches, or urban use....
, construction and industrial development, runoff from the use of pesticides and fertilizers in agriculture, the use of caves as garbage dumps, and fire. It is a habitat specialist, meaning that it is adapted to particular environmental conditions, and abrupt changes in these conditions could result in population declines.
Protection Status
The guajón was listed as threatened on June 11, 1997 pursuant to the Endangered Species Act of 1973Endangered Species Act
The Endangered Species Act of 1973 is one of the dozens of United States environmental laws passed in the 1970s. Signed into law by President Richard Nixon on December 28, 1973, it was designed to protect critically imperiled species from extinction as a "consequence of economic growth and...
, due to its restricted distribution, specialized habitat utilization, and threats to their habitat. At the time, the United States Fish and Wildlife Service
United States Fish and Wildlife Service
The United States Fish and Wildlife Service is a federal government agency within the United States Department of the Interior dedicated to the management of fish, wildlife, and natural habitats...
determined designation of critical habitat not prudent. In 2003 the Center for Biological Diversity
Center for Biological Diversity
The Center for Biological Diversity based in Tucson, Arizona, is a nonprofit membership organization with approximately 220,000 members and online activists, known for its work protecting endangered species through legal action and scientific petitions...
filed a lawsuit compelling the Service to designate critical habitat and prepare a recovery plan for the species. The Center secured a settlement agreement with the Service and the Service published a final recovery plan for the species in 2004 and designated 260 acres (1.1 km²) in Puerto Rico as critical habitat in 2007. The guajón is also designated as vulnerable by the Puerto Rico Department of Natural and Environmental Resources, and is afforded protection by Commonwealth laws.
See also
- List of amphibians and reptiles of Puerto Rico
- Fauna of Puerto RicoFauna of Puerto RicoThe fauna of Puerto Rico is similar to other island archipelago faunas, with high endemism, and low, skewed taxonomic diversity. Bats are the only extant native terrestrial mammals in Puerto Rico. All other terrestrial mammals in the area were introduced by humans, and include species such as cats,...
- List of endemic fauna of Puerto Rico