Keeping on the topic of invasive species, go back to the National Geographic article "Alien Invaders” from last week or linked below. Pick one of the species listed and write a 500 - 750 word description (click "add new discussion”) of your species. The description needs to include:
You will need to do outside research to fully answer these questions. Read your classmates' descriptions and respond to at least one. In your response, compare their species to the one you picked. If you picked the same, simply discuss similarities in your findings.
Coqui Tree Frogs are native to Puerto Rico and were accidentally introduced to Hawaii because these frogs were hiding in a shipment of plants to the island. These frogs are very small (smaller than 2.5 cm) and have a rounder body shape that are found on the ground level of different trees and bushes. These tree frogs have no natural predators and no competitors meaning this particular tree frog’s population is not in check and therefore has skyrocketed Hawaii’s numbers above Puerto Rico’s numbers. This frog eats a lot of insects which takes food away from other species, and takes away insects who are valuable in the pollination process. The only potential predators for these frogs would be snakes if they were to arrive on the islands of Hawaii that these frogs invaded. Coqui tree frogs have very loud voices that are around 90 decibals, and breeding males co-KEE all night long trying to summon a mate. These frogs have decreased the property value in Hawaii and failure to report one of these frogs on your property when you sell it can lead to getting sued. On the subject of the economy, tourism is hurting in Hawaii because of these particular frogs.
The National Wildlife Federation describes the Puerto Rican coqui as “a small arboreal frog that’s brown, yellow, or green in color and does not have webbed feet.” Because the coqui do not have webbed feet, they cannot swim like other frogs, but these frogs can climb. This article gives more information about their native range. They are originally from Puerto Rico and have been introduced to the U.S. Virgin Islands, Hawaii, Florida greenhouses, and in some Louisiana greenhouses. In the Virgin Islands, they live peacefully, but everywhere else they are considered an invasive species or a "pest". The coqui frogs spend their nights in the trees and then retreat to the ground level of the forests right before morning. Something interesting the National Wildlife Federation points out is the reproduction and growth process. These frogs do not have a tadpole stage. Because of this, their tails emerge from the eggs. The National Wildlife Federation also mentions how the father of the eggs stays with them for a couple of days after hatching to protect them from potential predators as well as keeping them from drying out.
The coqui tree frogs are impacting endemic and native species by reducing the number of flying invertebrates which then impacts plant species. In Hawaii, they are focusing more on containment and the prevention of spread of these tiny frogs to other islands and other states in the United States. Although there efforts have not been entirely successful, there are still some guidelines in place to make sure these little creatures do not cause problems anywhere else. In Kaui, extensive efforts are in place to eradicate the species and Kaui was considered “coqui-free” in June of 2012. In Oahu, the frogs have been eradicated, but some frogs are still found in plant nurseries and with the Oahu Coqui Frog group. It is apparent that it takes extensive efforts to eradicate these frogs, but not all of the frogs are responding to these eradication efforts.
https://www.nwf.org/Educational-Resources/Wildlife-Guide/Amphibians/Puerto-Rican-Coqui
https://mauiinvasive.org/coqui-frog/