Common Coqui
Eleutherodactylus coqui
Summary 4
The common coquí or coquí (Eleutherodactylus coqui) is a frog native to Puerto Rico belonging to the Eleutherodactylidae family. The species is named for the loud call the males make at night. This sound serves two purposes. 'CO' serves to repel males and establish territory while the 'QUI' serves to attract females. Since the auditory systems of males and females respond preferentially to different notes of the male call, this is an example of a sex...
Diagnosis 5
Full-grown male coquís measure, from snout to vent, from 30 to 37 mm, with an average of 34 mm, while full-grown females measure from 36 to 52 mm, with an average of 41 mm. The size differences between genders are a result of additional energy consumption related to breeding behavior by males.[1] In Hawaii, it is distinguished from the Greenhouse frog by the smooth (rather than rough skin for the Greenhouse frog) skin, and the dull skin which does not have much diversity of pattern or coloration (usually dull white or dull gray-brown).
Contrary to popular belief and artistic renditions, which depict the species as green, coquís commonly have a gray or gray-brown coloration. Unlike many frogs, coquís do not possess swimming membranes between their digits, and are not adapted to swimming. However, like all tree frogs, they possess small pads on the tips of their toes which help them adhere to moistened or slippery surfaces.[2]
Conservation 5
They are considered invasive in Hawaii and efforts are being taken to stop their reproduction.
Sources and Credits 5
- Henderson and Schwartz, p. 42.
- Species profile Eleutherodactylus coqui. Available from: http://www.iucngisd.org/gisd/species.php?sc=105. "Global Invasive Species Database (GISD) 2015". www.iucngisd.org.
Sources and Credits
- (c) California Department of Fish and Wildlife, some rights reserved (CC BY), https://www.flickr.com/photos/californiadfg/28237032356/
- (c) Wilfredo Falcón, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC), uploaded by Wilfredo Falcón, https://www.flickr.com/photos/wfalcon/1912208122/
- (c) Luis J. Villanueva, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC-SA), https://www.flickr.com/photos/ljvillanueva/8432063133/
- Adapted by calebcam from a work by (c) Wikipedia, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA), http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eleutherodactylus_coqui
- (c) calebcam, some rights reserved (CC BY-ND)
