Characterizing Coqui frogs in Phipps Conservatory and Botanical Gardens


SOCIETY FOR INTEGRATIVE AND COMPARATIVE BIOLOGY
2021 VIRTUAL ANNUAL MEETING (VAM)
January 3 – Febuary 28, 2021

Meeting Abstract


P26-6  Sat Jan 2  Characterizing Coqui frogs in Phipps Conservatory and Botanical Gardens Moore, H J*; Bischof, K; McClelland, S; Wheeler, M; States, S; Freeman, P; Woodley, S; Duquesne University; Duquesne University; Duquesne University; Phipps Conservatory and Botanical Gardens; Phipps Conservatory and Botanical Gardens; Duquesne University moore.haleyjo@gmail.com

Billions of pounds of chemicals are used annually to control pests, despite concerns for human, wildlife, and ecosystem health. However, public gardens have long been champions of non-chemical pest control methods. In 2008, 18 male and female Coqui Frogs (Eleutherodactylus coqui) were introduced to Phipps Conservatory and Botanical Gardens as a means of pest control. Coqui Frogs are small terrestrial frogs from the neotropics that breed year-round in suitable conditions. To determine the viability of this captive population, we analyzed population size and reproductive activity using exhaustive captures and male calling, an indicator of mating. Environmental parameters and frog morphology were also recorded. Since their initial introduction into a single room, the Coqui Frogs have expanded to 3 additional rooms. Using data from exhaustive captures, and assuming a 1:1 male to female ratio, there are at least 50 adult Coqui Frogs currently in Phipps, indicating population growth. We observed calling year-round with a positive relationship between calling and outside temperature and humidity. This study provides new insights into the breeding patterns and expansion of an unmanaged, captive population of frogs, opening opportunities of mark recapture studies using VIE tagging.

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