Introduced Amphibians And Reptiles In The Greater Caribbean: Patterns And Conservation Implications

Origins and Genetic Diversity of Introduced Populations of the Puerto Rican Red-Eyed Coquí,Eleutherodactylus antillensis, in Saint Croix (U.S. Virgin Islands) and Panamá

“…Further, prevailing surface currents in the eastern Caribbean Sea travel in a northwestern direction, which makes transport of flotsam from the Puerto Rican Bank to Saint Croix exceedingly difficult (Heatwole and MacKenzie, 1967). Whereas several studies have documented human-mediated transport of Eleutherodactylus frogs among Caribbean islands (Platenberg, 2007; Powell et al, 2011), and to mainland countries (Crawford et al, 2011; Heinicke et al, 2011; Cedeño-Vázquez et al, 2014) in the past 100–200 years, none has reported evidence of colonization of islands by these anurans via rafting over the same time period. For instance, E. coqui (Common Coquí), a co-distributed relative of E. antillensis , was introduced to Saint Croix, Saint John, and Saint Thomas (Schwartz and Thomas, 1975; Schwartz and Henderson, 1991), most likely as a result of horticultural and landscaping imports from Puerto Rico (Platenberg, 2007).…”

“…For instance, E. coqui (Common Coquí), a co-distributed relative of E. antillensis , was introduced to Saint Croix, Saint John, and Saint Thomas (Schwartz and Thomas, 1975; Schwartz and Henderson, 1991), most likely as a result of horticultural and landscaping imports from Puerto Rico (Platenberg, 2007). Additionally, E. lentus (Mute Frog) was likely introduced to Jost Van Dyke in the British Virgin Islands (Perry, 2009), and E. johnstonei (Johnstone’s Whistling Frog) was introduced to Tortola and Jost Van Dyke in the British Virgin Islands (Powell et al, 2011). The nearly ubiquitous presence of E. antillensis in residential gardens and plant nurseries in Puerto Rico (Joglar, 1998), frequent transport of horticultural and landscaping materials across the Puerto Rican Bank and Saint Croix, and a long history of species introductions in Saint Croix (Platenberg, 2007) point to accidental or intentional transport of individuals and/or eggs of E. antillensis to this island.…”

“…Eleutherodactylus antillensis was doubtfully reported from Saint Croix at the beginning of the 20th century (Stejneger, 1904; Barbour, 1914). The frog’s presence on the island was confirmed in the late 1930s, but its occurrence presumably was the result of a deliberate release of an unknown number of individuals (Grant and Beatty, 1944; Powell et al, 2011). However, another report suggested that the species may be native to Saint Croix (Hedges, 1999).…”

Gymnophthalmus underwoodi Grant, 1958 (Reptilia: Gymnophthalmidae), a new record for the island of Montserrat

“…Whether the colonization of G. underwoodi on Montserrat represents a natural or artificial introduction is uncertain, as the origin of this lizard remains ambiguous on many islands in the archipelago (Daniells et al 2008, Breuil 2009, Powell et al 2011. Unisexual species, such as G. underwoodi, may have an easier time dispersing and establishing new populations than bisexual species since a population of the former could descend from a single individual.…”

First record of the invasive Brown Anole, Anolis sagrei Duméril & Bibron, 1837 (Squamata: Iguanidae: Dactyloinae), in South America

“…These events are caused mainly by anthropogenic activities, such as the pet trade, ornamental plant trade, and tourism (Powell et al 2011;Tan & Lim 2012). Herein, we report for the first time the occurrence of A. sagrei in South America, based on records from Ecuador.…”