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Potentially Misidentified Species:
The enlarged climbing toe disks aid in identifying Osteopilus septentrionalis as
a member of the treefrog (Hylidae) family. In Florida the large size and
general appearance also allow . septentrionalis to be distinguished from
co-occurring treefrogs. The largest native treefrog, the barking treefrog
(Hyla gratiosa) is less than 75mm in length, and the statewide common green
treefrog (H. cinerea) only grows to around 60mm (NSiS).
Juvenile Cuban treefrogs are more difficult to positively identify than adults.
II. HABITAT AND DISTRIBUTION
Regional Occurrence:
The native range of O. septentrionalis includes Cuba, the Isla de Pinos, the
Bahamas, and the Cayman Islands (Duellman and Crombie 1970).
Cuban treefrogs now occur throughout peninsular Florida, with breeding
populations found as far north as Jacksonville on the east coast and as far
north as Cedar Key on the Gulf Coast. Individuals (but not breeding pairs)
have been reported from the Florida panhandle and also from coastal Georgia and
South Carolina (Johnson 2007). A population introduced to Hawaii has
reportedly been extirpated (Banks et al. 2004).
IRL Distribution:
Osteopilus septentrionalis is established in all six counties of the IRL watershed.
III. LIFE HISTORY AND POPULATION BIOLOGY
Age, Size, Lifespan:
Osteopilus septentrionalis is the largest treefrog in Florida, with males
typically growing to 90 mm in body length and females usually
reaching 125 mm and possibly as much as 140 mm (Behler 1979,
Ashton and Ashton 1988, Carmichael and Williams 1991, Conant
and Collins 1991).
Cuban treefrogs are long-lived, with a lifespan of approximately
5-10 years (Mattison 1987).
Abundance:
Osteopilus septentrionalis is abundant throughout its introduced Florida range,
particularly in coastal counties and in the southern half of the state.
There is concern among Florida wildlife managers that the population will
expand to the point where it will represent a serious ecological issue, and
researchers are investigating a specific chemical deterrent as a future
management tool (Johnson 2007).
Reproduction:
The breeding season in Florida coincides with the wet season, persisting from
May through October (Behler 1979). Beginning around March and lasting through
the breeding season, the distinctive grating/scraping mating croak of calling males is commonly detected (Duellman and Schwartz 1958, GSMFC).
Males mature at around 40 mm length and the much larger females mature at 50 mm or larger. Mating occurs in ponds and along lake margins, in
drainage ditches and other ephemeral water bodies, and in pools, cisterns, and
other manmade structures. During mating, females will lay an egg mass that is
externally fertilized by males. The fertilized egg mass floats in a sheet at the water's surface
until hatching (Behler 1979, Ashton and Ashton 1988). The size of the egg
mass varies based on the size of the female; numbers ranging from 130 to
3,000 eggs have been reported. Large females can produce more than 15,000 eggs
during the course of a breeding season (Johnson 2007).
Embryology:
The eggs are around 3 mm when they hatch into tadpoles one to two days after
fertilization (Duellman and Schwartz 1958). At 20 hours post-hatching,
tadpoles are around 2 mm from snout to vent with a tail length of about 4 mm.
They reach a size of 26-32 mm at metamorphosis, occurring usually 30-60 days after
hatching.
Temperature:
Cuban treefrogs are reportedly limited to geographical areas where daytime
temperatures typically range between 23-29°C and where temperatures usually
remain above 10°C. Hiwever, the persistence of breeding populations in north
Florida where seasonal freeze events occur indicate that these temperature limits are not
absolute (Johnson 2007). Similar to other treefrogs, Osteopilus septentrionalis
prefers areas of high humidity.
Salinity:
While no amphibian has entirely successfully invaded the marine environment,
Osteopilus septentrionalis is capable of reproducing in water of
relatively high salinity, for example, in brackish or salt-maintained swimming
pools (Ashton and Ashton 1988).
V. COMMUNITY ECOLOGY
Trophic Mode:
Cuban treefrogs are recognized as voracious predators that readily consume any
prey items that are small enough to catch and eat. Insects and insect larvae, spiders,
other invertebrates, lizards, and other frogs make up much of the diet
(Carmichael and Williams 1991, Conant and Collins 1991).
Osteopilus septentrionalis is an ambush predator often observed near lights waiting to
feed on insects attracted by the illumination (Johnson 2007).
Associated Species:
Cuban treefrogs in Florida are important prey items in the diets of a number of aquatic and terrestrial snakes (Carmichael and Williams, 1991).
VI. INVASION INFORMATION
Invasion History:
The first reports of the Cuban treefrog occurring in the United States date to
1931 from Key West, although the species likely existed there well before it
was reported. Introduction was likely accidental, e.g., as undetected
stowaways in import vegetables from Cuba (Behler 1979). By the early 1950s, Osteopilus septentrionalis was present in most of the Keys, and by 1952 specimens were
turning up in mainland Florida (Miami) as well (Schwartz 1952). Northward
range expansion continued such that the species was confirmed present in
Broward County by 1960, and in St. Lucie and Indian River counties less than 20
years later (King 1960, Myers 1977). Range expansion continued on the Gulf
coast of Florida such that the species was confirmed in Naples by 1970
and in Fort Meyers and Sanibel Island by the early 1980s (Duellman and Crombie
1970, Wilson and Porras 1983). The species is now established on the east
coast of Florida as far north as Jacksonville.
Unintended introduction of O. septentrionalis to new locations in the state is
no doubt still facilitated through the unintentional transportation of
individuals hidden in shipping crates or on potted plants and shrubs
transplanted into new locations (Behler 1979).
Potential to Compete With Natives:
Cuban treefrogs will eat smaller native frogs, preying on them as they attempt
to utilize the same breeding sites (Allen and Neill 1953, Carmichael and
Williams 1991). The larger size of the Cuban treefrogs likely also gives them
an advantage in traditional competitive interactions with native species.
Laboratory experiments have demonstrated that Osteopilus septentrionalis tadpoles are
competitive dominants in interactions with tadpoles of two native species, and
anecdotal reports from Florida homeowners suggests that adult O.
septentrionalis are replacing natives in backyard ecological communities
(Johnson 2007).
Possible Economic Consequences of Invasion:
Large-scale economic effects of exotic Cuban treefrogs in Florida have yet to
be reported, although the species can be a nuisance animal, e.g., entering
homes and getting into and possibly disrupting the function of outdoor
electrical boxes (Johnson 2007). The skin secretions of this frog can be
irritating, especially to highly sensitive people (Carmichael and Williams
1991).
VII.
REFERENCES
Allen E.R., and W.T. Neill. 1953. The treefrog Hyla septentrionalis in
Florida. Copeia 1953:127-128.
Ashton R.E., and P.S. Ashton. 1988. Handbook Of Reptiles And Amphibians of
Florida. Part Three The Amphibians. Windward Publishing, Inc., Lakeville MN.
191 p.
Banks R.C., McDiarmid R.W, Gardner A.L., and W.C. Starnes. 2004. Checklist of
vertebrates of the United States, the U.S. Territories,and Canada. U.S. Dept of
Interior. 79 p.
Behler J.L. 1979. The Audubon Society Field Guide to North American Retiles and
Amphibians. Alfred A. Knopf, Inc. New York. 743 p.
Carmichael P., and W. Williams. 1991. Florida's Fabulous Reptiles and
Amphibians. World Publications, Tampa, FL. 120 p.
Conant R., and J.T. Collins. 1991. Reptiles And Amphibians. Eastern/Central
North America. Houghton Mifflin Company, Boston. 450 p.
Duellman W.E., and A. Schwartz. 1958. Amphibians and reptiles of southern
Florida. Bulletin of the Florida Museum 3:181-324.
Duellman W.E., and R.I. Crombie. 1970. Pages 92.1-92.4 in: Reimer W.J. (Ed.).
Catalogue Of American Amphibians And Reptiles. American Society Of
Ichthyologists And Herpetologists.
Johnson S.A. 2006. The Cuban Treefrog (Osteopilus septentrionalis) in
Florida. UF/IFAS document is WEC218. Available online.
King W. 1960. New populations of West Indian reptiles and amphibians in
southeastern Florida. Quarterly Journal of the Florida Academy Science
23:71-73.
Mattison C. 1987. Frogs and Toads of the World. Facts On File Publications, New
York. 191 p.
Myers S. 1977. Geographic distribution: Osteopilus septentrionalis.
Herpetology Review 8:38.
Wilson L.D., and L. Porras. 1983. The ecological impact of man on the south
Florida herpetofauna. University of Kansas Museum of Natural History, Special
Publication No. 9, Lawrence KA. 89p.
Report by:
J. Masterson, Smithsonian Marine Station
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