Cuban Treefrogs, Osteopilus septentrionalis (Duméril & Bibron 1841) (Anura: Hylidae), and other nonindigenous herpetofauna interdicted in Grenada, Lesser Antilles.

Authors

Louis A. Somma, Florida State Collection of ArthropodsFollow
Paul R. Graham, Grenada Ministry of Agriculture, Lands, Forestry and FisheriesFollow

Date of this Version

3-2015

Citation

Somma, L. A. & P. R. Graham. 2015. Cuban Treefrogs, Osteopilus septentrionalis (Duméril & Bibron 1841) (Anura: Hylidae), and other nonindigenous herpetofauna interdicted in Grenada, Lesser Antilles. Reptiles & Amphibians 22(1):40-42.

Comments

Reptiles & Amphibians (IRCF) 22(1):40-42.
Copyright © 2015. Louis A. Somma.

Abstract

The number of introduced nonindigenous species of amphibians and reptiles within the greater Caribbean, including Grenada, is escalating and has become an ever-increasing critical conservation concern (Daudin and de Silva 2011; Powell et al. 2011; Powell and Henderson 2012). The amount of development, tourism, and consequent import commerce is increasing, requiring careful regulation of the pet trade and fauna introduced for biological control as well as diligence in cargo inspection. Herein we document the first records of nonindigenous Cuban Treefrogs, Osteopilus septentrionalis (Duméril and Bibron 1841), interdicted from cargo, along with recent interceptions of two species of nonindigenous lizards already established on Grenada in the Lesser Antilles.

Osteopilus septentrionalis is indigenous to Cuba and portions of The Bahamas, with nonindigenous populations established in Florida, USA, Costa Rica, and a number of islands throughout the Caribbean (Meshaka 2001, 2011; Kraus 2009; Rödder and Weinsheimer 2009; Krysko et al. 2011a, 2011b; Powell et al. 2011; Powell and Henderson 2012; Somma 2012; Rivalta González 2014). This highly invasive and potentially ecologically injurious hylid is established on several islands in the Lesser Antilles. Within the Grenada Bank, it is known only on Mustique (Kraus 2009; Powell et al. 2011; Henderson and Breuil 2012; Somma 2012; Yokoyama 2012). On 9 November 2013, an adult O. septentrionalis (UF-Herpetology 174214) was collected from ornamental horticultural cargo by PRG at the main shipping port in Saint George’s Harbour, Grenada Island, Grenada (12.047808°N, 61.748347°W, datum WGS84).