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Strategic Habitat Conservation and Adaptive Strategies for the Conservation of Coqui Frogs in Puerto Rico

Photo courtesy Alan Cressler

Project Information

Proposed Project Completion: June 2023. This project is Phase II of Climate Change Implications for the Conservation of Amphibians in Tropical Environments.
Principal Investigator(s): Jaime Collazo, USGS North Carolina Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit
Co-Investigator(s):
Alberto Puente Rolon, University of Puerto Rico-Mayaguez
Eloy Martinez, Eastern Illinois University
Mitchell Eaton, Southeast Climate Adaptation Science Center
Rayna Bell, Smithsonian Institution
Adam J Terando, Southeast Climate Adaptation Science Center
Implements Science Plan Theme: Adaptation

Key Points

  • Advanced scientific understanding of culturally important group of frogs
  • Helped government agencies make conservation decisions for endangered frogs
  • Located where ideal habitat is in Puerto Rico and considered the costs and benefits of relocation as a conservation strategy

Overview

The genus Eleutherodactylus is a culturally significant group of frogs native to Puerto Rico called the coquí. Several species of coquí are currently threatened. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the Puerto Rico Department of Natural and Environmental Resources are working together to help the recovery of two endangered coquí species. This plan will also aim to reduce the threats to 14 other coquí species.

This project has three goals. First, we will run lab and field experiments to measure the frogs’ reactions to environmental stressors. We will focus on four representative species. Second, we will map the genetic structure of these species, finding links between different populations. We will also identify where genetic diversity is high in Puerto Rico. Third, we will help agencies develop conservation strategies. We will focus on two adaptation actions: relocating species to new habitats and identifying habitats that could be resilient to climate change.

This research will help inform decision-making for the recovery of these frogs. It will help decide when relocation to a new habitat may be better than managing a population in its current location. Data collected will also help identify ‘areas of conservation interest.’ These areas would be where relocated populations may move to. The methods used in this research could be applied to help future studies make recovery plans for other threatened species.