Eleutherodactylus coqui
| Common coquí | |
|---|---|
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| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Amphibia |
| Order: | Anura |
| Family: | Leptodactylidae |
| Genus: | Eleutherodactylus |
| Subgenus: | Eleutherodactylus |
| Species: | E. coqui |
| Binomial name | |
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Eleutherodactylus coqui Thomas, 1966 |
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 The coqui's distinct calls may be heard here, and here.
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The common coquí or coquí (Eleutherodactylus coqui) is a frog native to Puerto Rico belonging to the Eleutherodactylidae family. The species is named for the loud call the males make at night. This sound serves two purposes. "CO" serves to repel males and establish territory while the "KEE" serves to attract females. Since the auditory systems of males and females respond preferentially to different notes of the male call, this is an example of a sex difference in a sensory system. The common coquí is a very important aspect of Puerto Rican culture, and it has become an unofficial territorial symbol of Puerto Rico.
The common coquí was described by R. Thomas in 1966. It belongs to the Eleutherodactylus genus which in Greek means free toes. This genus contains 185 species, which are found in the Southern United States, Central America, South America, and the Caribbean.
Full-grown male coquís measure, from snout to vent, from 30 to 37 mm, with an average of 34 mm, while full-grown females measure from 36 to 52 mm, with an average of 41 mm. The size differences between genders are a result of additional energy consumption related to breeding behavior by males.
Contrary to popular belief and artistic renditions, which depict the species as green, coquís commonly have a gray or gray-brown coloration. Unlike many frogs, coquís do not possess swimming membranes between their digits, and are not adapted to swimming. However, like all tree frogs, they possess small pads on the tips of their toes which help them adhere to moistened or slippery surfaces.
Common coquís are native to the islands of Puerto Rico, Vieques and Culebra, where they are widespread and abundant; the only notable exception occurs in Puerto Rican dry forests, where the species is rarer. The common coquí is the most abundant frog in Puerto Rico, with densities estimated at 20,000 individuals/ha. Densities fluctuate depending on the season and habitat. Generally, densities are higher during the latter half of the wet season and decrease during the dry season. The species is considered a habitat generalist, occurring in a wide range of habitats, including mesic broadleaf forests, mountains, and urban areas, found in bromeliads, tree holes, and under trunks, rocks or trash. Since the species does not require bodies of water to reproduce, they can be found on most altitudes, provided sufficient moisture is available. In Puerto Rico, they are found from sea level to a maximum of 1,200 m (3,900 ft). Adults generally tend to be found at higher altitudes than juveniles.
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Wikipedia