Natural History and Ecology of the Critically Endangered Puerto Rican Plains Coquí, Eleutherodactylus juanariveroi Ríos-López and Thomas, 2007 (Amphibia: Anura: Eleutherodactylidae) 1

Abstract

We documented the population dynamics and reproductive biology of Eleutherodactylus juanariveroi from a fresh water herbaceous wetland. The species’ population density increased only during the rainy months (May to November) and decreased during the dryer months (January to April). The species showed microhabitat selection for perching/calling, and for egg clutch deposition. Egg clutches were exclusively found on leaf axils of large individuals of Sagittaria lancifolia (bulltongue arrowhead). Eleutherodactylus juanariveroi has the second highest proportion of multiple clutches produced among Puerto Rican Eleutherodactylus. The species displays no parental care, making it the third species in the genus with no parental care. Egg masses in clutches are enclosed in a thick jelly layer, which is unique among Puerto Rican Eleutherodactylus. The species’ population dynamics is influenced by a synergism between availability of suitable sites for reproduction, rainfall seasonality, and a presumable important contribution from the species’ egg morphology as a reproductive strategy leading to high hatching success without parental care. Key