Conservation Efforts for the Puerto Rican Mountain Coqui (Anura: Eleutherodactylidae: Eleutherodactylus portoricensis Schmidt, 1927): Reproductive Biology in Captivity

Abstract

Abstract: Local and international herpetologists assert that the Puerto Rican Mountain Coqui, Eleutherodactylus portoricensis, has become locally extinct in all historic geographic distribution in the mountain forests of the Cordillera Central to western Puerto Rico, and that the species still experiences drastic population declines in the Sierra de Luquillo, eastern Puerto Rico. A species once though abundant throughout high elevation forests in Puerto Rico, these declines and local extirpations are difficult to explain, which resulted in the species listed vulnerable (local level) and endangered (IUCN) in need for immediate ex situ conservation efforts. We established the first ex situ conservation plan for E. portoricensis and herein document the first reproductive events of the species in captivity. We describe its amplexus, developmental period of clutches, oophagy, and use various elements provided in terrariums. We also discuss our trial and error events, and provide husbandry guidelines for this species that may expand our knowledge on keeping and breeding Eleutherodactylus frogs in need for ex situ conservation efforts.