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The Nonindigenous Occurrences section of the NAS species profiles has a new structure. The section is now dynamically updated from the NAS database to ensure that it contains the most current and accurate information. Occurrences are summarized in Table 1, alphabetically by state, with years of earliest and most recent observations, and the tally and names of drainages where the species was observed. The table contains hyperlinks to collections tables of specimens based on the states, years, and drainages selected. References to specimens that were not obtained through sighting reports and personal communications are found through the hyperlink in the Table 1 caption or through the individual specimens linked in the collections tables.




Eleutherodactylus planirostris
Eleutherodactylus planirostris
(Greenhouse Frog)
Amphibians-Frogs
Exotic

Copyright Info
Eleutherodactylus planirostris (Cope, 1862)

Common name: Greenhouse Frog

Synonyms and Other Names: Euhyas planirostris

Taxonomy: available through www.itis.govITIS logo

Identification: Eleutherodactylus planirostris is a tiny striped or variably mottled frog, with an adult SVL (snout-vent length) of 16-32 mm (5/8-1.25 in) (Conant and Collins, 1998; Kraus and Thomas, 2009). Generally their dorsal color is brown, but often has distinct reddish or orange tones (Schwartz and Henderson, 1991; Conant and Collins, 1998). Unlike Eleutherodactylus coqui, the coqui, and some of our indigenous hylids (treefrogs), greenhouse frogs have indistinct toe pads (disks) and reddish eyes (Conant and Collins, 1998; Powell et al., 1998). DNA analysis may be required to separate this species from other closely related eleutherodactylids (Crawford et al., 2011). The mostly developed young have a tiny tail at hatching (Behler and King, 1979; Conant and Collins, 1998). The call of this diminutive frog is a soft, melodious, series of irregular chirps, usually 4-5 in a series (Deckert, 1921; Goin, 1955; Conant and Collins, 1998; Elliott et al., 2009). After rain or during balmy summer nights in Florida, these barely audible calls are easily mistaken for the sound produced by small crickets (Somma, personal observation). Recordings of the calls of E. planirostris are available on CDs (Library of Natural Sounds, 1996; Elliott et al., 2009) and online (Kraus and Thomas, 2009).

Greenhouse frogs have been illustrated by many authors (Wright and Wright, 1949; Smith, 1978; Behler and King, 1979; Ashton and Ashton, 1988; Dundee and Rossman, 1989; Carmichael and Williams, 1991; Conant and Collins, 1998; Bartlett and Bartlett, 1999; Dorcas and Gibbons, 2008; Jensen, 2008; Kraus and Thomas, 2009; Elliot et al., 2009; Meshaka, 2011).

Size: SVL (snout-vent length) of 16-32 mm.

Native Range: Eleutherodactylus planirostris is indigenous to Cuba, the Cayman Islands, and the northern Bahamas (Barbour and Ramsden, 1919; Schwartz, 1974; Schwartz and Thomas, 1975; Frost, 1985; Schwartz and Henderson, 1985, 1991; Powell et al., 1996; Estrada and Ruibal, 1999; Hedges, 1999; Kraus, 2008; Elliott et al., 2009; Echternacht et al., 2011; Heinicke et al., 2011).

Hydrologic Unit Codes (HUCs) Explained
Interactive maps: Point Distribution Maps

Nonindigenous Occurrences:

Table 1. States with nonindigenous occurrences, the earliest and latest observations in each state, and the tally and names of HUCs with observations†. Names and dates are hyperlinked to their relevant specimen records. The list of references for all nonindigenous occurrences of Eleutherodactylus planirostris are found here.

StateFirst ObservedLast ObservedTotal HUCs with observations†HUCs with observations†
AL198220136Escatawpa; Mobile Bay; Mobile-Tensaw; Perdido; Perdido Bay; South Atlantic-Gulf Region
FL1863202350Alafia; Apalachee Bay-St. Marks; Apalachicola; Apalachicola Bay; Big Cypress Swamp; Caloosahatchee; Cape Canaveral; Charlotte Harbor; Chipola; Choctawhatchee Bay; Choctawhatchee-Escambia; Crystal-Pithlachascotee; Daytona-St. Augustine; Everglades; Florida Bay-Florida Keys; Florida Southeast Coast; Hillsborough; Kissimmee; Lake Okeechobee; Little Manatee; Lower Ochlockonee; Lower St. Johns; Lower Suwannee; Manatee; Myakka; New; Northern Okeechobee Inflow; Oklawaha; Peace; Peace; Peace-Tampa Bay; Pensacola Bay; Perdido; Santa Fe; Sarasota Bay; South Atlantic-Gulf Region; Southern Florida; Southern Florida; St. Andrew-St. Joseph Bays; St. Johns; St. Marys; Suwannee; Suwannee; Tampa Bay; Tampa Bay; Upper St. Johns; Upper Suwannee; Vero Beach; Withlacoochee; Yellow
GA199820247Aucilla; Canoochee; Cumberland-St. Simons; Little; Lower Savannah; Ogeechee Coastal; Withlacoochee
GU200320221Guam
HI199920195Hawaii; Kauai; Lanai; Maui; Oahu
LA197520068Amite; East Central Louisiana Coastal; Eastern Louisiana Coastal; Lake Maurepas; Liberty Bayou-Tchefuncta; Lower Calcasieu; Vermilion; West Central Louisiana Coastal
MS199920152Mississippi Coastal; Noxubee
MO200120011Lower Missouri-Moreau
OK200220021Bird
SC201520243Bulls Bay; Cooper; South Carolina Coastal
TX201220241Buffalo-San Jacinto

Table last updated 11/21/2024

† Populations may not be currently present.


Ecology: Greenhouse frogs are entirely terrestrial, secretive eleutherodactylids that prefer habitats with plenty of shelter such as moist leaf-litter, fallen logs, bark, rocks, chunks of coral, grass clumps, Gopherus polyphemus (gopher tortoise) burrows, flowerpots and potted plants, well-planted gardens, bags of mulch, and anthropogenic debris (C. Goin, 1947; O. Goin, 1955; Dundee and Rossman, 1989; Witz and Wilson, 1991; Schwartz and Henderson, 1991; Zippel et al., 2005; Jensen, 2008; Elliott et al., 2009). In urban environments they may shelter in cracks and deep seams of cement sidewalks and porches (Somma, personal observation).  They feed on insects, other arthropods, and earthworms (Goin, 1947; Schwartz and Henderson, 1991; Dorcas and Gibbons, 2008). While they are very adept at utilizing anthropogenic habitat around human dwellings, especially woodpiles, gardens and greenhouses, they easily invade indigenous ecosystems (Goin, 1947; Dundee and Rossman, 1989; Schwartz and Henderson, 1991; Bartlett and Bartlett, 1999; Dorcas and Gibbons, 2008; Rödder and Lötters, 2010; Meshaka, 2011). The terrestrial eggs are deposited in moist sheltered sites, including planted flowerpots and bromeliad plants, and undergo direct development, skipping an aquatic tadpole stage (C. Goin, 1947; O. Goin, 1955; Dundee and Rossman, 1989; Schwartz and Henderson, 1991). Unlike many species of Eleutherodactylus, E. planirostris exhibits no parental care of its eggs (Townsend, 1996). Increased reproduction and dispersal may be facilitated by large storms such as hurricanes (Meshaka, 1993, 2001), and an apparent ability to shift niches at some localities (Rödder and Lötters, 2010). The terrestrial eggs of greenhouse frogs provide an additional means of allowing them to disperse as stowaways.

Means of Introduction: The greenhouse frog is aptly named since it is usually introduced as a stowaway on imported tropical plants and landscaping materials (Neill, 1951; Bartlett and Bartlett, 1999; Kraus and Campbell, 2002; Kraus in Hurley, 2003; Zippel et al., 2005), including plants shipped from Florida nurseries and Hawaii landscape shipments. This seems to be how it was introduced to Georgia (Winn et al., 1999), Louisiana (Dundee and Rossman, 1989; Meshaka et al., 2009), Mississippi (Dinsmore, 2004), Missouri (A. Hutton, personal communication 2001), Oklahoma (B. Olsen, personal communication 2002), Michigan (Zippel et al., 2005), Hawaii (Kraus et al., 1999; Kraus and Campbell, 2002), Guam (Kraus in Hurly, 2003), and in other nonindigenous localities .

Status: Eleutherodactylus planirostris is well established wherever it has been collected (Duellman and Schwartz, 1958; King and Krakauer, 1966; Stevenson, 1976; Smith and Kohler, 1978; Ashton and Ashton, 1988; Moler, 1988; Bartlett, 1994; Dalrymple, 1994; McCoid and Kleberg, 1995; McCann et al., 1996; Butterfield et al., 1997; Bartlett and Bartlett, 1999; Duellman and Sweet, 1999; Meshaka et al., 2004; Elliot et al., 2009; Kraus, 2009; Anonymous, 2010; Krysko et al., 2011; Meshaka, 2011). They are gradually spreading further westward through the panhandle and north of Florida.

The E. planirostris in coastal Chatham County, Georgia, were clearly established and breeding when discovered (Winn et al., 1999). Jensen (2008) verifies that this species is established in Chatham County. Additional established coastal Georgia populations exist in Glynn and Camden Counties (Jensen, 2008). Greenhouse frogs are established in Lowndes and Thomas Counties, in noncoastal southern Georgia (Jensen, 2008). This species in spreading invasively and probably more widespread in Georgia than currently recorded (Jensen, 2008).

In Louisiana, E. planirostris is established and invasive (Dundee and Rossman, 1989; Dundee, 1994; Boundy, 1998, 2004; Conant and Collins, 1998; Elliott et al., 2009; Meshaka et al., 2009). They are spreading from their point of introduction in New Orleans.

In Mississippi, the colony in Harrison County is established, but the status of greenhouse frogs in Oktibbeha County is unknown (Dinsmore, 2004).

Eleutherodactylus planirostris is established in southern Alabama (Carey, 1982; Kraus, 2008, 2009; Elliott et al., 2009).

The populations of greenhouse frogs found in Cole County, Missouri, and Tulsa County, Oklahoma, are confined to indoors environments and do not represent true introductions to the ecosystem (A. Hutton, personal communication 2001; B. Olsen, personal communication 2002). The Missouri E. planirostris might not survive cold winter weather in the greenhouse if it is unheated; however, survival of the single Michigan individual in freezing conditions could indicate otherwise (Zippel et al., 2005). The Tulsa Zoo population in Oklahoma is a large, very dense population of frogs; they are so numerous they often wander into nearby offices located within the Tropical Rainforest Building (B. Olsen, personal communication 2002). Obviously some frogs might some day find their way outside the confines of this building and invade the surrounding park grounds, but cold winters may eradicate them. The Oakland County, Michigan, record represents an single individual, and not an established population (Zippel et al., 2005).

Eleutherodactylus planirostris is well-established on the Hawaiian islands of Kauai, Maui, Oahu, and Hawaii (Big Island) (Kraus et al., 1999; Kraus and Campbell, 2002; Elliott et al., 2009; Kraus, 2009; Kraus and Thomas, 2009). They may be more widespread within the Hawaiian Islands than currently realized, but have gone unnoticed due to their secretive habits and barely audible calls (Kraus and Campbell, 2002). A variety of methods are being used to monitor and eradicate these rapidly spreading frogs (Kraus et al., 1999; Beltz, 2002; Kraus and Campbell, 2002; Kraus and Thomas, 2009).

Nonindigenous greenhouse frogs are established in Veracruz, Mexico, Panama City, Panama, and the Caribbean localities of Jamaica, Caicos Islands, and Great Inagua Island of the southern Bahamas, but not Grenada (Schwartz and Henderson, 1991; Flores-Villela, 1993; Crombie, 1999; Hedges, 1999; Kraus, 2009; Crawford et al., 2011; Powell et al., 2011). They are established on Guam (Hurley, 2003; Kraus, 2009).

Impact of Introduction: The impact of greenhouse frogs on indigenous ecosystems in Florida remains unclear, and may be further obfuscated by their long establishment in this state. Some of the concerns (see below) addressed by Kraus et al. (1999), and Kraus and Campbell (2002) for Hawaiian populations may have some validity in Florida, with the caveat that unlike Hawaii, Florida ecosystems have numerous species of native frogs and more diverse terrestrial fauna. Witz and Wilson (1991) found E. planirostris were burrow symbionts of Gopherus polyphemus, the gopher tortoise. On at least three occasions I have observed E. planirostris in Florida, sharing ground cover with indigenous Gastrophryne carolinensis, eastern narrow-mouthed toads (Somma, personal observation). The significance of these interactions is unknown.

The impact of E. planirostris in Alabama, Georgia, Louisiana, and Mississippi is unknown but the same concerns addressing populations in Florida may apply to these two states.

The nonindigenous greenhouse frogs found in Missouri and Oklahoma are indoors populations that might not survive if they escape confinement. The Michigan record was a single individual that had no impact.

Hawaiian populations of these insectivores are invasive and spreading rapidly in a state that has no native frogs (Kraus et al., 1999; Kraus and Campbell, 2002). Greenhouse frogs could potentially eat indigenous, endemic arthropods, including species of insects and spiders close to extinction (Kraus et al., 1999). This also could have a negative impact on indigenous insectivorous birds that may be forced to compete with E. planirostris for food (Kraus et al., 1999; Kraus and Thomas, 2009). Nutrient flow through the native food web may be disrupted, and E. planirostris may serve as a source of food for nonindigenous predators (Kraus, 1999; Kraus, 2009).

Similar problems may be caused by established greenhouse frogs in Guam where they may additionally provide a source of food for nonindigenous populations of rats, mongooses, and brown tree snakes (Boiga irregularis) (Campbell and Kraus in Hurley, 2003).

The impact of E. planirostris in Veracruz, Mexico, Panama City, Panama, and the Caribbean localities of Jamaica, Caicos Islands, and southern Bahamas, remains entirely unexplored. Due to the similarity in fauna and habitat, so relatively close to their native range and ecology, they may present fewer problems on some of the Caribbean islands (Kraus et al., 1999).

Remarks: The taxonomy and nomenclature of E. planirostris has been reviewed or summarized by Wright and Wright (1949), Schwartz (1974), Frost (1985, 2000), Collins and Taggart (2002, 2009), Frost et al. (2006), and Heinicke et al. (2007, 2009). Frost et al. (2006) suggested placing E. planirostris in the genus Euhyas, but more recent evidence provided by Heinicke et al. (2007) argues against this. Of the four weakly described subspecies only one, E. p. planirostris, has nonindigenous populations (Schwartz and Henderson, 1991); Frost (2000) and Kraus (2008) do not recognize any subspecies. The natural history of E. planirostris has been studied or summarized by Deckert (1921), Goin (1947), Wright and Wright (1949), Dundee and Rossman (1989), Schwartz and Henderson (1991), and Dorcas and Gibbons (2008), and Elliott et al. (2009).

 

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Author: Somma, L.A.

Revision Date: 5/31/2019

Citation Information:
Somma, L.A., 2024, Eleutherodactylus planirostris (Cope, 1862): U.S. Geological Survey, Nonindigenous Aquatic Species Database, Gainesville, FL, https://nas.er.usgs.gov/queries/FactSheet.aspx?speciesID=61, Revision Date: 5/31/2019, Access Date: 11/21/2024

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Citation information: U.S. Geological Survey. [2024]. Nonindigenous Aquatic Species Database. Gainesville, Florida. Accessed [11/21/2024].

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