Be on the lookout for invasive Cuban Tree Frog

The Cuban Tree Frog (Osteopilus septentrionalis) has made its way to Jamaica, bringing with it significant ecological and economic concerns.

While this invasive species, first identified in Clarendon, has rapidly spread across eight of the island's 14 parishes, experts from the National Environmental Planning Agency (NEPA) and the Caribbean Coastal Area Management Foundation (CCAM) are working to mitigate its impact and educate the public about effective control measures.

Environmental Officer in the Ecosystems Management Branch, Fauna Unit at NEPA, Leighton Mamdeen, explains that the Cuban Tree Frog likely entered Jamaica via shipping containers, utilising their remarkable ability to squeeze into tight spaces.

This trait allows them to travel undetected on goods transported across the island, thereby increasing its population.

He informs JIS News that identifying these frogs can be challenging for the untrained eye, as Jamaica has native species with similar characteristics.

"While most of the frogs that you'll see in Jamaica are very different from the Cuban Tree Frog, we have about two or three species of frogs that are very similar, like the Laughing Frog or the Snoring Frog which, to the untrained eye, might seem like the same frog," Mr. Mamdeen shares.

However, Cuban Tree Frogs are distinct in their size, growing up to three inches long. "Other distinguishing characteristics include long legs, large toe pads, warts on the back, and they come in a myriad of colors, so you'll see them in white, green, brown and orange," he points out.

Due to the potential for misidentification, experts encourage the public to consult specialists before taking action against any frog species.

Sharing details on the environmental and ecological impact of these frogs, Mamdeen points out that they pose a dual threat to Jamaica's ecosystem.

First, they are voracious predators that consume a wide variety of native species, including other frogs, lizards, birds, and even small snakes.

This, he says, "can have a detrimental impact on the country's ecosystems because they disrupt the balance of Jamaica's natural food chain, as they have no natural predators on the island".

The mucus they secrete is toxic to many would-be predators, further ensuring their survival and expansion.

The Cuban Tree Frog's presence also contributes to the decline of native and endemic frog species. As they continue to spread, these invaders displace Jamaica's 21 native frog species, some of which play critical roles in maintaining the ecological balance.

He says that scientists are particularly concerned about the potential for crossbreeding between the Cuban Tree Frog and native species, though no evidence has been found, so far. Continuous research and monitoring are under way to prevent hybridisation.

In addition to environmental damage, the Cuban Tree Frog also impacts human life. Their toxic skin secretions can cause irritation, particularly for individuals with sensitive skin. Furthermore, their sudden appearances in homes and public spaces often create panic.

An alarming issue arising from their spread is the effect on agriculture.

"We've recently noticed that these frogs prey on bees in apiaries, threatening the livelihoods of beekeepers," Mr. Mamdeen notes.

As bees play a crucial role in pollination and crop production, their decline could have far-reaching consequences for Jamaica's agricultural sector.

Mr. Mamdeen says that NEPA and CCAM are "working closely with these farmers to take steps to reduce their impact in that regard".

Both entities are implementing a two-pronged approach to control the Cuban Tree Frog population through education and eradication.

Damany Calder, who is also an Environmental Officer in NEPA's Fauna Unit, emphasises the importance of public education.

"We are educating the populace. What we do is when we have reports and we realise that it's being widespread within a certain area, we'll try to meet with, let's say, a citizens' association or group. We have presentations where we explain what the Cuban Tree Frogs are and the effect they are having on humans and the environment and how they can help to manage the spread," he notes.

Eradication is another crucial step that NEPA and CCAM have taken to eliminate the invasive species.

They have deployed traps in key areas with significant Cuban Tree Frog populations. These passive traps, often made from polyvinyl chloride (PVC) pipes, attract frogs and allow researchers to monitor their numbers and movements. The captured frogs are then humanely euthanised to limit their spread.

The authorities are calling on citizens to play their part by reducing available breeding sites. Since Cuban Tree Frogs lay up to 100 eggs at a time in standing water, eliminating stagnant water sources is essential.

Mr. Calder likens this approach to mosquito control measures, advising people to regularly empty water from pots, pans, and other containers.

Additionally, citizens are advised not to take chemical intervention.

"We are encouraging individuals to take steps to eliminate the frogs safely. Instead of using harmful chemicals like bleach or hot water, which can pose risks to humans and the environment, NEPA recommends using a blunt or sharp object to swiftly and humanely [terminate] the frog by striking the back of its head," the Environmental Officer states.

By educating citizens about the impact of the Cuban Tree Frog and how to properly identify and help control the species, the hope is to reduce the unnecessary killing of native frogs, Mr. Calder says.

In addition to the 21 endemic species of frogs, he notes that there are five that were introduced to the island.

"The ones that people are most familiar with are the introduced ones, and those include the Cane Toad which we call bullfrog, the Lesser Antillean Whistling Frog that people hear in the nights after it rains and they call them crickets, and now the Cuban Tree Frog," Mr. Calder points out.

With its rapid reproduction capabilities, the Cuban Tree Frog population in Jamaica has reached an exponential growth phase, making control efforts increasingly urgent.

It is for this reason that CCAM's Assistant Science Officer, Alex Simpson, highlights the importance of monitoring their presence in protected areas, such as the Portland Bight, where endangered species like the Portland Ridge Cave Frog reside.

He informs JIS News that "under the Critical Ecosystem Partnership Fund, we receive some money to track and monitor the movement of the Cuban Tree Frog in the Portland Bight Protected Area so, we designed some traps from PVC pipes and we placed them in several communities, including Hellshire, Longville Park, Mitchell Town, and Portland Cottage, where we have received reports of them being spotted".

"The traps are then monitored on a bi-weekly basis and the trapped frogs eliminated. We are also monitoring their progression into the Portland Ridge Area because we have endangered species down here, such as the Portland Ridge Cave Frog.

"So, we have set up trap sites around their habitat and we monitor those regularly to track if the Cuban Tree Frogs have made their way into that environment," Mr. Simpson adds.

While the fight against the Cuban Tree Frog invasion is ongoing, public awareness and cooperation remain crucial.

Jamaicans are, therefore, being encouraged to participate in control efforts by reporting sightings to NEPA via phone (876-754-7540) or social media @nepajamaica as well as @ccam_foundation.

By sharing photos and locations of suspected Cuban Tree Frogs, individuals contribute valuable data that helps track and manage the spread of this invasive species.

By working together, Jamaica can mitigate the environmental, agricultural, and social impacts of this formidable amphibian invader.

-JIS

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