History of Amphibian Research in Trinidad & Tobago

[Tobago glass frog, Hyalinobatrachium orientale tobagoense. Photo by Renoir Auguste]. When most people think of amphibians (frogs) in Trinidad and Tobago, the crapaud or cane toad is typically the first that comes to mind. But did you know T&T has 35 species of amphibians? These frogs come in different sizes, shapes, and colours. They occur mostly in forests, but also in savannas, marshes, and even in our homes (usually the crapaud or Johnstone whistling frog). Most of what we know about the amphibians in the country can be traced to key figures over the last few decades. If you are interested in learning more about the history of amphibian research in T&T, then perhaps you may want to start with Julian Kenny's 1969 book on the Amphibia of Trinidad. One key line from his book is “Since Parker’s 1933 list was published, the names of nine of the twenty-three species have been altered in one way or another, some even at the generic level, while two unrecorded species have been found. Further, “surprisingly little recorded on general life histories of the Trinidad species or of mainland representatives of these species”. You may be wondering why I am pointing out that quote: more on that later. In Kenny's book, he first documented 25 species of amphibians (on Trinidad only). He provided data on distribution, habitat preferences, and identification keys for the frogs found on the island. In particular, not only did he devise keys to identifying adult frogs on Trinidad, but tadpoles too, which, can be challenging! These identification keys are mostly still used today, more than half a century ago.

Fast forward to the 1990s, and the other integral person to contribute to knowledge on T&T's amphibians is John Murphy. Murphy produced a landmark book, the first for the country documenting both the amphibians and the reptiles known from T&T. His book, based on more than 10 years of research provided information on the distribution of species (updated from Kenny's 1969 book), natural history (a gap that Kenny noted prior), and also new names to some of the species on the islands. Changes to species names sometimes happens when new scientific data arises, particularly DNA. Murphy has been studying T&T's herpetofauna for well over 40 years now, and without him, we would know so little about the underappreciated herps in the country.

We move forward to 2018, and Murphy, together with colleagues put together an updated version of his 1997 book, a field guide - one we can take with us in the field (a bit smaller than his 1997 book). This guide provides updated information on the distribution, natural history, and names to more species (though some names have changed since!). This field guide is still one of the most used references to amphibian research in the country.

Now, in 2023, a chapter was (finally) published in a Caribbean amphibian conservation book. The book features information on amphibians for all the Caribbean countries that have amphibians, including T&T. The chapter is authored by local and international researchers who have all contributed to herpetology in the country. Unlike the field guide, it is not readily available locally, but can be purchased online for interested persons. Here, we provide updated information on T&T's amphibians since the field guide came out. Some notable upates include the redescription of a new species of frog, an update on the conservation status of all the frogs in the country, and new natural history information.

Overall, amphibian conservation and research in Trinidad and Tobago has had a strong foundation, thanks to Kenny, Murphy, Downie, and others. It is in the best interest of all that we continue this and contribute to sustainable biodiversity management in the country - and not to leave out amphibians!

Discovering the call of the Golden Tree Frog for the first time

The golden tree frog (Phytotriades auratus) and its its microhabitat, the giant arboreal bromeliads of the species Glomeropitcairnia erectiflora. Photo by Rick Lehtinen. || New research reveals the first characterization of the vocalization, behaviour, and tadpole diet of the golden tree frog from El Tucuche in Trinidad. This new information can be applied to inform management of this endangered and environmentally sensitive species. The full study can be read at the following link (for the next 50 days).

New snake species described from Trinidad

[Chironius nigelnoriegai sp. nov (Trinidadian Sipo, Machete). Photo by John Murphy]. || A new study has shown that the Trinidad population of Chironius carinatus (locally called Machete snake) is an undescribed species. Based on genetic analysis from the new study, the snake has been described and named Chironius nigelnoriegai sp. nov. (Trinidad Sipo). The new snake species has been named in honour of local born biologist Dr. Nigel Noriega. Link to the study can be read here.

Worm lizard produces vocal sounds

(White worm lizard, Amphisbaena alba. Photo by Renoir Auguste) || Many animals emit sounds to communicate. For example, frogs, birds, insects, and monkeys. However, with the exception of geckos, vocal sounds in reptiles is rare. A recent study has revealed that the white worm lizard (Amphisbaena alba) produces vocal sounds - the first in this species and worm lizards. The exact function of the vocal sounds still requires further examination, though it could likely be a defensive behaviour that these fossorial lizards use to communicate. This elusive lizard is found in Trinidad, and across South America. In Trinidad, it appears to be found mainly across the Northern Range. Link to the study can be found here.

New study suggests that there are two species of green anacondas, not one

(Green Anaconda. Photo By John Murphy). A new study by Rivas and colleagues (2024) (link) has revealed that the green anaconda consists of two cryptic species that are genetically distinct. They are the the Northern Green Anaconda (Eunectes akayima s.p nov) and Southern Green Anaconda (Eunectes murinus). For those wondering what species we have in Trinidad, it is Eunectes akayima, the Northern Green Anaconda. Another updated species name for a herpetofauna found in the country. For more information, including distribution of the two species of green anacondas and morphological comparisons, full details of the study can be found here (link).

New lizard for Trinidad discovered in garden

Anolis lizards are widespread across the Caribbean and continental Americas. In Trinidad and Tobago, there is one confirmed plus one putative native species. All others are introduced species, all from other Caribbean islands. However, a recent discovery by S. George was made of a new lizard species record for the country - the grass anole (Anolis auratus). This species is native to South and Central America. The discovery was published in the local journal Living World, which can be found at the link here.

Frog in Trinidad rediscovered after nearly thirty years

The Suriname toad (Pipa pipa) is an aquatic frog found across South America and on the island of Trinidad. The last reported documentation of the frog in Trinidad came in the 1990s. In 2023, local naturalists observed the frog in-situ in southern Trinidad. A link to the published natural history note can be found here.

Community science reveals new frog in Tobago for the first time

(Lesser dark-spotted thin-toed frog: Adenomera cf hylaedactyla. Photo by Renoir Auguste). || "Community science events like the Bioblitz and platforms like iNaturalist (iNaturalist.org) have great potential for not only educating the public about local wildlife, but increasing scientific knowledge of wildlife distribution". The following natural history note publication is another example of this, as a frog not officially reported for Tobago (but has been for Trinidad), was revealed to not only be present in Tobago, but apparently established as well, given that it was seen at four different locations, well over 10 km apart. The 2023 national Bioblitz at Buccoo Tobago inspired this discovery. We further advocate other naturalists to share photos of frogs and other wildlife across both islands, as they may turn out to be new records! Link to read the publication here. It is especially important to document frogs as they are the most threatened terrestrial vertebrate animals on Earth (link to previous blog and article here).

Why we need to save and better protect amphibians

(Photo: Turpin's frog, Pristimantis turpinorum, mating pair, observed in Tobago. Photograph by Renoir J. Auguste). | A recent study published in the journal Nature has highlighted Ongoing declines for the world's amphibians in the face of emerging threats (link to open access paper here). It highlights 41% of the world's amphibians are threatened with extinction. "Amphibians are the vertebrate class more threatened than any other (more than mammals, birds, reptiles). Among the global threats impacting amphibians, climate change has emerged as one of the primary drivers of declines within the last two decades (2004 - 2022). The greatest concentrations of threatened amphibian species have been found to occur in (but not limited to) the Neotropics, including the Caribbean islands". From my general reading of the literature, amphibian species on islands can potentially be more vulnerable to global threats like climate change because of smaller ranges and specific microhabitat requirements. As noted in the study published in Nature, "scaled-up investment is urgently needed to help reduce current trends. In particular, increased political will and sufficient resource commitments are necessary for the conservation of amphibians". Unfortunately, from my point of view, there appears to be little resources geared towards amphibian conservation in some places, especially where they are needed the most such as in the Caribbean. This is a call to attention to all stakeholders (government, policy implementers, private companies, local community persons, ecotourists, NGOs) to commit to saving your local/native amphibians. Why? Amphibians are important to both the natural ecosystem, and to humans. Amphibians feed on a variety of insects, including ones we call pests, and are food to other animals. Amphibians are also of medical importance to people, based on research being carried out on the biochemisty of their skin. Important work and resoruces have gone towards tackling climate change issues towards human developed areas (example flooding), and on other vulnerable/important animals like bees, and hunted game mammals. However, this report clearly identifies that amphibian conservation efforts need improving. The time to act is now. Let's all work together towards protecting these amazing animals, because if the world lost all its frogs, there would be no world left for us humans.

Deadly fungus detected in the Endangered Golden Tree Frog

Golden Tree Frog (Phytotriades auratus) from Trinidad. Photo by Rick Lehtinen. ||| The golden tree frog is found in Trinidad and Venezuela. It is a species restricted to mountain tops, and lives almost entirely in bromeliads on trees. This frog species is currently considered endangered by the IUCN, and is threatened by climate change and habitat degradation. However, a recent publication by Lehtinen, Borowsky, Auguste, Kosowsky and Richards-Zawacki in Herpetological Review 54(1) 2023 reports that the deadly chytrid fungal pathogen (Bd) was detected in individuals from El Tucuche in Trinidad. The chytrid fungus has been responsible for amphibian declines and extinctions across the world. This is a worrying find for the endnagered golden tree frog, and warrants urgent need for further monitoring and improved management on El Tucuche, but also on Cerro del Aripo where they are found on the island, as well as in Venezuela.

Nocturnal basking in a freshwater turtle from Trinidad

Scorpion mud turtle (Kinosternon scorpioides). Photo by Renoir Auguste. ||| A recent study was published and it assessed nocturnal basking in freshwater turtles from across the world, including surveys from Trinidad and Tobago. An incidental observation of nocturnal basking was recorded with the scorpion mud turtle in an urban area in southern Trinidad which was included in the global assessment. Further, surveys using wildlife cameras took place at Point-a-Pierre Wildfowl Trust to further evaluate whether turtles were basking at night, or only during the day. The only species caught on cameras were the non-native red-eared sliders (Trachemys scripta elegans; native to the United States), and they were only recorded basking during the day. Interestingly, globally, only tropical (but not temperate) species were observed basking at night, suggesting that environmental temperature plays a key role in this behaviour. It would be noteworthy if more observations of basking behaviour are recorded for the other freshwater turtle species in Trinidad. I encourage local herpers and herpetologists to keep an eye on the freshwater turtles near them, so we can use the information to better protect them! ||| Link to early view of study here.

Amphibians and their Conservation in Trinidad and Tobago

A new book has been published "The Conservation and Biogeography of Amphibians in the Caribbean". In it, Chapter 12 features an updated review of the "Amphibians and their conservation in Trinidad and Tobago". The book is edited by Neftali Rios-Lopez and Harold Heatwole, published by Pelagic Publishing. Summary of the book's description: An expansive and detailed review of the biology of Caribbean amphibians, considering their threats, conservation and outlook in a changing world. Amphibians are the group of vertebrates undergoing the fastest rate of extinction; it is urgent that we understand the causes of this and find means of protecting them. This landmark illustrated volume brings together the leading experts in the field. As well as offering an overview of the region as a whole, individual chapters are devoted to each island or island-group and the measures used to protect their amphibians through legislation or nature reserves. The biological background of insular biogeography, including its methods, analysis and results, is reviewed and applied specifically to the problems of Caribbean amphibians – this includes a re-examination of patterns and general ideas about the status of amphibians in the Anthropocene. The Conservation and Biogeography of Amphibians in the Caribbean offers an important baseline against which future amphibian conservation can be measured in the face of climate change, rising sea level and a burgeoning human population. The book can be bought on NHBS or Amazon. DOI: 10.53061/RCJP8789