Coqui Frog Awareness Program Launch

Two coqui frog have been found on Guam in two separate locations.  This species of frog has an extremely high-pitched two-toned call, "ko-KEE".  Preventing coqui frogs from spreading to Guam is an important issue.  The impacts of the coqui frog on Hawaii’s nursery, tourism and real estate industries can be verified by logging on to http://www.hear.org/AlienSpeciesInHawaii/species/frogs/index.html#frogcalls. 
You can actually listen to coqui calls online.
Coqui frogs traveled in plant imports from Puerto Rico, via Florida, to Hawaii.  Quarter-sized frogs and tiny eggs hide within the leaves, flowers and soils of plants.  They are difficult to see and only adult males call at night.  Unlike other frog species, coquis do not need standing water to reproduce; froglets hatch from eggs.  Adult coquis can be found calling in trees.  There is no evidence that coquis eat mosquitoes or termites; gut samples indicate they eat pollinators of native plants.

Introducing non-native species to Guam will not increase biodiversity.  Invasive species are a leading cause of extinctions, second only to habitat loss.  Globalization of transportation networks has spread species beyond the limits of natural range expansion.  Adaptation and evolution cannot occur in a single generation and native species go extinct with a cascading effect on the environment.  For example, the invasive brown treesnake caused the extinction of ten of twelve native forest bird species on Guam.  The loss of birds reduces pollination and seed dispersal of native plants.  Other native species are affected by the loss of native food and habitat.

There are some good non-native introductions, including plants that provide food and beetles that control Asian scale insects.  However, research is needed to determine the impacts of any new introductions; new species must not spread uncontrollably and inhibit native species.  We must protect Guam’s natural heritage.  YOU can prevent coqui frogs from becoming established on Guam.  Listen Up Guam!  If you hear a coqui call 687-FROG.

Starting on March 30th, download your Coqui Tone and Images from your GUAMCELL phone FREE, visit www.guamcell.com or call 688CARE for more details.