Kokee awareness
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Listen up Guam! If you hear a coqui, call 687-FROG
An awareness program focused on getting the public's help in locating
coqui frogs on Guam began March 30, 2005.
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.
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 March 30th, download your Coqui Tone and Images from your GUAMCELL phone FREE, visit
www.guamcell.com or call
688CARE for more details.
Guam Comprehensive Wildlife Conservation Strategy, 9/27/2005
