The Herpetological Journal

pp. 96-99

Authors: Angel Ivan Contreras-Calvario, Abigail Mora-Reyes, Gabriela Parra-Olea & Ángela María
Mendoza

Abstract: Numerous direct developing species of the genus Eleutherodactylus native to the Caribbean Islands have been introduced outside its natural range by human activities. The greenhouse frog, Eleutherodactylus planirostris is native to Cuba and the Bahamas and has been introduced to many parts of the world. Here, we report the rediscovery of E. planirostris in the Mexican Gulf. The species was not reported in the region since 1974. Molecular identification of the species was possible by comparing 16S and COI sequences with samples from the type locality, five introduced populations and 20 other Eleutherodactylus species. The species was also verified by morphological characters. By means of phylogenetic reconstruction we propose that its introduction in Veracruz is independent to the Mexican Caribbean event. This is the first record of the species in a small rural region from Veracruz, and thus a comprehensive evaluation of the distribution of the species in Mexico is needed.

Key words: Introduced species, DNA barcoding, Mexico, Eleutherodactylus