Species that are considered high risk have a well-documented history of invasiveness in at least one location globally, and a high or medium climate match to the contiguous United States.
E. coqui, a frog native to Puerto Rico, has successfully established populations in the Hawaiian Islands, Florida, and Puerto Rico’s neighboring islands in the Caribbean. The frogs have been accidentally shipped in horticultural and landscaping imports. Impacts on native fauna and flora are significant, as this species alters leaf-litter and aerial invertebrate communities and reduces herbivory, potentially altering patterns of nutrient cycling. Economic impacts of this species in Hawaii include loss of property value and tourism due to the frog’s loud calls, and reduced profits for plant nurseries with products that could be contaminated with E. coqui adults or eggs. Climate match for the contiguous U.S. is medium, with highest match in southern Florida. Overall risk assessment of E. coqui is high.
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High Risk
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