Conservation Implications of Predation by Cuban Treefrogs (Osteopilus septentrionalis) on Native Hylids in Florida

The Cuban Treefrog, Osteopilus septentrionalis, is an invasive, non-native species whose range is rapidly expanding throughout Florida and may be a significant predator of native treefrogs. To investigate the attractiveness of various sized native Green Treefrogs as prey to Cuban Treefrogs, we conducted laboratory experiments where we offered very large Cuban Treefrogs the choice of arthropods (crickets), conspecifics, and Green Treefrogs. We found that all prey types were consumed by the very large Cuban Treefrogs over the course of the feeding trials. When given the choice of crickets or treefrogs as prey, more of the very large treefrogs ate just crickets and crickets were usually consumed before treefrogs. While not indicating a selection or preference for predation on other treefrogs, our trials did show that Cuban Treefrogs will eat both Green Treefrogs and conspecifics and could have a negative impact on native hylids by removing reproductively mature individuals from the population.