Cook's Robber Frog

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Cook's Robber Frog
Conservation status
Endangered (IUCN 3.1)
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia Phylum: Chordata Class: Amphibia Order: Anura Family: Leptodactylidae Subfamily: Eleutherodactylinae Genus: Eleutherodactylus Subgenus: Eleutherodactylus[1] Species: E. cooki
Binomial name
Eleutherodactylus cooki Grant, 1932

The Cook's Robber Frog (Eleutherodactylus cooki) also known as Puerto Rican Cave Dwelling Frog, Guajon, Rock Coqui, or Rock Frog is a Puerto Rican frog species from the coqui genus.

[edit] Description

Cook's Robber Frog is nicknamed "Demon of Puerto Rico" because the native people are afraid of its call and its phantom-like appearance. The native name guajón is derived from its habitat, the so-called guajonales. These are caves formed by rock formations between huge stones.

The species was first described by Chapman Grant in 1932. Females are slightly larger than males. Females can reach a length of 5.11 cm and males can reach 4.3 cm. The color is solid brown with whitish underparts. They have a yellow throat and abdomen. Therefore it is the only Eleutherodactylus species which exhibits sexual dimorphism in color and size. Both sexes have large, white-rimmed eyes and large, truncate disks under their feet. It is endemic to the grottoes and the rivers of the Pandura mountains range in southwestern Puerto Rico.

[edit] References

[edit] External links

• Hedges et al (2004). Eleutherodactylus cooki. 2006 IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. IUCN 2006. Retrieved on 11 May 2006. Database entry includes a range map and justification for why this species is endangered
• Fish and Wildlife Service - Threatened Status for the Guajon
• Federal Lawsuit Filed to Protect Rare Puerto Rico Coqui Frog