Conservation and Research of the Grenada frog
(Pristimantis euphronides)

The island of Grenada is home to only two endemic terrestrial vertebrates, the Grenada dove (Leptotila wellsi) and the Grenada Frog (Pristimantis euphronides). The Grenada Dove is featured on the national emblem and is considered to be a national treasure. The Grenada Frog is virtually unknown to the public. The Grenada frog is listed as critically endangered on the IUCN Red List because of its limited range, poor habitat connectivity and competition with Johnstone’s Whistling Frog (Eleutherodactylus johnstonei). Its distribution is limited to ca. 15 km2 in the central highlands (>300 m asl) and its tenuous future faces assaults from several quarters: 1) loss of habitat, 2) a tenacious and ubiquitous introduced frog species (Eleutherodactylus johnstonei), 3) a pathogenic fungus Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis (i.e., chytrid) that is wreaking havoc among frog populations worldwide and 4) environmental instability due to climate change.

Historically, the Grenada frog would have benefited from more habitat connectivity, allowing for greater viability and resilience to withstand stochastic events. With being limited to elevations of 300 m or greater, this species is already restricted and with increasing habitat loss and fragmentation, its dispersal abilities are further constrained. Continued monitoring will measure representation by assessing genetic diversity in remaining isolated populations to inform adaptability to these mounting pressures.