Biota of Trinidad and Tobago

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map of Caribbean with Trinidad and Tobago highlighted
Location of Trinidad and Tobago in the Caribbean

Trinidad and Tobago are continental islands with a geologically very recent history of direct land bridge connection to South America. As a result, unlike most of the Caribbean Islands, Trinidad and Tobago supports a primarily

endemism
are lower than in the rest of the Caribbean because there has been less time for genetic isolation from mainland populations because of the history of land bridge connections and hence fewer opportunities for speciation, and so a greater proportion of the species in Trinidad and Tobago are also found on the South American mainland. Trinidad is nearer to mainland South America and has been directly connected to the mainland via land bridges more often and for longer periods than Tobago. This, as well as Trinidad's larger size and more varied topography and hydrology compared to that of Tobago allow greater species and ecosystem diversity on the former compared to that on the later of the islands.

Plant communities

See also: Trinidad and Tobago dry forests

The standard description of plant communities follows John Beard's work (Beard, 1946). He classified natural vegetation in a hierarchical fashion on the basis of the physiognomy of the dominant trees.

  • Seasonal formations
    • Evergreen seasonal forest
    • Semi-deciduous seasonal forest
    • Deciduous seasonal forest
  • Dry evergreen formations
    • Littoral woodland
  • Montane formations
    • Lower montane forest
    • Montane forest
    • Elfin woodland
  • Edaphic formations
    • Mangrove forest
    • Palm swamp
    • Seasonal swamp forest
    • Seasonal swamp savanna
    • Herbaceous swamp

Terrestrial animal communities

Mammals

See also: List of mammals of Trinidad and Tobago and Hunting § Trinidad_and_Tobago

Trinidad and Tobago is home to about 99 species of terrestrial mammals. About 65 of the mammalian species in the islands are bats (including cave roosting, tree and cavity roosting bats and even foliage-tent-making bats; all with widely differing diets from nectar and fruit, to insects, small vertebrates such as fish, frogs, small birds and rodents and even those that consume vertebrate blood). The next most diverse group of mammals in the islands are the rodents. The largest of these rodents are the

Neotropical river otter and the crab-eating raccoon (all four being found on Trinidad, with only the raccoon still extant on Tobago). The small Indian mongoose was introduced to Trinidad (but not to Tobago) during the later part of the 19th century and is now naturalized. The two native hoofed-mammals still found in Trinidad include the red brocket deer and the collared peccary (in Tobago, the deer is thought to be extirpated and the peccary is now fairly rare). The Guyanan red howler monkey and the white-fronted capuchin are Trinidad's two native non-human primate species. The tufted capuchin monkey was introduced to the northwestern peninsula of Trinidad during World War II and is now naturalized there. No monkeys remain extant on Tobago. For comments on native aquatic mammals (namely manatees
) and native marine mammals (whales and dolphins), see the appropriate sections below.

Birds

See also: List of birds of Trinidad and Tobago
Hummingbirds of Trinidad and Tobago

472 species of birds have been recorded in Trinidad and Tobago (and the list of recorded species seems be still slowly increasing from year to year). There are few places in the world where so many birds can be seen in such a small area (with probably one of the highest bird species to area ratios of any country). Many of the species are very rare or are of particular interest. They range from the many species of hummingbirds to the primitive cave-dwelling oilbird (that uses sonar to fly in the dark) to the spectacularly beautiful scarlet ibis. The islands are within a few miles of Venezuela, and the species are therefore typical of tropical South America. However, the variety (although quite exceptional for such a small geographic area) is somewhat impoverished compared to the mainland, as would be expected with small islands.

The resident breeding birds are augmented in the northern winter by migrants from North America.

Tobago has only about half the number of bird species of Trinidad, but about 22 birds have been reported only from Tobago, including 12 breeding species.

The country hosts a few endemic avian subspecies and two endemic species (the critically endangered Trinidad piping guan found only in Trinidad, and the Trinidad motmot found on both islands, but more common in Tobago).

Amphibians and reptiles

See also: List of snakes of Trinidad and Tobago

The best sources of information regarding the recorded amphibians and reptiles of Trinidad and Tobago to date are Murphy (1997) and Boos (2001). Since those publications, a few new records as well as several taxonomic changes have been made (Murphy and Downie, 2012). The herpetofaunal list is at present in a state of flux, as taxonomy and systematics continue to be revised. To date (July 2014), the generally accepted recorded numbers of species of the various major groups of amphibians and reptiles are as follows:

Frogs and toads (

Anura
): 37 species in total for the country. (33 recorded from Trinidad and 15 recorded on Tobago, with 4 of those from Tobago not known from Trinidad, and 2 of those from Trinidad known from just one specimen each. There is one introduced species, known on both Trinidad and Tobago).

Caecilians (

Gymnophiona
): 1 species in total from Trinidad only. (Recorded from only 1 specimen).

Turtles, terrapins and tortoises (Chelonii): 14 species recorded in total for the country (All 14 recorded for Trinidad, and possibly 6 recorded for Tobago. Four species are marine, with at least 4 being noted off Tobago, with at least 3 of those regularly breeding on both islands. Four are confirmed native terrestrial system species of Trinidad (1 of these is possibly a waif on Tobago). One is possibly a long introduced species on both islands that is still present in the wild in some areas of Trinidad, but unconfirmed in the wild in Tobago. One is very recently introduced in Trinidad from North America and it is unconfirmed if it is breeding in the wild. Three are possibly occasional waifs to Trinidad from the nearby continent with no verified local breeding populations).

Crocodiles and alligators (

Crocodylia
): 4 species recorded in total for the country (two are known to be native and breeding on Trinidad, with one of those breeding in Tobago, while the other 2 were occasionally historically recorded as waifs).

Legless lizards (Amphisbaenia): 2 species from Trinidad only.

Lizards (Sauria): 31 confirmed records for the country in total (2 of those not yet 'officially' documented). (Of the 31 confirmed records, 27 are from Trinidad, with at least 7 relatively recent historical introductions with 1 of these subsequently assumed to have been extirpated. Nineteen are from Tobago, with at least 3 relatively recent historical introductions there. Four of those from Tobago are not found on Trinidad. In addition to the 31 confirmed records, there are at least 3 species records that are dubious).

Snakes (

Serpentes
): 50 accepted records for the country in total (1 of these not yet 'officially' documented). (Of these 50 records, 45 are from Trinidad and 22 are from Tobago, with 5 of those from Tobago not being recorded from Trinidad. Of the 50 records for the country, 7 species are known from just 1 or 2 records. In addition to the 50 generally accepted confirmed records, there are at least 2 dubious records).

A number of frogs and toads inhabit the islands, including the well known huge marine or cane toad (

L. validus; of these, only L. fuscus and L. validus are found on both islands while the rest are found in Trinidad.[2][17][18] Trinidad may also be home to a caecilian (Typhlonectes
species) (a legless highly aquatic amphibian with an eel-like body that is rarely observed due to its habitat specifications) although only one specimen has ever been scientifically documented from Trinidad.

Terrapins, tortoises and marine turtles make their homes on and around these islands. The giant leatherback sea turtle (

P. unifilis) are occasional accidental visitors to Trinidad due to heavy rain fall and increased flooding from mainland South America.[22][23] The pond slider (Trachemys scripta) is considered amongst the world's 100 most invasive species and has been found in Trinidad as escaped or released pets, though they are not known to form a breeding population on the island.[24]

All the marine turtle species are threatened by illegal hunting activity and as the bycatch of gillnet fishing. Nevertheless, there has been great success achieved by measures taken to educate the public and ensure species conservation since the 1970s. Beaches on Trinidad's northern and eastern coasts are noted among the top three internationally most important nesting grounds for leatherback sea turtles and a few community run conservation organizations help to maintain the nesting habitats, deter poaching and to bring sustainable revenue generated via ecotourism into their communities.

The spectacled caiman (

C. intermedius
) in the waters and on the coasts of Trinidad and Tobago were, for the most part, waifs from mainland South America.

There are two species of legless lizards,

Atta
, which form part of their diet.

There are a number of lizards ranging in size from just over an inch or two in length to the huge 6-foot (1.8 m) long green iguana (

Sphaerodactylus molei
is found on both islands and is among the smallest of lizards in the world.

Included among the country's snake fauna are some of the very smallest in the world (the

Erythrolamprus melanotus nesos) of forest and edge habitats on both islands, the false coral snakes (Erythrolamprus aesculapii and Erythrolamprus bizona) that are also found in forest and edge habitats of Trinidad only[51] and the rare crepuscular red snake (Erythrolamprus ocellatus) endemic to the forest and edge habitats of northeastern Tobago. There are no dangerous venomous snakes on Tobago. There are only four dangerous venomous snakes on Trinidad. These include two vipers, and two coral snakes. The vipers (the true mapepires) are the mapepire balsain (Bothrops atrox)[51] and the mapepire zanana (Lachesis muta muta). The former is fairly common in primary and secondary forested areas of Trinidad (particularly so in the Northern Range), and the later is a very rarely encountered primary rainforest specialist in Trinidad. The two coral snakes are the small coral snake (Micrurus circinalis, and the Trinidad ribbon coral snake (Micrurus diutius
), both associated with forested areas, and the later sometimes being associated with swampy habitats in Trinidad.

Fatal venomous snake bite accidents in Trinidad are fairly uncommon. It is unfortunate to note that although all snakes (with the exception of the potentially dangerous vipers and corals) are protected by law in Trinidad and Tobago, the human population at large is not generally tolerant of snakes, and even harmless snakes found near human dwellings, farms and gardens are often killed on sight. More public awareness is needed to dispel misconceptions about snakes as well as to sensitize the population to the ecological importance of snakes.

Invertebrates

See also:
List of opiliones of Trinidad and Tobago, and List of mantids of Trinidad and Tobago
Morpho peleides (morpho butterfly)

Trinidad and Tobago are extremely rich in neotropical invertebrate fauna. Several hundred species of butterflies, including the brilliant blue emperor butterfly (Morpho peleides), and beetles are to be found on the islands, many in the tropical forests. Barcant (1970) lists 617 species of butterfly for the two islands of which 123 occur on Tobago. The leafcutter ants (Acromyrmex octospinosus and Atta cephalotes)[52] are easily observed, even in sub-urban environments. Soldier ants may be observed in forested areas. The largest specimens of centipedes (genus Scolopendra) (over 10 inches (250 mm) long) may be found particularly in the drier forests of the Northwestern Peninsular of Trinidad (the Chaguaramas Peninsular) as well as the nearby tiny off shore islands such as the giant centipede (Scolopendra gigantea), the largest centipede species in the world.[53] A few species of large tarantulas may be found in forested areas and even in houses at the forest edge such as the Trinidad chevron tarantula (Psalmopoeus cambridgei),[54] as well as the Trinidad dwarf tarantula (Cyriocosmus elegans)[55] and the pinktoe tarantula (Avicularia avicularia).[56] The arthropod life of Trinidad and Tobago has not been well studied and it is an entomologist's paradise waiting to be discovered, with many species remaining undocumented.

There are approximately 70 species of land snails ranging in size from the giant South American land snail (Megalobulimus oblongus) to the tiny Gastrocopta snails.

Many species of crustaceans (terrestrial, freshwater and marine) are among the other invertebrates that may be easily observed in Trinidad and Tobago such as the Caribbean hermit crab (

Coenobita clypeatus),[57] stream crayfish (Macrobrachium crenulatum)[58] and spotted spiny lobster (Panulirus guttatus).[59]

There are nine species of scorpions in Trinidad and Tobago including the medically important Trinidad thick-tailed scorpion (Tityus trinitatis)[60] and slender-tailed scorpion (Tityus tenuicauda).[61]

Aquatic communities

There are a number of wetland habitats on both Trinidad and Tobago that foster vital aquatic ecosystems.

The Bon Accord Lagoon on Tobago is a vital mangrove habitat and home to a population of spectacled caimans as well as a number of wetland bird species.

The Caroni Swamp on the west coast of Trinidad has a fairly high level of salinity (compared to other major wetlands on the island) and is an important breeding and feeding habitat for several bird species (including magnificent flocks of scarlet ibis (one of the National Birds)) and several marine fishes and invertebrates.

The Nariva Swamp of the east coast is the largest freshwater swamp on Trinidad and has a

moriche palms
and bloodwood trees.

There are many small rivers and streams throughout the islands. Over 40 species of freshwater fish have been recorded in Trinidad and Tobago. The world-famous guppy is a common native fish; particularly so in the mountain streams of Trinidad, where it has served as a model organism for several important ecological and evolutionary studies.

Marine communities

Trinidad's western and southern coastal waters are highly influenced by the outflow of freshwater from the adjacent Orinoco River of Venezuela which is less than 8 miles (13 km) away from Trinidad at the closest point. As such, the waters here are fairly low in salinity and high in sediment/nutrient content and relatively shallow. These facts coupled with the highly sheltered nature of the Gulf of Paria and the Columbus Channel respectively, create ideal breeding/spawning grounds for many marine fishes and invertebrates, including shrimp.

Various 'sporting' fish are present in the waters of both islands and include huge grouper, marlin, barracuda and dolphin-fish. Fish popularly caught and eaten include carite, kingfish and red snapper.

As mentioned in the section above on the reptilian fauna of Trinidad and Tobago, a number of species of marine turtles including the leatherback turtle, hawksbill turtle, loggerhead turtle, olive ridley turtle and green sea turtle frequent the waters around and/or nest on some of the beaches of both islands.

Whales and dolphins were far more common to Trinidad and Tobago's waters in earlier times, but the very rigorous whaling industry of the 19th century decimated the population of whales in the Gulf of Paria (called 'Golfo de Balena' or Gulf of Whales by Christopher Columbus). Today, dolphins may still be regularly observed, particularly off the shore of the northwestern

Chaguaramas
peninsula. Pilot whales have been observed to beach themselves on a few occasions during the 1990s and a small pod of killer whales were caught in a fisherman's net during the 1980s.

Whale sharks (the largest of all fishes) have been observed around the oil rigs in the southern part of the Gulf of Paria. Hammerhead sharks are commonly caught by fishermen and shark flesh is considered a delicacy among the human population of both islands.

The waters of Tobago are less affected by the outflow of fresh water from the Orinoco and as such are far more saline and clearer than that of Trinidad. A number of coral reefs are thus able to exist around Tobago, the most famous being the Buccoo Reef. Tobago's reefs are reputedly home to the largest examples of brain coral. Also present are huge and gentle manta rays, impressive moray eels, parrot fish, angel fish and a host of other colourful tropical coral reef species.

See also

References

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  2. ^ a b c d e "Trinidad and Tobago Biodiversity - Amphibians". Biodiversity.gov.tt.
  3. ^ "Pseudis paradoxa (Paradoxical Frog)" (PDF). Sta.uwi.edu. Retrieved 31 March 2022.
  4. ^ "Lithobates palmipes (Amazon Frog)" (PDF). Sta.uwi.edu. Retrieved 31 March 2022.
  5. ^ "Hypsiboas crepitans (Emerald-eyed Tree Frog)" (PDF). Sta.uwi.edu. Retrieved 31 March 2022.
  6. ^ "Hypsiboas geographicus (Map Frog)" (PDF). Sta.uwi.edu. Retrieved 31 March 2022.
  7. ^ "Hypsiboas punctatus (Spotted Tree Frog)" (PDF). Sta.uwi.edu. Retrieved 31 March 2022.
  8. ^ "Boana xerophylla". BioDiversity4All.org. Retrieved 31 March 2022.
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  10. ^ "Dendropsophus goughi". Portugal.inaturalist.org.
  11. ^ "Phyllomedusa trinitatis (Leaf-nesting Frog)" (PDF). Sta.uwi.edu. Retrieved 31 March 2022.
  12. ^ "Hyalinobatrachium orientale (Tobago Glass Frog)" (PDF). Sta.uwi.edu. Retrieved 31 March 2022.
  13. ^ "Pristimantis charlottevillensis (Tobago Litter Frog)" (PDF). Sta.uwi.edu. Retrieved 31 March 2022.
  14. ^ "The Herpetology of Trinidad and Tobago".
  15. ^ "The Herpetology of Trinidad and Tobago: Charlotteville Litter Frog, Pristimantis charlottevillensis (Family Craugastoridae)". 2 January 2017.
  16. ^ "The Herpetology of Trinidad and Tobago".
  17. ^ "The Herpetology of Trinidad and Tobago: Barbour's Thin-toed Frog, Leptodactylus insularum". 2 January 2017.
  18. ^ "The Herpetology of Trinidad and Tobago: Steffen's Thin-toed Frog, Leptodactylus latrans (Family Leptodactylidae)". 2 January 2017.
  19. ^ "The Herpetology of Trinidad and Tobago: Gibba Turtle, Mesoclemmys gibba (Family Chelidae)". Herpetologytt.blogspot.com. 31 March 2016.
  20. ^ "Trinidad and Tobago Biodiversity - Turtles". Biodiversity.gov.tt.
  21. ^ "Kinosternon scorpioides (Scorpion Mud Turtle)" (PDF). Sta.uwi.edu. Retrieved 31 March 2022.
  22. ^ "Podocnemis expansa (Arrau Sideneck Turtle)" (PDF). Sta.uwi.edu. Retrieved 31 March 2022.
  23. ^ "Podocnemis unifilis (Yellow-headed Sideneck Turtle)" (PDF). Sta.uwi.edu. Retrieved 31 March 2022.
  24. ^ "Trachemys scripta (Red-eared Slider)" (PDF). Sta.uwi.edu. Retrieved 31 March 2022.
  25. ^ "Cryptic Golden Tegu (Tupinambis cryptus)". Inaturalist.org.
  26. ^ "Plica caribena (Caribbean Treerunner)" (PDF). Sta.uwi.edu. Retrieved 31 March 2022.
  27. ^ a b c d e "Trinidad and Tobago Biodiversity - Lizards". Biodiversity.gov.tt.
  28. ^ "Anolis wattsi (Watts' Anole)" (PDF). Sta.uwi.edu. Retrieved 31 March 2022.
  29. ^ https://herpetologytt.blogspot.com/2018/10/anolis-sagrei-dumeril-and-bibron-1837.html [self-published source]
  30. ^ http://www.biodiversity.gov.tt/images/stories/pdf/ias.doc
  31. ^ a b https://herpetologytt.blogspot.com/2017/01/twig-anole-anolis-tigrinus.html [self-published source]
  32. ^ "Polychrus marmoratus (Multi-coloured Tree Lizard)" (PDF). Sta.uwi.edu. Retrieved 31 March 2022.
  33. ^ "Audubon's Multicolored Lizard (Polychrus auduboni)". Inaturalist.ca.
  34. ^ "The Herpetology of Trinidad and Tobago: New snake, now a new lizard for Tobago". 21 April 2019.
  35. ^ "Gymnophthalmus speciosus (Chacachacare Shiny Lizard)" (PDF). Sta.uwi.edu. Retrieved 31 March 2022.
  36. ^ "Gymnophthalmus underwoodi (Shiny Lizard)" (PDF). Sta.uwi.edu. Retrieved 31 March 2022.
  37. ^ "Copeoglossum aurae (Greater Windward Skink)" (PDF). Sta.uwi.edu. Retrieved 31 March 2022.
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  40. ^ "Genus Marisora - taxonomy & distribution / RepFocus".
  41. ^ "Copeoglossum nigropunctatum".
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  43. ^ "Hemidactylus mabouia (African House Gecko)" (PDF). Sta.uwi.edu. Retrieved 31 March 2022.
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  45. ^ "Gonatodes humeralis (Spotted Gecko)" (PDF). Sta.uwi.edu. Retrieved 31 March 2022.
  46. ^ "The Herpetology of Trinidad and Tobago: Yellow-tailed Gecko, Gonatodes albogularis (Family Sphaerodactylidae)". 8 April 2016.
  47. ^ "Epictia tenella".
  48. ^ "Amerotyphlops brongersmianus".
  49. ^ "Amerotyphlops trinitatus".
  50. ^ "Helminthophis flavoterminatus".
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  52. ^ "Bachac - hardworking leafcutter ant". Sweettntmagazine.com. 7 January 2018.
  53. ^ "Scolopendra gigantea (Giant Centipede)" (PDF). Sta.uwi.edu. Retrieved 31 March 2022.
  54. ^ "Trinidad Chevron Tarantula (Psalmopoeus cambridgei)". Tarantulafriendly.com. 27 February 2018.
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  56. ^ "Avicularia avicularia (Pink-toed Tarantula)" (PDF). Sta.uwi.edu. Retrieved 31 March 2022.
  57. ^ "Coenobita clypeatus (Caribbean Hermit Crab)" (PDF). Sta.uwi.edu. Retrieved 31 March 2022.
  58. ^ "Macrobrachium crenulatum (Stream Crayfish or Shrimp)" (PDF). Sta.uwi.edu. Retrieved 31 March 2022.
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  61. ^ "Tityus tenuicauda (Slender-tailed Scorpion)" (PDF). Sta.uwi.edu. Retrieved 31 March 2022.

Bibliography

  • Barcant M (1970). Butterflies of Trinidad and Tobago. Collins, London.
  • Beard, J. S. (1946) The Natural Vegetation of Trinidad. Oxford University Press, Oxford.
  • Boos, H.E.A. 2001. The Snakes of Trinidad and Tobago. Texas University Press. College Station, Texas. 270 pp.
  • Murphy, J.C. 1997. Amphibians and Reptiles of Trinidad and Tobago. Krieger. Malabar, Florida. 245 pp.
  • Murphy, J.C. and J.R. Downie. 2012. "The changing Trinidad and Tobago herpetofauna". Living World, Journal of the Trinidad and Tobago Field Naturalists’ Club 2012: 87–95.
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