Project:

Genetic Characterization of the Puerto Rican Mountain Coquí (Eleutherodactylus portoricensis) Using the Mitochondrial COI gene

Students:

Valentina E. Morell Colón, Jeyriel J. De Jesús Ortiz

School:

Benjamin Harrison Vocational High School, Other

Mentors:

Charles Anthony Marzant Ortiz

Abstract:

Amphibians in Puerto Rico, particularly species of the genus Eleutherodactylus, constitute a key component of the island’s terrestrial biodiversity and represent a group of high interest for taxonomic, ecological, and conservation studies; however, identification based exclusively on morphological characters may be limited in species with high external similarity, phenotypic variation, or sympatric distributions. In this context, the present study proposes the genetic characterization of Puerto Rican anurans through the generation of DNA barcodes using the mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (COI) gene, integrating field-based morphological identification with standardized molecular tools. Sampling will be conducted in the municipalities of Cayey, Cidra, and adjacent areas, encompassing natural, semi-natural, and urban habitats, and will be carried out under a strict capture-and-release protocol. Preliminary identification of individuals will be performed in the field using

Poster:

Team samples:

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