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The species of the Eleutherodactylus genus, meaning "free toes" in Greek, commonly
know as the Coqui, part of the Leptodactylus family of the Anura order, are small frogs native to Puerto Rico
recognized for their unique coki sounds. Only two species acutally produce the coki sound, being the
Common coki, E. coqui and the Mountain coki, E. portoricensis. There are seventeen species of the genus present in Puerto
Rico, including the Llanero coki, E. juanariveroi, just discovered in 2005. These frogs vary
in length from 15mm to 80mm and their colors range from brown, green, yellow, etc. Some types have unique dorsolateral
stripes used to identify them. All cokis hold the characteristic of small disks or pads at the very tips of their
toes and fingers. Unlike other frogs, cokis do not have a tadpole stage in their development. Their eggs
are laid laid in wet or humid areas including curled leafs, bird nests, branches, and bromelaids (wild pines).
After a short period between 17 to 26 days, the cokis emerge from their eggs. The Golden coki / Coqui Dorado,
E. jasperi, presumed extinct, holds an exception to this rule. It is the only frog in all of the Americas
which gives birth to live frogs. The eggs are hatched inside of the mother and the live young are dispersed
through the mother's genital opening.
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