The full species list of the Tropical Dry Forests of Cuba is found by clicking on the Species Tab**
Select Endangered Species
Mammalia
Cuban Solenodon (Solenodon cubanus)
Status: Endangered
Once found across western and eastern Cuba, this species is now endemic to solely eastern Cuba, specifically the Oriente Province. Its habitat has been lost to development and agriculture, and now an estimated 15% of the original habitat remains. Invasive species, such as mongooses, dogs, and cats predate on the species, which had no natural predators before European colonization of Cuba.
Cuban solenodons are generalized predators within the ecosystems they inhabit, as they help control invertebrate populations and also play a role in seed dispersal. They inhabit brush country and dense humid forests to elevations of 200 m. [10]
Once found across western and eastern Cuba, this species is now endemic to solely eastern Cuba, specifically the Oriente Province. Its habitat has been lost to development and agriculture, and now an estimated 15% of the original habitat remains. Invasive species, such as mongooses, dogs, and cats predate on the species, which had no natural predators before European colonization of Cuba.
Cuban solenodons are generalized predators within the ecosystems they inhabit, as they help control invertebrate populations and also play a role in seed dispersal. They inhabit brush country and dense humid forests to elevations of 200 m. [10]
Reptilia
Finca Ceres Anole / Yellow-lipped Grass Anole (Anolis juangundlachi)
Status: Critically Endangered
This species is local to the Finca Ceres (Los Montes, Matanzas Province of Cuba). The Finca Ceres Anole is accessed as endangered majorly due to its habitat location being near locality. The area it is found in experiences habitat degradation in the form of illegal logging. The area has also been severely altered by hurricanes-- in which Hurricane Lili, 1996, dramatically changed the known habitat. [11]
This species is local to the Finca Ceres (Los Montes, Matanzas Province of Cuba). The Finca Ceres Anole is accessed as endangered majorly due to its habitat location being near locality. The area it is found in experiences habitat degradation in the form of illegal logging. The area has also been severely altered by hurricanes-- in which Hurricane Lili, 1996, dramatically changed the known habitat. [11]
Amphibia
Cuban Pine Toad (Peltophryne cataulaciceps)
Status: Endangered
This species is restricted to extreme western Cuba and the lowlands of the Isla de Juventud and. It inhabits savannah habitat, with pinewood and palms, with sandy soils. It is an explosive breeder that breeds after heavy rains.
The main threats to this species are habitat loss and degradation due to intensive agriculture and the extraction of sand for the glass industry. The invasive Marabu,a fast-growing woody species native to Africa that was introduced to the Caribbean in the 19th century, also poses a threat to native habitat. [30]
This species is restricted to extreme western Cuba and the lowlands of the Isla de Juventud and. It inhabits savannah habitat, with pinewood and palms, with sandy soils. It is an explosive breeder that breeds after heavy rains.
The main threats to this species are habitat loss and degradation due to intensive agriculture and the extraction of sand for the glass industry. The invasive Marabu,a fast-growing woody species native to Africa that was introduced to the Caribbean in the 19th century, also poses a threat to native habitat. [30]
El Yunque Robber Frog (Eleutherodactylus acmonis)
Status: Endangered
This species is endemic to the Sagua-Baracoa and the Sierra Maestra Mountains, Guantanamo Province of eastern Cuba. The terrestrial frog is found in low shrubs, approximately 60 cm above the ground of very moist areas of humid forests.
The principle threat to the species is habitat lost due to deforestation and subsistence agriculture, as well as charcoal collection. Increasing infrastructure development for means of tourism also contribute to the habitat degradation. [12]
This species is endemic to the Sagua-Baracoa and the Sierra Maestra Mountains, Guantanamo Province of eastern Cuba. The terrestrial frog is found in low shrubs, approximately 60 cm above the ground of very moist areas of humid forests.
The principle threat to the species is habitat lost due to deforestation and subsistence agriculture, as well as charcoal collection. Increasing infrastructure development for means of tourism also contribute to the habitat degradation. [12]
Aves
Gundlach's Hawk (Accipiter gundlachi)
Status: Endangered
Only five main population centers of the Accipiter Gundlachi remain, with an estimated total population of 150-200 pairs in 1994. This species formerly occurred throughout Cuba and was found in a variety of wooded habitats at the elevation of 800m such as humid, dry, and pine forests.
Habitat loss as a result of agricultural conversion and logging heavily impacted the species population. Human persecution of the species has been the major cause of its decline, however, because the bird preys mostly on poultry. [13]
Only five main population centers of the Accipiter Gundlachi remain, with an estimated total population of 150-200 pairs in 1994. This species formerly occurred throughout Cuba and was found in a variety of wooded habitats at the elevation of 800m such as humid, dry, and pine forests.
Habitat loss as a result of agricultural conversion and logging heavily impacted the species population. Human persecution of the species has been the major cause of its decline, however, because the bird preys mostly on poultry. [13]
Flora
Calyptranthes pozasiana
Status: Critically Endangered
Many years ago this small tree was reported to occur locally in the Rio del Medio region of Pinar del Río Province in western Cuba. The habitat in this area is very disturbed. Fieldwork is needed to check whether the original population still exists. [33]
Many years ago this small tree was reported to occur locally in the Rio del Medio region of Pinar del Río Province in western Cuba. The habitat in this area is very disturbed. Fieldwork is needed to check whether the original population still exists. [33]
Acacia belairioides
Status: Critically Endangered
Acacia belairioides is endemic to Holguin Province of north-eastern Cuba. The species is a legume of the Fabaceae family. It is threatened by habitat loss, with most of its habitats severely defraded due to grazing and urbanization. [14]
* Only a select amount of endangered species are listed due to the rarity and lack of information of these species.
* Pictures are linked to their sources.
* Pictures are linked to their sources.