The full species list of the Tropical Dry Forests of Cuba is found by clicking on the Species Tab**
Select Endemic Species
Mammalia
Pallid Bat (Antrozous pallidus)
Pallid bats or "Desert Bats" because they are mostly found in desert habitats. Their favorite spots are usually the rocky outcrops but they also occur in oak and pine forests and open farmland. Pallid bats are predators to desert insects. They visit flowers in their hunt for insects, and therefore are natural, indirect pollinators of several species of cactus. [4]
Reptilia
Leopard Dwarf Boa (Tropidophis pardalis)
This species it endemic to western Cuba, including Pinar del Rio and La Habana provinces. It is nocturnal and ground-dwelling, being found during the day under rocks in cave hollows, in rock piles in recently cut woods and on rocky hills. It has also been found in grass stalking Anolis and amidst palm fronds on the ground. The species is known from relatively few localities elsewhere in Cuba, and is clearly not continuously distributed throughout the island. [29]
Mountain Anole (Anolis clivicola)
The Anolis clivicola, or "Mountain Anole" is found in south east Cuba, from the Sierra Maestra and Sierra del Cobre. In the past, the Mountain Anole was threatened by habitat loss due to deforestation for agriculture, plantations and urbanization, and degradation by mining activity. However, threats to these areas are thought to have ceased so that its population is unlikely to be declining which is why they have been assessed as Least Concern because. Furthermore, the species is considered abundant where they are found and some areas in which it occurs coincide with protected areas that have not shown a continuing decline in quality. [5]
Amphibia
Zeus's Rubber Tree Frog (Eleutherodactylus zeus)
This species has a restricted range in western Cuba, in the Sierra de los Organos and the Sierra del Rosario. This is a large species that is found in rock crevices and caves in mesic broadleaf forest. It has not been recorded outside forest habitat and is always associated with limestone. It breeds by direct development.[31]
Eastern Cuba Robber Frog (Eleutherodactylus auriculatus)
Eleutherodactylus auriculatus, or "Eastern Cuba Robber Frog" is endemic to Cuba and Isla de la Juventud. It is found island-wide, from sea level to about 1400 m in dry forests. Male gros have a unique "call" similar to a flat telegraphic clicking, often with a few warm-up clicks, and composed of one note repeated continuously in close regular intervals.
The main threats to this species is clear-cutting of the forest, agriculture, infrastructure development for tourism and human settlement, and disturbance of the forest by tourists. [6]
The main threats to this species is clear-cutting of the forest, agriculture, infrastructure development for tourism and human settlement, and disturbance of the forest by tourists. [6]
Aves
Cuban Parrot(Amazona leucocephala)
the Amazona lecocephala, or the "Cuban Parrot" inhabits dense woodland. During the non-breeding season the migrate to native broadleaf forests and feast on local berries.
Threats to the Cuban Parrot include trapping for the domestic, and formerly at least, international cage bird trade. Nest trees are often pushed over or nest cavities enlarged to extract chicks, rendering them useless for future breeding attempts. [7]
Flora
Microcycas calocoma
Status: Critically Endangered
This species is endemic to Western Cuba. From the area of San Diego de los Banos through the Santa Catalina area to the vicinity of San Andreas.
Populations are scattered in both lowland and montane sites, the latter being in very rough terrain. The habitats vary from grasslands to, more commonly, pine or semi-deciduous forests and conditions range from full sun to deep shade.
The plants are affected by habitat destruction (moderate) and over collecting of plants from the wild. Reproductive failure (pollinator extinction) is a concern, although this still needs to be verified. [32]
This species is endemic to Western Cuba. From the area of San Diego de los Banos through the Santa Catalina area to the vicinity of San Andreas.
Populations are scattered in both lowland and montane sites, the latter being in very rough terrain. The habitats vary from grasslands to, more commonly, pine or semi-deciduous forests and conditions range from full sun to deep shade.
The plants are affected by habitat destruction (moderate) and over collecting of plants from the wild. Reproductive failure (pollinator extinction) is a concern, although this still needs to be verified. [32]
Old Man Palm / Guano barbudo (Coccothrinax crinita)
The ccothrinax crinita, or the "Old Man Palm"native is well known for its stiff, beige-colored hairs densely borne along the entire length of the single, thick trunk. Palmately lobed, simple leaves are compound and are delicately borne on short, thin petioles.
It usually grows in seasonally flooded savannahs, occasionally in hilly areas. It thrives in most warm temperate and tropical areas and will even take a short, light frost without damage. It prefers a sunny situation and needs well drained soil. [8]
Aquatic
Cuban Cichlids (nandopsis tetracanthus)
The Nandopsis tetracanthus, or "Cuban Cichilids" inhabits rivers and lakes found close to dense vegetation living in temperatures between 24 ° C-30 ° C. It is also present in outlets and bays throughout the country of Cuba including neighboring cays so their tolerance to salt water is very high. It enjoys eating small fish, worms, shrimp and aquatic insects. [9]
* Only a select amount of endemic species are listed, possibly due to lack of pictures as some species are very rare.
* Pictures are linked to their sources.
* Pictures are linked to their sources.