Natural history of Trinidad and Tobago


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 South American flora and fauna and has greater diversity of plant and animal species than the Antilles. However, rates of 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

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

Mammals

Trinidad and Tobago is home to about 99 species of terrestrial mammals. About 65 of the mammalian species in the islands are bats. The next most diverse group of mammals in the islands are the rodents. The largest of these rodents are the lowland paca, the Brazilian porcupine, and the red-rumped agouti. One squirrel and several native rats and mice are also part of the rodent fauna. A few species of opossums including the common opossum may be found on both islands. Two anteaters, the southern tamandua and the silky anteater are found in Trinidad. The nine-banded armadillo can still be found on both islands. Native mammals of the order Carnivora include the ocelot, the tayra, the Neotropical river otter and the crab-eating raccoon. The small Asian mongoose was introduced to Trinidad 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. The 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 and native marine mammals, see the appropriate sections below.

Birds

472 species of birds have been recorded in Trinidad and Tobago. There are few places in the world where so many birds can be seen in such a small area. 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 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 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.

Amphibians and reptiles

The best sources of information regarding the recorded amphibians and reptiles of Trinidad and Tobago to date are Murphy and Boos. Since those publications, a few new records as well as several taxonomic changes have been made. The herpetofaunal list is at present in a state of flux, as taxonomy and systematics continue to be revised. To date, the generally accepted recorded numbers of species of the various major groups of amphibians and reptiles are as follows:
Frogs and toads : 37 species in total for the country. .
Caecilians : 1 species in total from Trinidad only..
Turtles, terrapins and tortoises : 14 species recorded in total for the country.
Crocodiles and alligators : 4 species recorded in total for the country.
Legless lizards : 2 species from Trinidad only.
Lizards : 31 confirmed records for the country in total..
Snakes : 50 accepted records for the country in total..
A number of frogs and toads inhabit the islands, including the well known huge marine or cane toad locally known as the crapaud on both islands, and the tiny colourful rare endemic species known as the El Tucuche golden tree frog found only in the giant epiphitic bromeliads at the mist-shrouded summits of Trinidad's two highest peaks. The strangest of all Trinidad's frogs is the highly aquatic Suriname toad or pipa toad, the tadpoles of which develop in the skin tissue of the mother's back, before bursting out and emerging as miniature replicas of the adult frogs. The giant tree frog known locally as the giant flying frog is commonly heard calling after dusk from the vegetation along forest-lined streams in Trinidad. The two frog species of the genus Mannophryne found diurnally active in forests along fast flowing mountain streams both demonstrate a degree of parental care as the tadpoles are transported on the backs of the adult males before a suitable fairly predator-free body of water is found where they may be left to develop. The relatively recently introduced Grenadian 'tink' frog can be heard at night in loud metallic 'tinking' choruses in urban residential neighbourhood yards and parks from Diego Martin to Sangre Grande in Trinidad, and more recently in southwestern Tobago. The tungara frog or locally called the pung-la-la is commonly heard at night calling from wet grassy ditches in open habitats in both urban and rural areas on both islands and their foam nests are found even in small road and trail side puddles during the rainy season. The southwestern peninsula of Trinidad is home to a rather diverse community of frogs, with at least one being known only from that area. Trinidad may also be home to a caecilian 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, the hawksbill turtle, the loggerhead turtle, the olive ridley turtle and the green sea turtle are marine species that either nest on the islands' beaches or frequent their coastal waters. The land dwelling yellow-footed tortoise or Morrocoy as it is locally known is threatened by high levels of poaching in Trinidad. The odd mata-mata turtle is known as a waif of the Nariva Swamp and other southern and eastern coastal river systems in Trinidad. The wood-turtle locally known as the Galap is found in and near rivers, streams and swamps in Trinidad, and has appeared on occasion as a waif on Tobago.
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 3 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 which may grow up to a maximum of about in length, but are usually somewhat smaller are to be found throughout both islands in slow moving freshwater or brackish water along the coasts. They are shy creatures and pose no real threat to humans unless intentionally provoked or approached while nesting. It is generally considered that the few records of both the American crocodile as well as the Orinoco crocodile 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 Amphisbaena alba and Amphisbaena fuliginosa known as 'two headed' snakes on Trinidad. They spend much of their lives burrowing in the soil in forest or forest-edge areas and are often associated with the nests of leaf-cutter ants 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 long green iguana. The so-called luminous lizard makes its home in primary lower montane and montane forest at the mouths of caves and cool stream banks on the high peaks, ridges and high valleys of the Northern Range of Trinidad and is found nowhere else on earth. Found in forest, forest edge and savanna habitats, the large tegu or matte/salipenta as it is locally called and the green iguana are considered delicacies on both Trinidad and Tobago. A number of anole species may be easily observed, even in suburban areas. Only Anolis chrysolepis is a Trinidad native, with all other anoles being relatively recently or historically introduced. Other common lizards include macro-teiids such as the Ameiva atrigularis and Cnemidophorus lemniscatus. Nocturnally active geckos of the genera Thecadactylus and Hemidactylus are common in old and rural buildings on both islands and are commonly referred to as mabouias and wood slaves respectively. There are a number of small colourful diurnal geckos of the genus Gonatodes present. One of them, Gonatodes ocellatus is endemic to forests and edge habitats of northeastern Tobago while another, Gonatodes vittatus or the streak lizard as it is locally known, is very common and can be seen in most suburban and even urban backyards in Trinidad. The tiny Mole's gecko 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, to the very largest of snakes in the world. Anacondas have been historically found around streams, rivers and swamps in southern and eastern Trinidad, and recently also in the Caroni River drainage system. They have not been reported from Tobago. Three other boas, namely Boa constrictor, Corallus ruschenbergerii and Epicrates maurus are found in forest and forest edge habitats throughout both islands. Several harmless snakes in the subfamilies Colubrinae and Dipsadinae are found throughout the islands. Some of the larger examples of the diurnal Colubrinae include Spilotes pullatus found in forest and forest edge habitats, and the rarer more forest dwelling Drymarchon corais can be found on both islands. Smaller well known members of the subfamily include the machete couesse and the horsewhip and are common in forest and forest edge habitats, even in some suburban areas of both islands. Among the Colubrinae, the loras Leptophis stimsoni and Leptophis haileyi are endemics to Trinidad's Northern Range and Tobago's Main Ridge respectively. Many of the members of the subfamily Dipsadinae are typically nocturnal and some of the more commonly observed species present even in suburban areas on both islands are the false mapipire and the slug-eating snake. Other interesting Dipsadinae include the water mapipire a habitat specialist of freshwater and brackish water systems of lowland Trinidad, the mainly diurnal beh belle chemin of forest and edge habitats on both islands and the rare crepuscular red snake 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 are the mapipire balsain and the mapipire zanana. The former is fairly common in primary and secondary forested areas of Trinidad, and the later is a very rarely encountered primary rainforest specialist in Trinidad. The two coral snakes are the small coral snake, 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 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

Trinidad and Tobago are extremely rich in neotropical invertebrate fauna. Several hundred species of butterflies, including the brilliant blue emperor butterfly, and beetles are to be found on the islands, many in the tropical forests. Barcant lists 617 species of butterfly for the two islands of which 123 occur on Tobago. The leaf cutter ant is easily observed, even in sub-urban environments. Soldier ants may be observed in forested areas. The largest specimens of centipedes may be found particularly in the drier forests of the Northwestern Peninsular of Trinidad as well as the nearby tiny off shore islands. A few species of large tarantulas may be found in forested areas and even in houses at the forest edge. 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 to the tiny Gastrocopta snails.
Many species of crustaceans are among the other invertebrates that may be easily observed in Trinidad and Tobago.
There are nine species of scorpions in Trinidad and Tobago including the medically important Tityus trinitatis.

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 and is an important breeding and feeding habitat for several bird species and several marine fishes and invertebrates.
The Nariva Swamp of the east coast is the largest freshwater swamp on Trinidad and has a Ramsar Convention status of wetland of international importance. It and its associated river system of canals and rivers is home to a vast array of aquatic life, including a very small population of the highly endangered West Indian manatee, the green anaconda, the spectacled caiman, the mata mata turtle and the common Suriname toad. The plant community in the swamp include various mangroves, 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 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. 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. See also: List of mammals of Trinidad and Tobago
Whale sharks 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 unfortunately 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.