Notes on the Fauna of the Island of Puerto Rico, 1836–C. Moritz 1923 (Notizen zur Fauna der Insel Puerto Rico)
[Rough Translation]After I had completed the entomological collections organized on the Danish islands of St. Thomas and St. John for the Royal Zoological Museum, I traveled, according to the drafted plan, on February 13th of the previous year, to the Spanish island of Puerto Rico. Adverse weather prolonged the journey, which usually takes only 12 hours with a favorable easterly trade wind from St. Thomas, to almost four days. Finally, arriving near the small town of Arecibo, on the north coast, at 311° L. east of Ferro, we landed in a large, very deep boat, utilizing the high surf wave that swelled high in the struggle with the opposing river mouth, and with doubled effort from the oarsmen, successfully brought us over the existing reef into the river. The shores of this river, adorned with the most luxuriant greenery, shaded by Bananas and Arundo Donax, the waters at shallow spots covered with a dense carpet of delicate green and reddish aquatic plants, on the edge of which Cicindelen (Tiger beetles) and smaller Carabicinen (Ground beetles) swarmed, the dark green of nearby mountain forests—All proclaimed a richer nature than the rocks of St. Thomas could have offered me, a nature whose products had hitherto been so little known *).
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Footnote (): If in an esteemed geography handbook this island is called a true terra incognita (unknown land) in natural history terms, it could also have added, “in geographical terms”; for in Stein’s Handbook of Geography, besides the capital, two cities are listed under the strange names Miaguesse and Miagnand, both of which never existed on the island. The first name is undoubtedly a corruption of Mayagues, the name of a mere village (Pueblo); for the II. Jahrg. 1. Band. 26. The second name cannot be found among all the place names in Puerto Rico that even remotely resemble it. For correction, I note that besides the capital San Juan, four places are currently called cities (Villas), namely Arecibo, Aguada, Coamo, and St. German. The remaining 49 places are called Pueblos, though, since they are mostly inhabited by merchants, the German designation of Flecken (market town) or small country town fits better than Dorf (village); for the dwellings of the larger and smaller plantation owners, as well as those of a crowd of mostly colored, mixed, poor people, are scattered individually everywhere, and only the wealthy possess their special houses in the Pueblos, which are otherwise mostly vacant except on Sundays and holidays. Moreover, the Spanish government tends to gradually confer the title Villa on the Pueblos that are particularly thriving.
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Journey and Base of Operations
I was therefore permitted to expect some benefit for natural science from my stay on this island. Traveling across the island in the peculiar local manner, riding on baskets, I traversed the island from the north coast out over Manati, surrounded by tobacco plantations, the impregnably fortified capital San Juan with its Casa Blanca, built in 1525 by Dn. Juan Ponce de Leon, over Caguas, scented here by the Volkameria fragrans (which is decried here as eye poison), then ascending the high mountain range over Coramo, near the hot spring (the only known one on the island), which forms a small waterfall warming the cool shade.
I continued over Ponce on the coast with wide, luxuriant sugar fields, between which German industry has built a Chaussée (where one sees light carriages rolling, otherwise a rarity on the island), to the lively port Guyama, then to Yabucoa, located on the south side. I chose this latter place, one mile from the coast, in the valley romantically encircled on three sides by high mountains, as my permanent base of operations, from where I repeatedly explored the wide meadow plain of the valley with its flowering Emahagua hedges (Hibiscus tiliaceus, the West Indian hemp), the banks of brooks and rivers marked by bamboo thickets or banana plants, and the moist, shady Poyales (small thickets, mostly composed of Palo payo, a tree that I cannot determine with certainty). I visited the nearby mountain forests and made further excursions into the interior mountains.
Here is the essence of my observations and experiences concerning the animal world of the island, gathered during 4 months in Puerto Rico.
Fauna Observations (Thierwelt)
Mammals (Säugethiere)
According to my most meticulous research, the originally indigenous mammals of the island of Puerto Rico include, besides the few small species of the genera Mus and Vespertilio (Rats, Mice, Bats), only the Manati (Trichecus Manatus L.), which is sometimes caught in the Manati River named after it. The Cerdos (Pigs) of the higher mountain forests are nothing more than feral European swine.
Reptiles (Reptilien) and Snakes (Schlangen)
However, the family of lizard-like Reptiles, scattered as it were by nature over all West Indian islands, is numerous. They mostly prefer sunny places, ranging in size from a small rat to the thickness of a small quill, the latter living under stones. The drawing, color, and luster of these beautiful living creatures usually fade after death, however much one tries to preserve them.
The species of Snakes are much less numerous. My experiences and the information obtained from the islanders show that even though individual snakes are abundant in the moist, shady Poyales, one can scarcely walk a few steps in places without seeing several examples of a Coluber species slithering away, or being alerted by the croaking of a frog (a genus which has only 1 or 2 small species here) to the snake strangling it. I encountered 5 different species of snakes on Puerto Rico. The largest one, belonging to the genus Coluber *), I obtained, was over 6 feet long and arm-thick. I did not see the snake reach the thickness of a man’s thigh, as is claimed, and I consider it exaggerated. This snake is very dangerous to poultry and is therefore carefully persecuted. In my vicinity, a large tree was once chopped down because the animal had taken refuge in a tree hollow.
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Footnote (): Undoubtedly a Boa. The amphibians collected by the author unfortunately did not come into my hands. Editor.
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Crucially, incidentally, there is not a single poisonous snake on the island; all are harmless.
Amphibians (Amphibien)
Two species of the genus Coecilia L. (a type of worm-like amphibian) are found in some stems and in the earth. The Coecilia is scarcely the thickness of a quill, with small, pin-like eyes hidden under the skin, sufficient for its mole-like life. The tail end is partly almost thicker and more rounded than the head, which is why the Creoles in Venezuela, where this genus also occurs, consider the animal to be two-headed.
Spiders and Scorpions (Giftthiere)
In general, I note here concerning the poisonous animals of Puerto Rico, that the Guavá, crab spider (Phrynus reniformis Latr.), is considered the most venomous creature. It is a peculiar spider with large, internally thorny pincers, and, strangely, an elongated first pair of legs, similar to the antennae of many male Cerambyces (Longhorn beetles). I found this leg pair to be 8 ¼ inches long in a sizeable specimen, while the remaining 6 legs were only 3 inches, and the body itself only 1 ¼ inches long. The bite of the Guavá is rumored to be deadly to humans and to cause at least incurable boils in larger livestock, which I saw hanging from the bellies of horses, the size of a human head.
I found this spider, as well as 2–3 species of smaller, sensitive, but harmlessly stinging Scorpions, whose sting I personally felt, sometimes under the bark of dead tree trunks. The bite of the West Indian Tarantula is considered more dangerous than the scorpion sting. While the tarantula of the Danish islands (Mygale cancerides) lives primarily under stones, I found the Puerto Rican species always in tree hollows, where it weaves a white, firm, silky tube, about an inch in diameter, deep within the base. A second smaller species, beautifully bright blue with blackish cross-stripes on the abdomen, I found almost always in moist valley thickets, in a firm, irregular web between rolled-up leaves.
Poisonous and Annoying Insects
Among the poisonous insects of the island, one can also count the Cautopies (Scolopendra morsitans, a large centipede), of which smaller species also occur, and furthermore some species of Millipedes (Julus), which, when touched, spray a caustic fluid that inflames the delicate skin and is even said to cause blindness in the eye. A rather handsome species, adorned with light yellow and a soft red row of spots, is found in rock crevices in the mountains near Manati.
The island is not lacking in other troublesome insects. Such are the Musquitos (Culex fasciatus et al. sp.), Sandflies (Simulia), scarcely larger than a grain of sand, thus only noticeable after their extremely sensitive sting, Niguas (Pulex penetrans), and common fleas (Pulices) in unspeakable proliferation. The largest biting fly I encountered there is a Chrysops, related to Ch. quadratus; however, I saw no Tabanus.
Birds (Vögel)
Among all animal classes, Birds and Insects are, without contradiction, those that lend true life and higher charm to a landscape characterized by its vegetation.
Coastal and River Birds: On the sea coasts, especially near the fish-rich river mouths, Herds of Alcatras (Pelecanus fuscus Vicill.) cover the waters and rest on cliffs and washed-up trunks, while flocks of Caviota (Larus atricilla Cuv.) sweep over the water in measured flight, and a small Charadrius, related to our Ch. minor, runs whistling along the wet banks. Occasionally, a pair of the West Indian Osprey (Falco piscator Antillarum Briss.) is seen hovering higher up.
Following the river banks inland, one occasionally scares away a Garza (Ardea coerulea L.), but more frequently the very common Martinete (Ardea [Cancrophagus Briss. ] viridis), similar to our Bittern, which flies up with a cry, soon settling again on the straggly branches of densely leafed Bamboo, or in the bank thickets. I found the nest of the latter on the island of St. John in the tops of the Rhizophora Mangle (Mangrove). The nest is built of twigs of considerable size, with 3–4 greenish-white, rather rounded eggs.
In the moist, shady valley thickets (Poyales), one hears the beautiful glossy black, scarlet-red underneath Carpintero (Picus torquatus) hammering wood larvae out of the stems. Occasionally, a large Yaboa or a Carrao rustles from the treetops, the former related to the Herons, the latter to the genus Numenius.
Most frequently, however, the beautiful Yacerete (Fulica martinica) appears here towards evening, whose front dark blue, often violet shimmering plumage is pleasantly contrasted by the light blue forehead plate *).
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Footnote (): In Voigt’s edition of Cuvier, the frontal skin is incorrectly given as red. Furthermore, this waterhen, since it has a small wing-spur, should belong more to the genus Parra than Fulica. A living specimen from the Orinoco region, which I saw very tame in St. Thomas, was completely identical to the Puerto Rican species. The nest and eggs resemble those of our Gallinula chloropus.
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• Other Birds: Early in the morning, one sees the strong Paloma (Columba corensis Cuv.) with its beautifully reddish-brown neck picking the tree berries. Only one singer (Sylviae sp.?), slightly larger than the Nightingale, gray above, rather whitish below, whose song was fairly melodious but short, interrupted the discordant cries of the other birds. I was told several times about a singing bird on the island called the Ruisennor (Nightingale), whose song was allegedly second to none. I neither saw nor heard it, perhaps because the time of its singing was not during my stay in Guyama.
• Meadow and Bush Birds: The local small Bunting, called Murnin (Emberiza olivacea) *), tweets and searches for seeds. At the onset of the rainy season, one sometimes sees near the cattle the beautiful dazzling white Heron (Ardea candida Br.) with a red beak and black feet, searching for the worm raised from the saturated soil. In the Emahagua hedges, hop the Judios (Crotophaga), which build large communal nests, and glossy black Mosambiques (Cassicus Quiscala Cuv.), and the droll, red-yellow spotted Mariquitas (Cassicus phoeniceus)—both of the latter devastate the rice fields—with screeching commotion. The Reinito (Nectarinia [Certhia] flaveola) climbs and incessantly chirps around the blossoms. In shady trees, the small, lovely green San Pedrito (Todus viridis) is sometimes seen, deeply snoring. From the outermost tips of the highest tree branches, the Bitirre (Muscicapa Tyrannus plus a related rarer species) lets its eternal cry—its own name—be heard. The voice of this bird is the first to announce the break of day. In the denser thicket, one hears the rolling call of the simple Pajaro bobo (Cuculus vetula?), which the Creoles claim builds its own nest.
• Birds of Prey and Parrots: High above the mountains, a species of Falcon, called Lechusa, sometimes hovers whistling, exceeding F. Buteo in size, or a smaller species otherwise similar (called Guaraguao), F. Antillarum? Briss., both predators of poultry, while the small Falcon (Aesalon Antillarum Br.) hunts small birds and lizards. One hears the screeching of the green Cotorre with a red headband (Psittacus festivus?), which flutters through the forest in small flocks.
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Footnote (): This bunting, of which the olive-green male has a reddish-marked head, is generally widespread on the free plains of Puerto Rico; whereas, instead of it on the small Danish islands, another species is equally common, whose female is olive-green, the male appears almost black, building an oven-shaped nest in low bushes with eggs similar to those of our Linnets. Both species are, in their respective homeland, representatives of our Goldhammers or Field Sparrows.
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Insects and Arachnids
Luminous Beetles (Leuchtkäfer): The island is rich in luminous beetles. They are the Cucujos, Luminous Beetles of the genus Lampyris. I have found 5 species of these across the entire island. The island is perhaps richer in this genus than Germany or even all of Europe. In addition to these comes another genus of luminous beetle, the large Cucubano (an Elater related to noctilucus), which flies especially in the streets of the villages from March to May and emits an even stronger light through the 2 phosphorescent lights on its thorax. The light from six Cucubanos held together in a narrow glass gave enough light to read ordinary print.
The nature of all Lampyris species of the New World found by me so far differs remarkably from that of the German species: that the females of the former are fully provided with wings, just like the males, which is confirmed by the mating, which I often encountered. The Cucubano was found in the wild only on individual felled tree trunks, suggesting that dry wood may be the abode of its larva.
Other Coleoptera (Beetles): In the evening hours, various beetles fly toward the light, such as Bostrichen, Platypus, Cerambycinen (Stenocorus festivus, Stenopterus aurulentus etc.), Melolontha didactyla and other Coleoptera. Small Carabicinen live on the muddy ground itself, as do Staphylinus, Lathrobium, Paederus, Oxytelus, Tachyporus, Aleochara etc.. Small species of Aphodii and Cyclocephala barbata are also found here. The complete lack of larger genuine Coprophagi (Dung Beetles) and Necrophoren is noted. Cassidae (Tortoise Beetles), which appear with magnificent gold-, silver-, or mother-of-pearl sheen that fades after death, are found on low plants. Curculionidae (Weevils) of the genus Attelabus also occur here with a metallic sheen.
In the dying wood of felled palm trunks, a rich harvest of Wood Beetles is found, including Diaperis, Boletophagus, Anthribus, Bostrichus, Hylurgus, Apate (rare), Cis, Bitoma, Lyctus, Trogosita, Cucujus, rarely 4 species of Prionus, Clytus, Brenthus. Most frequently found between the leaf sheaths of felled palms is Calandra sericea, whose larva feeds in the pith.
Lepidoptera (Butterflies and Moths): In the evergreen thickets fly Pap. Steneles, Hipp. Jatrophae, Helic. Charitonia, and on sunny edges, brown long-tailed Hesperiae hold their wings half-spread. Lemon-yellow Colias, small pale-yellow and whitish Pontiae, Van. Lavinia, and plump, shy Hesperiae swarm over the dry, higher ground. Nocturnal Lepidoptera, sometimes Noct. Odora and Agarista, fly toward light in the evenings.
Social/Worm Insects: Termites (Comehens, Termes fatalis et al. sp.) are found in dead plant stems, often building giant, beehive-like nests between tree branches, arching their pathways with a light and rain-impermeable cover.
Snails and Slugs (Conchylien)
Various Land Conchylien are found in the valleys and on the rocky slopes of low mountains, e.g., Helices (H. Lima F.) and others, and a hairless, inch-long, yellowish-gray Limax (slug). In the brooks, however, some small freshwater snails of the genus Planorbis etc. are found. The cylindrical Clausilia costulata Cuv., looking like small green-mossy pieces of rice, hangs frequently on the trunks of the mountain palm.
Scientific Discussion (Colonization Theory)
The complete lack of larger genuine Coprophagi (Dung Beetles) on Puerto Rico is easily explained by the lack of larger indigenous Quadrupeds. The absence of species like Phanaeus Mimas (a large dung beetle) seems to indicate a population of this island by immigration. Conversely, the frequent appearance of that beetle on the South American mainland might lead to the conclusion of the origin of the ancestral stock of the American human species in that part of the world.
A comparison of the fauna on the islands with that on the mainland should be considered when assessing the hypothesis that the Antilles Sea originated from Atlantic Ocean currents, and thus the Antilles should be viewed as torn-off pieces of the mainland. If the organic beings were present upon the separation of the islands from the mainland, how is it to be explained that on Puerto Rico, which is 20 miles long, no species of Cervus (Deer), so common on the neighboring mainland, no squirrel, nor any other large quadruped usually found here, has remained? The fauna, generally so meager compared to the mainland and partially so highly divergent, seems to make an immigration of the first human settlers to the island by sea more likely than by land.
Caracas in January 1836.