A summary of the conference on declining and sensitive amphibians in the Rocky Mountains and Pacific Northwest

Authors(s): E. D. Koch, G. Wood, C. R. Peterson and P. S. Corn

Publication:

Publisher: (unpublished) Idaho Herpetological Society and US Fish and Wildlife Service, Snake River Basin Office Report, Boise ID

Publication Date: 0000-00-00

Type:

Location: Boise Idaho

Abstract: Several organizations supported the development of this conference on declining and sensitive amphibians in the Rocky Mountains and Pacific Northwest. This meeting took place in Boise, Idaho, November 7-8, 1996. The conference was attended by over 150 people from government agencies, academic institutions, private companies, and other non-governmental organizations. The purpose of the conference was to share information and discuss the status and conservation of spotted frogs (Rana pretiosa = Oregon spotted frog, and Rana luteiventris = Columbia spotted frog), northern leopard frogs (Rana pipiens), boreal toads (Bufo boreas boreas), a subspecies of the western toad) and common garter snakes (Thamnophis sirtalis) in the Rocky Mountains and the Pacific Northwest of the United States. This was the first regional conference to focus on declining amphibian population issues in the Rocky Mountains. Several approaches were used to present and share information. We provided several information sheets to each attender. Invited and contributed papers were presented on both days. We also used a panel discussion format. We tried to maximize audience participation in discussions. We provided longer than normal breaks during the day. We made available maps of each state to be used to facilitate discussions, locate amphibian observations, and identify species ranges. We made available for viewing live animals of each of the four species that were the subject of this meeting. We video-taped the conference. And we developed this summary document. November 7 was devoted to spotted frogs. Invited papers addressed phylogenetic history, effects of fish introductions, habitat alteration, and status reviews by geographic area. The afternoon session involved a wide-ranging discussion of spotted frogs and issues concerning amphibian declines. Conclusions from this session were (1) that the Oregon spotted frog has declined seriously throughout its range, (2) the Columbia spotted frog in the main portion of its range appears to be widespread and common, and (3) some Columbia spotted frog populations to the south and west are in varying degrees of decline. That evening included a presentation on tips for identifying amphibians and the opportunity to view live animals. November 8 was devoted to a discussion of inventory and monitoring, state herpetological databases, habitat use at various spatial scales by amphibians, the limits of genetic inference, pertinent aspects of federal laws for protecting amphibians, the relationships of the members of the Bufo boreas group, and the implications of phylogenetic diversity for prioritizing conservation goals. The afternoon session focused on status reports and discussions for northern leopard frogs, boreal toads, and common garter snakes by geographic area. Northern leopard frogs are reported to have declined throughout most portions of their range, but recent increases have been noted at several sites. Boreal toad declines have been documented from western Montana south and east through eastern Idaho and Wyoming to Utah and Colorado. Common garter snakes appear to have declined in western Montana, the Greater Yellowstone Area, and in southeastern Idaho. There was a general consensus among attenders that the conference was successful at achieving its goals, due in large part to the variety of techniques used. Developing an internet home page to share information in the Rocky Mountains was identified as the top priority for future work.

Keywords: animal, herpetology, amphibian, frog, Anura, Bufonidae, Ranidae, toad, salamander, Caudata, population, mortality, habitat, Rocky Mountain, Idaho, Wyoming, Greater Y ellowstone Ecosystem, spotted frog, Rana pretiosa, Oregon spotted frog, Rana luteiventris , Columbia spotted frog, northern leopard frog, Rana pipiens, boreal toad, western toad, Bufo boreas boreas, common garter snake, snake, Thamnophis sirtalis, Colubridae