The status of Columbia spotted frogs (Rana luteiventris) in Idaho and the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem

Authors(s): C. R. Peterson

Publication: conference on declining and sensitive amphibians in the Rocky Mountains and Pacific Northwest

Publisher: (unpublished) Idaho Herpetological Society and US Fish and Wildlife Service, Snake River Basin Office, Boise ID

Publication Date: 0000-00-00

Type:

Location: Boise ID

Abstract: Recent surveys indicate the spotted frogs belonging to the main population of Rana luteiventris are widespread and common to abundant throughout much of Idaho and the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem. (For information on the Great Basin population of Rana luteiventris in southwestern Idaho, please see Jim Munger's abstract.) Within the past six years, many (>15) amphibian surveys have been conducted in Yellowstone National Park, Grand Teton National Park, the Bridger-Teton National Forest, the Targhee National Forest, the Caribou National Forest, the Salmon Falls Creek drainage in south central Idaho, the Boise National Forest, the Sawtooth National Forest, the Lost River Creek drainage and Bighorn Crags of Frank Church River of No Return Wilderness, Hells Canyon, Craig Mountain, the Potlatch Timber Corporation operating area, the Coeur d'Alene Basin, and the Panhandle National Forest. Spotted frogs were common to abundant in most of this area. Exceptions include the Palisades District of the Targhee National Forest and the Lost River Range of he Salmon-Challis Niatonal Forest. Spotted frogs were not detected south of the Snake River in south central Idaho or on the Caribou National Forest in southeastern Idaho. Our amphibian monitoring program in the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem in the Big Creek drainage of the Frank Church River of No Return Wilderness did not indicate declines in spotted frog populations in these areas. Although data on the distribution and relative abundance of spotted frogs generally do not indicate declines, conclusions concerning population levels should be made with caution and viewed as tentative. For example, even though we have found spotted frogs to be abundant and successfully reproducing near Lodge Creek in Yellowstone National Park, a long-term (1950s vs 1990s) study there indicates a large population decline has occurred, probably due to local habitat modifications. (Please see Debra Patla's abstract for further information.)

Keywords: animal, herpetology, amphibian, frog, Anura, Ranidae, Idaho, Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem, spotted frog, Rana luteiventris, population, Bridger Teton National Forest, Grand Teton National Park, Yellowstone National Park, Targhee National Forest, Idaho