Herpetofauna Inventory
Importance / IssuesAmphibian declines have been documented throughout western North America and include several species in the Klamath region (e.g., Cascades frog, California red-legged frog). Status and trends for reptiles are even less known than amphibians for most Klamath parks. For example, the western pond turtle may also be in decline in parts of the region. The eastern bullfrog is a non-native species that is now common throughout the west; this frog is believed to have detrimental effects on native frogs and the western pond turtle. However, we need empirical evidence to establish cause-and-effect relationships between introduced species and native wildlife. In many cases, we lack basic information on distribution and abundance of resident species of herpetofauna. Principal InvestigatorDr. Bruce Bury Inventory Leader Dr. Daniel Sarr |
 ObjectivesThe first objective was to efficiently document the herpetofauna in each park. The second objective was to develop distribution and abundance data for species of special concern. The third objective was to document biodiversity in wetland and aquatic habitats of the parks. ParksCrater Lake National Park Project StatusCompleted |
ReportsBury, R.B., and Wegner, W. 2003. NPS Klamath Network: Initial Surveys for Amphibians and Reptiles at Redwood National Park 2003. Some appendices have been removed or changed because they contain location information. To obtain the complete report, please go to the Klamath Network Intranet web site. | |
2002 ResultsWe sampled 126 sites in four park units using four methods: Time-constrained searches, linear hikes, headwater stream surveys, and large water surveys. Most (N = 87) were time-constrained surveys, which yielded 500 animals or 5.75 individuals/site or 2.87 animals/person-hr of search effort. Linear surveys were conducted in 21sites in three park units with most occurring in Lava Beds National Monument. We observed 286 animals or 11.44 individuals/site or 5.74 per person-hr of effort. Lava Beds National Monument Time-constrained survey sites at Lava Beds yielded western fence lizards (87%), sagebrush lizards (5%), western skinks (4%), two common racers, and two striped whipsnakes. Linear surveys at Lava Beds yielded western fence lizards (87.3% of all reptiles), followed by some sagebrush lizards (9.0%), and skinks (1.8%). We found two western rattlesnakes on linear surveys but none on the time-constrained surveys. No amphibians were located. This was the only park where we conducted drives in warm evenings and nights. These four drives yielded 11 records of gopher snakes, three rattlesnakes, and two western fence lizards. Oregon Caves National Monument Using time-constrained methods, we found only northern alligator lizards (N =3) and 34 amphibians (mostly ensatina and clouded salamanders) at Oregon Caves. Surveys at Oregon Caves using linear survey methods yielded no reptiles and 13 amphibians (one species of salamander, the ensatina). During stream surveys, a total of six tailed frogs and nine giant salamanders were found in six sites sampled. Whiskeytown National Recreation Area Most time-constrained survey sites (57.5%) were in WHIS and also yielded a proportional amount of the animals (55.6%). WHIS had 347 animals: 278 reptiles (five species of lizards and 11 of snakes) and 69 amphibians (three species of salamanders and three of frogs). Four species of lizards comprised 87.8% of all reptiles found at WHIS: western fence lizard, 45.7%; western skink, 20.9%; sagebrush lizard, 11.5%; and southern alligator lizard, 9.7%. Uncommon or unusual records included two northern alligator lizards (both at higher elevations), eight sharp-tailed snakes, one mountain kingsnake, and one common kingsnake. We only found one each of the California striped racer and western rattlesnake. Further, WHIS yielded 69 amphibians on these terrestrial sites. We found a good number of treefrogs and ensatina and two black salamanders. We even found one each of "aquatic" species (the tailed frog and giant salamander) and both were near streams. Although we did fewer linear surveys at WHIS, we caught 107 animals including: 75 reptiles (three species of lizards and three species of snakes) plus 32 amphibians (two species of frogs and one species of salamander). These include some yellow-legged frogs. We conducted 18 stream surveys at WHIS and ORCA with high capture rates: N = 172 or 9.56/site (4.77 per person-hr). Most sites (66.6%) were at WHIS and yielded a disproportionate number of captures (91.2%). These were predominantly amphibians (N = 153 individuals of three species of frogs and three species of salamanders and most of the catch was giant salamanders and tailed frogs) and four reptiles (two species of lizards and two species of snakes). 2003 Results Crater Lake National Park We sampled a total of 16 sites, yielding 189 captures of herpetofauna in 2003. We found five species of amphibians (Costal tailed frog, Cascades frog, Pacific treefrog, western toad, and Long-toed Salamander), and observed an unknown ranid species and unknown salamander larvae (Ambystoma or Taricha). One species of reptile was also found (Sagebrush lizard). The most commonly captured animal was the Coastal Tailed frog. The catch per unit effort (CPUE) for large water surveys was 0.72 animals per person hour. We captured only four individuals using this survey: three Pacific treefrogs and one Cascades frog. Captures for large water surveys were only 2.1% of the total captures for the park. The CPUE for headwaters surveys was 6.7 animals per person hour. We captured 156 animals. Coastal Tailed frogs (52.6%) were the greatest proportion of headwaters captures, Cascades frogs (42.9%) were second, and Pacific treefrogs, Long-toed salamanders, and the unknown salamander larvae each were 1.3% of the captures. The unidentified larval Ranid species comprised 0.6% of the captures. Captures for headwaters surveys made up 82.5% of the total captures for the park. We conducted three opportunistic surveys and found 24 animals. These surveys were both aquatic and terrestrial. These opportunistic captures made up 12.7% of our total captures in the park. The remaining 2.6% of captures for the park consisted of incidentals. Redwood National and State Parks We visited 11 sites, including two long visits at Dolason Prairie Trail (higher elevation) and Skunk Cabbage Trail (lowlands). The weather was cool and damp throughout our visit with air temperatures ranging from 3-12°C. We found 16 species of salamanders (Southern Torrent salamander, Pacific giant salamander, Black salamander, Del Norte salamander, Ensatina salamander, Oregon slender salamander, Northwestern salamander, Rough-skinned newt), lizards (Southern alligator lizard, Northern alligator lizard, Western fence lizard, Western skink), frogs (Northern red-legged frog, Western toad, Pacific treefrog), and snakes (California red-sided garter). The cool and wet weather during our surveys likely prevented us from documenting the greater reptile diversity that was expected, particularly on the bald hills and coastal talus areas if weather was warmer. One highlight of this inventory was the discovery of a high density and diversity of amphibians during a short stop at the Big Bluffs Overlook on the coast just south of the mouth of the Klamath River. We documented Bufo americanus, Aneides flavipunctatus, and Plethodon elongatus within about 1 m of each other in a large sunny talus pile on a steep slope over the ocean. This area looks promising for reptiles during a period of warmer weather. | |