Survey of the Herpetofauna of Bruneau Resource Area, Boise District, with Focuson the Spotted Frog, 'Rana Pretiosa'

摘要

Little is known about the distribution and abundance of reptiles and amphibiansin the deserts of the Intermountain west. In particular, the status of the spotted frog, Rana pretiosa is poorly known. We conducted censuses of the amphibians at potential breeding sites in the portion of the Bruneau Resource area at the southern end of the Owyhee Mountains and collected data on potentially important habitat variables. Adult spotted frogs were found at 41 sites and their larvae at three sites of the 204 surveyed. Adult spotted frogs tended to be found at oxbows, pools, or ponds, at sites with sandy substrate, at sites with lower sagebrush cover, and at sites with hideaways. Less evidence of grazing was present at those sites, than those without spotted frogs. The Pacific treefrog larvae was found at 37 sites and adults at 11 sites. Two other amphibians species and ten reptile species were found.