California Red-Legged Frog

The California Red-legged frog, or Rana draytonii, is a species of frog that is endemic to California and Baja California. It is a medium-sized frog (1.75-5.25 inches) with long legs. Their skin is reddish-brown, gray, or olive with dark spots, and distinctive red hind legs and underbelly, which gives this amphibian it's name. It is classified as vulnerable by the IUCN, with a declining population trend. The California red-legged frog is also California's state amphibian, which gives it extra protection in the eyes of the law.

The habitat of the California red-legged frog includes areas along the coast of California, from Baja California to Mendocino county, as well as in the Sacramento/San Joaquin valley, and the Sierra Nevada Foothills. They tend to inhabit ponds, streams, and other riparian environments, and prefer to live and breed in still, standing water. They are extremely sensitive to the heat of the sun, so they like to hang out in the shade, among tall grasses, shrubs, or reeds, to avoid sunlight.

California red-legged frogs breed in the water, releasing 300-4000 eggs, which hatch into tadpoles in about four weeks. These tadpoles take a long time to turn into young adult frogs--anywhere from four to seven months on average.

The population of the California Red-legged frog has declined due to many factors. The three main threats are overexploitation, habitat degradation/destruction, and invasive species. Overexploitation has occurred in many different forms.

In the late 1800's and early 1900's, the frogs were exploited for food, in the millions, by early settlers to California. Later on, development in the growing state led to degradation of the quality of wetland habitats, wetlands drying up due to irrigation practices, and habitat fragmentation due to housing developments, roads, highways, and farmlands being built on--or next to--these crucial wetland systems. Urbanization has driven the California red-legged frog out of many parts of it's natural habitat. In these areas, species richness goes down, and native species are replaced by non-native, generalist species, such as bullfrogs. Over time, human growth and development has added to the fragmentation of the population. Conservation groups have worked to protect some wetlands that are known native frog habitats from further development.

Agricultural runoff has been shown to be a problem for frogs. Pesticides are environmental pollutants which affect wetlands, streams, and oceans in many ways which have yet to be determined. Some studies have shown that frogs that are exposed to certain pesticides produce more stress hormones and have weakened immune systems. Some frogs have even been "feminized", or turned from males into females. Some scientists think that the negative effects of pesticides seen in frogs indicate that the same chemicals may cause medical problems in humans.

California red-legged frogs have also had to compete with invasive species. Bullfrogs, native to the eastern United States, pose a unique treat to native frogs. They prey on red-legged frogs as a food source, compete with red-legged frogs for the food supply, and also carry an infectious fungal disease called Chritydiomycosis. This disease has decimated native frog populations in many regions. Red-legged frogs are also preyed on by invasive fish species, which are often put in ponds, lakes and streams for recreational fishing. Efforts have been made by conservation groups to improve the habitat of the California red-legged frog by removing invasive species.

The recovery plan for the California red-legged frog, published by the US Fish and Wildlife Service,  has involved splitting it's natural habitat range into "Recovery Units". One of the main objectives of this plan is to reduce threats to the frog, such as environmental pollutants or competing invasive species. Another part of the plan is to restore the frog's habitat zones and protect them from further development or environmental degradation. Scientists hope to restore numbers to the point where a healthy metapopulation, with movements between populations, can be sustained. The ongoing drought has been having a detrimental effect on the frog population, as well. Scientists hope that California will begin to have average rainfall again, and will continue to monitor the numbers for 15 years or more.

If you would like to raise awareness about endangered frog species, please visit SAVE THE FROGS at www.savethefrogs.com. On that website, you can learn all about frogs, the threats to their survival, and what you can do to help! I would also like to recommend the PBS documentary, Frogs: The Thin Green Line. www.pbs.org/wnet/nature/frogs-the-thin-green-line-video-agricultures-effect-on-frogs/4848

Also, I encourage you to research environmental pollutants and their effects on wildlife. Many studies have shown that pesticides, plastics, and other chemicals may cause diseases, birth defects, and other issues in fish, frogs, mammals, and even humans.

Written by Erin Coffey

Sources:

National Wildlife Federation - California Red Legged Frog
https://www.nwf.org/Wildlife/Wildlife-Library/Amphibians-Reptiles-and-Fish/California-Red-Legged-Frog.aspx

U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service - Recovery Plan for the California Red-legged Frog
http://ecos.fws.gov/docs/recovery_plan/020528.pdf

IUCN Red List
http://www.iucnredlist.org/details/136113/0

California Herps - California Red-legged Frog (Images courtesy of this website)
http://www.californiaherps.com/frogs/pages/r.draytonii.html

Save the Frogs - California Red-legged Frog, 2013, Kerry Kriger
http://www.savethefrogs.com/amphibians/rana-draytonii.html

PBS - Frogs: The Thin Green Line, 2009
http://www.pbs.org/wnet/nature/frogs-the-thin-green-line-video-agricultures-effect-on-frogs/4848/

Environmental Working Group - Dirty Dozen Endocrine Disruptors
http://www.ewg.org/research/dirty-dozen-list-endocrine-disruptors

Lesser Log-Nosed Bat

Leptonycteris curasoae yerbabuenae

Written by Sadie Carlson

Photo by Merlin D. Tuttle, Bat Conservation International

Bat Overview
2.5 inches from head to tail and 10 inches from wing tip to wing tip. The species has a yellow/grey hued coloring. This desert bat is nocturnal and feasts primarily on pollen, nectar, paniculate agave fruit, and columnar cacti. Before being exposed to human engineering, the bat presided solely in caves and trees, but now lives in abandoned buildings as well.

Geographic range

    Currently inhabiting only 40 roosts, within the U.S., the Lesser Long-Nosed bat Is known to preside in the Arizona counties of Cochise, Graham, Greenlee, Maricopa, Pima, Pinal, Santa Cruz, and Yuma, and in the New Mexico County of Hidalgo. Outside of the U.S. the bat is known to inhabit parts of Mexico.¹ Historically, the bat is recorded to have had a territory spanning from the Peloncillo mountains in New Mexico, through a large portion of Mexico, and into El Salvador.² This particular species of bat is known to migrate between its northern nesting areas in the U.S., and its winter lodging in Mexico.³

Listing History

In 1987 it was first proposed that the Lesser Long-Nosed Bat be added to the endangered species list. The Species was first listed on the endangered (vs. critically endangered)species list as “Endangered” on 09/30/1988. The report containing the final ruling on the listing can be found at http:/ecos.fws.gov/docs/federal_register/fr1487.pdf . It wasn’t until 1998 that a formal recovery plan was drafted.

                             Word Search         

           AGAVE                                ARIZONA

               BAT                                     CAVE

           COLUMNAR CACTI            ENDANGERED

           LESSER                              LONG NOSED

           MEXICO                              MIGRATION

           MINE                                   NEW MEXICO

           QUESTIONABLE

Why were they listed?

The main causes for listing include diminishing population sizes. Estimations for current population size is estimated to be 60,000, much lower than it was in previous years. This assertion is widely regarded as truthful, even though no reports have been validated as conclusive. All the same, the species was has not recently been spotted in many of the caves and mines that it was known to inhabit during the 1970s. Although this report was also lacking in certainty, the long nosed bat has been listed is due to the detriments that would result in its extinction. The Bat is a known pollinator of the agave plant. If the Lesser long nose bat were to become extinct, and subsequently cease pollination of the agave, many scientists claim that we would see a large reduction in agave plants. This claim is weakened by the fact that many other species, such as bats and birds aid in the reproduction of the agave plant, thus creating the claim that the bats presence does not have a substantial impact on the agave plant.

But are they really at risk?

Since the severity of the endangerment of the bats is under question, the gravity of the causes are also uncertain. The most likely causes include the closing of abandoned mines. Abandoned mines play a crucial role in the nesting of the lesser long nosed bats. As safety precautions have encouraged the closure of abandoned mines, many bats have lost their breeding grounds. Beyond caves, these bats roost in abandoned homes, hollow trees, and any undisturbed dark space. These bats are so sensitive that even a visit from a curious individual can cause a mass abandonment from the roosting space. This disturbance greatly affects breeding, and can lead to an overall decline in species numbers.4

What happens when you close the door on an abandoned house/bat roost? …RECOVERY!

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife service has published a very comprehensive recovery plan. The entire process is expected to be relatively quick and inexpensive; costing an estimated $1,061,000. The first step towards recovery is to protect roosting sites and food supplies. The next order will be to monitor and survey the roost sites throughout the bats native territory. This will also include surveys of other bat species. Lastly, the recovery plan calls for more research into the bats so that we can better know what is affecting them.5 More detailed information can be found in the recovery plan which is located at: http://ecos.fws.gov/docs/recovery_plan/970304.pdf

What can you do?

Since very little is known about the lesser long nosed bat, the best thing that we can do is avoid disturbing them. So if you are ever in their native region, stay out of old trees and caves. Also, avoid abandoned houses and mines. In general, it is a wise choice to avoid all of those locations. The next thing that we can do is stay connected. As the recovery plan progresses, and we learn more about what is affecting the Lesser Long Nosed Bat, we will better know how to protect them. Lastly, all protective services are being paid for by the federal government. To extend the aid to more species, write your local representative asking for more of the federal government’s budget to be allocated to environmental protection services.

References

1. Species Profile for Lesser Long-Nosed bat, ECOS, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
2. General Species information, July 2001, Arizona Ecological Service Field Office
3. 5 Year Review: Summary and Evaluation, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, LLNB
4. Cockrum 1991, Hoyt et al. 1994, Lesser Long Nosed Bat Recovery Plan, May 1998, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
5. Lesser Long Nosed Bat Recovery Plan, May 1998, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

MEET THE ST. ANDREW BEACH MOUSE...    

This small nocturnal rodent (2.95 inches in length) has a light fur and large ears and small hind legs. The St. Andrew Beach Mouse has sixteen subspecies that can be distinguished by coat color and home range. The two populations of the St. Andrew Beach Mouse inhabit East Crooked Island and St. Joseph Peninsula along the Florida coast. They live in the primary, secondary, and scrub dunes. On East Crooked Island the mice live in primary and secondary dunes while in St. Joseph Peninsula they inhabit high primary and secondary dunes. The mice make burrows within the dunes and among the vegetation to provide cover and shelter. Most mice have a few burrows within the home range they live in for the entirety of their lives.These mice eat mostly seeds, fruits, and occasionally insects. Sea oats, bluestem, dune spurge,ground cherry, and evening primrose are a few examples of native plants that provide food.The beach mouse also eats insects such as beetles and ants. Like humans, St. Andrew Beach Mice mate for life. This species is R-selected as an organism is typically sexually mature at thirty days. The fecundity of a beach mouse averages three to four babies per reproductive bout. The larger the female the larger the litter; therefore, one bout could yield up to five young.

As of December 18th, 1998 the St. Andrew Beach Mouse has been listed on the Endangered Species Act. The species is endangered for a variety of reasons. Destruction of habitat was the first listing factor. The coastal habitat is prime property and land development around the area encroaches on their territory and disrupts the ecosystem. This ecological overlap is a common problem that puts species at risk. Development also causes habitat fragmentation that separates the species into metapopulations. These smaller groups are weaker and more susceptible to threats. The lack of movement between populations also leads to a lack of gene flow causing a lack in genetic diversity. A military base on East Crooked Island also disrupts the ecosystem by performing military exercises in the region. The presence of pedestrians and vehicles in the dunes degrades the dune system. Additionally, the use of artificial lighting disrupts the nocturnal mice causing them to change their behavior leading to further habitat fragmentation. Natural forces such as erosion and storms also negatively impact the area. Another listing factor refers to predation. Cats and hogs present danger to the mice. Feral hogs root up the dune habitat and cats have been known to prey on the beach mice. Yet another listing factor presents the ineffective nature of the existing laws. Beach driving and abandoned cats are both restricted, yet still both remain issues. The Coastal Barrier Resource Act allows for destruction of the dunes habitat through loopholes in the act. Land development is regulated to protect the environment and species in the area yet there is little guidance given to help protect the dunes. The final listing factor outlines all other natural and

manmade phenomena that af- fect the continued existence of the St. Andrew Beach Mouse. These include hurricanes that destruct the dunes and house mice that out compete the beach mice. These threats are all still viable reasons for the reduction of the St. Andrew Beach Mouse population. The Recovery Plan sets forth four objectives in order to bring the critter back from the brink of extinction. First, additional populations will be established while simultaneously the listed threats are minimized. To ensure the existing and new populations have a chance to thrive, the dune habitats will be protected and restored if necessary. In order to keep the St. Andrew Beach Mouse safe for many years to come, the fourth objective raises awareness for the mice through education of the public. As responsible citizens who care about the future of these endemic species we should curb our personal actions that are detrimental to the beach mouse. These little critters do not deserve to be pushed to extinction. For further information on the St. Andrew beach mouse please visit:

http://ecos.fws.gov/docs/recovery_plan/20110104_SABM_recov_plan_FINAL.pdf] http://myfwc.com/media/2211911/St-Andrew-beach-mouse.pdf

or for more information on endangered species and what you can do: https://www.nwf.org/What-We-Do/Protect-Wildlife/Endangered-Species.aspx 

Written by Anne Caris
Works Cited
N.d. Https://naturescrusaders.files.wordpress.com/2010/05/graytonbeach.jpg. Web.
N.d. Kansas Historical Society. Web. <https://www.kshs.org/kansapedia/little-bluestem/17239>.
N.d. Nature Crusaders. Web. <https://naturescrusaders.files.wordpress.com/2010/05/key20largo20cotton

20mouse.jpg>.
N.d. Trade Winds Fruit. Web. <www.tradewindsfruit.com/content/ground-cherry.htm>.
Service, U.s. Fish And Wildlife, and Southeast Regio. “St. Andrew Beach Mouse Recovery Plan.” 

ST. AN

DREW BEACH MOUSE RECOVERY PLAN (n.d.): n. pag. Web. Usfws), (Photo Courtesy Of. St. Andrew Beach Mouse (n.d.): n. pag. Web.