DOCSLIB.ORG

Federal Register/Vol. 67, No. 237/Tuesday, December

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
Federal Register/Vol. 67, No. 237/Tuesday, December 75834 Federal Register / Vol. 67, No. 237 / Tuesday, December 10, 2002 / Proposed Rules DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR petitions for which a requested action is analysis of a segment of mitochondrial found to be warranted but precluded DNA from 372 Yosemite toads found in Fish and Wildlife Service should be treated as though resubmitted Yosemite and Kings Canyon National on the date of such finding, i.e., Parks. Their data showed significant 50 CFR Part 17 requiring a subsequent finding to be genetic differences in Yosemite toads made within 12 months. Such 12-month between the two National Parks. They Endangered and Threatened Wildlife findings are to be published promptly in also found significant genetic variability and Plants; 12-Month Finding for a the Federal Register. within Yosemite National Park between Petition to List the Yosemite Toad Section 4(b) of the Act states that we drainages, and within both Parks AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service, may make warranted but precluded between breeding sites. Their data also Interior. findings only if we can demonstrate indicated that black toads are a that: (1) An immediate proposed rule is ACTION: Notice of 12-month petition subgroup within Yosemite toads rather precluded by other pending actions, and finding. than a separate species. Stephens (2001) (2) expeditious progress is being made examined mitochondrial DNA from 8 SUMMARY: We, the U.S. Fish and on other listing actions. Due to the large Yosemite toads (selected from the Wildlife Service (Service), announce a amount of litigation over critical habitat, samples examined by Shaffer et al. 12-month finding for a petition to list we are working on numerous court (2000) to represent the range of the Yosemite toad (Bufo canorus) under orders and settlement agreements. variability found in that study) and 173 the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as Complying with these orders and western toads. Stephens’ data indicate amended (Act). We find that the settlement agreements will consume all that Bufo in the Sierra Nevada occur in petitioned action is warranted, but of our listing budget for fiscal year 2003. northern and southern evolutionary precluded by higher priority listing However, we can continue to place groups, each of which include both actions. We will develop a proposed species on the candidate species list, as Yosemite and western toads (i.e., toads rule to list this species pursuant to our that work activity is funded separately of both species are more closely related Listing Priority System (48 FR 43098). from our listing program. to each other within a group than they Upon publication of this notice of 12- Taxonomy are to members of their own species in month petition finding, this species will the other group). Further genetic be added to our candidate species list. The Yosemite toad was originally analysis of Yosemite toads sampled described by Camp (1916), and given DATES: from throughout their range, and from The finding announced in this the common name Yosemite Park toad. document was made on November 27, other toad species surrounding their Subsequent detections of this species range is needed to fully understand the 2002. Comments and information may indicated that its range extends beyond be submitted until further notice. evolutionary history and appropriate the boundaries of Yosemite National taxonomic status of the Yosemite toad ADDRESSES: You may send data, Park, and Grinnel and Storer (1924) (Stephens 2001). information, comments, or questions referred to this species as the Yosemite concerning this finding to the Field toad. Description and Natural History Supervisor, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Similarities in appearance of the Yosemite toads are moderately sized, Service, Sacramento Fish and Wildlife Yosemite toad and the western toad with a snout-urostyle length (measured Office, 2800 Cottage Way, Room W– (Bufo boreas) were noted by Camp from the tip of the snout to the posterior 2605, Sacramento, CA 95825. You may (1916). Based on general appearance, edge of the urostyle, a bony structure at inspect the petition, administrative structure and distribution, it appears the posterior end of the spinal column) finding, supporting information, and that these two species are closely related of 30 to 71 millimeters (mm) (1.2 to 2.8 comments received, by appointment, (Myers 1942; Stebbins 1951; Mullally inches (in)) with rounded to slightly during normal business hours at the 1956; Savage 1958). The close oval paratoid glands (a pair of glands, above address. relationship between B. boreas and B. one on each side of the head, that FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: canorus is also supported by studies of produce toxins) (Karlstrom 1962). The Susan Moore at the Sacramento Fish bone structure (Tihen 1962a,b), and by paratoid glands are less than the width and Wildlife Office (see ADDRESSES the survivorship of hybrid toads of a gland apart (Stebbins 1985). A thin above) (telephone 916/414–6600; produced by artificially crossing the two mid-dorsal (middle of the back) stripe is facsimile 916/414–6712). species (Blair 1959, 1963, 1964). present in juveniles of both sexes. The SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Camp (1916), using characteristics of stripe disappears or is reduced with age, the skull, concluded that Bufo boreas, B. and more quickly in males (Jennings Background canorus, and B. nestor (extinct) are more and Hayes 1994). The iris of the eye is Section 4(b)(3)(B) of the Endangered closely related to each other than to dark brown with gold iridophores Species Act of 1973, as amended (Act) other North American toads, and that (reflective pigment cells) (Jennings and (16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.), requires that, these species comprise the most Hayes 1994). Males are smaller than for any petition to revise the List of primitive group of Bufo in North females, with less conspicuous warts Threatened and Endangered Species America. Blair (1972) grouped B. boreas, (Stebbins 1951). Differences in containing substantial scientific and B. canorus, black toads (B. exsul), and coloration between males and females commercial information that listing may Amargosa toads (B. nelsoni), together are more pronounced in the Yosemite be warranted, we conduct a status taxonomically as the ‘‘boreas group.’’ toad than in any other North American review and make a finding within 12 Feder (1977) found Bufo canorus to be frog or toad (Stebbins 1951). Females months of the date of the receipt of the genetically distinctive based on samples have black spots or blotches edged with petition on whether the petitioned from a limited geographic range. white or cream that are set against a action is: (a) Not warranted, (b) However, Yosemite toads are thought to grey, tan or brown background color warranted, or (c) warranted but hybridize with western toads in the (Jennings and Hayes 1994). Males have precluded from immediate proposal by northern part of their range (Karlstrom a nearly uniform dorsal coloration of other higher priority proposals. Section 1962; Morton and Sokolski 1978). yellow-green to olive drab to darker 4(b)(3)(C) of the Act requires that Shaffer et al. (2000) performed genetic greenish brown (Jennings and Hayes VerDate 0ct<31>2002 15:34 Dec 09, 2002 Jkt 200001 PO 00000 Frm 00016 Fmt 4702 Sfmt 4702 E:\FR\FM\10DEP1.SGM 10DEP1 Federal Register / Vol. 67, No. 237 / Tuesday, December 10, 2002 / Proposed Rules 75835 1994). Karlstrom (1962) suggested that especially while breeding, recent to cross large, dry, forested areas differences in coloration between the evidence shows that they primarily feed between meadows. sexes evolved because they provide the and move at night (D. Martin, pers. Adult and juvenile Yosemite toads are Yosemite toad with protective comm. 2002). lie-and-wait predators. They remain coloration. The uniform coloration of Eggs generally hatch within 3 to 6 motionless until a prey item the adult male matches and blends with days depending on water temperature approaches, then strike and capture the the silt and grasses that they frequent (Jennings and Hayes 1994), although prey with their sticky tongues (Kagarise during the breeding season, whereas the they may take over 15 days (Kagarise Sherman and Morton 1984). The young and females with disruptive Sherman 1980). Tadpoles typically examined stomach contents of Yosemite coloration tend to use a wider range of transform within 40 to 50 days after toads have included beetles, ants, habitats with broken backgrounds; thus fertilization. Tadpoles are not known to centipedes, spiders, dragonfly larvae, coloration may help conceal individual overwinter (Jennings and Hayes 1994), mosquitos, and moth and butterfly toads from predators. although immature tadpoles have been larvae (Grinnel and Storer 1924; Yosemite toads overwinter in rodent observed well into September (Mullally Mullally 1953). They will also prey on burrows (Jennings and Hayes 1994). 1956). Tadpoles tend to congregate flies, bees, wasps, millipedes (Kagarise They emerge from hibernation as soon (Brattstrom 1962) and use warm shallow Sherman and Morton 1984), spider as snowmelt pools form near their water during the day (Cunningham mites, crane flies, springtails, owl flies, overwintering sites (Karlstrom 1962; 1963), then retreat to deeper water at and damsel flies (Martin 1991). Kagarise Sherman 1980; Jennings and night (Mullally 1953). The tadpoles are Yosemite toad tadpoles graze on Hayes 1994). Observed emergence times uniformly black, the snout is blunt, the detritus and plant material such as algae range from early May to the middle of intestines are scarcely or not at all and will also eat other items such as June (Kagarise Sherman 1980). visible, and the dorsal fin is transparent lodgepole pine pollen. Yosemite toad Males form breeding choruses, and and marked with few relatively large tadpoles can also be carnivorous and breeding begins soon after emergence melanophores (dark-colored pigment will eat other Yosemite toad tadpoles (Jennings and Hayes 1994).
Load more

Recommended publications
  • Species Assessment for Boreal Toad (Bufo Boreas Boreas)
    SPECIES ASSESSMENT FOR BOREAL TOAD (BUFO BOREAS BOREAS ) IN WYOMING prepared by 1 2 MATT MCGEE AND DOUG KEINATH 1 Wyoming Natural Diversity Database, University of Wyoming, 1000 E. University Ave, Dept. 3381, Laramie, Wyoming 82071; 307-766-3023 2 Zoology Program Manager, Wyoming Natural Diversity Database, University of Wyoming, 1000 E. University Ave, Dept. 3381, Laramie, Wyoming 82071; 307-766-3013; [email protected] drawing by Summers Scholl prepared for United States Department of the Interior Bureau of Land Management Wyoming State Office Cheyenne, Wyoming March 2004 McGee and Keinath – Bufo boreas boreas March 2004 Table of Contents INTRODUCTION ................................................................................................................................. 3 NATURAL HISTORY ........................................................................................................................... 4 Morphological Description ...................................................................................................... 4 Taxonomy and Distribution ..................................................................................................... 5 Habitat Requirements............................................................................................................. 8 General ............................................................................................................................................8 Spring-Summer ...............................................................................................................................9
    [Show full text]
  • Species Status Assessment Report for the Eastern Population of The
    Species Status Assessment Report for the Eastern Population of the Boreal Toad, Anaxyrus boreas boreas Prepared by the Western Colorado Ecological Services Field Office U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Grand Junction, Colorado EXECUTIVE SUMMARY This species status assessment (SSA) reports the results of the comprehensive biological status review by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) for the Eastern Population of the boreal toad (Anaxyrus boreas boreas) and provides a thorough account of the species’ overall viability and, therefore, extinction risk. The boreal toad is a subspecies of the western toad (Anaxyrus boreas, formerly Bufo boreas). The Eastern Population of the boreal toad occurs in southeastern Idaho, Wyoming, Colorado, northern New Mexico, and most of Utah. This SSA Report is intended to provide the best available biological information to inform a 12-month finding and decision on whether or not the Eastern Population of boreal toad is warranted for listing under the Endangered Species Act (Act), and if so, whether and where to propose designating critical habitat. To evaluate the biological status of the boreal toad both currently and into the future, we assessed a range of conditions to allow us to consider the species’ resiliency, redundancy, and representation (together, the 3Rs). The boreal toad needs multiple resilient populations widely distributed across its range to maintain its persistence into the future and to avoid extinction. A number of factors influence whether boreal toad populations are considered resilient to stochastic events. These factors include (1) sufficient population size (abundance), (2) recruitment of toads into the population, as evidenced by the presence of all life stages at some point during the year, and (3) connectivity between breeding populations.
    [Show full text]
  • Federal Register/Vol. 65, No. 198/Thursday, October 12, 2000
    Federal Register / Vol. 65, No. 198 / Thursday, October 12, 2000 / Proposed Rules 60607 designation of critical habitat. We note appointment, during normal business data and comments are available for that emergency listing and designation hours at the above address. public inspection, by appointment, of critical habitat are not petitionable during normal business hours at the References Cited actions under the Act. Based on the above address. information presented in the petition, You may request a complete list of all FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: the habitat loss and other threats to the references we cited, as well as others, Jason Davis or Maria Boroja at the species have been long-standing and from the Sacramento Fish and Wildlife Sacramento Fish and Wildlife Office ongoing for many years. There are no Office (see ADDRESSES section). (see ADDRESSES section above), or at imminent, devastating actions that Author: The primary author of this (916±414±6600. document is Catherine Hibbard, could result in the extinction of the SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: species. Therefore, we find that an Sacramento Fish and Wildlife Office emergency situation does not exist. The (see ADDRESSES section). Background 12-month finding will address the issue Authority: The authority for this action is Section 4(b)(3)(A) of the Endangered of critical habitat. the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as Species Act (Act) of 1973, as amended amended (16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.). Public Information Requested (16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.), requires that the Dated: October 5, 2000. Service make a finding on whether a The Service hereby announces its Jamie Rappaport Clark, petition to list, delist, or reclassify a formal review of the species' status Director, U.S.
    [Show full text]
  • Yosemite Toad Conservation Assessment
    United States Department of Agriculture YOSEMITE TOAD CONSERVATION ASSESSMENT A Collaborative Inter-Agency Project Forest Pacific Southwest R5-TP-040 January Service Region 2015 YOSEMITE TOAD CONSERVATION ASSESSMENT A Collaborative Inter-Agency Project by: USDA Forest Service California Department of Fish and Wildlife National Park Service U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Technical Coordinators: Cathy Brown USDA Forest Service Amphibian Monitoring Team Leader Stanislaus National Forest Sonora, CA [email protected] Marc P. Hayes Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife Research Scientist Science Division, Habitat Program Olympia, WA Gregory A. Green Principal Ecologist Owl Ridge National Resource Consultants, Inc. Bothel, WA Diane C. Macfarlane USDA Forest Service Pacific Southwest Region Threatened Endangered and Sensitive Species Program Leader Vallejo, CA Amy J. Lind USDA Forest Service Tahoe and Plumas National Forests Hydroelectric Coordinator Nevada City, CA Yosemite Toad Conservation Assessment Brown et al. R5-TP-040 January 2015 YOSEMITE TOAD WORKING GROUP MEMBERS The following may be the contact information at the time of team member involvement in the assessment. Becker, Dawne Davidson, Carlos Harvey, Jim Associate Biologist Director, Associate Professor Forest Fisheries Biologist California Department of Fish and Wildlife Environmental Studies Program Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest 407 West Line St., Room 8 College of Behavioral and Social Sciences USDA Forest Service Bishop, CA 93514 San Francisco State University 1200 Franklin Way (760) 872-1110 1600 Holloway Avenue Sparks, NV 89431 [email protected] San Francisco, CA 94132 (775) 355-5343 (415) 405-2127 [email protected] Boiano, Daniel [email protected] Aquatic Ecologist Holdeman, Steven J. Sequoia/Kings Canyon National Parks Easton, Maureen A.
    [Show full text]
  • (Anaxyrus (Formerly Bufo) Canorus) in the Sierra National Forest, California
    Journal of Herpetology, Vol. 47, No. 4, 555–564, 2013 Copyright 2013 Society for the Study of Amphibians and Reptiles Movements and Habitat Use of Yosemite Toads (Anaxyrus (formerly Bufo) canorus) in the Sierra National Forest, California CHRISTINA T. LIANG USDA Forest Service, Pacific Southwest Research Station, Davis, California 95618 USA; E-mail: [email protected] ABSTRACT.—The Yosemite Toad (Anaxyrus (formerly Bufo) canorus) is a high-elevation species endemic to the central Sierra Nevada mountain range in California whose populations are in decline. There is limited information on their terrestrial movement and habitat use, which impairs our understanding of the ecology and habitat needs of this sensitive species. I present radio-tracking data collected from 35 adult toads in the Sierra National Forest during daylight hours in the late spring and summer of 2007–2009. Movements, microsite cover type, and terrestrial habitat are analyzed and interpreted with regard to life-history characteristics of A. canorus. Adult toads moved a mean distance of 270 m from aquatic breeding sites, and the maximum distance recorded was 1.26 km. Females moved significantly longer distances than did males and had a larger home range. Distance traveled was related to ordinal day as well as the interaction between day and sex. Adult A. canorus used terrestrial environments extensively and were found in the mixed-conifer forest in dry habitat. Burrows were the most commonly used cover type, but other protective cover such as logs, rocks, and tree stumps were also used. The locations occupied by adult toads in the terrestrial environment were structurally different than other surrounding areas; occupied sites had less canopy cover and fewer woody species than did unoccupied sites.
    [Show full text]
  • Saving the Yosemite Toad
    EXPERT INSIGHTS SAVING THE YOSEMITE TOAD HEALTHY ECOSYSTEMS DEPEND ON HEALTHY TOADS BY HEATHER McKENNY, AQUATIC ECOLOGIST itting quietly in the warm, springtime sun in one of Yosemite’s ABOVE A female Yosemite toad in its natural high- picturesque meadows, you may be fortunate enough to experience elevation aquatic habitat. the rare joy of hearing the Yosemite toad’s musical call. Visitors have described the toad’s call as a strikingly clear, high-pitched trill with its mellow notes being a “pleasing additionS to the chorus of bird songs just after the snow leaves”. In fact, the toad’s scientific name “canorus” means “tuneful” in Latin, referring to the male’s melodious call to attract mates during the early-spring breeding season. Hearing the Yosemite toad’s chorus was once a common pleasure for spring visitors to the High Sierra. Sadly, Yosemite’s meadows are much quieter today due to substantial population declines. Scientists estimate that we have lost between 47 percent and 79 percent of our Yosemite toad populations, and that the species no longer occurs in as much as a third of its historic range. Because of the declines, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service considers the species a candidate for listing under the Endangered Species Act. Chytridiomycosis, a disease caused by the non-native amphibian chytrid fungus, rec- reational use such as pack stock grazing, climate change, and air pollution are among the factors implicated in the species decline. Scientific studies determining the importance of these and other threats are currently underway. The Yosemite toad, found only in the Sierra Nevada was a historically abundant species, occurring primarily in high- elevation wet meadows above 6,400 feet in elevation.
    [Show full text]
  • MRP DEIS Volume 2: Chapters 9 Through 13 and Appendices
    Analysis Topics: Natural Resources Special Status Species Special Status Species Affected Environment Special status species are plants and animals that are legally protected under the federal Endangered Species Act (ESA) of 1973 or other regulations, and species that are considered sufficiently rare by the scientific community to qualify for such status. Additional federal regulations protect special status species, including the Fish and Wildlife Coordination Act of 1934 (as amended), the Bald Eagle and Golden Eagle Protection Act, and the Migratory Bird Treaty Act. These are discussed in more detail in the paragraphs that follow. The California ESA, administered by the California Department of Fish and Game [CDFG], does not supersede the federal ESA, but operates in conjunction with it to provide additional protection to threatened and endangered species in California, as well as species that are not protected through federal regulations. In addition to threatened and endangered state-listed species, the CDFG maintains an informal list of plant and wildlife species of special concern because of population declines and restricted distributions, and/or because they are associated with habitats that are declining in California. The California Native Plant Society (CNPS) has also developed lists of plants of special concern in California. The National Park Service (NPS) makes every reasonable effort to conduct its actions in a manner consistent with relevant state laws and regulations, per NPS policy. Regulations and Policies Pertaining to Special Status Species Federal Laws and Regulations Endangered Species Act. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) has jurisdiction over species formally listed as threatened or endangered under the ESA (16 USC 1531–1544).
    [Show full text]
  • Finding on a Docket ID No
    21920 Federal Register / Vol. 77, No. 71 / Thursday, April 12, 2012 / Proposed Rules (SI–7J), 77 West Jackson Boulevard, Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., excluding DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR Chicago, IL 60604. Such deliveries are federal holidays. Fish and Wildlife Service only accepted during the docket’s • Greenup City Clerk’s Office, normal hours of operation, and special Greenup Municipal Building, 115 50 CFR Part 17 arrangements should be made for Cumberland Avenue, Greenup, IL deliveries of boxed information. The 62424, Phone: (217) 923–3401, Hours: normal business hours are Monday [Docket No. FWS–R6–ES–2012–0003; Monday through Friday, 7:30 a.m. to 4500030113] through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., 4:30 p.m. excluding federal holidays. Endangered and Threatened Wildlife FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Instructions: Direct your comments to and Plants; 90-Day Finding on a Docket ID No. EPA–HQ–SFUND–1983– Gladys Beard, NPL Deletion Process Petition To List the Eastern or 0002. EPA’s policy is that all comments Manager, U.S. Environmental Protection Southern Rocky Mountain Population received will be included in the public Agency (SR–6J), 77 West Jackson of the Boreal Toad as an Endangered docket without change and may be Boulevard, Chicago, IL 60604, (312) or Threatened Distinct Population made available online at http:// 886–7253, or [email protected]. Segment www.regulations.gov, including any SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: In the personal information provided, unless AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service, ‘‘Rules and Regulations’’ section of the comment includes information Interior.
    [Show full text]
  • Yosemite Toad (Bufo Canorus) As Endangered Under the Federal Endangered Species Act (“ESA”), 16 U.S.C
    BEFORE THE SECRETARY OF INTERIOR CENTER FOR BIOLOGICAL ) PETITION TO LIST THE YOSEMITE DIVERSITY AND PACIFIC RIVERS ) TOAD (BUFO CANORUS) AS AN COUNCIL ) ENDANGERED SPECIES UNDER THE ) ENDANGERED SPECIES ACT ) Petitioners ) ____________________________ ) February 28, 2000 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY The Center for Biological Diversity and Pacific Rivers Council formally request that the United States Fish and Wildlife Service (“USFWS”) list the Yosemite toad (Bufo canorus) as endangered under the federal Endangered Species Act (“ESA”), 16 U.S.C. § 1531 - 1544. These organizations also request that Yosemite toad critical habitat be designated concurrent with its listing. The petitioners are conservation organizations with an interest in protecting the Yosemite toad and all of earth’s remaining biodiversity. The Yosemite toad was historically abundant in the high country of the central Sierra Nevada, from Fresno to Alpine County. It has since declined precipitously. Recent surveys have found that the species has disappeared from a majority of its historic localities. What populations remain are scattered and consist of few breeding adults. Declines have been especially alarming in Yosemite National Park, where the toad was first discovered and after which it is named. Studies at Tioga Pass indicated wholesale population crashes, which may be indicative of less studied populations that appear to have disappeared elsewhere in the Sierra. Numerous factors have contributed to the species’ decline. Introduced fish, pesticides, ozone depletion, pathogens and cattle grazing have all been identified as factors impacting the species and its habitat. At this time, no single factor has been attributed as a primary cause of the toad's disappearance. This petition sets in motion a legal process in which the USFWS has 90 days to determine if the Yosemite toad may warrant listing under the ESA.
    [Show full text]
  • Federal Register/Vol. 79, No. 82/Tuesday, April 29, 2014/Rules
    24256 Federal Register / Vol. 79, No. 82 / Tuesday, April 29, 2014 / Rules and Regulations DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR Executive Summary management activities, notably livestock Why we need to publish a rule. Under grazing, and also the anticipated Fish and Wildlife Service the Endangered Species Act, a species hydrologic effects upon habitat from may warrant protection through listing climate change. We also find that the 50 CFR Part 17 if it is endangered or threatened Yosemite toad is likely to become [Docket No. FWS–R8–ES–2012–0100; throughout all or a significant portion of endangered through the direct effects of 4500030113] its range. Listing a species as an climate change impacting small remnant populations, likely compounded with RIN 1018–AZ21 endangered or threatened species can be only completed by issuing a rule. the cumulative effect of other threat Endangered and Threatened Wildlife This rule will finalize the listing of the factors (such as disease). and Plants; Endangered Species Sierra Nevada yellow-legged frog (Rana Peer review and public comment. We Status for Sierra Nevada Yellow- sierrae) as an endangered species, the sought comments from independent Legged Frog and Northern Distinct northern DPS of the mountain yellow- specialists to ensure that our Population Segment of the Mountain legged frog (Rana muscosa) as an designations are based on scientifically Yellow-Legged Frog, and Threatened endangered species, and the Yosemite sound data, assumptions, and analyses. Species Status for Yosemite Toad toad (Anaxyrus canorus) as a threatened We invited these peer reviewers to species. comment on our listing proposal. We AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service, The basis for our action.
    [Show full text]
  • Inferring Presence of the Western Toad (Anaxyrus Boreas) Species Complex Using Environmental DNA
    Global Ecology and Conservation 15 (2018) e00438 Contents lists available at ScienceDirect Global Ecology and Conservation journal homepage: http://www.elsevier.com/locate/gecco Short Communication Inferring presence of the western toad (Anaxyrus boreas) species complex using environmental DNA * Thomas W. Franklin a, , Joseph C. Dysthe a, Michael Golden b, Kevin S. McKelvey a, Blake R. Hossack c, Kellie J. Carim a, Cynthia Tait d, Michael K. Young a, Michael K. Schwartz a a U.S. Forest Service, National Genomics Center for Wildlife and Fish Conservation, Rocky Mountain Research Station, 800 E. Beckwith Ave., Missoula, MT, 59801, USA b U.S. Forest Service, Dixie National Forest, 1789 N. Wedgewood Ln., Cedar City, UT, 84721, USA c U.S. Geological Survey, Northern Rocky Mountain Science Center, 800 E. Beckwith Ave., Missoula, MT, 59801, USA d U.S. Forest Service, Intermountain Region, 324 25th St., Ogden, UT, 84401, USA article info abstract Article history: Western toads (species complex comprised of Anaxyrus boreas, A. canorus, A. exsul, and A. Received 2 May 2018 nelsoni) are widely distributed in the western United States but are declining, particularly Received in revised form 6 September 2018 in the southeastern extent of their range. The subspecies A. b. boreas is listed as a Species of Accepted 6 September 2018 Greatest Conservation Need in New Mexico, Colorado, Utah, and Wyoming. Reliable and sensitive methods for delineating distributions of western toads are critical for monitoring Keywords: the status of the species and prioritizing conservation efforts. We developed two qPCR eDNA assays for detecting western toad DNA in environmental DNA samples.
    [Show full text]
  • Yosemite National Park National Park Service
    National Park Service Yosemite National Park U.S. Department of the Interior White Wolf Lodge Rehabilitation Finding of No Significant Impact Section 106 Assessment of Effect for Phase 1 June 2014 In Reply Refer to: FF08ESMF00- 2014-F-0427 June 8, 2014 Memorandum To: Park Superintendent, Yosemite National Park, National Park Service, Yosemite, California (Attn: Herpetologist Rob Grasso) From: Field Supervisor, Sacramento Fish and Wildlife Office, Sacramento, California Subject: Biological Opinion on the White Wolf Lodge, Yosemite National Park, California and the Threatened Yosemite Toad This is in response to your May 22, 2014, request for formal consultation with the U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) in California. At issue are the adverse effects on the threatened Yosemite toad (Anaxyus canorus). Your letter was received by the Service on May 22, 2014. This biological opinion was prepared in accordance with section 7 of the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended (16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.)(Act). This biological opinion is based on: (1) letter from the National Park Service to the Service dated May 22, 2014, and attached information (Biological Assessment); (2) White Wolf Lodge Rehabilitation Environmental Assessment/Assessment of Effect dated February 2012 (Environmental Assessment) that was prepared by the National Park Service; (3) draft Status of the Mountain Yellow-legged Frog, Yosemite Toad and Pacific Chorus Frog in the Sierra Nevada , CA dated April 2011prepared by the U.S. Forest Service; and (4) other information available to the Service. We concur with your determination that the proposed project is not likely to adversely affect the endangered Sierra Nevada yellow-legged frog (Rana sierrae) because the nearest known population is approximately 2.5 air miles northeast of the project.
    [Show full text]