U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service 2008 Highlights Volume 33, No.4 Our third annual Highlights edition of the Endangered Species Bulletin contains selections from our three 2008 on-line editions. First, you’ll find articles on “The Year of the Frog,” which was an effort by zoos, government agencies, and conservation organizations to focus attention on the threats facing the world’s amphibians. Next, we present stories illustrating the important work of Indian tribal governments in conserving imperiled species. We close with some examples of the research conducted by U.S. Geological Survey scientists in support of wildlife conservation and recovery. IN THIS ISSUE 4 The Global Amphibian Crisis 7 Project Golden Frog 10 Chiricahua Leopard Frog Inches Towards Recovery 14 The Ozark Hellbender: Out from Under a Rock 17 Conserving Columbian Spotted Telephone: 703-358-2390 Contributors Fax: 703-358-1735 Paul Boyle Catherine Nishida Frogs in Nevada E-mail: [email protected] Shelly Grow Nathan Schroeder Vicky Poole Rachel Muir Ranchers Restore Amphibian- Web site: Jim Rorabaugh J. Michael Scott 20 www.fws.gov/endangered/bulletin.html Melissa Kreutzian Kathryn McEachern friendly Ponds Editor Mike Sredl Steven T. Knick Charlie Painter Ruth W. Jacobs Michael Bender Partners in Amphibian and Reptile Roberto Aguilar Anthony R. DeGange 22 Art Director Juan Carlos Bravo Michael Casazza Conservation Jennifer Hennessey Carter Kruse Cory Overton Jill Utrup Melissa Farinha Restoring a Vital Partnership Kim Mitchell John Takekawa 24 Chad Mellison Tobias Rohmer Kate Symonds Paul C. Banko 26 Apache Leader Promotes Tribal Ernesto Garcia Chris Farmer Priya Nanjappa Mitchell Kevin W. Brinck Conservation Rights Dede Olson David L. Leonard, Jr. Patrick Durham Jay Nelson 28 Hoopa Tribe Leads in Fisher Sarah E. Rinkevich Jim Knox Mark Higley Conservation 31 Restoring Endangered Species on the Pueblo of Santa Ana Traditional Ecological Knowledge Cover: The distinct population segment 34 of the fisher (Martes pennanti pacifica) in California, Oregon, and Washington is A Natural Connection: USGS and a candidate for Endangered Species Act 36 protection. The Hoopa Tribe in California is Endangered Species Research conducting research on its status (see story on page 28). credit: ©Tom Vezo/naturepl.com 40 Recovering Endemic Plants of the Inside cover: Habitat of the golden frog in Channel Islands Panama (story on page 7). credit: Paul Crump/Houston Zoo, Inc. 44 Conserving Bird Communities in the Sagebrush Sea 48 Ice, Climate Change, and Wildlife Research in Alaska 52 The California Clapper Rail and Multispecies Recovery Planning The Endangered Species Bulletin is an on-line publication. Three electronic editions are posted each year at www.fws.gov/endangered/bulletin.html, and one highlights edition is published 54 Surveys Reveal Decline of the each year. To be notified when a new on-line edition has been posted, sign up for our list-serv Palila by clicking on “E-Mail List” on the Bulletin Web page. The Bulletin welcomes manuscripts on a wide range of topics related to endangered 56 The Scientist Within Us All species. We are particularly interested in news about recovery actions and conservation partnerships. Please send us your comments and ideas! E-mail them to us at [email protected]. Y ear of the F rog by Paul Boyle and Shelly Grow The Global Amphibian Crisis A crisis of enormous proportions Egyptian and Greek mythology, as well as faces the world’s amphibian species. At more recent folklore. Today’s well-known present, we estimate that about one-third character Kermit the Frog, whose motto of the more than 6,000 known amphibian is “It isn’t easy being green,” may have species are at risk of extinction. This had an early premonition of the crisis likely underestimates the real number frogs face today. Frogs were traditionally since data are lacking on many species used for studying anatomy, physiology, from Africa, Southeast Asia, and other neurobiology, and pharmacology, and regions. Several causes underlie this were used globally in the 20th century massive decline, but a crucial element for pregnancy tests. Today, as we see is the very nature of amphibians; their amphibian species in serious decline, skin must always be moist and it literally frogs are like the “canary in the coal breathes, so they are especially vulner- mine” – a class of animals more sensi- able to environmental contaminants. tive than most, potentially signaling an Habitat destruction, disease, pollution, impending environmental calamity. climate change, and other expanding The severe decline of amphibians human-related impacts have an entire occurring today can be compared with class of the animal kingdom in serious the mass extinction of dinosaurs 65 mil- decline. lion years ago. Yet, while most people Frogs hold great cultural significance. know of the sudden disappearance of They figured prominently in ancient dinosaurs, few remember that when the The Mississippi distinct population segment of the dusky gopher frog (Rana capito sevosa) is listed as endangered. © Michael Redmer Endangered Species Bulletin 2008 Highlights 2008 Highlights Endangered Species Bulletin Y ear of the F rog dinosaurs disappeared, almost 70 percent of the other species on Earth disappeared with them. There could be truth in the notion of amphibians as an early indicator of environmental chaos. However, unlike the demise of dinosaurs, many of the impacts that threaten amphibians are of human origin. The most serious threat to amphibians is habitat loss and widespread habitat fragmentation. Loss of rainforest and other crucial habitats to agricultural and other human development is devastating habitats crucial to amphibian survival © Michael Redmer worldwide. Pollution from mine drain- The flatwoods salamander (Ambystoma cingulatum) is a threatened amphibian native to parts of the U.S. age, pesticides, fertilizers, and other lower southeastern Coastal Plain. organic compounds is present in every earthly ecosystem. Amphibians are particularly susceptible to the effects reductions. Meanwhile, amphibians are of organic molecules since their skin is also affected by harvesting for food and so much more permeable than that of the pet trade, predation, and invasive other animals. A disease caused by the introduced species. pathogenic fungus Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis is spreading undaunted, What is Being Done? with few amphibian species showing The Amphibian Specialist Group of resistance. The chytrid disease typically the World Conservation Union (IUCN), results in mass die-offs where often more the World Association of Zoos and than 50 percent of amphibian species are Aquariums, and IUCN’s Conservation extirpated within six months, while other Breeding Specialist Group have formed a species persist with relatively minor partnership called the Amphibian Ark. The Oregon spotted frog (Rana pretiosa) is a candidate for listing under the Endangered Species Act. Dana Payne Endangered Species Bulletin 2008 Highlights 2008 Highlights Endangered Species Bulletin Y ear of the F rog of imperiled species can be saved while conditions in the wild are improved, and the professional capacity to keep these precious representatives of the amphib- ian world safe for future generations. Like its professional counterparts around the world, the AZA is working to expand the capacity of its 219 accred- ited member institutions to respond vigorously to amphibian declines locally, regionally, and around the world. We also seek to support the efforts of government conservation agencies in responding to the global amphibian crisis. All of this work aims to build strong partnerships, increase the professional and structural capacity for saving amphibians, and © Michael Redmer ensure the success of this crucial world- Peruvian stubfoot harlequin frog (Atelopus peruensis). Described as new to science in 1985, this species wide effort. underwent massive declines in the 1990s, and is now possibly extinct. Dr. Paul Boyle is Senior Vice The mission of the Amphibian Ark a global awareness and fundraising cam- President for Conservation at the AZA, is ambitious: “working in partnerships paign to support long-term amphibian where he leads its animal conservation to ensure the global survival of amphib- conservation and to change the human and conservation education programs. ians, focusing on those that cannot be behaviors that threaten amphibians. Shelly Grow ([email protected]; 301-2- safeguarded in nature.” As explained on Zoos and aquariums offer unique 0) is a conservation biologist with expertise to the Amphibian Ark effort AZA focusing on increasing the capac- because of their history of successfully ity and the diversity of partnerships managing captive populations of ani- for responding to the amphibian crisis. mals. They also have broad experience The AZA is headquartered at 803 with reintroducing captive-bred animals Colesville Road, Suite 10, Silver Spring, into the wild, translocating animals for Maryland 20910. conservation purposes, and developing its Web site (www.amphibianark.org), it the infrastructure and facilities required coordinates ex-situ (off-site or captive- to safely quarantine, breed, and maintain breeding) programs by partners around amphibian populations for the long term. the world, along with efforts to protect or This special issue of the Endangered restore species in their natural habitats. Species Bulletin shares some examples The Association of Zoos & Aquariums of what zoos and aquariums, the Fish and (AZA) in North America