METHODS AND MATERIALS 



Historic locations of amphibians and reptiles were recorded from literature (see 

 Bibliography) and museum specimen records. Records were received from over 20 major 

 museum collections in North America (see Acknowledgments). Locations derived from these 

 sources have been entered into a database and digitized. 



Survey sites were chosen based on 4 criteria: 1) high priority sites as determined by the ILNF; 

 2) location of streams, seeps and wetlands on topographic maps; 3) accessibility of the wetlands 

 by roads or hiking trails; and 4) conversations with district biologists regarding stream-seep- 

 wetland locations. Based on the above, 2-8 sites were chosen daily for surveys. A total of 10- 

 150 person-minutes were spent at each site, depending upon the size of the area and what was 

 found. Initially, the entire shoreline, or a major part thereof, was searched by walking slowly 

 along the edge and up into the surrounding vegetation, including rolling over rocks and logs. At 

 regular intervals, the aquatic habitat was sampled for tadpoles or larvae using dipnets. If the 

 initial sampling showed amphibian/reptile species present, further effort was expended in order 

 to get some idea of abundance and distribution. 



An attempt was made to capture at least the first few individuals of a species seen at a survey 

 site. The species name was recorded along with developmental stage and sex (if possible); the 

 animals were then released. Representative samples of the more common species in an area were 

 preserved for permanent museum records and will be deposited at the Idaho State University 

 Museum. Water temperature, air temperature, pH, a general description of the area, and other 

 parameters were recorded. Standard data sheets used during this project are given in Appendix 

 1; the amphibian survey data sheet was developed by U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and is used 

 extensively by a variety of researchers in the western U.S. Much site-specific data was gathered 

 during these surveys; not all data has been analyzed or is presented in this report, but is available 

 from the Montana Natural Heritage Program. 



Natural Heritage Program species status ranking definitions and explanations are given in 

 Appendix 6. 



