METHODS AND MATERIALS 



Amphibians and Reptiles 



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 on the study area (Figure 1 ) were chosen based on 3 criteria: 1 ) location of 

 streams, seeps and wetlands on topographic maps; 2) accessibility of the wetlands by roads or 

 hiking trails; and 3) conversations with area biologists regarding stream-seep-wetland locations. 

 Based on the above, 2-5 sites were chosen daily for surveys. Due to the relatively small size of 

 the study area and the lack of water across much of the landscape, every known non-beaver pond. 

 a sampling of beaver ponds within each drainage where they are known to occur, and a least 

 1 000 m of most streams were sampled. A total of 1 0- 1 200 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. 



Northern Bog Lemming 



I visited 1 8 sites on the study area along the Rocky Mountain Front during amphibian and 

 reptile surveys, and examined each to determine their suitability for northern bog lemmings. The 

 only site within the study area that appeared even marginally suitable was the fen on the 

 Blackleaf Wildlife Management Area (WMA). Some sites examined were suggested by 

 biologists and others from the cooperating agencies; others were identified while in the field or 

 by examining air photos or maps of the general area. 



During 10-12 September 1996 Museum Special snap-traps were used to sample Blackleaf Fen 

 (T26N R8W Section 29 NE 'A and Section 28 NW 'A) and a small area on nearby Pine Butte 

 Swamp (T24N R8W Section 13 NE %). Traps were baited with a combination of peanut butter 

 and rolled oats, either alone or with E. J. Dailey's muskrat lure. Two traps with different baits 



