INTRODUCTION 



Many amphibians are apparently declining in the western U.S. and world-wide (see 

 Blaustein et al. 1994, Phillips 1995). Acid rain, ozone depletion, pollution by toxic chemicals 

 and heavy metals, predation and/or competition by exotic species, habitat alteration, disease, 

 immune system deficiency, and climate change have all been suggested as possible causes (Com 

 and Fogelman 1984, Phillips 1990). 



Past forestry practices and large scale logging have been shown to be detrimental to 

 resident herpetofauna in some regions of the Pacific Northwest (Com and Bury 1989, Bury et al. 

 1991). The Tailed Frog (Ascaphus truei), present on the Bitterroot National Forest (BNF), is 

 thought to be one of the most sensitive indicators of stream-side and aquatic community health in 

 forested landscapes (R. B. Bury, pers. comm.). Survey data indicate the Northem Leopard Frog 

 {Rana pipiens) has disappeared over much of its former range in westem Montana. The U. S. 

 Fish and Wildlife Service formerly listed the Westem Toad {Bufo boreas) as a Candidate (C-2) 

 species in Colorado, Wyoming and New Mexico. Apparent declines have recently been reported 

 in northem Idaho (C. Peterson pers. comm.), northwestem Montana (Wemer and Reichel 1994), 

 Yellowstone National Park (Peterson et al. 1992), Wyoming and Colorado (Carey 1993). 

 Bullfrogs {Rana catesbeiana) have been introduced into waters on or near the BNF and have 

 been implicated elsewhere in declines of native amphibian populations. 



The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) listed two Montana amphibians as 

 Candidate (C-2) species: the Tailed Frog and Spotted Frog (Rana pretiosa). The Westem Toad 

 was recently petitioned for listing (L. Nordstrom, USFWS, Helena, pers. comm.), however, the 

 USFWS no longer maintains a C-2 Candidate category in the Federal Register. The U.S. Forest 

 Service Region 1 lists the Coeur d'Alene Salamander (Plethodon idahoensis) as "Sensitive" and 

 is considering adding the Northem Leopard Frog and Spotted Frog. The Montana Natural 

 Heritage Program and the Montana Department of Fish, Wildlife and Parks list six amphibians 

 [Coeur d'Alene Salamander, Idaho Giant Salamander {Dicamptodon aterrimus). Tailed Frog, 

 Canadian Toad {Bufo hemiophrys). Spotted Frog, and Wood Frog {Rana sylvatica)] and six 

 reptiles [Snapping Turtle {Chelydra serpentina). Spiny Softshell {Apalone spinifera). Short- 

 homed Lizard {Phrynosoma douglasi), Sagebmsh Lizard {Sceloporus graciosus), Westem 

 Hognose Snake {Heterodon nasicus). Smooth Green Snake {Opheodrys vernalis)] as Animal 

 Species of Special Concem in Montana; the Westem Toad, Northem Leopard Frog and Milk 

 Snake {Lampropeltis triangulum) are being considered for addition to the list. Thus, about 45% 

 of the 33 known amphibian and reptile species found in Montana are currently listed or being 

 considered for listing by the Montana Natural Heritage Program. Of the listed (or potentially 

 listed) species, six (40%) (Coeur d'Alene Salamander, Idaho Giant Salamander, Tailed Frog, 

 Westem Toad, Spotted Frog, and Northem Leopard Frog) occur, have occurred, or potentially 

 occur on the BNF. 



Because of concem regarding the apparent global declines of amphibians, and a lack of 

 recent information on the status and distribution of amphibians and reptiles in Montana, the 

 Montana Natural Heritage Program, in conjunction vdth the Bitterroot National Forest, undertook 

 a preliminary survey of the amphibians and reptiles found on or near the Forest. Primary 

 objectives were to gather together in one docimient historical records from museum collections. 



