| California Tiger Salamander (Ambystoma californiense) SSC, (proposed
FT) |
| |
The tiger salamander now breeds primarily in vernal (seasonal) pools
and small, fishless ponds (including farm ponds). The salamanders remain
upland in rodent burrows for most of the year and emerge in winter of wetter
years
to breed (mostly a single breeding attempt). Many populations have been
eliminated by development and/or by the introduction of predatory fish
to permanent ponds, resulting in either a lack of breeding or suitable
upland habitat. Most existing populations are probably isolated from each
other. Within the bioregion, the remaining populations may be mostly within
the Pajaro River and adjacent watersheds, although they are also present
on Stanford University property. |
|
| Santa Cruz Long-toed Salamander (Ambystoma macrodactylum
croceum) SE,
FE |
| |
An isolated subspecies restricted to fishless or seasonal ponds between
Aptos and the Elkhorn Slough watershed (especially the Ellicott Pond preserve
near Watsonville). Like the tiger salamander, adults breed after heavy
rains in winter and larvae develop quickly and migrate upland by early
to mid summer. They were probably lost from many of their original habitats
due to early development and introductions of predatory fish. They have
gradually been disappearing from the remaining documented, but isolated,
breeding habitats. |
|
| Black Salamander (Aneides flavipunctatus) |
| |
The black salamander is a lungless salamander that lays its eggs in moist
habitats on land in summer. They are most often found under rocks and logs
in relatively moist habitats (riparian woodlands, mixed evergreen and conifer
forests). They are apparently relatively scarce and may be declining in
the bioregion, but are common in the north coast of California. |
|
| California Red-legged Frog (Rana aurora draytonii) FT, CSC |
| |
This is a large frog of lowland streams and ponds, but is now largely
replaced by bullfrogs in inland and large coastal watersheds. Red-legged
frogs are apparently doing well in coastal watersheds without bullfrogs.
Red-legged frogs breed early in winter and are able to use seasonal habitats
because of mid to late summer metamorphosis. They are usually absent from
permanent ponds and streams with predatory fish and bullfrogs, but may
coexist if frequent floods or pond drying depress bullfrog abundance (bullfrog
tadpoles normally require 1 year to metamorphose). Red-legged frogs prefer
partially shaded, low gradient streams with deep pools, steep, vegetated
banks and woody debris as escape cover. They may migrate more than 1 mile
to and from breeding habitats, which appear to limit the abundance of frogs
in many coastal watersheds. Artificial (farm) ponds are potentially very
valuable habitats, if fish and bullfrogs are absent. |
|
| Foothill Yellow-legged Frog (Rana boylii) FSC, CSC |
| |
This is a medium-sized frog of mid-gradient, rocky, relatively open,
natural streams. Yellow-legged frogs breed in late spring in streams, rather
than ponds, and complete metamorphosis in late summer. They are rare in
the Santa Cruz Mountains bioregion compared to red-legged frogs. West of
the crest of the Santa Cruz Mountains, they are reported from only Soquel
Creek, where they are common. In Santa Clara County they are more widespread
in foothill streams (ie., upper Uvas and Llagas creeks). On-channel or
off-channel ponds with bullfrogs probably result in predation (reduction)
of yellow-legged frogs. Their mid-elevation, more open habitats are subject
to substantial impacts from sedimentation, water diversion and grazing. |