Chiricahua Leopard Frog - David Klopp

Chiricahua Leopard Frog
by David Klopp

Organism Description and Ecology

The Chiricahua leopard frog, known by the scientific name Rana chiricahuensis, tends to be an olive to dark green overall color with darker spots throughout the body. Ranging anywhere from 2.0 to 5.5 inches in length, the frog is considered to be medium-to-large sized compared to other frog species. The Chiricahua leopard frog can be found in a variety of aquatic habitats with calm water and a low pH. They inhabit creeks, lakes, ponds and man-made habitats mainly in the grassland, woodland or chaparral biomes. Males have a very unique mating call that sounds like a prolonged snore (see video below!). Tadpoles take 2-9 months to grow into an adult and can live up to 14 years.

Geographic and Population Changes

The geographic range of the Chiricahua leopard frog falls into two main sections:

1) Mexico, Southwestern New Mexico and Southeastern Arizona.

This southern group makes up the bulk of the species’ range. The group can be found to the south of the Gila River in the valleys and mountain ranges

2) West-Central New Mexico and Central/Eastern Arizona.

This group is smaller than the southern group and falls in the northern mountains of New Mexico as well as around the Mogollon Rim in Arizona.

In terms of the population of the Chiricahua leopard frog, the exact number still in existence is not clear. Although the Chiricahua leopard frogs remain dispersed relatively well in their population ranges, the species has disappeared from about 88% of its historical localities in Arizona specifically since the late 1990s. Within the entire southwest region, the Chiricahua is now found in fewer than 80 sites compared to the 400 sites they once inhabited.

The charts below give a more in depth analysis of the geographic distribution and changes throughout the year:

Predicted Distribution
http://www.azgfd.gov/w_c/edits/images/Lithchir_001.gif

Change in Geographic Range
https://returntothewildarizona.files.wordpress.com/2015/04/clf_
recoveryunits1.jpg

https://www.fws.gov/southeast/images/svg/logo.svg

Listing Date and Type of Listing

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service listed the Chiricahua leopard frog as threatened without critical habitat on June 13, 2002. It is classified as 2C priority meaning there is a high degree of threat but also high chance for recovery.

Cause of Listing and Main Threats to its Continued Existence

There are multiple factors that have lead to the threatened state of the Chiricahua leopard frog. One of the more prevalent threats to the species is an infectious waterborne skin disease called chytridomycete which is caused by fungus. Another danger to the species is predation. Crayfish, bullfrogs and various fish prey on the leopard frog. The last of the major threats are habitat degradation, due to the drainage of water through various activities, and damage to eggs from rising levels of UV radiation. All of these have contributed to the current fragile state of the Chiricahua leopard frog.

Crayfish
https://natureinquiries.files.wordpress.com/2015/04
/wr-crayfish-adult-3a.jpg

Bullfrog
https://s-i.huffpost.com/gen/2400230/images/o-BULLF
ROG-facebook.jpg

Description of Recovery Plan

There are six essential elements of the recovery plan with the goal of preserving the Chiricahua leopard frog within its historical range:

https://www.fws.gov/southwest/es/Documents/R2ES/DRAFT_
Recovery_Plan_for_the_Chiricahua_Leopard_Frog_
with_Appendices.pdf

1. Ensure the protection of the remaining species’ habitats and population

2. Create supplemental habitats and form additional populations in the eight existing Recovery Units (areas where metapopulations can thrive)

3. Track recovery progress throughout the implementation period

4. Continue to study the conservation biology of the species to ensure an efficient recovery

5. Establish various partnerships to assist in the recovery

6. Continue to adapt and revise the recovery plan as new findings rise from the research and study of the species

The minimum estimated total cost of the recovery is $3,413,000. If the recovery measures are put in place according to plan and the criteria are met successfully, then the delisting of the Chiricahua leopard frog as a threatened species could occur as early as 2035.

The delisting criteria for the Chiricahua leopard frog is rather broad. The species will be delisted when the following all occurs:

• Two or more metapopulations and one or more isolated populations  showing longevity occur in each Recovery Unit
• Aquatic breeding habitats exist for these metapopulations and robust populations that are in line with what was described in the recovery plan
• The additional habitat essential for population connectivity is implemented according to the recovery plan
• Threats to the species are either reduced or eliminated

What Can You Do?

There are multiple ways that you can help the Chiricahua leopard frog species:

• Be wary of your water use in order to maintain the leopard frog’s habitat and wetlands. Also, try to take shorter showers and turn off the sink while brushing your teeth.
• Volunteer your services and participate in projects put on by the following government and nonprofit organizations:
• Arizona Game and Fish Department
• Arizona Trail and the Tadpole Taskforce
• Be knowledgeable about the amphibian species and the conditions they need to live a healthy life.

Other Resources

If you would like to learn more about Chiricahua leopard frog or find other ways to help with conservation of the species please take a look at the websites listed below:

Center for Biological Diversity
http://www.biologicaldiversity.org/species/amphibians/Chiricahua_leopard_frog/index.html

U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service
https://ecos.fws.gov/ecp0/profile/speciesProfile?spcode=D02F

Arizona Game and Fish Department
https://www.azgfd.gov/i_e/ee/resources/field_notes/amph/leopard_frog.pdf

Bibliography

Brennan, Thomas. Chiricahua Leopard Frog (Lithobates chiricahuensis) - Amphibians of  ...........Arizona, www.reptilesofaz.org/Turtle-Amphibs-Subpages/h-l-chiricahuensis.html.

Hilton, Al. “Lithobates chiricahuensis (Chiricahua Leopard Frog).” Animal Diversity ...........Web, animaldiversity.org/accounts/Lithobates_chiricahuensis/.

Sredl, Michael. “ Rana chiricahuensis.” AmphibiaWeb, amphibiaweb.org/cgi/amphib_query? ...........where-genus=Rana&where-species=chiricahuensis.

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Species Profile for Chiricahua leopard frog (Lithobates ...........chiricahuensis), ecos.fws.gov/ecp0/profile/speciesProfile?spcode=D02F.





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