Mount Rainier National Park amphibian inventory 2001-2003: Non-sensitive version

Samora, Barbara; Layes, Michael; Lofgren, Rebecca

This report details the amphibian inventories conducted in Mount Rainier National Park primarily from 2001 to 2003 with a small amount of data collected in 2005. These inventories were part of a larger effort to document species presence at five North Coast and Cascade (NCCN) Parks: Mount Rainier National Park (MORA), Ebey’s Landing National Historical Reserve (EBLA), Lewis and Clark National Historical Site (LEWI), Fort Vancouver National Historical Park (FOVA), and San Juan Island National Historical Park (SAJH). Four of these parks (EBLA, LEWI, FOVA, and SAJH) had incomplete lists based on limited data. Our primary goal was to meet the National Park Service Inventory and Monitoring program goal to better assess the status of species listed as “expected” but not confirmed in the parks and to document, to the 90% verification level, amphibian species found in these parks. Prior to this inventory, MORA was at the 86% verification level, lacking documentation for only two species. Our primary goal for MORA was to document the presence of these two species: Van Dyke’s salamander and Larch Mountain salamander. In addition, we targeted western toad, a special status species that park managers were concerned may have declined in the park over recent years, and Pacific giant salamanders (Dicamptodon tenebrosus and D. copei) in order to determine which species was present in MORA. Targeted inventories of reptiles were not conducted during this project; however they were documented when encountered. The report describes the methods used and results, includes a summary of species documented at each survey site, information on species life stage and habitat, and maps showing the spatial distribution of species in the park. The Appendices include detailed information documented in the inventory. Also avalable upon request are a Microsoft Access database of sampling events, ArcGIS locations layers, slide photographs of sites surveyed, and digital (and slide) voucher photos for new species documented. In addition, for MORA, are databases for Larch Mountain and Van Dyke’s salamanders. Voucher specimens were not collected but photographs were taken to document species occurrence in NCCN parks. Voucher specimens for amphibians and reptiles exist for many NCCN species in various park collections and other institutions. These collections, along with new data provided from this inventory, represent a historic amphibian collection for additional research in the future. We confirmed the presence of 14 species at MORA, including one new species, Cope’s giant salamander (Dicamptodon copei). We also documented additional locations for several federally listed Species of Concern. Five new western toad breeding sites were documented, but we also confirmed no toad breeding at several historic sites. The status of western toads at MORA remains a concern. The Cope’s giant salamander was added to the park’s amphibian list as confirmed through genetic analysis of larvae (difficult to differentiate from coastal giant salamander larvae). We recommend additional tail clips be collected for DNA analysis to verify the presence of this species in other park watersheds. We documented several new sites for the two Plethodon Species of Concern, Larch Mountain and Van Dyke’s salamanders. We did not detect the Cascade torrent salamander but recommend that searches of additional suitable habitat be conducted to confirm its absence from the park. We confirmed six garter snakes in aquatic habitat in several park watersheds. Species absence is extremely difficult to determine; it is possible that some species recorded historically or occasionally, but not detected during our survey efforts, may still be present in the park. Additional surveys of targeted habitats and species should be conducted.

Mount Rainier National Park amphibian inventory 2001-2003: Non-sensitive version

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