Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Unit, Pacific Northwest CESU

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The USGS is offering a funding opportunity to a CESU partner for research on the distribution of foothill yellow-legged frogs (Rana boylii), coastal tailed frogs (Ascaphus truei), and southern torrent salamanders (Rhyacotriton variegatus) in timberlands near the northern limit of their range. All three species are of conservation concern, and foothill yellow-legged frogs have been petitioned for listing under both the California and Federal Endangered Species Acts. Although some aspects of foothill yellow-legged frog ecology are relatively well-studied, little is known about the distribution and habitat use of this species in private timberlands along the California coast. Foothill yellow-legged frogs occur in streams that flow through forested habitats, and knowledge of their distribution in these habitats would inform timber management practices to minimize risk to these populations. Because extracted DNA from filtered samples can be used for multiple species, we also will use assays for other amphibians of conservation concern in this region. This funding opportunity is to use genetic assays specific to the target species and determine the presence of their DNA in samples using quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) methods.

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