Columbia Spotted Frog

Photo Credit: Brome McCreary, U.S. Geological Survey

Overview

Species Common Name Columbia Spotted Frog
Species Scientific Name Rana luteiventris
Federal Listing Status Species of Concern
State Listing Status Sensitive

Ecoregions

Blue Mountains

Located in NE Oregon, the Blue Mountains ecoregion is the largest ecoregion in the state. It provides a diverse complex of mountain ranges, valleys, and plateaus that extend beyond Oregon into the states of Idaho and Washington.

Northern Basin and Range

The Northern Basin and Range ecoregion covers the very large southeastern portion of the state, from Burns south to the Nevada border and from the Christmas Valley east to Idaho. It is largely a high elevation desert-like area dominated by sagebrush communities and habitats.

Special needs

Columbia spotted frogs breed and forage in permanent ponds, marshes, and meandering streams through meadows, especially areas of shallow water and emergent vegetation. They use springs and other sites with low, continuous water flow for overwintering.

Limiting factors

Alteration of hydrology, predation and competition by invasive fish and bullfrogs, siltation, and lowering of water tables through down-cutting of stream channels have contributed to declines of Columbia spotted frogs.

Data gaps

Improve understanding of phenology. Investigate habitat use by life history stage and how this varies by region. Assess distribution, abundance, and trends. Evaluate the effects of invasive species and grazing practices on this species.

Conservation actions

Identify occupied sites and maintain vegetation buffers. Control bullfrogs and invasive fish at priority locations.