NOVEL OVIPOSITION SITE SELECTION & UPLAND HABITAT USE BY FOOTHILL YELLOW-LEGGED FROGS IN THE MIDDLE FORK AMERICAN RIVER WATERSHED, SIERRA NEVADA FOOTHILLS, CA

Caroline Hamilton; Stantec; crhamilton01@gmail.com; Rick Evans

Foothill yellow-legged frog (Rana boylii) is a species whose breeding habitat is typically associated with shallower, lower velocity habitat types with high solar exposure across most of its range. Long-term monitoring of foothill yellow-legged frog populations in the Middle Fork American River watershed reflect this life history strategy but also depict novel oviposition sites potentially more common in larger perennial and/or managed riverine systems. We observed these novel oviposition sites in higher velocity mid-channel locations in deep substrate crevices and attached to the underside of large boulders with little to no solar exposure. Additionally, we build on other recent publications describing novel use of upland habitats by this species in the watershed.

Poster Session