Rana luteiventris

Formerly included in Rana pretiosa. Green et al. (1996) examined allozyme and morphometric variation in Rana pretiosa from 26 and 38 localities, respectively, and concluded that at least two species were represented, although morphometrically, the two species are "almost indistinguishable." Subsequently, Green et al. (1997) determined that frogs from the vicinity of the type locality of Rana pretiosa are conspecific with the species residing in south-central Washington and the Cascade Mountains of Oregon. Hence, they concluded that populations from southwestern British Columbia, western Washington, western and central Oregon, and northeastern California are Rana pretiosa (Oregon spotted frog) and that spotted frogs from the remainder of the range are Rana luteiventris (Columbia spotted frog). Rana luteiventris was regarded as possibly comprising multiple weakly differentiated species. Funk et al. (2008) suggested that additional study may warrant the recognition of more than on one species currently recognized as R. luteiventris.

Moderately large range in the Pacific Northwest and Rocky Mountains; still common in British Columbia and the Rocky Mountains; southern, disjunct populations in the Great Basin are declining and face major threats, including habitat loss/degradation (especially dewatering), exotic species, and possibly global climate change; a recent conservation agreement has improved the status of the Wasatch Front and West Desert populations, which nevertheless remain of conservation concern.

Extreme southeastern Alaska, southwestern Yukon (Slough 2002), northern British Columbia, and western Alberta south through Washington east of the Cascades, eastern Oregon, Idaho, and western Montana to Nevada (disjunct, Mary's, Reese, and Owyhee river systems), southwestern Idaho (disjunct), Utah (disjunct, Wasatch Mountains and west desert), and western and north-central (disjunct) Wyoming (Green et al. 1996, 1997; Stebbins 2003). Disjunct populations occur on isolated mountains and in arid-land springs. Elevational range extends from near sea level to about 3,048 meters (10,000 feet) (Stebbins 2003).

The Wasatch Front population (R. luteiventris pop. 1) occurs in isolated springs or riparian wetlands in Juab, Sanpete, Summit, Utah, Tooele, and Wasatch counties; extirpated from the Salt Lake Valley and tributaries to the Jordan River and Great Salt Lake (USFWS 2002). Currently, there are seven localized populations that comprise the Wasatch Front population or DPS. The largest known concentration is currently in the Heber Valley; the remaining six locations are Jordanelle/Francis, Springville Hatchery, Holladay Springs, Mona Springs Complex/Burraston Ponds, Fairview, and Vernon (USFWS 2002).

The West Desert (Bonneville) population (R. luteiventris pop. 2) occurs in eastern Nevada and western Utah, mainly in two large spring complexes, with several additional concentrations in smaller nearby springs; it is extiprated from the northern portions of the historical range.

The Great Basin population (R. luteiventris pop. 3) occurs in southwestern Idaho, southeastern Oregon, and Nevada; it includes all Nevada populations of R. luteiventris except a small population on the eastern border of White Pine County, which is included in the West Desert population.

Represented by many and/or large occurrences throughout most of the range (Hodge 1976, Nussbaum et al. 1983), though the disjunct southern populations are limited in number.

See additional information for Wasatch Front, West Desert, and Great Basin populations (Rana luteiventris pops. 1, 2, and 3).

Some local populations are threatened by various forms of habitat degradation and by direct impacts of non-native species. This species is not likely to be at risk from present acidification inputs in the Rocky Mountains (Corn and Vertucci 1992). Possibly global climate changes are a factor in the decline of some populations in the arid southern part of the range (Hayes and Jennings 1986). At the embryonic stage, UV-B radiation currently does not seem to be contributing to population declines (Blaustein et al. 1999). Range-wide, most populations are not significantly unthreatened. See additional information for Wasatch Front, West Desert, and Great Basin populations (Rana luteiventris pops. 1, 2, and 3).