Chiricahua Leopard frog (Rana chiricahuensis)

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1 Chiricahua Leopard frog (Rana chiricahuensis) Status: Threatened (as of 6/13/2002; 67 FR 40790) Range: Apache, Cochise,Coconino, Gila, Graham, Greenlee, Navajo, Pima, Santa Cruz, Yavapai counties AZ; Catron, Grant, Hidalgo, Luna, Sierra, Socorro counties NM. Critical Habitat designated. A leopard frog with a distinctive color pattern of small, raised, cream-colored spots on the thigh against a dark background with relatively rough skin on the back and sides and often green on the head and back. A distinctive call (a snore of 1 to 2 seconds duration) also separates this species from other leopard frogs Permanent waters in ponds, tanks, cienegas (wet meadows), and small streams provide habitat. Where water is not permanent, adult frogs may persist but reproduction is likely not successful. Habitats with a variety of plants, depths, in-water structure, and other complexities are desired. ~10,000 acres of Critical habitat exists in wet areas throughout AZ and NM range (3/20/2012; 77 FR 16324)

2 Relict Leopard Frog (Lithobates onca) Status: Candidate (as of 6/13/2002; 67 FR 40657) Range: Mohave County, AZ; Clark County, NV This is a medium-sized frog ( centimeters snout-vent length. Generally, it is brown to gray above with greenish brown spots that are often reduced or obscure on the front of the body. The colors underneath are white to yellow with occasional grey or brown mottling. The dorsolateral folds are indistinct and end well before the groin. A light line runs from below the eye, under the tympanum, to behind the angle of the mouth (Stebbins 2003). Historically, this frog probably occupied a variety of habitats including springs, streams, and wetlands characterized by clean, clear water, in both deep and shallow water, and cover such as submerged, emergent, and perimeter vegetation (USFWS 2009). Leopard frogs generally require shallow water with emergent and perimeter vegetation for foraging and basking, and deeper water, root masses, undercut banks, and debris piles for cover and hibernacula (Relict Leopard Frog Conservation Team 2005). Emergent or submergent vegetation provides cover and egg-deposition substrate (Relict Leopard Frog Conservation Team 2005). Adults appear to prefer relatively open shorelines where dense vegetation does not dominate (Bradford et al. 2005). The recently extant populations inhabit spring systems with largely unaltered hydrology and no introduced American bullfrogs or game fishes (Bradford et al. 2004). Under review since 2007, Listing immanent (USFWS)

3 Northern Mexican Garter snake (Thamnophis eques ssp. megalops) Status: Candidate (as of 11/25/2008; 73 FR 71788) Range: Apache, Cochise, Coconino, Gila, Graham, Navajo, Pima, Pinal, Santa Cruz, Yavapai Counties, AZ; Undefined county-level range in NM. The northern Mexican gartersnake may occur with other native gartersnake species and can be difficult for people without herpetological expertise to identify. With a maximum known length of 44 inches (in) (112 centimeters (cm)), it ranges in background color from olive to olive-brown to olive-gray with three stripes that run the length of the body. The middle dorsal stripe is yellow and darkens toward the tail. The pale yellow to light-tan lateral stripes distinguish the Mexican gartersnake from other sympatric (co-occurring) gartersnake species because a portion of the lateral stripe is found on the fourth scale row, while it is confined to lower scale rows for other species. Throughout its range-wide distribution, the northern Mexican gartersnake occurs at elevations from 130 to 8,497 feet (ft) (40 to 2,590 meters (m)) (Rossman et al. 1996, p. 172). The northern Mexican gartersnake is considered a riparian obligate (restricted to riparian areas when not engaged in dispersal behavior) and occurs chiefly in the following general habitat types: (1) Sourcearea wetlands [e.g., cienegas (mid-elevation wetlands with highly organic, reducing (basic, or alkaline) soils), stock tanks (small earthen impoundment), etc.]; (2) large river riparian woodlands and forests; and (3) streamside gallery forests (as defined by well-developed broadleaf deciduous riparian forests with limited, if any, herbaceous ground cover or dense grass). Candidate since 1994, Priority 3, listing immanent

4 Flat-tailed Horned Lizard (Phynosoma mcallii) Status: Conservation Agreement. Range: AZ: Yuma county. CA, NV; Sonora, Mexico. The flat-tailed horned lizard has the typical flattened body shape of horned lizards. It is distinguished from other species in its genus by its dark vertebral stripe, lack of external ear openings, long, broad and flattened tail, and comparatively long spines on the head. In addition, the species has two rows of fringed scales on each side of the body. The species ranges in color from pale gray to light rust brown dorsally, and white or cream (unspotted) ventrally with a prominent umbilical scar. Maximum adult body length (excluding the tail) is approximately 3.2 inches (84 millimeters). Occurs entirely within the Lower Colorado River Valley Subdivision of Sonoran Desert Scrub. This is the largest and most arid subdivision of the Sonoran Desert. The species is most often associated with the creosote-white bursage series of the desertscrub, and in Arizona is often abundant in sandy flats where galleta grass is common. In Arizona and much of its range in California, the flat-tailed horned lizard habitat is associated with fine silica sands deposited by the Colorado River. The lizard is usually found below 750 feet (230 meters) in elevation. Historical Range: Includes portions of southeastern California (southwestern Imperial County, eastern San Diezzzgo County, and central Riverside County) and southwestern Arizona (southwestern Yuma County) in the U.S. and northeastern Baja California and northwestern Sonora in Mexico. Current Range: Limited to four geographically described populations (76 FR 14210): (1) The Coachella Valley Population, including those individuals northwest of the Salton Sea, California; (2) The Western Population, including those individuals in the areas west of the Salton Sea and the Imperial Valley, California, and west of the Mexicali Valley, Baja California, Mexico; (3) The Eastern Population, including those individuals in the areas east of the Salton Sea and the Imperial Valley but west of the Colorado River; and (4) The Southeastern Population, including those individuals in the areas east of the Colorado River, extending from Yuma south into Mexico and east to the Gulf of California

5 New Mexican Ridge-Nosed rattlesnake (Crotalus willardi obscurus) Status: Threatened (as of 8/4/1978; 43 FR 34479) Range: Cochise county AZ, Hidalgo county NM Critical habitat designated This is a small (maximum length 66 cm) montane species that is usually pale gray to graybrown and does not have prominent facial markings. The back is marked with pale crossbars lined with darker coloration along the front and back edges. The underside is cream to white with occasional mottling of grayish to reddish brown. Young have dark gray/black or light yellow tails. This is a montane woodland species found in Madrean evergreen woodland and Petran montane conifer forests, using the bottoms of steep, rocky canyons with intermittent streams or talus slopes. Elevations range from 5,000 to 8,500 feet, with lower elevation habitats being more arid and less well vegetated. Rock shelters and perennial bunch grasses are used as cover, with rocks, leaf litter, and downed logs also used for concealment. Winter dens (hibernacula) are often in talus slopes or other rocky areas with crevices and holes that protect the snakes from frost. Critical habitat in AZ and NM (8/4/1978; 43 FR 34479)

6 Jemez Mountains salamander (Plethodon neomexicanus) Status: Candidate (as of 9/9/2010; 75 FR 54822) Range: Los Alamos, Rio Arriba, and Sandoval Counties NM Brown with finely dusted gold flecks. Underside transparent. 19 costal grooves. This secretive amphibian lives in fragmented populations within one limited area surrounding the Valles Caldera of the Jemez Mountains. It spends most of its time hidden underground in moist soils Under review since 1982, Priority 2, Listing Immanent

7 Sonora Tiger Salamander (Ambystoma tigrinum stebbinsi) Status: Endangered (as of 1/6/1997; 62 FR 665) Range: Cochise and Santa Cruz counties AZ Tiger salamanders are large and stocky, cm ( in.), with small eyes, broad rounded snout, no parotid glands, and tubercles on the underside of front and hind feet. The dorsum has yellow to dark olive spots and blotches (reticulation), often with irregular edges between front and hind limbs. Currently, most available habitats are cattle tanks that were developed over the last century and replaced the natural pools, cienegas and springs in the San Rafael Valley. Aquatic habitats are needed from January through June for breeding. Permanent water sites are also suitable, and will maintain populations of branchiate adults. Terrestrial adults are found in the grassland/oak-juniper woodlands and make extensive use of mammal burrows or loose soils to shelter from extreme temperatures. No critical habitat rules

8 Tucson Shovel-Nosed Snake (Chionactis occipitalis ssp. klauberi) Status: Candidate (as of 3/31/2010; 75 FR 16050) Range: Maricopa, Pima, and Pinal Counties, AZ The Tucson shovel-nosed snake is a small snake ( millimeters (mm) ( inches (in) total length) in the family Colubridae, with a shovel-shaped snout, an inset lower jaw, and coloring that mimics coral snakes (Mahrdt et al. 2001, p ). The most notable features of the Tucson shovel-nosed snake distinguishing it from the other subspecies are (a) the red crossbands suffused with dark pigment, making them appear brown or partly black, and (b) both black and red crossbands not encircling the body (Center for Biological Diversity 2004, p. 2). Habitat consists of mesquite-creosotebush desert with sandy washes, dunes, and rocky hillsides (Arizona Game and Fish Department 2002). Under review since 2010, Priority 2, Listing immanent

9 Desert tortoise (Gopherus agassizii); Mohave Population Status: Threatened (excludes Sonoran population) (as of 4/2/1990; 55 FR 12178) Range: Mohave County AZ. (Sonoran population in southern Arizona counties) Critical habitat designated 2/8/1994 (59 FR 9032) Gopherus agassizii is terrestrial, with a domed shell and round, stumpy elephantine hind legs. The front limbs are flattened for digging and heavily scaled without webbed toes. The carapace (upper shell) is oblong and domed with the sides round due to joining of the carapace and plastron (lower shell). The scute centers are often yellowish which have grooved concentric rings. The plastron is also yellowish, with brown along the scute margins. The head is small and rounded in front with reddish-tan coloring and the iris being greenish-yellow. The front and hind feet are about equal in size and the tail is of short length. Mojave population: Sandy loam and rock soils in the lower Colorado river subdivision of the Sonoran desert between ft elevation. Critical habitat for Mohave population

10 Desert tortoise (Gopherus agassizii); Sonoran Population Status: Candidate (as of 12/14/2010; 75 FR 78094) Range: Cochise, Gila, Graham, La Paz, Maricopa, Mohave, Pima, Pinal, Santa Cruz, Yavapai, and Yuma Counties, AZ Gopherus agassizii is terrestrial, with a domed shell and round, stumpy elephantine hind legs. The front limbs are flattened for digging and heavily scaled without webbed toes. The carapace (upper shell) is oblong and domed with the sides round due to joining of the carapace and plastron (lower shell). The scute centers are often yellowish which have grooved concentric rings. The plastron is also yellowish, with brown along the scute margins. The head is small and rounded in front with reddish-tan coloring and the iris being greenish-yellow. The front and hind feet are about equal in size and the tail is of short length. The Sonoran population of the desert tortoise occurs primarily on rocky slopes and bajadas of Mojave and Sonoran desertscrub (see references in AIDTT 2000). In the Lower Colorado River Valley subdivision, caliche caves in cut banks of washes (arroyos) are also used for shelter sites. Shelter sites are rarely found in shallow soils. Under review since 1982, Priority 6, Non-immanent

11 Arizona Treefrog (Hyla wrightorum) Status: Candidate (Huachuca/Canelo Population only) (as of 12/6/2007; 72 FR 69034) Range: Cochise and Santa Cruz Counties, AZ The Arizona treefrog is a small 1.8 inches (4.6 centimeters) green frog with a dark eyestripe that extends past the shoulder onto the side of the body, and sometimes to the groin area (Figure 1). This dark stripe may break into spots or dashes past the shoulder. The eyestripe on the similar Pacific treefrog (Pseudacris regilla Complex), a complex of three species from the Pacific Coast region, does not extend past the shoulder. Some Arizona treefrogs exhibit dark spots on the head and upper back, and bars or spots on the lower back. The throat of the male is dusky green or tan, and males average a slightly smaller size than females (Duellman 2001, pp ; Stebbins 2003, p. 224). All U.S. sites where this population of the Arizona treefrog is found are small, ranging from stock tanks to short reaches of streams. Estimated breeding habitat in the U.S. is probably <10 acres (roughly 70% U.S. Forest Service, Coronado National Forest, and 30% U.S. Army - Fort Huachuca). In Sonora, breeding habitat consists of cienegas (spring-fed wetlands) that are similar to small prairie potholes or vernal pools, or occur as sluggish ephemeral drainages. Estimated breeding habitat in Sonora is more difficult to assess, but probably is <20 acres. Habitat of Hyla wrightorum in Arizona includes montane streams, wet meadows, ciénegas, roadside ditches, and livestock tanks in oak, pine-oak, pondersosa pine, Douglas-fir, and other forest types, mostly above 5,000 feet; breeding sites usually are in temporary waters, including shallow flooded areas and stream pools, but eggs may be deposited in permanent waters as well (Gergus et al. 2004); during the nonbreeding season, frogs may climb high into trees or may occur on the ground in wet meadows or other damp places (Brennan and Holycross 2006; J. Rorabough, Egg masses are attached to vegetation just below the water surface (Behler and King 1979). At Rancho Los Fresnos, Sonora, the species occurs in plains grassland at about 5,000 feet (1,525 meters) (USFWS 2008). The species has been recorded in bromeliads on pine trees in Mexico (Duellman 1970). Under review since 2007, priority 3, listing immanent

12 Sonoyta Mud turtle (Kinosternon sonoriense longifemorale) Status: Candidate (as of 11/21/2012; 77 FR 69993) Range: Pima County, AZ This dark, medium sized aquatic turtle, is 7 in (18 cm) long (shell), with a mottled pattern on the head, neck, and limbs. Its head and neck are brown or olive on top, contrasting with plain yellow or cream color below. The throat has nipple like projections. The upper shell (carapace) is olive brown to dark brown with dark seams; the lower shell (plastron) is hinged, front and rear, and is yellow to brown. The shell contains 23 marginal shields. Long barbells are typically present on the chin, and all four feet are webbed. Occurs in pond and stream habitats. Under review since 1997, priority 3, listing immanent