Lithobates okaloosae

Taxonomy

Assessment Information

Geographic Range

Population

Habitat and Ecology

Threats

Conservation Actions

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Taxonomy [top]

Kingdom	Phylum	Class	Order	Family
ANIMALIA	CHORDATA	AMPHIBIA	ANURA	RANIDAE

Scientific Name:

Lithobates okaloosae

Species Authority:

(Moler, 1985)

Common Name/s:

English

–

Florida Bog Frog

Synonym/s:

Rana okaloosae Moler, 1985

Assessment Information [top]

Red List Category & Criteria:	Vulnerable D2 ver 3.1
Year Published:	2004
Assessor/s:	Geoffrey Hammerson, Dale Jackson, John Palis, Paul Moler
Reviewer/s:	Global Amphibian Assessment Coordinating Team (Simon Stuart, Janice Chanson, Neil Cox and Bruce Young)
Contributor/s:
Justification: Listed as Vulnerable because it is known from fewer than five locations.

Geographic Range [top]

Range Description:	This species is endemic to Yellow and East Bay river drainages in Santa Rosa, Okaloosa, and Walton counties, Florida, USA (Moler 1993). Its area of occupancy might be less than 20km². It has an elevation of 3-55m asl.
Countries:	Native: United States
Range Map:	Click here to open the map viewer and explore range.

Population [top]

Population:	It is known from approximately three-dozen localities along tributaries of the East Bay, Shoal and Yellow Rivers in Santa Rosa, Okaloosa, and Walton counties, Florida, USA. The number of adult individuals is unknown, but the species is probably uncommon in appropriate habitat. Calling males can make the species seem more abundant than it actually is.
Population Trend:	Unknown

Habitat and Ecology [top]

Habitat and Ecology:	Breeding and non-breeding habitat includes: early successional shrub bog communities; in or near shallow, non-stagnant, acid (pH 4.1-5.5) seeps; and along shallow, boggy overflows of larger seepage streams that drain extensive sandy uplands, frequently in association with lush beds of sphagnum moss. It is often associated with black titi and Atlantic white cedar. Eggs are laid in thin films at the water surface of pools. Males typically call from shallow water surrounded by sphagnum (Moler 1993). It apparently tolerates disturbance because some populations occur in heavily silted streams and, in areas where streamside vegetation is more mature hardwood forest, it occurs typically only in disturbed sites (Moler 1992a).
Systems:	Terrestrial; Freshwater

Habitat and Ecology:

Breeding and non-breeding habitat includes: early successional shrub bog communities; in or near shallow, non-stagnant, acid (pH 4.1-5.5) seeps; and along shallow, boggy overflows of larger seepage streams that drain extensive sandy uplands, frequently in association with lush beds of sphagnum moss. It is often associated with black titi and Atlantic white cedar. Eggs are laid in thin films at the water surface of pools. Males typically call from shallow water surrounded by sphagnum (Moler 1993). It apparently tolerates disturbance because some populations occur in heavily silted streams and, in areas where streamside vegetation is more mature hardwood forest, it occurs typically only in disturbed sites (Moler 1992a).

Systems:

Terrestrial; Freshwater

Threats [top]

Major Threat(s):	Improper watershed management is a potential threat; at some sites, excessive stream siltation stemming from poor placement of roads or poor forest management in surrounding uplands has degraded habitat, but frog populations often are not negatively affected by this (Moler 1992a). Major threats are stream impoundment and habitat succession (Moler 1992a).

Major Threat(s):

Improper watershed management is a potential threat; at some sites, excessive stream siltation stemming from poor placement of roads or poor forest management in surrounding uplands has degraded habitat, but frog populations often are not negatively affected by this (Moler 1992a). Major threats are stream impoundment and habitat succession (Moler 1992a).

Conservation Actions [top]

Conservation Actions:	Although approximately 90% of the total range of the species is within Eglin Air Force Base, US national security has priority over wildlife. Fish and Wildlife Service, in concert with the Nature Conservancy and Eglin Air Force Base have recently drafted up a research and management plan for the species. It is protected as a Species of Special Concern by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission.

Conservation Actions:

Although approximately 90% of the total range of the species is within Eglin Air Force Base, US national security has priority over wildlife. Fish and Wildlife Service, in concert with the Nature Conservancy and Eglin Air Force Base have recently drafted up a research and management plan for the species. It is protected as a Species of Special Concern by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission.

Citation:	Geoffrey Hammerson, Dale Jackson, John Palis, Paul Moler 2004. Lithobates okaloosae. In: IUCN 2012. IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Version 2012.2. <www.iucnredlist.org>. Downloaded on 19 May 2013.
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