Field technicians Marcus Rehrman and Maddie Zickgraf surveying for Oregon spotted frogs in Deschutes County, OR. Field survey data helps researchers keep tabs on the status of this threatened species.
The Oregon spotted frog (Rana pretiosa) is a medium-sized anuran native to the northwestern United States. Body coloration ranges from brown or tan to brick red, usually overlaid with dark, ragged spots. Oregon spotted frogs can be distinguished from other native species by their relatively short hind legs, orange or red wash of color on underside of abdomen and legs, and upturned chartreuse eyes. They are associated with freshwater marshes and lakes where they breed in early spring in warm emergent vegetated shallows. The Oregon spotted frog is highly aquatic and reliant on connected seasonal habitats for breeding, summer foraging, and overwintering.
Oregon spotted frogs once occurred from southwest British Columbia to northeastern California. They appear to be lost from California and Oregon’s Willamette Valley. Hypothesized reasons for their decline include habitat loss and alteration, invasive predators and competitors, and water quality degradation. Most of known populations are currently located along the Cascade Range in central Oregon. The Oregon spotted frog was listed as Threatened under the Endangered Species Act in 2014.
USGS Research – Status and Trends, Threat Assessments
The USGS Forest and Rangeland Ecosystem Science Center (FRESC) is the Pacific Northwest hub for the US Department of Interior’s Amphibian Research and Monitoring Initiative (ARMI). Over the past 15 years, biologists in Dr. Michael Adams’s laboratory at FRESC have monitored occupancy patterns, abundance, and population demography to better understand the status of Oregon spotted frog in Oregon. Through a combination of observational, experimental, and modeling techniques, researchers examine relationships between Oregon spotted frog population trends and habitat variables to understand factors contributing to Oregon spotted frog declines.
USGS and partners have also evaluated interagency efforts to translocate Oregon spotted frogs. Long-term monitoring of relocated populations through mark-recapture efforts allows researchers to estimate probabilities of site colonization or extinction, as well as survival and growth rates for different sexes and life stages. This information can help managers plan for future translocations by understanding the underlying causes for a project’s success or failure.
USGS researchers disseminate their findings on Oregon spotted frog conservation to the public through various modes, including formal Oregon spotted frog status reports, peer-reviewed journal publications, and the popular media.
The Herpetology Lab works with a variety of academic, non profit, and federal and state agency partners. Results are disseminated in a variety of ways, including peer-reviewed journal publications, scientific meetings, public presentations, and the popular media.
Below are other science projects associated with this project.
Invader Removal and Recovery of a Threatened Amphibian
The Herpetological Research Team is using acoustic surveys and eDNA methods to evaluate the progress of invasive bullfrog removal and Oregon spotted frog recovery.
Herpetological Research Team (FRESC)
The Herpetological Research Team focuses on issues related to conservation and management of amphibians and other aquatic and semi-aquatic species. Among our current studies are effects of invasive species, disease, and land use change on the dynamics of amphibian communities to inform conservation and management decision making.
Below are multimedia items associated with this project.
Surveying for Oregon Spotted Frogs
Field technicians Marcus Rehrman and Maddie Zickgraf surveying for Oregon spotted frogs in Deschutes County, OR. Field survey data helps researchers keep tabs on the status of this threatened species.
Oregon Spotted Frog
While surveying for Oregon spotted frog egg masses in Deschutes County, OR, field technicians caught an adult female using a dip net. This was the first individual observed for the Spring field season.
While surveying for Oregon spotted frog egg masses in Deschutes County, OR, field technicians caught an adult female using a dip net. This was the first individual observed for the Spring field season.
Oregon Spotted Frog
While surveying for Oregon spotted frog egg masses in Deschutes County, OR, field technicians caught an adult female using a dip net. This was the first individual observed during the Spring field season.
While surveying for Oregon spotted frog egg masses in Deschutes County, OR, field technicians caught an adult female using a dip net. This was the first individual observed during the Spring field season.
Oregon spotted frog tagged with a radio transmitter
This radio tagged Oregon spotted frog was photographed at Upper Klamath Marsh National Wildlife Refuge in Oregon. Radio telemetry tagging allows researchers to monitor the movements and distributions of species like frogs that are cryptic and often difficult to spot in the wild.
This radio tagged Oregon spotted frog was photographed at Upper Klamath Marsh National Wildlife Refuge in Oregon. Radio telemetry tagging allows researchers to monitor the movements and distributions of species like frogs that are cryptic and often difficult to spot in the wild.
Anerytherisitic sub-adult Oregon spotted frog
Anerytherisitic sub-adult Oregon Spotted frog from Dilman Meadows, SW of Bend, Oregon. An anerytherisitic organism has inherited a recessive mutation where they lack red, yellow, and orange pigments. These organisms are usually black, grey, and brown in color.
Anerytherisitic sub-adult Oregon Spotted frog from Dilman Meadows, SW of Bend, Oregon. An anerytherisitic organism has inherited a recessive mutation where they lack red, yellow, and orange pigments. These organisms are usually black, grey, and brown in color.
Adult Oregon spotted frog
Adult Oregon spotted frog at Dilman Meadows, near Wickiup Reservoir, OR
Adult Oregon spotted frog at Dilman Meadows, near Wickiup Reservoir, OR
The Oregon spotted frog (Rana pretiosa) is a medium-sized anuran native to the northwestern United States. Body coloration ranges from brown or tan to brick red, usually overlaid with dark, ragged spots. Oregon spotted frogs can be distinguished from other native species by their relatively short hind legs, orange or red wash of color on underside of abdomen and legs, and upturned chartreuse eyes. They are associated with freshwater marshes and lakes where they breed in early spring in warm emergent vegetated shallows. The Oregon spotted frog is highly aquatic and reliant on connected seasonal habitats for breeding, summer foraging, and overwintering.
Oregon spotted frogs once occurred from southwest British Columbia to northeastern California. They appear to be lost from California and Oregon’s Willamette Valley. Hypothesized reasons for their decline include habitat loss and alteration, invasive predators and competitors, and water quality degradation. Most of known populations are currently located along the Cascade Range in central Oregon. The Oregon spotted frog was listed as Threatened under the Endangered Species Act in 2014.
USGS Research – Status and Trends, Threat Assessments
The USGS Forest and Rangeland Ecosystem Science Center (FRESC) is the Pacific Northwest hub for the US Department of Interior’s Amphibian Research and Monitoring Initiative (ARMI). Over the past 15 years, biologists in Dr. Michael Adams’s laboratory at FRESC have monitored occupancy patterns, abundance, and population demography to better understand the status of Oregon spotted frog in Oregon. Through a combination of observational, experimental, and modeling techniques, researchers examine relationships between Oregon spotted frog population trends and habitat variables to understand factors contributing to Oregon spotted frog declines.
USGS and partners have also evaluated interagency efforts to translocate Oregon spotted frogs. Long-term monitoring of relocated populations through mark-recapture efforts allows researchers to estimate probabilities of site colonization or extinction, as well as survival and growth rates for different sexes and life stages. This information can help managers plan for future translocations by understanding the underlying causes for a project’s success or failure.
USGS researchers disseminate their findings on Oregon spotted frog conservation to the public through various modes, including formal Oregon spotted frog status reports, peer-reviewed journal publications, and the popular media.
The Herpetology Lab works with a variety of academic, non profit, and federal and state agency partners. Results are disseminated in a variety of ways, including peer-reviewed journal publications, scientific meetings, public presentations, and the popular media.
Below are other science projects associated with this project.
Invader Removal and Recovery of a Threatened Amphibian
The Herpetological Research Team is using acoustic surveys and eDNA methods to evaluate the progress of invasive bullfrog removal and Oregon spotted frog recovery.
Herpetological Research Team (FRESC)
The Herpetological Research Team focuses on issues related to conservation and management of amphibians and other aquatic and semi-aquatic species. Among our current studies are effects of invasive species, disease, and land use change on the dynamics of amphibian communities to inform conservation and management decision making.
Below are multimedia items associated with this project.
Surveying for Oregon Spotted Frogs
Field technicians Marcus Rehrman and Maddie Zickgraf surveying for Oregon spotted frogs in Deschutes County, OR. Field survey data helps researchers keep tabs on the status of this threatened species.
Field technicians Marcus Rehrman and Maddie Zickgraf surveying for Oregon spotted frogs in Deschutes County, OR. Field survey data helps researchers keep tabs on the status of this threatened species.
Oregon Spotted Frog
While surveying for Oregon spotted frog egg masses in Deschutes County, OR, field technicians caught an adult female using a dip net. This was the first individual observed for the Spring field season.
While surveying for Oregon spotted frog egg masses in Deschutes County, OR, field technicians caught an adult female using a dip net. This was the first individual observed for the Spring field season.
Oregon Spotted Frog
While surveying for Oregon spotted frog egg masses in Deschutes County, OR, field technicians caught an adult female using a dip net. This was the first individual observed during the Spring field season.
While surveying for Oregon spotted frog egg masses in Deschutes County, OR, field technicians caught an adult female using a dip net. This was the first individual observed during the Spring field season.
Oregon spotted frog tagged with a radio transmitter
This radio tagged Oregon spotted frog was photographed at Upper Klamath Marsh National Wildlife Refuge in Oregon. Radio telemetry tagging allows researchers to monitor the movements and distributions of species like frogs that are cryptic and often difficult to spot in the wild.
This radio tagged Oregon spotted frog was photographed at Upper Klamath Marsh National Wildlife Refuge in Oregon. Radio telemetry tagging allows researchers to monitor the movements and distributions of species like frogs that are cryptic and often difficult to spot in the wild.
Anerytherisitic sub-adult Oregon spotted frog
Anerytherisitic sub-adult Oregon Spotted frog from Dilman Meadows, SW of Bend, Oregon. An anerytherisitic organism has inherited a recessive mutation where they lack red, yellow, and orange pigments. These organisms are usually black, grey, and brown in color.
Anerytherisitic sub-adult Oregon Spotted frog from Dilman Meadows, SW of Bend, Oregon. An anerytherisitic organism has inherited a recessive mutation where they lack red, yellow, and orange pigments. These organisms are usually black, grey, and brown in color.
Adult Oregon spotted frog
Adult Oregon spotted frog at Dilman Meadows, near Wickiup Reservoir, OR
Adult Oregon spotted frog at Dilman Meadows, near Wickiup Reservoir, OR