Status of Conservation and Decline of Amphibians in Canada and the United States: Amphibian Biology Volume 9, Part 7 Status of Conservation and Decline of Amphibians: Western Hemisphere

Description:

The number of species of salamanders within most North American phylogenetic lineages is reasonably well known, except for the lungless salamanders (Plethodontidae). In addition, the non-plethodontids are the Mole Salamanders (Ambystomatidae - 16 species), Hellbender (Cryptobranchidae - 1 species), Waterdogs and Mudpuppies (Proteidae - 8 species), and Newts (Salamandridae - 7 species). These species occur mostly in the warmer parts of the United States, but 11 non-plethodontids occur in Canada in the southeast and southwest. We can affirm 181 currently recognised species, with more likely to be described, particularly in the genera Desmognathus, Eurycea, and Pseudotriton. Among the frogs, there are 106 native species inhabiting Canada and the United States, although a few currently recognised ones (Craugastor augusti, Anaxyrus americanus, A. boreas, and A.canorus) may include more than a single species. Note that Eleutherodactylus planirostris has been established in Florida for well over 150 years and may actually be part of Florida's native fauna. Many of these species are tropical in origin and only enter the United States along the southern border with México. However, the Wood Frog (Lithobates sylvaticus) has one of the most extensive ranges of any frog in the world - from Alabama and Georgia in the south to the Arctic Ocean in Alaska and northwestern Canada. Only the Vegas Valley Leopard Frog (described as Lithobates fisheri) has been thought to be extinct in North America, but new data have suggested it could be conspecific with populations at Mogollon Rim previously included with L. chiricahuensis. In addition to these species, there are eight introduced and established frogs in North America (nine if Eleutherodactylus johnstonei from Bermuda is included).