Sebastian Cardoza 

BIO 227 

-  ARROYO TOAD  - 

(Anaxyrus Californicus) 

 United States Fish and Wildlife Service 

Listing Status:

ENDANGERED 

International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List species 

2004 

Intro

This blog discusses the natural habitat, recovery efforts and what you can do to save the Arroyo Toad. This endangered California endemic toad species is sensitive to the changes that humans have made to our rivers, streams over the past few decades and is decreasing in numbers steadily. The Arroyo Toad was officially proposed as endangered in 1993 and confirmed a year later in 1994 by the United States Fish and Wildlife Services. It is also recognized as an International Union for Conservation of Nater Red List species.   

Description of Toad:

The Arroyo Toad (Southwestern Toad or Anaxyrus Californicas) is the smallest toad in the Bufonidae family. Its body is only 5-8 Centimeters or 2-3 inches when grown to full maturity. Its base skin texture is described as warty with spots.The base color of these toads is typically found with greenish grey color but has also been seen with a tan coloration. A lighter skin tone stripe it typically found streaking the top of its head crossing over the eyelids. Also, Light colorations can be found under the hump on its back and the general middle region of its back. This toad has also been identified as having symmetrical dorsal blotches with a white buff belly lacking in spots compared to the rest of its skin. 

The Arroyo Toad has a distinct mating call that can be used to help identify this species. During mating seasons the Arroyo toad trills in a high tone for lasting approximately 8-10 seconds.  

The Arroyo Toad is often using short jump as appose to walking or even long-range

jumps. 

Center for Biological Diversity(http://www.biologicaldiversity.org/

species/amphibians/arroyo_toad/index.html

Description of Ecology:

Historically the Arroyo Toad was located in Coastal Montaine Regions ranging from Monterey California all the way to Baja California in rivers located in riparian corridors and wetland regions. These Rivers (Ponds and other bodies of water) stretch from San Luis Obispo to San Diego. The location for breeding of the Arroyo toad is described as a larger river with persistent water flow from March till mid-June. During these times is when the Arroyo Toad tends to lay its eggs. Eggs develop within small pools with minimal current and low vegetation along the fringes of these larger rivers. 

The Arroyo Toad is primarily nocturnal during the day and is active at night. Because of this behavior, it spends most hours under the sandy banks of its river habitats. During the drier Spring and Summer month's the toad buries deeper into the soil where it is moist and cool. During this time the Arroyo Toad is primarily in a dormant state called estivation. During this time the toad is susceptible to harmful trampling and harmful fluids.  
  

Ventura River Upper Wetland Estuary(https://scwrp.org/projects/ventura-river-upper-estuary-wetland-restoration-atr-willoughby-preserve/)

Main Threats to Species:

Due to the fact that toads and other amphibious species are sensitive to moisture, the primary cause of there decreasing numbers relates to the water sources where their habitats are typically found. Pollution to our own historic waterways is the primary reason why the living quality of the Arroyo Toad has is degrading. This pollution is caused by a number of sources that have increased in development up till today. Some of the primary human interventions that are affecting the natural habitat of the Arroyo Toad include; agriculture production, urbanization, roads, damns, vehicle use, overgrazing, mining activities, developed campgrounds, and an introduction of foreign plant and animal species. Recreational activities and river pollution in general also contribute to the degrading habitat in these riparian and wetland areas. 

River Partners (http://www.riverpartners.org/news-and-events/newsletters/2016_v13n2_ArroyoToadRecovery.html)

Geographic and Population Changes:

The Arroyo toads native habitat has shrunken over the course of the last few centuries. The historic range of this toad has been shrunken down by 75% of its original historic territory. Currently, there are 35 River Basins within Southern California. Each one of these zones can contain a handful of adults ranging from fewer than 25 to over 200 breeding adults. Currently, the average amount of breeding adults per site ranges from 10-12. The Upper Santa Ysabel Creek Basin, San Diego County (Zone 18) contains the highest amount of breeding adults today as referenced in figure 2. As of today sites, 1,3,4,5,8,9,10-13,15-20,22,23,25-27,31-34 are under the "Extend" population category (Arroyo toad population at a site location has been verified recently (within the last 5 to 6 years) as still existing). Portions of Sites 1,2,22 and 25 have been categorized as "Extripated" (Adequate surveys by one or more experienced observers at time and under conditions appropriate for the species at the zone location, or other persuasive evidence, indicate that the species no longer exists there or that the habitat or environment of the zone location has been destroyed to such an extent that it can no longer support the species) within the most recent survey. In addition to this zones, 3-7,9,12-16,21,23,25,28,29,30 and 35 have locations that are titled as Unknown(Sites have not been surveyed within the last 5-6 years.) 

 

Figure 1

United States Fish and Wildlife Services Range Map 
(https://ecos.fws.gov/ecp0/profile/speciesProfile.action?spcode=D020)

Figure 2

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Ventura Fish and Wild Office, 

Ventura,California(https://www.fws.gov/ventura/docs/species

/at/Arroyo%20Toad%20Final%20Species%20Report.pdf)

So whats the plan?  

The Recovery plan for the Arroyo Toad aims to re-establish the population to a level where it can sustain its own population without the assistance of the Endangered Species Act of 1998. The structure of the plan is broken into five main parts...

1. Stabilize and maintain populations by protecting sufficient breeding and nonbreeding habitat. 

2. Monitor the status of existing populations.

3. Conduct research in order to determine the population dynamics and ecology.

4. Develop an outreach program.

5. Implement an outreach program.

This will be accomplished by establishing 20 self-sustaining populations along the federal land. Today 17 have been established with unknown records on the population statistics of these locations. Upon completion of the Recovery Plan, the Arroyo Toad will have a stable population and should no longer require the protection of the 1988 Endangered Species Act.   

So what can I do to help?

There are a number of great ways that you can help to Arroyo Toad make a comeback to the California riparian and wetland habitats. Due to the fact that the decline of the Arroyo Toad is tied to the degradation of there habitat. Preserving these spaces is most important. Climate change and urban development are the two major factors that address the Arroyo Toads habitat. Therefore In order to help out the cause here is a list of things you can do to lower your carbon footprint and help reduce the effects of climate change. 

1. Consume less/no meat.

2. Walk, bike and drive less.

3. Purchase, consume, waste less. 

4. Switch to energy efficient products for a household.

5. Recycle, compose and be more responsible for littering and waste. 

If you are ever in enjoying the outdoors and happen to be in These following locations. (San Antionio River, Salinas River, Sisquoc River, Upper Santa Ynez River, Mono Creek, Indian Creek, Aqua Caliente Creek, Santa Clara River, Lion Creek, Sespe Creek, Uper Piru Creek, Lower Oury Creek, Agua Blanca Creek,Castaic Creek, San Francisquito Creek, Upper Big Tujunga Creek, Alder Creek, Arroyo Seco, Santiago Creek, Silverado Creek, Cajon Wash, San Jacinto River, Bautista Creek, San Juan Creek, Trabuco Creek, Cristianito Creek, Gabino Creek, La Paz Creek , Talega Creek, San Mtero Creek, San Onofre Creek, Santa Margariata River, DeLuz Creek, Roblar Creek, Sandia Creek, Arroyo Seco Creek, Temecula Creek, Wilson Creek, Cole Creek, San Luis Rey River, Keys creek,Pala Creek, West Fork San Luis Rey River, San Luis Rey, River Canada Aguanga, Agua Caliente Creek, San Dieguito River/Santa Ysabel Creek, Guejito Creek, Boden Canyon, Temescal Creek, Santa maria Creek, Santa Ysabel Creek and Whitch Creek, San Vicente Creek, San diego River, Sweetwater River, Viejas Creek, Perterson Creek, Tijuana River, Cottonwood Creek, Potrero Creek, Campo Creek, Pine Vallye Creek and Horetheif Canyon, Pine Vallye, Noble Creek, Scove Canyon, Morena Creek, Kitchen Creek, La posta Creek, Little Rock Creek, West Fork Mojave River, Grass Valley and  Upper and Lower Little Horse theif Creek,) 

1. Avoid stepping into the water or to close to the edge.

2. Do not litter and clean any trash that you see. 

3. If possible avoid driving to location and bike or walk. 

4. Avoid visiting these locations at night. 

5. Avoid letting pets off leash and into the water. 

And of course, you can always donate to any of these organizations to help protect and re-establish the Arroyo Toad. 

  

Center for Biological Diversity 

https://act.biologicaldiversity.org/onlineactions/ogUEYtJBUka8b3u8yTXQvA2/?

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Services

https://www.fws.gov/birds/get-involved/invest-in-conservation/donate.php

Los Padres Forest Watch 

https://lpfw.org/our-region/wildlife/arroyo-toad/

IUCN Red List

http://support.iucnredlist.org

References: 

Arroyo Toad Species Report, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Ventura Fish and Wildlife Office, Ventura, March 14, 2014.https://www.fws.gov/ventura/docs/species/at/Arroyo%20Toad%20Final%20Species%20Report.pdf

Fish and Wildlife Services Prematurely Proposes to Reduce Protections for California's Endangered Arroyo Toad, Center for Biological Diversity, March 26, 2014, https://www.biologicaldiversity.org/news/press_

releases/2014/arroyo-toad-03-26-2014.html

Federal Register, Vol. 76,No. 27, Rule and Registration, https://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/FR-2011-02-09/pdf/2011-1703.pdf

Federal Register, Vol. 63,No. 87, Rules and Registration, https://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/FR-1998-05-06/pdf/98-11972.pdf#page=1

Federal Registration, Vol. 63,No. 241, Rules and Registration, https://ecos.fws.gov/docs/federal_register/fr2750.pdf

Developing Partnership to Support the Arroyo Toad Recovery Plan, River Partners, Dave Robersts, Restoration Ecologist, Southern California, http://www.riverpartners.org/news-and-events/newsletters/2016_v13n2_ArroyoToadRecovery.html