Stream-breeding Amphibians

Stream-breeding amphibians documented in the Cedar River Municipal Watershed (CRMW) include tailed frog (Ascaphus truei) and pacific giant salamander (Dicamptodon tenebrosus).  Both these species are common and found throughout the watershed.  Also common around streams, although they lay eggs in riparian and upland forest habitat rather than in streams, are the more terrestrial amphibians, western red-backed salamanders (Plethodon vehiculum) and ensatinas (Ensatina eschscholtzii).

Three other amphibian species are listed in the HCP, but historic distribution records suggest their presence is unlikely in the watershed.  These include the cascade torrent salamander (Rhyacotriton cascadae) and Van Dyke’s salamander (Plethodon vandykei), both heavily associated with small streams.  The larch mountain salamander (Plethodon larselli) lives in talus slopes typically away from streams and was documented just south of the CRMW in the Green River Watershed.  This record represents the northernmost observation of this species in the state.

No formal surveys documenting the distribution of these species have been conducted in the watershed.