Santa Cruz Long-Toed Salamander - Jack Reynolds

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Santa Cruz Long-Toed Salamander
(Ambystoma macrodactylum croceum)
https://c1.staticflickr.com/9/8236/8364569797_da6b05bba6_b.jpg
Listing Type: Endangered
Listing Date: 3/11/1967


Description and Ecology
The Santa Cruz Long-Toed Salamander is a yellow-orange spotted salamander with a sooty black base color, varying in length from 4-6 inches. It is in the Ambystomatidae family and is a subspecies of the long-toed salamander. Similar to gophers and moles, they reside in small burrows and “occupy forested landscapes associated with meadow wetlands, ranging from [seasonal] pools near sea level to permanent fishless ponds and lakes at high elevation”(FWS). They prefer moist conditions that keep their skin healthy They are a carnivorous species, feasting on “tree frog tadpoles, earthworms, slugs and various terrestrial insects”(Hilt).



Geography and Population
As mentioned before, long-toed salamanders can be found in wetlands, vernal ponds, and fishless ponds in the Santa Cruz and Monterey areas. The four main locations they inhabit are: Ellicott, Valencia, Seascape, and Bennet. (Hilt). This population of long-toed salamander became isolated 12,000 years ago after the Pleistocene epoch, because of the drying conditions of California and ongoing climatic changes(FWS). Development, roads, and railways cause fragmentation of salamander populations. There is no definitive population number, but we know it is quite small.
Cause of Listing and Main Threats
In general, the salamander faces the threat of habitat destruction due to urbanization, which is mainly what caused it to be endangered and why the population continues to decline. The ponds that the salamanders reside in often get drained for construction projects, which destroy their breeding and nonbreeding habitats. As mentioned before, construction and roads cause the population to become fragmented. Along with fragmentation, this subspecies of salamander is very specific to this area, and small environmental changes can greatly affect their population. Their habitats degrade because of decreased water quality in their ponds from agricultural and construction runoff. Because of decreased water quality, some populations face reproductive failure, known as abdominal bloat(Savage).


Description of Recovery Plan
The US Fish and Wildlife Service created a five step recovery plan focusing on
  1. perpetuating self-sustaining populations of Santa Cruz long-toed salamanders at Valencia-Seascape, Larkins Valley, Ellicott-Buena Vista, and McClusky Slough Complexes by managing pond and upland habitats, reducing human-related mortality, and monitoring populations;
  2. conducting surveys in the general area of each complex to locate additional breeding sites and suitable upland habitat areas, and to identify parcels that would be appropriate for conservation agreements or easements, acquisition, or other management actions;
  3. assessing the distribution and population status of Santa Cruz long-toed salamanders in the Merk Road drainage, in upper Moro Cojo Slough, and at any other new locations found through the surveys, planning and implementing appropriate management strategies and actions where appropriate;
  4. supporting the management of Santa Cruz long-toed salamander habitats and populations with appropriate research and;
  5. maximizing public support for conservation of this salamander through continuing and expanding a program of public education and information.
To summarize, the main focus is creating self-sustaining populations and decreasing human-related mortalities. Surveys must be conducted to find land that is suitable for conservation of salamanders. Since the populations are fragmented, assessing the distribution of these populations throughout the area is imperative. The salamander habitats need to be managed effectively to ensure increased populations and educating the public on this issue.
What Can You Do?
Habitat destruction and degradation are the main causes of the declining SCLTS population. SaveTheFrogs.com is a Santa Cruz run, “grassroots organization that works locally, nationally and internationally to address the major threats to amphibians: habitat destruction, climate change; pesticides & pollution; over-collection for frog legs and dissections; invasive species; and infectious diseases spread by human activity”(Kriger). They need $5000 to educate Santa Cruz homeowners on the SCLTS and how homeowners and community members can reduce their negative impact on the species. It would be a shame for Santa Cruz locals to lose their namesake amphibian. The link to donate is https://donatenow.networkforgood.org/savethefrogs .
Other Resources
The US Fish and wildlife service has a complete list of endangered species for you to maybe care about.
Elkhorn Slough National Estuarine Research Reserve has a detailed powerpoint about the SCLTS and the reality of the situation.
Works Cited

  1. Hilt, Megan. “Ambystoma Macrodactylum Croceum (Santa Cruz Long-Toed Salamander).”Animal Diversity Web, University of Michigan Museum of Zoology, animaldiversity.org/accounts/Ambystoma_macrodactylum_croceum/.
  2. Kriger, Kerry. “Saving The Santa Cruz Long-Toed Salamander.” 303 Potrero Street #51, Santa Cruz .
  3. Savage, Wesley K. “Ecology & Conservation of the Santa Cruz Long-Toed Salamander (Ambystoma Macrodactylum Croceum).” A workshop on the natural history, ecology, and conservation of a critically-endangered species.
  4. US Fish and Wildlife Service. “Santa Cruz Long-Toed Salamander Recovery Plan.”FishandWildlifeService.gov, Fish and Wildlife Service, 28 Sept. 1977, ecos.fws.gov/docs/recovery_plan/990702.pdf. Revised 23 December, 1985 Second Revision April 1999

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