The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) has decided to list four distinct population segments (DPS) of the foothill yellow-legged frog under the Endangered Species Act (ESA).
The frog is found in the range of Oregon to Southern California. USFWS determined to classify the South Sierra DPS and South Coast DPS as endangered, and the North Feather DPS and Central Coast DPS as threatened.
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The agency said the species faces a multitude of threats, including “altered waterflows related to water infrastructure, including dams and diversions; competition with and predation by non-native species such as bullfrogs and crayfish; disease; precipitation and temperature changes related to climate change; high-severity wildfires; water-related recreation; and habitat conversion and degradation.”
USFWS is accepting comments on the decision through Sept. 28. To submit a comment, visit regulations.gov and search for docket ID FWS-R8-ES-2021-0108.
