Small-mouthed Salamander (Ambystoma texanum): COSEWIC status appraisal summary 2014

Endangered
2014

Document Information

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Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada (COSEWIC) status reports are working documents used in assigning the status of wildlife species suspected of being at risk. This report may be cited as follows:

COSEWIC. 2013. COSEWIC status appraisal summary on the Salamander Ambystoma texanum in Canada. Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada. Ottawa. ## pp. (Species at Risk Public Registry website).

Production note:

COSEWIC would like to acknowledge David M. Green for writing the status appraisal summary on the Small-mouthed Salamander, Ambystoma texanum, in Canada, prepared under contract with Environment Canada. This status appraisal summary was overseen and edited by Kristiina Ovaska and Jim Bogart, Co-chairs of the COSEWIC Amphibians and Reptiles Specialists Subcommittee.

For additional copies contact:

COSEWIC Secretariat
c/o Canadian Wildlife Service
Environment Canada
Ottawa, ON
K1A 0H3

Tel.: 819-953-3215
Fax: 819-994-3684
COSEWIC E-mail
COSEWIC web site

Également disponible en français sous le titre Sommaire du statut de l’espèce du COSEPAC sur la Salamandre à petite bouche (Ambystoma texanum) au Canada.

©Her Majesty the Queen in Right of Canada, 2014.
Catalogue No. CW69-14/2-40-2014E-PDF
ISBN 978-1-100-23919-4

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Assessment Summary - May 2014

Common name
Small-mouthed Salamander
Scientific name
Ambystoma texanum
Status
Endangered
Reason for designation
The Canadian distribution of this salamander is restricted solely to Pelee Island. The entire Canadian range is only about 40 km 2, and only three breeding sites are known. Although this species was first assessed as Endangered 10 years ago, there is little new information and new threats exist for this salamander. The continued existence of the population is precarious because of habitat degradation of wetland breeding sites. Predation and habitat destruction by recently introduced Wild Turkeys is a new threat to the existence of salamanders on Pelee Island.
Occurrence
Ontario
Status history
Designated Special Concern in April 1991. Status re-examined and designated Endangered in May 2004 and May 2014.

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Status Appraisal Summary

Small-mouthed Salamander
Salamandre à petite bouche
Ambystoma texanum
Range of occurrence in Canada: Ontario

COSEWIC Status History

Designated Special Concern in April 1991. Status re-examined and designated Endangered in May 2004 and May 2014.

Evidence

Wildlife species:
No
Explanation:
No additional data since last assessment

Range

Change in extent of occurrence (EO):
Unknown
Change in index of area of occupancy (IAO) :
Unknown
Change in number of known or inferred current locations*:
Unknown
Significant new survey information
No

Explanation:

No additional data since last assessment. The range of the species in Canada has not changed since the last assessment.

* Use the IUCN definition of "location"

Population Information:

Change in number of mature individuals:
Unknown
Change in population trend:
Unknown
Change in severity of population fragmentation:
Unknown
Change in trend in area and/or quality of habitat:
Unknown
Significant new survey information
No

Explanation:

No additional data since last assessment. Area of habitat might be increasing because of restoration efforts by Nature Conservancy Canada (NCC).

Threats:

Change in nature and/or severity of threats:
Yes

Explanation:

Approximately 25 breeding Wild Turkeys (Meleagris gallopavo) were released at various points on Pelee Island in 2002 with the co-operation of the Ministry of Natural Resources, the Wild Turkey Release Program, the Township of Pelee and the Pelee Island Sportsman’s Club (Municipality of Pelee Island 2013). Following this initial release, a large population of Wild Turkeys now exists on the Island and starting in 2004 there has been a Wild Turkey Hunt on the Island (OMNR 2007). Jim Bogart (pers. comm. 2013) and Mike Oldham (pers. comm. 2013) report that Wild Turkeys have potentially devastating consequences for salamanders as predators and for microhabitat destruction. Bogart has observed turkey destruction of habitat elsewhere, at Backus Woods and in Parry Sound District; the turkeys leave few salamander hiding places untouched.

New species of trematode parasites have been identified in Small-mouthed Salamanders in US populations (McAllister et al. 2008, 2010), but any threat they pose to population viability is unknown.

Protection:

Change in effective protection:
Yes

Explanation:

The species is listed as Endangered under Schedule 1 of the Species at Risk Act (SARA). Under Ontario's Endangered Species Act, 2007 regulations, the Small-mouthed Salamander is protected from being killed, harmed, and possessed. Habitat is protected in two Provincial Nature Reserves, one of which includes part of the largest population of Small-mouthed Salamanders on Pelee Island. Other publicly or privately owned conservation lands on the island protect additional habitat. In the past 10 years, Nature Conservancy Canada has made several land purchases that may contain salamander habitat.

Rescue Effect:

Change in evidence of rescue effect:
No

Explanation:
No additional data since last assessment

Quantitative Analysis:

Change in estimated probability of extirpation:
Unknown

No quantitative analysis since last assessment

Summary and Additional Considerations: 

Habitat management guidelines generally applicable to Pelee Island have been produced by the Nature Conservancy of Canada (2008). A draft recovery strategy has been prepared for the Small-mouthed Salamander in Ontario (Hamill, 2014).

No recovery efforts have been implemented.

The introduction of Wild Turkeys to Pelee Island constitutes a threat to Small-mouthed Salamanders that has likely resulted in decline in number of mature individuals by predation and habitat destruction. This could result in increased population fragmentation and further decline in the area and quality of habitat.

Acknowledgements and authorities contacted:

James Bogart. Professor Emeritus, University of Guelph.
Michael Oldham. Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources, Peterborough.
Scott Gillingwater, Upper Thames River Conservation Authority.
Joe Crowley. Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources, Peterborough.

Information Sources

Bogart, J. Email correspondence to D. Green. March 4, 2013. Professor Emeritus, University of Guelph, Ontario.

Hamill, Stewart E. 2014. DRAFT Recovery Strategy for the Small-mouthed Salamander (Ambystoma texanum) in Ontario. Ontario Recovery Strategy Series. Prepared for the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources, Peterborough, Ontario. vii + 18 pp.

McAllister, C.T., C.R. Bursey, and S.E. Trauth. 2008. New host and geographic distribution records for some endoparasites (Myxosporea, Trematoda, Cestoidea, Nematoda) of amphibians and reptiles from Arkansas and Texas, USA. Comparative Parasitology 75:241-254.

McAllister, C.T., C.R.  Bursey, J.A. Crawford, A.R. Kuhns, C. Shaffer, and S.E. Trauth. 2010. Metacercariae of Clinostomum (Trematoda: Digenea) from three species of Ambystoma (Caudata: Ambystomatidae) from Arkansas and Illinois, USA. Comparative Parasitology 77:25-30.

Municipality of Pelee Island. [Accessed March 5, 2013].

Nature Conservancy of Canada (NCC). 2008. Management Guidelines: Pelee Island Alvars. NCC – Southwestern Ontario Region, London, Ontario. 43 pp.

Oldham. M. Email correspondence to D. Green. March 5, 2013. Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources, Peterborough, Ontario.

OMNR. 2007. Wild Turkey management plan for Ontario. Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources. 44 pp.

Technical Summary

Ambystoma texanum

Small-mouthed Salamander

Salamandre à petite bouche

Range of occurrence in Canada:
Ontario

Demographic Information

Generation time

3 yrs

Is there a projected continuing decline in number of mature individuals?

Yes based on new threats

Estimated percent of continuing decline in total number of mature individuals

Unknown

Percent reduction or increase in total number of mature individuals over the last 10 years, or 3 generations.

Unknown

Percent reduction or increase in total number of mature individuals over the next 10 years, or 3 generations.

Unknown

Percent reduction or increase in total number of mature individuals over any time period including both the past and the future.

Unknown but there is an anticipated decline of mature individuals because of new threats

Are the causes of the decline clearly reversible and understood and ceased?

No

Are there extreme fluctuations in number of mature individuals?

  • [other species of Ambystoma have fluctuating population sizes (Green 2003)]

highly likely because of the short generation time and new threats

Extent and Occupancy Information

Estimated extent of occurrence
[Area of Pelee Island: 4,262ha]
43 km2

Index of area of occupancy (IAO)
(Always report 2x2 grid value).
12 km2

Is the population "severely fragmented", i.e., >50% of its total area of occupancy is in habitat patches that are (a) smaller than would be required to support a viable population, and (b) separated from other habitat patches by a large distance?
No

Number of locationsFootnote*
[three known current breeding sites, all could be wiped out in single, catastrophic flood or severe storm]
1

Is there an inferred continuing decline in extent of occurrence?
No

Is there a projected continuing decline in index of area of occupancy?
Yes

Is there a projected continuing decline in number of populations?
Yes

Is there a projected continuing decline in number of locationsFootnote*?
[only 1 location in IUCN terms]
No

Is there a projected continuing decline in quality of habitat?
[due to introduced Wild Turkeys]
Yes

Are there extreme fluctuations in number of subpopulations?
No

Are there extreme fluctuations in number of locationsFootnote*?
No

Are there extreme fluctuations in extent of occurrence?
No

Are there extreme fluctuations in index of area of occupancy?
No

Number of Mature Individuals (in each subpopulation)
Subpopulation N Mature Individuals
Total Unknown but undoubtedly very small (<2500 adults)

Quantitative Analysis

Probability of extinction in the wild is at least [20% within 20 years or 5 generations, or 10% within 100 years].
Not applicable

Threats (actual or imminent, to populations or habitats)

  • environmental degradation (mostly historical)
  • modified drainage patterns (historical)
  • habitat destruction due to introduced Wild Turkeys (ongoing)

Rescue Effect (immigration from outside Canada)

Status of outside population(s) most likely to provide immigrants to Canada?
USA: N5
Michigan (S1, Endangered),
Ohio (no special status)

Is immigration known or possible?
No

Would immigrants be adapted to survive in Canada?
Yes

Is there sufficient habitat for immigrants in Canada?
Yes

Is rescue from outside populations likely?
No

Data-Sensitive Species

Is this a data-sensitive species?
Yes

COSEWIC Status History

Designated Special Concern in April 1991. Status re-examined and designated Endangered in May 2004 and May 2014.

Additional Sources of Information: Green, D.M. 2003. The ecology of extinction: population fluctuation and decline in amphibians. Biological Conservation 111:331-343.

Status and Reasons for Designation

Status:
Endangered
Alpha-numeric code:
B1ab(iii,v)+2ab(iii,v)
Reason for Designation:
The Canadian distribution of this salamander is restricted solely to Pelee Island. The entire Canadian range is only about 40 km 2, and only three breeding sites are known. Although this species was first assessed as Endangered 10 years ago, there is little new information and new threats exist for this salamander. The continued existence of the population is precarious because of habitat degradation of wetland breeding sites. Predation and habitat destruction by recently introduced Wild Turkeys is a new threat to the existence of salamanders on Pelee Island.

Status and Reasons for Designation

Criterion A (Decline in Total Number of Mature Individuals): Not applicable. Decline is likely, but there is insufficient information to calculate percentage decline.

Criterion B (Small Distribution Range and Decline or Fluctuation): Meets Endangered B1ab(iii,v)+2ab(iii,v) since both the EO and IAO are below the threshold values, the number of locations is less than 5 (a) and there are inferred and suspected continuing declines (b) in extent and quality of habitat (iii), and number of adults (v) based on habitat trends, including the introduction of Wild Turkeys. There is insufficient information to determine the number of mature individuals in each subpopulation.

Criteria C (Small and Declining Number of Mature Individuals): May qualify for Endangered under Criterion C2b as it is estimated that fewer than 1,000 adults exist on Pelee Island, there has been decline in abundance inferable from losses of breeding sites, and population sizes probably fluctuate to a great extent. However, these cannot be determined with as much certainty as those under Criterion B. Criterion C2 a(ii) might also apply because most mature individuals occur in one subpopulation but it is not clear that the subpopulation holds >95% of the mature individuals.

Criterion D (Very Small or Restricted Population): Meets the criterion for Threatened D2 because the index of area of occupancy is less than 20 km² and there are less than 5 locations.

Criterion E (Quantitative Analysis): Insufficient information to calculate.

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COSEWIC History

The Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada (COSEWIC) was created in 1977 as a result of a recommendation at the Federal-Provincial Wildlife Conference held in 1976. It arose from the need for a single, official, scientifically sound, national listing of wildlife species at risk. In 1978, COSEWIC designated its first species and produced its first list of Canadian species at risk. Species designated at meetings of the full committee are added to the list. On June 5, 2003, the Species at Risk Act (SARA) was proclaimed. SARA establishes COSEWIC as an advisory body ensuring that species will continue to be assessed under a rigorous and independent scientific process.

COSEWIC Mandate

The Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada (COSEWIC) assesses the national status of wild species, subspecies, varieties, or other designatable units that are considered to be at risk in Canada. Designations are made on native species for the following taxonomic groups: mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians, fishes, arthropods, molluscs, vascular plants, mosses, and lichens.

COSEWIC Membership

COSEWIC comprises members from each provincial and territorial government wildlife agency, four federal entities (Canadian Wildlife Service, Parks Canada Agency, Department of Fisheries and Oceans, and the Federal Biodiversity Information Partnership, chaired by the Canadian Museum of Nature), three non-government science members and the co-chairs of the species specialist subcommittees and the Aboriginal Traditional Knowledge subcommittee. The Committee meets to consider status reports on candidate species.

Definitions (2013)

Wildlife Species
A species, subspecies, variety, or geographically or genetically distinct population of animal, plant or other organism, other than a bacterium or virus, that is wild by nature and is either native to Canada or has extended its range into Canada without human intervention and has been present in Canada for at least 50 years.
Extinct (X)
A wildlife species that no longer exists.
Extirpated (XT)
A wildlife species no longer existing in the wild in Canada, but occurring elsewhere.
Endangered (E)
A wildlife species facing imminent extirpation or extinction.
Threatened (T)
A wildlife species likely to become endangered if limiting factors are not reversed.
Special Concern (SC)Footnote*.1
A wildlife species that may become a threatened or an endangered species because of a combination of biological characteristics and identified threats.
Not at Risk (NAR)Footnote**
A wildlife species that has been evaluated and found to be not at risk of extinction given the current circumstances.
Data Deficient (DD)Footnote***
A category that applies when the available information is insufficient (a) to resolve a species’ eligibility for assessment or (b) to permit an assessment of the species’ risk of extinction.

The Canadian Wildlife Service, Environment Canada, provides full administrative and financial support to the COSEWIC Secretariat.

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