AMPHIBIAN AND REPTILE SURVEY OF
THE THOMPSON CHAIN OF LAKES

A Report to.

Montana Department of Fish, Wildlife & Parks

490 N. Meridian

Kalispell, MT 59901

Submitted by:
Paul Hendricks

June 2000

Montana Natural Heritage Program
1515 East Sixth Avenue
Helena, MT 59620-1800

597.9

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2000

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Montana Slate Library

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C 2000 Montana Naiural Heritage Program

This document should be cites as follows:

Hendricks, P. 2000 Amphibian and reptile survey of the Thompson Chain of Lakes. A report
to the Montana Department of Fish, Wildlife & Parks. Montana Natural Heritage Program.
Helena, MT 12 pp

ABSTRACT

A brief inventoty of the Thompson Chain of Lakes was conducted in May-June 2000 for
amphibians and reptiles in the complex of wetlands present there. Twenty-six site surveys at 16
sites revealed the presence of four amphibian species and three reptile species at 13 sites; one
species was detected at 5 sites, two species at 4 sites, three species at 3 sites, and four species at
I site Amphibians detected included long-toed salamander (Ambystoma macrodactylum) at 8
sites, western toad (Bufo boreas) at 2 sites. Pacific tree frog {Hyla regilla) at 2 sites (also heard
calling from a cattail area in one of the main lakes), and Columbia spotted frog {Raiia
luteiventris) at 5 sites. Reptiles detected included painted turtle {Chrysemys picta) at 6 sites,
common garter snake {Thanmuphis sirtalis) at 2 sites, and western terrestrial garter snake
(Thanmuphis elegans) at 1 site. Total individuals and egg masses seemed low for the amount of
available, apparently suitable, habitat However, amphibian/reptile species richness at the
Thompson Chain of Lakes is at or near expectation, and the inventory revealed all of the
anticipated amphibian and wetland-associated reptile species, with the possible exception of the
northern leopard frog {Rana pipiens).

Ill

INTRODUCTION

Increasing concern about declining amphibian populations and continued threats to their
wetland habitats has prompted many state and federal agencies to inventory local amphibian
species and revisit histoncal sites to document current status. The limited knowledge of
amphibian status and distribution in western Montana 50 years ago (eg Rodgers and Jellison
1942, Brunson and Demaree 195 1 ) has been supplemented by a recent series of survey etYorts
(e.g. Werner and Reichel 1994, Hendricks and Reichel 1996, Marnell 1997, Werner et al 1998),
a comprehensive summary is presented in Maxell (1999).

The amphibian and wetland reptile survey of the Thompson Chain of Lakes in Sanders
County presented here contnbutes to a growing body of knowledge on the status and distribution
of amphibians and reptiles in northwest Montana. The 2000 inventory supplemented an
inventory of wetland vegetation in the same area. Both field inventories were supported by
funding from the Montana Department of Fish, Wildlife & Parks.

METHODS

Sites for amphibian surveys (see Fig. 1-4) were selected based on information received
during discussions with the Heritage Program wetland ecologist and MTFWP personnel, and
study of USGS 7.5' topographic maps (Thompson Lakes, Mont. 1983 photorevised. Loon Lake,
Mont. 1983 photorevised) The Thompson Chain of Lakes has not been the object of previous
systematic amphibian surveys, so a wide range of sites was selected Nevertheless, priority was
given to isolated wetland sites lacking introduced or native fish. Therefor, survey effort of the
major lakes was very limited.

From 15-105 minutes were spent during each site survey (Table 1), depending upon the
size of the area, site conditions (including weather), and what was found Shorelines and
wetland margins were searched for adults and juveniles while walking slowly along the edge,
and sites were also scanned for turtles using an 8-power binocular The entire perimeter was
searched at smaller sites. The adjacent shallows were also inspected, all May surveys included
visual searches for egg masses attached to submerged and emergent vegetation At regular
intervals (where appropriate) the aquatic habitat was sampled for tadpoles or larvae using a
dipnet Time of day and duration of searches (a measure of search effort: Heyer et al. 1994,
Olson et al. 1997), weather, and species encountered were recorded on standardized U.S. Fish
and Wildlife Service data sheets Some sites were visited more than once to increase the
possibility of detection and document phenology of development

RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

Twenty-six site surveys were conducted at 16 sites during two visits (early May, early
June) to the Thompson Chain of Lakes. Four amphibian species (long-toed salamander
Ambysioma mucroJactylum. western toad Biifa horeas. Pacific tree frog Hyla re^illa, Columbia
spotted frog Rana luteiventn.s) and three reptile species (painted turtle ( 'hry.semy.s picia, common
garter snake Thamnophis sirtulis, western terrestrial garter snake ihunuiophis ele^^aiis) were
detected at 13 of the survey sites (Table 1). The most frequently detected species, long-toed

Table 1. Amphibian and reptile species detected dunng the May-June 2000 Thompson Chain of
Lakes inventory. Site numbers correspond to locations in Figures 1-4.

Site
No.

Site Name

TRS

Date

Surrey
Duration
(hrrmin)

Species" (No.
indiv.)

Comments

1

Leon Lake

T27NR28WS22NESE

5 Jim

0.30

RALU(l)

Jun

2

Banana Lake Marsh

T27NR28WS23NENW

5 Ma\

0:20

none

Cold rain

II

II

II

5Jun

0:30

AMMA (3)
RALU(4)

Lar\ae
Tadpoles

3

Banana Lake

T27NR28WS2:^NWNE

4Jun

0:30

none

Manv fish

4

Horseshoe Lake S pond

T27NR28WS23SWSE

5 Mav

0:45

CHPl (22)

M

H

II

5Jun

0:35

RALU(12)
CHPI (2)

Tadpoles
Adults

5

Lihpad I ake Pond

T27NR28WS24SWNW

5Jun

0:20

AMMA (10)
RALU(7)
THEL(l)
THSI(l)

Lar%ae
Tadpoles
Adult
Adult

6

Lihpad Lake

T27NR28WS24SWNW

5Jun

1:00

AMMA (3)
RALU(7)
CHPl (6)

Larsae
Juv. tadpole
Adult

7

Cr>stal Lake S Pond

T27NR28WS25SENE

5May

0:45

HYRE(l-2)
CHPI(l)

Adult
Adult

M

"

"

6 Jim

0:25

CHPl (2)

Adult

8

Crv stal Lake N Pond

T27NR27WS19SWSW

5 Mav

1:00

AMMA (3)

Egg mass

M

II

II

4 Jim

0:30

CHPl(l)
THSI(l)

Adult
Juv.

9

Unnamed Lake

T27NR27WS32NWNW/
S29SWSW

4 May

1:05

AMMA(l)

Egg mass

M

4Jim

1:05

BUBO (3)
CHPl (18)

AdulL Ju\
Adult

10

Upper Thompson Lake

T27NR27WS32NWNW

4 Jun

0:25

BUBO(l)

Juv.

11

Upper Thompson Lake
Marsh #3

T27NR27WS32SWNE

4 May

0:30

AMMA (7)

Egg mass

II

"

M

4 Jun

0:15

none

12

Upper Thompson Lake
Marsh #2

T27NR27WS32 center

4 May

0:20

none

Dense veg.

II

II

M

4 Jun

0:15

none

Dense veg

13

Upper Tliompson Lake

Marsh #1

T27NR27WS32NWSE

4 May

0:40

AMMA (6)

Egg mass

t)

II M

4 Jun

0:15

none

M

"

"

6 Jun

0:20

AMMA (2)

Lanae

14

Unnamed Marsh

T27NR27WS32SWSW

4 May

0:45

HYRE(8-10)

Adult

"

"

II

6 Jun

0:45

none

15

Ell Lakes

T27NR27WS32

6 Jun

0:30

none

Dense veg

16

Lower Thompson Lake
Pond

T26NR27WS11NWSE

6 Jun

0:45

AMMA(l)
CHPl (10)

1 ,ar\ a
Adult. jii\

" AMMA (.Ambystoma macrodactylum. long-toed salamander). BUBO (Bujo hureas: western toad). HYRE (Hvia
regilla Pacific tree frog). RALU (Rana luteiventns: Columbia spotted frog). CHPl (Chrysewys picia. pamted
turtle). THSl (Thanmophis sirtalis: common garter snake). THEL (Thamnophis elegans: western terrestrial garter
snake).

salamander, was found at 8 sites Painted turtle and Columbia spotted frog were found at six and
five sites, respectively Western toad. Pacific tree frog, and the two garter snake species were
found at either one or two sites Pacific tree frog was also heard vocalizing from a cattail area on
Upper Thompson Lake (T27NR27WS32NESW) during both the May and June visits. Number
of species detected per site were as follows; one species-5 sites, two species-4 sites, three
species-3 sites, four species- 1 site Surveys were probably conducted a little too early to
determine the range of sites that might be used by western toads. No toads were detected in
early May, and only one calling individual was heard in early June. Future searches for toads
should be conducted later in June or in early July when chances of detecting this species are
greatest

The species detected represented most or all of the species anticipated. Thus, species
richness at Thompson Chain of Lakes is probably little different from what it was early in the
20"" century. One amphibian species present nearby in northwestern Montana, the tailed frog
(Ascaphis truei), inhabits swift mountain streams and would not be expected to occur in the
wetland habitats surveyed The same applies to the Couer d'Alene salamander (Plethudon
idahuensis), which occupies fracture zones and seepages in northwestern Montana (Wilson et al.
1997) but whose habitat is lacking from the Thompson Chain of Lakes site.

The only amphibian possibly present in the last 50 years that was not detected during the
2000 inventory is the northern leopard frog (Raua pipiens) There are historical specimen
records from the Noxon area (1964) over a mountain divide to the west in Sanders County, and
from Rogers Lake (1974) and near Marion on Bitterroot Creek (no date) in Flathead County,
about 25 miles to the east. However, there are no historical records from the Thompson Chain of
Lakes, so its former presence at this area remains speculative The species has experienced
extirpation from many former sites in western Montana (Werner et al. 1998).

Ahhough a frill compliment of wetland-associated amphibian species were detected, the
number of individual egg masses, larvae, tadpoles, and aduhs seemed low, given the abundance
of seemingly suitable habitat This impression of low numbers was supponed by a conversation
with a long-term resident of Libby who has spent many weeks in each of the last 20 years
camped at the Thompson Chain of Lakes He commented that frogs and toads don't seem to be
anywhere near as common as they used to be, and further noted that lake levels have dropped
over the past two decades at many sites, as evidenced by shoreline willows now well-back from
current shorelines. Perhaps some change in water levels is affecting amphibian abundance.
Annual monitoring is recommended at this collection of wetlands.

LITERATURE CITED

Brunson, R. B., and H. A. Demaree, Jr. 1951. The heqjetology of the Mission Mountains,
Montana. Copeia 1951; 306-308.

Hendricks, P., and J. D. Reichel. 1996. Amphibian and reptile survey of the Bitterroot National
Forest: 1995. Montana Natural Heritage Program. Helena, MT. Unpublished report. 95
pp.

Heyer, W R., M. A Donnelly, R W McDiarmid, L C. Hayek, and M S Foster (eds) 1994.
Measuring and monitoring biological diversity, standard methods for amphibians.
Smithsonian Institution Press, Washington, D.C. 364 pp.

Mamell, L. F 1997 Herpetofauna of Glacier National Park. Northwestern Naturalist 78: 17-33

Maxell, B. A. 1999. Herpetology in Montana: a history, species checklist, dot distribution maps,
museum records, and mdexed bibliography Unpublished report. 126 pp.

Olson, D H., W P Leonard, and W B Bury (eds.) 1997. Sampling amphibians in lentic
habitats. Northwest Fauna Number 4. 134 pp.

Rodgers, T L., and W. J. Jellison. 1942. A collection of amphibians and reptiles from western
Montana Copeia 1942:10-13.

Werner, J K., T. Plummer, and J. Weaselhead 1998 Amphibians and reptiles of the Flathead
Indian Reservation. Intermountain Journal of Sciences 4:33-49.

Werner, J. K., and J. D. Reichel. 1994 Amphibian and reptile survey of the Kootenai National
Forest: 1994. Montana Natural Heritage Program. Helena, MT. Unpublished report.
104 pp.

Wilson, A. G., Jr., E M Wilson, C. R Groves, and R. L. Wallace 1997. U.S. distribution of
the Coeur d'Alene salamander (PlethoJun iJahoensis Slater and Slipp). Great Basin
Naturalist 57:359-362.

Figure 1. Sites 1-6 at the Thompson Chain of Lakes, Sanders County, Montana surveyed for
wetland-associated amphibians and reptiles in May and June 2000.

Figure 2. Sites 7 and 8 at the Thompson Chain of Lalces, Sanders County, Montana surveyed for
wetland-associated amphibians and reptiles in May and June 2000.

Figure 3. Sites 9-15 at the Thompson Chain of Lakes, Sanders County, Montana surveyed for
wetland-associated amphibians and reptiles in May and June 2000.

Figure 4. Site 16 at the Thompson Chain of Lakes, Sanders County, Montana surveyed for
wetland-associated amphibians and reptiles in May and June 2000.

11

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