Status of Conservation and Decline of Amphibians in Canada and the United States

Frankfurt am Main 2026/2027, geb., Großformat, 480 Seiten, etwa 350 Abb. The number of species of salamanders within most North American phylogenetic lineages is reasonably well known (235 in 9 families), except for the Lungless Salamanders (Plethodontidae). We can affirm 181 currently recognized species, with more likely to be described, particularly in the genera Desmognathus, Eurycea, and Pseudotriton. In addition, the non-plethodontids include the Mole Salamanders (Ambystomatidae – 16 species), Torrent Salamanders (Rhyacotriton – 4 species), Pacific Giant Salamanders (Dicamptodon – 4 species), Hellbenders (Cryptobranchidae – 5 species), Waterdogs and Mudpuppies (Proteidae– 8 species), Amphiumidae (3 species), Sirenidae (7 species), and Newts (Salamandridae – 7 species). These species occur mostly in the warmer parts of the United States, but 11 non-plethodontids enter Canada in the country’s southeast and southwest. Among the frogs, there are 106 native species inhabiting Canada and the United States, although a few currently recognized ones (Craugastor augusti, Anaxyrus americanus, A. boreas, and A. canorus) may include more than a single species). Eleutherodactylus planirostris has been established in Florida for well over 150 years and may be part of Florida’s native fauna. Many frogs are tropical in origin and only enter the United States along the southern border with México. The Wood Frog (Lithobates sylvaticus) has one of the most extensive ranges of any frog in the world – from Alabama and Georgia in the south to the Arctic Ocean in Alaska and northwestern Canada. Only the Vegas Valley Leopard Frog (described as Lithobates fisheri) has been thought to be extinct in North America, but new data suggest it could be conspecific with populations of L. chiricahuensis. In addition to these species, there are eight introduced and established frogs in North America (9 if E. johnstonei from Bermuda is included). This book contains 5 chapters on the status of Canadian amphibians, 7 on amphibians in the U.S., and one comprehensive chapter summarizing how diseases are impacting North American amphibians; an appendix covers the amphibians of St. Pierre & Miquelon and Bermuda. Status of Conservation and Decline of Amphibians in Canada and the United States comprises the most comprehensive summary of the amphibians north of México to date and will be the classic reference on amphibian status and conservation for decades to come.