AMPHIBIANS AND REPTILESMichael J. Oldham
Information in this appendix is contained in 6 columns: scientific name, common name, global rank, Ontario rank, Quebec rank, and COSEWIC status. Boldfaced species (12) occur in Canada only in the Mixedwood Plains Ecozone. To aid in the interpretation of the list, a brief explanation of each column follows: SCIENTIFIC NAME Species are listed in taxonomic order following Cook (1984). Scientific names follow Collins (1997). See the Center for North American Amphibians and Reptiles web page (http://eagle.cc.ukans.edu/~cnaar/CNAARHomePage.html) for current North American amphibian and reptile nomenclature. COMMON NAME Common names largely follow Collins (1997). GLOBAL RANK Global ranks (GRANKS) are assigned by a consensus of the network of natural heritage programs (conservation data centres), scientific experts, and The Nature Conservancy to designate a rarity rank based on the range-wide status of a species or variety. The most important factors considered in assigning global (and provincial) ranks are the total number of known, extant sites world-wide, and the degree to which they are potentially or actively threatened with destruction. Other criteria include the number of known populations considered to be securely protected, the size of the various populations, and the ability of the taxon to persist at its known sites. The taxonomic distinctness of each taxon has also been considered. Hybrids and taxonomically dubious species and subspecies have not been included. Global ranks for this list were provided by The Nature Conservancy, Arlington, Virginia in March 1998. G1Extremely rare; usually 5 or fewer occurrences in the overall range or very few remaining individuals; or because of some factor(s) making it especially vulnerable to extinction. G2 Very rare; usually between 5 and 20 occurrences in the overall range or with many individuals in fewer occurrences; or because of some factor(s) making it vulnerable to extinction. G3 Rare to uncommon; usually between 20 and 100 occurrences; may have fewer occurrences, but with a large number of individuals in some populations; may be susceptible to large-scale disturbances. G4 Common; usually more than 100 occurrences; usually not susceptible to immediate threats. G5 Very common; demonstrably secure under present conditions. T Denotes that the rank applies to a subspecies. ONTARIO RANK and QUEBEC RANK Provincial (or Subnational) ranks (SRANKS) are used by the Conservation Data Centres (such as Ontarios Natural Heritage Information Centre and Quebecs Le Centre de Donnes sur le Patrimoine Naturel du Quebec) to set protection priorities for rare species and natural communities. These ranks are not legal designations. Ontario amphibian and reptile ranks were assigned largely on the basis of recent records assembled by the Ontario Herpetofaunal Summary project (Weller and Oldham 1988). The most important factors considered in assigning provincial ranks are the total number of known, extant sites in a province, and the degree to which they are potentially or actively threatened with destruction. Other criteria include the number of known populations considered to be securely protected, the size of the various populations, and the ability of the taxon to persist at its known sites. Ontario ranks were largely taken from Oldham (1997) and Quebec ranks were provided the The Nature Conservancy (1998). Provincial ranks are evaluated on a continual basis, and updated Ontario ranks can be found on the Natural Heritage Information Centre website <http://www.mnr.gov.on.ca/MNR/nhic/nhic.html>. S1Extremely rare in the province; usually 5 or fewer occurrences in the province or very few remaining individuals; often especially vulnerable to extirpation. S2 Very rare in the province; usually between 5 and 20 occurrences in the province or with many individuals in fewer occurrences; often susceptible to extirpation. S3 Rare in the province; usually between 20 and 100 occurrences in the province; may have fewer occurrences, but with a large number of individuals in some populations; may be susceptible to large-scale disturbances. S4 Common in the province; usually more than 100 occurrences; usually not susceptible to immediate threats. S5 Very common in the province; demonstrably secure under present conditions. SH Historically known from the province, but not verified recently (typically not recorded in the province in the last 20 years); however suitable habitat is thought to be still present in the province and there is reasonable expectation that the species may be rediscovered. SX Apparently extirpated from the province, with little likelihood of rediscovery. Typically not seen in the province for many decades, despite searches at known historic sites. SH Historically known from the province, but not verified recently (typically not recorded in the province in the last 20 years); however suitable habitat is thought to be still present in the province and there is reasonable expectation that the species may be rediscovered. SR Reported for the province, but without persuasive documentation which would provide a basis for either accepting or rejecting the report. COSEWIC STATUS National status assigned by the Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada, following the most recent COSEWIC list (1997). For recent information see the COSEWIC Amphibian and Reptile Subcommittee webpage <http://www.mcgill.ca/redpath/cosehome.htm>. END Endangered. Any indigenous species of fauna or flora threatened with imminent extinction or extirpation throughout all or a significant portion of its Canadian Range. THR Threatened. Any indigenous species of fauna or flora that is likely to become endangered in Canada if the factors affecting its vulnerability do not become reversed. VUL Vulnerable. Any indigenous species of fauna or flora that is particularly at risk because of low or declining numbers, occurrence at the fringe of its range or in restricted areas, or for some other reason, but is not a threatened species. review Review. Either currently under review by the COSEWIC Amphibian and Reptile Subcommittee or a candidate for status report preparation.
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