Population Genetics of Wood Frogs in Rocky Mountain National Park

Research Task: 8327CNJ.10.0
Task Manager: Sara Oyler-McCance

Wood frogs (Rana sylvatica) are considered to be a species of conservation concern and have been listed as an endangered species in the State of Colorado. Population sizes have been declining, likely due to habitat loss associated with hydrological changes, disease, and other environmental factors. A pilot study conducted by FORT scientists on wood frogs in this region showed that there were some significant differences among ponds (contrary to published work on wood frogs in other states), suggesting that there may be reduced levels of gene flow within Rocky Mountain National Park due to changes in hydrology. For this study, a much more rigorous and complete sample of wood frogs in Rocky Mountain National Park will be collected by FORT scientists. A new sampling regime will be implemented to circumvent previous problems associated with sampling closely related individuals. In this study, DNA will be extracted from eggs and 8–14 microsatellite loci will be amplified for each individual.

 For more information contact Sara Oyler-McCance