Salvage and translocation of endangered Santa Cruz long-toed salamander larvae

Like many biphasic amphibians that migrate between non-breeding upland and aquatic breeding locations, the endangered Santa Cruz long-toed salamander (Ambystoma macrodactylum croceum) is susceptible to the effects of habitat loss, alteration, and fragmentation (Bury and Ruth 1972;USFWS 1978;Stebbins and McGinnis 2012).The subspecies is particularly imperiled due to its restricted range within a heavily populated landscape in southwest Santa Cruz County and extreme northwest Monterey County (Bury and Ruth 1972;Bury et al. 1980; USFWS 1999;Stebbins and McGinnis 2012).Threats to survival and recovery include ongoing modification or loss of upland habitat and increased barriers to terrestrial movements during migration and dispersal (Bury and Ruth 1972;Allaback and Laabs 2003).Typical barriers include houses and related infrastructure including retaining walls, busy roads, vertical curbs, and solid fences that extend below grade.In many instances, these barriers prevent or severely reduce access between breeding ponds and surrounding upland habitat, while also forcing individuals to navigate converted grasslands and/or other unsuitable terrain (Bury and Ruth 1972).The range of the subspecies in Santa Cruz County was reported to be approximately 7,580 ha (USFWS 1999), but many areas do not provide suitable habitat and A. m. croceum

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