Genetic analysis of Spotted frog samples from North Cascades National Park

Project ID: P25AC00348

Federal Agency: National Park Service

Partner Institution: Washington State University

Fiscal Year: 2025

Initial Funding: $2,938

Total Funding: $2,938

Project Type: Research

National Park: North Cascades National Park

Principal Investigator: Goldberg, Caren

Agreement Technical Representative: Cunningham, Lacey

Abstract: 

Performance Goals:

North Cascades National Park (NOCA), located in Northwest Washington State, supports spotted frog populations which have been difficult to distinguish as Rana pretiosa or Rana luteiventris based solely on morphological features. Genetic samples from two populations were collected from 2016 to 2024 including skin swabs (16) and tissue samples (5). Samples were taken from the Upper Skagit River basin in the vicinity of Ross Lake, and McAlester Lake which drains to Lake Chelan and the Columbia River.

Recent eDNA detections of Oregon Spotted Frog in the Canadian Skagit River upstream of NOCA (Ovaska et al.) have increased the interest in determining which species of spotted frog are found inside the National Park to ensure necessary conservation measures are being implemented.

The Goldberg Lab at WSU has the unique experience to conduct this genetic analysis.

Project Objectives:

The NPS and WSU will work collaboratively to determine whether two distinct spotted frog populations at NOCA are Oregon spotted frogs (Rana pretiosa) or Columbia spotted frogs (Rana luteiventris).