Mountain Yellow-legged Frog
Rana muscosa
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- R. muscosa – Los Angeles Co, CA – photo by Gary Nafis
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- Map by Steve Bledsoe, SWCHR
DISTRIBUTION: In our region, Rana muscosa historically ranged only in California from Palomar Mountain in San Diego County through the San Jacinto, San Bernardino and San Gabriel Mountains of Riverside, San Bernardino and Los Angeles counties in southern California. It also occurred in isolated populations in Kern, Fresno, Inyo, and Tulare Counties, but today the species is missing from much of its historical range.
LEGAL STATUS: Rana muscosa Is listed as an Endangered Species both under the California Endangered Species Act (CESA) and the U.S. Endangered Species Act (ESA).
MEANING OF SCIENTIFIC NAME: Rana muscosa (Camp, 1917)
Genus: Rana , Latin = frog — “Rana” probably mimics how the Romans heard their call.
Species: muscosa, Latin = mossy, full of moss — ref. dorsal lichen-like dark dorsal patches
Ref. Ellen Beltz 2006
Ref. E. Jaeger 1962