Award Number:
PR/J Number: R8650100015
PROJECT ABSTRACT
Colorado Plateau Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Unit
(Cooperative Agreement # H1200-09-0005)
Park: Tuzigoot National Monument
Project Title: Surveys for Northern Mexican Gartersnakes in Tavasci Marsh (Tuzigoot
National Monument)
Funding Amount: $10,000
CPCESU Partner Institution: Northern Arizona University
Principal Investigator: Erika Nowak, Research Associate, Box 5614 Suite 150, Northern
Arizona University, Flagstaff, AZ 86011, Ph 928-523-7760, fax 928-556-9111,
Erika.Nowak@nau.edu
NPS Key Official: Sharon Kim, Chief of Natural Resources and Agreement Technical
Representative, Montezuma Castle, P.O. Box 219, Camp Verde, AZ, Ph 928-649-6196, fax 928649-6198
Start Date: March 1, 2010
End Date: July 31, 2011
Abstract:
This project will determine Northern Mexican Gartersnake habitat use through mark-recapture
and focal animal telemetry at Tavasci Marsh in Tuzigoot National Monument. The project will
also determine if a potentially viable population (adult n >50-100) of exists at Tavasci Marsh
through mark-recapture surveys, determine demography (age structure) of the Tavasci Marsh
population of Northern Mexican Gartersnakes. The project will also develop long-term
monitoring protocols for the population for potential implementation by NPS staff.
The Northern Mexican Gartersnake is a Species of Concern in Arizona and a Federal Candidate
species under the Endangered Species Act (US Fish and Wildlife Service 2008). Extensive
population declines have been documented throughout its range in Arizona (Holycross et al.
2006), with north-central Arizona containing most of the remaining viable populations extant in
the US, and other sightings in scattered locations including Tavasci Marsh (Brennan and
Holycross 2006). To assist with recovery efforts, research is needed on the species’ distribution,
habitat use, and ecological requirements outside of highly-modified hatchery environments.
The proposed research will assist the National Park Service with planned restoration efforts for
Tavasci Marsh by determining gartersnake use of the marsh. This project will proceed in
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conjunction with surveys for the species on Prescott National Forest lands and telemetry research
conducted by the Arizona Game and Fish Department.
Literature Cited
Brennan, T. C., and A. T. Holycross. 2006. A field guide to amphibians and reptiles in Arizona.
Arizona Game and Fish Department, Phoenix, Arizona.
Holycross, A. T., W. P. Burger, E. J. Nigro, and T. C. Brennan. 2006. Surveys for Thamophis
eques and Thamnophis rufipunctatus in the Gila River Watershed of Arizona and New
Mexico. Final report to Arizona Game and Fish Department.
US Fish and Wildlife Service. 2008. Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants; 12-Month
finding on a petition to list the Northern Mexican Gartersnake (Thamnophis eques
megalops) as threatened or endangered with critical habitat; proposed rule. 50 CFR 17.
Federal Register 73 (228) November 25, 2008: 71778-71826.
Keywords:
Surveys, protocols, herpetofauna, Threatened / Endangered Species, maps
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