Chapters 1 - U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service

Refuge Resources
and salt panne habitats on the Seal Beach NWR. Two of the three species found on the Refuge,
including Gabb’s tiger beetle and Frost’s tiger beetle, have been identified by the state as highly
imperiled, (CDFG 2008). The third species, mudflat tiger beetle (Cicindela trifasciata sigmoidea),
currently has no listing status. Additional species were previously documented at Seal Beach, but
were not observed during the 1979 study.
Table 4-6
Reptiles and Amphibians Expected to Occur on NWSSB 1
Scientific Name Common Name
Amphibians
Conservation
Status
Status on the Refuge
Bufo boreas halophilus California toad Yes 3
Hyla regilla Pacific tree frog Yes 4
Anniella pulchra pulchra
Reptiles
silvery (California) legless lizard CSC 2 Yes 4
Aspidoscelis hyperythra Belding’s orange-throated
CSC
beldingi
whiptail
2
Not observed, but
potential for occurrence
Chelonia mydas eastern Pacific green sea turtle Federal
Endangered
Yes
Elgaria multicarinata southern alligator lizard
Yes 3
Phrynosoma coronatum coast (San Diego) horned lizard CSC
(blainvillii)
2 Historically occurred
here
Pituophis melanoleucus gopher snake Yes 3
Sceloporus occidentalis western fence lizard Yes 4
Uta stansburiana common side-blotched lizard Yes 4
Source: (Tierra Data, Inc. 2008, Jirik and Lowe in review)
1
Includes documented species, species known to have historically occurred here, and species for which
suitable habitat exists on the site.
2
CSC: California Species of Special Concern, California Department of Fish and Game
3
Observed in proximity to the Refuge during the 2007 survey.
4
Observed on NWSSB during the 2007 survey, but not in proximity to the Refuge.
The genus Cicindela is the only genus of tiger beetles commonly found along the southern
California coast (Nagano 1980). Adult tiger beetles are highly active terrestrial predators that
feed on small arthropods, and are generally found on mud or sand near permanent bodies of water.
On the Refuge, they are found on the semi-dry, saline flats within the salt marsh habitat.
Shorebirds have been observed preying on tiger beetles within the Refuge.
The grub-like larva of the tiger beetle inhabit vertical burrows in areas were adults are also
present. The depth of these burrows varies according to the species, the age of the larva, and the
surrounding natural conditions (Nagano 1980). Intensive human and animal foot traffic can
adversely affect local tiger beetle populations, because larval burrows are easily collapsed and the
larvae crushed. The literature also notes potential adverse effects to tiger beetles from insecticides
used to control salt marsh mosquitoes (Dunn in Nagano 1980); however, the specific insecticide in
question is not identified. Although it is unlikely that the current mosquito control occurring on
the Refuge could adversely affect existing tiger beetle populations, additional research is needed to
determine if this activity could pose a threat to these species.
Draft Comprehensive Conservation Plan/Environmental Assessment 4-51