Share with Wildlife | BISON-M

Mapping a Deadly Pathogen

Swabbing the ventral side of a Chiricahua leopard frog. (Eric Christman)

Chytrid fungus can have catastrophic impacts on amphibians. This fungus (Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis; Bd for short), has been documented in New Mexico in a variety of species by a number of different researchers. It has been documented as leading to the decline of species such as the boreal toad (Anaxyrus boreas), which was formerly found in many areas of Colorado and Wyoming and has experienced declines of 80% and 94%, respectively, in distribution and abundance in those states. Similarly, the Chiricahua leopard frog (Lithobates chiricahuensis) declined from approximately 250 localities in New Mexico to 20 between the 1970’s and 2000, with Bd thought to be the leading cause of the decline. Given the threat that this fungus poses to many species, more information on its distribution and presence in New Mexico would be very useful in guiding amphibian management efforts in New Mexico.

Bruce Christman and Dr. Randy Jennings, both experienced herpetologists, have been using funds from the Share with Wildlife program to compile all known records of chytrid fungus presence or absence in New Mexico into a single dataset that can then be mapped across the state. They have compiled over 1,800 data points for 21 of the 27 species of amphibians known to occur in New Mexico. These data points have been put into both a spreadsheet and a data layer that can be used in making maps of sampling efforts to date.

Boreal toads, which have declined due to Bd infection. (Charles Painter)

Chiricahua leopard frog, the first species on which Bd was detected in NM. (Charles Painter)

Maps that Bruce and Randy have generated thus far show that there are several watersheds in New Mexico, especially in north central and southwestern New Mexico, where Bd is present. These maps also indicate that there are many watersheds that have not been sampled at all, or for which fewer than 10 samples have been collected, where future sampling efforts should best be focused. These areas include much of the eastern part of the state and some watersheds in northwestern New Mexico.

Data collection is still underway for this project, but the final results should prove very useful for the Department’s amphibian and reptile biologist as he works to conserve sensitive species around the state and determine where future data collection efforts for amphibians will be most effective.

Jemez Mountains salamander. Bd was detected on this species in 2005. (Mark Watson)

The Share with Wildlife projects for 2019 have been selected (see list below). The Call for Project Information for Share with Wildlife projects for 2020 will be released in spring, 2019.

These forms are provided for informational purposes to individuals and organizations submitting a proposal to the Share with Wildlife program in response to an active Call For Project Information. These forms should not be submitted to the New Mexico Department of Game and Fish unless an employee of the Department directly contacts you and requests that you fill them out as part of the process of implementing a professional services contract for a new Share with Wildlife project.

Campaign Contribution Disclosure Form

Compliance with Government Conduct Act

DFA Agency Certification Form

Substitute Form W-9

Applicants for a Share with Wildlife project who intend to capture and handle animals or use live animals and/or animal parts for educational purposes for their project may need to obtain a scientific collection permit or educational program permit from the New Mexico Department of Game and Fish. Please see the Special Use Permits page for more information and contact dgf.permits@state.nm.us with questions.

Rio Costilla pre-treatment

Rio Costilla post-treatment

New Mexico wildlife needs your help! Share with Wildlife funds numerous projects related to wildlife habitat enhancement, wildlife-related education, wildlife rehabilitation, and research on wildlife biology and ecology every year. All projects are made possible through donations made by members of the public. 

To make a donation, you may donate part of the refund on your state tax return; purchase a Share with Wildlife license plate or make any dollar amount donation online (minimum $2; see more information below); or mail in a check using this donation form. All donated funds go to supporting wildlife; none are used for administrative costs.

If you want your dollars to go even further in supporting non-game wildlife, consider donating to Share with Wildlife and purchasing a Habitat Management Access Validation simultaneously. Click here for more information about donating and here for information on our State Game Commission Lands.

Donations made to the Share with Wildlife program are tax-deductible for both federal and New Mexico state taxes. Please see U.S. Code Title 26. Internal Revenue Code – section 170c – Charitable Contribution Defined for more information. You may wish to further confirm with your tax advisor/preparer.

Thank you for your support of New Mexico’s wildlife!

Download the PDF to support wildlife by ordering the Share with Wildlife license plate. PDF made available from MVD New Mexico. The Rio Grande cutthroat trout plate is only available through the mail starting October 23rd, 2017. It may take 6-10 weeks to receive your trout plate from MVD.

On the Online Licensing System website (shown below) please enter your Username (or Customer ID or Email) and Password, and then click the Login button:

Once you are logged in, if you only wish to donate to Share with Wildlife, click on the Share with Wildlife button on the home page:

Type any dollar amount (minimum $2.00) you wish to donate in the Enter Donation Amount box (shown below) and click Review Order:

Dismiss any pop-up windows (shown below) regarding purchasing other items by clicking the OK button:

Click the Add to Cart button (shown below) at the top of the Review Order page:

On the next screen, click Checkout and continue on to complete your purchase.

OR

Once you are logged in, if you are purchasing other items through the Online Licensing System, go to License Sales | General License Sales from the Main Menu (shown below):

After you read the Terms of Agreement on the next page and click the Continue button, you will see a list of Available Products. Locate the Share with Wildlife Donation product ($10 donation only) OR the Share with Wildlife Extra Donation product ($2.00 minimum donation; type dollar amount in Enter Donation Amount box) and click the check box next to (add to order). Click the Review Order button:

Dismiss any pop-up windows (shown above) regarding purchasing other items by clicking the OK button. Click the Add to Cart button (shown above) at the top of the Review Order page. On the next screen, click Checkout and continue on to complete your purchase.