In Cooperation with the University of Arizona, School of Natural Resources

Vascular Plant and Vertebrate Inventory of 

Chiricahua National Monument

Open-File Report 2008-1023

U.S. Department of the Interior

U.S. Geological Survey

National Park Service
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In cooperation with the University of Arizona, School of Natural Resources 

Vascular Plant and Vertebrate Inventory 

of Chiricahua National Monument 

By Brian F. Powell, Cecilia A. Schmidt, William L. Halvorson, and Pamela Anning 

Open-File Report 2008-1023 

 

U.S. Department of the Interior 

U.S. Geological Survey 

National Park Service 

U.S. Geological Survey 

Southwest Biological Science Center 

Sonoran Desert Research Station 

University of Arizona 

School of Natural Resources 

125 Biological Sciences East 

Tucson, Arizona 85721
U.S. Department of the Interior 

DIRK KEMPTHORNE, Secretary 

U.S. Geological Survey

Mark Myers, Director

U.S. Geological Survey, Reston, Virginia: 2008

For product and ordering information: 

World Wide Web: http://www.usgs.gov/pubprod 

Telephone: 1-888-ASK-USGS 

For more information on the USGS-the Federal source for science about the Earth, its natural 

and living resources, natural hazards, and the environment: 

World Wide Web:http://www.usgs.gov 

Telephone: 1-888-ASK-USGS 

Suggested Citation 

Powell, B.F., Schmidt, C.A., Halvorson, W.L., and Anning, Pamela, 2008, Vascular plant and 

vertebrate inventory of Chiricahua National Monument: U.S. Geological Survey Open-File 

Report 2008-1023, 104 p. [http://pubs.usgs.gov/of/2008/1023/]. 

Cover photo: Chiricahua National Monument. Photograph by National Park Service. 

Note: This report supersedes Schmidt et al. (2005). 

Any use of trade, product, or firm names is for descriptive purposes only and does not imply 

endorsement by the U.S. Government. 

ii
Authors 

Brian F. Powell and Cecilia A. Schmidt 

School of Natural Resources

125 Biological Sciences East, Building 43 

The University of Arizona 

Tucson, AZ 85721

William L. Halvorson, US Geological Survey 

SBSC Sonoran Desert Research Station 

125 Biological Sciences East, Building 43 

The University of Arizona 

Tucson, AZ 85721 

Pamela Anning 

National Park Service 

US Geological Survey, Southwest Biological Science Center, Sonoran Desert Research Station Personnel 

Charles van Riper III, Station Leader 

William L. Halvorson, Research Ecologist 

Cecil R. Schwalbe, Ecologist 

Michael R. Kunzmann, Ecologist (Emeritus) 

Kathryn Thomas, Ecologist 

Pamela Nagler, Physical Scientist 

Phil Rosen, Ecologist 

Program and Expertise Areas of USGS and UA Personnel

Administration & Outreach 

Laura Opalka 

Wendy Parrish 

Emily Sherbrooke 

Charles van Riper III 

Avian Ecology 

Claire Crow 

Glenn Johnson 

Chris O’Brien 

Brian Powell 

Charles van Riper III 

Data Management 

Brent Sigafus 

Ecology of Amphibians & Reptiles 

Kevin Baker 

Cristina Jones 

Dave Prival 

Phil Rosen 

Cecil Schwalbe 

Brent Sigafus 

Fire Management 

Dennis Suhre 

Cori Dolan 

Bill Halvorson 

Invasive Species Research 

Patricia Guertin 

Jim Malusa 

Phil Rosen 

Cecil Schwalbe 

Brent Sigafus 

Dennis Suhre 

Kathryn Thomas 

Inventory & Monitoring 

Patricia Guertin 

Bill Halvorson 

Pamela Nagler 

Brian Powell 

Cecilia Schmidt

Vegetation Mapping & Ecology 

Patricia Guertin 

Bill Halvorson 

Kathryn Thomas 

USGS Southwest Biological Science Center http://sbsc.wr.usgs.gov 

USGS Southwest Biological Science Center, Sonoran Desert Research Station http://sbsc.wr.usgs.gov/sdrs 

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Table of Contents 

List of Tables............................................................................................................................................... vi 

List of Figures ........................................................................................................................................... viii 

List of Appendices ...................................................................................................................................... ix

Acknowledgements..................................................................................................................................... xi

Executive Summary .................................................................................................................................. xiii

Chapter 1: Introduction to the Inventories.....................................................................................................1

Project Overview...................................................................................................................................1

Goals......................................................................................................................................................1

Verification and Assessment of Results................................................................................................2

Chapter 2: Monument Overview...................................................................................................................5

Monument Area and History .................................................................................................................5

Natural Resources Overview.................................................................................................................5

Natural Resource Management Issues...................................................................................................9

Chapter 3: Plant Inventory ..........................................................................................................................11

Previous Research ...............................................................................................................................11

Methods...............................................................................................................................................11

Results and Discussion ........................................................................................................................11

Inventory Completeness......................................................................................................................13

Chapter 4: Amphibian and Reptile Inventory .............................................................................................15

Previous Research ...............................................................................................................................15

Methods...............................................................................................................................................15

Results.................................................................................................................................................20

Inventory Completeness......................................................................................................................23

Discussion ...........................................................................................................................................25

Chapter 5: Bird Inventory............................................................................................................................27

Previous Research ...............................................................................................................................27

Methods...............................................................................................................................................27

Results.................................................................................................................................................33

Inventory Completeness......................................................................................................................39

Discussion ...........................................................................................................................................40

Chapter 6: Mammal Inventory ....................................................................................................................45

Previous Research ...............................................................................................................................45

Methods...............................................................................................................................................45

Results.................................................................................................................................................48

Inventory Completeness......................................................................................................................50

Discussion ...........................................................................................................................................51

Chapter 7: Management Implications .........................................................................................................55

Chapter 8: Additional Inventories and Research.........................................................................................57

Chapter 9: Literature Cited..........................................................................................................................59

v
List of Tables 

Table 1. Summary of vascular plant and vertebrate inventories at Chiricahua NM, 2002–2004.......... xiii

Table 1.1. Museums that were queried in 1998 for vertebrate specimen vouchers with “Arizona” 

and “Chiricahua National Monument” in the collection location. ............................................3

Table 2.1. Average monthly climate data for Chiricahua NM, 1909–2004. . .............................................6

Table 4.1. Comparisons of active search methods used during amphibian and reptile surveys at 

Chiricahua NM, 2002–2004......................................................................................................15

Table 4.2. Summary of survey effort for reptiles and amphibians, Chiricahua NM, 2002–2004. .............18

Table 4.3. Total number of observations (sum) and relative abundance (mean + SE) of reptiles 

and amphibians from TAC plots, Chiricahua NM, 2003. .........................................................21

Table 4.4. Total number of observations (sum) and relative abundance (mean + SE) of 

amphibians and reptiles from line-transect surveys, by area and transect, Chiricahua 

NM, 2003. .................................................................................................................................21

Table 4.5. Total number of amphibian and reptile observations (n) and number of observations 

per hour, by year and plant community or area, during extensive surveys, Chiricahua 

NM, 2002 and 2003. .................................................................................................................22

Table 4.6. Total number of amphibian and reptile observations (n) and mean number of 

observations per hour from road surveys, Chiricahua NM, 2002 and 2003. ............................22

Table 4.7. Total number of animals captured (n) and number of captures per 100 hours of pitfall 

trap operation, Chiricahua NM, 2003 and 2004........................................................................23

Table 5.1. Summary of bird-survey effort, Chiricahua NM, 2002–2004. ................................................30

Table 5.2. Sum (number of observations) and relative abundance (mean ± SE) of birds during 

repeat-visit VCP surveys, Lower Bonita Canyon transect, Chiricahua NM, 2003 and 

2004...........................................................................................................................................35

Table 5.3. Sum (number of observations) and relative abundance (mean ± SE) of birds during 

repeat-visit VCP surveys, Rhyolite Canyon transect, Chiricahua NM, 2003 and 2004............36

Table 5.4. Mean relative abundance of birds observed during reconnaissance VCP surveys, by 

transect, Chiricahua NM, 2002–2004. ......................................................................................37

Table 5.5. Total number of observations (sum) and relative abundance (mean + SE) of birds 

observed during line-transect surveys, by transect, Chiricahua NM, 2002 and 2003...............38

Table 5.6. Total number of observations (sum) and relative abundance (mean ± SE) of birds 

detected during nocturnal surveys, Owl transect, Chiricahua NM, 2002–2004. ......................39

Table 5.7. Number of observations for each breeding behavior for birds, from all survey types, 

Chiricahua NM, 2003 and 2004. .............................................................................................39

Table 5.8. Mean density (stems/ha) of the most common tree species at each station along the 

two repeat-visit VCP transects, Chiricahua NM, 2004. . .........................................................41

Table 6.1. Summary of small-mammal trapping effort, by plot, Chiricahua NM, 2002............................45

Table 6.2. Summary of Trailmaster camera effort, Chiricahua NM, 2002 and 2003.................................48

vi
Table 6.3. Total number of small mammals trapped (n) and percent relative abundance (RA), by 

community type, Chiricahua NM, 2002. .................................................................................48

Table 6.4. Number of photographs of mammals from Trailmaster cameras, by camera number, 

Chiricahua NM, 2002 and 2003. .............................................................................................49

vii
List of Figures 

Figure 2.1. Location of Chiricahua NM in southeastern Arizona. ...............................................................6

Figure 2.2. Study area and monument boundaries, Chiricahua NM, Digital Orthophoto Quarter 

Quad (DOQQ) image from 1996. ...............................................................................................7

Figure 2.3. Comparison of monthly weather data during the inventory (2002–2004) compared to 

the mean (thick solid line in both figures; 1909–2004), Chiricahua NM. .................................8

Figure 3.1. Species accumulation curve for the number of collected plant species that were new 

to our surveys based on month, day(s), and year of the most intensive collections, 

Chiricahua NM, Sep–May 2002 and 2003................................................................................12

Figure 3.2. Species accumulation curve for the number of plant species new to the monument’s 

flora based on our collection efforts, Chiricahua NM, 2002 and 2003.....................................12

Figure 4.1. Locations of amphibian and reptile surveys, Chiricahua NM, 2002–2004. ...........................17

Figure 4.2. Species accumulation curve for amphibian and reptile surveys, Chiricahua NM 2002–

2004. Each sample period represents one survey day..............................................................24

Figure 5.1. Locations of VCP bird-survey stations, Chiricahua NM, 2003 and 2004. .............................28

Figure 5.2. Locations of line-transect and nocturnal survey stations for birds, Chiricahua NM, 

2002–2004. ..............................................................................................................................29

Figure 5.3. Photographs of bird survey stations along both repeat-visit VCP transects: Bonita 

Canyon (A and B) and Rhyolite Canyon (C and D). . .............................................................40

Figure 5.4. Species accumulation curves for bird surveys, Chiricahua NM, 2002–2004. .......................42

Figure 6.1. Locations of small-mammal trapping plots and Trailmaster cameras, Chiricahua NM, 

2002 and 2003...........................................................................................................................46

Figure 6.2. Diagram of Trailmaster camera set-up. Image based on Swann et al. (2004). .......................47

Figure 6.3. Species accumulation curve for mammal surveys, Chiricahua NM, 2002 and 2003. ............51

viii
List of Appendices 

Appendix A. Plant species that were observed or collected by University of Arizona Inventory 

personnel (UA), Chiricahua NM. ........................................................................................65

Appendix B. Amphibian and reptile species observed in Chiricahua NM by University of Arizona 

Inventory personnel (UA) , other studies..............................................................................87

Appendix C. Bird species observed by University of Arizona (UA) Inventory personnel, by 

survey method, Chiricahua NM. . ........................................................................................88

Appendix D. Mammal species observed by University of Arizona Inventory personnel (by 

survey method, 2002-2004) and those reported in other studies. ........................................93

Appendix E. Amphibian and reptile species that may occur at Chiricahua NM based on 

unconfirmed observations in the monument or listed as “hypothetical” by Lowe and 

Holm (1987), voucher specimens found within 5 km of the monument (Appendix 

H), or observations from Sulphur Springs Valley (Rosen et al. 1996)..................................95

Appendix F. Mammal species that were not recorded by University of Arizona personnel or 

others but that might occur or have been extirpated at Chiricahua NM. .............................95

Appendix G. Vertebrate voucher specimens and photographs collected by University of Arizona 

or monument personnel, Chiricahua NM, 2002–2005. .......................................................96

Appendix H. Voucher specimens that were not collected by University of Arizona personnel or 

recently by Chiricahua NM personnel, but were found in Chiricahua NM or within 

5 km of the monument. .........................................................................................................98

Appendix I. Summary of vegetation characteristics measured at each VCP survey station for 

birds, Chiricahua NM, 2004. .............................................................................................100

Appendix J. Number of individuals trapped (n) and relative abundance (RA) of small mammals , 

by community type and plot, Chiricahua NM, 2002. ........................................................104

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Acknowledgements 

Thanks to the current Superintendent Brian Carey, former Superintendent Alan Whalon and all 

the staff at Chiricahua National Monument for their administrative support of our program. 

Special thanks to Ruth Olsen who assisted with field work (herpetofauna and mammal surveys) 

and Carrie Dennett, former Chief of Resources, for their extraordinary willingness to assist with 

logistics and general communication. This project was funded by the National Park Service 

(NPS) Inventory and Monitoring program (I&M) and resulted from the collaboration of many 

people at the University of Arizona (UA), NPS, and U.S. Geological Survey (USGS). 

Administration of the project was facilitated by the Desert Southwest and Colorado Plateau 

Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Units (CESUs). The Southern Arizona Office of the NPS 

facilitated development of the original study plan that led directly to initiation of this project. 

Andy Hubbard at the Sonoran Desert Network Inventory and Monitoring (I&M) program has 

been a strong and convincing advocate for continuing the role of the USGS/UA Inventory 

program in the I&M program. Kathy Davis at Tuzigoot and Montezuma Castle national 

monuments played an instrumental role in this project by providing important early initiative. 

Larry Norris at the Desert Southwest CESU has provided strong support for our program and 

spent considerable time and effort providing clear and timely administrative assistance. Matt 

Goode, Don Swann, and Dale Turner provided much of the early planning for this project; we are 

indebted to their vision and work. Eric Albrecht was an outstanding spokesperson and leader of 

the program; he was an invaluable member of the team and his contributions are sorely missed. 

We thank a core group of dedicated field biologists who collected a wealth of data at 

Chiricahua NM: James MacAdam, and Meg Quinn (plants); Dan Bell and Kevin Bonine 

(amphibians and reptiles); Eric Albrecht, Gabe Martinez, and Janine McCabe (birds); and Neil 

Perry (mammals). We are appreciative of the following people, many of whom never ventured 

into the field, but whose work in the office made the field effort more successful: Debbie Angell, 

Jennifer Brodsky, Brian Cornelius, Taylor Edwards, Carianne Funicelli, Marina Hernandez, 

Colleen McClain, Heather McClaren, Lindsay Norpel, Ryan Reese, Jill Rubio, Brent Sigafus, 

Taffy Sterpka, Jenny Treiber, Zuleika Valdez, and Alesha Williams. Eric Stitt assisted with 

writing the amphibian and reptile chapter. 

Additional administrative support was provided by Emily Sherbrooke, Wendy Parrish, 

and Valery Catt at the USGS Sonoran Desert Research Station and Terri Rice, Andy Honaman, 

Jenny Ferry, and especially Cecily Westphal of the School of Natural Resources at the UA. 

Special thanks to Lisa Carder and Kathleen Docherty for their years of hard work on all aspects 

of the project. 

Technical support was graciously given by the following experts: Dan Austin, Michael 

Chamberland, Phil Jenkins, and Charlotte and John Reeder at the UA Herbarium; Tom Huels of 

the UA ornithology collection; George Bradley of the UA herpetology collection; and Yar 

Petryszyn and Melanie Bucci of the UA mammal collection. Thanks to Sharon Megdal and Peter 

Wierenga, the current and former directors, respectively, of the UA Water Resources Research 

Center, and all their staff. 

We received helpful reviews of earlier versions of this report from: Carrie Dennett, Larry

Norris, Ruth Olsen, and Eric Stitt (amphibians and reptiles). All mistakes or omissions are the 

responsibility of the authors. 

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Executive Summary

This report summarizes the results of the first 

comprehensive inventory of vascular plants and 

vertebrates at Chiricahua National Monument 

(NM) in Arizona. This project was part of a 

larger effort to inventory vascular plants and 

vertebrates in eight National Park Service units in 

the Sonoran Desert Network of parks in Arizona 

and New Mexico. In 2002, 2003, and 2004 we 

surveyed for plants and vertebrates (amphibians, 

reptiles, birds, and mammals) at Chiricahua NM 

to document the presence of species within the 

boundaries of the monument. Because we used 

repeatable study designs and standardized field 

methods, these inventories can serve as the first 

step in a biological monitoring program for the 

monument. This report is also the first summary 

of previous research from the monument and 

therefore it provides an important overview of 

survey efforts to date. We used data from our 

inventory and previous research to compile 

complete species lists for the monument and to 

assess inventory completeness. 

We recorded a total of 424 species, 

including 37 not previously found at the 

monument (Table 1). We found 10 species of 

non-native plants and one non-native mammal. 

Most non-native plants were found along the 

western boundary of the monument. Based on 

a review of our inventory and past research at 

the monument, there have been a total of 1,137 

species of plants and vertebrates found at the 

monument. We believe the inventories of vascular 

plants and vertebrates are nearly complete and 

that the monument has one of the most complete 

inventories of any unit in the Sonoran Desert 

Network. 

The mammal community at the monument 

had the highest species richness (69 species) and 

the amphibian and reptile community was among 

the lowest species richness (33 species) of any 

park in the Sonoran Desert Network. Species 

richness of the plant and bird communities 

was intermediate. Among the important 

determinants of species richness for all groups is 

the geographic location of the monument at the 

intergrades between the Chihuahuan and Sonoran 

deserts with influences from the Great Plains and 

Madrean ecological provinces. The diversity of 

plants results from a wide variety of soil types 

and aspects (from cool, moist canyons to semidesert grasslands to pine forests). In turn, the 

vertebrate communities respond to this diversity 

of vegetation, topography, and microsites. For 

example, for each taxonomic group we found that 

some species were only associated with a single 

community type, most often the riparian areas 

or semi-desert grasslands. The area of highest 

species richness for most groups was the westernmost portion of Bonita Canyon. The low species 

richness observed in the amphibian and reptile 

community was likely because the monument is 

at the elevational edge of the more species-rich 

semi-desert grasslands. 

This report includes management 

implications from our work and suggestions for 

how the monument staff might better maintain 

or enhance the unique biological resources of 

the monument. We suggest additional inventory, 

monitoring, and research studies and we identify 

components of our effort that could be improved 

upon, either through the application of new 

techniques (e.g., establishment of vegetation 

monitoring plots) or by extending the temporal 

and/or spatial scope of our work. 

Table 1. Summary of vascular plant and vertebrate inventories at Chiricahua NM, 2002–2004. 

UA inventory

Taxonomic group Number of 

species recorded

Number of 

non-native species

Number of new species 

added to monument list

Total number of species 

on monument list

Plants 222 10 19 845

Amphibians and Reptiles 27 0 2 33

Birds 141 0 14 190

Mammals 34 1 2 69

Totals 424 11 37 1,137

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Chapter 1: Introduction to the Inventories 

Project Overview

Inventory: A point-in-time effort to document the 

resources present in an area. 

In the early 990s, responding to criticism that 

it lacked basic knowledge of natural resources 

within parks, the National Park Service 

(NPS) initiated the Inventory and Monitoring 

Program (I&M) to detect long-term changes in 

biological resources (NPS 992). At the time 

of the program’s inception, basic information, 

including lists of plants and animals, was absent 

or incomplete for most park units (Stohlgren et al. 

995).

 Species inventories have both direct and 

indirect value for management of the park and are 

an important first step in long-term monitoring. 

Species lists are not only useful in resource 

interpretation and facilitating visitor appreciation 

of natural resources, but are also critical for 

making management decisions. Knowledge of 

which species are present, particularly sensitive 

species, and where they occur provides for 

informed planning and decision-making (e.g., 

locating new facilities). Thorough biological 

inventories provide a basis for choosing 

parameters to monitor and can provide baseline 

data for monitoring ecological populations and 

communities. Inventories can also test sampling 

designs, field methods, and data collection 

protocols, and provide estimates of variation that 

are essential in prospective power analysis. 

Goals

The purpose of this study was to complete basic 

inventories for vascular plants and vertebrates 

at Chiricahua National Monument (NM). This 

effort was part of a larger biological inventory 

of eight NPS units in southern Arizona and 

southwestern New Mexico (Davis and Halvorson 

2000; e.g., Powell et al. 2004, 2005a, b). Our 

goals were to: 

1. Conduct field surveys to document at least 

90% of all species of vascular plants 

and vertebrates expected to occur at the 

monument. 

2. Use repeatable sampling designs and 

survey methods that allow estimation 

of parameters of interest (e.g., relative 

abundance).

3. Compile historic occurrence data for all 

species of plants and vertebrates from 

three sources: museum records (specimen 

vouchers), previous studies, and 

monument records. 

4. Create resources useful to monument 

managers, including detailed species 

lists, maps of study sites, and highquality digital images for use in resource 

interpretation and education. 

 The bulk of our effort addressed the first 

two goals. To maximize efficiency (i.e., the 

number of species recorded by effort) we used 

field techniques designed to detect multiple 

species. We did not undertake single-species 

surveys for threatened or endangered species. 

Report Format and Data Organization

This report is intended to be useful for internal 

planning, outreach, and education. We report 

only common names in the text unless we 

reference a species that is not listed later in an 

appendix; in this case, we present both common 

and scientific names. For each taxonomic group 

we include an appendix of all species that we 

recorded in the monument (Appendices A–D), 

and amphibian, reptile, and mammal species 

that were likely present historically or that we 

suspect are currently present and may be recorded 

with additional survey effort (Appendices E, 

F). Species lists are in phylogenetic sequence 

and, where appropriate, include taxonomic order, 

family, genus, species, subspecies or variety (if 

applicable), and common name. Scientific and 

common names used throughout this document 

are current according to accepted authorities for 

each taxonomic group: Integrated Taxonomic 

Information System (ITIS 2005) and the 

PLANTS database (USDA 2005) for plants; 

Stebbins (2003) for amphibians and reptiles; 

American Ornithologists’ Union (AOU 998, 
2003) for birds; and Baker et al. (2003) for 

mammals. We recognize that the designation of 

a plant as “non-native” using the aforementioned 

lists may lead to the misclassification of some 

species, because these lists indicate only 

species status in North America as a whole, not 

regions with the continent. Therefore, our flora 

underestimates the number of non-native species, 

but because no authoritative list of non-native 

species exists for the region, we believe that use 

of these lists is justified. 

Spatial Data

Most spatial data are geographically referenced 

to facilitate mapping of study plots and locations 

of plants or animals. Coordinates were stored 

in the Universal Transverse Mercator (UTM) 

projection (Zone 12), using the North American 

Datum of 1983 (NAD 83). We recorded UTM 

coordinates using hand-held Garmin E-Map®

Global Positioning System (GPS) units (Garmin 

International Incorporated, Olathe, KS; horizontal 

accuracy approximately 10–30 m). Although 

we map the locations of study plots, stations, or 

transects on Digital Orthophoto Quarter Quads 

(DOQQ; produced by the USGS), the exact UTM 

coordinates will remain with the park and NPS 

Sonoran Desert Network I&M office in Tucson.

Species Conservation Designations

We indicate species conservation designations by 

the following agencies: U.S. Fish and Wildlife 

Service (responsible for administering the 

Endangered Species Act), USDA Forest Service, 

Arizona Game and Fish Department, and Partners 

in Flight (a partnership of dozens of federal, 

state and local governments, non-governmental 

organizations, and private industry). 

Databases and Data Archiving

We entered field data into taxon-specific 

databases (Microsoft Access version 97) and 

checked all data for transcription errors. From 

these databases, we reproduced copies of the 

original field datasheets using the “Report” 

function in Access. The output looks similar 

to the original datasheets but data are easier to 

read. The databases, printouts of field data, and 

other data such as digital photographs will be 

distributed to park staff and to Special Collections 

at the University of Arizona. Original copies of 

all datasheets currently reside at the I&M office 

in Tucson and may be permanently archived at 

another location. Along with the archived data, 

we will include copies of the original datasheets 

and a guide to filling them out. This information, 

in conjunction with the text of this report, should 

enable future researchers to repeat our work. 

Verification and Assessment of Results

Photographic Vouchers

Whenever possible we documented vertebrate 

species with analog color photographs. Many 

of these photographs show coloration or other 

characteristics of visual appearance in detail, 

and they may serve as educational tools for the 

monument staff and visitors. Photographs will be 

archived with other data as described above.

Specimen Vouchers

Specimen vouchers are an indisputable form of 

evidence of species occurrence. For plants, we 

searched the University of Arizona Herbarium 

for existing specimens from the monument 

(see Appendix A for results), but we collected 

herbarium specimens whenever flowers or fruit 

were present on plants in the field. All specimens 

that we collected were accessioned into the 

University of Arizona Herbarium. We searched 

for existing vertebrate vouchers in records from 

29 natural history museums (Table 1.1; see 

Appendices A, B, D, E, and H for results). 

Assessing Inventory Completeness

Inventory completeness can most easily be 

assessed by (1) examining the rate at which new 

species were recorded in successive surveys (i.e., 

species accumulation curves; Hayek and Buzas 

1997) and (2) by comparing the list of species 

we recorded with a list of species likely to be 

present based on previous research and/or expert 

opinion. For all species accumulation curves 

(unless indicated otherwise), we randomized the 

order of the sampling periods to break up clusters 

of new detections that resulted from temporal 

conditions (e.g., monsoon initiation) independent 

of cumulative effort. We used the computer 

program Species Richness and Diversity 
III (Pisces Conservation Ltd., IRC House, 

Pennington, Lymington, UK) to calculate species 

accumulation curves where the order of samples 

was shuffled the maximum number of times and 

the average was plotted, thereby smoothing the 

curve. 

Sampling Design

Sampling design is the process of selecting 

sample units from a population or area of interest. 

Unbiased random samples allow inference to 

the larger population from which those samples 

were drawn, and enable one to estimate the true 

value of a parameter. The precision of these 

estimates, based on sample variance, increases 

with the number of samples taken; theoretically, 

random samples can be taken until all possible 

samples have been selected and precision is exact 

– a census has been taken and the true value is 

known. Non-random samples are less likely to be 

representative of the entire population, because 

the sample may (intentionally or not) be biased 

toward a particular characteristic, perhaps one of 

interest or convenience. 

We briefly address sampling design in each 

taxon-specific chapter. In general, our survey 

plots were not randomly located because we 

were more interested in detecting the maximum 

number of species than in maintaining inference 

to a larger area. Thus, abundance estimates 

(relative abundance, useful as an index to true 

abundance) detailed in this report may be biased 

because we surveyed in areas likely to have high 

abundance; however, the nature or extent of that 

bias is difficult to characterize or quantify. If 

population estimates were a higher priority in 

this inventory effort, avoiding this potential bias 

would have greater importance. For a thorough 

review of issues related to sampling design, see 

Thompson (1992).

Estimates of Abundance

Estimating population size is a common goal of 

biologists, frequently motivated by the desire 

to reduce (pest species), increase (endangered 

species), maintain (game species), or monitor 

(indicator species) population size. Our surveys 

at Chiricahua NM were generally focused 

on detecting species rather than estimating 

population size. In many cases, however, we 

present estimates of “relative abundance” by 

species to provide information on areas in which 

species might be more or less common. Relative 

abundance is an index to population size; we 

calculate it as the number of individuals of a 

species recorded, scaled by survey effort. Some 

researchers (particularly plant ecologists) prefer 

to scale such frequency counts by the number 

of observations of other species, which provides 

a measure of community dominance (i.e., 

abundance relative to other species present). If 

we completed multiple surveys in comparable 

areas (i.e., anywhere within Chiricahua NM), we 

included a measure of precision (usually standard 

error) with the mean of those survey results. 

Indices of abundance are presumed to correlate 

with true population size but ecologists do not 

typically attempt to account for variation in 

detectability among different species or groups of 

species under different circumstances. Metrics 

(rather than indices) of abundance do consider 

variation in detection probability, and these 

include density (number of individuals per unit 

area; e.g., one black-tailed rattlesnake per hectare 

in Newton Canyon) and absolute abundance 

(population size; e.g., 10 black-tailed rattlesnakes 

at Chiricahua NM). These estimates are beyond 

the scope of our inventory. While it is true that 

indices to abundance have often been criticized 

(and with good reason, c.f. Anderson 2001), the 

abundance information that we present in this 

report is used to characterize the commonness of 

different species rather than to quantify changes 

in abundance over time (i.e., monitoring). As 

such, relative abundance estimates are more 

useful than (1) detectability-adjusted estimates 

of abundance for only a few species or (2) raw 

count data for all species without scaling counts 

by search effort. 
Table 1.1. Museums that were queried in 1998 for vertebrate specimen vouchers with “Arizona” and “Chiricahua National 

Monument” in the collection location. Collections in bold-faced type had specimens from the monument.

Brigham Young University Oklahoma Museum of Natural History, Norman

Chicago Academy of Sciences Peabody Museum, Yale University

Cincinnati Museum of Natural History & Science Saguaro National Park

Cornell Vertebrate Collections, Cornell University Strecker Museum, Baylor University, Waco

George Mason University (Fairfax, VA) Texas Cooperative Wildlife Collection

Illinois Natural History Survey Tulane Museum of Natural History

Marjorie Barrick Museum, University of Nevada-Las Vegas University of Arizona

Michigan State University Museum (East Lansing) University of Texas, Arlington 

Milwaukee Public Museum University of Illinois, Champaign-Urbana

Museum of Natural History, University of Kansas University of Colorado Museum

Museum of Texas Tech University United States National Museum

Museum of Vertebrate Zoology, University of California, Berkeley Walnut Canyon National Monument, Arizona

Museum of Life Sciences, Louisiana State University, Shreveport Western Archaeological and Conservation Center, Tucson

Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County Wupatki National Monument, Flagstaff

North Carolina State Museum of Natural Sciences


Chapter 2: Monument Overview

Monument Area and History

Chiricahua National Monument (NM) is 

located approximately 50 km southeast 

of Willcox, Arizona (Fig. 2.1) and was 

established in 1924 to preserve unique 

volcanic rock structures occurring there (NPS 

1996). Although created to preserve geologic 

resources, the monument also contains 

historic and prehistoric Native American 

sites, a historic military encampment (Camp 

Bonita), early settlement structures (Faraway 

Ranch and Stafford Cabin), Civilian 

Conservation Corps (CCC) built structures 

(visitor center, headquarters, residences, and 

maintenance facilities), and important natural 

resources. The monument is bounded by 

USDA Forest Service land to the north, south 

and east; and by private land to the west. The 

monument encompasses 4,850 ha, 86% of 

which is designated as wilderness. There is 

one small (1 ha) private inholding within the 

monument boundaries that contains a section 

of the King of Lead Mine. Annual visitation 

to the monument averages approximately 

80,000 (NPS 2005).

Natural Resources Overview

Physiography, Geology, and Soils

Located within the Mexican Highland portion 

of the Basin and Range Physiographic 

Province, the monument is situated in 

the northwest portion of the Chiricahua 

Mountains, one of the region’s “sky island” 

mountain ranges. Topography varies from 

steep rocky canyons to flat meadows and 

ranges in elevation from 1,562 m in Bonita 

Creek at the west boundary to 2,385 m at 

the northern boundary of the monument. 

Geology of the monument is a result of a 

cataclysmic eruption of the Turkey Creek 

Caldera during the middle Tertiary period and 

later volcanic eruptions (Denny and Peacock 

2000). The soils at the monument were 

derived from residuum, aeolian material, 

alluvium and colluvium (see Denny and 

Peacock 2000).

Hydrology

There are no perennial flowing streams 

in the monument; however there are six 

springs or seeps that flow all year, most 

notably: Shake, Headquarters, Silver Spur, 

and Superintendent’s springs (Sprouse et 

al. 2002). The two major drainages in the 

monument, Bonita and Rhyolite creeks, flow 

intermittently, usually only during periods of 

heavy rains.

Climate

Chiricahua NM experiences an annual 

bimodal pattern of precipitation which is 

characterized by heavy summer (monsoon) 

storms brought about by moisture coming 

from the Gulf of Mexico, and less intense 

frontal systems coming from the Pacific 

Ocean in the winter. On average, more than 

one-half of the annual precipitation falls from 

July through September (Table 2.1; WRCC 

2005). The monument’s hot season occurs 

from April through October when maximum 

temperatures can exceed 40 oC. Winter 

temperatures dip below freezing and snow 

is common. Average annual precipitation 

totals during the course of our study ranged 

from slightly above to substantially below 

the long-term mean of 48.7 cm (42.2 cm in 

2002, 19.5 cm in 2003, and 48.9 cm in 2004; 

Fig. 2.3; WRCC 2005). Average annual 

temperatures during the three years of our 

study were above the long-term mean of 14.7 

o

C (15.3 oC in 2002, 15.8 oC in 2003, and 

14.9 oC; Fig. 2.3; WRCC 2005). 
Figure 2.1. Location of Chiricahua NM in southeastern Arizona.

Table 2.1. Average monthly climate data for Chiricahua NM, 1909–2004. Data from WRCC (2005).

Month

Characteristic Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Annual

Maximum temperature (o

C) 13.4 15.1 18.2 22.7 27.4 32.5 31.7 30.1 28.6 24.0 17.8 13.7 22.9

Minimum temperature (o

C) -1.2 -0.6 1.3 4.1 7.8 12.9 15.5 14.9 12.8 7.7 2.1 -1.1 6.3

Precipitation (cm) 3.7 3.0 3.0 1.2 0.8 2.1 10.4 10.4 4.4 3.0 2.6 4.1 4.1
Figure 2.2. Study area and monument boundaries, Chiricahua NM, Digital Orthophoto Quarter Quad (DOQQ) image 

from 1996.

Vegetation

Chiricahua NM has seven plant communities 

(from Duncan [1990]): 

•	 Madrean evergreen forest 

and woodland, which covers 

approximately 90% of the monument, 

containing mixed oak association, 

alligator juniper association, oak–

Mexican pinyon–juniper association, 

oak–Chihuahuan pine association, 

oak–Apache pine association, and 

oak–pine association;

•	 Madrean mountain coniferous forest 

containing Douglas fir association, 

Douglas fir–mixed conifer 

association, and ponderosa pine–

mixed conifer association;

•	 Relic conifer forest and woodland 

containing Arizona Cyprus 

association;

•	 Interior chaparral containing Toumey 

oak or Sonoran scrub oak–mixed 

sclerophyll association, and pointleaf 

manzanita association;

•	 Semi-desert grassland containing 

grama grass–mixed grass–mixed 

scrub association, and curly 

mesquite–mixed scrub association;

•	 Interior southwestern riparian 

deciduous forest, and woodland 

including Arizona sycamore 

association; and 

•	 Warm temperate marshlands 

including the rush series. 
Month

Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec

-10

-5

0

5

10

2002

2003

2004

Precipitation

Month

Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec

-4

-2

0

2

4

2002

2003

2004

Temperature

Centimeters from mean Degrees Celsius difference from mean Centimenters from mean Degrees Celsius difference from mean

Figure 2.3. Comparison of monthly weather data during the inventory (2002–2004) compared to 

the mean (thick solid line in both figures; 1909–2004), Chiricahua NM. Data from WRCC (2005).
Natural Resource Management Issues

Fire

Suppression of fire has taken place in 

and around the monument over the last 

century and has led to changes in vegetation 

communities by increasing the density of 

woody plant species, fire-sensitive plant 

species, and fire fuel (NPS 1996, Taylor 

2004). The increase of woody plant species 

has led to the decrease in semi-desert 

grasslands, savannahs, open chaparral and 

open woodland, and created homogenous 

vegetation structures (Taylor 2004). 

Currently, the monument is divided into two 

fire management units to allow some fire 

within the monument to burn and still protect 

against the spread of fire to adjacent lands 

(NPS 2004). 

Adjacent Land Use

Cattle grazing is currently not permitted on 

the monument, though trespass of cattle from 

lands bordering the monument is occasional. 

The King of Lead Mine (now abandoned) 

borders the monument to the north and has 

extensive tailings associated with it. Water 

sources near the mine have been found to 

be impaired (Sprouse et al. 2002) and the 

tailings continue to leach heavy metals, 

sulfate, calcium, and chloride that impact 

water sources such as Bonita Creek (NPS 

1996). Increasing housing development 

outside the boundaries is also a concern 

for the monument, because increasing 

development can cause a host of threats to 

natural resources, such as, feral animals, 

traffic, increased water demands, and visual 

intrusions to the natural landscape (NPS 

1996).

Aircraft Noise

Low-flying military, law enforcement (U.S. 

Border Patrol), and private aircraft pass 

over the monument often at aboveground 

elevations of less than 300 m (NPS 1996). 

Flights pass directly over visitor-use areas, 

creating safety risks and disrupting the 

natural quiet and wildlife at the monument. 

Although no studies have been done on the 

effects of these overflights at the monument, 

aircraft overflights can produce changes 

in the physiology and behavior of some 

wildlife species (e.g., Ellis and Ellis 1991, 

Weisenberger et al. 1996). 

Animal Poaching and Collection

Chiricahua NM has several species of plants 

and vertebrates that are of interest to illegal 

collectors and poachers. Many plants, such 

as some cacti, are of value for landscaping 

purposes (NPS 1996). Many species of 

reptiles, such as the rock rattlesnake, Sonoran 

mountain kingsnake, green rat snake, and 

twin-spotted rattlesnake are collected for the 

pet trade (NPS 1996, Prival and Schwalbe 

2000). 
10
11

Chapter 3: Plant Inventory

Previous Research

Several species lists have been compiled from 

specimens in the monument’s herbarium and 

the University of Arizona Herbarium. The 

first known species list was by Clark (no date 

assigned), a monument naturalist, who collected 

specimens in the late 1930s. In the early 1970s, 

Reeves (1976) collected specimens and created 

a species list for the monument. More recently, 

there have been three additional species lists: 

Litzinger (1993), Reeves 1976 (summarized 

in Bennett et al. [1996]), and Hartman et al. 

(1998). Halvorson and Guertin (2003) mapped 

the distribution of 25 non-native species. In 

this report, we summarize the findings of all 

of these efforts as well as lists of specimens 

in the University of Arizona and Western 

Archaeological Conservation Center herbaria 

(Appendix A). A few vegetation surveys have 

been completed for the monument. Burns (1979) 

provided descriptions of dominant vegetation 

types in a few areas of the monument and 

Taylor (2004) investigated historical changes 

in vegetation communities as a result of fire 

suppression. 

Methods

We surveyed for plants by general botanizing—

opportunistically collecting plants when they 

were flowering or fruiting. We also sampled 

vegetation associated with VCP stations (see 

Chapter 5). 

For this report, statistics such as the number 

of species collected exclude specimens that we 

could not identify to species (n = 7) unless there 

were no other specimens identified to species for 

that genus (n = 1; e.g., Avena sp.; Appendix A). 

We report multiple subspecies and/or varieties as 

“species” in the summary statistics. However, 

occasionally we collected a specimen that was 

identified to species and a specimen that was 

identified to subspecies (e.g., Yucca baccata). 

Barring additional information, we consider these 

to represent a single species. 

Spatial Sampling Designs

In 2002 and 2003, we conducted general 

botanizing surveys by opportunistically collecting 

specimens along the most traveled routes, mostly 

along roads and trails, but also around the visitor 

center, housing areas, and throughout Bonita 

Canyon west of the campground. 

General Botanizing

Field Methods 

Whenever possible we collected at least one 

representative specimen (with reproductive 

structures) for each plant species that we 

encountered. We also maintained a list of species 

observed but not collected. When we collected a 

specimen, we assigned it a collection number and 

recorded the flower color, associated dominant 

vegetation, date, collector name(s), and UTM 

coordinates. We pressed and processed the 

specimens on site. Specimens remained pressed 

for two to three weeks and were later frozen 

for 48 hours or more to prevent infestation by 

insects and pathogens. Mounted specimens 

were accessioned into the University of Arizona 

Herbarium.

Effort

We collected specimens during 18 days of 

fieldwork: 13 days from 26 September to 1 

November 2002 and four days from 5–9 May 

2003. 

Analysis

We present a variety of summary statistics: total 

number of species found and number and percent 

of native and non-native species. To estimate 

inventory completeness we graph the number of 

new species by the month and year of their first 

collection. 

Results and Discussion

We collected 222 species, including 19 species 

that had not been previously documented at the 

monument (Appendix A). Among the species 

that we collected, one represented a new family 

for the monument (Aristolochiaceae) and three 
12

Month, days and year of collection

Sep 26-28 '02

Oct 8-9 '02

Oct 12-13 '02

Oct 15-16 '02

Oct 21-22 '02

Oct 30-Nov 1 '02

May 5 '03

May 7-9 '03

Cumulative number of species

0

50

100

150

200

250

Figure 3.1. Species accumulation curve for the number of plant species collected 

that were new to our surveys based on month, day(s), and year of the most intensive 

collections, Chiricahua NM, 2002 and 2003. 

Month, days and year of collection

Sep 26-28 '02

Oct 8-9 '02

Oct 12-13 '02

Oct 15-16 '02

Oct 21-22 '02

Oct 30-Nov 1 '02

May 5 '03

May 7-9 '03

Cumulative number of new species

0

5

10

15

20

Figure 3.2. Species accumulation curve for the number of plant species new to the 

monument’s flora based on our collection efforts, Chiricahua NM, 2002 and 2003. 
13

represented new genera. Based on the results of 

our inventory and other studies, there have been 

a total of 845 species recorded at the monument 

(Appendix A).

 We found two new species of non-native 

plants at the monument (Appendix A). In total, 

there have been 61 non-native species found, 

comprising 7% of the total flora. This is similar 

to nearby Fort Bowie National Historic Site, 

which has approximately 6% non-native flora 

(Powell et al. 2005b). Despite the low percentage 

of non-native species, it is also important to know 

other characteristics for each species including 

its distribution and abundance. Halvorson and 

Guertin (2003) mapped the distribution of 25 

species of non-native plants at the monument 

and Lehmann lovegrass was the most widespread 

species. They also found the most non-native 

species on the west side of the monument. 

 The high species richness of plants 

at the monument is due to the variety of 

elevational gradients, precipitation patterns, 

and soil types. Also, the geographic location 

of the monument has a great influence from the 

Madrean biogeographic region, which has the 

among the highest plant species richness for any 

biogeographic region in Arizona (Bowers and 

McLaughlin 1982). Other floristic influences are 

from the Great Plains and Chihuahuan regions 

(Warren et al. 1992). For a complete review of 

elements affecting the species richness of plants 

in the Chiricahua Mountain region, see Bennett et 

al. (1996). 
14
15

Chapter 4: Amphibian and Reptile Inventory

Previous Research

Species Lists and Specimen Vouchers

Lowe and Holm (1987) created a species list 

based on their observations and what they thought 

should be present at Chiricahua NM. Though 

the report contains no documentation of their 

field effort, Peter Holm (pers comm.) said that 

they conducted approximately 30 days of field 

research in 1985, which subsequently formed the 

basis for Lowe and Holm (1992). Sipes (1975) 

created a species list of amphibians, turtles, and 

lizards based on observations by monument 

staff and volunteers. Lunsford (1980) created 

a species list of snakes with no documentation 

of where the information was derived. Because 

they lack thorough documentation, we do not 

consider further the lists by Sipes and Lunsford. 

We do, however, refer to the Lowe and Holm 

(1987) list and assume that all of the species on 

the list, except their “hypothetical” species, were 

observed by them. There have also been many 

specimen vouchers collected from within and 

near the monument (Appendices B, H). 

Studies

Prival and Schwalbe (2000) studied commercially 

valuable snakes at Chiricahua NM and assessed 

the level of illegal collection at the monument. 

They surveyed for approximately 31 field days 

from July through September 1999, primarily 

in the lower Rhyolite Canyon and Echo Canyon 

Loop areas. They also spent 13 hours conducting 

road surveys in the monument, and they noted 

other species observed (Appendix B). More 

recently, Goode and Amarello (2004) studied 

banded rock rattlesnakes and mountain spiny 

lizards (the primary prey species of the banded 

rock rattlesnake). They also noted other species 

(Appendix B). 

Methods

We surveyed amphibians and reptiles in 2002, 

2003, and 2004 using six field methods. These 

included (1) plot-based “intensive” time-area 

constrained plots (TAC), (2) line transects, (3) 

more flexible, non-plot based “extensive” surveys 

(Table 4.1), (4) pitfall trapping, (5) road surveys, 

and (6) incidental observations. We used multiple 

methods because temporal and spatial variation 

in detectability is high, both within and among 

species and no one field method is appropriate 

for surveying all species. All surveys except road 

surveys were during daylight hours. Although 

methods were designed to detect both amphibians 

and reptiles, fewer amphibians were detected as 

they have more restricted activity periods (mainly 

nighttime during rainy weather or high humidity). 

Sampling Designs

All survey areas were selected non-randomly. 

Much of our survey effort was located in the 

Bonita and Rhyolite canyons; areas that we felt 

would have the highest number of species at 

the monument. Surveys in other areas of the 

Table 4.1. Comparisons of active search methods used during amphibian and reptile surveys at Chiricahua NM, 

2002–2004. 

Survey method

Characteristic Time-area Constrained (TAC) Line transect Extensive 

Area constrained Yes Yes No

Configuration Plot based 400 m transect, 5 m searched on 

either side of transect line Non-plot based

Area (ha) 1 ha 1 ha Variable

Time constrained Yes, 1 hour No No

Advantages

Repeatable. Facilitates comparison with 

other areas; more complete richness and 

abundance data

Repeatable. Facilitates comparison 

with other areas; more complete 

richness and abundance data. 

Allows more flexibility than TAC plots

Maximum flexibility 

facilitating detection of 

rare species with restricted 

distributions 

Disadvantages

Inefficient for developing complete 

species list. If surveys are unproductive, 

observers cannot leave survey area

Not as repeatable as intensive 

surveys because area is more 

difficult to restrict 

Difficult to repeat surveys 

because exact route is 

unknown
16

monument were primarily restricted to near 

hiking trails. For road surveys, we constrained 

effort to the paved road, from the monument 

entrance to Massai Point. 

Time-Area Constrained Plots

Field Methods

In 2003, we used plot-based, visual encounter 

surveys constrained by time and area (time-area 

constrained; TAC) to standardize effort (Crump 

and Scott 1994). We selected two, 1 ha (100 x 

100 m) plots in Bonita Canyon for these surveys 

(Fig. 4.1). We surveyed each plot for one hour. 

We timed our surveys to coincide with periods 

of peak diurnal reptile activity, because activity 

levels vary with temperature. We surveyed all 

plots in the morning and began surveys between 

0800 and 0930 hrs. 

We searched plots visually and aurally and 

worked systematically from one end of a plot 

to the other to avoid duplicate records of the 

same individual. We also looked under rocks 

and organic litter and used a mirror to illuminate 

cracks and crevices. For each animal detected, 

we recorded species, sex and age class (if 

known), and microhabitat (ground, vegetation, 

rock, edifice, burrow, or water). We permanently 

marked plot corners with rubber-capped stakes 

and recorded UTM coordinates with a Trimble 

GPS (Appendix G). We measured weather data 

(temperature, % relative humidity, % cloud cover, 

and wind speed [km/h]) with hand-held Kestrel®

3000 weather meters (Nielson-Kellerman Inc., 

Boothwyn, PA) before and after surveys. We 

flagged the corners of each plot prior to the 

field season to ensure we stayed within the plot 

boundary during surveys. 

Effort

We completed five one-hour surveys at each of 

the two plots from May through September 2003 

(Table 4.2). We surveyed all plots with a single 

observer. 

Analysis

We estimated relative abundance (number/ha/hr) 

for each species per plot by summing a species’ 

detections across all visits for each plot and 

dividing by the number of survey hours. 

Line-transect Surveys

Line-transects are more flexible than TAC plots 

because they are not constrained by time, but 

have the same effective search area (1 ha; Table 

4.1). Transects allowed observers to spend more 

or less time on a survey depending on animal 

activity.

Field Methods

We established four transects in Bonita Canyon—

two in lower and two in middle Bonita Canyon 

(Fig. 4.1). Two transects had their mid point in 

the middle of the TAC plot with the same name 

(Silver Spur Spring and Entrance Station). All 

transects were 400 m long. Prior to beginning the 

field season, we placed flags every 50 m along 

each transect to ensure that observers stayed 

within 12.5 m of the transect line. The timing 

of surveys and methods of data collection were 

the same as the TAC plots. We alternated the 

direction of travel for each survey between visits, 

and a single observer performed each survey. 

Effort

We completed five surveys at each of the four 

transects from May through September 2003 

(Table 4.2). The average time for each survey 

was approximately 45 minutes. 

Analysis

We estimated relative abundance (number/ha/

hr) for each species per transect by summing 

detections across all visits for each plot and 

dividing by the number of survey hours. 

Extensive Surveys

Non-plot-based extensive surveys were used in 

areas where we expected high species richness, 

abundance, or species not previously detected. 

Typically, we selected areas for extensive surveys 

in canyons or along hiking trails. In contrast to 

TAC plots or line-transects, extensive surveys 

were not constrained by area or time (Table 4.1). 

We focused surveys during mornings or evenings 

when detectability of animals is highest (Ivanyi et 

al. 2000). 

Field Methods

We located extensive surveys non-randomly. We 

relied upon visual detection and often looked 

under objects and illuminated cracks to detect 
17

Figure 4.1. Locations of amphibian and reptile surveys, Chiricahua NM, 2002–2004. ENT = Entrance 

Station; EBO = East Bonita; SSS = Silver Spur Spring; SC = Sea Captain.
18

Table 4.2. Summary of survey effort for reptiles and amphibians, Chiricahua NM, 2002–2004. 

Survey method

Community type or 

location Name (Abbreviation) Year

Number of 

surveys Survey effort (hrs.)

TAC plot Lower Bonita Canyon Entrance Station (ENT) 2003 5 5.0

Middle Bonita Canyon Silver Spur Spring (SSS) 2003 5 5.0

Line transect Lower Bonita Canyon East Bonita (EBO) 2003 5 3.4

Entrance Station (ENT) 2003 5 4.5

Middle Bonita Canyon Sea Captain (SC) 2003 5 3.0

Silver Spur Spring (SSS) 2003 5 3.5

Extensive Middle Bonita Canyon 2002 2 7.0

2003 7 8.0

Lower Bonita Canyon 2002 5 13.6

2003 6 13.3

Rhyolite Canyon 2002 7 23.5

2003 7 9.7

Natural Bridge 2003 2 6.6

Semi-desert Grassland 2002 1 0.3

2003 7 12.9

High Elevation 2002 6 18.2

2003 2 2.5

Road surveys Main road 2002 5 9.6

2003 19 30.5

Pitfall trapping Near entrance station 2003 97 1962.0

2004 22 528.0

hidden individuals. We began morning surveys 

before 1000 hrs and began most afternoon 

surveys after 1630 hrs to avoid the hottest times 

of day. Late afternoon/early evenings were 

emphasized, especially after the onset of the 

summer monsoon. Survey duration averaged 

2.2 ± 0.19 (± SE) hours and ranged from 0.5 to 

5.3 hours. For 90% of the surveys we used one 

observer and on the remainder of surveys, we 

used two observers. We recorded data using 

similar methods as TAC plots and line-transect 

surveys and noted UTM coordinates for each 

animal detected.

Survey crews did not record detailed 

environmental characteristics when they observed 

an animal during extensive surveys. Therefore, to 

identify areas of high species richness or relative 

abundance, we classified extensive surveys 

into six categories based on general vegetation 

characteristic or survey locations: 

•	 Middle Bonita Canyon - east of Faraway 

Ranch and west of the campground. This 

area corresponded to the eastern portion of 

the repeat-visit VCP survey stations (for 

birds) of the Lower Bonita Canyon transect 

(see Chapter 5 for more information and 

pictures).

•	 Lower Bonita Canyon - starting at the 

boundary near the contact station and 

ending at Faraway Ranch. This area 

corresponds to the western portion of the 

birds repeat-visit VCP survey stations of the 

Lower Bonita Canyon transect (see Chapter 

5 for more information and pictures).

•	 Rhyolite Canyon - from the visitor center 

trailhead to approximately 1.5 km east of 

the trailhead. Dense oak, pine, and Arizona 

cypress. 

•	 Semi-desert Grassland - areas with some 

shrubs but mostly perennial grasses in the 

far northwest section of the monument and 

an area to the south of the contact station. 

•	 Natural Bridge - along the trail of the same 

name from the road through piñon, oak, and 

juniper woodlands.

•	 High Elevation - mostly in the area of Echo 

and upper Rhyolite canyons. These areas 

are dominated by large pine trees. 

Effort

We spent 115.6 hours on 52 surveys in 2002 and 

2003. Survey effort was greater in 2002 (62.6 

hours) than in 2003 (53 hours) (Table 4.2). This 

survey effort constituted approximately twice that 

of all other active search methods combined. 
19

Analysis

We calculated relative abundance as the number 

of individuals detected for each species or all 

species combined per hour of effort for each plant 

community type or general location. For surveys 

completed by more than one observer per survey 

area, we summed survey duration and detection 

data for all surveyors when calculating effort and 

relative abundance. 

Road Surveys 

Driving roads is a common method for surveying 

for amphibians and reptiles and is suggested for 

augmenting species lists (Shaffer and Juterbock 

1994). Road surveys involve driving slowly 

along a road, typically after sunset, and watching 

for animals. Because they are ectothermic, 

reptiles must seek out favorable microclimates 

for thermoregulation. Usually roads retain heat 

after the daily ambient temperature drops below 

temperatures favorable for animal activity. Thus, 

individuals seek out and “bask” on paved roads. 

Field Methods

We drove the main access road in the late 

afternoons and early evenings. We recorded 

weather information at the beginning and end of 

each survey as described in other methods. We 

recorded each individual detected by species, sex 

and age (if known), location (either UTMs or 

mileage from beginning of survey), and whether 

the individual was found alive or dead. 

Effort

We conducted 24 road surveys totaling 40.1 

hours of effort (Table 4.2). Mean survey duration 

was 86 + 6.3 (SE) minutes. We surveyed 13 

August to 6 September 2002 and 19 May to 14 

September 2003. 

Analysis

Because survey routes varied in length and 

included a number of different segments surveyed 

in various orders, we pooled results from all 

routes and road segments. Mileage for each 

route was not recorded so we scaled estimates 

of relative abundance by time. We calculated 

relative abundance as the number of individuals 

detected for each species (or all species 

combined) per hour of effort. 

Pitfall Trapping

Pitfall trapping is a live-trap, passive sampling 

technique useful for detecting species that are 

difficult to observe due to rarity, limited activity, 

or inconspicuous behavior (Corn 1994). 

Field Methods

We constructed one pitfall trap array with three 

19 L buckets spaced 8 m apart at angles of 

approximately 120 degrees from a central bucket 

(Gibbons and Semlitsch 1981). We dug shallow 

trenches connecting the central bucket to each 

outside bucket and placed drift fences (7.6 m 

long, 0.5 m tall aluminum-flashing supported by 

rebar) in each trench. We buried buckets so that 

their edges were at ground level and placed cover 

boards (50 x 50 cm pieces of plywood) over them 

to keep animals cool during day (Corn 1994). 

To capture large snakes and other animals 

capable of escaping trap buckets, we placed one 

wire-mesh funnel-trap (tubes with inwardlydirected cones at each end) at midpoints along 

each side of drift fences (n = 6 traps) (Corn 

1994). Animals entering funnels fell to the 

bottom of the tubes and were unable to escape. 

We typically opened traps around sunset and 

checked and closed them either around midnight 

or the following morning. We recorded species, 

and sex and age class (if known) for each animal 

captured.

Effort

The trap array was located on the west side of the 

monument adjacent to Bonita Creek (Fig. 4.1). 

We operated traps for 119 nights (97 in 2003 and 

22 in 2004) for a total of 2,490 hours (Table 4.2). 

In 2003, we trapped from 20 May to 20 October. 

In 2004 Ruth Olsen, operated the pitfall array 

from 14 May to 30 July. We report her findings 

in this report. 

Analysis

We report the number of animals captured per 

100 hours of array operation. 

Incidental Observations

We noted sightings of rare species or individuals 

of all species in unusual locations and recorded 

time and UTM coordinates of each observation. 

Incidental observations were often recorded 
20

before or after a more formal survey and were 

useful in identifying additional species and to 

determine their distribution. 

Specimen and Photographic Vouchers 

Specimen vouchers are important to verify 

species identifications and can be useful if species 

are reclassified or split into multiple species. 

Many of the specimens that we collected had 

been previously killed on monument roads by 

vehicles. All specimen vouchers were deposited 

in the University of Arizona’s herpetology 

collection. We also obtained photographic 

vouchers for each species that we were able to 

capture. We obtained a close-up photograph 

of each animal “in hand” and, if possible, 

another photograph of the animal in the natural 

surroundings it was found in. We recorded the 

same information for each photograph voucher 

as for specimen vouchers. In addition to 

documenting most species, these photos may be 

useful for interpretive purposes at the monument. 

Problematic Species: Whiptail Lizards

Whiptail lizards (Cnemidophorus [Aspidoscelus 

by some sources] spp.) are notoriously difficult 

to identify in the field because of the similarity 

in appearance for several sympatric species 

(Stebbins 2003). Many parthenogenetic (nonsexually reproducing) whiptails may have arisen 

as hybrids from the same diploid, sexually 

reproducing parent species (Degenhardt et al. 

1996). Several undescribed “parthenospecies” 

(Wright and Vitt 1993, Cole and Dessauer 

1994) may exist in the desert southwest. 

When possible, we made an effort to identify 

all whiptails to species level and verified, 

via specimen vouchers, at least two species 

(Sonoran spotted and Chihuahuan spotted) on the 

monument. Lowe and Holm (1992) list the semidesert grassland whiptail as being common in the 

monument’s semi-desert grasslands. Given that 

“unknown whiptails” were the most commonly 

documented lizard found during surveys, and that 

we recorded one desert grassland whiptail during 

a transect, they perhaps occur on the monument 

in greater numbers than we documented. 

Additional research on these species will clarify 

their status at the monument. 

Results

We observed 585 individuals representing 27 

species at Chiricahua NM in 2002, 2003, and 

2004 (Appendix B): one salamander, three 

anurans, one turtle, 11 lizards, and 11 snakes. We 

found one species that had not been previously 

recorded in the monument (Texas blind snake). 

We observed the most species during incidental 

observations (n = 22) and the fewest species 

during line-transect surveys (n = 5). We found no 

species with special conservation designations. 

Based on a review of all research, there have been 

a total of 33 species of amphibians and reptiles 

recorded at the monument (Appendix B). 

Time-and-Area Constrained Search Plots

We observed eight species at two TAC plots in 

2003 (Table 4.3). We found five species at the 

Silver Spur Spring plot and four species at the 

Entrance Station plot. Of the individuals that 

we were able to identify to species, only one 

species (Clark’s spiny lizard) was found at both 

plots. Unknown whiptails accounted for 57% 

of the observations, but crews were comfortable 

enough with identifying Chihuahuan spotted and 

Sonoran spotted whiptails to species only on the 

Silver Spur Springs plot, though they were likely 

present on the Entrance Station plot as well. 

Mean encounter rate for plot surveys was 4.7 

animals per hour. 

Line-transect Surveys

We found five species on 20 surveys of four 

line transects in 2003 (Table 4.4). All species 

observed were lizards. All transects except the 

East Bonita transect (n = 4) had three species. 

We observed no animals on two (of five) visits 

to both Middle Bonita Canyon transects and on 

one (of five) visit to each of the Lower Bonita 

Canyon transects. The most common species on 

all transects was the Sonoran spotted whiptail, 

which, along with the ornate tree lizard, was 

found on three of the four transects. Mean 

encounter rate was 2.9 animals per hour. 

Extensive Surveys

We found 17 species during extensive surveys 

(Table 4.5). We found the most species in 

Rhyolite Canyon (n = 9), although that area was 
21

also the most frequently surveyed. We found four 

species to be present in four of the areas and six 

species in only one area. We found no animals 

on nine of 52 surveys over both years. We found 

a mean of 2.5 animals per hour (3.1 per hour in 

2002 and 2.3 per hour in 2003). 

For areas that were surveyed in both 2002 

and 2003, species richness and composition 

changed substantially, though this was probably 

an artifact of less survey effort in 2003 (Table 

4.2). The most common species were the 

mountain spiny lizard in Rhyolite Canyon and 

the High Elevation communities, the Clark’s 

spiny lizard in Semi-desert Grasslands and Lower 

Bonita Canyon, the striped plateau lizard in 

Natural Bridge Trail, and the black-necked garter 

snake in Middle Bonita Canyon (Table 4.5). 

Road Surveys

We found 14 species during road surveys: 11 

species in both 2002 and 2003 (Table 4.6). The 

Great Plains toad was the most commonly 

encountered animal. We found three species 

during road surveys that were not found during 

any other formal survey method (Texas blind 

snake, western lyre snake, and night snake; 

Appendix B). On average, we found 2.3 animals 

per hour of surveys. 

Pitfall Traps

We captured 69 individuals representing at least 

seven species of reptiles and amphibians in 

2003 and 2004 (Table 4.7). Unknown whiptails 

accounted for over one half of the individuals 

captured. We did not trap any species that were 

not found during other survey methods, though 

two species were observed only during incidental 

surveys (Great Plains skink and desert grassland 

whiptail). We did not capture any animals on 

95 of the 119 nights of trapping. Over the entire 

effort, capture efficiency averaged 0.52 animals 

per trap-array night. 

Several rodents were captured in pitfalls 

as well, including eight animals identified only 

as “mouse,” four unknown Peromyscus (deer 

mouse), three unknown desert shrews, one hispid 

pocket mouse, and one cotton rat. 

Table 4.3. Total number of observations (sum) and relative abundance (mean + SE) of reptiles 

and amphibians from TAC plots, Chiricahua NM, 2003. 

Entrance Station Silver Spur Spring

Species Sum Mean SE Sum Mean SE

western box turtle 2 0.4 0.24

mountain spiny lizard 2 0.4 0.24

Clark’s spiny lizard 2 0.4 0.24 1 0.2 0.20

striped plateau lizard 3 0.6 0.40

ornate tree lizard 1 0.2 0.20

unknown whiptail 13 2.6 0.24 13 2.6 1.08

Chihuahuan spotted whiptail 5 1.0 0.55

Sonoran spotted whiptail 1 0.2 0.20

coachwhip 1 0.2 0.20

Table 4.4. Total number of observations (sum) and relative abundance (mean + SE) of amphibians and reptiles 

from line-transect surveys, by area and transect, Chiricahua NM, 2003. 

Middle Bonita Canyon Lower Bonita Canyon

Sea Captain Silver Spur Spring East Bonita Entrance Station

Species Sum Mean SE Sum Mean SE Sum Mean SE Sum Mean SE

Clark’s spiny lizard 5 1 0.45

striped plateau lizard 1 0.2 0.20 4 0.8 0.37

ornate tree lizard 2 0.4 0.24 2 0.4 0.24 3 0.6 0.40

unknown whiptail 1 0.2 0.20 2 0.4 0.40 7 1.4 0.68

Chihuahuan spotted whiptail 1 0.2 0.20

Sonoran spotted whiptail 1 0.2 0.20 4 0.8 0.80 8 1.6 1.36
22

Table 4.5. Total number of observations (sum) and number of observations per hour of amphibians and 

reptiles during extensive surveys, by year and community type or area, Chiricahua NM, 2002 and 2003. 

Area/Community

Lower Bonita Canyon Middle Bonita Canyon Semi-desert Grasslands

Species Sum 2002 2003 Sum 2002 2003 Sum 2003

canyon treefrog 1 0.14 2 0.16

western box turtle 1 0.08

mountain spiny lizard 5 0.63

Clark’s spiny lizard 11 0.22 0.60 2 0.29 11 0.85

striped plateau lizard 3 0.14 0.25

ornate tree lizard 9 0.15 0.53 10 0.78

greater short-horned lizard 1 0.07

unknown whiptail 36 1.10 1.58 4 0.43 0.13 22 1.71

Chihuahuan spotted whiptail 5 0.07 0.30 2 0.14 0.13

Sonoran spotted whiptail 1 0.07

Sonoran whipsnake 1 0.08 1 0.08

mountain patch-nosed snake 1 0.08 1 0.08

gopher snake 1 0.08

black-necked garter snake 6 0.86 1 0.08

black-tailed rattlesnake 2 0.15 1 0.14

Number of animals 64 24 49

Number of animals per hour 1.7 3.4 2.1 1.1 3.8

Table 4.6. Total number of amphibian and reptile observations (sum) and mean number 

of observations per hour from road surveys, Chiricahua NM, 2002 and 2003. 

Group Species Sum 2002 2003

Amphibian Mexican spadefoot 5 0.10 0.13

Great Plains toad 40 0.10 1.28

canyon treefrog 1 0.03

Reptile mountain spiny lizard 1 0.10

Clark’s spiny lizard 1 0.03

Texas blind snake 5 0.10 0.13

Sonoran whipsnake 1 0.10

mountain patch-nosed snake 1 0.10

gopher snake 4 0.10 0.10

Sonoran mountain kingsnake 1 0.03

western lyre snake 9 0.31 0.20

night snake 8 0.31 0.16

rock rattlesnake 7 0.21 0.16

black-tailed rattlesnake 16 0.52 0.36

Area/Community

Rhyolite Canyon Natural Bridge Trail High Elevation

Species Sum 2002 2003 Sum 2003 Sum 2002 2003

canyon treefrog 3 0.16

mountain spiny lizard 29 1.11 0.31 1 0.15 90 4.73 1.60

Clark’s spiny lizard 3 0.04 0.21

striped plateau lizard 9 0.34 0.10 3 0.45 1 0.40

ornate tree lizard 1 0.04

unknown whiptail 4 0.13 0.10 4 0.61 3 0.16

Chihuahuan spotted whiptail 4 0.17 4 0.11 0.80

Sonoran spotted whiptail 3 0.13

Madrean alligator lizard 3 0.16

Sonoran mountain kingsnake 2 0.21

black-necked garter snake 2 0.11

rock rattlesnake 6 0.17 0.21 3 0.16

black-tailed rattlesnake 2 0.09

Number of animals 63 8 109

Number of animals per hour 2.2 1.1 1.2 5.6 2.8
23

Table 4.7. Total number of animals captured (n) and number of captures per 100 hours of 

pitfall trap operation, Chiricahua NM, 2003 and 2004. 

Group Species n 2003 2004

Amphibian Mexican spadefoot 4 0.20

Great Plains toad 8 0.36 0.19

Reptile greater short-horned lizard 2 0.10

Great Plains skink 11 0.56

unknown whiptail 39 1.12 3.22

desert grassland whiptail 2 0.38

mountain patch-nosed snake 1 0.05

black-necked garter snake 1 0.05

Incidental Observations

We made 138 observations of 23 species outside 

of formal surveys from 2002 to 2004 (Appendix 

B). We found two species that were not 

observed using any formal survey method (tiger 

salamander and eastern collared lizard). 

Voucher Specimens and Photographs 

Thirteen individuals of at least 11 species were 

collected and vouchered by UA and monument 

personnel in 1999, 2002, and 2003 (Appendix G). 

Lastly, at least 22 species were photo-vouchered 

by UA and monument personnel. 

Inventory Completeness

Our synthesis of past research at the monument 

(Lowe and Holm 1987 and 1992, Prival and 

Schwalbe 2000, and Goode and Amarello 2004) 

reveals that there have been 33 species observed 

or documented within the monument (Appendix 

B) and four species for which specimen 

voucher(s) were collected from within 5 km 

of the monument (Appendix H). Based on a 

review of Lowe and Holm (1987) and Rosen et 

al. (1996), there are an additional 14 species that 

have not been found in or near the monument, but 

that may occur there based on the known range 

and habitat needs of these species (Appendix E). 

We detected 27 of the 33 species that are 

known to occur in the monument (Appendix 

B). We found one species (Texas blind snake) 

that was new to the monument and considered 

“hypothetical” by Lowe and Holm (1987). Based 

on our species accumulation curve for all field 

methods combined (Fig. 4.2), it appears that we 

recorded all but the most uncommon species. 

Further, recent results from previous studies 

have only confirmed two species that we did not 

find: the green rat snake and red-spotted toad. 

The Green rat snake is seen periodically in the 

monument. Prival and Schwalbe (2000) did 

not find any during their surveys but report two 

credible sightings: (1) 5 September 1999 across 

the road from the visitor center (observed by 

interpretive ranger Matt Van Saun) and (2) 26 

August 1997 0.6 km north of the campground 

(observed by Dave Prival). Prival and Schwalbe 

report sightings of the red-spotted toad, but do 

not give specific location information. 

Possible Species

Here we identify species that have not been 

confirmed to occur at the monument, but that may 

occur there based on the known natural history 

and distribution of the animals. Most of these 

species are found in the semi-desert grasslands 

of the monument and therefore may eventually 

be found near the contact station in the northwest 

portion of the monument. 

Frogs and Toads

The Plains spadefoot, Couch’s spadefoot, and 

green toad are locally abundant in the semi-desert 

grasslands that are bisected by Highways 186 

and 181. If found in the monument, they will be 

at the western edge in the semi-desert grasslands 

and observed after the onset of monsoon rains. 

We looked specifically for Chiricahua leopard 

frogs in areas such as Bonita Canyon and Silver 

Spur Spring. The Chiricahua leopard frog 

(federally listed as a threatened species) has 

undergone major declines in southern Arizona 

due to habitat loss and degradation, predation 

by introduced species, and pathogens (USFWS 

2002). No specimen vouchers or observations 

exist for this frog at the monument (Phil Rosen, 
24

Figure 4.2. Species accumulation curve for amphibian and reptile surveys, Chiricahua NM 2002–

2004. Each sample period represents one survey day.

Sample period

0 5 10 15 20 25

Cumulative number of species

0

5

10

15

20

25

All survey methods

TACS and transects

Road surveys

pers. comm.), and it appears that its potential 

habitat at the monument is very small. Sredl 

et al. (1997) documented a massive die-off of 

Chiricahua leopard frogs less than 3 km south 

of the monument at Horsefall Canyon in 1994. 

The authors tentatively attributed the die off 

to high hydrogen sulfide levels, but the newly 

described pathogen Batrachochytridium may 

be another possibility. American bullfrogs have 

been reported from a stocktank about 200 m west 

of the monument (Peter Holm, pers. comm.). 

It appears that little habitat exists for their 

permanent establishment, though they are known 

to be long-distance dispersers and may be found 

on occasion.

Lizards

Seven species of lizards may be found in the 

monument, including: Slevin’s bunchgrass lizard, 

Texas horned lizard, greater earless lizard, and 

Gila monster (Appendix E). If present on the 

monument, all species would occur on the west 

side of the monument in semi-desert grasslands 

and upland vegetation communities. 

Snakes

There are nine species of snake that may occur 

in the monument (Appendix E) and four of these 

have been confirmed to occur within 5 km of the 

monument’s west entrance: ring-necked snake, 

Chihuahuan hook-nosed snake, western hognosed snake, and Mojave rattlesnake. Below we 

review a few of the most likely snakes or those 

whose distribution needs clarification. 

•	The common kingsnake is one of the most 

common snakes seen in the semi-desert 

grassland areas around the Chiricahua 

Mountains (Rosen et al. 1986). 

•	The checkered garter snake is closely 

associated with breeding aggregations 

of desert anurans and is one of the most 

common species in the Sulphur Springs 

Valley (Rosen et al. 1996). 

•	The twin-spotted rattlesnake is on the list 

compiled by Lowe and Holm (1992) as 

“verified”. However, we are unaware of 

any records from the monument and Prival 

and Schwalbe (2000) and Holycross (pers. 

comm.) suggest that little habitat exists 

in the monument. If they do occur in the 
25

monument, they will be found at the highest 

elevations.

•	Desert massasauga has been reported from the 

northern end of the Sulphur Springs Valley 

(Andy Holycross, pers. comm.). If present, it 

will be found in mesic areas near streams and 

ponds at lower elevations, probably near the 

monument entrance. 

Discussion

The diversity of herpetofauna at the monument 

is not extraordinary for an area of its size and 

variety of biotic communities. By comparison, 

Swann et al. (2001) found nine amphibian and 31 

reptile species approximately 25 km northwest 

of the monument at Fort Bowie National Historic 

Site (Fig. 2.1), which, at 400 ha, is approximately 

10% of the size of Chiricahua NM. The location 

of Chiricahua NM at the edge of Sulphur Springs 

Valley, with riparian and semi-desert grassland 

vegetation communities, makes it possible for 

more species to be found in the monument than 

have been documented in the approximately one 

year of surveys by us and others (Lowe and Holm 

1987, Prival and Schwalbe 2000, and Goode and 

Amarello 2004). 

 The monument has few riparian-obligate 

amphibians because of the lack of stock tanks or 

permanent pools (Lowe and Holm 1992). Several 

species are found just west of the monument 

that, to date, have not been documented at the 

monument. For reptiles, the highest species 

richness in the region is in areas below 1000 

m elevation in desert communities. Based on 

our extensive surveys, we found 17 species of 

amphibians and reptiles in Bonita and lower 

Rhyolite canyons and the semi-desert grasslands 

compared to seven species in the higher elevation 

sites, though survey effort was considerably 

lower in the higher elevation areas. However, 

this pattern is consistent with known patterns of 

species richness in the region: where richness is 

highest in the middle elevation desert and semidesert grassland areas; and progressively lower 

higher up the altitudinal gradient. 

 Almost all of the species that have been 

found infrequently at the monument (e.g., redspotted toad, Great Plains skink, desert grassland 

whiptail, coachwhip, and green rat snake) have 

been found on the west side of the monument, 

either in the riparian area or in open areas of 

Bonita Canyon. These areas, and the more 

remote northwestern corner of the monument, 

contain the only areas of semi-desert grassland 

and mesic riparian vegetation. As such, they 

constitute the upper elevation extent of many 

species of reptiles and amphibians for the region. 

Therefore, the population dynamics of these 

species on lands outside of the monument can 

play a vital role in determining whether these 

species will occur in the monument. If we 

consider the monument to have marginal habitat 

for most of these species, whose core populations 

lay well outside of the monument, dispersal to 

the monument will only take place when either 

the conditions are not good in the core or when 

populations increase and dispersal (particularly 

of young individuals) is necessary. However, 

with the increasing conversion of the semi-desert 

grasslands outside of the monument to housing 

development and because of high mortality along 

roads (Rosen and Lowe 1994, Hall and Steidl 

2003), the ability of animals to safely occupy 

new areas may not be possible. Therefore, the 

monument will likely experience a gradual 

decline of species richness for these species. 

Comparison to Prival and Schwalbe (2000)

Prival and Schwalbe (2000) used visual encounter 

surveys to search for rock rattlesnakes and other 

commercially valuable snake species. They 

surveyed lower Rhyolite Canyon and the Echo 

Canyon Loop for a total of 160.8 person-hours 

in Rhyolite Canyon and 188.8 person hours in 

Echo Canyon Loop. Because plot, line transects, 

and extensive surveys were not in exactly the 

same locations, it makes comparisons between 

our studies difficult. However, the road surveys 

were in the same location. Prival and Schwalbe 

observed an average of 1.1 animals per survey 

hour compared to our 2.3 animals per hour. The 

species observed during each of the studies were 

also different. Prival and Schwalbe observed 

three species of snake (nightsnake, black-necked 

garter snake, and black-tailed rattlesnake) and 

we found nine species, including all the species 

found by Prival and Schwalbe. Prival and 

Schwalbe found one species during road surveys, 

red-spotted toad, which was not found by any 

other study. 
26
27

Previous Research

Fischer (2002) created the most recent checklist 

for the monument based on data from a number 

of earlier checklists and on distribution maps for 

the region (see citations therein). Snyder (1995) 

surveyed for raptors, including the Mexican 

spotted owl, which monument personnel survey 

for each year. From 1997 to 2002, personnel 

from the Southern Arizona Bird Observatory 

banded birds as a part of the Monitoring Avian 

Productivity and Survivorship (MAPS) program 

(DeSante and O’Grady 2000). MAPS data from 

1997 to 2001 were summarized by Martinez 

and Hubbard (2003). Conway and Kirkpatrick 

(2001) surveyed for buff-breasted flycatchers in 

Bonita, Rhyolite, and Sarah Demming canyons 

on a single survey day in 2000. They also 

recorded all birds seen or heard at each survey 

station. In 2003 and 2004, Susan Wethington and 

others banded hummingbirds at the monument 

and other areas of the southwest as part of the 

Hummingbird Monitoring Network (Wethington 

2004). To our knowledge, no effort has been 

made to determine the distribution and/or relative 

abundance of birds throughout the monument. 

Bird surveys, as part of pilot monitoring effort, 

also took place in the summer of 2005 (BFP, 

unpublished data).

 Although there has been no detailed 

inventory of the bird community at the 

monument, other areas of the Chiricahua 

Mountains have received considerable attention. 

Much of this research focused on bird community 

structure across elevational gradients (e.g., 

Marshall 1957, Balda 1969) and much of our 

early knowledge of bird community structure in 

the southwest came from these studies. Many 

other single-species studies have also taken place 

in the mountain range. In 1996, Kathy Heitt 

(unpublished data; copy at I&M office in Tucson) 

created an annotated bibliography of over 500 

citations related to birds of the Chiricahua 

Mountains and the region. 

Chapter 5: Bird Inventory

Methods

We surveyed for birds at Chiricahua NM in 

2002, 2003, and 2004. The majority of our 

research took place in the springs of 2003 and 

2004. We used four field methods: variable 

circular-plot (VCP) counts for diurnal breeding 

birds, nocturnal surveys for owls and nightjars, 

line transects for winter birds (i.e., non-breeding 

season), and incidental observations for all birds 

in all seasons. Although winter bird surveys were 

not included in the original study proposal (Davis 

and Halvorson 2000), we felt they were important 

in our effort to inventory birds at the monument 

because many species that use the area during 

the fall and winter may not be present during 

spring and summer (breeding season) surveys. 

We concentrated our primary survey effort during 

the breeding season because bird distribution is 

relatively uniform at this time (due to territoriality 

among most landbird species; Bibby et al. 2002). 

This increased our precision in estimating relative 

abundance and also enabled us to document 

breeding activity. Our survey period included 

peak spring migration times for most species, 

which added many migratory species to our list.

 We also sampled vegetation around repeatvisit VCP survey stations. Vegetation structure 

and plant species composition are important 

predictors of bird species richness or the presence 

of particular species (Rice et al. 1984, Strong and 

Bock 1990, Powell and Steidl 2002). 

 In most cases, we do not report observations 

that failed to determine species (e.g., “unknown 

woodpecker”). Ravens are an exception. Both 

Chihuahuan and common ravens occur at the 

monument and they are difficult to differentiate 

unless viewed at a short range under certain 

conditions or if they are seen flying together 

(Bednarz and Raitt 2002). We were not able to 

positively determine the species for any raven 

sighting and therefore report all observations as 

“unknown raven.” 

Spatial Sampling Designs 

We subjectively located all survey stations and 

transect sections (Figs. 5.1, 5.2). Because of the 
28

 Figure 5.1. Locations of VCP bird-survey stations, Chiricahua NM, 2003 and 2004. B = Lower Bonita Canyon; R Figure 5.1. Locations of VCP bird-survey stations, Chiricahua NM, 2003 and 2004. B = Lower Bonita Canyon; R = 

Rhyolite Canyon; P = Picket Canyon; N = Natural Bridge Trail; W = Whitetail Pass; H = Hunt Canyon; J = Jesse James 

Canyon; U = Upper Bonita. 

inaccessibility of most areas of the monument, 

we conducted reconnaissance VCP and nocturnal 

surveys along trails and roads (Figs. 5.1, 5.2). 

Diurnal Surveys: VCP

Field Methods - Repeat-visit VCP Survey

We used the variable circular-plot (VCP) method 

to survey for diurnally active birds during the 

breeding season (Reynolds et al. 1980, Buckland 

et al. 2001). Conceptually, these surveys are 

similar to traditional “point counts” (Ralph et. 

al 1995) during which an observer spends a 

standardized length of time at one location (i.e., 

station) and records all birds seen or heard and 

the distance to each bird or group of birds.

We established two transects in 2003 that 

we surveyed repeatedly in both 2003 and 

2004. Each transect consisted of eight stations, 

located a minimum of 250 m apart to maintain 

independence among observations at the station. 

We surveyed each year from mid April through 

late June, the period of peak breeding activity for 

most species in southern Arizona. 

Each year we visited both transects (Lower 

Bonita and Rhyolite canyons) at least five times 

each (Table 5.1). On each visit, we alternated 

the order in which we surveyed stations (along 
29

Figure 5.2. Locations of line-transect and nocturnal survey stations for birds, Chiricahua NM, 2002–2004. The first letter 

of the line-transect represents the location (B = Bonita, G = Grama) and the second letter represents the section. For nocturnal 

survey stations: O = Owl; U = Upper Road; R = Rhyolite. 

a transect) to minimize bias by observer, time 

of day, and direction of travel. We did not 

survey when wind exceeded 15 km/h or when 

precipitation exceeded an intermittent drizzle. 

We began bird surveys approximately 30 minutes 

before sunrise and concluded them no later than 

three hours after sunrise. 

We recorded a number of environmental 

variables at the beginning and end of each 

survey: wind speed (Beaufort scale), presence 

and severity of rain (qualitative assessment), 

air temperature (oF), relative humidity (%), and 

cloud cover (%). After arriving at a station, we 

waited one minute before beginning 

the count to allow birds to resume their normal 

activities. We identified to species all birds seen 

or heard during an eight-minute “active” period. 

For each detection, we recorded distance (in 

meters) from the observer (measured with laser 

range finder when possible), time of detection 

(measured in one-minute intervals from the start 

of the active period), and the sex and age class 

(adult or juvenile), if known. We did not measure 

distances to birds that were flying overhead 
30

nor did we use techniques to attract birds (e.g., 

“pishing”). We made an effort to avoid doublecounting individuals. If we observed a species 

during the “passive” count period (between 

the eight-minute counts), which had not been 

recorded previously at a station on that visit, we 

recorded its distance to the nearest station.

Effort - Repeat-visit VCP Surveys

We visited each of the eight stations along (1) the 

Lower Bonita Canyon transect five times in 2003 

and seven times in 2004; and (2) the Rhyolite 

Canyon transect five times in 2003 and six times 

in 2004 (Table 5.1). We visited each station for 

eight minutes.

Field Method - Reconnaissance VCP Surveys

Most of our survey effort was focused on the 

two repeat-visit transects, but this left much of 

the monument unsurveyed. Therefore, to get 

better spatial coverage and still be able to make 

comparisons among transects, we established an 

additional seven transects, located throughout 

the monument, that we visited once in both 2003 

and 2004 (one transect was surveyed in 2002 and 

2004; Table 5.1, Fig. 5.1). For data collection 

we followed the same protocol as for repeat-visit 

VCPs except that we spent five minutes at each 

station (instead of eight minutes) and the distance 

between stations was usually >300 m. 

Effort - Reconnaissance VCP Surveys

The number of survey stations along each 

transect ranged from seven to 13 (Table 5.1). We 

visited each station for five minutes. We visited 

each transect twice.

Analyses - All VCP Methods 

We calculated relative abundance of each 

species along each transect as the number of 

detections at all stations and visits (including 

zero values), divided by effort (total number of 

visits multiplied by total number of stations). 

We reduced our full collection of observations 

for each repeat-visit VCP station (N = 2,364; 

1,335 and 1,029 for Lower Bonita Canyon 

and Rhyolite Canyon transects, respectively) 

to a subset of data (n = 1,331; 729 and 602 for 

Lower Bonita Canyon and Rhyolite Canyon 

transects, respectively) that was more appropriate 

for estimating relative abundance. We used 

Table 5.1. Summary of bird-survey effort, Chiricahua NM, 2002–2004. Sample size was 

used to calculate relative abundance for each transect and year. 

Plot method Transect name Year

Number of 

stations Number of visits Sample size

Repeat-visit VCP Lower Bonita Canyon 2003 8 5 40

2004 8 7 56

Rhyolite Canyon 2003 8 5 40

2004 8 6 48

Reconnaissance VCP Upper Bonita Canyon 2002 9 1 9

2004 9 1 9

Hunt Canyon 2003 7 1 7

2004 7 1 7

Jesse James Canyon 2003 13 1 13

2004 13 1 13

Natural Bridge Trail 2003 9 1 9

2004 8 1 8

Picket Canyon 2003 7 1 7

2004 7 1 7

Upper Rhyolite Canyon 2003 8 1 8

2004 8 1 8

Whitetail Pass 2003 7 1 7

2004 7 1 7

Line-transect Bonita Canyon 2002/2003 6-7 5 34

Grama 2002/2003 4 3 12

Nocturnal Survey Owl 2002 4 1 4

2003 7-8 4 31

2004 8 3 24

Rhyolite 2003 4 1 4

Upper Road 2003 2-3 2 5
31

only those detections that occurred ≤ 75 m 

from count stations (thereby excluding 446 

and 321 observations, respectively) because 

detectability is influenced by conspicuousness 

of birds (i.e., loud, large, or colorful species are 

more detectable than others) and environmental 

conditions (dense vegetation can reduce 

likelihood of some detections). Truncating 

detections may reduce the influence of these 

factors; for a review of factors influencing 

detectability, see Anderson (2001) and 

Farnsworth et al. (2002). We also excluded 

observations of birds that were flying over the 

station (87 and 56 observations, respectively), 

birds observed outside of the eight-minute count 

period (109 and 53 observations, respectively), 

and unknown species (15 and 15 observations, 

respectively). Some observations met more than 

one of these criteria for exclusion from analysis. 

For reconnaissance VCP transects, we 

calculated relative abundance in the same way 

as for repeat-visit VCP transects. We do not 

make comparisons between reconnaissance and 

repeat-visit transects because sample sizes for 

reconnaissance VCP transects were inadequate 

for comparisons. Finally, we make comparisons 

of parameters and communities between years 

based on qualitative assessment of relative 

abundance and do not employ statistics, such 

as t-tests, to establish statistical differences of 

individual species between years.

Line-transect Surveys 

Field Methods

We used a modified line-transect method (Bibby 

et al. 2002) to survey for birds from October 

2002 to January 2003. Line transects differ from 

station transects (used in VCP surveys) in that 

an observer records birds seen or heard while 

the observer walks a line, rather than stands 

at a series of stations. The transect method is 

more effective during the non-breeding season 

because bird vocalizations are less conspicuous 

and frequent, and therefore birds tend to be more 

difficult to detect (Bibby et al. 2002). 

We established two transects at the 

monument (Fig. 5.2). One transect, Lower 

Bonita Canyon, corresponded to the repeat-visit 

VCP transect of the same name. We established 

the Grama transect, located in the northwest 

corner of the monument, because that area had 

the largest section of semi-desert grassland in 

the monument, and this community has some of 

the highest species richness of any vegetation 

community during the non-breeding season.

Transects were broken into sections of 

approximately 250 m in length. For the Lower 

Bonita Canyon transect, the start and finish 

locations corresponded to the repeat-visit VCP. 

As with other survey methods, we alternated 

direction of travel along transects to reduce 

biases, and did not survey during periods of 

excessive rain or wind (see VCP methods for 

details). We began surveys about 30 minutes 

after sunrise and continued until we completed 

the transect. As with VCP surveys, we recorded 

weather conditions at the beginning and end of 

each survey. Prior to beginning a section, we 

recorded the section name (e.g., “A–B”) and the 

start time. 

We timed our travel so that we traversed 

each section in ten minutes, during which time 

we assigned all birds seen and/or heard into one 

of the following distance categories: ≤ 100 m, > 

100 m, or “flyover.” When possible, we noted 

the sex and age class of birds. We recorded birds 

observed before or after surveys as “incidentals”, 

and we did not use techniques to attract birds 

(e.g., “pishing”).

Effort

We surveyed each section of both transects at 

least three times in the winter of 2002 and 2003 

(Table 5.1). 

Analysis

Due to the low number of observations (n = 279) 

within 100 m of the transect lines, we used all 

observations (except unknown species; n = 321) 

to estimate abundance. 

Nocturnal Surveys

Field Methods

To survey for owls we broadcast commercially 

available vocalizations (Colver et al. 1999) using 

a compact disc player and broadcaster (Bibby et 

al. 2002) and recorded other nocturnal species 

(nighthawks and poorwills) when detected. We 

established two nocturnal survey transects (Owl 
32

and Upper Road) along the main access road and 

one in Rhyolite Canyon (Fig. 5.1). The Owl, 

Upper Road, and Rhyolite Canyon transects had 

six, five, and four stations, respectively, that were 

spaced a minimum of 500 m apart. As with other 

survey methods, we varied direction of travel 

along transects and did not survey during periods 

of excessive rain or wind. 

We began surveys at each station with a 

three-minute “passive” listening period during 

which time we broadcast no calls. We then 

broadcast vocalizations for a series of twominute “active” periods. We used vocalizations 

of species that we suspected, based on habitat 

and range, might be present: elf, flammulated, 

northern pygmy, northern saw-whet, western 

screech, and whiskered screech-owls. We 

excluded great horned owl from the broadcast 

sequence because of their aggressive behavior 

toward other owls. We did not survey for the 

Mexican spotted owl because that would have 

required a specific protocol and because the 

monument staff survey annually for them. 

We broadcast recordings of owls in 

sequence from smallest to largest size species so 

that smaller species would not be inhibited by 

the “presence” of larger predators or competitors 

(Fuller and Mosher 1987). During active periods, 

we broadcast owl vocalizations for 30 seconds 

followed by a 30-second listening period. This 

pattern was repeated two times for each species. 

During the count period, we used a flashlight to 

scan nearby vegetation and structures for visual 

detections. If we observed a bird during the 

three-minute passive period, we recorded the 

minute of the passive period in which the bird 

was first observed, the type of detection (aural, 

visual, or both), and the distance to the bird. If a 

bird was observed during any of the two-minute 

active periods, we recorded in which interval(s) 

it was detected and the type of detection (aural, 

visual, or both). As with other survey types, we 

attempted to avoid double-counting individuals 

recorded at previous stations. We also used 

multiple observers, alternated direction of travel 

along transects, and did not survey during 

inclement weather. 

Effort

We surveyed the Owl transect once in 2002, 

four times in 2003, and four times in 2004. We 

surveyed the Rhyolite and Upper Road transects 

once and twice, respectively, in 2003 only (Table 

5.1).

Analysis

We calculated relative abundance as per VCP 

surveys. 

Incidental and Breeding Observations 

Field Methods

When we were not conducting formal surveys 

and encountered a rare species, a species in 

an unusual location, or an individual engaged 

in breeding behavior, we recorded UTM 

coordinates, time of detection, and (if known) 

the sex and age class of the bird. We recorded 

all breeding observations using the standardized 

classification system, developed by the North 

American Ornithological Atlas Committee 

(NAOAC 1990), which characterizes breeding 

behavior into one of nine categories: adult 

carrying nesting material, nest building, adult 

performing distraction display, used nest, fledged 

young, occupied nest, adult carrying food, adult 

feeding young, or adult carrying a fecal sac. We 

made breeding observations during standardized 

and incidental surveys. 

Analysis

We report frequency counts of incidental and 

breeding observations; we could not calculate 

relative abundance because it was not possible to 

standardize effort for this survey method. 

Vegetation Sampling at Repeat-Visit VCP Stations

In 2004, we sampled vegetation associated 

with each of the repeat-visit VCP stations. We 

sampled vegetation at five subplots located at 

a modified random direction and distance from 

each station. Each plot was located within a 72°

range of the compass from the station (e.g., Plot 

3 was located between 145° and 216°) to reduce 

clustering of plots. We randomly placed plots 

within 75 m of the stations to correspond with 

truncation of data used in estimating relative 

abundance. 
33

At each plot we used the point-quarter 

method (Krebs 1999) to sample vegetation 

by dividing the plot into four quadrants along 

cardinal directions. We applied this method 

to plants in three height categories: sub-shrubs 

(0.5–1.0 m), shrubs (> 1.0–2.0 m), trees (> 2.0 

m), and one size category: potential cavitybearing vegetation (> 20 cm diameter at breast 

height). If there was no vegetation for a given 

category within 25 m of the plot center, we 

indicated this in the species column. For each 

individual plant, we recorded distance from the 

plot center, species, height, and maximum canopy 

diameter (including errant branches). Association 

of a plant to a quadrant was determined by the 

location of its trunk, regardless of which quadrant 

the majority of the plant was in; no plant was 

recorded in more than one quadrant. Standing 

dead vegetation was only recorded in the 

“potential cavity-bearing tree” category. On rare 

occasions when plots overlapped, we repeated the 

selection process for the second plot. 

Within a 5-m radius around the center of 

each plot, we visually estimated (1) percent 

ground cover by type (bare ground, litter, or 

rock); and (2) percent aerial cover of vegetation 

in each quadrant using three height categories: 

0–0.5 m, > 0.5–2.0 m, and > 2.0 m. For both 

estimates we used one of six categories for 

percent cover: “0” (0%), “10” (1–20%), “30” 

(21–40%), “50” (41–60%), “70” (61–80%), and 

“90” (81–100%). 

Analysis

Using point-quarter data, we calculated mean 

density (number of stems/ha) for all species in 

each of the four height/size categories using 

the computer program Krebs (Krebs 1999). 

We collected these data to characterize gross 

vegetation characteristics around survey stations. 

In the event that future bird surveys detect 

marked changes in species or communities, 

the vegetation data reported in Appendix I will 

provide potential explanatory variables. 

Results

We found 141 species during the two years of 

the study: 105 species during VCP surveys, 

56 species during line-transect surveys, seven 

species during nocturnal surveys, and 100 species 

during incidental observations (Appendix C). We 

found 14 species that had not been previously 

recorded at the monument including: northern 

beardless tyrannulet, buff-breasted flycatcher, 

Bendire’s thrasher, yellow warbler, summer 

tanager, northern cardinal, and pyrrhuloxia. 

Species of concern (by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife 

Service) that we found were: peregrine falcon, 

Mexican spotted owl, buff-breasted flycatcher, 

and loggerhead shrike. Based on a summary of 

our data and the existing data for the monument 

by Fischer (2002) and the Monitoring Avian 

Productivity and Survivorship program (MAPS), 

there have been 190 species of birds confirmed to 

occur at the monument (Appendix C).

Repeat-visit VCP Transects

We found 92 species based on all observations 

from repeat-visit VCP transects (Appendix 

C); the most species occurred along the Lower 

Bonita Canyon transect (n = 76) and fewer along 

the Rhyolite Canyon transect (n = 63). We 

found 29 species on the Lower Bonita Canyon 

transect and 16 species at the Rhyolite Canyon 

transect that we did not find at stations along 

the other transect. Among the species that we 

found only at the Lower Bonita Canyon transect, 

there were many common species including: 

Cassin’s kingbird, house finch, canyon towhee, 

northern mockingbird, cactus wren, blackthroated sparrow, Gambel’s quail, and Lucy’s 

warbler. Although not completely absent from 

the Rhyolite Canyon transect, the white-winged 

dove, brown-headed cowbird, and ladder-backed 

woodpecker were far more common along the 

Lower Bonita Canyon transect. In general, 

these species are more typically associated 

with open upland and desert riparian vegetation 

communities. Species that we found only along 

the Rhyolite Canyon transect included the painted 

redstart, northern pygmy-owl, and Grace’s 

warbler. These species are primarily associated 

with pine-oak woodlands as are: white-breasted 

nuthatch, spotted towhee, black-headed grosbeak, 

and black-throated gray warbler, all of which 

were more common along the Rhyolite Canyon 

transect. Species that were similarly common 

along both transects included: ash-throated 
34

flycatcher, acorn woodpecker, canyon wren, 

plumbeous vireo, Hutton’s vireo, hepatic tanager, 

and Scott’s oriole. 

We were able to calculate relative abundance 

for 59 of the 76 species that we found along the 

Lower Bonita Canyon transect (Table 5.3). Each 

year there were 11 species that we did not record 

within 75 m of the transect stations that were 

recorded on the other year. Mostly these were 

uncommon species that we only recorded a few 

times. The most abundant species, based on an 

average of both years, were Cassin’s kingbird, 

Bewick’s wren, and house finch. Among the 

most common species, we recorded interannual differences in relative abundance for 

mourning and white-winged doves, dusky-capped 

flycatcher, Cassin’s kingbird, brown-headed 

cowbird, and house finch. All of these species 

had higher mean relative abundance estimates in 

2004 than in 2003 (see below for additional interannual differences). 

We were able to calculate relative 

abundance for 45 of the 63 species that we 

observed along the Rhyolite Canyon transect: 29 

species in 2003 and 40 species in 2004 (Table 

5.3). The most common species, based on an 

average of both years, were the Mexican jay, 

dusky-capped flycatcher, Bewick’s wren, and 

black-throated gray warbler. Two of the most 

common species found in 2004 (bushtit and 

brown creeper) were not found in 2003 and the 

acorn woodpecker and dusky-capped flycatcher 

had higher relative abundance estimates in 2004 

than in 2003. 

Among all species for which we were able 

to calculate relative abundance, estimates were 

greater in 2004 (0.226 + 0.043) than in 2003 

(0.133 + 0.022) for the Lower Bonita Canyon 

transect (two-sample t-test, t96 = 1.916, P > 0.01) 

but were not different for the Rhyolite Canyon 

transect (2003 = 0.23 + 0.045; 2004 = 0.22 

+ 0.038; t

67 = 0.165, P = 0.87). Difference in 

relative abundance estimates may have been a 

reflection of differences in population sizes, but 

could also have more likely reflected observer 

differences. 

Reconnaissance VCP Transects

We found 69 species during visits to 

reconnaissance VCP transects in 2003 and 2004. 

Of these we were able to calculate relative 

abundance for 58 species (Table 5.4). The most 

widespread species, based on their presence at 

all or all but one transect, were: Mexican jay, 

bushtit, Bewick’s wren, black-throated gray 

warbler, hepatic tanager, and spotted towhee. 

The mean number of species per transect was 

24 Upper Bonita Canyon had the highest species 

richness (n = 35), though species richness and 

composition varied considerably within transects. 

For example, species richness at Whitetail Pass 

was nine in 2003 and 20 in 2004 (Table 5.4). 

Line-transect Surveys

We found 58 species during surveys along two 

line-transects (Table 5.5). We found 31 species 

along the Grama transect and 50 species along the 

Lower Bonita Canyon transect, though the survey 

effort was much greater on the Lower Bonita 

Canyon transect. The most common species 

along the Grama transect were the chipping 

sparrow, dark-eyed junco, white-crowned 

sparrow, and Mexican jay and the most common 

species along the Lower Bonita Canyon transect 

were the chipping sparrow, Gambel’s quail, and 

ruby-crowned kinglet (Table 5.5). Using this 

method we found six species that we did not find 

using any other survey method. 

Nocturnal Surveys

We found seven species during nocturnal surveys 

in 2002, 2003, and 2004 (Table 5.6). We found 

no species at the Rhyolite Canyon transect and 

one species (whip-poor-will; four observations) at 

the Upper Road transect. We found seven species 

(five owls and two nightjars) in 2003 on the Owl 

transect, although we also surveyed more during 

that year (Table 5.1). We found the whiskered 

screech-owl in all three years and it was among 

the most common species in 2003 (Table 5.6). 

The elf owl was the most common species in both 

years, and in 2004 we found an average of one 

individual per survey station.
35

Table 5.2. Number of observations (sum) and relative abundance (mean ± SE) of birds during repeatvisit VCP surveys, Lower Bonita Canyon transect, Chiricahua NM, 2003 and 2004. 

2003 (n = 39) 2004 (n = 56) 2003 and 2004

Species Sum Mean SE Sum Mean SE Mean

Gambel’s quail 6 0.15 0.113 5 0.09 0.059 0.12

Cooper’s hawk 3 0.08 0.057 0.03

white-winged dove 3 0.08 0.057 20 0.36 0.082 0.24

mourning dove 1 0.03 0.026 20 0.36 0.100 0.22

black-chinned hummingbird 2 0.05 0.036 7 0.13 0.051 0.09

broad-tailed hummingbird 9 0.16 0.056 0.09

acorn woodpecker 3 0.08 0.043 5 0.09 0.046 0.08

ladder-backed woodpecker 8 0.14 0.047 0.08

Arizona woodpecker 2 0.04 0.025 0.02

northern flicker 4 0.10 0.049 3 0.05 0.040 0.07

northern beardless-tyrannulet 3 0.08 0.043 0.03

western wood-pewee 2 0.05 0.036 27 0.48 0.088 0.31

gray flycatcher 2 0.05 0.036 0.02

Say’s phoebe 3 0.05 0.030 0.03

dusky-capped flycatcher 3 0.08 0.043 28 0.50 0.111 0.33

ash-throated flycatcher 9 0.23 0.078 23 0.41 0.107 0.34

Cassin’s kingbird 32 0.82 0.204 94 1.68 0.165 1.33

plumbeous vireo 4 0.10 0.049 12 0.21 0.055 0.17

Hutton’s vireo 2 0.05 0.036 6 0.11 0.049 0.08

warbling vireo 2 0.04 0.025 0.02

Mexican jay 12 0.31 0.161 21 0.38 0.131 0.35

bridled titmouse 14 0.36 0.140 5 0.09 0.046 0.20

juniper titmouse 4 0.07 0.035 0.04

verdin 4 0.10 0.049 0.04

bushtit 4 0.10 0.080 22 0.39 0.150 0.27

white-breasted nuthatch 1 0.03 0.026 2 0.04 0.025 0.03

brown creeper 3 0.08 0.043 0.03

cactus wren 9 0.23 0.068 13 0.23 0.088 0.23

rock wren 1 0.02 0.018 0.01

canyon wren 1 0.03 0.026 0.01

Bewick’s wren 24 0.62 0.094 64 1.14 0.118 0.93

house wren 2 0.04 0.025 0.02

ruby-crowned kinglet 4 0.10 0.049 3 0.05 0.030 0.07

American robin 1 0.03 0.026 4 0.07 0.035 0.05

northern mockingbird 3 0.08 0.043 11 0.20 0.069 0.15

Lucy’s warbler 1 0.03 0.026 11 0.20 0.069 0.13

yellow warbler 1 0.03 0.026 0.01

yellow-rumped warbler 10 0.26 0.102 2 0.04 0.025 0.13

black-throated gray warbler 11 0.28 0.082 15 0.27 0.074 0.27

Townsend’s warbler 1 0.03 0.026 0.01

Wilson’s warbler 3 0.08 0.043 1 0.02 0.018 0.04

hepatic tanager 5 0.13 0.066 23 0.41 0.084 0.29

summer tanager 2 0.05 0.036 4 0.07 0.035 0.06

green-tailed towhee 1 0.03 0.026 0.01

spotted towhee 7 0.18 0.062 1 0.02 0.018 0.08

canyon towhee 10 0.26 0.102 19 0.34 0.082 0.31

rufous-crowned sparrow 3 0.08 0.043 1 0.02 0.018 0.04

chipping sparrow 20 0.51 0.332 0.21

black-throated sparrow 2 0.05 0.051 8 0.14 0.047 0.11

gray-headed junco 3 0.08 0.057 0.03

northern cardinal 1 0.03 0.026 4 0.07 0.035 0.05

black-headed grosbeak 1 0.03 0.026 10 0.18 0.068 0.12

blue grosbeak 2 0.04 0.025 0.02

brown-headed cowbird 1 0.03 0.026 17 0.30 0.072 0.19

hooded oriole 1 0.02 0.018 0.01

Bullock’s oriole 9 0.16 0.056 0.09

Scott’s oriole 5 0.13 0.054 3 0.05 0.040 0.08

house finch 5 0.13 0.054 42 0.75 0.153 0.49

lesser goldfinch 4 0.10 0.080 7 0.13 0.051 0.12
36

Table 5.3. Number of observations (sum) and relative abundance (mean ± SE) of birds during 

repeat-visit VCP surveys, Rhyolite Canyon transect, Chiricahua NM, 2003 and 2004. 

2003 (n = 38) 2004 (n = 48) 2003 and 2004

Species Sum Mean SE Sum Mean SE Mean

Montezuma quail 1 0.03 0.026 0.01

band-tailed pigeon 1 0.03 0.026 0.01

mourning dove 6 0.16 0.060 1 0.02 0.021 0.08

northern pygmy-owl 1 0.02 0.021 0.01

black-chinned hummingbird 1 0.03 0.026 0.01

broad-tailed hummingbird 1 0.02 0.021 0.01

acorn woodpecker 1 0.03 0.026 13 0.27 0.083 0.16

ladder-backed woodpecker 1 0.02 0.021 0.01

Arizona woodpecker 7 0.18 0.091 17 0.35 0.076 0.28

northern flicker 4 0.11 0.050 9 0.19 0.064 0.15

olive-sided flycatcher 1 0.02 0.021 0.01

western wood-pewee 12 0.32 0.107 18 0.38 0.092 0.35

cordilleran flycatcher 1 0.02 0.021 0.01

dusky-capped flycatcher 14 0.37 0.096 50 1.04 0.302 0.74

ash-throated flycatcher 7 0.18 0.064 16 0.33 0.096 0.27

brown-crested flycatcher 2 0.04 0.029 0.02

sulphur-bellied flycatcher 4 0.08 0.040 0.05

plumbeous vireo 9 0.24 0.079 12 0.25 0.070 0.24

Hutton’s vireo 8 0.21 0.086 5 0.10 0.045 0.15

warbling vireo 2 0.05 0.037 1 0.02 0.021 0.03

Mexican jay 39 1.03 0.286 32 0.67 0.144 0.83

bridled titmouse 19 0.50 0.154 26 0.54 0.133 0.52

bushtit 14 0.29 0.160 0.16

white-breasted nuthatch 7 0.18 0.064 7 0.15 0.059 0.16

brown creeper 13 0.27 0.077 0.15

canyon wren 3 0.08 0.044 0.03

Bewick’s wren 21 0.55 0.111 33 0.69 0.104 0.63

house wren 1 0.02 0.021 0.01

ruby-crowned kinglet 10 0.26 0.082 1 0.02 0.021 0.13

blue-gray gnatcatcher 3 0.06 0.046 0.03

hermit thrush 2 0.04 0.029 0.02

American robin 14 0.37 0.109 19 0.40 0.077 0.38

Virginia’s warbler 1 0.03 0.026 1 0.02 0.021 0.02

yellow-rumped warbler 2 0.05 0.053 1 0.02 0.021 0.03

black-throated gray warbler 21 0.55 0.098 41 0.85 0.115 0.72

Grace’s warbler 6 0.16 0.060 0.07

Wilson’s warbler 1 0.02 0.021 0.01

red-faced warbler 1 0.02 0.021 0.01

painted redstart 3 0.08 0.044 4 0.08 0.040 0.08

hepatic tanager 2 0.05 0.037 22 0.46 0.089 0.28

western tanager 2 0.04 0.029 0.02

spotted towhee 12 0.32 0.093 12 0.25 0.063 0.28

black-headed grosbeak 6 0.16 0.071 16 0.33 0.075 0.26

brown-headed cowbird 4 0.08 0.040 0.05

Scott’s oriole 12 0.32 0.085 13 0.27 0.071 0.29

Incidental and Breeding Observations

We recorded observations of 100 species outside 

of formal surveys, 19 of which were not found 

during other survey methods (Appendix C). 

Species of note include: wild turkey, peregrine 

falcon, zone-tailed hawk, Mexican spotted 

owl, and buff-breasted flycatcher. We found 

evidence of nesting for 21 species, including the 

prairie falcon (Table 5.7). The most breeding 

observations were for the Mexican jay and 

hepatic tanager. 

General Vegetation Characteristics at Repeat-visit 

VCP Stations

We subjectively placed the two repeat-visit VCP 

transects in areas that we believed would have 

the highest species richness and had the easiest 

access: Bonita and Rhyolite canyons (Fig. 5.3 

see also Fig. 5.1 for aerial view). The Bonita 

Canyon transect incorporated elements of riparian 

vegetation such as Arizona sycamore and Arizona 

cypress. These species, along with some juniper 

and oak, provided a narrow band of vegetation 
37

Table 5.4. Mean relative abundance of birds observed during reconnaissance VCP surveys, by transect, 

Chiricahua NM, 2002–2004. 

Picket

Whitetail 

Pass

Upper 

Rhyolite 

Canyon

Natural Bridge 

Trail

Jesse 

James 

Canyon

Hunt 

Canyon

Upper Bonita

Canyon

Species 2003 2004 2003 2004 2003 2004 2003 2004 2003 2004 2003 2004 2002 2004

mourning dove 0.3 0.6 0.1 0.1

common ground-dove 0.2

northern pygmy-owl 0.1

broad-billed hummingbird 0.1

magnificent hummingbird 0.1 0.1

broad-tailed hummingbird 0.1 0.1 0.1

acorn woodpecker 0.7 0.1

ladder-backed woodpecker 0.1

hairy woodpecker 0.1 0.1 0.4

Arizona woodpecker 0.1 0.3 0.1 0.3

northern flicker 0.1 0.3 0.1

greater pewee 0.5

western wood-pewee 0.3 0.3 0.9 0.2 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.3

Say’s phoebe 0.1

dusky-capped flycatcher 0.2 0.4 0.1 0.2 0.4 0.4 0.3 0.1 0.8

ash-throated flycatcher 0.7 0.3 0.1 0.1 0.2 0.1 0.8 0.2

Cassin’s kingbird 0.3 0.2

plumbeous vireo 0.3 1.0 0.1 0.2 0.1

Hutton’s vireo 0.6 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.3 0.3 0.6 0.1

Steller’s jay 0.1 0.3

western scrub-jay 0.3 0.1

Mexican jay 1.3 0.7 0.4 1.0 0.8 0.1 0.5 1.1 0.6 0.6 0.6

Mexican chickadee 0.3

bridled titmouse 0.4 0.3 0.3 0.3 0.1 0.2 0.5 0.6 1.6 0.3

juniper titmouse 0.1 0.1

bushtit 0.3 0.3 0.7 0.7 0.5 0.5 0.3 0.3 0.4 0.1 0.8

red-breasted nuthatch 0.1

white-breasted nuthatch 0.3 0.1 0.2 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.6 0.4

brown creeper 0.3 0.4 0.1 0.1

rock wren 0.1 0.4

canyon wren 0.3 0.1

Bewick’s wren 1.1 0.7 0.2 0.9 0.1 0.3 0.8 0.8 0.2 1.0 0.1 0.3 0.4 1.2

ruby-crowned kinglet 0.1 0.1 0.4 0.1

blue-gray gnatcatcher 0.1

Townsend’s solitaire 0.3

hermit thrush 0.3 0.1 0.1 0.1

American robin 0.1 0.3 0.1 0.1

crissal thrasher 0.1

orange-crowned warbler 0.1

yellow-rumped warbler 0.6

black-throated gray warbler 0.4 0.4 0.3 0.8 0.6 0.5 0.3 0.1 0.1 1.0

Grace’s warbler 0.4 0.1 0.1 0.3 0.1 0.4

red-faced warbler 0.3 0.6

painted redstart 0.2 0.1 0.6 0.2 0.1 0.3 0.3

hepatic tanager 0.3 0.1 0.3 0.2 0.5 0.2 0.6 0.9 0.1 0.3

western tanager 0.1

spotted towhee 0.4 0.5 0.1 0.3 0.8 0.3 0.3 0.5 0.4 0.3 0.8 0.1

canyon towhee 0.1 0.1

rufous-crowned sparrow 0.3 0.1 0.1 0.3 0.1

black-throated sparrow 0.3 0.1

dark-eyed junco 1.0

yellow-eyed junco 0.3 0.1 0.1 0.1

black-headed grosbeak 0.1 0.4 0.3 0.3 0.6 0.5 0.5 0.1 0.1 0.4

brown-headed cowbird 0.1 0.4 0.1 0.1

Bullock’s oriole 0.1 0.2

Scott’s oriole 0.4 0.1 0.2 0.1 0.3 0.2

house finch 0.3 0.6

lesser goldfinch 0.1

Species richness by year 16 17 9 20 14 15 14 20 12 19 18 18 23 26

Species richness by site 28 22 20 25 23 27 35
38

Table 5.5. Total number of observations (sum) and relative abundance (mean + SE) of 

birds observed along line-transects, Chiricahua NM, 2002 and 2003. 

Grama (n = 12) Bonita (n = 32)

Species Sum Mean SE Sum Mean SE

Gambel’s quail 30 0.94 0.592

Montezuma quail 1 0.08 0.083

northern harrier 1 0.03 0.031

red-tailed hawk 3 0.25 0.131 1 0.03 0.031

golden eagle 1 0.08 0.083

prairie falcon 1 0.03 0.031

mourning dove 1 0.08 0.083

acorn woodpecker 3 0.09 0.069

Williamson’s sapsucker 1 0.03 0.031

red-naped sapsucker 5 0.16 0.079

ladder-backed woodpecker 2 0.17 0.112 4 0.13 0.074

hairy woodpecker 1 0.03 0.031

Arizona woodpecker 3 0.09 0.052

northern flicker 3 0.25 0.131 8 0.25 0.078

Say’s phoebe 1 0.03 0.031

Cassin’s kingbird 11 0.34 0.199

Hutton’s vireo 2 0.06 0.043

Mexican jay 18 1.50 1.077 16 0.50 0.211

common raven 3 0.09 0.069

mountain chickadee 4 0.33 0.256 12 0.38 0.228

bridled titmouse 2 0.17 0.167 20 0.63 0.367

verdin 1 0.08 0.083 1 0.03 0.031

bushtit 3 0.09 0.094

red-breasted nuthatch 1 0.03 0.031

white-breasted nuthatch 3 0.09 0.052

brown creeper 1 0.03 0.031

cactus wren 1 0.08 0.083 7 0.22 0.098

rock wren 2 0.17 0.112 4 0.13 0.059

canyon wren 1 0.08 0.083

Bewick’s wren 4 0.33 0.188 10 0.31 0.105

house wren 1 0.03 0.031

ruby-crowned kinglet 7 0.58 0.288 23 0.72 0.175

western bluebird 21 0.66 0.329

Townsend’s solitaire 4 0.33 0.142 1 0.03 0.031

American robin 3 0.25 0.131 2 0.06 0.043

crissal thrasher 1 0.08 0.083

phainopepla 4 0.33 0.188

hepatic tanager 3 0.09 0.052

spotted towhee 10 0.83 0.167 17 0.53 0.168

canyon towhee 5 0.42 0.149 19 0.59 0.155

rufous-crowned sparrow 1 0.08 0.083 13 0.41 0.126

chipping sparrow 120 10.00 5.742 69 2.16 1.311

Brewer’s sparrow 7 0.58 0.499

black-chinned sparrow 2 0.06 0.063

vesper sparrow 2 0.17 0.112 1 0.03 0.031

Lincoln’s sparrow 2 0.06 0.043

black-throated sparrow 2 0.17 0.112 11 0.34 0.188

white-crowned sparrow 18 1.50 1.077

dark-eyed junco 23 1.92 1.356 25 0.77 0.395

northern cardinal 1 0.03 0.031

pyrrhuloxia 1 0.03 0.031

western meadowlark 1 0.03 0.031

Cassin’s finch 1 0.03 0.031

house finch 1 0.08 0.083 15 0.47 0.294

pine siskin 21 0.66 0.625

lesser goldfinch 7 0.22 0.219
39

along the canyon bottom. The width and density 

of vegetation increased on the eastern half of 

the transect where all species of dominant plants 

increase in density (Table 5.8). The south-facing 

slopes and open areas to the south along Bonita 

Canyon had a variety of scattered shrubs such 

as Schott’s yucca, Apache plume, and catclaw 

mimosa (Appendix I). The transect ends near 

the western-most station of the Rhyolite Canyon 

transect which has much higher density of pine 

and oaks than the Bonita Canyon transect (Table 

5.8). Rhyolite Canyon is narrower and more 

steep sided than Bonita Canyon. In general, 

the dense overstory vegetation precluded the 

establishment of shrubs and subshrubs in the 

understory. As a result, most of the plants in the 

understory were young pine and oak trees. 

Inventory Completeness 

Based on our surveys and a review of past studies 

and current projects, we believe that the inventory 

of birds that regularly use the monument is 

nearly complete. An examination of the species 

accumulation curve for our work indicates that 

our effort alone was not sufficient to document all 

of the species that occur at the monument, though 

the cumulative number of new species was 

Table 5.6. Total number of observations (sum) and relative abundance (mean ± SE) of birds 

observed during nocturnal surveys, Owl transect, Chiricahua NM, 2002–2004. 

2002 (n = 4) 2003 (n = 31) 2004 (n = 24)

Species Sum Mean SE Sum Mean SE Sum Mean SE

barn owl 1 0.03 0.032

western screech-owl 2 0.50 0.500 6 0.19 0.086 1 0.04 0.042

whiskered screech-owl 1 0.25 0.250 10 0.32 0.108 3 0.13 0.069

northern pygmy-owl 2 0.06 0.045 4 0.17 0.098

elf owl 12 0.39 0.120 21 0.88 0.184

common poorwill 7 0.23 0.089 12 0.50 0.147

whip-poor-will 5 0.16 0.067 4 0.17 0.098

Table 5.7. Number of observations for each breeding behavior for birds, from all survey types, Chiricahua NM, 2003 

and 2004. Breeding behaviors follow standards set by NAOAC (1990). 

Nest Adults carrying Other

Species Building

With 

eggs

With 

young Occupied Food

Nesting 

material

Distraction 

displays

Feeding 

recently 

fledged 

young

Recently 

fledged 

young Totals

prairie falcon 1 1

black-chinned hummingbird 1 3 1 5

broad-tailed hummingbird 1 1 2

Arizona woodpecker 1 1

western wood-pewee 1 1 2

dusky-capped flycatcher 1 1 2

ash-throated flycatcher 2 1 3

Cassin’s kingbird 2 1 3

plumbeous vireo 1 1 2

Mexican jay 3 3 1 1 1 9

bridled titmouse 3 1 4

bushtit 1 1 1 3

white-breasted nuthatch 1 1

Bewick’s wren 3 1 4

Virginia’s warbler 1 1

black-throated gray warbler 1 1 2

painted redstart 1 1 1 3

hepatic tanager 3 4 7

yellow-eyed junco 1 1

black-headed grosbeak 1 1 2

Scott’s oriole 1 2 1 4

Totals 13 3 5 6 18 3 3 9 2 62
40

A B

C D

Figure 5.3. Photographs of bird survey stations along both repeat-visit VCP transects: Bonita Canyon (A and B) 

and Rhyolite Canyon (C and D). Photo A is looking east from station number 3; B is looking west from station number 5; C 

is looking north from station number 4; and D is looking east from station number 6. See Fig. 5.1 for location of stations. 

approaching an asymptote (Fig. 5.4). Despite 

a considerable review of existing information 

from the monument and his own field notes, the 

list by Fischer (2002) was incomplete; we found 

14 species that were not on his list (Appendix 

C). The MAPS program also found two species 

(Lucifer and calliope hummingbirds) that were 

not on Fischer’s list. Some of the species that 

we found to be “new” to the monument, such as 

mountain chickadee, verdin, Lucy’s warbler, and 

northern cardinal, were not uncommon during our 

surveys, indicating that, prior to this effort, there 

had been inadequate research at the monument 

from which a fairly comprehensive species list 

could be created. 

Because birds are highly mobile animals, it 

is almost impossible to compile a truly complete 

list of birds, especially for a place like the 

Chiricahua Mountains, which is well known 

for rare species that seldom enter the U.S. from 

Mexico. Because of the variety of vegetation 

communities at the monument, and in Bonita 

Canyon in particular, we believe that rare bird 

species will be added to the list for many years to 

come. 

Discussion

Based on our research and that by others, 

Chiricahua NM has a fairly diverse bird 

community. This diversity results from two main 

factors. First, the Chiricahua Mountains have 

one of the highest diversities of landbirds of any 

area in the United States; many species that are 

found there have their northern-most distribution 

in this and nearby mountain ranges. Most of 

these species are associated with vegetation 

communities, such as the Madrean pine-oak 

woodlands, found primarily in Mexico. The 

monument’s location at the northern edge of 

this Madrean biogeographical province ensures 

that rare species, such as Lucifer, white-eared, 

and violet-crowned hummingbirds, and elegant 
41

and eared trogons, are not uncommon visitors to 

the monument. The second factor determining 

the diversity of birds at the monument is 

the variety of biotic communities within the 

monument itself: from semi-desert grasslands 

in the northeastern corner to the pine and 

coniferous forests in the southeastern corner of 

the monument. The diversity of major vegetation 

communities and the variety and gradient of 

topographic features are major determinants of 

bird diversity in the southwest and elsewhere 

(e.g., Strong and Bock 1990).

Though they shared some similarities, 

differences in bird communities were pronounced 

between the two repeat-visit VCP transects, 

which are in close proximity to each other 

(Table 5.2, 5.3). These differences reflected the 

dominant vegetation of the areas: desert riparian 

and desert scrub along Lower Bonita Canyon 

and pine-oak woodland along Rhyolite Canyon. 

Although many environmental factors influence 

bird communities, vegetation characteristics are 

one of the most important predictors of avian 

community structure (James 1971). Important 

vegetation characteristics include vertical 

structure (Cody 1981), horizontal patchiness 

(Roth 1976, Kotliar and Weins 1990), and 

floristics (Rice et al. 1984, Strong and Bock 

1990). The changes in these resources at the 

monument are exemplified in the gradient from 

the tree-lined Bonita Canyon at the western 

end of the Lower Bonita Canyon transect, 

to closed-canopy pine-oak woodland along 

Rhyolite Canyon transect (Table 5.8, Fig. 5.3). 

Similarly, the bird communities reflected these 

differences. Species typical of desert riparian or 

scrub communities include the abundant Cassin’s 

kingbird, house finch, white-winged dove, canyon 

towhee, cactus wren, black-throated sparrow, 

and Gambel’s quail. The Rhyolite Canyon 

transect was dominated by species typical of oak 

woodland community: dusky-capped flycatcher, 

white-breasted nuthatch, black-throated gray 

warbler, painted redstart, and black-headed 

grosbeak. Many of the reconnaissance transects 

were in high-elevation pine woodlands and we 

found species commonly associated with those 

communities such as hairy woodpecker, greater 

pewee, Steller’s jay, Mexican chickadee, redbreasted nuthatch, red-faced warbler, and western 

tanager (Table 5.4). 

The semi-desert grassland vegetation 

community is represented in the northwestern 

corner of the monument. This area has likely 

undergone one of the most dramatic changes in 

vegetation structure of any area of the monument, 

and these changes have likely affected the bird 

community. The principal reasons for these 

Table 5.8. Mean density (stems/ha) of the most common tree species at each station along the two repeat-visit VCP 

transects, Chiricahua NM, 2004. Data summarized from Appendix I. Density derived from individuals observed in the “tree” 

and “potential cavity-nesting” categories from point-quarter sampling. Only species with >5 individuals per station are included 

in this summary. 

Tree species Transect 

(canyon) Station

Arizona 

madrone

Arizona 

cypress

velvet 

mesquite

Arizona 

walnut

alligator 

juniper

Chihuahuan 

pine

ponderosa 

pine

Arizona 

sycamore

Arizona 

white oak

Emory 

oak

silverleaf 

oak

Bonita 1 4.5 1.4 6.5 11.8 0.8

2 2.5 5.0 3.6 6.3 6.0 2.0 5.0

3 25.0 26.4 67.5 11.9 19.1

4 9.3 3.4 1.8 6.3 1.1 1.3

5 8.5 61.5 55.1

6 24.4 70.3 31.3 42.5

7 32.0 6.4 9.3 37.9 6.4 8.1 27.3

8 28.2 2.9 1.4 41.3 5.3 5.3 24.6

Rhyolite 1 91.6 81.9 7.6 7.6 28.6 38.2

2 12.0 29.7 25.8 21.7 51.6 53.5 12.0

3 8.2 33.0 20.3 20.3 8.8 33.0 12.1 39.5

4 179.5 118.4 31.8 123.5 91.6 91.6

5 60.7 7.3 75.3 482.0 684.7 250.1

6 4.9 2.5 2.5 63.3 28.2 143.7 115.8

7 29.8 14.9 18.2 72.8 161.6

8 26.5 20.2 6.2 25.7 95.2
42

0 10 20 30 40

Cumulative number of species

0

20

40

60

80

100

120

140

160

All survey methods and seasons

VCP surveys

Line-transect surveys

Sample period

Figure 5.4. Species accumulation curves for bird surveys, Chiricahua NM, 2002–2004. Each 

sample period for “all survey methods” and “VCP surveys” consists of randomized batches of 100 

observations. The batch size for line-transect surveys is 10 observations. 

changes are that non-native Lehmann lovegrass 

has replaced native grass species, and velvet 

mesquite has become widespread. Since its 

introduction in the 1930s, Lehmann lovegrass 

has spread to occupy more than 400,000 ha in 

southern Arizona, with little indication that its 

spread is complete (E. L. Geiger, unpublished 

data). Initial studies indicate that relative 

abundance of birds and other taxa in these semidesert grasslands is lower in areas dominated by 

non-native grasses (Bock et al. 1986). The native 

velvet mesquite has also increased in density and 

distribution in southeastern Arizona since the late 

1800s, primarily due to disruption of historical 

fire regimes and overgrazing (Humphrey 

1974, Brown 1994, Van Auken 2000). This 

encroachment has taken place at the monument 

and this has likely changed the bird community. 

The loss of native semi-desert grasslands 

(including the invasion of non-native grasses 

and its conversion to mesquite woodland) has 

been identified as a primary factor in population 

declines of grassland birds as a group (Herkert 

1994, Knopf 1994, Peterjohn and Sauer 1999), 

including: Botteri’s, Cassin’s, and grasshopper 

sparrows. We found none of these species in the 

monument, though they have been found there in 

the past (Appendix C). 

 Montane forest birds of the southwestern 
43

their preferred habitat (Conway and Kirkpatrick 

2001). With the increased use of fire to restore 

the pine-oak woodland in the monument, there 

may be a population increase in some species, 

such as the buff-breasted flycatcher, that prefer an 

open understory. 

One of the most important resources for 

birds is the sycamore trees that line Bonita 

Canyon. Although we did not measure resources 

being used by birds at the monument, we found 

a number of species that have been known to 

prefer sycamore trees for nesting including 

Cassin’s kingbird, summer tanager, and lesser 

goldfinch. Research on bird communities in the 

southwest U.S. has consistently shown that areas 

with riparian trees have bird communities that 

are more diverse than adjacent sites (Carothers 

et al. 1974, Szaro and Jakle 1985, Strong and 

Bock 1990). This is due, in part, to the variety 

of microhabitats that riparian vegetation provide 

for nesting (Powell and Steidl 2002), cover, and 

foraging. Riparian trees provide an abundance 

of nest substrates for primary- (i.e., primarily 

woodpeckers) and secondary-cavity-nesting 

species (e.g., elegant trogon, Lucy’s warbler, and 

Bewick’s wren). 
44
45

Previous Research

The inventory of mammals at the monument is 

nearly complete. Duncan (1990) conducted a 

comprehensive inventory of small mammals, 

which also included sightings of medium and 

large mammals. More recently, Krebbs (2005) 

completed surveys for bats. Koprowski (2004) 

surveyed for medium and large mammals using 

infrared-triggered cameras. We summarize the 

findings of these studies in Appendix D.

Methods 

We surveyed for mammals using three field 

methods: (1) live trapping for small terrestrial, 

nocturnal mammals (primarily rodents, herein 

referred to as “small mammals”), (2) infraredtriggered (Trailmaster) cameras for medium and 

large mammals, and (3) incidental observations 

for all mammals. 

Spatial Sampling Designs

We trapped small mammals at six plots (01, 05, 

06, 09, 10, and 11) in areas previously trapped 

by Duncan (1990) and five additional plots (02, 

03, 04, 07, and 08) in areas that had been trapped 

previously. These areas included low-elevation 

riparian areas, semi-desert grasslands (to find 

northern pygmy mouse) and rocky slopes with 

oak–juniper vegetation (to find rock pocket 

mouse) (Fig. 6.1). We chose the location of plots 

non-randomly to document as many species as 

possible. We subjectively placed Trailmaster 

cameras in areas that appeared to have increased 

animal activity, usually near riparian areas. 

Chapter 6: Mammal Inventory

Small Mammal Trapping

Field Methods

We trapped small mammals at Chiricahua NM 

in 2002 (Table 6.1). We used Sherman® live 

traps (large, folding aluminum or steel, 3 x 3.5 x 

9”; H. B. Sherman, Inc., Tallahassee, FL) set in 

grids with 15-m-spacing among traps arranged 

in configurations of five rows and five columns 

(except one plot [05] with one row of five traps 

and one plot [06] with five rows of 10 traps). 

We opened and baited (one tablespoon; 16 parts 

dry oatmeal to one part peanut butter) traps in 

the evening then checked and closed traps the 

following morning. We placed a small amount 

of polyester batting in each trap to prevent 

mortality from the cold. We marked each 

captured animal with a semi-permanent marker 

to facilitate recognition; these “batch marks” 

appeared to last for the duration of the sampling 

period (one to three days). For each animal we 

recorded species, sex, age class (adult, subadult, 

or juvenile), reproductive condition, weight, and 

measurements for right-hind foot, tail, ear, head, 

and body. For males, we recorded reproductive 

condition as either scrotal or non-reproductive. 

For females, we recorded reproductive condition 

as one or more of the following: non-reproducing, 

open pubis, closed pubis, enlarged nipples, small 

nipples, lactating, post lactating, or not lactating. 

Effort

We trapped 11 plots in 2002 for a total of 687 trap 

nights. The number of trap nights varied by plot 

(Table 6.1; see Analysis section below).

Table 6.1. Summary of small-mammal trapping effort, by plot, Chiricahua NM, 2002.

Community type Plot no. Nights of trapping Traps per night Sprung traps Trap nights

Riparian 01 4 25 29 85.5

09 2 25 15 42.5

Rocky Slope 02 4 25 38 81.0

10 2 25 23 38.5

11 1 25 21 14.5

Semi-desert Grassland 03 4 25 25 87.5

04 2 25 9 45.5

05 1 5 2 4.0

06 4 50 122 139.0

07 3 25 12 69.0

08 4 25 40 80.0
46

Analysis

We calculated relative abundance by plot and 

sampling period (i.e., one to four trapping nights 

at each plot) by dividing the number of captures 

by the number of trap nights (number of traps 

multiplied by number of nights they were open) 

after accounting for sprung traps (misfired or 

occupied; Beauvais and Buskirk 1999). Sprung 

traps reduce trap effort because they are no longer 

“available” to capture animals; we account for 

this by multiplying the number of sprung traps 

by 0.5 (lacking specific information, we estimate 

sprung traps were available for half of the night; 

Figure 6.1. Locations of small-mammal trapping plots and Trailmaster cameras, Chiricahua NM, 2002 and 2003.

Nelson and Clark 1973). We provide summaries 

of trapping effort for each plot.

Trailmaster Cameras

Field Methods

We used infrared-triggered cameras 

(Trailmaster®; model 1500, Goodman and 

Associates, Inc, Lenexa, KS; Kucera and Barrett 

1993) to record the presence of medium and large 

mammals. Trailmasters have three components: 

receiver, transmitter, and camera (Fig. 6.2). 

The transmitter sends an infrared beam to the 
47

receiver at a specified rate (five times per second 

for this study). The receiver then sends a signal 

(via cable) to a camera mounted on a tripod 6–8 

m away. When an animal blocks the infrared 

beam, the camera takes a picture. We placed 

the receiver and transmitter approximately 20 

cm above the ground to ensure that medium and 

large mammals were captured on film but smaller 

animals, such as rodents and birds, were avoided. 

We cleared vegetation from the area to avoid 

disruption of the infrared beam. We set cameras 

to take no more than one photograph every five 

minutes to reduce the chances of recording the 

same individual more than once on the same 

occasion. We placed cameras in areas that would 

capture the most species and highest numbers of 

animals, typically along animal trails and near 

water. We baited camera sites with a commercial 

scent lure (ingredients included synthetic 

catnip oil, bobcat musk, beaver castorium, and 

propylene glycol as a preservative) or canned cat 

food. We checked cameras approximately every 

two weeks to change film and batteries and to 

ensure their proper function. We photographed 

a placard documenting the date and camera 

location on the first exposure of every new roll of 

film. 

Effort

We placed Trailmaster cameras at six sites 

throughout the monument (Whitetail Creek, 

Whitetail Pass, Newton Canyon, Bonita Creek, 

Picket Canyon, and Massai Point; Fig. 6.1). The 

number of days that each camera was in operation 

ranged from 20 to 80 days (mean = 28 ± 23 [SD]; 

Table 6.2) for a total of 284 days of operation. 

We operated two cameras simultaneously in 2002 

and 2003. 

Analysis

Infrared-triggered cameras are the most costeffective and definitive method for recording 

the presence of medium and large mammal 

species (Kucera and Barrett 1993, Cutler and 

Swann 1999). However, one drawback to this 

method is an inability to distinguish among most 

individuals, which precludes unbiased estimates 

of abundance (i.e., one must attempt to determine 

if one animal has been photographed repeatedly 

or a new individual is in each photo). Notable 

exceptions are species with distinctive markings 

that can be differentiated among individuals, 

such as bobcats (Heilbrun et al. 2003). We were 

not able to use size or physical abnormality to 

differentiate individuals. Therefore, we report the 

number of times a species was photographed. 

Receiver Transmitter 

(1) Animal blocks infrared beam 

from getting to receiver 

(2) Receiver

triggers

camera to 

take picture Infrared beam Camera

Receiver Transmitter 

(1) Animal blocks infrared beam 

from getting to receiver 

(2) Receiver

triggers

camera to 

take picture Infrared beam Camera

Figure 6.2. Diagram of Trailmaster camera set-up. Image based on Swann et al. (2004).
48

Incidental Observations

As with other taxa, we recorded UTM 

coordinates of mammal sightings. Observers 

from all field crews (e.g., bird crew as well as 

mammal crew) recorded mammal sightings and 

signs such as identifiable tracks or scat, and took 

vouchers photographs when possible. 

Results

We observed or documented 34 mammal species 

in the monument in 2002, 2003, and 2004 

(Appendix D), including two species that were 

new to the monument (rock pocket mouse and 

northern pygmy mouse). We observed the most 

species (n = 15) via both incidental observations 

and small mammal trapping and twelve species 

with Trailmaster cameras. We documented one 

non-native species (house mouse) at two plots 

on the westernmost boundary of the monument 

(Appendix J). We documented four species 

of concern: rock pocket mouse, cactus mouse, 

Mexican fox squirrel, and yellow-nosed cotton rat 

(Appendix D).

Small-mammal Trapping

We trapped 15 species in 687 trap nights at 

the monument (Table 6.3). We found the most 

species (n = 12) in the semi-desert grassland plots 

compared to the rocky slope (n = 4) and riparian 

(n = 3) plots. The brush mouse was the most 

Community type

Semi-desert 

grassland Riparian Rocky slope

Species n RA n RA n RA

silky pocket mouse 8 1.9 1 0.8

rock pocket mouse 4 3.0

hispid pocket mouse 24 5.6

Merriam’s kangaroo rat 4 0.9

Plains harvest mouse 1 0.2

cactus mouse 1 0.7

deer mouse or white-footed mouse 1 0.2

brush mouse 11 2.6 6 4.7 9 6.7

northern rock mouse 2 1.5

northern pygmy mouse 2 0.5

southern grasshopper mouse 4 0.9

western white-throated woodrat 3 0.7 1 0.8

yellow-nosed cotton rat 7 1.6

Arizona cotton rat 10 2.4

house mouse 4 0.9

Table 6.3. Total number of small mammals trapped (n) and percent relative abundance (RA), by community 

type, Chiricahua NM, 2002. Data summaries are for all plots, visits, and trap nights within each community type. 

See Appendix J for additional trapping results by plot and visit. See Table 6.1 for trapping effort by plot. 

Table 6.2. Summary of Trailmaster camera effort, Chiricahua NM, 2002 and 2003.

General Location Camera name Year Start date End date Number of Days Open

Bonita Creek CHIR4 2003 10 Feb 12 Feb 2

2003 18 Feb 14 Mar 24

2003 19 Mar 9 Apr 21

Whitetail Creek CHIR1 2002 12 Oct 2 Dec 51

2002 5 Dec 15 Dec 10

Newton Canyon CHIR3 2002-2003 27 Dec 16 Jan 20

Picket Canyon CHIR6 2003 7 May 26 Jul 80

Whitetail Pass CHIR2 2002 21 Nov 4 Dec 13

2002-2003 27 Dec 4 Feb 39

Massai Point CHIR 8 2003 19 Aug 12 Sep 24
49

abundant species on the monument and we found 

it in all communities (Appendix J). The hispid 

pocket mouse was the most common species 

in the semi-desert grassland plots and was not 

documented in any other community type. Three 

species (rock pocket mouse, cactus mouse and 

northern rock mouse) were only found on rocky 

slope plots. Based on presence across plots, the 

brush mouse and silky pocket mouse were the 

most widespread; they were found at four of the 

11 plots (Appendix J). The hispid pocket mouse 

and southern grasshopper mouse were the next 

most widespread; they were found on three plots. 

All other species were found on two or fewer 

plots.

We found no species on two plots (04 and 

09) and as many as nine species on a single night 

of trapping at one plot (06). The most species 

that we found on a plot was 10 (plot 06), though 

this was over four nights and 186.5 trap nights. 

Not accounting for the differences in trapping 

effort among plots, the mean number of species 

trapped per plot was 2.7 ± 0.82 (SE). 

We trapped one animal in the semi-desert 

grassland community that was identified as 

either being a deer mouse or a white-footed 

mouse (Table 6.3). Both of these species occur 

at the monument (Duncan 1990), but they are 

difficult to differentiate. Because the animal was 

not vouchered, we could not make a positive 

identification. 

Medium and Large Mammals

We took 102 photographs of 12 species of 

mammals in 284 days of Trailmaster camera 

operation. The most frequently photographed 

species were the common gray fox, desert 

cottontail, and striped skunk (Table 6.4). Because 

many of the most frequently photographed 

species had many consecutive photographs 

on the same roll of film, these species may be 

less common than the number of photographs 

indicates.

The number of photographs from each 

site ranged from five (CHIR3 and CHIR8) to 37 

(CHIR4; Table 6.4). The camera at Bonita Creek 

had the highest number of species (n = 11). The 

Newton Canyon and Massai Point cameras had 

the lowest number of species (n = 3 each).

Although eastern and desert cottontails 

have been documented at the monument (Maza 

1965, Hoffmeister 1986, Duncan 1990), we 

could not differentiate these species from our 

photographs. According to Hoffmeister (1986), 

desert cottontails do not occur in ponderosa-fir 

forest or higher. We photographed cottontails at 

elevations up to 2073 m in ponderosa pine–mixed 

conifer association (CHIR8) and down to 1524 

m in the semi-desert grasslands (CHIR4). Based 

on the elevations and community types in which 

photographs of cottontails were taken, we assume 

that we documented both species of cottontails.

Table 6.4. Number of photographs of mammals from Trailmaster cameras, by camera 

number, Chiricahua NM, 2002 and 2003. See Table 6.2 for survey effort. 

Camera

Species CHIR1 CHIR2 CHIR3 CHIR4 CHIR6 CHIR8

Total Number of 

Photographs

ringtail 2 3 5

unknown skunk 3 1 4

striped skunk 1 1 7 2 11

hooded skunk 1 1 2

white-backed hog-nosed skunk 1 1 2

coyote 1 1 2

common gray fox 19 5 2 10 1 1 38

mountain lion 1 2 3

bobcat 2 2

eastern cottontail 3 3

desert cottontail 1 4 18 23

collared peccary 1 3 4

unknown deer 1 1

white-tailed deer 2 2
50

Incidental Observations

We recorded 71 observations of 15 species 

outside of formal surveys and observed six 

species that we did not find during any other 

survey method: white-nosed coati, cliff 

chipmunk, Mexican fox squirrel, rock squirrel, 

American black bear, and an unknown desert 

shrew (identifiable to species only by DNA tests, 

found in pitfall traps set out for amphibians and 

reptiles). 

Voucher Specimens and Photographs 

We collected 10 voucher specimens representing 

nine species including one species of bat 

(California myotis; Appendix G). We collected 

many of these specimens during the course of 

fieldwork (e.g., small mammal trapping). Others 

were found as bones; sometimes bones served 

as the sole documentation of a species, as in 

the case of the California myotis. We collected 

photographs of 14 species from Trailmaster 

cameras and other incidental photo vouchers 

(Appendix G).

Inventory Completeness

Based on a list of species that have either been 

previously observed or are likely in the area 

(Appendices D and F), we believe that we and 

others (Duncan 1990, Koprowski 2004, and 

Krebbs 2005) have recorded or documented 

almost all of the mammals (68 species) that 

could occur in the monument. The monument 

has one of the most complete inventories of any 

park unit in the Sonoran Desert Network. Yet 

our effort alone was insufficient for reaching 

the 90% species goal. To assess completeness 

of our inventory effort, we address each group 

separately. 

Small Mammals

Based on the species accumulation curve, it 

appears that we recorded most species that 

were present in the areas trapped (Fig. 6.3). 

However, based on number of species previously 

documented that we did not find (e.g., eight 

species by Duncan [1990]; Appendix D), we 

did not reach the 90% species goal for small 

mammals. Assuming these species are still 

present at the monument, they represent a 

substantial portion of the rodent community of 

the monument. 

Medium and Large Mammals

We believe we recorded most of the common 

medium and large mammals, though the species 

accumulation curve shows little sign of leveling 

off (Fig. 6.3). We did not find three species that 

have been recorded by other studies: northern 

raccoon, black-tailed jackrabbit, and American 

badger (Appendix D). 

List of Possible Species

There are nine species of mammals that have not 

been documented but that may occur within the 

monument: 

•	 Arizona shrew has been documented in 

the Chiricahua Mountains (Hoffmeister 

1986), however, if it were to be found at the 

monument it would most likely be found 

near the eastern boundary of the monument 

in high-elevation grasslands (meadows) 

near water.

•	 Long-tailed weasel has been documented 

south of the monument (Hoffmeister 1986) 

and is typically found in mountainous areas 

where there is available surface water. 

•	 Western spotted skunk has been 

documented near the monument 

(Hoffmeister 1986) and is likely to occur 

there. 

•	 Harris’s antelope squirrel has been 

documented south of the monument 

(Hoffmeister 1986) but prefers saltbushcreosote-bursage desert with rocky soils, 

which is not present in the monument. If 

present, it would likely occur on the extreme 

western boundary.

	 •	 Mule deer are found mostly in semidesert grasslands and chaparral and are 

suspected of being present at the monument 

(Duncan 1990). If present, they will most 

likely be found on the western portion of the 

monument.

•	 Three species of rodents, Sonoran Desert 

pocket mouse, Bailey’s pocket mouse, 

and banner-tailed kangaroo rat, are 

thought to occur at the monument during 

peak population years in the semi-desert 

grasslands (Duncan 1990). All three have 
51

Sample period

0 5 10 15 20 25 30

Cumulative number of species

0

5

10

15

20

Small mammals

Medium and large mammals

Figure 6.3. Species accumulation curve for mammal surveys, Chiricahua NM, 2002 and 2003. Each sample period 

represents one visit to one plot or camera site.

been found at nearby Fort Bowie National 

Historic Site (see citations in Powell et al. 

2005b).

•	 Porcupine has been observed at Fort Bowie 

National Historic Site (Swann et al. 2001) 

and Duncan (1990) believed they occurred in 

the monument. There is evidence showing 

that this species is experiencing a range-wide 

decline in abundance and distribution (Don 

Swann, pers. comm.).

•	 Jaguar has been documented within the 

monument by a specimen that was collected 

in 1912 from Bonita Canyon (Brown 2001, 

Cahalane 1939). This very rare species 

has been documented in the region in the 

last 10 years and may possibly occur at the 

monument. 

Discussion

Extensive inventory work by our effort and others 

(Hoffmeister 1986, Duncan 1990, Koprowski 

2004, and Krebbs 2005), has documented that 

Chiricahua National Monument has the highest 

mammal species richness of any park unit in 

the Sonoran Desert Network. There are several 

reasons for this extraordinary richness. First, the 

monument lies at the confluence of Chihuahuan 

and Sonoran Deserts, and has influences from 

the Madrean and Rocky Mountain ecological 

provinces. Because it is at the edge of so many 

biogeographic zones, the monument has mammal 

species that are typical of those areas. 

 Although each species has different 

habitat requirements, there are some important 

resources in the monument that are responsible 

for high species richness for some groups. The 

semi-desert grassland plant community, on the 

western edge of the monument, contained more 

than twice as many small mammal species as 

any other community in the monument (Table 

6.3). Semi-desert grasslands are known to 

support more species of rodents than any other 

community in the region, primarily because 

forbs and grasses are especially dense there and 

rodents require these for food and cover (Price 

1978, Stamp and Ohmart 1979, Hoffmeister 

1986, Sureda and Morrison 1999). Although the 

semi-desert grasslands had the most species, the 

other communities also contributed to the species 

richness of the monument, particularly species 

that require rocky slopes. Species richness of 

bats is also high at the monument; 20 species 

have been documented in the last few years 

(Appendix D). Most insectivorous bats use the 
52

small areas of open water in Bonita Canyon to 

drink and forage and (presumably) the extensive 

rock formations throughout the monument 

to roost and breed. Bonita Canyon is also an 

important area for medium and large mammals 

(Table 6.4).

 Urbanization of natural areas is having a 

negative impact on native terrestrial mammal 

communities and populations throughout the 

region (e.g., Powell et al. 2004) either because 

of direct mortality from roads and hunting or 

harassment by humans and their pets (see Chapter 

7 for more information). Although some of 

these activities occur adjacent to the monument, 

they are not as extensive as in many other park 

units in the Sonoran Desert Network. Because 

the monument is almost completely surrounded 

by the Coronado National Forest and because 

much of the Chiricahua Mountains is largely 

undeveloped, the area provides some of the most 

unfragmented habitat in the region for wideranging species such as many of the medium and 

large mammals. 

Comparison with Duncan (1990)

A majority of our survey effort involved small 

mammal trapping at plots in the western portion 

of the monument (semi-desert grasslands), which 

produced high trap success for species such as the 

hispid pocket mouse, brush mouse, and Arizona 

cotton rat (Table 6.3). Although trap success 

was higher there compared to other community 

types, we did not find the western harvest mouse, 

fulvous harvest mouse and tawny-bellied cotton 

rat, which are normally found in semi-desert 

grassland areas and that were trapped by Duncan 

(1990). However, we did trap one new native 

species for the monument, the northern pygmy 

mouse, and one non-native species, the house 

mouse, on the semi-desert grassland plots. 

Although the rocky slope plots had lower 

trap success than the semi-desert grassland 

plots, they were productive in documenting the 

presence of three species found only on these 

plots: rock pocket mouse (new to monument), 

northern rock mouse and cactus mouse (Table 

6.3). Duncan (1990) trapped two species of small 

mammals common to rocky slopes - the piñon 

mouse and Mexican woodrat, both trapped in 

areas of the monument we did not trap. We did 

not find these species; they may be found with 

additional trapping effort (see Chapter 8).

Duncan (1990) reported that the brush 

mouse was the most widespread species at the 

monument. Our results concur; this species 

was found in every community type (Table 6.3). 

However, in semi-desert grassland community, 

Duncan found the cactus mouse and Ord’s 

kangaroo rat were the most common species. 

We did not find either of these species on the 

semi-desert grassland plots and we did not find 

the Ord’s kangaroo rat on any plot. This is of 

particular concern because both of these species 

were found in the same area by Duncan. The 

species that we found to be most common in the 

semi-desert grassland were the hispid pocket 

mouse, deer mouse, and western white-throated 

woodrat. Although Duncan found the deer 

mouse and western white-throated woodrat to 

be fairly common in semi-desert grasslands, 

the hispid pocket mouse was not common. The 

three species that Duncan found that we did not 

(western harvest mouse, fulvous harvest mouse, 

tawny-bellied cotton rat) were not common in 

his study. In the oak and juniper (rocky slope) 

community, our results concur with those of 

Duncan: the cactus mouse and brush mouse 

were common and the northern rock mouse was 

occasional. Finally, the cactus mouse was one of 

the most common species found during Duncan’s 

(1990) study; it was found in all community 

types that we sampled. However, we found only 

one individual of this species in the rocky slope 

community.

Comparison with Koprowski (2004)

It is difficult to compare the results of our 

Trailmaster camera periods with those of 

Koprowski (2004) because his report does 

not provide data by vegetation community 

or location. Using Trailmaster cameras, we 

documented four species that Koprowski did not 

(coyote, eastern cottontail, desert cottontail, and 

collared peccary) and Koprowski documented 

four species that we did not (Mexican fox 

squirrel, white-nosed coati, American black bear, 

and northern raccoon). We observed all but one 

of these species (northern raccoon) incidentally. 

Koprowski also used scent stations to record the 

presence of mammals. Using this survey method 

he recorded evidence of the coyote.
53

Extirpated Species

Two species have been extirpated from the area 

in and around Chiricahua NM: grizzly bear and 

Mexican gray wolf. The last grizzly bear in the 

region was likely killed in 1895 southeast of the 

Chiricahua Mountains (Cahalane 1939). The 

Mexican gray wolf is believed to be extirpated 

from the Chiricahua Mountains; however they 

do still occur south into Mexico and beginning 

in the 1990s they were reintroduced into eastern 

Arizona. Because of these reintroductions, it 

is possible that this species may occur at the 

monument in the future.
54
55

Chapter 7: Management Implications

Residential Development 

One of the most serious threats to the 

biological richness of the monument may be 

residential development outside the boundaries. 

Impacts from development of the semi-desert 

grasslands are likely to have the most impact 

on the terrestrial vertebrates through mortality 

from automobiles (Rosen and Lowe 1994, 

Trombulak and Frissell 2000, Cain et al. 2003). 

Fragmentation of land surrounding the monument 

may disrupt animal movement patterns and cause 

the loss of habitat for all vertebrates (e.g., Mills 

et al. 1989, Theobald et al. 1997), particularly 

larger mammals (Riley et al. 2003). Harassment 

of native wildlife from household pets is also a 

major problem and one of the leading causes of 

native vertebrate mortality (Coleman and Temple 

1993). 

Effects of Fire on Plants and Vertebrates

Fire is the most important natural event at the 

monument and it has important, and largely 

unknown, effects on all plant and vertebrate 

populations and communities there. Recognizing 

this, the monument has an active fire management 

plan that includes the use of prescribed fire to 

meet the management objective of returning 

natural fire regimes to some areas of the 

monument (NPS 2004). In areas of prescribed 

fires, monument personnel assess fuel loads and 

monitor changes in vegetation before and after 

burns. They also assess the potential impact of 

any prescribed fire on species that are protected 

under the Endangered Species Act, most notably 

the Mexican spotted owl. We applaud monument 

personnel on their use of fire as a restoration tool, 

but we believe that a more thorough investigation 

of vertebrate community response, in particular, 

would provide useful information. Facilitating 

research on the effects of fire on wildlife (e.g., 

Goode and Amarillo 2004) is a positive step 

and would be most helpful if were directed at 

understanding both a restored fire regime and 

at the effects of not emulating more natural fire 

regimes and having to deal with the associated 

severe fire activity that results from unnaturally 

long periods between fire events. Because the 

monument is so small, the management of plant 

communities and vertebrates would be helped 

by a landscape perspective. In dealing with 

management issues that relate to fire, plant 

community types, and wide ranging animals and 

their habitat needs, many benefits can be gained 

by working collaboratively with surrounding 

managers. The monument may want to look to 

the Huachuca Firescape project as a model to 

follow.

Visitor Impacts

Chiricahua NM receives about 80,000 visitors 

a year and the number of visitors is expected to 

continue to increase. As the number of visitors 

increases, so does the number of automobiles 

on the roads, which in turn leads to the dispersal 

and establishment of new species, particularly 

non-native plant species (Seabloom et al. 

2003). Runoff from roads may contribute to this 

apparent pattern (i.e., seeds are more likely to 

germinate in areas receiving more moisture), and 

soils along the main access road to the monument 

are more likely to be disturbed (facilitating seed 

germination and plant establishment) than are 

soils in other parts of the monument. Increased 

vehicular traffic will also likely increase the 

mortality of terrestrial vertebrates or result in the 

modification of their behavior (as for residential 

development, above). Visitors hiking the trails in 

the monument may also affect wildlife movement 

patterns or cause direct mortality. 

Poaching

Prival and Schwalbe (2000) studied the relative 

abundance and distribution of commercially 

valuable snakes and noted that the impact of 

collecting on snake populations in the monument 

is unknown. Based on the number and rarity of 

some species of collectable snakes (e.g., Sonoran 

mountain kingsnake and green rat snake) it seems 

that the monument would be an unlikely area 

for the collection of these species. However, the 

relatively high abundance of rock rattlesnakes, a 
56

species with a high commercial value, may make 

the monument a target for poachers. Monument 

employees should be trained to recognize 

poaching-related activities and be made aware of 

the various collecting devices used by collectors. 

Prival and Schwalbe (2000) provide a good 

discussion of these topics and this information 

should be presented periodically to monument 

staff.
Chapter 8: Additional Inventories and Research 

57

In general, we feel that we have succeeded in 

balancing our efforts between qualitative surveys 

designed to detect the maximum number of 

species with quantitative, repeatable surveys 

designed to estimate relative abundance with an 

associated measure of precision. As mentioned 

in each chapter, we believe that all taxa are at 

or near the 90% completion goal. Additional 

inventories and research will undoubtedly add 

new species to the list and below we discuss each 

group separately. In addition to completing more 

fieldwork, we also advocate searching natural 

history collections for specimens that were 

collected from the area. Most major collections 

have been made, or are in the process of being 

made, accessible over the Internet, thereby 

making it easy to query for specimens from the 

monument. This task may best be accomplished 

by Sonoran Desert Network I&M personnel, who 

can complete this task for all network units. 

Plants

Additional general botanizing surveys, carried 

out following both winter and summer seasons 

of above-average rainfall, should increase the 

species list for annual plants and may possibly 

detect species that were not recorded by our 

field crews but were found by others (Appendix 

A). We suggest that future surveys target areas 

where non-native plants are likely to become 

established, such as along the main access road, 

particularly in the area where crews disturbed 

soils in order to put in underground utility 

lines. Finally, we encourage establishment 

of permanent vegetation plots (e.g., Powell et 

al. 2005a), placed throughout the monument, 

to facilitate monitoring long-term vegetation 

changes. 

Amphibians and Reptiles 

We suggest that any future inventories 

concentrate effort on the west boundary of the 

monument, both in the riparian area of Bonita 

Canyon and in the drainages and areas around 

Picket and Little Picket canyons in the northwest 

corner of the monument. These are the most 

likely locations to find many species on our 

hypothetical list (Appendix E). The collection 

of road-killed animals, particularly snakes and 

toads, from along the main access road has 

proven to be an effective tool to add species to 

the monument’s list. Other inventory efforts in 

the Sonoran Desert Network units have benefited 

from collection of these indisputable forms of 

evidence (Don Swann, pers. comm.). Given the 

abundance of road-killed animals, particularly 

herpetofauna we encourage monument staff to 

undertake a long-term road-kill study.

Birds

Additional surveys during the winter season and 

during the spring and fall migrations will pick 

up species missed by our efforts. It is important 

to note, however, that bird lists are difficult 

to complete because birds are highly mobile. 

Only sites that are visited regularly by avid bird 

watchers (e.g., Cave Creek Canyon near Portal, 

and Sonoita Creek Preserve in southern Arizona) 

have bird lists that can be considered to be 

complete.

Mammals

We suggest additional small-mammal 

trapping throughout the eastern portion of the 

monument to search for the many species of 

rodents documented by others (Duncan 1990, 

UA Mammal Collection) but not by our effort 

(see Chapter 6). The absence of these species 

would mean a loss of species for the monument, 

but more work needs to be conducted before 

reaching this conclusion. Pitfall traps set at 

higher elevations may document a new species 

to the monument: Arizona shrew, a species that 

is considered possible by Hoffmeister (1986). 

Snap traps set in meadows may also be helpful 

in documenting the Botta’s pocket gopher, which 

has been previously documented. 

Additional Trailmaster camera work 

throughout the monument, particularly near water 

sources, will document the presence of additional 

medium and large terrestrial mammals (e.g., 

mule deer and western spotted skunk). Camera 
58

operation and maintenance are fairly simple and 

rewarding tasks for technically proficient staff 

members or volunteers. Care should be taken in 

determining where to place camera units because 

cameras can be damaged or stolen.
59

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65

Appendix A. Plant species that were observed or collected in this study, Chiricahua NM. List also includes specimens located in herbaria and other lists and studies from 

the monument. Species in bold-faced type are non-native according to USDA (2005).

Herbarium Previous

specimen study/list

Family

Acanthaceae

Aceraceae

Agavaceae

Aizoaceae

Amaranthaceae

Scientific name

Anisacanthus thurberi (Torr.) Gray 

Dyschoriste decumbens (Gray) Kuntze 

Siphonoglossa longiflora (Torr.) Gray 

Acer grandidentatum Nutt. 

Agave americana L. 

Agave palmeri Engelm. 

Agave parryi Engelm. 

Yucca baccata Torr. 

Yucca baccata var. brevifolia (Schott ex Torr.) L. Benson & Darrow

Yucca elata (Engelm.) Engelm. 

Yucca schottii Engelm. 

Yucca thompsoniana Trel. 

Trianthema portulacastrum L. 

Alternanthera pungens Kunth 

Amaranthus arenicola I.M. Johnston 

Common name

Thurber’s desert 

honeysuckle

spreading snakeherb

longflower tubetongue

bigtooth maple

American century plant

Palmer’s century plant

Parry’s agave

banana yucca

Spanish dagger

soaptree yucca

Schott’s yucca

Thompson’s yucca

desert horsepurslane

khakiweed

sandhill amaranth

UA

X

X

X

X

X

X

WACCa

X

X

X

X

UAZb Clarkc

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

Reevesd Litzingere

X X

X X

X X

X

X X

X X

X X

X X

X X

X X

X X

X X

f Bennett

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

Hartmang

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

H&Gh

Amaranthus blitoides S. Wats. mat amaranth X X X X X X

Amaranthus hybridus L. 

Amaranthus palmeri S. Wats. 

Amaranthus powellii S. Wats. 

Amaranthus pringlei S. Wats. 

Froelichia arizonica Thornb. ex Standl. 

slim amaranth

carelessweed

Powell’s amaranth

Pringle’s amaranth

Arizona snakecotton

X

X

X

X X

X X

X

X

X

X

X

X

Anacardiaceae

Froelichia gracilis (Hook.) Moq. 

Gomphrena caespitosa Torr. 

Gomphrena nitida Rothrock 

Gomphrena sonorae Torr. 

Guilleminea densa (Humb. & Bonpl. ex Willd.) Moq. 

Guilleminea densa var. densa (Humb. & Bonpl. ex Willd.) Moq.

Rhus aromatica Ait. 

Rhus aromatica Ait. var. aromatica

Rhus glabra L. 

Rhus microphylla Engelm. ex Gray 

Rhus trilobata Nutt. 

slender snakecotton

tufted globe amaranth

pearly globe amaranth

Sonoran globe amaranth

small matweed

small matweed

fragrant sumac

fragrant sumac

smooth sumac

littleleaf sumac

skunkbush sumac

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

Rhus trilobata var. pilosissima Engelm.

Rhus trilobata var. racemulosa (Greene) Barkl.

Rhus virens var. choriophylla (Woot. & Standl.) L. Benson

Toxicodendron radicans (L.) Kuntze 

Toxicodendron radicans ssp. divaricatum (Greene) Gillis

Toxicodendron radicans ssp. radicans (L.) Kuntze

Toxicodendron rydbergii (Small ex Rydb.) Greene 

pubescent squawbush

skunkbush sumac

evergreen sumac

eastern poison ivy

eastern poison ivy

eastern poison ivy

western poison ivy

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X
66

Herbarium 

specimen

Previous

study/list

Family Scientific name Common name UA WACCa UAZb Clarkc Reevesd Litzingere Bennettf Hartmang H&Gh

Apiaceae Cymopterus acaulis var. fendleri (Gray) Goodrich Fendler’s springparsley X X

Cymopterus multinervatus (Coult. & Rose) Tidestrom purplenerve springparsley X X X

Lomatium nevadense (S. Wats.) Coult. & Rose Nevada biscuitroot X X

Pseudocymopterus montanus (Gray) Coult. & Rose alpine false springparsley X X X X X

Yabea microcarpa (Hook. & Arn.) K.-Pol. false carrot X X X

Apocynaceae Apocynum androsaemifolium L. spreading dogbane X

Apocynum cannabinum L. Indianhemp X X X X

Macrosiphonia brachysiphon (Torr.) Gray 

Huachuca Mountain 

rocktrumpet X X X X

Aristolochiaceae Aristolochia watsonii Woot. & Standl. Watson’s dutchman’s pipe X

Asclepiadaceae Asclepias arenaria Torr. sand milkweed X

Asclepias asperula (Dcne.) Woods. spider milkweed X

Asclepias asperula (Dcne.) Woods. ssp. asperula spider milkweed X X

Asclepias asperula ssp. capricornu (Woods.) Woods. antelopehorns X X X X

Asclepias fascicularis Dcne. Mexican whorled milkweed X

Asclepias glaucescens Kunth nodding milkweed X X X X

Asclepias lemmonii Gray Lemmon’s milkweed X X X X

Asclepias linaria Cav. pineneedle milkweed X X X X

Asclepias macrotis Torr. longhood milkweed X

Asclepias nummularia Torr. tufted milkweed X X X X X X

Asclepias nyctaginifolia Gray Mojave milkweed X X X

Asclepias quinquedentata Gray slimpod milkweed X X X X X

Asclepias speciosa Torr. showy milkweed X X X

Asclepias subverticillata (Gray) Vail horsetail milkweed X X X X X

Asclepias tuberosa L. butterfly milkweed X X X X

Asclepias tuberosa ssp. interior Woods. butterfly milkweed X

Funastrum crispum (Benth.) Schlechter wavyleaf twinevine X X X X X X

Aspleniaceae Asplenium resiliens Kunze blackstem spleenwort X X X X X X

Asplenium trichomanes L. maidenhair spleenwort X X X X

Asteraceae Acourtia nana (Gray) Reveal & King dwarf desertpeony X X X X

Acourtia thurberi (Gray) Reveal & King Thurber’s desertpeony X X X X X

Ageratina herbacea (Gray) King & H.E. Robins. fragrant snakeroot X X X X X

Ageratina paupercula (Gray) King & H.E. Robins. Santa Rita snakeroot X X X

Ambrosia psilostachya DC. Cuman ragweed X X X X

Antennaria marginata Greene whitemargin pussytoes X X

Antennaria parvifolia Nutt. small-leaf pussytoes X X

Artemisia carruthii Wood ex Carruth. Carruth’s sagewort X X X X X X

Artemisia dracunculus L. tarragon X X X

Artemisia dracunculus ssp. dracunculus L. wormwood X

Artemisia ludoviciana Nutt. white sagebrush X X X X

Artemisia ludoviciana ssp. mexicana (Willd. ex Spreng.) Keck white sagebrush X X X X

Artemisia ludoviciana ssp. sulcata (Rydb.) Keck white sagebrush X X
67

Herbarium 

specimen

Previous

study/list

Family Scientific name Common name UA WACCa UAZb Clarkc Reevesd Litzingere Bennettf Hartmang H&Gh

Asteraceae Baccharis pteronioides DC. yerba de pasmo X X X X X X

Baccharis salicifolia (Ruiz & Pavón) Pers. mule’s fat X X X X X X

Baccharis sarothroides Gray desertbroom X X X X

Baccharis thesioides Kunth Arizona baccharis X X X X X X

Baccharis wrightii Gray Wright’s baccharis X

Bahia biternata Gray slimlobe bahia X X X

Bahia dissecta (Gray) Britt. ragleaf bahia X X X X X X

Baileya multiradiata Harvey & Gray ex Gray desert marigold X X X

Berlandiera lyrata Benth. lyreleaf greeneyes X X X X X

Bidens bigelovii Gray Bigelow’s beggarticks X X X X

Bidens heterosperma Gray Rocky Mountain beggarticks X X X X

Bidens leptocephala Sherff fewflower beggarticks X X X X

Brickellia betonicifolia Gray betonyleaf brickellbush X X X X X X

Brickellia californica (Torr. & Gray) Gray California brickellbush X X X X X

Brickellia eupatorioides var. chlorolepis (Woot. & Standl.) B.L. Turner false boneset X X X X X X

Brickellia eupatorioides (L.) Shinners var. eupatorioides false boneset X

Brickellia eupatorioides var. gracillima (Gray) B.L. Turner false boneset X

Brickellia floribunda Gray Chihuahuan brickellbush X X X X

Brickellia grandiflora (Hook.) Nutt. tasselflower brickellbush X X X X X X X

Brickellia lemmonii Gray Lemmon’s brickellbush X X X X X X X

Brickellia pringlei Gray Pringle’s brickellbush X X X X

Brickellia simplex Gray Sonoran brickellbush X X X X

Brickellia venosa (Woot. & Standl.) B.L. Robins. veiny brickellbush X X X X

Brickelliastrum fendleri (Gray) King & H.E. Robins. Fendler’s brickellbush X X X X X

Carminatia tenuiflora DC. plumeweed X X X X X

Carphochaete bigelovii Gray Bigelow’s bristlehead X X X X X X X

Centaurea melitensis L. Maltese star-thistle X X X X X X

Centaurea rothrockii Greenm. Rothrock’s knapweed X

Chaetopappa ericoides (Torr.) Nesom rose heath X X X X X X X

Cirsium neomexicanum Gray New Mexico thistle X X X X X

Cirsium ochrocentrum Gray yellowspine thistle X X X X X

Cirsium rothrockii (Gray) Petrak Rothrock’s thistle X X X X X

Conyza canadensis (L.) Cronq. Canadian horseweed X X X X X

Conyza canadensis (L.) Cronq. var. canadensis Canadian horseweed X X

Cosmos parviflorus (Jacq.) Pers. southwestern cosmos X X X X X X

Ericameria laricifolia (Gray) Shinners turpentine bush X X X X X

Ericameria nauseosa var. latisquamea (Gray) Nesom & Baird rubber rabbitbrush X X X X X

Ericameria nauseosa var. nauseosa (Pallas ex Pursh) Nesom & 

Baird rubber rabbitbrush X X

Erigeron colomexicanus A. Nels. running fleabane X X

Erigeron concinnus (Hook. & Arn.) Torr. & Gray Navajo fleabane X

Erigeron divergens Torr. & Gray spreading fleabane X X X X
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Family Scientific name Common name UA WACCa UAZb Clarkc Reevesd Litzingere Bennettf Hartmang H&Gh

Asteraceae Erigeron eximius Greene sprucefir fleabane X X X X

Erigeron flagellaris Gray trailing fleabane X X X X X

Erigeron modestus Gray plains fleabane X X X

Erigeron neomexicanus Gray New Mexico fleabane X X X X X X X

Erigeron oreophilus Greenm. chaparral fleabane X X X X X X

Erigeron speciosus (Lindl.) DC. aspen fleabane X X

Erigeron speciosus var. macranthus (Nutt.) Cronq. aspen fleabane X X X

Erigeron vreelandii Greene Vreeland’s erigeron X X X X

Gaillardia pinnatifida Torr. red dome blanketflower X X X X X X

Gaillardia pulchella Foug. firewheel X X X X

Gaillardia pulchella Foug. var. pulchella firewheel X

Gamochaeta falcata (Lam.) Cabrera narrowleaf purple everlasting X X X

Gutierrezia sarothrae (Pursh) Britt. & Rusby broom snakeweed X X X X X X X

Gymnosperma glutinosum (Spreng.) Less. gumhead X X X X X X X

Helianthus ciliaris DC. Texas blueweed X

Helianthus petiolaris Nutt. prairie sunflower X X X X X

Heliomeris longifolia var. annua (M.E. Jones) Yates longleaf false goldeneye X X X X

Heliomeris longifolia var. longifolia (Robins. & Greenm.) Cockerell longleaf false goldeneye X X X X X

Heliomeris multiflora var. multiflora Nutt. showy goldeneye X X X X X

Heterosperma pinnatum Cav. wingpetal X X X X X X

Heterotheca subaxillaris (Lam.) Britt. & Rusby camphorweed X X X X X X

Heterotheca villosa var. minor (Hook.) Semple hairy false goldenaster X X

Heterotheca villosa var. nana (Gray) Semple hairy false goldenaster X X

Heterotheca viscida (Gray) Harms cliff false goldenaster X X X X X

Hieracium carneum Greene Huachuca hawkweed X X X X X

Hieracium fendleri Schultz-Bip. yellow hawkweed X

Hieracium fendleri var. discolor Gray yellow hawkweed X X

Hymenothrix wislizeni Gray TransPecos thimblehead X X X X

Hymenothrix wrightii Gray Wright’s thimblehead X X X X X X X

Hymenoxys microcephala (Gray) Bierner Apache Passe rubberweed X X X X X X X

Isocoma tenuisecta Greene burroweed X X X X

Lactuca graminifolia Michx. grassleaf lettuce X X X X

Lactuca serriola L. prickly lettuce X X X X X X X

Lactuca tatarica var. pulchella (Pursh) Breitung blue lettuce X X X

Laennecia coulteri (Gray) Nesom conyza X X X X X X

Laennecia schiedeana (Less.) Nesom pineland marshtail X X X

Laennecia sophiifolia (Kunth) Nesom leafy marshtail X X X

Lasianthaea podocephala (Gray) K. Becker San Pedro daisy X X X X X X

Machaeranthera bigelovii (Gray) Greene var. bigelovii Bigelow’s tansyaster X

Machaeranthera canescens var. incana (Lindl.) Gray hoary tansyaster X X X X X

Machaeranthera canescens (Pursh) Gray ssp. canescens hoary tansyaster X X

Machaeranthera gracilis (Nutt.) Shinners slender goldenweed X X X X X

Machaeranthera parviflora Gray smallflower tansyaster X

Machaeranthera pinnatifida var. pinnatifida (Hook.) Shinners lacy tansyaster X X

Machaeranthera scabrella (Greene) Shinners X X

Machaeranthera tagetina Greene mesa tansyaster X X X X
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Family Scientific name Common name UA WACCa UAZb Clarkc Reevesd Litzingere Bennettf Hartmang H&Gh

Asteraceae Machaeranthera tanacetifolia (Kunth) Nees tanseyleaf tansyaster X X X

Malacothrix fendleri Gray Fendler’s desertdandelion X X X X

Melampodium longicorne Gray Arizona blackfoot X X X X X

Melampodium strigosum Stuessy shaggy blackfoot X X X X

Packera neomexicana var. neomexicana (Gray) W.A. Weber & A. 

Löve New Mexico groundsel X X X X X X X

Parthenium incanum Kunth mariola X X X X

Pectis angustifolia Torr. lemonscent X

Pectis angustifolia Torr. var. angustifolia narrowleaf pectis X X

Pectis filipes Harvey & Gray fivebract cinchweed X X X

Pectis filipes var. subnuda Fern. fivebract cinchweed X X X X

Pectis longipes Gray longstalk cinchweed X X X

Pectis papposa Harvey & Gray var. papposa manybristle cinchweed X X X

Pectis prostrata Cav. spreading cinchweed X X X X X X

Perityle cochisensis (Niles) A. Powell Cochise rockdaisy X X X X X X

Psacalium decompositum (Gray) H.E. Robins. & Brett. desert Indianbush X X X X X

Pseudognaphalium canescens (DC.) W.A. Weber Wright’s cudweed X

Pseudognaphalium canescens ssp. canescens (DC.) W.A. Weber Wright’s cudweed X X X X X

Pseudognaphalium macounii (Greene) Kartesz, comb. nov. ined. Macoun’s cudweed X X X

Pseudognaphalium pringlei (Gray) A. Anderb. Pringle’s cudweed X X X X

Pseudognaphalium stramineum (Kunth) W.A. Weber cottonbatting plant X X X X

Pseudognaphalium viscosum (Kunth) W.A. Weber winged cudweed X

Psilactis asteroides Gray New Mexico tansyaster X

Rudbeckia laciniata L. cutleaf coneflower X X

Sanvitalia abertii Gray Albert’s creeping zinnia X X X X X X

Schkuhria anthemoidea var. wrightii (Gray) Heiser Wright’s false threadleaf X X

Schkuhria pinnata var. wislizeni (Gray) B.L. Turner Wislizenus’ false threadleaf X X X X

Senecio flaccidus var. flaccidus Less. threadleaf ragwort X X X X X X

Senecio flaccidus var. monoensis (Greene) B.L. Turner & T.M. Barkl. Mono ragwort X

Senecio parryi Gray mountain ragwort X X X X X

Senecio wootonii Greene Wooton’s ragwort X X X X X

Solidago canadensis var. scabra Torr. & Gray Canada goldenrod X X X X

Solidago missouriensis Nutt. Missouri goldenrod X X X X X

Solidago missouriensis Nutt. var. missouriensis Missouri goldenrod X

Solidago velutina DC. threenerve goldenrod X X X X X

Solidago wrightii Gray Wright’s goldenrod X X X X X

Solidago wrightii var. adenophora Blake Wright’s goldenrod X

Sonchus asper (L.) Hill spiny sowthistle X X X X X

Sonchus oleraceus L. common sowthistle X X X X

Stephanomeria exigua Nutt. small wirelettuce X X

Stephanomeria minor var. minor (Hook.) Nutt. narrowleaf wirelettuce X X X

Stephanomeria pauciflora (Torr.) A. Nels. brownplume wirelettuce X X X X

Stephanomeria thurberi Gray Thurber’s wirelettuce X X X X

Stevia serrata Cav. sawtooth candyleaf X X X X X X

Symphyotrichum falcatum var. commutatum (Torr. & Gray) Nesom white prairie aster X X X X X

Tagetes micrantha Cav. licorice marigold X X X X X X X
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Family Scientific name Common name UA WACCa UAZb Clarkc Reevesd Litzingere Bennettf Hartmang H&Gh

Asteraceae Taraxacum officinale G.H. Weber ex Wiggers common dandelion X X X X X

Thelesperma megapotamicum (Spreng.) Kuntze Hopi tea greenthread X X X X X

Trixis californica Kellogg American threefold X X X X

Uropappus lindleyi (DC.) Nutt. Lindley’s silverpuffs X X X X X

Verbesina encelioides (Cav.) Benth. & Hook. f. ex Gray golden crownbeard X X X X X

Verbesina encelioides ssp. exauriculata (Robins. & Greenm.) J.R. 

Coleman golden crownbeard X X X

Verbesina longifolia (Gray) Gray longleaf crownbeard X X X X X X X

Viguiera cordifolia Gray heartleaf goldeneye X X X X X

Viguiera dentata (Cav.) Spreng. toothleaf goldeneye X X X X X X X

Xanthium strumarium L. rough cockleburr X X X X X

Xanthium strumarium var. canadense (P. Mill.) Torr. & Gray Canada cockleburr X X

Zinnia grandiflora Nutt. Rocky Mountain zinnia X X X X X X

Berberidaceae Berberis wilcoxii Kearney Wilcox’s barberry X X X X X

Mahonia repens (Lindl.) G. Don creeping barberry

Mahonia trifoliolata (Moric.) Fedde algerita X

Bignoniaceae Chilopsis linearis (Cav.) Sweet desert willow X X X X X

Chilopsis linearis (Cav.) Sweet ssp. linearis desert willow X

Boraginaceae Cryptantha cinerea (Greene) Cronq. var. cinerea James’ cryptantha X X X X X

Cryptantha crassisepala (Torr. & Gray) Greene thicksepal cryptantha X X X X X

Hackelia floribunda (Lehm.) I.M. Johnston manyflower stickseed X

Hackelia pinetorum (Greene ex Gray) I.M. Johnston Livermore stickseed X

Heliotropium fruticosum L. Key West heliotrope X X X X

Lappula occidentalis var. cupulata (Gray) Higgins flatspine stickseed X X X X X

Lappula occidentalis var. occidentalis (S. Wats.) Greene flatspine stickseed X X X X X

Lithospermum cobrense Greene smooththroat stoneseed X X X X X

Lithospermum confine I.M. Johnston Arizona stoneseed X

Lithospermum incisum Lehm. narrowleaf stoneseed X X X X X

Lithospermum multiflorum Torr. ex Gray manyflowered stoneseed X X X X X X

Plagiobothrys arizonicus (Gray) Greene ex Gray Arizona popcornflower X X X X X

Brassicaceae Arabis perennans S. Wats. perennial rockcress X X X X X

Brassica rapa var. rapa L. field mustard X X X X

Capsella bursa-pastoris (L.) Medik. shepherd’s purse X

Descurainia incana ssp incana (Bernh. ex Fisch. & C.A. Mey.) mountain tansymustard X

Descurainia obtusa ssp. obtusa (Greene) O.E. Schulz blunt tansymustard X X X X

Descurainia pinnata (Walt.) Britt. western tansymustard X X X X

Descurainia pinnata ssp. glabra (Woot. & Standl.) Detling western tansymustard X

Descurainia sophia (L.) Webb ex Prantl herb sophia X X X X X X

Draba aurea Vahl ex Hornem. golden draba X

Draba cuneifolia Nutt. ex Torr. & Gray wedgeleaf draba X X

Draba cuneifolia Nutt. ex Torr. & Gray var. cuneifolia wedgeleaf draba X X X

Draba helleriana var. bifurcata C.L. Hitchc. Heller’s draba X

Dryopetalon runcinatum Gray rockmustard X X X X X X

Erysimum capitatum (Dougl. ex Hook.) Greene sanddune wallflower X X X X X X

Erysimum capitatum var. capitatum (Dougl. ex Hook.) Greene sanddune wallflower X

Lepidium lasiocarpum Nutt. var. lasiocarpum shaggyfruit pepperweed X X X X
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Family Scientific name Common name UA WACCa UAZb Clarkc Reevesd Litzingere Bennettf Hartmang H&Gh

Brassicaceae Lepidium thurberi Woot. Thurber’s pepperweed X X X X X

Lesquerella gordonii (Gray) S. Wats. Gordon’s bladderpod X X X X

Pennellia longifolia (Benth.) Rollins longleaf mock thelypody X X X X

Pennellia micrantha (Gray) Nieuwl. mountain mock thelypody X X X X X X

Rorippa nasturtium-aquaticum (L.) Hayek watercress X X X X X

Schoenocrambe linearifolia (Gray) Rollins slimleaf plainsmustard X X X X X X

Sisymbrium auriculatum Gray eared hedgemustard X

Sisymbrium irio L. London rocket X X X X X

Thelypodium wrightii Gray Wright’s thelypody X X X X

Thelypodium wrightii Gray ssp. wrightii Wright’s thelypody X X

Thlaspi montanum var. fendleri (Gray) P. Holmgren Fendler’s pennycress X X X X X

Thysanocarpus curvipes Hook. sand fringepod X X X

Cactaceae Echinocereus coccineus var. arizonicus (Rose ex Orcutt) Ferguson Arizona hedgehog cactus X X X

Echinocereus coccineus Engelm. var. coccineus scarlet hedgehog cactus X X X X X

Echinocereus fendleri (Engelm.) F. Seitz pinkflower hedgehog cactus X X X

Echinocereus fendleri var. ledingii (Peebles) N.P. Taylor Leding’s hedgehog cactus X X X X X

Echinocereus fendleri var. rectispinus (Peebles) L. Benson pinkflower hedgehog cactus X

Echinocereus pectinatus (Scheidw.) Engelm. rainbow cactus X X

Echinocereus polyacanthus Engelm. Mojave mound cactus X

Echinocereus rigidissimus (Engelm.) Haage f. rainbow hedgehog cactus X X X X

Echinocereus triglochidiatus Engelm. kingcup cactus X X

Escobaria vivipara var. bisbeeana (Orcutt) D.R. Hunt Bisbee spinystar X X X X

Opuntia chlorotica Engelm. & Bigelow dollarjoint pricklypear X X X X X X

Opuntia engelmannii Salm-Dyck cactus apple X X

Opuntia engelmannii Salm-Dyck var. engelmannii cactus apple X X X X

Opuntia macrorhiza Engelm. var. macrorhiza twistspine pricklypear X X X X

Opuntia phaeacantha Engelm. tulip pricklypear X

Opuntia phaeacantha var. major Engelm. Mojave pricklypear X X X X

Opuntia spinosior (Engelm.) Toumey walkingstick cactus X X X X X X

Campanulaceae Lobelia cardinalis L. cardinalflower X X X X X X

Capparaceae Polanisia dodecandra ssp. trachysperma (Torr. & Gray) Iltis sandyseed clammyweed X X X X

Wislizenia refracta Engelm. spectacle fruit X X X

Caprifoliaceae Lonicera albiflora Torr. & Gray western white honeysuckle X X X X X X

Lonicera arizonica Rehd. Arizona honeysuckle X X X

Lonicera japonica Thunb. Japanese honeysuckle X X X

Symphoricarpos oreophilus Gray mountain snowberry X X X X

Symphoricarpos oreophilus Gray var. oreophilus mountain snowberry X

Symphoricarpos palmeri G.N. Jones Palmer’s snowberry X X X X

Caryophyllaceae Arenaria fendleri Gray Fendler’s sandwort X X

Arenaria lanuginosa ssp. saxosa (Gray) Maguire spreading sandwort X X X X X X X

Cerastium nutans Raf. nodding chickweed X

Cerastium texanum Britt. Texas chickweed X X X X

Drymaria glandulosa K. Presl Fendler’s drymary X X X X X

Drymaria leptophylla (Cham. & Schlecht.) Fenzl ex Rohrb. canyon drymary X X X X X X

Drymaria molluginea (Lag.) Didr. slimleaf drymary X X X X X

Silene laciniata Cav. cardinal catchfly X X

Silene laciniata ssp. greggii (Gray) C.L. Hitchc. & Maguire cardinal catchfly X X X X
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Family Scientific name Common name UA WACCa UAZb Clarkc Reevesd Litzingere Bennettf Hartmang H&Gh

Celastraceae Paxistima myrsinites (Pursh) Raf. Oregon boxleaf X X X X X X

Chenopodiaceae Atriplex elegans (Moq.) D. Dietr. wheelscale saltbush X X

Atriplex elegans (Moq.) D. Dietr. var. elegans wheelscale saltbush X

Chenopodium album L. lambsquarters X X X X X

Chenopodium fremontii S. Wats. Fremont’s goosefoot X X X X

Chenopodium fremontii S. Wats. var. fremontii Fremont’s goosefoot X

Chenopodium graveolens Willd. fetid goosefoot X X X X X X

Chenopodium leptophyllum (Moq.) Nutt. ex S. Wats. narrowleaf goosefoot X X X X

Chenopodium neomexicanum Standl. New Mexico goosefoot X X X

Monolepis nuttalliana (J.A. Schultes) Greene Nuttall’s povertyweed X X X

Salsola kali L. Russian thistle X X

Salsola tragus L. prickly Russian thistle X X X X

Commelinaceae Commelina dianthifolia Delile birdbill dayflower X X X X X X

Tradescantia pinetorum Greene pinewoods spiderwort X X X X X X

Convolvulaceae Convolvulus arvensis L. field bindweed X X X X

Convolvulus equitans Benth. Texas bindweed X X

Dichondra brachypoda Woot. & Standl. New Mexico ponysfoot X X X X X

Dichondra micrantha Urban Asian ponysfoot X

Evolvulus arizonicus Gray wild dwarf morning-glory X X

Evolvulus sericeus Sw. silver dwarf morning-glory X X X X X

Evolvulus sericeus var. sericeus Sw. silver dwarf morning-glory X

Ipomoea capillacea (Kunth) G. Don purple morning-glory X X X X X

Ipomoea coccinea L. redstar X X X

Ipomoea costellata Torr. crestrib morning-glory X X X X X X X

Ipomoea cristulata Hallier f. Transpecos morning-glory X X X X X

Ipomoea hederacea Jacq. ivyleaf morning-glory X X X

Ipomoea hederifolia L. scarletcreeper X X X

Ipomoea plummerae Gray 

Huachuca Mountain 

morning-glory X X X X X X

Ipomoea purpurea (L.) Roth tall morning-glory X X X X

Ipomoea tenuiloba Torr. spiderleaf X X X X X X

Crassulaceae Graptopetalum rusbyi (Greene) Rose 

San Francisco River 

leatherpetal X X X

Sedum cockerellii Britt. Cockerell’s stonecrop X X X X

Sedum wrightii Gray Wright’s stonecrop X

Crossosomataceae Apacheria chiricahuensis C.T. Mason apachebush X X X X X X

Cucurbitaceae Apodanthera undulata Gray melon loco X X X X X

Cucurbita digitata Gray fingerleaf gourd X X X X X

Cucurbita foetidissima Kunth Missouri gourd X X X X X

Cupressaceae Cupressus arizonica Greene Arizona cypress X X X X X X X

Juniperus coahuilensis (Martinez) Gaussen ex R.P. Adams redberry juniper X X X

Juniperus deppeana Steud. alligator juniper X X X X X X X

Juniperus monosperma (Engelm.) Sarg. oneseed juniper X X X X

Cyperaceae Bulbostylis capillaris (L.) Kunth ex C.B. Clarke densetuft hairsedge X X X X X

Bulbostylis capillaris (L.) Kunth ex C.B. Clarke ssp. capillaris densetuft hairsedge X

Bulbostylis funckii (Steud.) C.B. Clarke Funck’s hairsedge X
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Family Scientific name Common name UA WACCa UAZb Clarkc Reevesd Litzingere Bennettf Hartmang H&Gh

Cyperaceae Carex chihuahuensis Mackenzie Chihuahuan sedge X X

Carex geophila Mackenzie White Mountain sedge X

Carex leucodonta Holm Huachuca Mountain sedge X X X X

Carex praegracilis W. Boott clustered field sedge X X X X

Carex senta Boott swamp carex X X X X X

Carex ultra Bailey Cochise sedge X X

Cyperus esculentus L. chufa flatsedge X X X X X X

Cyperus fendlerianus Boeckl. Fendler’s flatsedge X X X X X

Cyperus manimae Kunth spectacular flatsedte X X X

Cyperus retroflexus Buckl. oneflower flatsedge X X X

Cyperus sphaerolepis Boeckl. Rusby’s flatsedge X X X X X X

Cyperus squarrosus L. bearded flatsedge X X X X X X

Eleocharis bella (Piper) Svens. beautiful spikerush X

Eleocharis erythropoda Steud. bald spikerush X

Eleocharis montevidensis Kunth sand spikerush X X X X

Eleocharis rostellata (Torr.) Torr. beaked spikerush X X X X

Lipocarpha aristulata (Coville) G. Tucker awned halfchaff sedge X X

Lipocarpha drummondii (Nees) G. Tucker Drummond’s halfchaff sedge X X X

Lipocarpha micrantha (Vahl) G. Tucker smallflower halfchaff sedge X

Scirpus americanus (Pers.) Volk. ex Schinz & R. Keller chairmaker’s bulrush X

Dryopteridaceae Cystopteris fragilis (L.) Bernh. brittle bladderfern X X

Cystopteris reevesiana Lellinger Reeves’ bladderfern X

Dryopteris filix-mas (L.) Schott male fern X X X X X

Phanerophlebia auriculata Underwood eared veinfern X X X X X

Woodsia mexicana Fée phanerophlebia X X X X

Woodsia plummerae Lemmon Plummer’s cliff fern X X X X

Ebenaceae Diospyros kaki L. f. Japanese persimmon X X X

Ephedraceae Ephedra trifurca Torr. ex S. Wats. longleaf jointfir X X X X

Equisetaceae Equisetum ×ferrissii Clute (pro sp.) ferris horsetail X X X X X

Equisetum hyemale L. scouringrush horsetail X

Equisetum hyemale var. affine (Engelm.) A.A. Eat. scouringrush horsetail X X X

Equisetum laevigatum A. Braun smooth horsetail X X X X X X

Ericaceae Arbutus arizonica (Gray) Sarg. Arizona madrone X X X X X X X

Arctostaphylos pringlei Parry Pringle manzanita X X X X X X

Arctostaphylos pungens Kunth pointleaf manzanita X X X X X X

Euphorbiaceae Acalypha neomexicana Muell.-Arg. New Mexico copperleaf X X X X X X

Acalypha phleoides Cav. shrubby copperleaf X X X X X X X

Chamaesyce albomarginata (Torr. & Gray) Small whitemargin sandmat X X X X X X

Chamaesyce dioica (Kunth) Millsp. royal sandmat X X X X

Chamaesyce glyptosperma (Engelm.) Small ribseed sandmat X X X

Chamaesyce hyssopifolia (L.) Small hyssopleaf sandmat X X X X X

Chamaesyce prostrata (Ait.) Small prostrate sandmat X X X X

Chamaesyce revoluta (Engelm.) Small threadstem sandmat X X X X X X

Chamaesyce serpyllifolia ssp. serpyllifolia (Pers.) Small thymeleaf sandmat X X X X X X X

Chamaesyce serrula (Engelm.) Woot. & Standl. sawtooth sandmat X X X X

Chamaesyce stictospora (Engelm.) Small slimseed sandmat X
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Family Scientific name Common name UA WACCa UAZb Clarkc Reevesd Litzingere Bennettf Hartmang H&Gh

Euphorbiaceae Euphorbia bilobata Engelm. blackseed spurge X X X X X X X

Euphorbia brachycera Engelm. horned spurge X X X X X X X

Euphorbia cuphosperma (Engelm.) Boiss. hairy-fruit spurge X X

Euphorbia dentata Michx. toothed spurge X X X X

Euphorbia exstipulata Engelm. squareseed spurge X

Euphorbia heterophylla L. Mexican fireplant X

Tragia nepetifolia Cav. catnip noseburn X X X

Tragia ramosa Torr. branched noseburn X X X X X X X

Fabaceae Acacia angustissima (P. Mill.) Kuntze prairie acacia X X

Acacia angustissima var. suffrutescens (Rose) Isely prairie acacia X X X

Amorpha fruticosa L. desert false indigo X X X X X X

Astragalus allochrous Gray halfmoon milkvetch X

Astragalus allochrous var. playanus Isely halfmoon milkvetch X X X

Astragalus cobrensis Gray copper mine milkvetch X

Astragalus cobrensis var. maguirei Kearney Maguire’s milkvetch X X X

Astragalus nothoxys Gray sheep milkvetch X X X X X X

Astragalus nuttallianus var. austrinus (Small) Barneby smallflowered milkvetch X X X X

Astragalus thurberi Gray Thurber’s milkvetch X X X X

Calliandra humilis Benth. dwarf stickpea X

Calliandra humilis Benth. var. humilis dwarf stickpea X X X X

Calliandra humilis var. reticulata (Gray) L. Benson dwarf stickpea X X X X X X X

Chamaecrista nictitans (L.) Moench partridge pea X

Chamaecrista nictitans var. leptadenia (Greenm.) Gandhi & Hatch partridge pea X X X X X X

Clitoria mariana L. Atlantic pigeonwings X X X X X X

Cologania angustifolia Kunth longleaf cologania X X X X X X

Cologania lemmonii Gray Lemmon’s cologania X X X X X

Coursetia caribaea var. caribaea (Jacq.) Lavin anil falso X X X X

Coursetia caribaea var. sericea (Gray) Lavin anil falso X

Crotalaria pumila Ortega low rattlebox X X X X X X X

Crotalaria sagittalis L. arrowhead rattlebox X X X

Dalea albiflora Gray whiteflower prairie clover X X X X X X X

Dalea candida Michx. ex Willd. white prairie clover X

Dalea candida Michx. ex Willd. var. candida white prairie clover X X

Dalea candida var. oligophylla (Torr.) Shinners white prairie clover X

Dalea filiformis Gray Sonoran prairie clover X X X X X X

Dalea grayi (Vail) L.O. Williams Gray’s prairie clover X X X X

Dalea nana var. carnescens Kearney & Peebles dwarf prairie clover X X X X

Dalea pogonathera Gray bearded prairie clover X X X X

Dalea versicolor Zucc. oakwoods prairie clover X

Dalea versicolor var. sessilis (Gray) Barneby oakwoods prairie clover X X X X X X

Desmanthus cooleyi (Eat.) Trel. Cooley’s bundleflower X X X X X

Desmodium batocaulon Gray San Pedro ticktrefoil X X X X X X X

Desmodium cinerascens Gray spiked ticktrefoil X X X

Desmodium grahamii Gray Graham’s ticktrefoil X X X X X X

Desmodium neomexicanum Gray New Mexico ticktrefoil X X X X

Desmodium procumbens (P. Mill.) A.S. Hitchc. western trailing ticktrefoil X
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Family Scientific name Common name UA WACCa UAZb Clarkc Reevesd Litzingere Bennettf Hartmang H&Gh

Fabaceae Desmodium rosei Schub. Rose’s ticktrefoil X X X X X X

Galactia wrightii Gray Wright’s milkpea X X X X X

Galactia wrightii var. mollissima Kearney & Peebles Wright’s milkpea X

Hoffmannseggia glauca (Ortega) Eifert Indian rushpea X X X X X

Indigofera sphaerocarpa Gray Sonoran indigo X X X X X

Lathyrus graminifolius (S. Wats.) White grassleaf pea X X X X X X

Lotus greenei Ottley ex Kearney & Peebles Greene’s bird’s-foot trefoil X X X X X

Lotus humistratus Greene foothill deervetch X X X X

Lotus plebeius (Brand) Barneby New Mexico bird’s-foot trefoil X X X X X X

Lotus wrightii (Gray) Greene Wright’s deervetch X X X X

Lupinus brevicaulis S. Wats. shortstem lupine X X X X

Lupinus caudatus ssp. argophyllus (Gray) L. Phillips Kellogg’s spurred lupine X

Lupinus concinnus J.G. Agardh scarlet lupine X X X X

Lupinus lemmonii C.P. Sm. Lemmon’s lupine X X X X X X

Macroptilium gibbosifolium (Ortega) A. Delgado variableleaf bushbean X X X X X X

Marina calycosa (Gray) Barneby 

San Pedro false prairieclover X X X X

Medicago sativa L. alfalfa X X X X

Melilotus alba Medikus white sweetclover X

Melilotus officinalis (L.) Lam. yellow sweetclover X X X X

Mimosa aculeaticarpa var. biuncifera (Benth.) Barneby catclaw mimosa X X X X X X

Mimosa dysocarpa Benth. velvetpod mimosa X X X X X X X

Oxytropis lambertii Pursh purple locoweed X X X X

Oxytropis lambertii var. bigelovii Gray purple locoweed X X X X

Phaseolus acutifolius Gray tepary bean X X

Phaseolus acutifolius var. tenuifolius Gray tepary bean X X X X

Phaseolus filiformis Benth. slimjim bean X

Phaseolus grayanus Woot. & Standl. Gray’s bean X X X X

Phaseolus maculatus Scheele spotted bean X X X X X

Phaseolus parvulus Greene Pinos Altos Mountain bean X

Phaseolus ritensis M.E. Jones Santa Rita Mountain bean X X X X X

Prosopis glandulosa var. torreyana (L. Benson) M.C. Johnston western honey mesquite X X X X X

Prosopis juliflora (Sw.) DC. mesquite X

Prosopis velutina Woot. velvet mesquite X

Psoralidium tenuiflorum (Pursh) Rydb. slimflower scurfpea X X X X X X

Rhynchosia senna var. texana (Torr. & Gray) M.C. Johnston Texas snoutbean X X X X

Robinia neomexicana Gray New Mexico locust X X X X X X

Robinia neomexicana Gray var. neomexicana New Mexico locust X

Senna bauhinioides (Gray) Irwin & Barneby twinleaf senna X X X X X

Tephrosia tenella Gray red hoarypea X X X X X

Thermopsis divaricarpa A. Nels. spreadfruit goldenbanner X X X

Thermopsis montana Nutt. var. montana mountain goldenbanner X

Trifolium repens L. white clover X X X X X

Vicia americana Muhl. ex Willd. American vetch X X X

Vicia americana Muhl. ex Willd. ssp. americana American vetch X

Vicia pulchella Kunth sweetclover vetch X X X X X X
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Family Scientific name Common name UA WACCa UAZb Clarkc Reevesd Litzingere Bennettf Hartmang H&Gh

Fagaceae Quercus arizonica Sarg. Arizona white oak X X X X X X X

Quercus dunnii Kellogg Palmer oak X X X X X X X

Quercus emoryi Torr. Emory oak X X X X X X X

Quercus gambelii Nutt. Gambel oak X X X X X

Quercus gambelii Nutt. var. gambelii Gambel oak X

Quercus hypoleucoides A. Camus silverleaf oak X X X X X X X

Quercus rugosa Née netleaf oak X X X X X X X

Quercus toumeyi Sarg. Toumey oak X X X X X X X

Fouquieriaceae Fouquieria splendens Engelm. ocotillo X X X X X X X

Fumariaceae Corydalis aurea Willd. scrambled eggs X X X X X

Corydalis curvisiliqua ssp. occidentalis (Engelm. ex Gray) W.A. 

Weber curvepod fumewort X

Garryaceae Garrya wrightii Torr. Wright’s silktassel X X X X X X X

Gentianaceae Centaurium calycosum (Buckl.) Fern. Arizona centaury X X X X X

Frasera speciosa Dougl. ex Griseb. elkweed X X X X X X

Gentianella microcalyx (J.G. Lemmon) J. Gillett Chiricahua dwarf gentian X X X

Geraniaceae Erodium cicutarium (L.) L’Hér. ex Ait. redstem stork’s bill X X

Erodium cicutarium ssp. jacquinianum (Fisch., C.A. Mey. & AvéLall.) Briq. redstem stork’s bill X

Geranium caespitosum James pineywoods geranium X X X X X X

Geranium caespitosum var. eremophilum (Woot. & Standl.) W.C. 

Martin & C.R. Hutchins purple cluster geranium X X X X

Hydrangeaceae Fendlera rupicola Gray cliff fendlerbush X X X X X

Fendlerella utahensis (S. Wats.) Heller Utah fendlerbush X X X X

Fendlerella utahensis var. cymosa (Greene ex Woot. & Standl.) 

Kearney & Peebles Utah fendlerbush X X X X X

Philadelphus argenteus Rydb. silver mock orange X X

Philadelphus madrensis Hemsl. 

desert mountain mock 

orange X X X X

Philadelphus microphyllus Gray littleleaf mock orange X X X

Hydrophyllaceae Nama dichotomum (Ruiz & Pavón) Choisy wishbone fiddleleaf X X X X

Nama hispidum Gray bristly nama X X X X X X

Phacelia arizonica Gray Arizona phacelia X X X X

Juglandaceae Juglans major (Torr.) Heller Arizona walnut X X X X X X X

Juncaceae Juncus balticus Willd. Baltic rush X X X

Juncus balticus var. montanus Engelm. mountain rush X

Juncus bufonius L. toad rush X X

Juncus dudleyi Wieg. Dudley’s rush X X X

Juncus interior Wieg. inland rush X X X X X

Juncus mexicanus Willd. ex J.A. & J.H. Schultes Mexican rush X X X

Juncus saximontanus A. Nels. Rocky Mountain rush X X X X X X

Juncus tenuis Willd. poverty rush X

Krameriaceae Krameria lanceolata Torr. trailing krameria X X X X X

Lamiaceae Agastache breviflora (Gray) Epling TransPecos giant hyssop X X X X X

Agastache pallidiflora (Heller) Rydb. 

Bill Williams Mountain giant 

hyssop X

Hedeoma dentata Torr. dentate false pennyroyal X X X X X X X
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Family Scientific name Common name UA WACCa UAZb Clarkc Reevesd Litzingere Bennettf Hartmang H&Gh

Lamiaceae Hedeoma hyssopifolia Gray aromatic false pennyroyal X X X X X X X

Hedeoma nana (Torr.) Briq. dwarf false pennyroyal X X

Hedeoma nana (Torr.) Briq. ssp. nana dwarf false pennyroyal X

Hedeoma oblongifolia (Gray) Heller oblongleaf false pennyroyal X X X X

Marrubium vulgare L. horehound X X X X X X X X

Monarda citriodora ssp. austromontana (Epling) Scora lemon beebalm X X X X X

Monarda citriodora Cerv. ex Lag. var. citriodora lemon beebalm X

Monarda fistulosa var. menthifolia (Graham) Fern. wild bergamot X X X X X X

Nepeta cataria L. catnip X X X X X

Salvia lemmonii Gray Lemmon’s sage X X X X X X

Salvia microphylla Benth. baby sage X

Salvia subincisa Benth. sawtooth sage X X X X X X X

Stachys coccinea Ortega scarlet hedgenettle X X X X X

Trichostema arizonicum Gray Arizona bluecurls X X X X X X X

Liliaceae Allium cernuum Roth nodding onion X X X X X

Allium cernuum var. neomexicanum (Rydb.) J.F. Macbr. New Mexican nodding onion X

Asparagus officinalis L. garden asparagus X X X X X

Calochortus ambiguus (M.E. Jones) Ownbey doubting mariposa lily X X X X X

Dasylirion wheeleri S. Wats. common sotol X X X X X X X X

Dichelostemma capitatum (Benth.) Wood ssp. capitatum bluedicks X X X X X X

Echeandia flavescens (J.A. & J.H. Schultes) Cruden Torrey’s craglily X X X X X X X

Maianthemum racemosum ssp. racemosum (L.) Link feathery false lily of the vally X X X X X

Maianthemum stellatum (L.) Link starry false lily of the vally X X

Milla biflora Cav. Mexican star X X X X X X

Nolina microcarpa S. Wats. sacahuista X X X X X X X X

Nolina texana S. Wats. Texas sacahuista X

Zephyranthes longifolia Hemsl. copper zephyrlily X X X

Linaceae Linum aristatum Engelm. bristle flax X X X X X

Linum lewisii Pursh prairie flax X X X X

Linum lewisii Pursh var. lewisii prairie flax X

Linum neomexicanum Greene New Mexico yellow flax X X X X X X

Loasaceae Mentzelia albicaulis (Dougl. ex Hook.) Dougl. ex Torr. & Gray whitestem blazingstar X X X X

Mentzelia multiflora var. integra M.E. Jones Adonis blazingstar X

Mentzelia multiflora (Nutt.) Gray var. multiflora Adonis blazingstar X X

Mentzelia pumila Nutt. ex Torr. & Gray dwarf mentzelia X X

Mentzelia texana Urban & Gilg Texas blazingstar X X X X

Lythraceae Cuphea wrightii Gray Wright’s waxweed X

Lythrum californicum Torr. & Gray California loosestrife X X X X X

Malpighiaceae Aspicarpa hirtella L.C. Rich. chaparral asphead X

Malvaceae Anoda cristata (L.) Schlecht. crested anoda X X X X X X

Hibiscus biseptus S. Wats. Arizona rosemallow X

Sida abutifolia P. Mill. spreading fanpetals X X X X X X X

Sida neomexicana Gray New Mexico fanpetals X X X X X X

Sida spinosa L. prickly fanpetals X X X X

Sphaeralcea ambigua Gray desert globemallow X

Sphaeralcea angustifolia (Cav.) G. Don copper globemallow X X X X
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Family Scientific name Common name UA WACCa UAZb Clarkc Reevesd Litzingere Bennettf Hartmang H&Gh

Malvaceae Sphaeralcea emoryi Torr. ex Gray Emory’s globemallow X X X X

Sphaeralcea fendleri Gray Fendler’s globemallow X X X X

Sphaeralcea hastulata Gray spear globemallow X X X X X X

Sphaeralcea laxa Woot. & Standl. caliche globemallow X X X X X

Sphaeralcea wrightii Gray Wright’s globemallow X X X

Molluginaceae Mollugo verticillata L. green carpetweed X X X X X

Nyctaginaceae Allionia incarnata L. trailing windmills X X X X X

Boerhavia coccinea P. Mill. scarlet spiderling X X X X X X

Boerhavia diffusa L. red spiderling X X

Boerhavia erecta L. erect spiderling X X X X X X

Boerhavia purpurascens Gray purple spiderling X X X X X X

Mirabilis albida (Walt.) Heimerl white four o’clock X X X X

Mirabilis coccinea (Torr.) Benth. & Hook. f. scarlet four o’clock X X X X X

Mirabilis comata (Small) Standl. hairy-tuft four o’clock X X X

Mirabilis linearis (Pursh) Heimerl narrowleaf four o’clock X X X X X X X

Mirabilis longiflora L. sweet four o’clock X X X X X X

Mirabilis longiflora var. wrightiana (Gray ex Britt. & Kearney) Kearney 

& Peebles sweet four o’clock X

Mirabilis nyctaginea (Michx.) MacM. heartleaf four o’clock X X X

Oleaceae Fraxinus anomala Torr. ex S. Wats. singleleaf ash X

Fraxinus velutina Torr. velvet ash X X X X X X

Onagraceae Calylophus hartwegii (Benth.) Raven ssp. hartwegii Hartweg’s sundrops X

Calylophus toumeyi (Small) Towner Toumey’s sundrops X X X X X

Epilobium canum ssp. latifolium (Hook.) Raven hummingbird trumpet X X X X X X

Epilobium ciliatum ssp. ciliatum Raf. fringed willowherb X X X X X

Epilobium ciliatum ssp. watsonii (Barbey) Hoch & Raven fringed willowherb X X

Gaura coccinea Nutt. ex Pursh scarlet beeblossom X X X X X

Gaura hexandra ssp. gracilis (Woot. & Standl.) Raven & Gregory harlequinbush X X X X X X

Gaura mollis James velvetweed X X X

Oenothera albicaulis Pursh whitest evening-primrose X X X X X

Oenothera caespitosa Nutt. tufted evening-primrose X X X

Oenothera caespitosa ssp. caespitosa Nutt. tufted evening-primrose X

Oenothera elata ssp. hirsutissima (Gray ex S. Wats.) W. Dietr. Hooker’s evening-primrose X

Oenothera elata ssp. hookeri (Torr. & Gray) W. Dietr. & W.L. Wagner Hooker’s evening-primrose X X X X

Oenothera primiveris Gray desert evening-primrose X X X X X

Orchidaceae Hexalectris spicata (Walt.) Barnh. spiked crested coralroot X X X

Hexalectris warnockii Ames & Correll Texas crested coralroot X X X X X

Malaxis macrostachya (Lex.) Kuntze 

Chiricahua adder’s-mouth 

orchid X X X X X

Orobanchaceae Conopholis alpina var. mexicana (Gray ex S. Wats.) Haynes Mexican cancer-root X X X X X

Oxalidaceae Oxalis alpina (Rose) Rose ex R. Knuth alpine woodsorrel X X X X X X

Oxalis albicans ssp. pilosa (Nutt.) Eiten radishroot woodsorrel X

Oxalis corniculata L. creeping woodsorrel X

Oxalis decaphylla Kunth tenleaf woodsorrel X X X X

Oxalidaceae Oxalis stricta L. common yellow oxalis X X X X X X

Papaveraceae Argemone pleiacantha Greene southwestern pricklypoppy X X
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Family Scientific name Common name UA WACCa UAZb Clarkc Reevesd Litzingere Bennettf Hartmang H&Gh

Papaveraceae Argemone pleiacantha Greene ssp. pleiacantha southwestern pricklypoppy X X

Argemone polyanthemos (Fedde) G.B. Ownbey crested pricklypoppy X X X

Eschscholzia californica Cham. California poppy X

Eschscholzia californica ssp. mexicana (Greene) C. Clark California poppy X X X X

Pedaliaceae Proboscidea parviflora (Woot.) Woot. & Standl. doubleclaw X X X X X X

Phytolaccaceae Phytolacca americana L. American pokeweed X X X X X

Pinaceae Pinus arizonica Engelm. Arizona pine X

Pinus arizonica Engelm. var. arizonica Arizona pine X X X X

Pinus cembroides Zucc. Mexican pinyon X X X X

Pinus discolor D.K. Bailey & Hawksworth border pinyon X X X

Pinus edulis Engelm. twoneedle pinyon X X X X X X X

Pinus engelmannii Carr. Apache pine X X X X X X

Pinus leiophylla var. chihuahuana (Engelm.) Shaw Chihuahuan pine X X X X X X

Pinus ponderosa P.& C. Lawson ponderosa pine X

Pseudotsuga menziesii (Mirbel) Franco Douglas-fir X X X

Pseudotsuga menziesii var. glauca (Beissn.) Franco Rocky Mountain Douglas-fir X X X X

Plantaginaceae Plantago major L. common plantain X X X X X

Plantago patagonica Jacq. woolly plantain X X X X X X

Platanaceae Platanus wrightii S. Wats. Arizona sycamore X X X X X X X

Poaceae Agrostis scabra Willd. rough bentgrass X X X X X X X

Aristida adscensionis L. sixweeks threeawn X X X X X X

Aristida divaricata Humb. & Bonpl. ex Willd. poverty threeawn X X X X

Aristida havardii Vasey Havard’s threeawn X X X X

Aristida purpurea var. fendleriana (Steud.) Vasey Fendler’s threeawn X X X

Aristida purpurea var. longiseta (Steud.) Vasey Fendler threeawn X X X X X X

Aristida schiedeana Trin. & Rupr. single threeawn X

Aristida schiedeana var. orcuttiana (Vasey) Allred & Valdés-Reyna Orcutt’s threeawn X X X X X X

Aristida ternipes Cav. spidergrass X X X

Aristida ternipes var. gentilis (Henr.) Allred spidergrass X X X

Avena L. oat X

Blepharoneuron tricholepis (Torr.) Nash pine dropseed X X X X X X X

Bothriochloa barbinodis (Lag.) Herter cane bluestem X X X X X X X

Bouteloua aristidoides (Kunth) Griseb. needle grama X X X X

Bouteloua barbata Lag. sixweeks grama X X X

Bouteloua curtipendula (Michx.) Torr. sideoats grama X X X X X X X

Bouteloua eriopoda (Torr.) Torr. black grama X X X X

Bouteloua gracilis (Willd. ex Kunth) Lag. ex Griffiths blue grama X X X X X

Bouteloua hirsuta Lag. hairy grama X X X X X X

Bouteloua hirsuta Lag. var. hirsuta hairy grama X

Bouteloua radicosa (Fourn.) Griffiths purple grama X X X X

Bouteloua repens (Kunth) Scribn. & Merr. slender grama X X X X X

Bouteloua rothrockii Vasey Rothrock’s grama X X X X X

Bromus anomalus Rupr. ex Fourn. nodding brome X X X X

Bromus carinatus Hook. & Arn. California brome X X X X

Bromus catharticus Vahl rescuegrass X X

Bromus ciliatus L. fringed brome X X X X X
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Family Scientific name Common name UA WACCa UAZb Clarkc Reevesd Litzingere Bennettf Hartmang H&Gh

Poaceae Bromus ciliatus var. richardsonii (Link) Boivin fringed brome X X

Bromus hordeaceus ssp. hordeaceus L. soft brome X X X

Bromus porteri (Coult.) Nash Porter brome X X X

Bromus rubens L. red brome X

Cenchrus spinifex Cav. coastal sandbur X X X X

Chloris virgata Sw. feather fingergrass X X X X X X X

Cynodon dactylon (L.) Pers. Bermudagrass X X X X X

Dasyochloa pulchella (Kunth) Willd. ex Rydb. low woollygrass X X X X X

Dichanthelium oligosanthes (J.A. Schultes) Gould var. oligosanthes Heller’s rosette grass X X

Dichanthelium oligosanthes var. scribnerianum (Nash) Gould Scribner’s rosette grass X

Digitaria sanguinalis (L.) Scop. hairy crabgrass X X X X X X X X

Echinochloa colona (L.) Link jungle rice X X X

Echinochloa crus-galli (L.) Beauv. barnyardgrass X X X X

Elymus arizonicus (Scribn. & J.G. Sm.) Gould Arizona wheatgrass X X X X X X

Elymus elymoides (Raf.) Swezey squirreltail X X X X

Elymus elymoides ssp. elymoides (Raf.) Swezey squirreltail X X X

Elyonurus barbiculmus Hack. X X X X

Enneapogon desvauxii Desv. ex Beauv. nineawn pappusgrass X X X

Eragrostis cilianensis (All.) Vign. ex Janchen stinkgrass X X X X X X X

Eragrostis curvula (Schrad.) Nees weeping lovegrass X X

Eragrostis intermedia A.S. Hitchc. plains lovegrass X X X X X

Eragrostis lehmanniana Nees Lehmann lovegrass X X X

Eragrostis lugens Nees mourning lovegrass X X X

Eragrostis mexicana (Hornem.) Link Mexican lovegrass X X X X X X

Eragrostis mexicana ssp. mexicana (Hornem.) Link Mexican lovegrass X X X

Eragrostis pectinacea (Michx.) Nees ex Steud. tufted lovegrass X X X

Eragrostis pectinacea var. miserrima (Fourn.) J. Reeder desert lovegrass X X X X X

Eragrostis pectinacea (Michx.) Nees ex Steud. var. pectinacea tufted lovegrass X X X

Eriochloa acuminata var. acuminata (J. Presl) Kunth tapertip cupgrass X X

Eriochloa acuminata var. minor (Vasey) R.B. Shaw tapertip cupgrass X

Eriochloa lemmonii Vasey & Scribn. canyon cupgrass X

Hackelochloa granularis (L.) Kuntze pitscale grass X X X X

Heteropogon contortus (L.) Beauv. ex Roemer & J.A. Schultes tanglehead X X X X X X

Hilaria belangeri (Steud.) Nash curly-mesquite X X X X X

Hordeum murinum L. mouse barley X

Hordeum murinum ssp. glaucum (Steud.) Tzvelev smooth barley X

Hordeum murinum ssp. leporinum (Link) Arcang. leporinum barley X

Koeleria macrantha (Ledeb.) J.A. Schultes prairie Junegrass X X X X X

Leptochloa dubia (Kunth) Nees green sprangletop X X X X X

Lolium pratense (Huds.) S.J. Darbyshire meadow ryegrass X X X

Lycurus phleoides Kunth common wolfstail X X X X

Lycurus setosus (Nutt.) C.G. Reeder bristly wolfstail X X X X

Muhlenbergia arizonica Scribn. Arizona muhly X X X X

Muhlenbergia asperifolia (Nees & Meyen ex Trin.) Parodi scratchgrass X X X X X

Muhlenbergia emersleyi Vasey bullgrass X X X X X X X

Muhlenbergia fragilis Swallen delicate muhly X X X X X
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Family Scientific name Common name UA WACCa UAZb Clarkc Reevesd Litzingere Bennettf Hartmang H&Gh

Poaceae Muhlenbergia glauca (Nees) B.D. Jackson desert muhly X X X

Muhlenbergia longiligula A.S. Hitchc. longtongue muhly X X X X X

Muhlenbergia minutissima (Steud.) Swallen annual muhly X X X

Muhlenbergia pauciflora Buckl. New Mexico muhly X

Muhlenbergia polycaulis Scribn. cliff muhly X X X X X X X

Muhlenbergia repens (J. Presl) A.S. Hitchc. creeping muhly X

Muhlenbergia rigens (Benth.) A.S. Hitchc. deergrass X X

Muhlenbergia rigida (Kunth) Trin. purple muhly X X X X X

Muhlenbergia sinuosa Swallen marshland muhly X X X

Muhlenbergia tenuifolia (Kunth) Trin. slimflower muhly X X X X X X

Muhlenbergia texana Buckl. Texas muhly X

Muhlenbergia virescens (Kunth) Kunth screwleaf muhly X X X X X

Muhlenbergia wrightii Vasey ex Coult. spike muhly X X X X X

Panicum bulbosum Kunth bulb panicgrass X X X X X X X

Panicum capillare L. witchgrass X X X X

Panicum hallii Vasey Hall’s panicgrass X X

Panicum hallii Vasey var. hallii Hall’s panicgrass X

Panicum hirticaule J. Presl Mexican panicgrass X X X X X

Panicum hirticaule var. hirticaule J. Presl Mexican panicgrass X X X X X

Panicum miliaceum L. broomcorn millet X X X X

Panicum obtusum Kunth vine mesquite X X X X X X

Piptochaetium fimbriatum (Kunth) A.S. Hitchc. pinyon ricegrass X X X X X X X

Piptochaetium pringlei (Beal) Parodi Pringle’s speargrass X X X X X

Poa fendleriana (Steud.) Vasey muttongrass X X X X

Poa fendleriana ssp. albescens (A.S. Hitchc.) Soreng muttongrass X

Poa fendleriana (Steud.) Vasey ssp. fendleriana muttongrass X

Polypogon monspeliensis (L.) Desf. annual rabbitsfoot grass X X X X X

Polypogon viridis (Gouan) Breistr. 

beardless rabbitsfoot 

grass X X X X X

Schizachyrium cirratum (Hack.) Woot. & Standl. Texas bluestem X X X X X

Schizachyrium sanguineum (Retz.) Alston crimson bluestem X X

Schizachyrium sanguineum var. hirtiflorum (Nees) Hatch crimson bluestem X

Setaria grisebachii Fourn. Grisebach’s bristlegrass X X X X X X X

Setaria leucopila (Scribn. & Merr.) K. Schum. streambed bristlegrass X

Setaria viridis (L.) Beauv. green bristlegrass X X X X X X

Setaria vulpiseta (Lam.) Roemer & J.A. Schultes plains bristlegrass X X X X

Sorghastrum nutans (L.) Nash Indiangrass X X X X X

Sorghum halepense (L.) Pers. Johnsongrass X X X X X

Sphenopholis intermedia (Rydb.) Rydb. slender wedgescale X

Sphenopholis obtusata (Michx.) Scribn. prairie wedgescale X X X X

Sporobolus airoides (Torr.) Torr. alkali sacaton X X

Sporobolus contractus A.S. Hitchc. spike dropseed X

Sporobolus wrightii Munro ex Scribn. big sacaton X X X X

Trachypogon spicatus (L.) Kuntze spiked crinkleawn X

Tragus berteronianus J.A. Schultes spiked burr grass X X X

Urochloa arizonica (Scribn. & Merr.) O. Morrone & F. Zuloaga Arizona signalgrass X X X X X
82

Herbarium 

specimen

Previous

study/list

Family Scientific name Common name UA WACCa UAZb Clarkc Reevesd Litzingere Bennettf Hartmang H&Gh

Poaceae Vulpia octoflora (Walt.) Rydb. sixweeks fescue X X X X

Vulpia octoflora var. octoflora (Walt.) Rydb. sixweeks fescue X

Polemoniaceae Gilia mexicana A.& V. Grant El Paso gilia X X X X X

Gilia sinuata Dougl. ex Benth. rosy gilia X X X

Ipomopsis macombii (Torr. ex Gray) V. Grant Macomb’s ipomopsis X X X X X X X

Ipomopsis multiflora (Nutt.) V. Grant manyflowered ipomopsis X

Phlox gracilis ssp. gracilis (Hook.) Greene slender phlox X X X X

Polygalaceae Monnina wrightii Gray blue pygmyflower X X X X X X

Polygala alba Nutt. white milkwort X X X X X X

Polygala barbeyana Chod. blue milkwort X

Polygala hemipterocarpa Gray winged milkwort X X X X X

Polygala obscura Benth. velvetseed milkwort X X X X X X

Polygala scoparioides Chod. broom milkwort X X X

Polygonaceae Eriogonum abertianum Torr. Abert’s buckwheat X X X X X

Eriogonum abertianum Torr. var. abertianum Abert’s buckwheat X

Eriogonum alatum Torr. winged buckwheat X X X

Eriogonum corymbosum Benth. crispleaf buckwheat X

Eriogonum deserticola S. Wats. Colorado Desert buckwheat X

Eriogonum jamesii Benth. James’ buckwheat X X X X

Eriogonum jamesii var. undulatum (Benth.) S. Stokes ex M.E. Jones James’ buckwheat X

Eriogonum pharnaceoides Torr. var. pharnaceoides wirestem buckwheat X

Eriogonum polycladon Benth. sorrel buckwheat X X X X X

Eriogonum racemosum Nutt. redroot buckwheat X

Eriogonum wrightii Torr. ex Benth. bastardsage X X X X X

Eriogonum wrightii var. wrightii Torr. ex Benth. bastardsage X

Polygonum aviculare L. prostrate knotweed X X X X

Polygonum douglasii ssp. johnstonii (Munz) Hickman Johnston’s knotweed X X X

Rumex crispus L. curly dock X X X X X

Rumex hymenosepalus Torr. canaigre dock X X X X

Portulacaceae Calandrinia ciliata (Ruiz & Pavón) DC. fringed redmaids X X X X

Portulaca halimoides L. silkcotton purslane X X X X

Portulaca oleracea L. little hogweed X X X X X

Portulaca pilosa L. kiss me quick X X X X

Portulaca suffrutescens Engelm. shrubby purslane X X X X X

Portulaca umbraticola Kunth wingpod purslane X X X X

Portulaca umbraticola ssp. coronata (Small) Matthews & Ketron wingpod purslane X

Talinum aurantiacum Engelm. orange fameflower X X X X X

Talinum paniculatum (Jacq.) Gaertn. jewels of Opar X

Talinum parviflorum Nutt. sunbright X X X X X

Primulaceae Anagallis arvensis L. scarlet pimpernel X X X X X

Androsace occidentalis Pursh western rockjasmine X X X X

Pteridaceae Adiantum capillus-veneris L. common maidenhair X X

Argyrochosma limitanea ssp. limitanea (Maxon) Windham southwestern false cloakfern X X X

Astrolepis cochisensis ssp. cochisensis (Goodding) Benham & 

Windham Cochise scaly cloakfern X X X X

Astrolepis sinuata (Lag. ex Sw.) Benham & Windham ssp. sinuata wavy scaly cloakfern X X X X
83

Herbarium 

specimen

Previous

study/list

Family Scientific name Common name UA WACCa UAZb Clarkc Reevesd Litzingere Bennettf Hartmang H&Gh

Pteridaceae Bommeria hispida (Mett. ex Kuhn) Underwood copper fern X X X X X X

Cheilanthes bonariensis (Willd.) Proctor golden lipfern X X X X X

Cheilanthes eatonii Baker Eaton’s lipfern X X X X X X

Cheilanthes feei T. Moore slender lipfern X X X X X

Cheilanthes fendleri Hook. Fendler’s lipfern X X X X X X

Cheilanthes lendigera (Cav.) Sw. nitbearing lipfern X X X

Cheilanthes lindheimeri Hook. fairyswords X X X X

Cheilanthes wootonii Maxon beaded lipfern X X X X

Cheilanthes wrightii Hook. Wright’s lipfern X X X X X

Notholaena grayi Davenport Gray’s cloak fern X X

Notholaena grayi Davenport ssp. grayi Gray’s cloak fern X

Notholaena standleyi Maxon star cloak fern X X X

Pellaea atropurpurea (L.) Link purple cliffbrake X X X X X X

Pellaea intermedia Mett. ex Kuhn intermediate cliffbrake X X X X X

Pellaea truncata Goodding spiny cliffbrake X X X X X X

Pellaea wrightiana Hook. Wright’s cliffbrake X X X X X X

Pteridium aquilinum (L.) Kuhn western brackenfern X X X

Pteridium aquilinum var. pubescens Underwood hairy brackenfern X X X

Selaginella underwoodii Hieron. Underwood’s spikemoss X X X X X

Ranunculaceae Aquilegia desertorum (M.E. Jones) Cockerell ex Heller desert columbine X

Aquilegia triternata Payson 

Chiricahua Mountain 

columbine X X X X X X

Clematis ligusticifolia Nutt. western white clematis X X X X X

Clematis ligusticifolia Nutt. var. ligusticifolia western white clematis X

Delphinium carolinianum ssp. virescens (Nutt.) Brooks Carolina larkspur X X

Delphinium wootonii Rydb. Organ Mountain larkspur X

Myosurus cupulatus S. Wats. Arizona mousetail X X X X

Thalictrum fendleri Engelm. ex Gray Fendler’s meadow-rue X X X X X X

Thalictrum fendleri var. wrightii (Gray) Trel. Wright’s meadow-rue X

Rhamnaceae Ceanothus fendleri Gray Fendler’s ceanothus X X X X X X X

Ceanothus greggii Gray desert ceanothus X X X X X

Ceanothus greggii var. vestitus (Greene) McMinn Mojave ceanothus X

Frangula betulifolia ssp. betulifolia (Greene) V. Grub. beechleaf frangula X X X X X X X

Frangula californica ssp. californica (Eschsch.) Gray California buckthorn X X X

Frangula californica ssp. ursina (Greene) Kartesz & Gandhi California buckthorn X X X X

Rhamnus serrata Humb. & Bonpl. ex J.A. Schultes sawleaf buckthorn X X X

Rhamnaceae Ziziphus obtusifolia var. canescens (Gray) M.C. Johnston lotebush X

Rosaceae Cercocarpus montanus Raf. 

alderleaf mountain 

mahogany X

Cercocarpus montanus var. argenteus (Rydb.) F.L. Martin silver mountain mahogany X X X

Cercocarpus montanus var. paucidentatus (S. Wats.) F.L. Martin hairy mountain mahogany X X X X X X

Fallugia paradoxa (D. Don) Endl. ex Torr. Apache plume X X X X X X X

Holodiscus discolor (Pursh) Maxim. oceanspray X

Holodiscus dumosus (Nutt. ex Hook.) Heller rockspirea X X X X X X X

Potentilla thurberi Gray scarlet cinquefoil X X X X X

Potentilla thurberi var. atrorubens (Rydb.) Kearney & Peebles scarlet cinquefoil X
84

Herbarium 

specimen

Previous

study/list

Family Scientific name Common name UA WACCa UAZb Clarkc Reevesd Litzingere Bennettf Hartmang H&Gh

Rosaceae Prunus serotina Ehrh. black cherry X

Prunus serotina var. rufula (Woot. & Standl.) McVaugh black cherry X

Prunus serotina var. virens (Woot. & Standl.) McVaugh black cherry X X X X

Pyracantha coccinea M. Roemer scarlet firethorn X

Pyrus communis L. common pear X X X

Rosa woodsii Lindl. Woods’ rose X X

Rosa woodsii Lindl. var. woodsii Woods’ rose X X X X

Rubus neomexicanus Gray New Mexico raspberry X X X X X X X

Rubiaceae Bouvardia ternifolia (Cav.) Schlecht. firecrackerbush X X X X X X

Crusea diversifolia (Kunth) W.A. Anderson mountain saucerflower X X X

Diodia teres Walt. poorjoe X X X X X

Diodia teres var. angustata Gray poorjoe X

Galium aparine L. stickywilly X X X

Galium coloradoense W. Wight Colorado bedstraw X X X

Galium fendleri Gray Fendler’s bedstraw X X X X X X

Galium mexicanum ssp. asperrimum (Gray) Dempster Mexican bedstraw X X X X

Galium microphyllum Gray bracted bedstraw X X X X X X X

Galium wrightii Gray Wright’s bedstraw X X X X X X

Hedyotis greenei (Gray) W.H. Lewis Greene’s starviolet X X X X

Houstonia wrightii Gray pygmy bluet X X X X X X

Rutaceae Ptelea trifoliata var. angustifolia (Benth.) V. Bailey common hoptree X X X X X

Salicaceae Populus fremontii S. Wats. Fremont cottonwood X

Populus fremontii S. Wats. ssp. fremontii Fremont cottonwood X X X X X X

Salix gooddingii Ball Goodding’s willow X X X X X X

Salix irrorata Anderss. dewystem willow X X X X X

Salix lasiolepis Benth. arroyo willow X X X X

Salix lasiolepis Benth. var. lasiolepis arroyo willow X

Salix taxifolia Kunth yewleaf willow X X X X X X

Santalaceae Comandra umbellata (L.) Nutt. bastard toadflax X

Comandra umbellata ssp. pallida (A. DC.) Piehl pale bastard toadflax X X X X X X X

Sapindaceae Sapindus saponaria L. wingleaf soapberry X X X

Sapindus saponaria var. drummondii (Hook. & Arn.) L. Benson western soapberry X X X

Saxfragiaceae Heuchera parviflora Bartl. littleflower alumroot X X X X

Heuchera sanguinea Engelm. coralbells X X X X

Scrophulariaceae Brachystigma wrightii (Gray) Pennell Arizona desert foxglove X X X X X X X

Castilleja austromontana Standl. & Blumer 

Rincon Mountain Indian 

paintbrush X

Castilleja integra Gray wholeleaf Indian paintbrush X X X X X

Castilleja integra var. gloriosa (Britt.) Cockerell wholeleaf Indian paintbrush X

Castilleja lanata Gray 

Sierra woolly Indian 

paintbrush X X X X X X

Castilleja tenuiflora Benth. 

Santa Catalina Indian 

paintbrush X X X X X

Cordylanthus wrightii Gray Wright’s bird’s beak X X X

Cordylanthus wrightii Gray ssp. wrightii Wright’s bird’s beak X

Maurandella antirrhiniflora (Humb. & Bonpl. ex Willd.) Rothm. roving sailor X X X X X X
85

Herbarium 

specimen

Previous

study/list

Family Scientific name Common name UA WACCa UAZb Clarkc Reevesd Litzingere Bennettf Hartmang H&Gh

Scrophulariaceae Mimulus guttatus DC. seep monkeyflower X X X X

Mimulus rubellus Gray little redstem monkeyflower X X X

Penstemon barbatus (Cav.) Roth beardlip penstemon X X X X X

Penstemon barbatus ssp. torreyi (Benth.) Keck Torrey’s penstemon X

Penstemon linarioides Gray toadflax penstemon X X X X X X

Penstemon linarioides Gray ssp. linarioides toadflax beardtongue X

Penstemon pinifolius Greene pineneedle beardtongue X X X X X X

Penstemon pseudospectabilis M.E. Jones desert penstemon X X

Penstemon pseudospectabilis ssp. connatifolius (A. Nels.) Keck desert beardtongue X X X X X

Schistophragma intermedia (Gray) Pennell harlequin spiralseed X X X X X X

Scrophularia parviflora Woot. & Standl. pineland figwort X X X X X X

Verbascum blattaria L. moth mullein X X X

Verbascum thapsus L. common mullein X X X X X X X X

Verbascum virgatum Stokes wand mullein X X X X X

Solanaceae Chamaesaracha coronopus (Dunal) Gray greenleaf five eyes X X X X

Datura inoxia P. Mill. pricklyburr X

Datura wrightii Regel sacred thorn-apple X X X X

Lycium pallidum Miers pale desert-thorn X X X X

Margaranthus solanaceus Schlecht. netted globecherry X X X X X

Nicotiana obtusifolia var. obtusifolia Mertens & Galeotti desert tobacco X X X X X

Physalis hederifolia var. fendleri (Gray) Cronq. Fendler’s groundcherry X X X X X

Physalis hederifolia Gray ivyleaf groundcherry X

Physalis pubescens L. husk tomato X X X

Physalis pubescens var. integrifolia (Dunal) Waterfall husk tomato X

Solanum americanum P. Mill. American black nightshade X X X X

Solanum douglasii Dunal greenspot nightshade X X X X X

Solanum elaeagnifolium Cav. silverleaf nightshade X X X X X

Solanum fendleri Gray ex Torr. Fendler’s horsenettle X X X X X

Solanum heterodoxum Dunal melonleaf nightshade X X X

Solanum heterodoxum var. novomexicanum Bartlett New Mexican nightshade X X

Solanum jamesii Torr. wild potato X X X X

Solanum rostratum Dunal buffalobur nightshade X X X X X X

Typhaceae Typha domingensis Pers. southern cattail X X X X X

Ulmaceae Celtis laevigata var. reticulata (Torr.) L. Benson netleaf hackberry X X X X X X

Verbenaceae Aloysia wrightii Heller ex Abrams Wright’s beebrush X X X X

Glandularia bipinnatifida (Nutt.) Nutt. Dakota mock vervain X

Glandularia bipinnatifida var. bipinnatifida (Nutt.) Nutt. Dakota mock vervain X X X X X

Glandularia gooddingii (Briq.) Solbrig southwestern mock vervain X X

Glandularia wrightii (Gray) Umber 

Davis Mountain mock 

vervain X X X X X

Verbena bracteata Lag. & Rodr. bigbract verbena X X X X

Verbena carolina L. Carolina vervain X

Verbena gracilis Desf. Fort Huachuca vervain X X X X X

Verbena macdougalii Heller MacDougal verbena X X X X X

Verbena neomexicana (Gray) Small hillside vervain X X X X X X
86

Herbarium Previous

specimen study/list

Family

Violaceae

Scientific name

Hybanthus verticillatus (Ortega) Baill. 

Hybanthus verticillatus (Ortega) Baill. var. verticillatus

Viola canadensis L. 

Common name

babyslippers

babyslippers

Canadian white violet

UA WACCa

 UAZb

X

Clarkc

X

f Reevesd Litzingere

 Bennett

X X

X

X X X

Hartmang H&Gh

X

Viscaceae

Vitaceae

Zygophyllaceae

Arceuthobium gillii Hawksworth & Wiens 

Phoradendron bolleanum (Seem.) Eichl. 

Phoradendron capitellatum Torr. ex Trel. 

Phoradendron coryae Trel. 

Phoradendron juniperinum Engelm. ex Gray 

Phoradendron leucarpum (Raf.) Reveal & M.C. Johnston 

Phoradendron tomentosum (DC.) Engelm. ex Gray 

Parthenocissus quinquefolia (L.) Planch. 

Vitis arizonica Engelm. 

Kallstroemia californica (S. Wats.) Vail 

Kallstroemia grandiflora Torr. ex Gray 

Kallstroemia parviflora J.B.S. Norton 

Tribulus terrestris L. 

Huachuca Mountain dwarf 

mistletoe

Bollean mistletoe

downy mistletoe

Cory’s mistletoe

juniper mistletoe

oak mistletoe

Christmas mistletoe

Virginia creeper

canyon grape

California caltrop

Arizona poppy

warty caltrop

puncturevine

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X X X

X X

X

X X X

X X X

X X X

X X X

X X X

X X X

X X X

X X X

X X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X X a Western Archaeological Conservation Center, Tucson. 

b

 University of Arizona Herbarium.

c Clark (no date).

d

 Reeves (1976).

e Litzinger (1993).

f Bennett et al. (1996).

g Hartman et al. (1998).

h Halvorson and Guertin (2003).
87

Appendix B. Amphibian and reptile species observed in Chiricahua NM by University of Arizona Inventory personnel (UA) by survey type and other studies.

UA survey method Study

Specimen or 

photograph 

voucher a Order Family Scientific name Common name Extensive

TAC

plots

Line 

transect Pitfall Road

Incidental

Lowe and 

Holm (1987)

Prival and 

Schwalbe 

(2000)

Goode and 

Amarillo 

(2004)

Caudata Ambystomatidae Ambystoma tigrinum tiger salamander X X X

Anura Pelobatidae Spea multiplicata Mexican spadefoot X X X X X

Bufonidae Bufo cognatus Great Plains toad X X X X X

Bufo punctatus red-spotted toad X

Hylidae Hyla arenicolor canyon treefrog X X X X X X X

Testudines Emydidae Terrapene ornata western box turtle X X X X X X

Squamata Crotaphytidae Crotaphytus collaris eastern collared lizard X X X

Sceloporus jarrovii mountain spiny lizard X X X X X X X X

Sceloporus clarkii Clark’s spiny lizard X X X X X X X X X

Sceloporus virgatus striped plateau lizard X X X X X X X X

Sceloporus undulatus eastern fence lizard X

Urosaurus ornatus ornate tree lizard X X X X X X X X

Holbrookia maculata lesser earless lizard X

Phrynosoma hernandesi greater short-horned lizard X X X X X

Scincidae Eumeces obsoletus Great Plains skink X X X X X

Teiidae Cnemidophorus uniparens desert grassland whiptail X X X

Cnemidophorus exsanguis Chihuahuan spotted whiptail X X X X X X X X

Cnemidophorus sonorae Sonoran spotted whiptail X X X X X X X

Anguidae Elgaria kingii Madrean alligator lizard X X X X X X

Leptotyphlopidae Leptotyphlops dulcis Texas blind snake X X

Colubridae Masticophis flagellum coachwhip X X

Masticophis bilineatus Sonoran whipsnake X X X X X X X

Salvadora hexalepis western patch-nosed snake X

Salvadora grahamiae mountain patch-nosed snake X X X X X X

Senticolis triaspis green rat snake X X X

Pituophis catenifer gopher snake X X X X X X X

Lampropeltis pyromelana Sonoran mountain kingsnake X X X X X X X

Thamnophis cyrtopsis black-necked garter snake X X X X X X

Sonora semiannulata western ground snake X

Trimorphodon biscutatus western lyre snake X X X X X

Hypsiglena torquata night snake X X X X X X

Viperidae Crotalus lepidus rock rattlesnake X X X X X X X

Crotalus molossus black-tailed rattlesnake X X X X X X X

a See Appendix G and H for additional information. All specimens or photographs were taken from within or just outside of the monument. 
88

Appendix C. Bird species observed by University of Arizona (UA) Inventory personnel, by survey method, Chiricahua NM. Numbers of observations are not scaled by 

search effort and should not to be used for comparison among species. List also includes species reported in Fischer (2002) and the MAPS station (summarized in Martinez and 

Hubbard 2003). Underlined species are neotropical migrants (Rappole 1995). 

Number of observations by UA Conservation designation

rderO Family Scientific name Common name VCP Winter Nocturnal Incidental Fischer MAPS ESAa USFSb AZc AZ APFd USFWSe

alliformesG Phasianidae Meleagris gallopavo wild turkey 2 X

OdontophoridaeCallipepla squamata scaled quail X

Callipepla gambelii Gambel’s quail 15 7 2 X

Cyrtonyx montezumae Montezuma quail 4 1 8 X X

Ciconiiformes Cathartidae Cathartes aura turkey vulture 18 2 X X

Falconiformes Accipitridae Pandion haliaetus osprey X X

Haliaeetus leucocephalus bald eagle X LT X X

Circus cyaneus northern harrier 1 X

Accipiter striatus sharp-shinned hawk 1 X X

Accipiter cooperii Cooper’s hawk 10 2 X X

Accipiter gentilis northern goshawk X SC X X

Buteogallus anthracinus common black-hawk X X X X

Buteo swainsoni Swainson’s hawk 1 X

Buteo albonotatus zone-tailed hawk 5 X

Buteo jamaicensis red-tailed hawk 1 4 3 X X

Buteo regalis ferruginous hawk X SC X

Buteo lagopus rough-legged hawk X

Aquila chrysaetos golden eagle 1 3 X X

Falconidae Falco sparverius American kestrel 1 X

Falco peregrinus peregrine falcon 1 X SC X X

Falco mexicanus prairie falcon 1 1 2 X

ruiformesG Gruidae Grus canadensis sandhill crane 2 X

Charadriiformes Charadriidae Charadrius vociferus killdeer X

Columbiformes Columbidae Patagioenas fasciata band-tailed pigeon 4 2 X X

Zenaida asiatica white-winged dove 76 X

Zenaida macroura mourning dove 120 1 X X

Columbina passerina common ground-dove 1

Cuculiformes Cuculidae Geococcyx californianus greater roadrunner 2 5 X

trigiformesS Tytonidae Tyto alba barn owl 1

Strigidae Otus flammeolus flammulated owl X

Megascops kennicottii western screech-owl 9 X

Megascops trichopsis whiskered screech-owl 14 X

Bubo virginianus great horned owl X

Glaucidium gnoma northern pygmy-owl 17 6 2 X X

Micrathene whitneyi elf owl 33 1 X X

Strix occidentalis lucida Mexican spotted owl 2 X LT X X

Aegolius acadicus northern saw-whet owl X

Caprimulgiformes Caprimulgidae Chordeiles minor common nighthawk X

Phalaenoptilus nuttallii common poorwill 1 19 2 X

Caprimulgus vociferus whip-poor-will 13 X
89

Number of observations by UA Conservation designation

Order Family Scientific name Common name VCP Winter Nocturnal Incidental Fischer MAPS ESAa USFSb AZc AZ APFd USFWSe

Apodiformes Apodidae Chaetura vauxi Vaux’s swift X

Aeronautes saxatalis white-throated swift 45 2 X X

Trochilidae Cynanthus latirostris broad-billed hummingbird 2

Hylocharis leucotis white-eared hummingbird X

Amazilia beryllina Berylline hummingbird X X

Amazilia violiceps violet-crowned hummingbird X X X

Lampornis clemenciae blue-throated hummingbird 1 2 X X

Eugenes fulgens magnificent hummingbird 3 1 X X

Calothorax lucifer Lucifer hummingbird X

Archilochus alexandri black-chinned hummingbird 13 5 X X

Calypte anna Anna’s hummingbird X

Stellula calliope calliope hummingbird X

Selasphorus platycercus broad-tailed hummingbird 46 6 X X

Selasphorus rufus rufous hummingbird 2 X X

Trogoniformes Trogonidae Trogon elegans elegant trogon X X

Euptilotis neoxenus eared trogon X X

Coraciiformes Alcedinidae Ceryle alcyon belted kingfisher X X

Piciformes Picidae Melanerpes formicivorus acorn woodpecker 48 2 2 X X

Melanerpes uropygialis Gila woodpecker X X

Sphyrapicus thyroideus Williamson’s sapsucker 1 1 X

Sphyrapicus nuchalis red-naped sapsucker 4 3 X

Picoides scalaris ladder-backed woodpecker 16 5 2 X

Picoides villosus hairy woodpecker 7 1 1 X

Picoides arizonae Arizona woodpecker 49 3 11 X X

Colaptes auratus northern flicker 57 11 1 X X

Passeriformes Tyrannidae Camptostoma imberbe northern beardless-tyrannulet 8

Contopus cooperi olive-sided flycatcher 1 X SC

Contopus pertinax greater pewee 3 1 X

Contopus sordidulus western wood-pewee 103 2 X X

Empidonax traillii willow flycatcher X X

Empidonax hammondii Hammond’s flycatcher X X

Empidonax wrightii gray flycatcher 3 1 X

Empidonax oberholseri dusky flycatcher X X

Empidonax fulvifrons pygmaeus buff-breasted flycatcher 1 SC X

Empidonax occidentalis cordilleran flycatcher 1 X X

Sayornis nigricans black phoebe X X

Sayornis saya Say’s phoebe 8 1 1 X

Pyrocephalus rubinus vermilion flycatcher 1 X

Myiarchus tuberculifer dusky-capped flycatcher 193 5 X X

Myiarchus cinerascens ash-throated flycatcher 118 4 X X

Myiarchus tyrannulus brown-crested flycatcher 2 X X

Myiodynastes luteiventris sulphur-bellied flycatcher 8 X X

Tyrannus vociferans Cassin’s kingbird 129 4 3 X X

Tyrannus verticalis western kingbird X
90

Number of observations by UA Conservation designation

Order Family Scientific name Common name VCP Winter Nocturnal Incidental Fischer MAPS ESAa USFSb AZc AZ APFd USFWSe

Passeriformes Laniidae Lanius ludovicianus loggerhead shrike 1 X SC X

Vireonidae Vireo vicinior gray vireo X

Vireo plumbeus plumbeous vireo 69 5 X X

Vireo huttoni Hutton’s vireo 58 2 4 X X

Vireo gilvus warbling vireo 5 3 X X

Corvidae Cyanocitta stelleri Steller’s jay 10 4 X X

Aphelocoma californica western scrub-jay 6 X

Aphelocoma ultramarina Mexican jay 178 14 6 X X

Gymnorhinus cyanocephalus pinyon jay 1 X

Nucifraga columbiana Clark’s nutcracker X

Corvus sp. unknown raven 19 2

Corvus cryptoleucus Chihuahuan raven X X

Corvus corax common raven X X

Alaudidae Eremophila alpestris horned lark X

Hirundinidae Progne subis purple martin X X

Tachycineta thalassina violet-green swallow 6 3 X

Stelgidopteryx serripennis northern rough-winged swallow X

Petrochelidon pyrrhonota cliff swallow X

Hirundo rustica barn swallow X

Paridae Poecile gambeli mountain chickadee 1 5

Poecile sclateri Mexican chickadee 4 2 X

Baeolophus wollweberi bridled titmouse 83 8 2 X X

Baeolphus ridgwayi juniper titmouse 10 3 X X

Remizidae Auriparus flaviceps verdin 5 2 1

Aegithalidae Psaltriparus minimus bushtit 51 1 7 X X

Sittidae Sitta canadensis red-breasted nuthatch 1 1 2 X

Sitta carolinensis white-breasted nuthatch 47 3 4 X X

Sittidae Sitta pygmaea pygmy nuthatch X

Certhiidae Certhia americana brown creeper 31 1 3 X X

Troglodytidae Campylorhynchus brunneicapillus cactus wren 31 7 2 X

Salpinctes obsoletus rock wren 11 6 X

Catherpes mexicanus canyon wren 56 1 3 X X

Thryomanes bewickii Bewick’s wren 285 13 3 X X

Troglodytes aedon house wren 5 1 X

Regulidae Regulus calendula ruby-crowned kinglet 25 23 X X

Sylviidae Polioptila caerulea blue-gray gnatcatcher 7 4 X X

Turdidae Sialia sialis eastern bluebird 1 X

Sialia mexicana western bluebird 6 2 X

Sialia currucoides mountain bluebird 1 X

Myadestes townsendi Townsend’s solitaire 5 5 4 X X

Catharus guttatus hermit thrush 7 2 X X

Turdus migratorius American robin 70 5 X X

Mimidae Mimus polyglottos northern mockingbird 37 X
91

Number of observations by UA Conservation designation

Order Family Scientific name Common name VCP Winter Nocturnal Incidental Fischer MAPS ESAa USFSb AZc AZ APFd USFWSe

Passeriformes Toxostoma bendirei Bendire’s thrasher 1

Toxostoma curvirostre curve-billed thrasher 1 X

Toxostoma crissale crissal thrasher 1 1 4 X X

Bombycillidae Bombycilla cedrorum cedar waxwing 1 X

Ptilogonatidae Phainopepla nitens phainopepla 3 1 X

Peucedramidae Peucedramus taeniatus olive warbler 1 1 X

Parulidae Vermivora celata orange-crowned warbler 1 1 X

Vermivora ruficapilla Nashville warbler X

Vermivora virginiae Virginia’s warbler 3 2 X X

Vermivora luciae Lucy’s warbler 12 X

Dendroica petechia yellow warbler 1

Dendroica coronata yellow-rumped warbler 11 X X

Dendroica coronata auduboni Audubon’s warbler 8 1

Dendroica nigrescens black-throated gray warbler 175 5 X X

Dendroica townsendi Townsend’s warbler 3 4 X X

Dendroica occidentalis hermit warbler 1 X X

Dendroica graciae Grace’s warbler 24 4 X

Setophaga ruticilla american redstart 1 X

Oporornis tolmiei MacGillivray’s warbler 1 X

Wilsonia pusilla Wilson’s warbler 5 X X

Cardellina rubrifrons red-faced warbler 9 1 X

Myioborus pictus painted redstart 30 9 X X

Thraupidae Piranga flava hepatic tanager 108 3 9 X X

Piranga rubra summer tanager 8

Piranga ludoviciana western tanager 14 1 X X

Emberizidae Pipilo chlorurus green-tailed towhee 2 2 X

Pipilo maculatus spotted towhee 109 23 X X

Pipilo fuscus canyon towhee 48 19 2 X

Aimophila cassinii Cassin’s sparrow X

Aimophila botterri Botteri’s sparrow X

Aimophila ruficeps rufous-crowned sparrow 39 12 1 X

Spizella passerina chipping sparrow 8 25 2 X X

Spizella breweri Brewer’s sparrow 3 X

Spizella atrogularis black-chinned sparrow 3 1 1 X

Pooecetes gramineus vesper sparrow 3 X

Chondestes grammacus lark sparrow 1 X

Melospiza lincolnii Lincoln’s sparrow 1 2 2 X

Amphispiza bilineata black-throated sparrow 21 6 1 X

Ammondramus savannarum grasshopper sparrow X

Passerella iliaca fox sparrow X

Zonotrichia leucophrys white-crowned sparrow 3 2 X

Junco hyemalis dark-eyed junco 9 X X

Junco hyemalis mearnsi pink-sided juncof 2 5 1
92

I

Order

Passeriformes

Family

Cardinalidae

Scientific name

Junco hyemalis dorsalis

Junco hyemalis oreganus

Junco phaeonotus

Cardinalis cardinalis

Common name

gray-headed juncof

Oregon juncof

yellow-eyed junco

northern cardinal

Num

VCP

4

1

12

6

ber of observations by UA

Winter Nocturnal Incidental Fischer MAPS

4

2 2

6 X

1 1

ESAa

Conservation designation

USFSb AZc AZ APFd USFWSe

cteridae

Cardinalis sinuatus

Pheucticus ludovicianus

Pheucticus melanocephalus

Passerina caerulea

Passerina amoena

Passerina ciris

Sturnella magna lilianae

Sturnella neglecta

Quiscalus mexicanus

Molothrus aeneus

pyrrhuloxia

rose-breasted grosbeak

black-headed grosbeak

blue grosbeak

lazuli bunting

painted bunting

eastern meadowlark

western meadowlark

great-tailed grackle

bronzed cowbird

111

3

2

1

X

5 X X

X

1 X X

X

1 X

1 X

X

X

Molothrus ater brown-headed cowbird 43 X X

Icterus cucullatus hooded oriole 1 X

Icterus bullockii Bullock’s oriole 14 X

Icteridae

Fringillidae

Icterus parisorum

Carpodacus cassinii

Carpodacus mexicanus

Loxia curvirostra

Scott’s oriole

Cassin’s finch

house finch

red crossbill

101

58

4 X X

1 1 X

6 X X

X

Carduelis pinus

Carduelis psaltria

Carduelis tristis

Coccothraustes vespertinus

pine siskin

lesser goldfinch

American goldfinch

evening grosbeak

1

21

2 1 X

1 X X

X

X

a

 “SC” = “Species of Concern”; “C” = Candidate for listing, “LT” = Listed as Threatened under the Endangered Species Act. U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (HDMS 2004).

b

 “Sensitive species”; U.S.D.A. Forest Service (HDMS 2004).

c “Wildlife of Special Concern”; Arizona Game and Fish Department (HDMS 2004). d

 “Priority species”; Arizona Partners in Flight (Latta et al. 1999).

e “Species of conservation concern”; U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (HDMS 2004). f We include observations of these subspecies in the appendix because field crew members occasionally made this distinction.
93

Appendix D. Mammal species observed by University of Arizona Inventory personnel (by survey method, 2002-2004) and those reported in other studies. For more 

information on specimen vouchers see Appendix H. Species in bold-faced type are non-native.

Number of observations by UA

Small-mammal Duncan Koprowski Krebbs Voucher 

Order

Insectivora

Family

Soricidae

Scientific name

Notiosorex crawfordi

Common name

Crawford’s desert shrew

trapping Trailmaster Incidental (1990)a

X

(2004) (2005) specimen 

Chiroptera Phyllostomidae

Vespertilionidae

Notiosorex species

Choeronycteris mexicana

Leptonycteris curasoae yerbabuenae

Myotis occultus

Myotis auriculus

Myotis velifer

Myotis thysanodes

Myotis volans

Myotis californicus

Myotis ciliolabrum

Lasionycteris noctivagans

Pipistrellus hesperus

Eptesicus fuscus

Lasiurus blossevillii

unknown desert shrew

Mexican long-tongued bat

southern long-nosed bat

Arizona myotis

southwestern myotis

cave myotis

fringed myotis

long-legged myotis

California myotis

western small-footed myotis

silver-haired bat

western pipistrelle

big brown bat

western red bat

6

1

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

Molossidae

Lasiurus cinereus

Corynorhinus townsendii pallescens

Idionycteris phyllotis

Antrozous pallidus

Tadarida brasiliensis

hoary bat

Townsend’s big-eared bat

Allen’s big-eared bat

pallid bat

Brazilian free-tailed bat

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

Carnivora Ursidae

Nyctinomops macrotis

Ursus americanus

big free-tailed bat

American black bear 11 X X

Procyonidae Procyon lotor

Nasua narica

northern raccoon

white-nosed coati 3

X

X

X

X

X

X

Mustelidae

Mephitidae

Canidae

Felidae

Bassariscus astutus

Taxidea taxus

Mephitis mephitis

Mephitis macroura

Conepatus mesoleucus

Canis latrans

Urocyon cinereoargenteus

Felis catus

ringtail

American badger

striped skunk

hooded skunk

white-backed hog-nosed skunk

coyote

common gray fox

feral cat

5

11

2

2

2

38

3

2

4

7

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

Puma concolor mountain lion 3 5 X X

Rodentia Sciuridae

Lynx rufus

Spermophilus variegatus

Spermophilus spilosoma

Neotamias dorsalis

Sciurus nayaritensis

bobcat

rock squirrel

spotted ground squirrel

cliff chipmunk

Mexican fox squirrel

2 1

6

3

3

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X
94

Number of observations by UA

Order Family Scientific name Common name

Small-mammal 

trapping Trailmaster Incidental

Duncan 

(1990)a

Koprowski 

(2004)

Krebbs 

(2005)

Voucher 

specimen 

Rodentia Geomyidae Thomomys bottae Botta’s pocket gopher X X

Heteromyidae Perognathus amplus Arizona pocket mouse X

Perognathus flavus silky pocket mouse 11 X X

Chaetodipus intermedius rock pocket mouse 7

Chaetodipus hispidus hispid pocket mouse 43 X

Dipodomys ordii Ord’s kangaroo rat X

Dipodomys merriami Merriam’s kangaroo rat 6 X X

Muridae Reithrodontomys montanus Plains harvest mouse 1 X

Reithrodontomys megalotis western harvest mouse X X

Reithrodontomys fulvescens fulvous harvest mouse X

Peromyscus eremicus cactus mouse 2 X X

Peromyscus maniculatus deer mouse 1b X X

Peromyscus leucopus white-footed mouse b X X

Peromyscus boylii brush mouse 49 X X

Peromyscus truei piñon mouse X

Peromyscus nasutus northern rock mouse 2 X X

Baiomys taylori northern pygmy mouse 2

Onychomys leucogaster northern grasshopper mouse X X

Onychomys torridus southern grasshopper mouse 10 X

Neotoma albigula western white-throated woodrat 8 X X

Neotoma mexicana Mexican woodrat X X

Sigmodon hispidus hispid cotton rat X

Sigmodon fulviventer tawny-bellied cotton rat X X

Sigmodon ochrognathus yellow-nosed cotton rat 8 X

Sigmodon arizonae Arizona cotton rat 20 X X

Mus musculus house mouse 4 X

Lagomorpha Leporidae Lepus californicus black-tailed jackrabbit X

Sylvilagus floridanus eastern cottontail 3 X

Sylvilagus audubonii desert cottontail 23 2 X

Artiodactyla Tayassuidae Pecari tajacu collared peccary 4 5 X X

Cervidae Odocoileus virginianus white-tailed deer 2 10 X X

a Copies of Doug Duncan’s original datasheets now resides at the I&M office in Tucson. 

b

 Species trapped was either deer mouse or white-footed mouse. See text for more information.
95

Appendix E. Amphibian and reptile species that may occur at Chiricahua NM based on unconfirmed 

observations in the monument or listed as “hypothetical” by Lowe and Holm (1987), voucher specimen found 

within 5 km of the monument (Appendix H), or observations from the Sulphur Springs Valley (from Rosen et al. 

1996). 

Order Family Scientific name Common name

Lowe and 

Holm

Appendix 

H Rosen et al.a

Anura Pelobatidae Spea bombifrons plains spadefoot X

Scaphiopus couchii Couch’s spadefoot X

Bufonidae Bufo debilis green toad X X

Ranidae Rana chiricahuensis Chiricahua leopard frog X

Rana catesbeiana American bullfrog X

Squamata Helodermatidae Heloderma suspectum Gila monster X

Phrynosomatidae Sceloporus slevini Slevin’s bunchgrass lizard X

Phrynosoma cornutum Texas horned lizard X X

Cophosaurus texanus greater earless lizard X X

Colubridae Diadophis punctatus ring-necked snake X X X

Arizona elegans glossy snake X

Gyalopion canum Chihuahuan hook-nosed snake X X X

Heterodon nasicus western hog-nosed snake X X

Lampropeltis getula common kingsnake X

Thamnophis marcianus checkered garter snake X X

Micruroides euryxanthus Sonoran coral snake X X

Sistrurus catenatus Desert massasauga 

Crotalus scutulatus Mojave rattlesnake X X X

Crotalus pricei twin-spotted rattlesnake X

 a Based on general habitat characteristics or geographic locations described in document. 

Appendix F. Mammal species that were not recorded by University of Arizona personnel or others but that might occur 

or have been extirpated at Chiricahua NM. List based on detections by Hoffmeister (1986) and Swann et al. (2001): P = 

possible based on documentation near the monument, or E = documented but now known to be extirpated.

Order Family Scientific name Common name Possible/Extinct Comments from Hoffmeister

Insectivora

Soricidae Sorex arizonae Arizona shrew

P

located just south of the monument 

in woodland of oak, walnut, maple, 

sycamore and Douglas fir

Carnivora

Canidae Canis lupus baileyi gray wolf E Chiricahua

Ursidae Ursus arctos grizzly or brown bear E Chiricahua mountains

Mustelidae Mustela frenata long-tailed weasel P Pinery Canyon (just south of monument), Chiricahua mountains

Mephitidae Spilogale gracilis western spotted skunk P Pinery Canyon (just south of monument), Chiricahua Mountains

Felidae Panthera onca Jaguar P Specimen taken in 1912 from Bonita 

Canyon (Cahalane 1939)

Rodentia

Sciuridae Ammospermophilus harrisii Harris’s antelope squirrel P

mouth of Pinery Canyon (just south of 

monument)

Heteromyidae Chaetodipus penicillatus Sonoran Desert pocket mouse P

Chaetodipus baileyi Bailey’s pocket mouse P

Dipodomys spectabilis banner-tailed kangaroo rat P

Erethizontidae Erethizon dorsatum North American porcupine P

Artiodactyla

Cervidae Odocoileus hemionus mule deer P
96

Appendix G. Vertebrate voucher specimens and photographs collected by University of Arizona or monument 

personnel, Chiricahua NM, 2002–2005. All voucher specimens are located in respective University of Arizona (AZ) collections.

Voucher 

type Taxon Species Collector(s)

Date of 

collection

AZ 

collection # Specimen type

Specimen Amphibian canyon treefrog Kevin E. Bonine 8/15/2002 whole

Reptile Clark’s spiny lizard Carrie Dennett 54123 whole

unknown whiptail Dan M. Bell 7/31/2003 whole

unknown whiptail Dan M. Bell 5/21/2003 whole

Chihuahuan spotted whiptail Dan M. Bell 5/19/2003 55457 whole

Madrean alligator lizard Ruth A. Olsen 3/24/2003 whole

Texas blind snake Kevin E. Bonine 8/13/2002 whole

Sonoran whipsnake Kevin E. Bonine 8/14/2002 whole

western ground snakea Ruth A. Olsen 5/05/2005

mountain patch-nosed snake Kevin E. Bonine 8/13/2002 54445 whole

black-necked garter snake Dave B. Prival 7/7/1999 whole

black-necked garter snake Kevin E. Bonine 8/14/2002 whole

night snake Kevin E. Bonine 9/6/2002 54124 whole

black-tailed rattlesnake Kevin E. Bonine 8/13/2002 54443 whole

Mammal unknown desert shrew Dan M. Bell 9/4/2003 26947 Skin and Skull

American black bear Ruth A. Olsen 7/19/2003 26944 Skull

common gray fox Neil D. Perry 9/7/2002 26779 Skull and Mandible

silky pocket mouse Neil D. Perry 10/10/2002 26897 Skin and Skull

silky pocket mouse Neil D. Perry 11/8/2002 26848 Skin and Skull

rock pocket mouse Neil D. Perry 10/10/2002 26885 Skin and Skull

hispid pocket mouse Neil D. Perry 10/9/2002 26884 Skin and Skull

Plains harvest mouse Neil D. Perry 11/10/2002 26851 Skin and Skull

brush mouse Neil D. Perry 10/9/2002 26922 Skull

northern pygmy mouse Neil D. Perry 11/10/2002 26850 Skin and Skull

Photograph Amphibian tiger salamander Kevin E. Bonine 9/6/2002

Mexican spadefoot Kevin E. Bonine 9/7/2002

Great Plains toad Dan M. Bell 8/14/2002

canyon treefrog Kevin E. Bonine 8/4/2003

Reptile western box turtle Dan M. Bell 8/14/2002

eastern collared lizard Ruth A. Olsen 6/26/2004

mountain spiny lizard Kevin E. Bonine 8/15/2002

Clark’s spiny lizard Kevin E. Bonine 8/16/2002

striped plateau lizard Kevin E. Bonine 9/6/2002

ornate tree lizard Kevin E. Bonine 8/16/2002

greater short-horned lizard Kevin E. Bonine 8/14/2002

Great Plains skink Kevin E. Bonine 7/31/2003

unknown whiptail Kevin E. Bonine 8/16/2002

Chihuahuan spotted whiptail Kevin E. Bonine 8/15/2002

Sonoran spotted whiptail Dan M. Bell 7/31/2003

Madrean alligator lizard Dan M. Bell 8/15/2002

Texas blind snake Dan M. Bell 5/20/2003

Sonoran whipsnake Kevin E. Bonine 5/6/2003

mountain patch-nosed snake Kevin E. Bonine 6/4/2003

gopher snake Kevin E. Bonine 9/7/2002

Sonoran mountain kingsnake Kevin E. Bonine 8/16/2002

black-necked garter snake Dan M. Bell 8/16/2002

western lyre snake Dan M. Bell 8/13/2002

night snake Kevin E. Bonine 8/14/2002

rock rattlesnake Dan M. Bell 8/13/2002

black-tailed rattlesnake Dan M. Bell 8/16/2002

Mexican spotted owl Ruth A. Olsen 4/21/2004

Bird magnificent hummingbird Ruth A. Olsen

broad-tailed hummingbird Ruth A. Olsen

Arizona woodpecker Ruth A. Olsen

Mexican jay Janine R. McCabe 5/6/2004

painted redstart Ruth A. Olsen

black-headed grosbeak Ruth A. Olsen

Scott’s oriole Janine R. McCabe 6/29/2004
97

Voucher Date of AZ 

type Taxon Species Collector(s) collection collection # Specimen type

Photograph Mammal American black bear Janine R. McCabe 5/4/2004

ringtail Ruth A. Olsen 4/8/2003

striped skunk Ruth A. Olsen 2/28/2003

hooded skunk Ruth A. Olsen 4/2/2003

white-backed hog-nosed skunk Ruth A. Olsen 9/10/2003

coyote Ruth A. Olsen 4/7/2003

common gray fox Ruth A. Olsen 12/5/2002

mountain lion Ruth A. Olsen 4/6/2003

bobcat Ruth A. Olsen 3/8/2003

cliff chipmunk Ruth A. Olsen

eastern cottontail Ruth A. Olsen 9/10/2003

desert cottontail Ruth A. Olsen 3/13/2003

collared peccary Ruth A. Olsen 3/13/2003

white-tailed deer Ruth A. Olsen 1/16/2003

a Found just prior to publishing of this report. At the time of this writing the specimen resides at the monument, though will 

 likely be accessioned into the UA collection.
98

Appendix H. Voucher specimens that were not collected by University of Arizona personnel or by Chiricahua NM 

personnel, but were found in Chiricahua NM or within 5 km of the monument.

Taxon Common name

Amphibian western spadefoot

Field collection number

7474–7479, 7481–7486, 8570–

8572

Collectiona

INHS

Date

6/25/1954

Primary Collector

P. W. Smith

Reptile

red-spotted toadb

Great Plains toad

lesser earless lizard

mountain spiny lizard

7491

HE.14025

7506, 7507, 8553

6457, 6458

41292–41295

39664–39666

6463, 7536–540

42555

115606–15610, 122480, 122481

INHS

MSU

INHS

INHS

UA

BYU

INHS

UCB

NHMLA

6/25/1954 P. W. Smith

7/25/1957 M. M. Hensley

6/25/1954 P. W. Smith

6/16/1952 P. W. Smith

5/30/1953 Blackburn

8/1/1987 Wilkinson, Jeff

6/15/1952, 6/17/1954 P.W. Smith

10/14/1945 M. Jollie

Bird

Clark’s spiny lizard

eastern fence lizard

ornate tree lizard

greater short-horned lizard

Chihuahuan spotted whiptail

Madrean alligator lizard

Sonoran whipsnake

western hog-nosed snake b

western patch-nosed snake

mountain patch-nosed snake

Chihuahuan hook-nosed snake b

ring-necked snake b

green rat snake

gopher snake

Sonoran mountain kingsnake

black-necked garter snake

western lyre snake

rock rattlesnake

rock rattlesnake

Mohave rattlesnake b

black-tailed rattlesnake

red-winged blackbird

1136, 11122, 11123

27082–27085

2564, 32574

76024, 76025

6461

46328

6471, 7987

6473, 7985

7550, 7551, 7939

7556

197996

7552

46850

37758

84173

18048

8005, 8291, 8292

20738

46327

29282

8305

83970

7580

6008

50758

8634

3584, 6010

8032, 8645

26596

42098, 42099 

40083

48821

79328, 96878

8033

8384, 8385

16103, 16104, 16105

150291, 150292, 150293, 

TTU

TMNH

UA

UI

INHS

UA

INHS

INHS

INHS

INHS

USNM

INHS

UA

UA

UI

UCB

INHS

UA

UA

UI

INHS

UI

INHS

CAS

UA

INHS

CAS

INHS

MPM

UA

UA

UA

UM

INHS

CAS

UA

7/15/1959 Knopf

9/6/1966 W. B. Rhoten

11/28/1952, 8/24/1970 V. J. Vance, J. K. Cross

6/1/1955 D. M. Smith

6/15/1952 P. W. Smith

9/14/1985 P. A. Holm

6/15/1952, 6/5/1955 P. W. Smith

6/16/1952, 6/5/1955 P. W. Smith

6/25/1954 P. W. Smith

6/17/1954 P. W. Smith

8/1/1970 J. F. Watkins

6/17/1954 P. W. Smith

4/12/1986 J.E. Lowry

8/7/1969 S. F. Hale

D. M. Smith

3/28/1935 A. E. Borell

6/5/1955, 6/7/1956 P. W. Smith

8/30/1963 L. F. Bronsor

10/5/1985 P. A. Holm

6/15/1951 D. M. Smith

6/6/1956 P. W. Smith

6/1/1951 D. M. Smith

6/24/1954 P. W. Smith

9/19/1937 P. C. Bowman

8/6/1969 W. R. Johnson

6/27/1957 P. W. Smith

8/16/1933, 9/19/1937 F. L. Fish, P. C. Bowman

6/5/1955, 6/28/1957 P. W. Smith

8/19/1954 M. Leipzig

4/21/1957 W. H. Woodin, Sherwin

9/3/1972 B. Endres

6/7/1986 P. A. Holm

8/7/1932, 8/4/1936 R. H. Painter, F. L. Fish

6/19/1955 P. W. Smith

10/22/1936, 2/1/1944 F. L. Fish

150294, 150295, 150296, 

Mammal pallid bat

northern raccoon

rock squirrel

150297, 150298

9258

9294

UK

UA

UA

08/19/1954

04/02/1962

04/03/1962

07/10/1962, 

A. Schwartz

A. C. Risser

Á. C. Risser

spotted ground squirrel 9262, 9271 UA 08/05/1962

05/06/1962, 

A. C. Risser

cliff chipmunk

silky pocket mouse

cactus mouse

9259, 26099

26126

26131, 26266

UA

UA

UA

09/14/1985

05/22/1985

09/14/1985

G. L. Dixon

A. R. Shanks

R. J. Fargo, G. L. Cordts
99

Taxon Common name Field collection number Collectiona Date Primary Collector

Mammal deer mouse 9272, 9276 UA

08/06/1962, 

08/25/1962 A. C. Risser

brush mouse

25837, 25909, 25911, 25946, 

26097, 26229, 26241, 26243, 

26244, 26368, 26381, 26382, 

26383

UA 09/14/1985, 

09/15/1985

W. A. Rosenberg, M. 

Taborda, R. J. Fargo, J. 

G. Turner, M. S. Byerly, 

G. L. Dixon, G. L. Cordts, 

D. M Ragels

northern rock mouse 26242 UA 09/14/1985 G. L. Dixon

northern grasshopper mouse 26095, UA 05/22/1985 A. R. Shanks

Mexican woodrat 25573 UA 09/28/1986 D. Duncan

hispid cotton rat 25952, 26245 UA 09/13/1985, 09/14/1985 T. L. Allen, R. Fargo

Arizona cotton rat 26246 UA 09/19/1985 R. Garcia

house mouse 9817 UA 07/18/1962 D. M. Smith

collared peccary 665 INHS 06/24/1954 D. M. Smith

a

 BYU = Brigham Young University; CAS = Chicago Academy of Sciences; INHS = Illinois Natural History Survey; MSU = Michigan State 

 University; MPM = Milwaukee Public Museum; NHMLA = Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County; TTU = Texas Tech University;

 TMNH = Tulane Museum of Natural History; UA = University of Arizona; UCB = University of California at Berkeley; UI = University of Illinois, 

 Museum of Natural History; UK = Museum of Natural History, University of Kansas; USNM = U.S. National Museum.

b Based on the location description, these specimens were found outside of the monument (but within 5 km of the boundary). 
100

Appendix I. Summary of vegetation characteristics measured at each VCP survey station for birds, Chiricahua NM, 

2004. See Chapter 5 for category descriptions. 

Transect

Station Category Species

Mean

density

Transect

Station Category Species

Mean 

density

Bonita Bonita 2 velvet ash 7.96

1 Subshrub rubber rabbitbrush 226.09 Arizona sycamore 5.97

catclaw mimosa 452.18 3 Subshrub Palmer’s century plant 14.97

Apache plume 1469.58 Schott’s yucca 44.91

pale desert-thorn 113.05 turpentine bush 29.94

Shrub rubber rabbitbrush 172.80 walkingstick cactus 14.97

pointleaf manzanita 57.60 alligator juniper 14.97

catclaw mimosa 57.60 pointleaf manzanita 14.97

velvet mesquite 57.60 catclaw mimosa 44.91

Apache plume 806.39 Arizona white oak 29.94

Tree Arizona cypress 5.62 common sotol 44.91

alligator juniper 16.86 Apache plume 29.94

New Mexico locust 1.87 netleaf hackberry 14.97

Arizona walnut 11.24 Shrub Palmer’s century plant 11.28

velvet ash 1.87 Schott’s yucca 22.57

Cavity desert willow 1.67 skunkbush sumac 11.28

Arizona cypress 3.35 Arizona cypress 11.28

alligator juniper 6.69 alligator juniper 11.28

Emory oak 0.84 pointleaf manzanita 11.28

Arizona walnut 1.67 catclaw mimosa 45.13

velvet ash 0.84 Emory oak 22.57

2 Subshrub Schott’s yucca 13.34 silverleaf oak 11.28

burroweed 20.02 Wright’s silktassel 11.28

walkingstick cactus 20.02 common sotol 22.57

Arizona cypress 13.34 sacahuista 22.57

velvet mesquite 13.34 Tree Arizona cypress 26.28

Emory oak 6.67 alligator juniper 87.59

common sotol 6.67 Emory oak 26.28

Apache plume 33.36 velvet ash 35.04

netleaf hackberry 6.67 Cavity Arizona cypress 23.73

Shrub eastern poison ivy 3.14 alligator juniper 47.46

skunkbush sumac 3.14 Emory oak 11.86

turpentine bush 3.14 velvet ash 17.80

Arizona cypress 6.28 Arizona sycamore 11.86

alligator juniper 6.28 4 Subshrub Schott’s yucca 19.91

velvet mesquite 6.28 smooth sumac 6.64

velvet ash 3.14 skunkbush sumac 6.64

Apache plume 25.10 walkingstick cactus 6.64

netleaf hackberry 6.28 alligator juniper 6.64

Tree Arizona cypress 1.07 pointleaf manzanita 13.27

alligator juniper 10.70 catclaw mimosa 33.18

velvet mesquite 1.07 velvet mesquite 6.64

Emory oak 2.14 Emory oak 6.64

Arizona walnut 3.21 Apache plume 26.54

velvet ash 2.14 Shrub Schott’s yucca 15.66

wingleaf soapberry 1.07 smooth sumac 5.22

Cavity Arizona cypress 3.98 Arizona cypress 10.44

alligator juniper 1.99 alligator juniper 10.44

Arizona white oak 1.99 catclaw mimosa 15.66

Emory oak 7.96 velvet mesquite 15.66

Arizona walnut 3.98 Arizona white oak 5.22

Bonita 4 Wright’s silktassel 5.22 Bonita 6 Emory oak 4.43

common sotol 5.22 sacahuista 13.28

velvet ash 5.22 Apache plume 13.28

Apache plume 10.44 Tree Arizona cypress 24.44

Tree Arizona cypress 8.99 alligator juniper 109.96

alligator juniper 7.70 Arizona white oak 48.87

Arizona white oak 1.28 Emory oak 61.09

Emory oak 1.28 Cavity alligator juniper 30.74

Arizona walnut 2.57 Arizona white oak 13.66

velvet ash 3.85 Emory oak 23.91

Cavity Arizona cypress 9.63 7 Subshrub walkingstick cactus 63.11
101

Transect

Station Category Species

Mean

density

Transect

Station Category Species

Mean 

density

alligator juniper 4.82 alligator juniper 21.04

Arizona white oak 0.96 pointleaf manzanita 21.04

Arizona walnut 0.96 catclaw mimosa 42.07

velvet ash 2.89 common sotol 10.52

5 Subshrub Schott’s yucca 8.02 Apache plume 52.59

smooth sumac 8.02 Shrub skunkbush sumac 9.69

Arizona cypress 32.08 walkingstick cactus 6.46

alligator juniper 16.04 alligator juniper 9.69

pointleaf manzanita 16.04 pointleaf manzanita 9.69

catclaw mimosa 40.11 catclaw mimosa 3.23

velvet mesquite 8.02 velvet mesquite 3.23

Emory oak 8.02 silverleaf oak 3.23

common sotol 8.02 sacahuista 3.23

sacahuista 8.02 Apache plume 16.15

pricklyburr 8.02 Tree Arizona cypress 46.70

Shrub skunkbush sumac 29.38 alligator juniper 65.38

Arizona cypress 29.38 Arizona white oak 9.34

alligator juniper 29.38 Emory oak 37.36

pointleaf manzanita 36.72 Arizona walnut 9.34

Wright’s silktassel 14.69 velvet ash 9.34

velvet ash 7.34 Arizona sycamore 9.34

Tree Arizona cypress 9.28 Cavity Arizona cypress 17.23

alligator juniper 111.40 alligator juniper 10.34

pointleaf manzanita 9.28 Arizona white oak 6.89

Emory oak 55.70 Emory oak 17.23

Cavity Arizona cypress 7.78 rush 3.45

alligator juniper 11.67 velvet ash 3.45

Emory oak 54.47 Arizona sycamore 3.45

6 Subshrub Schott’s yucca 39.25

8 Subshrub Palmer’s century plant 3.34

Arizona cypress 5.61 Schott’s yucca 6.69

alligator juniper 16.82 aster 3.34

pointleaf manzanita 5.61 walkingstick cactus 3.34

catclaw mimosa 5.61 Arizona cypress 23.41

Emory oak 5.61 pointleaf manzanita 3.34

sacahuista 5.61 velvet mesquite 3.34

Apache plume 28.04 New Mexico locust 3.34

Shrub Schott’s yucca 4.43 Arizona white oak 3.34

smooth sumac 8.86 silverleaf oak 3.34

skunkbush sumac 13.28 common sotol 3.34

walkingstick cactus 4.43 Apache plume 6.69

alligator juniper 22.14 Shrub Schott’s yucca 1.95

pointleaf manzanita 4.43 skunkbush sumac 1.95

Bonita 8 Arizona cypress 11.71 Rhyolite 2 Shrub Schott’s yucca 12.06

alligator juniper 11.71 Arizona cypress 8.04

pointleaf manzanita 1.95 pointleaf manzanita 16.08

Arizona white oak 1.95 silverleaf oak 20.10

Emory oak 3.90 sacahuista 16.08

Chihuahuan pine 1.95 Chihuahuan pine 8.04

Apache plume 1.95 Tree Arizona cypress 35.86

Tree Arizona cypress 46.24 alligator juniper 35.86

alligator juniper 73.98 Arizona madrone 11.95

Arizona white oak 9.25 Arizona white oak 71.71

Emory oak 46.24 Emory oak 59.76

Arizona sycamore 9.25 silverleaf oak 11.95

Cavity Arizona cypress 10.11 ponderosa pine 11.95

alligator juniper 8.67 Cavity Arizona cypress 23.61

Arizona white oak 1.44 alligator juniper 15.74

Emory oak 2.89 Arizona white oak 31.48

Arizona walnut 1.44 Emory oak 47.22

velvet ash 2.89 oak 7.87

Arizona sycamore 1.44 ponderosa pine 31.48

Rhyolite3 Subshrub Schott’s yucca 20.18

1 Subshrub Schott’s yucca 10.06 fragrant sumac 10.09

skunkbush sumac 10.06 skunkbush sumac 10.09
102

Transect

Station Category Species

Mean

density

Transect

Station Category Species

Mean 

density

Arizona cypress 70.38 Arizona honeysuckle 10.09

pointleaf manzanita 50.27 Arizona cypress 10.09

Arizona white oak 10.06 pointleaf manzanita 10.09

silverleaf oak 30.16 Arizona white oak 10.09

beechleaf frangula 20.11 silverleaf oak 100.88

Shrub smooth sumac 10.16 ponderosa pine 10.09

skunkbush sumac 30.47 beechleaf frangula 10.09

Arizona cypress 91.40 Shrub Schott’s yucca 27.47

pointleaf manzanita 20.31 fragrant sumac 18.31

Arizona white oak 10.16 smooth sumac 9.16

Emory oak 10.16 skunkbush sumac 36.63

Chihuahuan pine 20.32 pointleaf manzanita 9.16

ponderosa pine 10.16 Arizona white oak 9.16

Tree Arizona cypress 137.84 silverleaf oak 27.47

alligator juniper 103.38 sacahuista 9.16

Arizona white oak 34.46 Chihuahuan pine 9.16

Emory oak 68.92 ponderosa pine 9.16

Cavity Arizona cypress 45.30 beechleaf frangula 18.31

alligator juniper 60.40 Tree Arizona cypress 48.34

Arizona white oak 22.65 alligator juniper 36.25

Emory oak 7.55 Arizona madrone 12.08

ponderosa pine 7.55 Arizona white oak 48.34

Arizona sycamore 7.55 Emory oak 12.08

2 Subshrub Schott’s yucca 24.75 silverleaf oak 48.34

Arizona cypress 8.25 Chihuahuan pine 36.25

pointleaf manzanita 8.25 Cavity Arizona cypress 17.57

Arizona white oak 8.25 alligator juniper 4.39

silverleaf oak 82.51 Arizona madrone 4.39

sacahuista 16.50 Arizona white oak 17.57

Chihuahuan pine 8.25 silverleaf oak 30.75

ponderosa pine 8.25 Chihuahuan pine 4.39

Rhyolite 3 ponderosa pine 8.78 Rhyolite 6 silverleaf oak 68.00

4 Subshrub skunkbush sumac 32.87 ashy silktassel 7.56

Arizona white oak 32.87 sacahuista 15.11

Emory oak 65.74 Chihuahuan pine 15.11

silverleaf oak 295.82 ponderosa pine 7.56

sacahuista 65.74 beechleaf frangula 22.67

Chihuahuan pine 131.48 black cherry 7.56

ponderosa pine 32.87 Shrub Schott’s yucca 7.93

Shrub Schott’s yucca 11.72 silverleaf oak 39.66

Arizona white oak 23.44 sacahuista 47.59

silverleaf oak 82.05 Chihuahuan pine 7.93

sacahuista 70.32 ponderosa pine 23.80

Chihuahuan pine 46.88 beechleaf frangula 31.73

Tree alligator juniper 335.99 Tree Arizona white oak 284.98

Arizona white oak 224.00 silverleaf oak 221.65

Emory oak 168.00 Mexican pinyon 31.66

silverleaf oak 168.00 Chihuahuan pine 63.33

Chihuahuan pine 168.00 ponderosa pine 31.66

ponderosa pine 56.00 Cavity Arizona cypress 2.47

Cavity alligator juniper 22.94 alligator juniper 2.47

Arizona white oak 22.94 Arizona madrone 4.94

Emory oak 15.29 Arizona white oak 2.47

silverleaf oak 15.29 silverleaf oak 9.87

Chihuahuan pine 68.81 ponderosa pine 24.68

ponderosa pine 7.657 Subshrub Schott’s yucca 24.34

5 Subshrub Schott’s yucca 82.28 eastern poison ivy 24.34

fragrant sumac 27.43 Arizona cypress 24.34

smooth sumac 27.43 Arizona white oak 48.68

eastern poison ivy 54.86 silverleaf oak 267.71

Arizona cypress 27.43 ashy silktassel 48.68

Arizona white oak 27.43 sacahuista 24.34

Emory oak 27.43 Chihuahuan pine 24.34

silverleaf oak 137.14 Shrub Schott’s yucca 39.15

sacahuista 109.71 eastern poison ivy 19.57
103

Transect Mean

Station Category

Shrub

Species

Chihuahuan pine

Schott’s yucca

fragrant sumac

Arizona cypress

Arizona white oak

density

27.43

35.37

35.37

35.37

70.74

silverleaf oak 70.74

sacahuista 424.41

Tree

Chihuahuan pine

Arizona madrone

35.37

114.11

Arizona white oak 684.67

silverleaf oak 456.44

Cavity

Chihuahuan pine

ponderosa pine

Arizona cypress

Arizona madrone

114.11

912.89

7.29

7.29

silverleaf oak 43.75

6 Subshrub

Chihuahuan pine

ponderosa pine

Schott’s yucca

36.46

51.04

7.56

Transect Mean 

Station Category Species

Arizona cypress

Arizona madrone

density

19.57

39.15

Arizona white oak 19.57

silverleaf oak 156.58

sacahuista 78.29

Tree

black cherry

Arizona cypress

Arizona madrone

19.57

28.94

57.88

Arizona white oak 144.69

silverleaf oak 318.31

Cavity

ponderosa pine

Arizona cypress

Arizona madrone

28.94

0.82

1.64

Arizona white oak 0.82

silverleaf oak 4.93

oak 0.82

8 Subshrub

ponderosa pine

Schott’s yucca

Arizona cypress

7.39

51.80

25.90

Transect Mean 

Station Category

Rhyolite 8

Species

pointleaf manzanita

Arizona white oak

density

51.80

51.80

silverleaf oak 233.11

sacahuista 51.80

Shrub

Chihuahuan pine

ponderosa pine

Arizona cypress

Arizona madrone

25.90

25.90

13.87

13.87

Arizona white oak 27.74

silverleaf oak 138.71

sacahuista 41.61

Tree

Chihuahuan pine

Arizona cypress

Arizona white oak

41.61

46.82

46.82

silverleaf oak 187.29

Cavity

Chihuahuan pine

Arizona cypress

Arizona white oak

31.22

6.18

4.63

silverleaf oak 3.09

Chihuahuan pine

ponderosa pine

9.27

6.18

Litter Bare Ground Rock

Transect Station Mean SD Mean SD Mean SD

Bonita 1 59 24.7 39 26.3 3 4.7

2 68 23.3 32 23.9 2 4.1

3 69 29.4 15 20.9 17 19.5

4 53 18.7 28 26.9 19 21.0

5 52 40.6 18 23.8 27 35.6

6 79 20.0 13 23.4 7 9.2

7 62 22.8 23 17.4 16 15.0

8 65 21.4 24 24.1 10 11.2

Rhyolite 1

2

71

56

10.2

19.6

12

6

11.5

9.4

20

40

14.5

18.8

3 56 27.8 13 17.4 32 24.6

4 85 11.0 7 12.6 10 8.3

5 78 15.1 2 4.1 18 13.7

6 68 14.4 1 3.1 31 13.7

7 60 20.0 5 7.6 38 18.8

8 68 21.4 4 4.9 30 17.2
104

Appendix J. Number of individuals trapped (n) and relative abundance (RA) of small mammals, by community type 

and plot, Chiricahua NM, 2002. Data are summarized in Table 6.3. See Table 6.1 for information on trapping effort.

Ripariana

01

Species n RA

silky pocket mouse 1 1.2

brush mouse 6 7.0

western white-throated woodrat 1 1.2 a

 No animals trapped at 09 plot

Rocky slope

02 10 11

Species n RA n RA n RA

rock pocket mouse 4 4.9

cactus mouse 1 1.2

brush mouse 6 7.4 3 7.8

northern rock mouse 2 13.8

Semi-desert Grassland

03 05 06 07 08

Species n RA n RA n RA n RA n RA

silky pocket mouse 4 4.6 2 1.4 2 2.5

hispid pocket mouse 7 8.0 14 10.1 3 3.8

Merriam’s kangaroo rat 3 3.4 1 25.0

Plains harvest mouse 1 0.7

deer mouse 1 1.1

brush mouse 11 7.9

northern pygmy mouse 2 1.4

southern grasshopper mouse 2 1.4 1 1.4 1 1.3

western white-throated woodrat 3 2.2

yellow-nosed cotton rat 6 4.3 1 1.3

Arizona cotton rat 8 5.8 2 2.5

house mouse 1 1.1 3 2.2

a

 No animals trapped at plot 04.
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