Question regarding Rana yavapaiensis in California. The oldest record I can locate regarding Rana yavapaiensis in California is 1909. In 1905, the Colorado River burst free and flooded the Imperial Valley. Is it likely Rana yavapaiensis washed into the Imperial Valley, and later made its way upstream via San Felipe Creek to Harper’s Well, Imperial Co.? Thus Rana yavapaiensis, is actually introduced beyond the Colorado River around 1905. Additionally, If it were native, wouldn’t it make sense that it would have colonized the entire San Felipe Creek and other areas of the Peninsular Range?

Theories welcome.