[Federal Register Volume 59, Number 18 (Thursday, January 27, 1994)]
[Unknown Section]
[Page 0]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 94-1703]


[[Page Unknown]]

[Federal Register: January 27, 1994]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
50 CFR Part 17

 

Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants; 90-Day Finding for 
a Petition To List the Ohlone Tiger Beetle as Endangered

AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior.

ACTION: Notice of petition finding and commencement of status review.

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SUMMARY: The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) announces a 90-
day finding on a petition to list the Ohlone tiger beetle (Cicindela 
ohlone) pursuant to the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended. The 
Service finds that the petition presents substantial information 
indicating that the requested action may be warranted for this species. 
Through issuance of this document, the Service now requests additional 
data and comments from the public regarding the status of the Ohlone 
tiger beetle.

DATES: The finding announced in this document was made on January 19, 
1994. Comments and materials related to this petition finding may be 
submitted until further notice. Comments and materials should be 
submitted at the earliest possible date to ensure their use in the 
final decision.

ADDRESSES: Data, information, comments, or questions concerning the 
status of the petitioned species should be submitted to the Field 
Supervisor, Fish and Wildlife Service, Ventura Field Office, 2140 
Eastman Avenue, suite 100, Ventura, California 93003. The petition, 
finding, supporting data, and comments are available for public 
inspection, by appointment, during normal business hours at the above 
address.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Judy Hohman at the Ventura Field 
Office (see ADDRESSES section) or at 805/644-1766.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Background

    Section 4(b)(3)(A) of the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as 
amended (16 U.S.C. 1533) (Act), requires that the Service make a 
finding on whether a petition to list, delist, or reclassify a species 
presents substantial scientific or commercial information indicating 
that the requested action may be warranted. To the maximum extent 
practicable, this finding is to be made within 90 days of receipt of 
the petition, and the finding is to be published promptly in the 
Federal Register. Section 4(b)(3)(B) of the Act further requires the 
Service to make a finding as to whether or not the petitioned action is 
warranted within 1 year of receipt of a petition that presents 
substantial information.
    On February 18, 1993, the Service received a petition from Mr. 
Randall Morgan to list the Ohlone tiger beetle as an endangered species 
under the Act. The petition was dated February 12, 1993. A letter 
acknowledging receipt of the petition was mailed to the petitioner on 
March 30, 1993.
    The finding is based on the species' description (Freitag et al. 
1993), other published literature, agency documents and reports, and 
field sightings. Interviews were conducted with entomologists familiar 
with the biology of tiger beetles, with planners, and with others who 
are knowledgeable about proposed projects that may negatively affect 
the Ohlone tiger beetle. All documents and records of telephone 
conversations upon which this finding is based are on file at the 
Ventura Field Office (see ADDRESSES section).
    The Ohlone tiger beetle's adult morphology, geographic 
distribution, habitat distribution (both historic and current), 
phenology, phylogenetic relationships, and distinguishing features, as 
well as concerns for its future, were described by Freitag et al. 
(1993). Species determination was based on external morphological 
characteristics, especially male and female genitalia, and phenology.
    The larvae of Cicindela ohlone have not been found; therefore, 
information on their life history requirements is unknown. In general, 
however, the larvae of other members of the genus Cicindela construct 
burrows that are usually perpendicular to the soil surface (Kaulbars 
and Freitag 1993). Development of tiger beetle larvae takes 
approximately 2 years (Lindroth 1974).
    The Ohlone tiger beetle is known from only four locations in Santa 
Cruz County, California: (1) The west side of the city of Santa Cruz, 
(2) Soquel (the type locality) (Kavanaugh, in litt., 1992), (3) upper 
or north campus of the University of California at Santa Cruz, and (4) 
city of Scotts Valley (Morgan, in litt., 1993; Freitag et al. 1993; R. 
Morgan, pers. comm., 1993). All locations are within an approximate 
range of 16 square miles. There are six other locations with suitable 
habitat where the Ohlone tiger beetle may occur in Santa Cruz County. 
One is at another site at the north campus of the University of 
California at Santa Cruz; a second location is at Pogonip Open Space 
Preserve adjacent to the University of California; a third area is in 
Soquel near the type locality; and a fourth is at another site in 
Scotts Valley. The remaining two locations are northwest of Cabrillo 
College and near Seascape (Morgan, in litt., 1993). Additional sites in 
Santa Cruz County appear to have suitable habitat for the species, but 
survey results yielded no Ohlone tiger beetles in 1991 or 1992.
    The habitat for the adult Ohlone tiger beetle consists of coastal 
terraces with remnant stands of open native grassland containing Stipa 
pulchra (purple needlegrass), Danthonia californica (California oat 
grass), Perideridia gairdneri (Gairdner's yampa), and/or Perideridia 
kelloggii (Kellogg's yampa) (Morgan, in litt., 1992; Freitag et al. 
1993). Soils at these level or nearly level sites are shallow, poorly-
drained pale clay or sandy clay soils over bedrock of Santa Cruz 
Mudstone (Freitag et al. 1993).
    Adult tiger beetles generally occupy sun-exposed or open areas 
within their habitat to thermoregulate (Lindroth 1974, Knisley et al. 
1990). Suggested microhabitat for the larval form of the Ohlone tiger 
beetle is the same native grassland habitat used by adults but in areas 
where the vegetation is taller and denser (Freitag et al. 1993).
    Of about 20,000 acres of pristine and disturbed grassland habitat 
remaining in Santa Cruz County, only 200 to 300 acres contain the right 
combination of substrate, slope, and exposure to be deemed suitable 
habitat for the Ohlone tiger beetle (Morgan, in litt., 1992; Freitag et 
al. 1993). This habitat is currently limited to small disjunct areas 
near the coast in central Santa Cruz County.
    The habitat type for this species was once more widespread and 
almost contiguous, ranging from the just west of the city of Santa Cruz 
east along the coast and near-coastal areas to Seascape (Freitag et al. 
1993; Morgan, in litt., 1993). This area has been developed for 
residential, commercial, and agricultural use and includes the 
communities of Santa Cruz, Capitola, and Live Oak. In adjacent Monterey 
County, these clay-based marine terrace grasslands have already been 
urbanized (Freitag et al. 1993). Limited suitable habitat may occur at 
low and mid-elevation coastal areas southwest of the Santa Cruz 
Mountains in extreme southwestern San Mateo County (Freitag et al. 
1993).
    Of the four areas where the Ohlone tiger beetle has been 
documented, two are threatened by proposed residential development 
(Freitag et al. 1993; Morgan, in litt., 1993). At a third site, adult 
tiger beetles have been killed by bicycle traffic along a trail where 
the adult beetles congregate. The University of California also plans 
to expand and construct university housing in habitat of the Ohlone 
tiger beetle (Chris Aldecoa, University of California, Santa Cruz, 
pers. comm., 1993). At the Soquel site, preliminary biological studies 
on vegetation have been completed for a proposed residential 
development (Morgan, in litt., 1992). This site and another near 
Pogonip Open Space Preserve are threatened by non-native Eucalyptus sp. 
and Cytisus monspessulanus (French broom) (Morgan, in litt., 1992). 
These non-native plants convert sunny, open grassland habitat needed by 
adult Ohlone tiger beetles to habitat dominated by a woody overstory 
that would shade the grasses and eliminate areas necessary for 
thermoregulation.
    The Ohlone tiger beetle is not currently protected by any 
regulatory mechanism. The California Endangered Species Act does not 
apply to insects. The available information suggests that the species' 
restricted range and small population size increase the chance of 
extirpation resulting from stochastic (i.e., random) or localized 
events, such as rock slides, erosion, disease, or predation.
    The petition and supporting information have been reviewed by staff 
at the Ventura Field Office and the Portland Regional Office of the 
Service. The Service finds that the petition presents substantial 
information indicating that listing the Ohlone tiger beetle may be 
warranted. The Service requests any additional data, comments, and 
suggestions from the public, other concerned governmental agencies, the 
scientific community, industry, or any other interested parties 
concerning the status of the Ohlone tiger beetle. Of particular 
interest is information regarding:
    (1) The existence and status of additional populations;
    (2) Environmental factors determining distribution, including 
specific habitat needs;
    (3) Early life history; and
    (4) The response of populations to disturbances such as fire, 
clearing, or mowing.
    This decision is based on information contained in the petition and 
scientific and commercial information otherwise available to the 
Service at this time.

References Cited

Freitag, R., D.H. Kavanaugh, and R. Morgan. 1993. A new species of 
Cicindela (Cicindela) (Coleoptera: Carabidae: Cicindelini) from 
remnant native grassland in Santa Cruz County, California. 
Coleopterists' Bulletin 47(2):113-120.
Kaulbars, M.M., and R. Freitag. 1993. Geographical variation, 
classification, reconstructed phylogeny, and geographical history of 
the Cicindela sexguttata group (Coleoptera: Cicindelidae). The 
Canadian Entomologist 125(2):267-316.
Knisley, C.B., T.D. Schultz, and T.H. Hasewinkel. 1990. Seasonal 
activity and thermoregulatory behavior of Cicindela patruela. Annals 
of the Entomological Society of America. Vol. 83, no. 5, pages 911-
915.
Lindroth, C. 1974. Handbooks for the identification of British 
insects; Coleoptera Carabidae. Volume IV, part 2. Royal 
Entomological Society of London. 148 pp.

Author

    This document was prepared by Judy Hohman of the Ventura Field 
Office (see ADDRESSES section).

Authority

    The authority for this action is the Endangered Species Act (16 
U.S.C. 1531 et seq.).

List of Subjects in 50 CFR Part 17

    Endangered and threatened species, Exports, Imports, Reporting and 
recordkeeping requirements, and Transportation.

    Dated: January 19, 1994.
Russell D. Earnest,
Acting Director, Fish and Wildlife Service.
[FR Doc. 94-1703 Filed 1-26-94; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-55-P