[Federal Register Volume 59, Number 49 (Monday, March 14, 1994)]
[Unknown Section]
[Page 0]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 94-5854]


[[Page Unknown]]

[Federal Register: March 14, 1994]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Fish and Wildlife Service

50 CFR Part 17

 

Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants; 90-day Finding on 
a Petition To Delist Seven Texas Karst Invertebrates

AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior.

ACTION: Notice of petition finding.

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SUMMARY: The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) announces a 90-
day finding on a petition to remove seven species of invertebrates that 
occur in karst topography in Travis and Williamson counties, Texas, 
from the List of Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants. The 
Service determines that the petition does not present substantial 
scientific or commercial information indicating that delisting the 
Coffin Cave mold beetle (Batrisodes texanus), the Tooth Cave spider 
(Neoleptoneta myopica), the Tooth Cave ground beetle (Rhadine 
persephone), the Tooth Cave pseudoscorpion (Tartarocreagris texana), 
the Kretschmarr Cave mold beetle (Texamaurops reddelli), the Bee Creek 
Cave harvestman (Texella reddelli), and the Bone Cave harvestman 
(Texella reyesi) may be warranted.

DATES: The finding announced in this notice was made on March 7, 1994. 
Comments and information related to this petition finding may be 
submitted until further notice.

ADDRESSES: Information, comments, or questions may be submitted to the 
State Administrator, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Ecological 
Services Field Office, 611 East 6th Street, room 407, Austin, Texas 
78701. The petition, finding, supporting data, and comments will be 
available for public inspection, by appointment, during normal business 
hours at the above address.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ruth Stanford, Ecologist, at the above 
address (512/482-5436).

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Background

    Section 4(b)(3)(A) of the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as 
amended (16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.) (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 petitioned 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. If the finding is positive, the Service is also 
required to promptly commence a status review of the species.
    Judge John C. Doerfler, representing the Williamson County 
Commissioners Court, submitted a petition to the Service to delist six 
species of endangered karst invertebrates in Travis and Williamson 
counties, Texas. The petition was dated June 7, 1993, and received by 
the Service on that date. On June 16, 1993, the Service received a 
letter from attorney J.B. Ruhl on behalf of the petitioners, clarifying 
the intent of the petition to incorporate recent taxonomic revisions 
and the taxonomic reevaluation of five listed karst invertebrate 
species as seven species.
    The final rule listing the Tooth Cave pseudoscorpion (Microgreagris 
texana), the Tooth Cave spider (Leptoneta myopica), the Bee Creek Cave 
harvestman (Texella reddelli), the Tooth Cave ground beetle (Rhadine 
persephone), and the Kretschmarr Cave mold beetle (Texamaurops 
reddelli) as endangered species was published in the Federal Register 
on September 16, 1988 (53 FR 36029) (final rule). Subsequent taxonomic 
revisions have formalized genus reassignments for M. texana and L. 
myopica and established that Texella reddelli and Texamaurops reddelli 
each actually comprise two species. Microcreagris texana has been 
reassigned to Tartarocreagris texana (Muchmore 1992). Leptoneta myopica 
has been formally reassigned to Neoleptoneta myopica following Brignoli 
(1977) and Platnick (1986). Texella reddelli has been found to comprise 
two species, Texella reddelli (Bee Creek Cave harvestman) and Texella 
reyesi (Bone Cave harvestman) (Ubick and Briggs 1992). Texamaurops 
reddelli has been found to comprise two species, Texamaurops reddelli 
(Kretschmarr Cave mold beetle) and Batrisodes texanus (Coffin Cave mold 
beetle) (Chandler 1992). A Federal Register notice announcing the 
latter two revisions was published on August 18, 1993 (58 FR 43818).
    Several caves in Travis County contain more than one of the 
endangered karst invertebrates. These include Tooth Cave, Amber Cave, 
Gallifer Cave, Kretschmarr Cave, and Kretschmarr Double Pit. These 
caves and others are protected under the stewardship of the Texas 
System of Natural Laboratories (TSNL). In addition, some other caves 
are in preserves regulated by the Cities of Austin and Georgetown. (For 
further discussion, see Factor D, ``The inadequacy of existing 
regulatory mechanisms,'' below.) However, many of the caves containing 
endangered karst invertebrates currently have no protection other than 
that provided by the Act.
    The petitioners point out that, since publication of the final 
rule, new locations have been discovered for several of the species, 
most notably the Tooth Cave ground beetle and the Bone Cave harvestman. 
The Tooth Cave ground beetle was known from two caves about 2.5 
kilometers (km) (1.5 miles (mi)) apart in Travis County, Texas, at the 
time of listing. It is currently known from about 27 locations (24 
confirmed, 3 tentative) along a 14-km (9-mi) distance in Travis and 
Williamson counties, Texas. Only 10 of these caves are provided any 
degree of local protection (James Reddell, Texas Memorial Museum, in 
litt., 1993). Seven of these caves are located in the small TSNL 
preserves discussed above, one is in a small preserve owned by the City 
of Austin, and two are in small preserves acquired as mitigation for a 
development project.
    The Bone Cave harvestman was not described at the time of the 
original listing, but was thought to be the same species as the Bee 
Creek Cave harvestman. The Bone Cave harvestman is currently known from 
about 69 locations (60 confirmed, 9 tentative) along a 40-km (25-mi) 
distance in Travis and Williamson counties, Texas. Of the 69 caves 
recorded as locations of the Bone Cave harvestman, only 9 are provided 
any local protection. Three are TSNL caves, two are in City of Austin 
preserves, two are in City of Georgetown preserves, and two were 
acquired as mitigation for a development project. In addition, this 
species exhibits considerable geographical variation and loss of a 
significant number of locations within a part of its range would result 
in a loss of genetic diversity within the species (Reddell, in litt., 
1993). Few caves are provided any protection other than that now 
provided by the Act and their distribution is disjunct and at the 
extremes of the species' range.
    The number of caves in which the other five endangered karst 
invertebrates have been found or tentatively identified has increased 
slightly for three of the species, remained the same for another 
species (although its range has decreased), and decreased for the fifth 
species.
    The Tooth Cave pseudoscorpion, known at the time of listing from 
Tooth and Amber caves, within a 1.3-km (0.8-mi) radius in Travis 
County, remains confirmed only from the two original caves. The species 
has been tentatively identified from Stovepipe Cave and Kretschmarr 
Double Pit, lying within the original range. Stovepipe Cave is located 
on private property that the City of Austin has approved for 
development. The three remaining caves are located in the small TSNL 
preserves discussed above.
    The Tooth Cave spider, known at the time of listing only from Tooth 
Cave, is now also confirmed at New Comanche Trail Cave and tentatively 
identified from Gallifer and Stovepipe caves, all lying along a 4.5-km 
(3-mi) distance in northwest Travis County, Texas. Tooth and Gallifer 
caves lie within small TSNL preserves, Stovepipe Cave is on private 
property approved for development, and New Comanche Trail Cave is not 
protected and may be adversely impacted by a planned realignment of New 
Comanche Trail Road.
    The Coffin Cave mold beetle was not described at the time of 
listing, but was thought to belong to the same species as the 
Kretschmarr Cave mold beetle. The Coffin Cave mold beetle is currently 
confirmed from four caves and tentatively identified from one cave, all 
occurring along a 17-km (10-mi) distance in Williamson County, Texas. 
Off Campus and Sierra Vista caves are located in a small preserve 
surrounded by a subdivision; the adequacy of the preserve for long-term 
protection of the species at those sites is uncertain. On Campus Cave 
lies on a high school campus. The status of the type locality (Coffin 
Cave) is unknown; recent attempts to locate the species in Inner Space 
Cavern were unsuccessful (Reddell, in litt., 1993).
    The Kretschmarr Cave mold beetle was believed to occur in four 
caves in Travis and Williamson counties at the time of listing and is 
currently known from four caves in Travis County. A specimen from 
Coffin Cave was redescribed as the Coffin Cave mold beetle and a new 
location for the Kretschmarr Cave mold beetle was discovered at 
Stovepipe Cave. The range of the Kretschmarr Cave mold beetle has 
consequently decreased since the original listing from a 45-km (28-mi) 
distance in Travis and Williamson counties to a 2-km (1.2-mi) distance 
in Travis County. Stovepipe Cave lies within a proposed subdivision and 
the other three locations for the species, Tooth, Amber, and 
Kretschmarr caves, lie within small TSNL preserves.
    The Bee Creek Cave harvestman was believed to occur in five caves 
in Travis and Williamson counties at the time of listing. It is 
currently confirmed at four caves and tentatively identified from two 
caves. The distribution of the Bee Creek Cave harvestman consists of 
two disjunct areas, one about 5 km (3 mi) long and the other about 8 km 
(5 mi) in length, with a distance of about 28 km (17 mi) between the 
northernmost and southernmost localities, all of which lie in Travis 
County. Little Bee Creek Cave, Jester Estates Cave, and Kretschmarr 
Double Pit (a TSNL cave) are located in small preserve areas. Bandit 
Cave is maintained as a small preserve, although attempts to relocate 
the Bee Creek Cave harvestman in the cave in 1966, 1988, and 1989 were 
unsuccessful (Reddell, in litt., 1993). Cave Y is located in a proposed 
development area; the species' status in Bee Creek Cave is unknown 
since it has not been possible to obtain permission to inspect the cave 
since 1975 (Reddell, in litt., 1993).
    None of these invertebrates are known to occur in large numbers 
(William Elliott, Texas Memorial Museum, in litt., 1993; Reddell, in 
litt. and pers. comm., 1993). The fact that several of the species are 
known to occur at several dozen locations should not be interpreted to 
mean that those species are abundant. (See Factor A, ``The present or 
threatened destruction, modification, or curtailment of its habitat or 
range,'' below).

Summary of Factors Affecting the Species

    Section 4(a)(1) of the Act and its implementing regulations (50 CFR 
part 424) set forth the procedures for adding species to or removing 
species from the Federal Lists. A species may be determined to be an 
endangered or threatened species due to one or more of the five factors 
described in section 4(a)(1). These factors and their application to 
the seven karst invertebrates are re-evaluated in light of new 
information available to the Service and information presented in the 
petition and are as follows:

A. The Present or Threatened Destruction, Modification, or Curtailment 
of Its Habitat or Range

    The Service determined that the primary threat to these species 
comes from loss of habitat due to ongoing and proposed development 
activities (final rule). The proximity of the caves inhabited by these 
species to the City of Austin makes them vulnerable to continuing 
expansion of the Austin metropolitan area. Threats to specific caves 
occupied by these species were addressed in the final rule (53 FR 
36029).
    The known ranges of the Tooth Cave pseudoscorpion, the Tooth Cave 
spider, the Kretschmarr Cave mold beetle, the Coffin Cave mold beetle, 
and the Bee Creek Cave harvestman have not appreciably increased since 
the original listing. Although the range and number of known locations 
for the Tooth Cave ground beetle and the Bone Cave harvestman have 
increased since the original listing, the degree of threat of habitat 
destruction or modification remains significant, and may have 
increased, throughout the range of each species.
    Searches for karst features and karst fauna surveys have become 
more frequent since the listing, as developers and landowners have 
sought to comply with the Act. Many of the new locations of these karst 
invertebrates have been discovered as a result of biological surveys 
conducted prior to development or sale of land; consequently, newly 
discovered locations are frequently threatened by habitat destruction 
and other threats associated with development. The recent 
revitalization of the real estate market in the Austin metropolitan 
area has maintained and intensified the threat of karst invertebrate 
habitat destruction and other associated threats.
    The petitioners present a list of caves with endangered species 
that have been subject to some degree of disturbance. They cite these 
cases as demonstrating that activities such as dumping, vandalism, and 
sealing of cave entrances do not actually threaten the karst 
invertebrates. Reddell (in litt., 1993) counters that, in most of these 
cases, the disturbance to the cave environment is recent in origin, 
minor in scale, and/or generally restricted to the immediate entrance 
zone. The Service concurs with Reddell and believes that these examples 
do not present convincing evidence that dumping, vandalism, and sealing 
entrances are harmless to the karst invertebrates. In most cases, not 
enough time has elapsed since the disturbance to detect an effect on 
the karst invertebrates. The Service agrees with the petitioners that 
there is little quantitative data available on the direct effects of 
trash dumping, vandalism, sealing, and other disturbances on the karst 
invertebrates. However, there is substantial qualitative evidence 
indicating that the threats to the karst invertebrates discussed in the 
final rule and in this finding are real, significant, and ongoing. 
Reddell (in litt., 1993) and Elliott (in litt., 1993) both cite 
examples in which trash dumping, vandalism, and over-visitation have 
resulted in decreased occurrence of karst invertebrates in affected 
areas.
    The petitioners cite the work of Crawford (1981) and Veni (1992) as 
evidence that the caves where the karst invertebrates occur are not 
isolated ``islands'' of special habitat and that the invertebrates 
likely occur and move throughout the karst in the interstitial spaces. 
In this interpretation, the petitioners misunderstand the Service's use 
of the ``island'' analogy in the final rule. The final rule listing the 
karst invertebrates stated that the caves containing the karst 
invertebrates ``occur in isolated `islands' '' of the Edwards limestone 
formation that were separated from one another when stream channels cut 
through overlying limestone to lower rock layers'' (53 FR 36029). The 
Service applied the island analogy to the distinct, geologically 
isolated karst areas (referred to in the Draft Recovery Plan (U.S. Fish 
and Wildlife Service 1993) and hereinafter as ``regions'') within which 
the caves containing the karst invertebrates have formed, not to the 
individual cave systems. Veni's work (1992) delineates these karst 
regions and identifies areas ``having a high probability of suitable 
habitat for endangered or other endemic invertebrate cave fauna.'' A 
letter from Veni in response to the petition clarifies that he did not 
intend that his work be interpreted to mean that there are thousands of 
acres of habitat suitable for the karst invertebrates (George Veni, 
Veni and Associates, in litt., 1993).
    While the Service believes that the karst invertebrates are likely 
to use interstitial spaces in the karst, particularly in areas with 
some surface nutrient input to the karst system, the Service does not 
believe that this suitable habitat exists uniformly within the larger 
karst regions (as delineated by Veni (1992) and described by the 
Service in the final rule as ``islands''). Finally, Crawford (1981) 
focuses on aquatic karst species. In the aquatic karst ecosystems upon 
which Crawford based his ideas, continuously flowing water through 
caves and the interstitium may provide more continuous habitat for 
aquatic subterranean species and thus provide more opportunity for 
aquatic invertebrates to inhabit interstitial spaces. Given that the 
Travis and Williamson County karst invertebrates are exclusively 
terrestrial and that habitat for terrestrial species is more patchy and 
distributed according to the occurrence of food, cover, and moisture, 
Crawford's ideas may not apply to these invertebrates.
    The petitioners cite the work of Curl (1966), Juberthei and Delay 
(1981), and Culver (1986) as evidence that most caves have no entrance, 
that caves are rare even in karst areas, and that caves may be less 
favorable environments for karst invertebrates than interstitial 
spaces. They cite these papers as evidence that habitat for terrestrial 
troglobites (obligate cave-dwelling species) is ubiquitous in karst 
areas and that the Texas karst invertebrates exist throughout the karst 
even where there are no caves or openings to the surface. Culver (1986) 
says that ``the number of caves (defined as cavities large enough for 
human access) more or less corresponds to the number of habitable 
patches for terrestrial troglobites.'' Reddell (in litt., 1993) and 
Peck (1976) believe that cave entrances provide an important avenue of 
nutrient input for cave fauna. Reddell (in litt., 1993) also cites 
several examples in which sub-surface voids having no natural entrance 
were encountered during construction activities and found not to 
contain karst invertebrates. Similarly, clay-filled sinkholes with no 
openings to the surface rarely contain karst invertebrates, whereas 
caves and sinkholes that are sealed to human access by soil or rock 
fill or with openings to the surface that allow access by cave crickets 
or small mammals (and associated nutrients) more often contain karst 
fauna (Reddell, in litt., 1993).

B. Overutilization for Commercial, Recreational, Scientific or 
Educational Purposes

    No threat from overutilization of these species is known to exist 
at this time. Collection for scientific or educational purposes could 
become a threat if specific localities become widely known.

C. Disease or Predation

    At the time of listing, predation by and competition with non-
native species introduced in association with human habitation was 
considered a potential threat to the karst invertebrates. Human 
activities facilitate movement of non-native competitors and predators 
such as sowbugs, cockroaches, and fire ants into an area. Buildings, 
lawns, roadways, and landscaped areas provide habitat from which these 
species can disperse. The relative accessibility of the shallow caves 
in Travis and Williamson counties makes them especially vulnerable to 
invasion by non-native species.
    Fire ants are a major threat to the karst invertebrates. The 
significance of this threat and the difficulty of controlling fire ants 
should not be underestimated. Fire ants are voracious predators and 
there is evidence that overall arthropod diversity drops in their 
presence (Vinson and Sorensen 1986, Porter and Savignano 1990). Reddell 
(in litt., 1993) lists at least nine cave-inhabiting species that he 
has observed being preyed upon by fire ants. Elliott (1992) cites other 
examples and notes that fire ant activity has increased dramatically in 
Central Texas since 1989.
    Although the threat posed by fire ants was not recognized at the 
time these species were listed, the magnitude of the threat the ants 
pose has subsequently become quite apparent. Even in the unlikely event 
that fire ants do not prey upon the listed species, their presence in 
and around caves could have a drastic detrimental effect on the cave 
ecosystem through loss of species, inside the cave and out, that 
provide nutrient input and critical links in the food chain.
    Controlling fire ants once they have invaded the cave and vicinity 
is difficult. Chemical control methods have some effectiveness but the 
effect of these agents on non-target species is unclear. Consequently, 
using chemicals to control fire ants in and near caves is not 
advisable. Currently, the Service recommends only boiling water 
treatment for control of fire ant colonies near caves inhabited by 
listed invertebrates. This method is labor-intensive and only 
moderately effective. Presently, the burden of carrying out such 
practices is not a designated or mandated duty of any agency, 
individual, or organization. This type of control will likely be needed 
indefinitely or until a long-term method of fire ant control is 
developed.

D. The Inadequacy of Existing Regulatory Mechanisms

    Invertebrates are not included on the Texas Parks and Wildlife 
Department's list of threatened and endangered species and are provided 
no protection by the State; nor do the Department regulations contain 
provisions for protecting habitat of any listed species.
    As previously discussed, some of the caves containing endangered 
invertebrates are in TSNL and city preserves. A small preserve 
surrounds the entrance to each of these caves. However, these preserves 
encompass only a fraction of the surface drainage area that provides 
input of nutrients and moisture into the caves. The entire surface and 
subsurface drainage area is the minimum area believed necessary to 
provide adequate long-term protection for cave ecosystems. The 
preserves around these caves are not sufficient to counter nutrient 
depletion and prevent pollution, should the surrounding areas be 
developed.
    Some of the TSNL caves are under temporary deed to TSNL and may be 
sold at the owner's discretion (U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service 1993). 
In addition, City of Austin cave protection laws do not apply in most 
cases, since the great majority of these caves lie outside the city 
limits.

E. Other Natural or Manmade Factors Affecting Its Continued Existence

    The Service is unaware of other threats to these species beyond 
those discussed under factors A-D (above). As noted under Factor A, the 
Bone Cave harvestman exhibits considerable geographical variation. Loss 
of a number of locations within any one part of its range would result 
in a loss of genetic diversity for the species (Reddell, in litt., 
1993). The Tooth Cave pseudoscorpion, Tooth Cave spider, Coffin Cave 
and Kretschmarr Cave mold beetles, and Bee Creek Cave harvestman are 
each known from fewer than 10 locations (4, 4, 5, 4, and 6 locations 
respectively, including unconfirmed identifications). Therefore, the 
loss of even a single location would represent a significant loss of 
genetic diversity for any of those species. Lack of genetic diversity 
can accelerate the decline or extinction of rare species.

Conclusion

    As discussed in the final rule, these species remain extremely 
vulnerable to losses. For the Tooth Cave pseudoscorpion, the Tooth Cave 
spider, the Kretschmarr Cave mold beetle, the Coffin Cave mold beetle, 
and the Bee Creek Cave harvestman, neither the range nor the number of 
confirmed localities within the range has expanded significantly since 
the original listing. The Tooth cave ground beetle and the Bone Cave 
harvestman occur in more locations and are more widespread than was 
originally believed, but the expansion of the overall range is not 
significant and the majority of caves in which these species occur are 
subject to one or more of the threats discussed above (Reddell, in 
litt., 1993).
    The Service recently released a Draft Recovery Plan for the karst 
invertebrates (U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service 1993). That document 
details recovery actions and criteria that, when met, may result in 
reclassification or delisting of the endangered karst invertebrates. 
Continued efforts to locate new inhabited caves, to implement habitat 
conservation measures, and to control the threat of fire ants could 
bring the karst invertebrates to the point where protection under the 
Act is no longer necessary.
    The Service has carefully assessed the information presented in the 
petition, as well as the best and most current scientific and 
commercial information, in determining that the petition does not 
present substantial scientific and commercial information indicating 
that delisting of any of the seven karst invertebrates may be 
warranted. These species continue to require the protection provided by 
the Act because of their extremely small, vulnerable, and limited 
habitats located within an area that is experiencing continued 
pressures from economic and population growth.

References Cited

Brignoli, P.M. 1977. Spiders from Mexico. III. A new leptonetid from 
Oaxaca (Araneae, Leptonetidae). Acad. Naz. Lincei, Probl. Att. Sci. 
Cult., 171(3): 213-218.
Chandler, D.S. 1992. The Pselaphidae of Texas caves (Coleoptera). 
Pages 241-254 in: Texas Memorial Museum Speleological Monographs 3: 
Studies on the cave and endogean fauna of North America II. Edited 
by James Reddell. 257 pp.
Crawford, R.L. 1981. A critique of the analogy of caves and islands. 
Proc. Eighth Intl. Cong. of Speleol. 1:295-297.
Culver, D.C. 1986. Cave Faunas. Pages 427-443 in: Conservation 
Biology: The science of scarcity and diversity. M.F. Soule (ed.). 
Sinauer Associates, Sunderland, MA. 584 pp.
Curl, R.L. 1966. Caves as a measure of karst. J. of Geology 74:798-
830.
Elliott, W.R. 1992 (rev. 1993). Fire Ants and Endangered Cave 
Invertebrates: A Control and Ecological Study. Section 6 report 
prepared for the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department and the U.S. 
Fish and Wildlife Service.
Juberthei, C., and B. Delay. 1981. Ecological and biological 
implications of the existence of a ``superficial underground 
compartment.'' Proc. Eighth Intl. Cong. of Speleol. 1:203-206.
Muchmore, W.B. 1992. Cavernicolous pseudoscorpions from Texas and 
New Mexico (Arachnida:Pseudoscorpionida). Pages 127-154 in: Texas 
Memorial Museum Speleological Monographs 3: Studies on the cave and 
endogean fauna of North America II. Edited by James Reddell. 257 pp.
Peck, S.B. 1976. The effect of cave entrance on the distribution of 
cave-inhabiting terrestrial arthropods. Int. J. Speleol. 8:309-321.
Platnick, N.I. 1986. On the tibial and patellar glands, 
relationships, and American genera of the spider family Leptonetidae 
(Arachnida, Araneae). Amer. Mus. Novit., 2855. 16 pp.
Porter, S.D., and S.A. Savignano. 1990. Invasion of polygyne fire 
ants decimates native ants and disrupts arthropod community. Ecology 
71(6):2095-2106.
Ubick, D., and T.S. Briggs. 1992. The harvestman family 
Phalangodidae. 3. Revision of Texella Goodnight and Goodnight. Pages 
155-240 in: Texas Memorial Museum Speleological Monographs 3: 
Studies on the cave and endogean fauna of North America II. Edited 
by James Reddell. 257 pp.
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. 1993. Draft Recovery Plan for 
Endangered Karst Invertebrates in Travis and Williamson Counties, 
Texas. Albuquerque, New Mexico. 133 pp.
Veni and Associates. 1992. Geologic controls on cave development and 
the distribution of cave fauna in the Austin, Texas, region. 
Prepared for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. v + 77 pp.
Vinson, S.B., and A.A. Sorensen. 1986. Imported Fire Ants: Life 
history and impact. Texas Dept. of Agriculture 1986. 28 pp.

Author

    The primary author of this notice is Ruth Stanford (See ADDRESSES 
section).

Authority

    The authority for this action is the Endangered Species Act of 
1973, as amended (16 U.S.C. 1531-1544).

List of Subjects in 50 CFR Part 17

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

    Dated: March 7, 1994.
Mollie H. Beattie,
Director, Fish and Wildlife Service.
[FR Doc. 94-5854 Filed 3-11-94; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-55-P