[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 182 (Friday, September 19, 1997)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 49191-49193]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-24806]
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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Fish and Wildlife Service
50 CFR Part 17
Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants; Notice of
Reclassification of Ten Candidate Taxa
AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior.
ACTION: Notice of candidate taxa reclassification.
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SUMMARY: In this document, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service)
provides explanation for a change in the status of seven animal and
three plant taxa that are under review for possible addition to the
Lists of Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants (Lists)
[[Page 49192]]
under the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended (Act). These 10
taxa are being removed from candidate status at this time.
ADDRESSES: Questions concerning this document should be submitted to
the Chief, Division of Endangered Species, U.S. Fish and Wildlife
Service, 1849 C Street, NW., Mail Stop 452 ARLSQ, Washington, DC 20240.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: E. LaVerne Smith, Chief, Division of
Endangered Species (see ADDRESSES section) (telephone: 703/358-2171).
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Background
Candidate taxa are those taxa for which the Service has on file
sufficient information to support issuance of a proposed rule to list
under the Act. The Service recently completed its annual review of all
candidate taxa. The results of this review indicate that several taxa
should be removed from candidate status. This notice provides specific
explanations for the reclassification of seven animal and three plant
taxa.
It is important to note that candidate assessment is an ongoing
function and changes in status should be expected. Taxa that are
removed from the candidate list may be restored to candidate status if
additional information supporting such a change becomes available to
the Service. Requests for such information were issued by the Service
in the 1996 plant and animal candidate notice of review (61 FR 7596;
February 28, 1996). A revised notice of review, requesting updated
information on candidate taxa, is published concurrently in the Federal
Register with this notice.
Findings
The Gulf Coast hog-nosed skunk (Conepatus leuconotus texensis) was
considered to be restricted to southern Texas and northern Mexico as
far west as San Luis Potosi and south to Veracruz. However, the results
of a recently completed taxonomic study of the genus Conepatus in the
United States and Mexico show no clear difference between the two
previously delineated North American species in this genus, C.
leuconotus and C. mesoleucus, with respect to color patterns,
anatomical measurements, or mitochondrial DNA. The results indicate
that most subspecies of both species, including C. leuconotus texensis,
should be combined under C. leuconotus leuconotus. Evidence is lacking
that hog-nosed skunks in the South Texas region are geographically
disjunct from those to the north and west. In addition, information is
lacking that the taxonomic entity to which these South Texas hog-nosed
skunks now belong (C. leuconotus leuconotus) is in danger of extinction
within the foreseeable future. Based on this information, acceptance of
the Gulf Coast hog-nosed skunk as a candidate taxon is not warranted.
The Ramsey Canyon leopard frog (Rana subaquavocalis) occurs at two
sites in Ramsey and Brown canyons in the Huachuca Mountains of
southeastern Arizona. The species was considered threatened by changes
to its habitat and genetic problems associated with small populations.
A Conservation Agreement among the landowners and State and Federal
agencies is currently being implemented which provides for the
conservation of the Ramsey Canyon leopard frog through captive breeding
and reintroduction, acquisition of habitat, and population and habitat
surveys. The Ramsey Canyon population receives additional protection
due to its location within The Nature Conservancy's Ramsey Canyon
Preserve. Based on this information, continuation of candidate status
for this species is not warranted.
The High Rock Spring tui chub (Gila bicolor ssp.), a small minnow,
was historically known from three formerly connected spring systems in
California and Nevada. This fish was extirpated from the two sites in
Nevada as a result of increased pumping of groundwater adjacent to the
surface pools it inhabited. In 1982, the California Department of Fish
and Game issued an aquaculture permit to the landowner of the
California site to rear Mozambique tilapia (Oreochromis mossambica).
Inadequate screening of the rearing facilities allowed tilapia to
escape into the spring system. By 1989, the High Rock Spring tui chub
was extirpated from the site as a result of competition from and
predation by the introduced tilapia. The High Rock Spring tui chub was
confirmed to be extinct in 1993. Because it is considered extinct, the
High Rock Spring tui chub is being removed from the list of candidate
taxa.
Three pomace flies (Drosophila) from Hawaii are being removed from
the list of candidates because they are believed to be extinct.
Drosophila alsophila was always a rare species, known from only two
localities on Hualalai volcano on the island of Hawaii where it bred in
the stems of Urera and Charpentiera. Drosophila psilotarsalis was also
always rare, known from a single locality on the island of Hawaii where
adults were found only in association with Charpentiera. Drosophila
toxochaeta was a rare species, known from a single locality in wet
forest on the island of Molokai. These pomace flies were believed to be
extant based on historical collection records, habitat assessments, and
surveys in the 1980's by Drosophila researchers. However, recent
careful efforts by Drosophila researchers at the University of Hawaii
to recollect these species have failed, and they are now believed to be
extinct.
The Marianas euploea butterfly (Euploea eleutho) was endemic to the
Mariana Islands and was historically recorded from Guam, Rota, Saipan,
and the northern islands of Alamagan and Anatahan. It was common on
Guam in 1936, but has not been collected from Guam, Rota, or Saipan
since 1946. Surveys in 1995 confirmed that it is extinct on these
southern islands. In the 1970's, this butterfly was recorded on
Alamagan and Anatahan. Members of a recent Japanese entomological
expedition initially believed that they had rediscovered this species
on some of the small, remote northern Mariana Islands. However, their
collections proved to be a different species. The Japanese
entomologists' failure to locate the Marianas euploea butterfly,
despite the thoroughness of their search for butterflies, is the basis
for the Service considering that this species is currently extinct
throughout its range. Because it is believed to be extinct, this
species is being removed from the list of candidates.
The Surf thistle (Cirsium rhothophilum) is a bush-like biennial or
short-lived perennial member of the sunflower family that is endemic to
southern California. It occurs only in the narrow strip of habitat
between wind-blown beach and stabilized dunes. The species was
considered to be threatened by oil production, missile facility
construction, beach users, recreational vehicles, cattle, and non-
native ice plants. Approximately 57 percent of the recorded locations,
with 80 percent of the total number of plants, are on Vandenberg Air
Force Base within designated special management areas for the western
snowy plover (Charadrius alexandrinus nivosus), a listed threatened
species. The protection and management of these western snowy plover
areas by the Air Force have also protected the Surf thistle
sufficiently to stabilize the population. Based on this information,
continuation of candidate status for this species is not warranted.
The Merced clarkia (Clarkia lingulata) is an annual plant of the
evening primrose family that is endemic to central California. It
occurs in the understory of pine/oak foothill woodlands and is known
from only two
[[Page 49193]]
localities in Mariposa County. Both localities are steep north-facing
slopes within the Sierra National Forest and partly within a California
Department of Transportation (Caltrans) right-of-way. The species was
considered to be threatened by road construction and maintenance
activities, power line maintenance activities, and landslides.
Implementation of protection measures through a Memorandum of
Understanding signed by the Forest Service, Caltrans, and Pacific Gas
and Electric has reduced the level of threats to the Merced clarkia.
The available information indicates that the degree of the threats to
the Merced clarkia does not warrant issuance of a proposed rule nor
continuation of candidate status for this species.
The San Gabriel Mountains dudleya (Dudleya densiflora) is a white
or pink-flowered perennial of the stonecrop family that is endemic to
southern California. It occurs on steep cliffs and canyon walls within
chaparral, oak woodland, and riparian woodlands. This species is known
from four populations within a 9 square-mile area along the southern
face of the San Gabriel Mountains in Los Angeles County. The species
was considered to be threatened by mining, road maintenance, and
recreational activities. The San Gabriel Mountains dudleya is being
removed from candidate status because about 75 percent of the
subpopulations of the species occur on steep cliffs and canyon walls on
U.S. Forest Service lands and are not threatened by habitat
modification at this time.
Author
This notice was compiled from materials supplied by staff
biologists located in the Service's regional and field offices. The
materials were compiled by Martin J. Miller, Division of Endangered
Species (see ADDRESSES section).
Authority
The authority for this action is the Endangered Species Act of
1973, as amended, 16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.
Dated: September 3, 1997.
Jamie Rappaport Clark,
Director, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
[FR Doc. 97-24806 Filed 9-18-97; 8:45 am]
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