[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 6 (Friday, January 9, 1998)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 1418-1419]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-549]


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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 a Candidate Taxon: Clematis Hirsutissima var. 
Arizonica (Arizona Leatherflower)

AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior.

ACTION: Notice of candidate taxon reclassification.

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SUMMARY: In this document, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) 
provides the explanation for a change in the status of Clematis 
hirsutissima var. arizonica (Arizona leatherflower), a plant taxon that 
is under review for possible addition to the Lists of Endangered and 
Threatened Wildlife and Plants under the Endangered Species Act of 
1973, as amended (Act). Because it no longer meets the Act's definition 
of ``species,'' this taxon is being removed from candidate status at 
this time.

ADDRESSES: Questions concerning this notice should be submitted to the 
Chief, Division of Endangered Species, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, 
1849 C Street, N.W., Mail Stop 452 ARLSQ, Washington, D.C. 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. In addition to its annual review of all candidate taxa, 
the Service has an on-going review process, particularly to update taxa 
whose status may have changed markedly. The results of this review 
indicate that the plant taxon Clematis hirsutissima var. arizonica (A. 
Heller) R.O. Erickson (Arizona leatherflower) should be removed from 
candidate status. This notice provides the specific explanation for the 
reclassification of this taxon.
    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 
most recently in the plant and animal candidate notice of review 
published in the Federal Register on September 19, 1997 (62 FR 49398).
    The Service has included Clematis hirsutissima var. arizonica in 
the last five candidate notices of review for plants published in the 
Federal Register. The taxon was included as a category 2 candidate in 
the September 27, 1985 (50 FR 39526), notice of review. Prior to 1996, 
category 2 taxa were defined as under consideration for possible 
addition to the Federal Lists of Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and 
Plants, but for which conclusive data on biological vulnerability and 
threats were not currently available to support a proposed rule. 
Clematis hirsutissima var. arizonica was included as a category 1 
candidate in the February 21, 1990 (55 FR 6184), and September 30, 1993 
(58 FR 51144), notices of review. Category 1 candidates were defined as 
those taxa for which the Service had on file sufficient information on 
biological vulnerability and threats to support the preparation of 
listing proposals, but issuance of the proposed rule was precluded by 
other pending listing proposals of higher priority. On February 28, 
1996, the Service published a notice of review (61 FR 7596) that 
discontinued the designation of category 2 candidates. Clematis 
hirsutissima var. arizonica was listed as a candidate in that notice of 
review, as well as in the September 19, 1997 (62 FR 49398), notice of 
review.

Finding

    Clematis hirsutissima var. arizonica (Arizona leatherflower) was 
considered to be restricted to certain limestone soils in northern 
Arizona and possibly New Mexico. However, the results of a recently 
completed floristic review of the genus Clematis in North America 
(Pringle 1997) show no clear differences between C. hirsutissima var. 
arizonica and C.h. var. hirsutissima with respect to such features as 
the width of the leaflet lobes and the degree of spreading of the 
leaves, both of which had been considered distinguishing 
characteristics of C.h. var. arizonica. Pringle's review indicates that 
C.h. var. arizonica should be placed in synonymy under C.h. var. 
hirsutissima. The Service is now removing Clematis hirsutissima var. 
arizonica from candidate status, because it no longer meets the Act's 
definition of ``species.''
    Clematis hirsutissima var. hirsutissima is a widespread taxon, 
known from nine western states (Pringle 1997), and is not in danger of 
extinction within the foreseeable future. The taxon

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is not subject to a degree of threats sufficient to warrant candidate 
status.
    Based on the above information, acceptance of either Clematis 
hirsutissima var. arizonica or C.h. var. hirsutissima as a candidate 
taxon is not warranted. Should additional study of the systematics of 
the species result in a peer-reviewed treatment that resurrects C.h. 
var. arizonica, the Service will reconsider according candidate status 
to that entity.

References Cited

Pringle, J.S. 1997. Clematis, pp. 160-176 in Flora of North America, 
Volume 3. Oxford University Press, New York.

    Author: This notice was compiled from materials supplied by 
staff biologists located in the Service's southwestern regional and 
field offices. The materials were compiled by Joan E. Canfield, 
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: December 30, 1997.
Jamie Rappaport Clark,
Director, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
[FR Doc. 98-549 Filed 1-8-98; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-55-P