[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]
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