[Federal Register Volume 72, Number 234 (Thursday, December 6, 2007)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 69034-69106]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E7-23416]
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Part III
Department of the Interior
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Fish and Wildlife Service
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50 CFR Part 17
Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants; Review of Native Species
That Are Candidates for Listing as Endangered or Threatened; Annual
Notice of Findings on Resubmitted Petitions; Annual Description of
Progress on Listing Actions; Proposed Rule
Federal Register / Vol. 72, No. 234 / Thursday, December 6, 2007 /
Proposed Rules
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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Fish and Wildlife Service
50 CFR Part 17
Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants; Review of Native
Species That Are Candidates for Listing as Endangered or Threatened;
Annual Notice of Findings on Resubmitted Petitions; Annual Description
of Progress on Listing Actions
AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior.
ACTION: Notice of review.
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SUMMARY: In this Candidate Notice of Review (CNOR), we, the U.S. Fish
and Wildlife Service (Service), present an updated list of plant and
animal species native to the United States that we regard as candidates
for or have proposed for addition to the Lists of Endangered and
Threatened Wildlife and Plants under the Endangered Species Act of
1973, as amended. Identification of candidate species can assist
environmental planning efforts by providing advance notice of potential
listings, allowing landowners and resource managers to alleviate
threats and thereby possibly remove the need to list species as
endangered or threatened. Even if we subsequently list a candidate
species, the early notice provided here could result in more options
for species management and recovery by prompting candidate conservation
measures to alleviate threats to the species.
The CNOR summarizes the status and threats that we evaluated in
order to determine that species qualify as candidates and to assign a
listing priority number (LPN) to each species, or to remove species
from candidate status. Additional material that we relied on is
available in the Species Assessment and Listing Priority Assignment
Forms (species assessment forms, previously called candidate forms) for
each candidate species.
Overall, this CNOR recognizes 5 new candidates, changes the LPN for
29 candidates, and removes 4 species from candidate status. Combined
with other decisions for individual species that were published
separately from this CNOR, the new number of species that are
candidates for listing is 280.
We request additional status information that may be available for
the 280 candidate species identified in this CNOR. We will consider
this information in preparing listing documents and future revisions to
the notice of review, as it will help us in monitoring changes in the
status of candidate species and in management for conserving them. We
also request information on additional species that we should consider
including as candidates as we prepare future updates of this notice.
This document also includes our findings on resubmitted petitions
and describes our progress in revising the Lists of Endangered and
Threatened Wildlife and Plants during the period September 26, 2006,
through September 30, 2007.
DATES: We will accept comments on the most recent Candidate Notice of
Review at any time.
ADDRESSES: Submit your comments regarding a particular species to the
Regional Director of the Region identified in SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION
as having the lead responsibility for that species. You may mail or fax
comments of a more general nature to the Chief, Division of
Conservation and Classification, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, 4401
N. Fairfax Drive, Room 420, Arlington, VA 22203 (facsimile 703/358-
2171). Written comments and materials we receive in response to this
notice will be available for public inspection by appointment at the
Division of Conservation and Classification (for comments of a general
nature only) or at the appropriate Regional Office listed in
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION.
Species assessment forms with information and references on a
particular candidate species' range, status, habitat needs, and listing
priority assignment are available for review at the appropriate
Regional Office listed below in SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION or at the
Division of Conservation and Classification, Arlington, Virginia (see
address above), or on our Internet Web site (http://endangered.fws.gov/candidates/index.html).
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: The Endangered Species Coordinator(s)
in the appropriate Regional Office(s) or Chris Nolin, Chief, Division
of Conservation and Classification (telephone 703-358-2171; facsimile
703-358-1735). Persons who use a telecommunications device for the deaf
(TDD) may call the Federal Information Relay Service (FIRS) at 800-877-
8339.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Candidate Notice of Review
Background
The Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended (16 U.S.C. 1531 et
seq.) (Act), requires that we identify species of wildlife and plants
that are endangered or threatened, based on the best available
scientific and commercial information. As defined in section 3 of the
Act, an endangered species is any species which is in danger of
extinction throughout all or a significant portion of its range, and a
threatened species is any species which is likely to become an
endangered species within the foreseeable future throughout all or a
significant portion of its range. Through the Federal rulemaking
process, we add species that meet these definitions to the List of
Endangered and Threatened Wildlife at 50 CFR 17.11 or the List of
Endangered and Threatened Plants at 50 CFR 17.12. As part of this
program, we maintain a list of species that we regard as candidates for
listing. A candidate species is one for which we have on file
sufficient information on biological vulnerability and threats to
support a proposal to list as endangered or threatened, but for which
preparation and publication of a proposal is precluded by higher-
priority listing actions.
We maintain this list of candidates for a variety of reasons: to
notify the public that these species are facing threats to their
survival; to provide advance knowledge of potential listings that could
affect decisions of environmental planners and developers; to provide
information that may stimulate and guide conservation efforts that will
remove or reduce threats to these species and possibly make listing
unnecessary; to solicit input from interested parties to help us
identify those candidate species that may not require protection under
the Act or additional species that may require the Act's protections;
and to solicit necessary information for setting priorities for
preparing listing proposals. We strongly encourage collaborative
conservation efforts for candidate species and offer technical and
financial assistance to facilitate such efforts. For additional
information regarding such assistance, please contact the appropriate
Regional Office listed in SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION or visit our
Internet Web site, http://endangered.fws.gov/candidates/index.html.
Previous Notices of Review
We have been publishing candidate notices of review (CNOR) since
1975. The most recent CNOR (prior to this CNOR) was published on
September 12, 2006 (71 FR 53755). CNORs published since 1994 are
available on our Internet Web site, http://www.fws.gov/endangered/candidates/index.html. For copies of CNORs published prior to 1994,
please contact the Division of
[[Page 69035]]
Conservation and Classification (see ADDRESSES section above).
On September 21, 1983, we published guidance for assigning an LPN
for each candidate species (48 FR 43098). Using this guidance, we
assign each candidate an LPN of 1 to 12, depending on the magnitude of
threats, imminence of threats, and taxonomic status; the lower the LPN,
the higher the listing priority (that is, a species with an LPN of 1
would have the highest listing priority). Such a priority ranking
guidance system is required under section 4(h)(3) of the Act (15 U.S.C.
1533(h)(3)). As explained below, in using this system we first
categorize based on the magnitude of the threat(s), then by the
immediacy of the threat(s), and finally by taxonomic status.
Under this priority ranking guidance system, magnitude of threat
can be either ``high'' or ``moderate to low.'' This criterion helps
ensure that the species facing the greatest threats to their continued
existence receive the highest listing priority. It is important to
recognize that all candidate species face threats to their continued
existence, so the magnitude of threats is in relative terms. When
evaluating the magnitude of the threat(s) facing the species, we
consider information such as: the number of populations and/or extent
of range of the species affected by the threat(s); the biological
significance of the affected population(s), taking into consideration
the life history characteristics of the species and its current
abundance and distribution; whether the threats affect the species in
only a portion of its range, and if so the likelihood of persistence of
the species in the unaffected portions; and whether the effects are
likely to be permanent.
As used in our priority ranking system, immediacy of threat is
categorized as either ``imminent'' or ``nonimminent'' and is not a
measure of how quickly the species is likely to become extinct if the
threats are not addressed; rather, immediacy is based on when the
threats will begin. If a threat is currently occurring or likely to
occur in the very near future, we classify the threat as imminent.
Determining the immediacy of threats helps ensure that species facing
actual, identifiable threats are given priority for listing proposals
over those for which threats are only potential or species
intrinsically vulnerable to certain types of threats but not known to
be presently facing such threats.
Our priority ranking system has three categories for taxonomic
status: Species that are the sole members of a genus; full species (in
a genus that has more than one species); and subspecies, distinct
population segments of vertebrate species, and species for which
listing is appropriate in a significant portion of their range.
The result of the ranking system is that we assign each candidate a
listing priority number of 1 to 12. For example, if the threat(s) is of
high magnitude, with immediacy classified as imminent, the listable
entity is assigned an LPN of 1, 2, or 3 based on its taxonomic status
(e.g., if the species is the only member of a genus, it would be
assigned to the LPN 1 category, a full species to LPN 2, and a
subspecies, DPS, or significant portion of the range to LPN 3). In
summary, the LPN ranking system provides a basis for making decisions
about the relative priority for preparing a proposed rule to list a
given species. No matter which LPN we assign to a species, each species
included in this notice as a candidate is one for which we have
sufficient information to prepare a proposed rule to list it because it
is in danger of extinction or likely to become endangered within the
foreseeable future throughout all or a significant portion of its
range.
For more information on the process and standards used in assigning
LPNs, a copy of the guidance is available on our Web site at: http://www.fws.gov/endangered/policy/index.html. For more information on the
LPN assigned to a particular species, the species assessment for each
candidate contains the LPN chart and a detailed explanation of the
rationale for the determination of the magnitude and imminence of
threat(s) and assignment of the LPN; that information is summarized in
this CNOR.
This revised notice supersedes all previous animal, plant, and
combined candidate notices of review.
Summary of This CNOR
Since publication of the CNOR on September 12, 2006 (71 FR 53756),
we reviewed the available information on candidate species to ensure
that a proposed listing is justified for each species, and reevaluated
the relative LPN assigned to each species. We also evaluated the need
to emergency-list any of these species, particularly species with high
priorities (i.e., species with LPNs of 1, 2, or 3). This review and
reevaluation ensures that we focus conservation efforts on those
species at greatest risk first. (In addition to reviewing candidate
species, we have worked on numerous findings in response to petitions
to list species, and on proposed and final determinations for rules to
list species under the Act; some of these findings and determinations
have been completed and published in the Federal Register, while work
on others is still under way. See the discussions of Preclusion and
Expeditious Progress, below, for details.)
Based on our review of the best available scientific and commercial
information, with this CNOR we identify 5 new candidate species (see
New Candidates, below), change the LPN for 28 candidates (see Listing
Priority Changes in Candidates, below) and determine that listing
proposals are not warranted for 4 species and thus remove them from
candidate status (see Candidate Removals, below). Combined with the
other decisions published separately from this CNOR for individual
species that previously were candidates, a total of 280 species
(including 139 plant and 141 animal species) are now candidates
awaiting preparation of rules proposing their listing. These 280
species, along with the 2 species currently proposed for listing, are
included in Table 1. (Note, regarding the two species currently
proposed for listing, we proposed one since the last CNOR and we
proposed the other prior to the last CNOR.)
Table 2 includes 8 species identified in the previous CNOR as
either proposed for listing or classified as candidates that are no
longer in those categories. This includes four species for which we
published separate findings that listing is not warranted, plus the
four species that we have determined do not warrant preparation of a
rule to propose listing and therefore have removed from candidate
status in this CNOR.
New Candidates
Below we present brief summaries of five new candidates that we are
recognizing in this CNOR, including one species of mammal, one
amphibian, one fish, one snail, and one plant. Complete information,
including references, can be found in the species assessment forms. You
may obtain a copy of these forms from the Regional Office having the
lead for the species, or from our Internet Web site (http://endangered.fws.gov/candidates/index.html). For each of these five
species, we find that we have on file sufficient information on
biological vulnerability and threats to support a proposal to list as
endangered or threatened, but that preparation and publication of a
proposal is precluded by higher-priority listing actions (i.e., these
meet our definition of a candidate species). We also note below that
one other species, Casey's June beetle (an insect), was identified as a
candidate
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earlier this year in a separate finding published in the Federal
Register.
Mammals
New Mexico meadow jumping mouse (Zapus hudsonius luteus)--The
following summary is based on information contained in our files. The
New Mexico meadow jumping mouse (jumping mouse) is endemic to New
Mexico, Arizona, and a small area of southern Colorado. The jumping
mouse nests in dry soils but uses moist, streamside, dense riparian/
wetland vegetation. Recent genetic studies confirm that the New Mexico
meadow jumping mouse is a distinct subspecies from other Zapus
hudsonius subspecies, confirming the currently accepted subspecies
designation.
The threats that have been identified are excessive grazing
pressure, water use and management, highway reconstruction,
development, and recreation. Surveys conducted in 2005 and 2006
documented a drastic decline in the number of occupied localities and
suitable habitat across the range of the species in New Mexico and
Arizona. Of the original 98 known historical localities, there are now
only 10 known extant localities in New Mexico, 1 in Arizona, and an
additional 8 localities that have not been surveyed since the early to
mid 1990s. Moreover, the highly fragmented nature of its distribution
is also a major contributor to the vulnerability of this species and
increases the likelihood of very small, isolated populations being
extirpated. The paucity of secure populations, and the destruction,
modification, or curtailment of its habitat, poses the most immediate
threats to this species. Because the threats affect the jumping mouse
in all but two of the extant localities, the threats are of a high
magnitude. These threats are currently occurring and, therefore, are
imminent. Thus, we assigned an LPN of 3 to this subspecies.
Amphibians
Arizona treefrog, Huachuca/Canelo Distinct Population Segment (DPS)
(Hyla wrightorum)--The following summary is based on information in our
files. The population is known from three general localities at Rancho
Los Fresnos, northern Sonora, Mexico, and 13-15 verified localities and
one unverified locality in the Huachuca Mountains and Canelo Hills of
Arizona. The population is both discrete and significant in accordance
with our February 7, 1996, DPS policy (61 FR 4721). Evidence exists
that the DPS persists in an ecological setting that is unique for the
taxon, that loss of the population segment would result in a
significant gap in the range of the taxon, and that the population
segment differs markedly from other populations of the species in its
genetic characteristics. The population is discrete from the Mogollon
Rim population of Arizona and New Mexico based on a physical separation
of 130 miles, and from the Sierra Madre Occidental population in Sonora
and Chihuahua, Mexico by 145 miles.
The most significant threats to the existence of the Huachuca/
Canelo population of the Arizona treefrog are, in order of importance,
habitat loss or degradation and direct mortality due to catastrophic
fire; loss of populations due to drought or floods, which may be
exacerbated by climatic extremes; predation by introduced species; and
habitat degradation caused by livestock grazing, off-highway vehicles,
and environmental contamination. The effects of these threats are
exacerbated by small population sizes and low genetic diversity, as the
Huachuca/Canelo Hills population has less than 20 known localities,
each with observed breeding populations of 2-30 individuals. Taken
together, these threats are of high magnitude, particularly in Arizona.
The threats are also imminent or ongoing, particularly the threat of
catastrophic wildfire; there have been several recent catastrophic
fires in the Huachuca Mountains. Therefore, we have assigned an LPN of
3 to this population.
Fish
Laurel dace (Phoxinus saylori)--The laurel dace is a rare minnow
known only from three independent systems on the Walden Ridge section
of the Cumberland Plateau, including Soddy Creek, Sale Creek, and Piney
River. The primary threats to the laurel dace stem from impacts to
riparian and instream habitat resulting from incompatible land uses.
The riparian habitats associated with some streams occupied by laurel
dace have been affected by extensive timber removal activities on
Walden Ridge in their vicinity; these activities often do not employ
adequate streamside management zones or best management practices for
road construction. Proposed projects, including installation of a water
line that would cross occupied streams and construction of an
impoundment on a tributary to an occupied stream, present additional
direct and indirect threats to laurel dace habitat in the headwaters of
Sale and Soddy creeks. We believe that the threat of habitat
degradation from siltation across the range of laurel dace and the
localized threats facing populations in Sale and Soddy creeks combined
with vulnerable status of the populations in Soddy and Sale creeks
constitute threats collectively of high magnitude, but are nonimminent.
Therefore, we assigned the laurel dace an LPN of 5.
Snails
San Bernardino springsnail (Pyrgulopsis bernardina)--This species
is endemic to one natural spring, Snail Spring, on private lands, and
one artificial spring, Tule Spring, on National Wildlife Refuge lands,
in the Rio Yaqui basin of Cochise County, Arizona. The species was
formerly known from six to eight springs. Known threats include water
diversion, spring modification, and contaminants, while suspected
threats include livestock grazing and groundwater depletion. The San
Bernardino National Wildlife Refuge is actively managing Tule Spring
and is attempting to acquire the property containing Snail Spring.
However, the Refuge cannot address the potential threat from
groundwater depletion without assistance from local stakeholders. The
magnitude of threats is high because the limited distribution of this
narrow endemic makes any catastrophic event likely to result in
extinction of the species. The threats are ongoing and therefore
imminent. Thus, we have assigned an LPN of 2 for the San Bernardino
springsnail.
Insects
Casey's June beetle (Dinacoma caseyi)--We previously announced
candidate status for this species in a separate warranted but precluded
12-month petition finding published on July 5, 2007 (72 FR 36635).
Plants
Eriogonum corymbosum var. nilesii (Las Vegas buckwheat)--The
following information is based on information contained in our files.
The Las Vegas buckwheat is a woody perennial shrub up to 4 feet high
with a mounding shape. The flowers of this plant are numerous, small
and yellow with small bract like leaves at the base of each flower. The
Las Vegas buckwheat is very conspicuous when flowering in late
September and early October. It is restricted to gypsum soil
outcroppings in Clark and Lincoln Counties, Nevada. Only recently has
the taxonomy of the subspecies been confirmed using molecular genetic
analyses.
Loss of habitat from development is a significant threat with over
95 percent of the historic range and potential habitat of the
subspecies lost to development. In 2005, the Las Vegas
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buckwheat was known from nine locations on approximately 1,149 acres.
However, since that time, approximately 289 acres were or soon will be
developed, and the current distribution of the plant occupies 892
acres. In addition, OHV activity and other public land uses (casual
public use, mining, and dumping) directly and indirectly threaten over
half of the remaining habitat. To date, regulatory mechanisms to
protect the Las Vegas buckwheat are inadequate. Its designation as a
BLM special status species and limited resource and law enforcement
personnel has not provided adequate protection on lands managed by the
BLM. The Las Vegas buckwheat is not protected by the State of Nevada or
any other regulatory mechanisms on other federal lands. We have
determined that candidate status is warranted for the Las Vegas
buckwheat as a result of threats to the remaining 892 acres of Las
Vegas buckwheat. Conservation measures are being developed that could
reduce the amount of occupied habitat at risk, but we believe it would
be premature to consider these measures sufficiently complete as to
remove these threats. The magnitude of threats is high since the more
significant threats (development and surface mining) would result in
direct mortality of the plants in over half of its' habitat. While both
development and mining are very likely to occur in the future, they are
not expected to happen in the immediate future, and thus, the threats
are nonimminent. Accordingly, we assigned the Las Vegas buckwheat an
LPN of 6.
Listing Priority Changes in Candidates
We reviewed the LPN for all candidate species and are changing the
numbers for the following species. Some of the changes reflect actual
changes in either the magnitude or imminence of the threats, and in one
case, the LPN change reflects a change in the taxonomy of the species.
For some species, our changes in the LPN reflect efforts to ensure
national consistency as well as closer adherence to the 1983 guidelines
in assigning these numbers, rather than a change in the nature of the
threats.
Birds
Friendly ground-dove, American Samoa DPS (Gallicolumba stairi
stairi)--The following summary is based on information contained in our
files. The genus Gallicolumba is distributed throughout the Pacific and
Southeast Asia. The genus is represented in the oceanic Pacific by six
species. Three are endemic to Micronesian islands or archipelagos, two
are endemic to island groups in French Polynesia, and G. stairi is
endemic to Samoa, Tonga, and Fiji. All six species have some level of
threatened status on the International Union for Conservation of Nature
and Natural Resources (IUCN) Red List. Some authors recognize two
subspecies of the friendly ground-dove, one, slightly smaller, in the
Samoan archipelago (G. s. stairi), and one in Tonga and Fiji (G. s.
vitiensis), but morphological differences between the two are minimal.
In American Samoa, the friendly ground-dove has been found on the
islands of Ofu and Olosega (Manua Group). Threats to this subspecies
have not changed over the past year. Of the primary threats to the
subspecies (predation by nonnative species and natural catastrophes
such as hurricanes), predation by nonnative species is thought to be
occurring now, and predation likely has been occurring for several
decades. This predation may be an important impediment to increasing
the population. Predation by introduced species has played a
significant role in reducing, limiting, and extirpating populations of
island birds, especially ground-nesters, in the Pacific and other
locations worldwide. Nonnative predators known or thought to occur in
the range of the friendly ground-dove in American Samoa are feral cats
(Felis catus), Polynesian rats (Rattus exulans), black rats (R.
rattus), and Norway rats (R. norvegicus).
In January 2004 and February of 2005, hurricanes virtually
destroyed the habitat of G. stairi in an area on Olosega Island where
the species had been most frequently recorded. Although this species
has coexisted with severe storms for millennia, this example
illustrates the potential for natural disturbance to exacerbate the
effect of anthropogenic disturbance on small populations. Consistent
monitoring using a variety of methods over the last 5 years yielded few
observations of this taxon in American Samoa. The total population size
is poorly known, but is unlikely to number more than a few hundred
pairs. The past five years or so of surveys have revealed no change in
the relative abundance of this taxon in American Samoa. The
distribution of the friendly ground-dove is limited to steep, forested
slopes with an open understory and a substrate of fine scree or exposed
earth; this habitat is not common in American Samoa. We revised the LPN
from a 6 to a 9 to better reflect the fact that the threats posed to
the friendly ground-dove (its small population size and nonnative
predators), while imminent and occurring throughout its range, are
believed to be of a moderate magnitude rather than a high magnitude.
Kittlitz's Murrelet (Brachyramphus brevirostris)--Kittlitz's
murrelet is a small diving seabird whose entire North American
population, and most of the world's population, inhabits Alaskan
coastal waters discontinuously from Point Lay south to northern
portions of Southeast Alaska. Kittlitz's murrelets are associated with
tidewater glaciers. The current population estimate for Kittlitz's
murrelets in Alaska is approximately 16,700 birds, a decline of 74 to
84 percent during the past 10 to 20 years. New survey information
supports and strengthens the negative population trend estimates that
have been previously reported.
Threats to Kittlitz's murrelets include large-scale processes such
as global climate change and marine climate regime shift. These large-
scale processes may influence Kittlitz's murrelet survival and
reproduction. Glacial retreat, a global phenomenon that affects many of
the glaciers with which Kittlitz's murrelets are associated, is
associated with changing forage fish availability and may result in
increased predation from corvids (retreat of glaciers allows corvids
easier access to murrelets on which they prey). Even if the causes of
rapid climate warming were curbed today, feedback mechanisms would
result in the continued retreat of tidewater glaciers into the
foreseeable future. In addition, the declining population trend makes
this species particularly susceptible to ongoing threats from other
human activities, including oil spills, bycatch in commercial gillnet
fisheries, and disturbance by tour boats. Kittlitz's murrelets are
believed to have been seriously affected by the Exxon Valdez oil spill
in Prince William Sound (PWS) in 1989. Estimates of direct mortality of
Kittlitz's murrelets from this oil spill constituted a loss of 7 to15
percent of the PWS population. Catastrophic events such as oil spills
could have a significant negative effect on the population of this
already diminished species. Susceptibility to mortality as bycatch in
commercial fishing could be a significant factor in their population
decline; Kittlitz's murrelets are caught in gill nets in numbers
disproportionate to their density. In PWS, salmon gillnet fisheries
occur each summer in or near Kittlitz's murrelet habitat. Kittlitz's
murrelets represented 5 percent and 30 percent of murrelet bycatch in
gillnets during 1990 and 1991, respectively. Tour boat visitation to
glacial fjords is a growing industry, and this activity may
increasingly disrupt Kittlitz's murrelet feeding behavior; tour boats
[[Page 69038]]
may provide artificial perch sites for avian predators. The number of
cruise ships allowed into Glacier Bay has increased 30 percent since
1985, while smaller charter boats and private boats have increased 8
percent and 15 percent, respectively. An increase in tour boat
operations has been noted in Kenai Fjords National Park as well.
Disturbance can disrupt feeding birds and persistent boat traffic may
prevent murrelets from using high quality foraging areas.
Based on the observed population trajectory and the severity of
present threats (rapid glacial retreat, acute and chronic oil spills,
commercial gillnet fishing, and human disturbance from tour boats), the
threats to this species are high in magnitude and imminent. We changed
the LPN from a 5 to a 2 to reflect that the threats to this species are
ongoing.
Xantus's murrelet (Synthliboramphus hypoleucus)--The Xantus's
murrelet is a small seabird in the Alcid family that occurs along the
west coast of North America in the United States and Mexico. The
species has a limited breeding distribution, only nesting on the
Channel Islands in southern California and on islands off the west
coast of Baja California, Mexico. Although data on population trends
are scarce, the population is suspected to have declined greatly over
the last century, mainly due to introduced predators such as rats
(Rattus sp.) and feral cats (Felis catus) to nesting islands, with
extirpations on three islands in Mexico. A dramatic decline (up to 70
percent) from 1977 to 1991 was detected at the largest nesting colony
in southern California, possibly due to high levels of predation on
eggs by the endemic deer mouse (Peromyscus maniculatus elusus).
Identified threats include introduced predators at nesting colonies,
oil spills and oil pollution, reduced prey availability, human
disturbance, and artificial light pollution.
Although substantial declines in the Xantus's murrelet population
likely occurred over the last century, some of the largest threats are
being addressed, and, to some degree, ameliorated. Declines and
extirpations at several nesting colonies were thought to have been
caused by nonnative predators, which have been removed from many of the
islands where they once occurred. Most notably, since 1994, Island
Conservation and Ecology Group has systematically removed rats, cats,
and dogs from every murrelet nesting colony in Mexico, with the
exception of cats and dogs on Guadalupe Island. In 2002, rats were
eradicated from Anacapa Island in southern California, which has
resulted in improvements in reproductive success at that island. In
southern California, there are also plans to remove rats from San
Miguel Island, and to restore nesting habitat on Santa Barbara Island
through the Montrose Settlements Restoration Project, which may benefit
the Xantus's murrelet population at those islands.
Artificial lighting from squid fishing and other vessels, or lights
on islands, remains a potential threat to the species. Bright lights
make Xantus's murrelets more susceptible to predation, and they can
also become disoriented and exhausted from continual attraction to
bright lights. Chicks can become disoriented and separated from their
parents at sea, which could result in death of the dependent chicks.
High-wattage lights on commercial market squid (Loligo opalescens)
fishing vessels used at night to attract squid to the surface of the
water in the Channel Islands was the suspected cause of unusually high
predation on Xantus's murrelets by western gulls and barn owls at Santa
Barbara Island in 1999. To address this threat, in 2000, the California
Fish and Game Commission required light shields and a limit of 30,000
watts per boat; it is unknown if this is sufficient to reduce impacts.
Squid fishing has not occurred at a particularly noticeable level near
any of the colonies in the Channel Islands since 1999; however, this
remains a potential future threat.
A proposal to build a liquid natural gas (LNG) facility 600 meters
(1,969 feet) off the Coronados Islands in Baja California, Mexico, was
considered a potential major threat to the species. This island
contains one of the largest nesting populations of Xantus's murrelets
in the world. Potential impacts of this facility to the nesting colony
included bright lights at night from the facility and visiting tanker
vessels, noise from the facility or from helicopters visiting the
facility, and the threat of oil spills associated with visiting tanker
vessels. However, Chevron announced in March 2007 that they have
abandoned plans to develop this facility and withdrew their permits.
LNG facilities are proposed for construction in the Channel Islands;
however, these are early in the complex and long-term planning
processes; it is possible that none of these facilities will be built.
In addition, none of them are directly adjacent to nesting colonies,
where their impacts would be expected to be more significant.
We considered the LNG facility off the Coronados Islands to be an
imminent threat of high magnitude, which resulted in the previous
listing priority of a 2. While this proposed LNG facility no longer
poses a threat, the remaining threats, in particular oil spills, are
high in magnitude since they have the potential to cause direct
mortality and reduce reproductive success throughout a majority of the
species' range. The threats are nonimminent since they are not
currently occurring. Therefore, we have changed the LPN from a 2 to a
5.
Reptiles
Louisiana pine snake (Pituophis ruthveni)--The Louisiana pine snake
(LPS) historically occurred in fire-maintained longleaf-pine ecosystems
of west-central Louisiana and extreme east-central Texas. Those
ecosystems provided an herbaceous layer necessary to maintain the
Louisiana pine snake's primary prey, the Baird's pocket gopher. Current
potentially occupied habitat in Louisiana and Texas is estimated to be
approximately 300,000 acres, with 70 percent occurring on public lands
and 30 percent in private ownership. Results of trapping and radio-
telemetry surveys suggest that extensive population declines and local
extirpations have occurred during the last 50 to 80 years. To address
those issues on public lands, a Candidate Conservation Agreement (CCA)
was completed in 2003 to maintain and enhance potentially occupied
habitat, and protect known Louisiana-pine-snake populations. Much of
the public land is now being managed on longer rotations (i.e., 70+
years) where silvicultural prescriptions include smaller clearcuts,
midstory removal, thinning, and prescribed fire. Private lands
generally are not managed to support the longleaf-pine ecosystem and
its characteristic herbaceous layer; however, several private
landowners with known Louisiana-pine-snake populations continue to be
involved in conservation efforts with reported conservation of more
than 2,000 acres in 2006.
Within both the public and private sectors, interest in longleaf-
pine restoration appears to be growing and with the appropriate
emphasis could slow or reverse habitat loss trends. To address this and
other issues, the LPS Conservation Group is expanding conservation
efforts through the development of a Comprehensive Conservation Plan
that would build upon the CCA success. Other factors affecting
Louisiana pine snakes throughout its range include low fecundity, which
magnifies other threats and increases the likelihood of local
extinctions, and vehicular mortality, which can significantly affect
Louisiana-pine-snake population and community
[[Page 69039]]
structure. While the magnitude of Louisiana-pine-snake habitat loss has
been great in the past and the remaining habitat is degraded, habitat
loss does not represent an imminent threat, because the rate of habitat
loss is declining. Additionally, pro-active partnerships to address key
management concerns and research needs are resulting in some additional
long-leaf pine habitat that is suitable for the Louisiana pine snake or
its prey species. However, while conservation actions have produced
needed results, they have not yet adequately reduced threats to the
species, particularly on private land. The lack of adequate habitat
still poses a threat and when coupled with the very low fecundity rate
and extremely low population size (based on capture rates and
population estimates) make the threat high in magnitude. Overall, due
to nonimminent, high-magnitude threats, we changed the LPN from an 8 to
a 5 for this species.
Amphibians
Columbia spotted frog, Great Basin DPS (Rana luteiventris)--
Currently, Columbia spotted frogs appear to be widely distributed
throughout southwestern Idaho, eastern Oregon, and northeastern and
central Nevada, but local populations within these general areas appear
to be small and isolated from each other. Recent work by researchers in
Idaho and Nevada has documented loss of historically known sites,
reduced numbers of individuals within local populations, and declines
in the reproduction of those individuals. Small highly fragmented
populations, characteristic of the majority of existing populations of
Columbia spotted frogs in the Great Basin, are highly susceptible to
extinction processes. Threats to Columbia-spotted-frog habitat,
including water development, improper grazing, mining activities and
non-native species, have and continue to contribute to the degradation
and fragmentation of habitat. Emerging fungal diseases, such as
chytridiomycosis, and the spread of parasites are contributing factors
to Columbia-spotted-frog population declines throughout portions of its
range. Effects of climate change such as drought and stochastic
(randomly occurring) events such as fire often have detrimental effects
to small isolated populations and can often exacerbate existing
threats.
A 10-year Conservation Agreement and Strategy was signed in
September 2003 for both the Northeast and the Toiyabe subpopulations in
Nevada. The goals of the conservation agreements are to reduce threats
to Columbia spotted frogs and their habitat to the extent necessary to
prevent populations from becoming extirpated throughout all or a
portion of their historic range and to maintain, enhance, and restore a
sufficient number of populations of Columbia spotted frogs and their
associated habitat to ensure their continued existence throughout their
historical range. Additionally, a Candidate Conservation Agreement with
Assurances was completed in 2006 for the Owyhee subpopulation at Sam
Noble Springs, Idaho. Because these conservation agreements have
reduced the magnitude of the imminent threats from high to moderate, we
changed the LPN from a 3 to a 9 for this DPS of the Columbia spotted
frog.
Black Warrior waterdog (Necturus alabamensis)--The Black Warrior
waterdog is a salamander that inhabits streams above the Fall Line
within the Black Warrior River Basin in Alabama. There is very little
specific locality information available on the historical distribution
of the Black Warrior waterdog since little attention was given to this
species between its description in 1937 and the 1980s. At that time,
there were a total of only 11 known historical records from 4 Alabama
counties. Two of these sites have now been inundated by impoundments.
Extensive survey work was conducted in the 1990s to look for additional
populations. Currently, the species is known from 14 sites in 5
counties.
Water-quality degradation is the biggest threat to the continued
existence of the Black Warrior waterdog. Most streams that have been
surveyed for the waterdog showed evidence of pollution and many
appeared biologically depauperate. Sources of point and nonpoint
pollution in the Black Warrior River Basin have been numerous and
widespread. Pollution is generated from inadequately treated effluent
from industrial plants, sanitary landfills, sewage treatment plants,
poultry operations, and cattle feedlots. Surface mining represents
another threat to the biological integrity of waterdog habitat. Runoff
from old, abandoned coal mines generates pollution through
acidification, increased mineralization, and sediment loading. The
North River, Locust Fork, and Mulberry Fork, all streams that this
species inhabits, are on the Environmental Protection Agency's list of
impaired waters. An additional threat to the Black Warrior waterdog is
the creation of large impoundments that have flooded thousands of
square hectares (acres) of its habitat. These impoundments are likely
marginal or unsuitable habitat for the salamander. While the water-
quality threat is pervasive and problematic, the overall magnitude of
the threat is moderate as there has not been a steep rate of decline in
this species population. Water quality degradation in the Black Warrior
basin is ongoing; therefore, the threats are imminent. We changed the
LPN from a 2 to an 8 for this species since the threats are of a
moderate rather than high magnitude.
Clams
Fluted kidneyshell (Ptychobranchus subtentum)--The fluted
kidneyshell is a freshwater mussel (Unionidae) endemic to the
Cumberland and Tennessee River systems (Cumberlandian Region) in
Alabama, Kentucky, Tennessee, and Virginia. It requires shoal habitats
in free-flowing rivers to survive and successfully recruit new
individuals into its populations.
This species has been extirpated from numerous regional streams and
is no longer found in the State of Alabama. Habitat destruction and
alteration (e.g., impoundments, sedimentation, and pollutants) are the
chief factors that contributed to its decline. The fluted kidneyshell
was historically known from at least 37 streams but is currently
restricted to no more than 12 isolated populations. Current status
information for most of the 12 populations deemed to be extant is
available from recent periodic sampling efforts (sometimes annually)
and other field studies, particularly in the upper Tennessee River
system. Some populations in the Cumberland River system have had recent
surveys as well (e.g., Wolf, Little Rivers; Little South Fork; Horse
Lick, Buck Creeks). Populations in Buck Creek, Little South Fork, Horse
Lick Creek, Powell River, and North Fork Holston River have clearly
declined over the past two decades. Based on recent information, the
overall population of the fluted kidneyshell is declining rangewide and
the species remains in large numbers and is clearly viable in just the
Clinch River/Copper Creek, although smaller, viable populations remain
(e.g., Wolf, Little, North Fork Holston Rivers; Rock Creek). Most other
populations are of questionable or limited viability, with some on the
verge of extirpation (e.g., Powell River; Little South Fork; Horse
Lick, Buck, Indian Creeks). Newly reintroduced populations in the
Nolichucky and Duck Rivers will hopefully begin to reverse the downward
population trend of this species. The threats are high in magnitude
since all populations of this species are severely affected by numerous
threats (impoundments, sedimentation, small population size,
[[Page 69040]]
isolation of populations, gravel mining, municipal pollutants,
agricultural run-off, nutrient enrichment, and coal processing
pollution) which results in mortality and/or reduced reproductive
output. Since the threats are ongoing, they are imminent. Therefore, to
help ensure consistency in the application of our listing priority
process, we changed the LPN from a 5 to a 2 to reflect that the threats
are imminent and high in magnitude.
Snails
Black mudalia (Elimia melanoides)--The black mudalia is a small
species of aquatic snail found clinging to clean gravel, cobble,
boulders and/or logs in flowing water on shoals and riffles. The
historical habitat of the black mudalia included much of the upper
Black Warrior River drainage above the Fall Line at Tuscaloosa,
Alabama. The species has been extirpated from more than 80 percent of
that range through the construction of dams and impoundments,
sedimentation, and non-point source pollution from land surface runoff.
Populations that may have avoided impoundment apparently disappeared
due to historical pollution events and/or natural catastrophic events.
However, after being considered extinct for two decades, the black
mudalia was rediscovered in a small portion of its historical range in
the Black Warrior drainage. Discovery of surviving populations in
shoals of five streams in the upper Black Warrior River and high
densities reported at Blackburn Fork reduce the magnitude of the
threats from high to moderate. However, all known populations are
currently affected by point and/or non-point source pollution; human
land uses, including cattle grazing, row crops, timber, chicken farms,
and home construction are currently causing sedimentation and
eutrophication (reduction of oxygen in the water) of black mudalia
habitats. Thus, based on ongoing threats that we now consider to be
moderate in magnitude, we changed the LPN from 2 to 8 for the black
mudalia.
Huachuca springsnail (Pyrgulopsis thompsoni)--The following summary
is based on information from our files. No new information was provided
in the petition received on May 11, 2004. The Huachuca springsnail
inhabits 13 springs and ci[eacute]negas at elevations of 4,500 to 7,200
feet in southeastern Arizona (11 sites) and adjacent portions of
Sonora, Mexico (2 sites). The springsnail is typically found in the
shallower areas of springs or cienegas, often in rocky seeps at the
spring source. Ongoing threats include habitat modification, wildfire,
cattle grazing, and groundwater pumping. Prior communication with
personnel from Fort Huachuca indicated they were in the process of
evaluating the status of this species on Department of Defense lands
and developing conservation strategies; this may result in a reduction
or elimination of threats in the future. Because we determined that the
proportion of the range subjected to various threats is smaller than we
previously determined, the threats are moderate in magnitude. In
addition, although there is no actual change in threats over the past
year, modification of the spring habitat, wildfire, cattle grazing, and
groundwater pumping are ongoing or imminent threats. Therefore, to help
ensure consistency in the application of our listing priority process,
we changed the LPN from a 5 to an 8 to reflect that the threats are
imminent but are moderate in magnitude.
Page springsnail (Pyrgulopsis morrisoni)--The following summary is
based on information from our files. No new information was provided in
the petition received on May 11, 2004. The Page springsnail is known to
exist only within a complex of springs located within an approximately
1.5-kilometer (0.93-mile) stretch along the west side of Oak Creek
around the community of Page Springs, Yavapai County, Arizona. Many of
the springs where the springsnail occurs have been subjected to some
level of modification for domestic, agricultural, ranching, fish
hatchery, and recreational activities. Arizona Game and Fish Department
management plans for the Bubbling Ponds and Page Springs fish
hatcheries include commitments to replace lost habitat and to monitor
remaining populations of invertebrates such as the Page springsnail.
The Arizona Game and Fish Department and the Service have made
significant progress on development of a candidate conservation
agreement, but the effectiveness of planned and implemented actions has
not been demonstrated. Based on recent survey data, it appears that the
Page springsnail is abundant within natural habitats and persists in
modified habitats, albeit at reduced densities. The magnitude of
threats is considered high because limited distribution of this narrow
endemic makes any detrimental effects from threats likely to result in
extirpation or extinction. The immediacy of the threat of groundwater
withdrawal is uncertain due to conflicting information that suggests it
may be either imminent or not. However, overall, the threats are
imminent because the majority of them are currently occurring. Although
there is no actual change in threats over the past year, modification
of the spring habitat for this species is an ongoing or imminent
threat. Therefore, to help ensure consistency in the application of our
listing priority process, we changed the LPN from a 5 to a 2 to reflect
that the threats are imminent.
Insects
Dakota skipper (Hesperia dacotae)--The following summary is based
on information contained in our files, including information from the
petition we received on May 12, 2003. The Dakota skipper is a small- to
mid-sized butterfly that inhabits high-quality tallgrass and mixed
grass prairie in Minnesota, North Dakota, South Dakota, and the
provinces of Manitoba and Saskatchewan in Canada. The species is
presumed to be extirpated from Iowa and Illinois and from many sites
within occupied States.
The species is threatened by conversion of its native prairie
habitat for agricultural purposes, overgrazing, invasive species,
gravel mining, inbreeding, population isolation, and, in some cases,
prescribed fire. Prairie succeeds to shrubland or forest without
periodic fire, grazing, or mowing; thus, the species is also threatened
at sites where such disturbances are not applied. We, other agencies,
and private organizations (e.g., The Nature Conservancy) protect and
manage some Dakota skipper sites. Although proper management is always
necessary to ensure its persistence, even at protected sites, it is
secure at some sites owned by these entities. The species is also
secure at some sites where private landowners manage native prairie in
ways that conserve Dakota skipper. Recent surveys in at least parts of
the species' range have led us to revise our view of the imminence of
threats to Dakota skipper. In January 2007, for example, Minnesota
Department of Natural Resources proposed revising the status of Dakota
skipper in the state from threatened to endangered because it ``appears
to be rapidly disappearing from remnant habitat.'' In addition,
approximately half of the inhabited sites are privately owned with
little or no protection. Ongoing threats on these sites include
invasive species, overgrazing, and herbicide applications. A few
private sites are protected from conversion by easements, but these do
not prevent adverse effects from overgrazing. The threats are such that
the species warrants listing; the threats are moderate in magnitude
and, based on
[[Page 69041]]
the above new information, are imminent. Therefore, we changed the
listing priority number from an 11 to an 8 for the Dakota skipper to
reflect the increase in immediacy of threats to remnant habitat,
particularly on private lands.
Coral Pink Sand Dunes tiger beetle (Cicindela albissima)--The Coral
Pink Sand Dunes tiger beetle occurs only at the Coral Pink Sand Dunes,
approximately 7 miles west of Kanab, Kane County, in south-central
Utah. It is restricted to a small part of the dune field, situated at
an elevation of about 1,820 m (6,000 ft). The beetle's habitat is being
adversely affected by ongoing recreational off-road vehicle use that is
destroying and degrading the beetle's habitat, especially the
interdunal swales used by the larvae. The continued survival of the
beetle depends on the preservation of its habitat. The two agencies
that manage the dune field, the Utah Department of Parks and Recreation
and the Bureau of Land Management, have restricted recreational off-
road vehicle use in some areas, which reduces impacts. However, the
protected areas may not be of sufficient size to enable the population
to increase in size. The beetle's population is also vulnerable to
overcollecting by professional and hobby tiger-beetle collectors.
Because the taxon was recently elevated to a full species based on
genetic research, we changed the listing priority from a 9 to an 8. The
imminence and magnitude of the threats remain the same (imminent and
moderate to low magnitude).
Stephan's riffle beetle (Heterelmis stephani)--The following
summary is based on information from our files. No new information was
provided in the petition we received on May 11, 2004. The Stephan's
riffle beetle is an endemic riffle beetle found in limited spring
environments within the Santa Rita Mountains, Pima County, Arizona. The
beetle is known from Bog Spring and Sylvester Spring in Madera Canyon,
within the Coronado National Forest. These springs are typical
isolated, mid-elevation, permanently saturated, spring-fed aquatic
climax communities commonly referred to as ci[eacute]negas. Threats are
largely from habitat modification (from recreational activities in the
springs and changes in water chemistry due to catastrophic natural
disasters such as fires or floods); we consider them to be of moderate
to low magnitude due to the lack of focused studies to evaluate the
permanence of threats or the likelihood of persistence of the species
in areas that are unaffected. Furthermore, because the threats are
currently occurring, they are best characterized as imminent. Due to
moderate to low magnitude of imminent threats, we changed the LPN from
a 5 to an 8 for Stephan's riffle beetle.
Crustaceans
Typhlatya monae (troglobitic groundwater shrimp)--Typhlatya monae
is a subterranean small shrimp known from Puerto Rico, Barbuda, and
Dominican Republic. It is classified as a troglobite, or obligatory
cave organism, of which its most extraordinary feature is the reduction
or loss of vision and pigmentation. It feeds on organic waste material
and debris, such as bat guano.
Little is known concerning the status of Typhlatya monae in either
Barbuda or Dominican Republic. Although in Puerto Rico this species was
previously found at Mona Island, currently Typhlatya monae is known
from only three caves within the Gu[aacute]nica Commonwealth Forest in
the municipalities of Gu[aacute]nica, Yauco, and Guayanilla. However,
the species may still be found in the reef deposit aquifers in Mona
Island that have not yet been surveyed. In 1995, close to 2,000
individuals were estimated; over 95 percent of these were observed in
only one cave. Although no systematic censuses have been conducted
since 1995, we have recently documented the presence of the species in
all three caves and obtained information regarding another cave in
which the species may occur from Puerto Rico Commonwealth Forest
personnel.
Changes in groundwater quality, collection of rare animals,
predation, limited distribution of the species, limited availability of
appropriate habitat (i.e., underground aquifers within cave
formations), potential reduction of food sources (e.g., mortality or
reduction in bat populations), and low population numbers potentially
threaten populations of Typhlatya monae. However, because the known
range of Typhlatya monae is within protected lands, and because we have
received new information of known management activities within the
Gu[aacute]nica Commonwealth Forest or Mona Island (activities are
managed such that some of the threats to this species no longer exist;
e.g. the caves are closed to visitors), we now consider the magnitude
of the remaining threats (possible extraction of ground-water in Mona
and vulnerability to catastrophic events) moderate to low. Therefore,
we changed the LPN from a 5 to an 11 for this species.
Flowering plants
Abronia alpina (Ramshaw Meadows sand-verbena)--Abronia alpina is a
small perennial herb, 2.5 to 15.2 centimeters (1 to 6 inches) across
which forms compact mats with lavender-pink, trumpet-shaped, and
generally fragment flowers. Abronia alpina is known from one main
population center in Ramshaw Meadow on the Kern Plateau of the Sierra
Nevada, California, and from one subpopulation found in adjacent
Templeton Meadow. The total estimated area occupied is approximately 6
hectares (15 acres). The population fluctuates from year to year
without any clear trends. Population estimates from 1985-1994 range
from a low of 69,652 plants in 1986 to 132,215 plants in 1987. Surveys
conducted since 1994 indicate that no significant changes have occurred
in population size or location, although, the 2003 survey showed
population numbers to be at the low end of the range. The population
was last monitored in 2006.
The threats currently facing Abronia alpina include natural and
human habitat alteration, hydrologic changes to the water table, and
recreational use within meadow habitats. Lodgepole pine encroachment
has altered the meadow and becoming established within A. alpina
habitat. Lodgepole pine encroachment may alter soil characteristics by
increasing organic matter levels, decreasing porosity, and moderating
diurnal temperature fluctuations thus reducing the competitive ability
of A. alpina to persist in an environment more hospitable to other
plant species. The Ramshaw Meadow ecosystem is subject to potential
alteration by lowering of the water table due to downcutting of the
South Fork of the Kern River (SFKR). The SFKR flows through Ramshaw
Meadow, at times coming within 15 m (50 ft) of A. alpina habitat,
particularly in the vicinity of five subpopulations. The habitat
occupied by A. alpina directly borders the meadow system supported by
the SFKR. Drying out of the meadow system could potentially affect A.
alpina pollinators and/or seed dispersal agents. Established hiker,
packstock, and cattle trails pass through A. alpina subpopulations. Two
main hiker trails pass through Ramshaw Meadow, but were rerouted out of
A. alpina subpopulations where feasible, in 1988 and 1997. Remnants of
cattle trails that pass through subpopulations in several places
receive occasional incidental use by horses and sometimes hikers.
Cattle use, however, currently, is not a threat due to the 2001
implementation of a ten-year
[[Page 69042]]
moratorium on the Templeton allotment which prohibits cattle from all
A. alpina locations. In 2007, the U.S. Forest Service in cooperation
with the Service drafted a Conservation Agreement for A. alpina that
would provide protective measures via increased management of
recreation in the area, habitat management, and research on A. alpina.
Approval and finalization of this Agreement is anticipated in Fiscal
Year 2008. The Service is funding studies to determine appropriate
conservation measures. As a result of rerouting hiking trails,
curtailing grazing, and development of a Conservation Agreement between
the U.S. Forest Service and the Service the threats facing Abronia
alpina have been reduced. Because the population is stable and the
threats have been reduced, we changed the LPN for A. alpina from an 8
to an 11, reflecting nonimminent threats that are moderate to low in
magnitude.
Bidens campylotheca ssp. waihoiensis (Kookoolau)--Kookoolau is an
erect, perennial found in wet Acacia-Metrosideros (koa-ohia) forest on
Maui, Hawaii. Bidens campylotheca ssp. waihoiensis is known from 1 and
possibly 2 populations, 1 of 200 individuals, and the second of
possibly as many as 300 individuals. It is threatened by feral pigs and
cattle, which eat this plant and degrade and destroy habitat, and by
nonnative plants that outcompete and displace it. Conservation measures
such as strategic fences and control of nonnative plants benefit the
plants in Kipahulu Valley; however, the individuals in Waihoi Valley
are still affected by these threats. Therefore, to reflect the fact
that the threats are ongoing, we have changed the LPN for this species
from a 6 to a 3.
Chamaecrista lineata var. keyensis (Big Pine partridge pea)--This
pea is endemic to the lower Florida Keys, and restricted to pine
rocklands, hardwood hammock edges, and roadsides and firebreaks within
these ecosystems. Historically, it was known from Big Pine, No Name,
Ramrod, and Cudjoe Keys (Monroe County, Florida). It presently occurs
on Big Pine, plus two very small populations found on Cudjoe and lower
Sugarloaf Keys in 2005. It is fairly well distributed in Big Pine Key
pine rocklands, which encompass approximately 580 hectares (1,433
acres). Roughly 90 percent of its current range is within the Service's
National Key Deer Refuge. In late 2005, it occurred within 37.2 percent
of 541 plots sampled throughout the publicly owned pine rocklands on
Big Pine Key. Frequency of occurrence was twice as great and density
over 3 times greater in the less fragmented, more fire-prone northern
portion of Big Pine Key than the southern part. Pine rockland
communities are maintained by relatively frequent fires. In the absence
of fire, shrubs and trees encroach on pine rockland and the pea is
eventually shaded out. The National Key Deer Refuge (NKDR) has a
prescribed fire program, though with many constraints on implementing
fire. Absence of fire is the greatest of the short-term and
deterministic threats.
Hurricanes are also a threat. Hurricane Wilma (October 2005)
resulted in a storm surge that covered most of Big Pine Key with sea
water. In plots sampled after Wilma, frequency of occurrence decreased
to less than a third and density decreased to less than half that found
in plots sampled before Wilma.
The magnitude of threats to the Big Pine partridge pea is moderate.
Partridge pea has a very limited distribution that is somewhat
fragmented and fire limitation, salt water storm surges (direct
mortality, as well as slash pine mortality, associated with
hurricanes), and pollinator limitation, constitute significant threats.
Additionally, threats from storm surges associated with hurricanes are
exacerbated by sea level rise. Big Pine partridge pea exists as one
relatively large population (possibly fragmented into a metapopulation)
on Big Pine Key and two very small, isolated populations on two other
keys. However, population size is on the order of several hundred
thousand, and the majority occurs on the NKDR. Over the long run,
partridge pea receives protective measures only on NKDR and the
Terrestris Preserve. The immediacy of threats is imminent as the
probability of intense hurricanes has increased in recent years, and
increasingly sea levels have exacerbated the threat. Additionally,
storm surges have complicated efforts to conduct prescribed fires. If
the frequency of prescribed fire does not increase, the imminence of
threats due to fire suppression will continue to increase. Because the
threats are moderate rather than high in magnitude due to some
protection from threats provided by the NKDR and Terrestris Preserve,
we changed the LPN from a 6 to a 9 for the Big Pine partridge pea.
Chamaesyce deltoidea ssp. serpyllum (Wedge spurge)--New survey
results were obtained in March 2006. Wedge spurge is a small, prostrate
herb. It has always been restricted to Big Pine Key in Monroe County,
Florida. Most of the range falls within the National Key Deer Refuge.
It is restricted to pinelands on limestone rock (pine rockland), at
sites with exposed rock or gravel, low understory cover, and low
hardwood density. Pine rocklands encompass approximately 580 hectares
(1,433 acres) on Big Pine Key. It is not widely dispersed within the
limited range. In late 2005, it occurred within 7.4 percent of 541
plots sampled throughout the publicly owned pine rocklands on Big Pine
Key. Hurricane Wilma (October 2005) resulted in a storm surge that
covered most of Big Pine Key with sea-water. Before and after Wilma, it
occurred in 9.3 of 332 sample plots and 4.3 percent of 209 sample
plots, respectively, and density decreased significantly within plots.
Occupied plots had become restricted to the higher, middle portion of
Big Pine Key. In the absence of fire, shrubs and trees encroach on pine
rockland and spurge is eventually shaded out.
The magnitude of threats to the wedge spurge is moderate. Wedge
spurge has a narrow distribution composed of few occurrences, and
threats result from lack of fire, hurricanes, sea level rise, and
invasive exotic plants. Additionally, threats from storm surges
associated with hurricanes are exacerbated by sea-level rise. Wedge
spurge exists essentially as a single (fragmented) population on Big
Pine Key, which over the long run is protected only on NKDR and the
Terrestris Preserve. However, population size is on the order of
several hundred thousand, and the majority occurs on the NKDR. The
National Key Deer Refuge has a prescribed fire program, though with
many constraints on implementing fire.
The threats to the wedge spurge are imminent. The best available
information indicates that this plant is intrinsically vulnerable to
extinction because it is a narrow endemic. Moreover, the threats of
hurricanes and shading due to lack of fire are ongoing. However,
because the threats are moderate rather than high in magnitude due to
some protection from threats provided by the NKDR and Terrestris
Preserve, we changed the LPN from a 6 to a 9 for the wedge spurge.
Cordia rupicola (no common name)--Cordia rupicola, a small shrub,
has been described from southwestern Puerto Rico (Pe[ntilde]uelas and
Gu[aacute]nica), Vieques Island, and Anegada Island (British Virgin
Islands). Cordia rupicola is restricted to subtropical dry forest life
zone overlying a limestone substrate. At present time, less than 20
individuals of C. rupicola are currently known from four sites in
Puerto Rico; only a few individuals are located in protected lands
managed for conservation by the
[[Page 69043]]
Puerto Rico Department of Natural and Environmental Resources or the
Service. The area that contains 83 percent of the known population is
located in a privately-owned property and is threatened by habitat
destruction or modification. While the population on Anegada Island is
currently stable, this population is threatened by potential
residential and commercial development. Both populations are also
vulnerable to natural (e.g., hurricanes) or manmade (e.g., human-
induced fires) threats. All sites are located in a xeric environment
vulnerable to human-induced fires which could destroy entire
populations. For these reasons, the magnitude of the current threats is
high. While hurricanes and fire do occur, the rate of occurrence is
such that they do not pose an imminent threat. The threats this species
faces are ones that will arise in the future if conservation measures
are not implemented and long-term impacts are not averted. For these
reasons, the threats to the species as a whole are nonimminent, and
therefore, we changed the LPN from a 2 to a 5 for this species.
Dalea carthagenensis floridana (Florida prairie-clover)--Dalea
carthagenensis floridana occurs in Big Cypress National Preserve in
Monroe and Collier Counties, Florida. It is also known from small
populations in Miami-Dade County. There are a total of nine extant
occurrences, most of which are on conservation land. Existing
occurrences are extremely small and may not be viable, especially those
in Miami-Dade County. Remaining habitats are fragmented. This plant is
threatened by habitat loss and habitat degradation due to fire
suppression, the difficulty of applying prescribed fire to pine
rocklands, and threats from exotic plants. Damage to plants by off-road
vehicles is a serious threat within the Big Cypress National Preserve;
the threat from illegal mountain biking at the R. Hardy Matheson
Preserve has been reduced. This species is being parasitized by the
introduced insect lobate lac scale at some localities (e.g., R. Hardy
Matheson Preserve), but we do not know the extent of this threat. This
plant is vulnerable to natural disturbances, such as hurricanes,
tropical storms, and storm surges. Due to its restricted range and the
small sizes of most isolated occurrences, this species is vulnerable to
environmental (catastrophic hurricanes), demographic (potential
episodes of poor reproduction), and genetic (potential inbreeding
depression) threats. After a thorough review of the species status and
threats, the magnitude of threats is high and threats are imminent
because of the limited number of occurrences and the small number of
individual plants at each occurrence. In addition, even though many
sites are on conservation lands, these plants still face significant
ongoing threats. Therefore, we have changed the LPN from 9 to 3 for
this subspecies.
Echinomastus erectocentrus var. acunensis (Acuna cactus)--The
following summary is based on information contained in our files and
the petition we received on October 30, 2002. The Acuna cactus is known
from six sites on well-drained gravel ridges and knolls on granite
soils in Sonoran Desert scrub association at 1300-2000 feet elevation.
Habitat destruction has been a threat in the past and is a
potential future threat to this species. New roads and illegal
activities have not yet directly affected the cactus populations at
Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument, but areas in close proximity to
these known populations have been altered. Cactus populations located
in the Florence area have not been monitored, and these populations may
be in danger of habitat loss due to recent urban growth in the area.
Urban development near Ajo, Arizona, as well as that near Sonoyta,
Mexico, is a significant threat to the Acuna cactus. Populations of the
Acuna cactus within the Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument have shown
a 50-percent mortality rate in recent years. The reason(s) for the
mortality are not known, but continuing drought conditions are thought
to play a role. The Arizona Plant Law and the Convention on
International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora
provide some protection for the Acuna cactus. However, illegal
collection is a primary threat to this cactus variety and has been
documented on the Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument in the past. The
threats continue to be of a high magnitude. The threats are now
imminent, as evidenced by the continued decline of the species, most
likely from effects from the on-going drought. Conditions in 2006
worsened, and the drought is prevalent throughout the range of this
variety. For this reason, we believe that the main threat, drought, is
on-going and is a significant threat to the long-term viability of this
variety. Thus, we changed the LPN from a 6 to a 3 for this cactus
variety.
Geranium hanaense (Nohoanu)--This species is a decumbent shrub
found in bogs on Maui, Hawaii. This species is known from two adjacent
bogs totaling 300 to 500 individuals. Geranium hanaense is threatened
by pigs that degrade and destroy habitat, and by nonnative plants that
outcompete and displace it. However, feral pigs have been fenced out of
and removed from both bogs in which this species currently occurs, and
a control program has reduced nonnative plants in all fenced areas.
Given that the threats to the only known populations of this species
are currently being managed and the populations are routinely
monitored, this changes the overall magnitude of these threats to
moderate. The threats are imminent, however, because the fences must be
routinely monitored and nonnative plants must continually be
controlled. Therefore, we have changed the LPN for this species from a
5 to an 8.
Helianthus verticillatus (whorled sunflower)--The following
information is based on information contained in our files. The whorled
sunflower is found in moist, prairie-like openings in woodlands and
along adjacent creeks. Despite extensive surveys throughout its range,
only five populations are known for this species from seven sites.
There are two populations documented for Cherokee County, Alabama; one
in Floyd County, Georgia; and one each in Madison and McNairy Counties,
Tennessee. This species appears to have restricted ecological
requirements and is dependent upon the maintenance of prairie-like
openings for its survival. Active management of habitat is needed to
keep competition and shading under control. Much of its habitat has
been degraded or destroyed for agricultural, silvicultural, and
residential purposes; timber harvest remains a potential threat for the
Alabama populations. We changed the priority number from an 11 to a 5
to reflect a high magnitude of threat based on current information. The
11 was assigned previously because the magnitude of threat was then
moderate since information at that time indicated that the Georgia
site, which is permanently protected, was the largest population, had
thousands of plants, and was thriving. New information indicates that
this Georgia site actually only harbors 15 to 20 individuals and that
plants at this site appear to have low fitness as indicated by their
shorter stature and the absence of flowering in this population. The
remaining four populations are all on private land with no protection
at this time. However, the threats are still nonimminent though since
efforts are actively underway to obtain protection for these sites and
habitat conversion and timber harvesting are not currently affecting
the species.
[[Page 69044]]
Phacelia stellaris (Brand's phacelia)--Phacelia stellaris is an
annual plant in the Hydrophyllaceae (water-leaf family). Plants are
spreading to erect, 6 to 25 cm (2.5 to 10 in) tall. Phacelia stellaris
was historically found in Los Angeles, Riverside, and San Diego
Counties and in coastal northern Baja California, Mexico. Approximately
50 percent of the linear extent of the coastal occurrences of this
species has been lost, presumably to urbanization and habitat
degradation. The last documentation of the range of the species in
Mexico was in 1975. In the United States, four of the five known extant
occurrences are from coastal San Diego County, California, in the
following areas: Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, Silver Strand in the
City of San Diego, within a few hundred yards of the Mexican border at
Lichty Mesa, and the recently rediscovered population at Coronado
Island on Naval Air Station North Island. The only other known extant
occurrence is in western Riverside County, southwest of Fairmont Park.
Potential threats to the U.S. occurrences include: The anticipated
Border Fence project, development or agricultural activities, trampling
from humans and equestrian traffic, disturbances from management
actions, and invasive nonnative plants. Three of the five populations
are very small (tens to low-hundreds) and small populations are
considered subject to random events and genetic constraints. This
species faces high magnitude threats, but the efforts of land managers
and other regulatory mechanisms have resulted in the threats being
nonimminent. Therefore, because overall, the threats are nonimminent,
we changed the LPN for this species from a 2 to a 5.
Phyllostegia floribunda (no common name)--The following summary is
based on information contained in our files. No new information was
provided in the petition we received on May 11, 2004. This species is
an erect subshrub found in mesic to wet forest on the island of Hawaii,
Hawaii. This species is known from 10 locations totaling fewer than 270
naturally occurring and outplanted individuals on State, private, and
Federal lands. Phyllostegia floribunda is threatened by feral pigs that
degrade and destroy habitat, and nonnative plants that compete for
light and nutrients. The Park Service, The Nature Conservancy of
Hawaii, and the State have outplanted over 170 individuals at Olaa
Forest Reserve, Kona Hema, and Waiakea Forest Reserve (greater than 50,
20 individuals, and 100 individuals, respectively). Fences protect
approximately seven populations on private, State, and Park Service
lands. Nonnative plants have been reduced in these fenced areas.
However, no conservation efforts have been implemented for the unfenced
populations. Because these threats are of imminent, but only moderate
magnitude for the majority of the populations, we changed the LPN from
a 2 to an 8.
Sideroxylon reclinatum ssp. austrofloridense (Everglades bully)--
Everglades bully occurs on pinelands, pineland/prairie ecotones, and
prairies in Everglades National Park and private lands in Miami-Dade
County, and Big Cypress National Preserve in Monroe County, Florida.
Pine rocklands in Miami-Dade County have largely been destroyed by
residential, commercial, and urban development and agriculture. Most
remaining suitable habitat for this plant has been negatively altered
by human activity. While privately owned pine rocklands are at risk
from development, habitat for this plant is, for the most part,
protected. The species is threatened by habitat loss and habitat
degradation due to fire suppression, the difficulty of applying
prescribed fire to pine rocklands, and exotic plants. Hydrology has
been altered within Long Pine Key at Everglades National Park due to
artificial drainage, which lowered ground water, and construction of
roads, which either impounded or diverted water. Regional water
management intended to restore the Everglades could negatively affect
the pinelands of Long Pine Key, where the largest population occurs. At
this time, it is not known whether Everglades restoration will have a
positive or negative effect. This species may be vulnerable to
catastrophic events and natural disturbances, such as hurricanes. Sea
level rise will likely be a factor over the long term. After a thorough
review of the species status and threats, the magnitude of threats
continues to remain moderate to low, particularly since additional
populations have recently been documented at Big Cypress National
Preserve and on small pinelands in Miami-Dade County. We anticipate
that additional occurrences will be found at Everglades National Park.
Overall, the threats are nonimminent, particularly since most of the
habitat is protected and managed to benefit this species. For the
largest population in Everglades National Park, efforts are under way
to ameliorate the threats from exotic plants. Therefore, we changed the
LPN from a 9 to a 12 for this subspecies.
Solanum nelsonii (Popolo)--The following summary is based on
information contained in our files. No new information was provided in
the petition we received on May 11, 2004. Solanum nelsonii is a
sprawling or trailing shrub found in coral rubble or sand in coastal
sites. This species is known from populations in the northwestern
Hawaiian Islands: Midway (approximately 260 plants), Laysan
(approximately 490 plants), Pearl and Hermes (unknown number of
individuals), Nihoa (8,000 to 15,000 adult plants); and Molokai
(approximately 300 plants), in the main Hawaiian Islands. Solanum
nelsonii is moderately threatened by ungulates (on Molokai) that
degrade and destroy habitat, and that may eat it, and by nonnative
plants that outcompete and displace it (Molokai and the northwestern
Hawaiian Islands). Ungulate exclusion fences, routine fence monitoring
and maintenance, and weed control protect the population of S. nelsonii
on Molokai. Limited weed control is conducted in the northwestern
Hawaiian Islands. In addition, S. nelsonii is likely threatened by
being eaten by a nonnative grasshopper, Schistocerca nitens, in the
northwestern Hawaiian Islands. Currently no control measures are in
place for this grasshopper. Because these threats are of moderate
magnitude and are imminent for the majority of the populations, we
changed the LPN from a 2 to an 8.
Symphyotrichum georgianum (Georgia aster)--Georgia aster is a
relict species of post oak savanna/prairie communities that existed in
the southeast prior to widespread fire suppression and extirpation of
large native grazing animals. Most remaining populations survive
adjacent to roads, utility rights of way and other openings where
current land management mimics natural disturbance regimes. Georgia
aster currently is known to occur in the States of Alabama, Georgia,
North Carolina, and South Carolina. The species appears to have been
extirpated from Florida.
Most of the known populations are small (fewer than 50 stems), and
because the species' main mode of reproduction is vegetative, each
isolated population may represent only a few genotypes. A key factor
impacting the Georgia aster is the present and threatened destruction,
modification, and curtailment of its habitat and range as a result of
subdivision development, highway expansion/improvement activities,
herbicide application, and succession by wood plants due to fire
suppression. The inadequacy of existing regulatory mechanisms is
another factor posing a threat to the species, as approximately 95
percent of the known
[[Page 69045]]
surviving populations are estimated to occur on private lands and no
state or local laws protect the plants or their habitat. The species is
not afforded specific protection on federal lands, where we estimate 5
percent of the populations occur. A third factor impacting the species
is direct damage from mowing or herbicide applications conducted as
part of maintenance along highways and rights of way; these activities
can kill plants, and possibly extirpate populations in local areas.
In previous years, we assigned an LPN of 5 to the Georgia aster,
corresponding to a magnitude rating of high and an immediacy rating of
nonimminent. However, based on the Service's efforts to achieve greater
consistency in the interpretation of magnitude and immediacy, as well
as new information regarding the abundance of the species, we are now
revising the LPN. With regard to immediacy, the threats described above
are currently occurring and are, therefore, imminent. We expect the
threats are operating throughout the range of the species. However, the
species is still relatively widely distributed, with occurrences in 3
counties in Alabama, 9 counties in North Carolina, 11 counties in South
Carolina, and possibly as many as 18 counties in Georgia. Also, recent
information indicates the species is more abundant than when we
initially identified it as a candidate for listing, with possibly as
many as 120 populations, in comparison to approximately 60 when it
became a candidate in 1999. Taking into account its distribution and
the new information indicating the species is more abundant than
previously realized, we have revised the magnitude of threats from
``high'' to ``moderate.'' Therefore, we have changed the LPN from a 5
to an 8.
Ferns and Allies
Christella boydiae (no common name)--The following summary is based
on information contained in our files. No new information was provided
in the petition we received on May 11, 2004. This species is a small-
to-medium-sized fern found in mesic to wet forest along streambanks on
Oahu and Maui, Hawaii. Historically, this species was also found on the
island of Hawaii; however, the species has been extirpated from that
island. Currently, this species is known from 4 populations totaling
fewer than 200 individuals. Two populations, numbering 162 and 2
individuals respectively, are found within Haleakala National Park on
the island of Maui, where they are fenced and managed. The other two
populations, numbering 5 and 9 individuals respectively, are located on
State and private lands in the Koolau Mountains of Oahu. This species
is threatened by feral pigs that degrade and/or destroy habitat and
that may eat this plant, nonnative plants that compete for light and
nutrients, and man-made stream diversion. Feral pigs have been fenced
out of the two populations on Maui, and nonnative plants have been
reduced in the fenced areas. No conservation efforts are under way to
alleviate threats to the two populations on Oahu. The two managed
populations constitute 92 percent of the currently known populations.
Therefore, the magnitude of the threats acting upon the currently
extant populations is considered moderate, while the threats from feral
pig activities and nonnative plants are ongoing, and therefore
imminent. Thus, we changed the LPN from a 2 to an 8 for this species.
Taxonomic Changes in Candidates
Mammals
Mazama pocket gopher (Thomomys mazama ssp. couchi, douglasii,
glacialis, louiei, melanops, pugetensis, tacomensis, tumuli,
yelmensis)--Based on mitochondrial DNA analysis, we are including an
additional subspecies of Mazama pocket gopher (Brush Prairie pocket
gopher, T. Mazama douglasii), in our candidate list. See summary below
under ``Findings for Petitioned Candidate Species'' for additional
information.
Insects
Coral Pink Sand Dunes tiger beetle (Cicindela albissima)--Based on
recently genetic research, this taxon was recently elevated to a full
species. See summary above under ``Summary of Listing Priority Changes
in Candidates'' for additional information.
Candidate Removals
As summarized below, we have evaluated the threats to the following
four species and considered factors that, individually and in
combination, presently or potentially could pose a risk to these
species and their habitat. After a review of the best available
scientific and commercial data, we conclude that listing these four
species under the Endangered Species Act is not warranted because the
species are not likely to become endangered species within the
foreseeable future throughout all or a significant portion of their
range. Therefore, for each of these species we find that proposing a
rule to list them is not warranted, and we no longer consider them to
be candidate species for listing. We will continue to monitor the
status of these species, and to accept additional information and
comments concerning this finding. We will reconsider this determination
in the event that new information indicates that the threats to these
species are of a considerably greater magnitude or imminence than
identified through assessments of information in our files, as
summarized here. The summary below also notes two other species for
which we published separate findings removing them from candidate
status since the most recent CNOR.
Fish
Fluvial arctic grayling, upper Missouri River DPS (Thymallus
arcticus)--see Federal Register notice published on April 24, 2007 (72
FR 20305).
Insects
Beaver Cave beetle (Pseudanophthalmus major)--see Federal Register
notice published on October 11, 2006 (71 FR 59711).
Surprising cave beetle (Pseudanophthalmus inexpectatus Barr)--The
following summary is based on information contained in our files. No
new information was provided in the petition we received on May 11,
2004. The surprising cave beetle is a small (4 mm), eyeless, reddish-
brown, troglobitic insect that belongs to the ground beetle family
Carabidae. The species is predatory, feeding upon other small cave
invertebrates such as spiders, mites, and millipedes.
We made the surprising cave beetle a candidate for listing on
October 30, 2001. The species was originally described from two caves
in Mammoth Cave National Park (MCNP), Kentucky--the historic entrance
of Mammoth Cave (or Crevice Pit) and White Cave. Subsequent to this
discovery, it was later found in Great Onyx Cave in MCNP. Since 2001,
when we identified it as a candidate, we have found that the surprising
cave beetle is more common and widespread than previously believed. In
2002, the species was discovered in a previously unnamed cave (now
called Surprising Cave) within MCNP. This discovery was notable because
it represented a northern range extension for the species and was made
in a cave system that many speculate is completely separate from those
located south of the Green River.
In 2006, the species was discovered in a fifth cave (Saucer Cave)
within MCNP. Thus, we now know that the distribution of the species
includes at least five areas within MCNP. In addition, over the past 6
years a total of
[[Page 69046]]
10 individuals have been observed during routine surveys for other cave
biota. Because the surprising cave beetle is small, cryptic, and
difficult to locate within the cave environment, the collection of 10
individuals is a significant accomplishment for a Pseudanophthalmus
survey, especially when the surprising cave beetle was not the target
organism. Many of the caves in MCNP have not been adequately surveyed
for Pseudanophthalmus or other small cave organisms, and based on the
information now available, we believe the species is more common within
these habitats than first believed.
The most significant potential threats to the species (trampling by
humans, habitat disturbance, and disruption of energy inputs) are
abated by its location within a national park (MCNP) and MCNP's strict
control over the majority of the cave system and its habitats. Tours
are offered in only two of the five caves where the species is known to
occur, and tours take place in areas away from known beetle habitats.
Habitat disturbance, vandalism, and entrance manipulation are unlikely
to occur because the caves are in isolated, protected locations within
a national park. Other potential threats, such as contamination of cave
systems through polluted stormwater runoff and toxic chemical spills,
are not considered to be significant because of their low probability
of occurrence. In addition, we entered into a 15-year Candidate
Conservation Agreement (CCA) for the surprising cave beetle in 2001
with the National Park Service (NPS) at MCNP. The purpose of this CCA
is for the Service and NPS to jointly implement conservation measures
for the surprising cave beetle in MCNP. Management activities
undertaken by MCNP under the CCA increase protection and enhance the
status of this species. The Agreement was updated in 2004, and the NPS
continues their efforts under this agreement.
Based on findings in our updated assessment of the surprising cave
beetle, we conclude that listing this species under the Endangered
Species Act is not warranted within the foreseeable future throughout
all or a significant portion of its range. There is no portion of its
range for which we have information that the species might be locally
threatened. The current level of threats will not result in the species
becoming in danger of extinction nor do we foresee threats increasing
at any time in the future. The species no longer meets our definition
of a candidate, and we have removed it from candidate status.
Warm spring zaitzevian riffle beetle (Zaitzevia thermae)--The warm
spring zaitzevian riffle beetle is an aquatic flightless beetle endemic
to Bridger Creek Warm Springs near Bozeman, Montana. This spring is
entirely on land managed by the Service's Fish Technology Center (FTC)
and is a water source for the FTC. The warm spring zaitzevian riffle
beetle is not known to drift within a water system with any probability
of survival and requires clean water and small rock substrate absent
siltation. The beetles feed on small pieces of algae and diatoms that
they scrape from the submerged rocks. The warm spring zaitzevian riffle
beetle requires warm and flowing surface water with surface
temperatures of 16 to 29[deg]C (60 to 84[deg]F). Water temperature is
likely the most influential factor in the species' biology. The
distribution of the species is described as colonies found within three
main areas along 50 linear meters (m) (164 linear feet (ft)) of Bridger
Creek where a warm spring emerges at or near creek water surface level.
A large cement water collection box built around the spring in the
early 1900s provides protection to the riffle beetle's spring habitat
and it is within this sheltered area where the majority of the warm
spring zaitzevian riffle beetle population occurs.
A 1994 management plan prepared by the Service for the beetle
guided successful implementation of actions to ensure that warm water
flow out of the collection box to external seep habitat was not
hindered by debris, make necessary repairs, maintain barricades and
signs to prevent public disturbance of the beetle's habitat, and
monitor water flow and the species to determine if conservation
measures should be modified. The 1994 management plan also provided for
removal of silt from the bottom of the collection box, if necessary;
however, there has been no need to implement silt removal. In 2001, the
FTC acquired 40 acres of land adjacent to and uphill from the spring,
which provided additional protection of the spring by preventing
development and adverse land use on these lands. The area around the
spring continues to be protected by a chain-link fence and signs
erected by the FTC, limiting foot traffic in the area (the area
historically was used for swimming) as required in the 1994 management
plan. In 2002, with approval of entomologists from Montana State
University (MSU) per the 1994 management plan, the height of the
collection box roof was raised an additional 0.6 m (2 ft) to decrease
the chance of Bridger Creek runoff or flood water contaminating water
in the collection box. The purpose of this project was to protect the
FTC's water source from potential pathogens, silt, aquatic nuisance
species, decreased water temperature, and harmful chemicals, which in
turn protects the habitat of the beetle. The project also included
alteration to the roof of the water collection box to improve light
penetration into the box for the beetles. The actions implemented
through this project continue to effectively provide beetle habitat. In
July 2006, a new Conservation Agreement and Strategy (CAS) was
finalized. The goal of the CAS is to ensure long-term, effective
conservation of the warm spring zaitzevian riffle beetle and Brown's
riffle beetle (Microcylloepus browni), another endemic beetle found in
warm water seeps downstream of warm spring zaitzevian riffle beetle
habitat. The CAS formalizes the ongoing cooperative effort of the
signatories in conserving the warm spring zaitzevian riffle beetle in
its native habitat. The signatories to the CAS are: the Service;
Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks; and MSU. Activities under the CAS are
overseen by a workgroup of biologists representing the signatories.
Under the 2006 CAS, water monitoring now is conducted by the Service
according to the more detailed protocols in the CAS monitoring plan,
which further ensures that necessary information will be acquired in
order to respond appropriately in the event that water pollution or
contamination is detected. Most of the conservation efforts described
in the CAS are continuations of practices that were already being
implemented, and are effective in addressing the potential threats to
the warm spring zaitzevian riffle beetle. These efforts include
continuing to remove debris from the cement box, maintenance of signage
and delivery of educational materials, and review of any proposed
changes in land and stream uses that might impact the species and its
habitat.
We carefully assessed the best scientific and commercial
information available regarding the past, present, and future threats
faced by the warm spring zaitzevian riffle beetle (habitat development
or other alterations that would alter water flow, temperature or
chemistry, and stochastic events such as flooding) and considered
factors that, individually and in combination, could pose a risk to the
species and its habitat. This species occurs in a single spring, and
the area it occupies encompasses approximately 35 m\2\ (377 ft\2\),
plus small adjacent seeps upstream and downstream where the species
occurs in small numbers (approximately 1 m\2\ (11 ft\2\) of habitat).
All occupied habitat is significant to the species due to its
[[Page 69047]]
relatively small area and single location, therefore separate analysis
of portions of the range is not applicable to this species. The
foreseeable future for this species is linked to threats (habitat
sustainability) more strongly than to life cycle timeframes; because
the known population is carefully managed through the 2006 Conservation
Agreement and Strategy, threats are not expected to increase within the
foreseeable future. The FTC has committed to fund the CAS for 5 years,
and we have no reason to believe that the FTC will discontinue funding
and implementing the CAS into the future. We conclude that listing this
species under the Act is not warranted. Because the current population
is stable and threats have been addressed, it is not likely to become
in danger of extinction within the foreseeable future throughout all or
a significant portion of its range. This species no longer meets our
definition of a candidate and is removed from candidate status.
Flowering Plants
Erigeron basalticus (Basalt daisy)--Erigeron basalticus is a
perennial, herbaceous plant with a taproot and one to several sprawling
stems 10 to 15 centimeters (cm) (4 to 6 inches (in)) long. Erigeron
basalticus grows in crevices in basalt cliffs on canyon walls, at
elevations from 380 to 460 m (1,250 to 1,500 ft), along the Yakima
River Canyon and Selah Creek, a tributary of the Yakima River,
Washington. It is found in microsites that are largely devoid of other
vegetation and undergoing primary succession. To date, threats from
highway maintenance, rock quarrying, collection, location on private
lands, herbicide spray drift, recreational rock climbing, or landslides
previously described for this species have not been observed to affect
numbers, distribution, or recruitment of Erigeron basalticus since the
time it was initially surveyed. Overall population numbers have
fluctuated within a range, but appear to be relatively stable since
1988. Monitoring of the majority of the known sites in June 2007, by
the University of Washington College of Forest Resources, Botanic
Gardens Rare Plant Care and Conservation Branch, provided additional
data to support the removal of this species from candidacy. In addition
to robust numbers counted in nearly all populations, the survey group
discovered two previously unknown locations for E. basalticus so the
species is more abundant than previously realized.
The Bureau of Land Management has no plans to change management on
the Areas of Critical Environmental Concern where several
subpopulations of E. basalticus occur. Activities previously thought to
pose potential threats to the species have not materialized and we have
no basis for concluding that they would affect the species in the
future. Continued surveys indicate subpopulations have been fluctuating
in size within a reasonable range over time, and we have no reason to
believe that this will change in the future. Further, there is no
portion of its range for which we have information that the species
might be locally threatened. Based on our updated assessment, we
conclude that E. basalticus is not likely to become in danger of
extinction within the foreseeable future throughout all or a
significant portion of its range. Therefore we find that listing E.
basalticus is not warranted and we remove this species from candidate
status.
Ferns and Allies
Botrychium lineare (slender moonwort)--A member of the adder's-
tongue family (Ophioglossaceae), Botrychium lineare is a small
perennial fern. The species is known from 22 sites spread across 8
States (Alaska, Colorado, Minnesota, Montana, Oregon, South Dakota,
Washington, and Wyoming) and two Canadian Provinces (Alberta and Yukon
Territory), with a total geographic range of more than 107,000 square
miles. Over 3,300 miles (5,300 kilometers) separate B. lineare sites in
Alaska and Minnesota. Seventeen of the 20 known sites in the United
States occur on Federal lands, with 3 sites found on private lands.
Review of recent information indicates there is an increase in the
number of known locations of Botrychium lineare and the geographic
range is much larger than we previously understood. Based on increased
survey efforts, at least 12 new population sites have been found in 6
states, including 4 new States, and two Canadian provinces since 2003.
Population sites are generally small in area and number of individuals,
making the species difficult to locate and survey for, or detect in
plant surveys. Because Botrychium species have few diagnostic features
(they are small and have only one leaf), B. lineare can be difficult to
distinguish from other closely related moonworts. For example, one
former B. lineare population site in Idaho and two in Nevada described
in the May 11, 2005, Candidate Notice of Review (70 FR 24870) are now
considered something other than B. lineare based on genetic analysis.
Some researchers consider B. lineare a habitat generalist that may be
an opportunistic colonizer since it is found in a variety of natural
sites, and several extant population sites are found in man-made
disturbed sites (i.e., roadsides and roadbeds, mine tailings, and along
stream banks). Because they are found in a variety of habitat types,
describing suitable or a specific habitat type is problematic. We
believe that the species is more widespread than currently reported.
The disjunct nature of known population sites over a wide geographic
range of more than 107,000 square miles suggests that additional
undetected B. lineare populations will likely be discovered both within
and outside of the largely unsurveyed geographic range of the species
in the United States and Canada.
Much of the information provided to us regarding potential threats
to Botrychium lineare is general in nature or there is uncertainty and
very little documentation on how potential threats are affecting
existing, disjunct populations, individual plants or the various
natural and disturbed habitats of the species. Not all known population
sites are exposed to potential threats. Where Federal land managers
have recognized that threats could be affecting B. lineare populations,
various conservation measures are being implemented. In total,
potential threats are being addressed at 8 of the 20 B. lineare
population sites in the United States (2 Canadian population sites not
included). Invasive, nonnative species are reported to occur within 4
populations and adjacent to 10 populations. Conservation measures to
reduce the occurrence of invasive species are under way at seven sites
in Colorado, Montana, and Oregon. Monitoring to detect presence of
additional invasive species is currently conducted at two additional
sites in Oregon. Thirteen populations occur adjacent to or near roads;
avoidance and minimization measures are in place at four sites in
Colorado and one site in South Dakota to reduce the impact of road-
related activities. Livestock impacts have been precluded at one site
in Washington through an exclosure.
Based on our updated assessment, we have determined that Botrychium
lineare is not likely to become in danger of extinction within the
foreseeable future throughout all or a significant portion of its
range. We have no information that indicates that any of the known B.
lineare populations constitute a significant portion of the range of
the species or that there is any portion of its range where the species
might be locally threatened. Botrychium lineare's known geographic
range is much larger than previously understood and it is likely that
additional B. lineare
[[Page 69048]]
populations will be discovered both within and outside of the largely
unsurveyed geographic range of the species in the United States and
Canada. There is also insufficient information to adequately describe
suitable habitat for the species, or to fully understand B. lineare's
biological vulnerability to potential threat factors. Therefore, we
find that listing is not warranted and we remove this species from
candidate status.
Petition Findings
The Act provides two mechanisms for considering species for
listing. One method allows the Secretary, on his own initiative, to
identify species for listing under the standards of section 4(a)(1). We
implement this through the candidate program, discussed above. The
second method for listing a species provides a mechanism for the public
to petition us to add a species to the Lists. Under section 4(b)(3)(A),
when we receive such a petition, we must determine within 90 days, to
the maximum extent practicable, whether the petition presents
substantial information that listing may be warranted (a ``90-day
finding''). If we make a positive 90-day finding, we must promptly
commence a status review of the species under section 4(b)(3)(A); we
must then make and publish one of three possible findings within 12
months of the receipt of the petition (a ``12-month finding''):
1. The petitioned action is not warranted;
2. The petitioned action is warranted (in which case we are
required to promptly publish a proposed regulation to implement the
petitioned action; once we publish a proposed rule for a species,
section 4(b)(5) and 4(b)(6) govern further procedures regardless of
whether we issued the proposal in response to a petition); or
3. The petitioned action is warranted but (a) the immediate
proposal of a regulation and final promulgation of regulation
implementing the petitioned action is precluded by pending proposals,
and (b) expeditious progress is being made to add qualified species to
the lists of endangered or threatened species. (We refer to this as a
``warranted-but-precluded finding.'')
Section 4(b)(3)(C) of the Act requires that when we make a
warranted but precluded finding on a petition, we are to treat such a
petition as one that is resubmitted on the date of such a finding.
Thus, we are required to publish new 12-month findings on these
``resubmitted'' petitions on an annual basis.
On December 5, 1996, we made a final decision to redefine
``candidate species'' to mean those species for which the Service has
on file sufficient information on biological vulnerability and
threat(s) to support issuance of a proposed rule to list, but for which
issuance of the proposed rule is precluded (61 FR 64481; December 6,
1996). Therefore, the standard for making a species a candidate through
our own initiative is identical to the standard for making a warranted-
but-precluded 12-month petition finding on a petition to list, and we
add all petitioned species for which we have made a warranted-but-
precluded 12-month finding to the candidate list.
This publication also provides notice of substantial 90-day
findings and the warranted-but-precluded 12-month findings pursuant to
section 4(b)(3) for candidate species listed on Table 1 that we
identified on our own initiative, and that subsequently have been the
subject of a petition to list. Even though all candidate species
identified through our own initiative already have received the
equivalent of substantial 90-day and warranted-but-precluded 12-month
findings, we reviewed the status of the newly petitioned candidate
species and through this CNOR are publishing specific section 4(b)(3)
findings (i.e., substantial 90-day and warranted but precluded 12-month
findings) in response to the petitions to list these candidate species.
We publish these findings as part of the first CNOR following receipt
of the petition.
Pursuant to section 4(b)(3)(C)(i) of the Act, once a petition is
filed regarding a candidate species, we must make a 12-month petition
finding in compliance with section 4(b)(3)(B) of the Act at least once
a year, until we publish a proposal to list the species or make a final
not-warranted finding. We make this annual finding for petitioned
candidate species through the CNOR.
Section 4(b)(3)(C)(iii) of the Act requires us to ``implement a
system to monitor effectively the status of all species'' for which we
have made a warranted-but-precluded 12-month finding, and to ``make
prompt use of the [emergency listing] authority [under section 4(b)(7)]
to prevent a significant risk to the well being of any such species.''
The CNOR plays a crucial role in the monitoring system that we have
implemented for all candidate species by providing notice that we are
actively seeking information regarding the status of those species. We
review all new information on candidate species as it becomes
available, prepare an annual species assessment form that reflects
monitoring results and other new information, and identify any species
for which emergency listing may be appropriate. If we determine that
emergency listing is appropriate for any candidate, whether it was
identified through our own initiative or through the petition process,
we will make prompt use of the emergency listing authority under
section 4(b)(7). We have been reviewing and will continue to review, at
least annually, the status of every candidate, whether or not we have
received a petition to list it. Thus, the CNOR and accompanying species
assessment forms also constitute the Service's annual finding on the
status of petitioned species pursuant to section 4(b)(3)(C)(i).
On June 20, 2001, the United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth
Circuit held that the 1999 CNOR (64 FR 57534; October 25, 1999) did not
demonstrate that we fulfilled the second component of the warranted-
but-precluded 12-month petition findings for the Gila chub and
Chiracahua leopard frog (Center for Biological Diversity v. Norton, 254
F.3d 833 (9th Cir. 2001)). The court found that the one-line
designation in the table of candidates in the 1999 CNOR, with no
further explanation, did not satisfy section 4(b)(3)(B)(iii)'s
requirement that the Service publish a finding ``together with a
description and evaluation of the reasons and data on which the finding
is based.'' The court suggested that this one-line statement of
candidate status also precluded meaningful judicial review.
On June 21, 2004, the United States District Court for Oregon
agreed that we can use the CNOR as a vehicle for making petition
findings and that our reasoning for why listing is precluded does not
need to be based on an assessment at a regional level (as opposed to a
national level) (Center for Biological Diversity v. Norton Civ. No. 03-
1111-AA (D. Or.)). However, this court found that our discussion on why
listing the candidate species were precluded by other actions lacked
specificity; in the list of species that were the subject of listing
actions that precluded us from proposing to list candidate species, we
did not state the specific action at issue for each species in the list
and we did not indicate which actions were court-ordered.
On June 22, 2004, in a similar case, the United States District
Court for the Eastern District of California also concluded that our
determination of preclusion may appropriately be based on a national
analysis (Center for Biological Diversity v. Norton No. CV S-03-1758
GEB/DAD (E.D. Cal.)). This court also found that the Act's
[[Page 69049]]
imperative that listing decisions be based solely on science applies
only to the determination about whether listing is warranted, not the
question of when listing is precluded.
On March 24, 2005, the United States District Court for the
District of Columbia held that we may not consider critical habitat
activities in justifying our inability to list candidate species,
requiring that we justify both our preclusion findings and our
demonstration of expeditious progress by reference to listing
proceedings for unlisted species (California Native Plant Society v.
Norton, Civ. No. 03-1540 (JR) (D.D.C.)). The court further found that
we must adequately itemize priority listings, explain why certain
species are of high priority, and explain why actions on these high-
priority species preclude listing species of lower priority. The court
approved our reliance on national rather than regional priorities and
workload in establishing preclusion and approved our basic explanation
that listing candidate species may be precluded by statutorily mandated
deadlines, court-ordered actions, higher-priority listing activities,
and a limited budget.
We drafted previous CNORs to address the concerns of these courts
and continue to incorporate those changes that addressed the courts'
concerns in this CNOR. We include a description of the reasons why the
listing of every petitioned candidate species is both warranted and
precluded at this time. We make our determinations of preclusion on a
nationwide basis to ensure that the species most in need of listing
will be addressed first and also because we allocate our listing budget
on a nationwide basis (see below). Regional priorities can also be
discerned from Table 1, which includes the lead region and the LPN for
each species. Our preclusion determinations are further based upon our
budget for listing activities for unlisted species and we explain the
priority system and why the work we have accomplished does preclude
action on listing candidate species.
Pursuant to section 4(b)(3)(C)(ii) and the Administrative Procedure
Act (5 U.S.C. 551 et seq.), any party with standing may challenge the
merits of any not-warranted or warranted-but-precluded petition finding
incorporated in this CNOR. The analysis included herein, together with
the administrative record for the decision at issue (particularly the
supporting species assessment form), will provide an adequate basis for
a court to review the petition finding.
Nothing in this document or any of our policies should be construed
as in any way modifying the Act's requirement that we make a
resubmitted 12-month petition finding for each petitioned candidate
within 1 year of the date of publication of this CNOR. If we fail to
make any such finding on a timely basis, whether through publication of
a new CNOR or some other form of notice, any party with standing may
seek judicial review.
In this CNOR, we continue to address the concerns of the courts by
including more specific information in our discussion on preclusion
(see below). In preparing this CNOR, we reviewed the current status of
and threats to the 203 candidates and 5 listed species for which we
have received a petition and for which we have found listing or
reclassification from threatened to endangered to be warranted but
precluded. We find that the immediate issuance of a proposed rule and
timely promulgation of a final rule for each of these species has been,
for the preceding months, and continues to be, precluded by higher-
priority listing actions. Additional information that is the basis for
this finding is found in the species assessments and our administrative
record for each species.
Our review included updating the status of and threats to
petitioned candidate or listed species for which we published findings,
pursuant to section 4(b)(3)(B), in the previous CNOR. We have
incorporated new information we gathered since the prior finding and,
as a result of this review, we are making continued warranted-but-
precluded 12-month findings on the petitions for these species.
We have identified the candidate species for which we received
petitions by the code ``C*'' in the category column on the left side of
Table 1. As discussed above, the immediate publication of proposed
rules to list these species was precluded by our work on higher-
priority listing actions, listed below, during the period from
September 12, 2006, through September 30, 2007. We will continue to
monitor the status of all candidate species, including petitioned
species, as new information becomes available. This review will
determine if a change in status is warranted, including the need to
emergency-list a species under section 4(b)(7) of the Act.
In addition to identifying petitioned candidate species in Table 1
below, we also present brief summaries of why these particular
candidates warrant listing. More complete information, including
references, is found in the species assessment forms. You may obtain a
copy of these forms from the Regional Office having the lead for the
species, or from the Fish and Wildlife Service's Internet Web site:
http://endangered.fws.gov/. As described above, under section 4 of the
Act we may identify and propose species for listing based on the
factors identified in section 4(a)(1), and section 4 also provides a
mechanism for the public to petition us to add a species to the lists
of species determined to be threatened species or endangered species
under the Act. Below we describe the actions that continue to preclude
the immediate proposal of a regulation and final promulgation of a
regulation implementing the petitioned action, and we describe the
expeditious progress we are making to add qualified species to the
lists of endangered or threatened species.
Preclusion and Expeditious Progress
Preclusion is a function of the listing priority of a species in
relation to the resources that are available and competing demands for
those resources. (As described above in the Summary, the listing
priority of a species is represented by the LPN we assign to it.) Thus,
in any given fiscal year (FY), multiple factors dictate whether it will
be possible to undertake work on a proposed listing regulation or
whether promulgation of such a proposal is warranted but precluded by
higher-priority listing actions.
The resources available for listing actions are determined through
the annual Congressional appropriations process. The appropriation for
the Listing Program is available to support work involving the
following listing actions: Proposed and final listing rules; 90-day and
12-month findings on petitions to add species to the Lists or to change
the status of a species from threatened to endangered; resubmitted
petition findings; proposed and final rules designating critical
habitat; and litigation-related, administrative, and program management
functions (including preparing and allocating budgets, responding to
Congressional and public inquiries, and conducting public outreach
regarding listing and critical habitat). The work involved in preparing
various listing documents can be extensive and may include, but is not
limited to: Gathering and assessing the best scientific and commercial
data available and conducting analyses used as the basis for our
decisions; writing and publishing documents; and obtaining, reviewing,
and evaluating public comments and peer review comments on proposed
rules and incorporating relevant information into
[[Page 69050]]
final rules. The number of listing actions that we can undertake in a
given year also is influenced by the complexity of those listing
actions; that is, more complex actions generally are more costly. For
example, during the past several years, the cost (excluding publication
costs) for preparing a 12-month finding, without a proposed rule, has
ranged from approximately $11,000 for one species with a restricted
range and involving a relatively uncomplicated analysis to $305,000 for
another species that is wide-ranging and involving a complex analysis.
We cannot spend more than is appropriated for the Listing Program
without violating the Anti-Deficiency Act (see 31 U.S.C.
1341(a)(1)(A)). In addition, in FY 1998 and for each fiscal year since
then, Congress has placed a statutory cap on funds which may be
expended for the Listing Program, equal to the amount expressly
appropriated for that purpose in that fiscal year. This cap was
designed to prevent funds appropriated for other functions under the
Act (e.g., Recovery funds for removing species from the Lists), or for
other Service programs, from being used for Listing Program actions
(see House Report 105-163, 105th Congress, 1st Session, July 1, 1997).
Recognizing that designation of critical habitat for species
already listed would consume most of the overall Listing Program
appropriation, Congress also put a critical habitat subcap in place in
FY 2002 and has retained it each subsequent year to ensure that some
funds are available for other work in the Listing Program: ``The
critical habitat designation subcap will ensure that some funding is
available to address other listing activities'' (House Report No. 107-
103, 107th Congress, 1st Session, June 19, 2001). In FY 2002 and each
year until last year (FY 2006), the Service has had to use virtually
the entire critical habitat subcap to address court-mandated
designations of critical habitat, and consequently none of the critical
habitat subcap funds have been available for other listing activities.
Thus, through the listing cap, the critical habitat subcap, and the
amount of funds needed to address court-mandated critical habitat
designations, Congress and the courts have in effect determined the
amount of money available for other listing activities. Therefore, the
funds in the listing cap, other than those needed to address court-
mandated critical habitat for already listed species, set the limits on
our determinations of preclusion and expeditious progress.
Congress also recognized that the availability of resources was the
key element in deciding whether, when making a 12-month petition
finding, we would prepare and issue a listing proposal or make a
``warranted but precluded'' finding for a given species. The Conference
Report accompanying Pub. L. 97-304, which established the current
statutory deadlines and the warranted-but-precluded finding, states (in
a discussion on 90-day petition findings that by its own terms also
covers 12-month findings) that the deadlines were ``not intended to
allow the Secretary to delay commencing the rulemaking process for any
reason other than that the existence of pending or imminent proposals
to list species subject to a greater degree of threat would make
allocation of resources to such a petition [i.e., for a lower-ranking
species] unwise.'' Taking into account the information presented above,
in FY 2007, the outer parameter within which ``expeditious progress''
must be measured is that amount of progress that could be achieved by
spending $5,193,000, which was the amount available in the Listing
Program appropriation that was not within the critical habitat subcap.
Our process is to make our determinations of preclusion on a
nationwide basis to ensure that the species most in need of listing
will be addressed first and also because we allocate our listing budget
on a nationwide basis. However, through court orders and court-approved
settlements, Federal district courts have mandated that we must
complete certain listing activities with respect to specified species
and have established the schedules by which we must complete those
activities. The species involved in these court-mandated listing
activities are not always those that we have identified as being most
in need of listing. As described below, a majority of the $5,193,000
appropriation available in FY 2007 for new listings of species is being
consumed by court-mandated listing activities; by ordering or
sanctioning these actions, the courts essentially determined that these
were the highest priority actions to be undertaken with available
funding. Copies of the court orders and settlement agreements referred
to below are available from the Service and are part of the
administrative record for these resubmitted petition findings.
The FY 2007 appropriation of $5,193,000 for listing activities
(that is, the portion of the Listing Program funding not related to
critical habitat designations for species that already are listed) was
fully allocated to fund work in the following categories of actions in
the Listing Program: Compliance with court orders and court-approved
settlement agreements requiring that petition findings or listing
determinations be completed by a specific date; section 4 (of the Act)
listing actions with absolute statutory deadlines; essential
litigation-related, administrative, and program management functions;
and a few high-priority listing actions. The allocations for each
specific listing action were identified in the Service's FY 2007
Allocation Table (part of our administrative record). Although more
funds were available in FY 2007 than in previous years to work on
listing actions that were not the subject of court orders or court-
approved settlement agreements, based on the available funds and their
allocation for these purposes, only limited FY 2007 funds were
available for work on proposed listing determinations for the following
high-priority candidate species: 3 southeastern aquatic species, all
with LPN 2 (Georgia pigtoe, interrupted rocksnail, and rough
hornsnail); 2 species from the island of Oahu, Hawaii, both with LPN 2
(Doryopteris takeuchii and Melicope hiiakae); 1 species from the island
of Molokai, Hawaii, with LPN 2 (Phyllostegia hispida); 31 species from
the island of Kauai, Hawaii, including 24 species with LPN 2 and 7
other candidates included in the listing determination package for the
sake of efficiency because they overlap geographically and/or have the
same threats (Kauai creeper, Drosophila attigua, Astelia waialealae,
Canavalia napaliensis, Chamaesyce eleanoriae, Chamaesyce remyi var.
kauaiensis, Chamaesyce remyi var. remyi, Charpentiera densiflora,
Cyanea eleeleensis, Cyanea kuhihewa, Cyrtandra oenobarba, Dubautia
imbricata ssp. imbricata, Dubautia plantaginea ssp. magnifolia,
Dubautia waialealae, Geranium kauaiense, Keysseria erici, Keysseria
helenae, Labordia helleri, Labordia pumila, Lysimachia daphnoides,
Melicope degeneri, Melicope paniculata, Melicope puberula, Myrsine
mezii, Pittosporum napaliense, Platydesma rostrata, Pritchardia hardyi,
Psychotria grandiflora, Psychotria hobdyi, Schiedea attenuata,
Stenogyne kealiae); and 4 Hawaiian damselflies, all with LPN 2
(Megalagrion nesiotes, Megalagrion leptodemas, Megalagrion oceanicum,
Megalagrion pacificum).
[[Page 69051]]
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Available
FY 2007 listing allocation Allocated balance
------------------------------------------------------------------------
FY07 Appropriation (including space $5,193,000 $5,193,000
reprogramming).........................
Space reprogramming (program's portion 216,778 4,976,222
of rent for building space)............
Regional & Washington Offices (staff 1,674,012 3,302,210
salaries & benefits and administrative
costs).................................
90-day findings......................... 604,617 2,697,593
12-month findings....................... 830,193 1,867,400
Proposed Listing/Critical Habitat....... 963,000 904,400
Economic Analysis (for Critical Habitat) 504,400 400,000
Final Listing/CH........................ 300,000 100,000
Attorney Fees/Litigation Expenses....... 100,000 0
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Specific details regarding the individual actions taken using the
FY 2007 funding, which precluded our ability to undertake listing
proposals for candidate species, except the species noted above, are
provided below (information on the cost of individual actions is part
of our administrative record).
In addition to being precluded by lack of available funds, work on
proposed rules for candidates with lower priority (i.e., those that
have LPNs of 4-12) is also precluded by the need to issue proposed
rules for higher-priority species facing high-magnitude, imminent
threats (i.e., LPNs of 1-3). We currently have more than 120 species
with an LPN of 2 (see Table 1).
We further ranked the candidate species with an LPN of 2 by using
the following extinction-risk type criteria: IUCN Red list status/rank,
Heritage rank (provided by NatureServe), Heritage threat rank (provided
by NatureServe), and species currently with fewer than 50 individuals,
or 4 or fewer populations. Those species with the highest IUCN rank
(critically endangered), the highest Heritage rank (G1), the highest
Heritage threat rank (substantial, imminent threats), and currently
with fewer than 50 individuals, or fewer than 4 populations comprise a
list of approximately 40 candidate species that have the highest
priority to receive funding to work on a proposed listing
determination. Note, to be more efficient in our listing process, as we
work on proposed rules for these species in the next several years, we
are preparing multi-species proposals when appropriate, and these may
include species with lower priority if they overlap geographically or
have the same threats as species with LPN of 2. Finally, proposed rules
for reclassification of threatened species to endangered are lower
priority, since the listing of the species already affords the
protection of the Act and implementing regulations.
Thus, we continue to find that proposals to list the petitioned
candidate species included in Table 1 are all warranted but precluded,
except for the candidate species listed above.
As explained above, a determination that listing is warranted but
precluded must also demonstrate that expeditious progress is being made
to add qualified species to, and remove qualified species from, the
Lists. (We note that in this CNOR we do not discuss specific actions
taken on progress towards removing species from the Lists because that
work is conducted using appropriations for our Recovery program, a
separately budgeted component of the Endangered Species Program. As
explained above in our description of the statutory cap on Listing
Program funds, the Recovery Program funds and actions supported by them
cannot be considered in determining expeditious progress made in the
Listing Program.) As with our ``precluded'' finding, expeditious
progress in adding qualified species to the Lists is a function of the
resources available and the competing demands for those funds. Our
expeditious progress in FY 2007 in the Listing Program, through
September 30, 2007, included preparing and publishing the following:
FY 2007 Completed Listing Actions as of 09/30/2007
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Publication date Title Actions FR pages
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
10/11/2006........................... Withdrawal of the Notice of withdrawal, 71 FR 59700-59711.
Proposed Rule to List Threats eliminated.
the Cow Head Tui Chub
(Gila biocolor
vaccaceps) as
Endangered.
10/11/2006........................... Revised 12-Month Notice of 12-month 71 FR 59711-59714.
Finding for the Beaver petition finding, Not
Cave Beetle warranted.
(Pseudanophthalmus
major).
11/14/2006........................... 12-Month Finding on a Notice of 12-month 71 FR 66292-66298.
Petition to List the petition finding, Not
Island Marble warranted.
Butterfly (Euchloe
ausonides insulanus)
as Threatened or
Endangered.
11/14/2006........................... 90-Day Finding for a Notice of 90-day 71 FR 66298-66301.
Petition to List the petition finding,
Kennebec River Substantial.
Population of
Anadromous Atlantic
Salmon as Part of the
Endangered Gulf Of
Maine Distinct
Population Segment.
11/21/2006........................... 90-Day Finding on a Notice of 90-day 71 FR 67318-67325.
Petition To List the petition finding, Not
Columbian Sharp-Tailed substantial.
Grouse as Threatened
or Endangered.
12/5/2006............................ 90-Day Finding on a Notice of 90-day 71 FR 70483-70492.
Petition To List the petition finding, Not
Tricolored Blackbird substantial.
as Threatened or
Endangered.
[[Page 69052]]
12/6/2006............................ 12-Month Finding on a Notice of 12-month 71 FR 70717-70733.
Petition To List the petition finding, Not
Cerulean Warbler warranted.
(Dendroica cerulea) as
Threatened with
Critical Habitat.
12/6/2006............................ 90-Day Finding on a Notice of 90-day 71 FR 70715-70717.
Petition To List the petition finding, Not
Upper Tidal Potomac substantial.
River Population of
the Northern Water
Snake (Nerodia
sipedon) as an
Endangered Distinct
Population Segment.
12/14/2006........................... 90-Day Finding on a Notice of 5-year 71 FR 75215-75220.
Petition to Remove the Review, Initiation.
Uinta Basin Hookless Notice of 90-day
Cactus From the List petition finding, Not
of Endangered and substantial.
Threatened Plants; 90- Notice of 90-day
Day Finding on a petition finding,
Petition To List the Substantial.
Pariette Cactus as
Threatened or
Endangered.
12/19/2006........................... Withdrawal of Proposed Notice of withdrawal, 71 FR 76023-76035.
Rule to List Penstemon More abundant than
grahamii (Graham's believed, or
beardtongue) as diminished threats.
Threatened With
Critical Habitat.
12/19/2006........................... 90-Day Finding on Notice of 90-day 71 FR 76057-76079.
Petitions to List the petition finding, Not
Mono Basin Area substantial.
Population of the
Greater Sage-Grouse as
Threatened or
Endangered.
1/9/2007............................. 12-Month Petition Notice of 12-month 72 FR 1063-1099.
Finding and Proposed petition finding,
Rule To List the Polar Warranted.
Bear (Ursus maritimus) Proposed Listing,
as Threatened Threatened.
Throughout Its Range;
Proposed Rule.
1/10/2007............................ Endangered and Clarification of 72 FR 1186-1189.
Threatened Wildlife findings.
and Plants;
Clarification of
Significant Portion of
the Range for the
Contiguous United
States Distinct
Population Segment of
the Canada Lynx.
1/12/2007............................ Withdrawal of Proposed Notice of withdrawal, 72 FR 1621-1644.
Rule To List Lepidium More abundant than
papilliferum believed, or
(Slickspot diminished threats.
Peppergrass).
2/2/2007............................. 12-Month Finding on a Notice of 12-month 72 FR 4967-4997.
Petition To List the petition finding, Not
American Eel as warranted.
Threatened or
Endangered.
2/13/2007............................ 90-Day Finding on a Notice of 90-day 72 FR 6699-6703.
Petition To List the petition finding,
Jollyville Plateau Substantial.
Salamander as
Endangered.
2/13/2007............................ 90-Day Finding on a Notice of 90-day 72 FR 6703-6707.
Petition To List the petition finding, Not
San Felipe Gambusia as substantial.
Threatened or
Endangered.
2/14/2007............................ 90-Day Finding on a Notice of 90-day 72 FR 6998-7005.
Petition to List petition finding, Not
Astragalus debequaeus substantial.
(DeBeque milkvetch) as
Threatened or
Endangered.
2/21/2007............................ 90-Day Finding on a Notice of 5-year 72 FR 7843-7852.
Petition To Reclassify Review, Initiation.
the Utah Prairie Dog Notice of 90-day
From Threatened to petition finding, Not
Endangered and substantial.
Initiation of a 5-Year
Review.
3/8/2007............................. 90-Day Finding on a Notice of 90-day 72 FR 10477-10480.
Petition To List the petition finding, Not
Monongahela River substantial.
Basin Population of
the Longnose Sucker as
Endangered.
03/29/2007........................... 90-Day Finding on a Notice of 90-day 72 FR 14750-14759.
Petition To List the petition finding,
Siskiyou Mountains Substantial.
Salamander and Scott
Bar Salamander as
Threatened or
Endangered.
04/24/2007........................... Revised 12-Month Notice of 12-month 72 FR 20305-20314.
Finding for Upper petition finding, Not
Missouri River warranted.
Distinct Population
Segment of Fluvial
Arctic Grayling.
05/02/2007........................... 12-Month Finding on a Notice of 12-month 72 FR 24253-24263.
Petition to List the petition finding, Not
Sand Mountain Blue warranted.
Butterfly (Euphilotes
pallescens ssp.
arenamontana) as
Threatened or
Endangered with
Critical Habitat.
[[Page 69053]]
05/22/2007........................... Status of the Rio Notice of Review....... 72 FR 28864-28665.
Grande Cutthroat Trout.
05/30/2007........................... 90-Day Finding on a Notice of 90-day 72 FR 29933-29941.
Petition To List the petition finding,
Mt. Charleston Blue Substantial.
Butterfly as
Threatened or
Endangered.
06/05/2007........................... 12-Month Finding on a Notice of Review....... 72 FR 31048-31049.
Petition To List the
Wolverine as
Threatened or
Endangered.
06/06/2007........................... 90-Day Finding on a Notice of 90-day 72 FR 31256-31264.
Petition To List the petition finding,
Yellow-Billed Loon as Substantial.
Threatened or
Endangered.
06/13/2007........................... 12-Month Finding for a Notice of 12-month 72 FR 32589-32605.
Petition To List the petition finding, Not
Colorado River warranted.
Cutthroat Trout as
Threatened or
Endangered.
06/25/2007........................... 12-Month Finding on a Notice of amended 12- 72 FR 34657-34661.
Petition To List the month petition
Sierra Nevada Distinct finding, Warranted but
Population Segment of Precluded.
the Mountain Yellow-
Legged Frog (Rana
muscosa).
07/05/2007........................... 12-Month Finding on a Notice of 12-month 72 FR 36635-36646.
Petition To List the petition finding,
Casey's June Beetle Warranted but
(Dinacoma caseyi) as precluded.
Endangered With
Critical Habitat.
08/15/2007........................... 90-Day Finding on a Notice of 90-day 72 FR 45717-45722.
Petition To List the petition finding, Not
Yellowstone National substantial.
Park Bison Herd as
Endangered.
08/16/2007........................... 90-Day Finding on a Notice of 90-day 72 FR 46023-46030.
Petition To List petition finding,
Astragalus anserinus Substantial.
(Goose Creek milk-
vetch) as Threatened
or Endangered.
8/28/2007............................ 12-Month Finding on a Notice of Review....... 72 FR 49245-49246.
Petition To List the
Gunnison's Prairie Dog
as Threatened or
Endangered.
9/11/2007............................ 90-Day Finding on a Notice of 90-day 72 FR 51766-51770.
Petition To List petition finding, Not
Kenk's Amphipod, substantial.
Virginia Well
Amphipod, and the
Copepod Acanthocyclops
columbiensis as
Endangered.
9/18/2007............................ 12-Month Finding on a Notice of 12-month 72 FR 53211-53222.
Petition To List petition finding for
Sclerocactus uplisting, Warranted
brevispinus (Pariette but precluded.
cactus) as an
Endangered or
Threatened Species;
Taxonomic Change From
Sclerocactus glaucus
to Sclerocactus
brevispinus, S.
glaucus, and S.
wetlandicus.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Our expeditious progress also includes work on listing actions for
68 species for which decisions were not completed as of the end of FY
2007. These actions are listed below; we are conducting work on those
actions in the top section of the table under a deadline set by a
court, actions in the middle section of the table to meet statutory
timelines, that is, timelines required under the Act, and actions in
the bottom section of the table are high priority listing actions:
Listing Actions Funded but Not completed in FY2007
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Species Action
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Actions Subject to Court Order/Settlement Agreement
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Wolverine................................... 12-month petition finding (remand).
Western sage grouse......................... 90-day petition finding (remand).
Queen Charlotte goshawk..................... Final listing determination.
Rio Grande cutthroat trout.................. Candidate assessment (remand).
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Statutory Listing Actions
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Polar bear.................................. Final listing determination.
Ozark chinquapin............................ 90-day petition finding.
Kokanee..................................... 90-day petition finding.
Black-footed albatross...................... 90-day petition finding.
Tucson shovel-nosed snake................... 90-day petition finding.
[[Page 69054]]
Gopher tortoise--Florida population......... 90-day petition finding.
Sacramento valley tiger beetle.............. 90-day petition finding.
Eagle lake trout............................ 90-day petition finding.
Smooth billed ani........................... 90-day petition finding.
Mojave ground squirrel...................... 90-day petition finding.
Gopher tortoise--eastern population......... 90-day petition finding.
Bay Springs salamander...................... 90-day petition finding.
Tehachapi slender salamander................ 90-day petition finding.
Coaster brook trout......................... 90-day petition finding.
Mojave fringe-toed lizard................... 90-day petition finding.
Evening primrose............................ 90-day petition finding.
Palm Springs pocket mouse................... 90-day petition finding.
Northern leopard frog....................... 90-day petition finding.
Mountain whitefish--Big Lost River 90-day petition finding.
population.
Giant Palouse earthworm..................... 90-day petition finding.
Shrike, Island loggerhead................... 90-day petition finding.
Cactus ferruginous pygmy owl................ 90-day petition finding.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
High Priority Listing Actions
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3 Southeastern aquatic species.............. Proposed listing
2 Oahu plants............................... Proposed listing
31 Kauai species............................ Proposed listing
4 Hawaiian damselflies...................... Proposed listing
Phyllostegia hispida........................ Proposed listing
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
We also funded work on resubmitted petitions findings for 203
candidate species and 5 listed species (species petitioned prior to the
last CNOR). Note we have not updated our resubmitted petition finding
for the Columbia Basin population of the greater sage-grouse in this
notice as we are considering new information and will update our
findings at a later date. We also have not updated our resubmitted
petition findings for the 41 candidate species for which we are
preparing proposed listing determinations, which will be published at a
later date (see summaries below). As explained above, these resubmitted
petition findings are required by statute, and findings for these 203
candidates and 5 listed species are being published as part of this
CNOR. We also funded revised 12-month petition findings for 4 candidate
species that we are removing from candidate status, which are being
published as part of this CNOR (see Summary of Candidate Removals). We
are also funding work on the next annual review of those resubmitted
petition findings, which will be published as part of the next CNOR.
Because the majority of these species were already candidate species
prior to our receipt of a petition to list them, we had already
assessed their status using funds from our Candidate Conservation
Program. We also continue to monitor the status of these species
through our Candidate Conservation Program. The cost of updating the
species assessment forms and publishing the joint publication of the
CNOR and resubmitted petition findings is shared between the Listing
Program and the Candidate Conservation Program.
We have endeavored to make our listing actions as efficient and
timely as possible, given the requirements of the relevant law and
regulations, and constraints relating to workload and personnel. We are
continually considering ways to streamline processes or achieve
economies of scale, such as by batching related actions together. Given
our limited budget for implementing section 4 of the Act, these actions
described above collectively constitute expeditious progress.
Although we have not been able to resolve the listing status of
many of the candidates, several programs in the Service contribute to
the conservation of these species. In particular, we have a separate
budgeted program, the Candidate Conservation program, which focuses on
providing technical expertise for developing conservation strategies
and agreements to guide voluntary on-the-ground conservation work for
candidate and other at-risk species. The main goal of this program is
to address the threats facing candidate species. If sufficiently
successful, this eliminates the need to list them, allowing us to
remove them from the candidate list. Through this program, we work with
our partners (other Federal agencies, State agencies, Tribes, local
governments, private landowners, and private conservation
organizations) to address the threats to candidate species and other
species at risk. We are actively engaged in the conservation of these
species and have, to-date, signed more than 100 Candidate Conservation
Agreements and 16 Candidate Conservation Agreements with Assurances. We
are implementing these voluntary conservation agreements for more than
140 species covering 5 million acres of habitat.
Through sustained implementation of strategically designed
conservation efforts, we are actively working to conserve many
candidate species. In some instances, this culminates in making listing
unnecessary for species that are proposed or candidates for listing.
Recent examples include the Cow Head tui chub, Beaver Cave beetle,
Surprising Cave beetle, and Warm Spring zaitzevian riffle beetle.
Findings for Petitioned Candidate Species
For our revised 12-month petition findings for species we are
removing from candidate status, see summaries above under ``Summary of
Candidate Removals.''
Mammals
Pacific Sheath-tailed Bat, American Samoa DPS (Emballonura
semicaudata semicaudata)--The following summary is based on information
contained in our files. No new information was provided in the petition
we received on May 11, 2004. This small bat is a member of the
Emballonuridae, an Old World bat family that has an extensive
[[Page 69055]]
distribution, primarily in the tropics. The Pacific sheath-tailed bat
was once common and widespread in Polynesia and Micronesia and it is
the only insectivorous bat recorded from a large part of this area. The
species as a whole (E. semicaudata) occurred on several of the Caroline
Islands (Palau, Chuuk, and Pohnpei), Samoa (Independent and American),
the Mariana Islands (Guam and the CNMI), Tonga, Fiji, and Vanuatu.
While populations appear to be healthy in some locations, mainly in the
Caroline Islands, they have declined drastically in other areas,
including Independent and American Samoa, the Mariana Islands, Fiji,
and possibly Tonga. Scientists recognize four subspecies: E. s.
rotensis, endemic to the Mariana Islands (Guam and the Commonwealth of
the Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI)); E. s. sulcata, occurring in Chuuk
and Pohnpei; E. s. palauensis, found in Palau; and E. s. semicaudata,
occurring in American and Independent Samoa, Tonga, Fiji, and Vanuatu.
This candidate assessment form addresses the distinct population
segment of E. s. semicaudata that occurs in American Samoa.
E. s. semicaudata historically occurred in American and Independent
Samoa, Tonga, Fiji, and Vanuatu. It is extant in Fiji and Tonga, but
may be extirpated from Vanuatu and Independent Samoa. There is some
concern that it is also extirpated from American Samoa, where surveys
are currently ongoing to ascertain its status. The factors that have
led to the decline of this subspecies are poorly understood; however,
current threats to this subspecies include habitat loss, predation by
introduced species, and its small population size and distribution,
which make the taxon extremely vulnerable to extinction due to typhoons
and similar natural catastrophes. The Pacific sheath-tailed bat may
also by susceptible to disturbance to roosting caves. The LPN for E. s.
semicaudata is 3, because the magnitude of the threats is high, the
threats are imminent, and the taxon in question is a distinct
population segment of a subspecies.
Pacific Sheath-tailed Bat (Emballonura semicaudata rotensis), Guam
and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands--The following
summary is based on information contained in our files. No new
information was provided in the petition we received on May 11, 2004.
This small bat is a member of the Emballonuridae, an Old World bat
family that has an extensive distribution, primarily in the tropics.
The Pacific sheath-tailed bat was once common and widespread in
Polynesia and Micronesia and it is the only insectivorous bat recorded
from a large part of this area. The species as a whole (E. semicaudata)
occurred on several of the Caroline Islands (Palau, Chuuk, and
Pohnpei), Samoa (Independent and American), the Mariana Islands (Guam
and the CNMI), Tonga, Fiji, and Vanuatu. While populations appear to be
healthy in some locations, mainly in the Caroline Islands, they have
declined drastically in other areas, including Independent and American
Samoa, the Mariana Islands, Fiji, and possibly Tonga. Scientists
recognize four subspecies: E. s. rotensis, endemic to the Mariana
Islands (Guam and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands
(CNMI)); E. s. sulcata, occurring in Chuuk and Pohnpei; E. s.
palauensis, found in Palau; and E. s. semicaudata, occurring in
American and Independent Samoa, Tonga, Fiji, and Vanuatu. This
candidate assessment form addresses the Mariana Islands subspecies. E.
s. rotensis is historically known from the Mariana Islands and formerly
occurred on Guam and in the CNMI on Rota, Aguiguan, Tinian (known from
prehistoric records only), Saipan, and possibly Anatahan and Maug.
Currently, E. s. rotensis appears to be extirpated from all but one
island in the Mariana archipelago. The single remaining population of
this subspecies occurs on Aguiguan, CNMI.
Threats to this subspecies have not changed over the past year. The
primary threats to the subspecies are habitat loss and degradation as a
result of feral goat (Capra hircus) activity on the island of Aguiguan
and the taxon's small population size and limited distribution.
Predation by nonnative species and human disturbance are also potential
threats to the subspecies. The subspecies may be near the point where
stochastic events, such as typhoons, are increasingly likely to affect
its continued survival. The disappearance of the remaining population
on Aguiguan would result in the extinction of the subspecies. The LPN
for E. s. rotensis remains at 3 because the magnitude of the threats is
high, the threats are imminent, and the taxon in question is a
subspecies.
New England cottontail (Sylvilagus transitionalis)--The following
summary is based on information from our files and information
collected during the public comment period on the 90-day petition
finding. We received the petition on August 30, 2000. The 90-day
finding was published on June 30, 2004 (69 FR 39395).
The New England cottontail (NEC) is a medium to large-sized
cottontail rabbit that may reach 1,000 grams in weight, and is one of
two species within the genus Sylvilagus occurring in New England. New
England cottontails are considered habitat specialists, in so far as
they are dependent upon early-successional habitats typically described
as thickets. The species is the only endemic cottontail in New England.
Historically, the NEC ranged from southeastern New York (east of the
Hudson River) north through the Champlain Valley, southern Vermont, the
southern half of New Hampshire, southern Maine and south throughout
Massachusetts, Connecticut and Rhode Island. The current range of the
NEC has declined substantially and occurrences have become increasingly
separated. The species' distribution is fragmented into five apparently
isolated metapopulations in about 14 percent of the species' historic
range. The area occupied by the cottontail has contracted from
approximately 90,000 sq km to 12,180 sq km. It is estimated that less
than one third of the occupied sites occur on lands in conservation
status and fewer than 10 percent are being managed for early
successional forest species.
The primary threat to the New England cottontail is loss of habitat
through succession and alteration. Isolation of occupied patches by
areas of unsuitable habitat and high predation rates are resulting in
local extirpation of New England cottontails from small patches. The
range of the New England cottontail has contracted by 75 percent or
more since 1960 and current land uses in the region indicate that the
rate of change, about two percent range loss per year, will continue.
Additional threats include competition for food and habitat with
introduced eastern cottontails and large numbers of native white-tailed
deer; inadequate regulatory mechanisms in effect to protect the
habitat; and mortality from predation. Based on threats of high
magnitude that are imminent, we assigned this species an LPN of 2.
Fisher, West Coast DPS (Martes pennanti)--The following summary is
based on information in our files and in the Service's initial
warranted-but-precluded finding published in the Federal Register on
April 8, 2004 (68 FR 18770). The fisher is a carnivore in the family
Mustelidae and is the largest member of the genus Martes. Historically,
the West Coast population of the fisher extended south from British
Columbia into western Washington and Oregon, and in the North Coast
Ranges, Klamath-Siskiyou Mountains, and Sierra Nevada in California.
The fisher is believed to be extirpated or reduced
[[Page 69056]]
to scattered individuals from the lower mainland of British Columbia
through Washington and in the central and northern Sierra Nevada range
in California. Native populations of fisher currently occur in the
North Coast Ranges of California, the Klamath-Siskiyou Mountains of
northern California and southern Oregon, and in isolated populations
occurring in the southern Sierra Nevada in California. Descendents of a
fisher reintroduction effort also occur in the southern Cascade Range
in Oregon. There is a lack of precise empirical data on West Coast DPS
fisher numbers. However, there is a lack of detections over much of the
fisher's historic range, even with standardized survey and monitoring
efforts in California, Oregon, and Washington. There is also a high
degree of genetic relatedness within some populations, and populations
of native fisher in California are separated by four times the species'
maximum dispersal distance. The above listed factors all indicate that
the likely extant fisher populations are small and isolated from one
another.
Major threats that fragment or remove key elements of fisher
habitat include various forest vegetation management practices such as
timber harvest and fuels reduction treatments. Other potential major
threats include: Stand-replacing fire, Sudden Oak Death Phytophthora,
urban and rural development, recreation development, and highways.
Major threats to fisher that lead to direct mortality and injury to
fisher include: Collisions with vehicles; predation; and viral borne
diseases such as rabies, parvovirus, canine distemper, and Anaplasma
phagocytophilum. Existing regulatory mechanisms on Federal, State, and
private lands affect key elements of fisher habitat and do not provide
sufficient certainty that conservation efforts will be effective or
will be implemented. The magnitude of threats is high as they occur
across the range of the DPS resulting in a negative impact on fisher
distribution and abundance. However, the threats are nonimminent as the
greatest long-term risks to the fisher in its west coast range are the
subsequent ramifications of the isolation of small populations, and the
three remaining areas containing fisher populations appear to be stable
or not rapidly declining based on recent survey and monitoring efforts.
Therefore, we assigned an LPN of 6 to this population.
Mazama pocket gopher (Thomomys mazama ssp. couchi, douglasii,
glacialis, louiei, melanops, pugetensis, tacomensis, tumuli,
yelmensis)--The following summary is based on information contained in
our files. No new information was provided in the petition received
December 11, 2002. Since publication of our last CNOR, the Brush
Prairie pocket gopher was recently discovered to have been erroneously
assigned to another species, T. talpoides douglasii (a northern pocket
gopher). Mitochondrial DNA analysis determined that it is actually a
subspecies of T. mazama, thus we are now including this subspecies in
our candidate list as T. m. douglasii. Seven of these nine subspecies
of pocket gopher are associated with glacial outwash prairies in
western Washington (T. m. melanops is found on alpine meadows in
Olympic National Park, and T. m. douglasii is found in extreme
southwest Washington). Of these seven subspecies, five are likely still
extant (couchi, glacialis, pugetensis, tumuli, and yelmensis); two of
the subspecies (louiei and tacomensis) are likely extinct. Few of these
glacial outwash prairies remain in Washington today. Historically, such
prairies were patchily distributed, but the area they occupied was
approximately 170,000 acres. Now, residential and commercial
development, and ingrowth of woody and/or nonnative vegetation (often
due to fire-regime alteration) have further reduced their extent of
suitable habitats. In addition, development in or adjacent to these
prairies has likely increased predation on Mazama pocket gophers by
dogs and cats.
The magnitude of threat is high due to populations with patchy and
isolated distributions in habitats highly desirable for development and
subject to a wide variety of human activities that permanently alter
the habitat. The threat of invasive plant species to the quality of a
highly specific habitat requirement is high and constant. There are few
known populations of each subspecies. A limited dispersal capability
and the loss and degradation of additional patches of appropriate
habitat will further isolate populations and increase their
vulnerability to extinction. Loss of any of the subspecies will reduce
the genetic diversity and the likelihood of continued existence of the
Thomomys mazama subspecies complex in Washington. The threats are
imminent as they are ongoing. Gravel pits threaten persistence of one
of the subspecies (Roy Prairie), and the largest populations of two
other subspecies (Shelton and Olympia) are located on airports with
planned development. Yelm pocket gophers are also threatened by
proposed development on Fort Lewis, and ongoing development in Olympia.
Thus, we assign an LPN of 3 to these subspecies.
Palm Springs round-tailed ground squirrel (Spermophilus
tereticaudus chlorus)--The following summary is based on information in
our files. No new information was provided in the petition we received
on May 11, 2004. The Palm Springs round-tailed ground squirrel is one
of four recognized subspecies of round-tailed ground squirrels. The
range of this squirrel is limited to the Coachella Valley region of
Riverside County, California. Primary habitat for the Palm Springs
round-tailed ground squirrel is the dunes and hummocks associated with
Prosopis glandulosa var. torreyana (honey mesquite) and to a lesser
extent those dunes and hummocks associated with Larrea tridentata
(creosote), or other vegetation. Rapid growth of desert cities such as
Palm Springs and Palm Desert in the Coachella Valley has raised
concerns about the conservation of the narrowly distributed Palm
Springs round-tailed ground squirrel. Urban development and drops in
the groundwater table have eliminated 90 percent of the honey mesquite
in the Coachella Valley. Furthermore, urban development has fragmented
habitat occupied by this squirrel thereby isolating populations. The
high rate of urban development and associated lowering of the
groundwater table that was likely historically responsible for the high
losses of honey mesquite sand dune/hummocks habitat continues today. We
continue to assign the Palm Springs ground squirrel subspecies a
listing priority of 3 because the threats are ongoing and are of a high
magnitude as they affect a large portion of its' range.
Southern Idaho ground squirrel (Spermophilus brunneus endemicus)--
The following summary is based on information contained in our files.
The southern Idaho ground squirrel is endemic to four counties in
southwest Idaho; its total known range is approximately 425,630
hectares (1,051,752 acres). Threats to southern Idaho ground squirrels
include: habitat deterioration and fragmentation; direct killing from
shooting, trapping, or poisoning; predation; competition with Columbian
ground squirrels; and inadequacy of existing regulatory mechanisms.
Habitat deterioration and fragmentation appear to be the primary
threats to the species. Nonnative annuals now dominate much of this
species' range, have changed the species composition of vegetation, and
have altered the fire regime in a perpetuating cycle throughout much of
the range. Habitat deterioration, destruction, and
[[Page 69057]]
fragmentation are thought to have resulted in the current patchy
distribution of southern Idaho ground squirrels. Based on recent
genetic work, southern Idaho ground squirrels are subject to more
genetic drift and inbreeding than expected. Cost effective methods of
habitat restoration are currently unknown for southern Idaho ground
squirrels. Two Candidate Conservation Agreements with Assurances
(CCAAs) have been completed for this species, both of which allow
agency access for population and habitat surveys and habitat
enhancement/restoration work. The magnitude of threat is moderate for
this species because habitat degradation remains the primary threat to
the species in some areas where the species is found. While some
habitat restoration has taken place, restoration has not yet occurred
on a meaningful scale to further reduce the magnitude or eliminate this
threat. The immediacy of the threat is imminent for this species due to
the ongoing threat from the prevalence and dominance of nonnative
vegetation and the current patchy distribution of the species. Thus, we
assign an LPN of 9 to this subspecies.
Washington ground squirrel (Spermophilus washingtoni)--The
following summary is based on information contained in our files and in
the petition we received on March 2, 2000. The Washington ground
squirrel is one of the smallest members of the subgenus Spermophilus
and is found within the shrub-steppe habitat of the Columbia Basin
ecosystem of Oregon and Washington. The soil types used by the
squirrels are distributed sporadically within the species' range, and
have been significantly fragmented by human development in the Columbia
Basin. Approximately two-thirds of the Washington ground squirrel's
total historical range has been converted to agriculture. When
agriculture occurs, little evidence of ground squirrel use has been
documented, and reports indicate that agriculture (along with other
development) continues to eliminate Washington-ground-squirrel habitat
in portions of its range.
Most remaining habitat is threatened by the occurrence and spread
of nonnative species, particularly cheatgrass. Nonnative plants
threaten squirrels by out-competing native plants, thereby altering
available cover, food quantity and quality, and altering fire
intervals. The ultimate effects of cheatgrass invasion on this species
are not fully understood. While Washington ground squirrels eat
cheatgrass, it is not likely a viable long-term dietary option since
cheatgrass populations are unstable during drought and cheatgrass
contains large amounts of indigestible silica which may make it a poor
nutrition source. Fire recurrence intervals typically switch from 20-
100 years in sagebrush-grassland ecosystems to 3-5 years in cheatgrass-
dominant sites. Increased fire occurrence reduces native bunchgrass and
shrub cover (by competition or preventing the re-establishment of shrub
cover) and allows exotic species to further out-compete native species.
The most contiguous, least-disturbed expanse of suitable
Washington-ground-squirrel habitat within the species' range occurs on
the Boeing site and Naval Weapons Training Facility near Boardman,
Oregon. In Washington, the largest expanse of known suitable habitat
occurs on State and Federal land. In Washington, recent declines in
some colonies have been precipitous for unknown (possibly weather-
related) reasons. Recent surveys have located additional sites in
Washington and Oregon. However, detections are primarily located in the
three disjunct metapopulations, indicating that fragmentation and
increased vulnerability to natural and man-made factors is still a
widespread threat. In Oregon, some threats are addressed by the State
listing of this species, and by the recently signed Threemile Canyon
Farms Multi-Species Candidate Conservation Agreement with Assurances
(Agreement).
Current threats to the long-term persistence of this species
include the following: historical and current habitat loss from the
conversion of habitat to agriculture and other development, habitat
fragmentation, limited dispersal corridors, recreational shooting,
genetic isolation and drift, spread of nonnative species, and
predation. Potential threats include disease, drought, and possible
competition with related ground-squirrel species in disturbed habitat
at the periphery of their range. While there are a variety of
conservation actions and research activities, they do not address all
of the threats throughout the species' range. Due to the widespread
current and potential threats to the species we conclude the magnitude
of threats remains high. Because the Agreement addressed the imminent
loss of a large portion of habitat to agriculture, and because there
are no other known, large-scale efforts to convert suitable habitat to
agriculture, the threats, overall, are nonimminent. We, therefore, kept
the LPN at 5.
Birds
Spotless crake, American Samoa DPS (Porzana tabuensis)--The
following summary is based on information contained in our files. No
new information was provided in the petition we received on May 11,
2004. P. tabuensis is a small, dark, cryptic rail found in wetlands and
rank scrub or forest in the Philippines, Australia, Fiji, Tonga,
Society Islands, Marquesas, Independent Samoa, and American Samoa (Ofu,
Tau). The genus Porzana is widespread in the Pacific, where it is
represented by numerous island-endemic and flightless species (many of
which are extinct as a result of anthropogenic disturbances) as well as
several more cosmopolitan species, including P. tabuensis. No
subspecies of P. tabuensis are recognized. The American Samoa
population is the only population of spotless crakes under U.S.
jurisdiction. The available information indicates that distinct
populations of the spotless crake, a species not noted for long-
distance dispersal, are definable. The population of spotless crakes in
American Samoa is discrete in relation to the remainder of the species
as a whole, which is distributed in widely separated locations.
Although the spotless crake (and other rails) have dispersed widely in
the Pacific, island rails have tended to reduce or lose their power of
flight over evolutionary time and so become isolated (and vulnerable to
terrestrial predators such as rats). The population of this species in
American Samoa is therefore distinct based on geographic and
distributional isolation from spotless crake populations on other
islands in the oceanic Pacific, the Philippines, and Australia. The
American Samoa population of the spotless crake links the Central and
Eastern Pacific portions of the species' range. The loss of this
population could cause an increase of roughly 500 miles (805
kilometers) in the disjunction between the central and eastern
Polynesian portions of the spotless crake's range, and could result in
the isolation of the Marquesas and Society Islands populations by
further limiting the potential for even rare genetic exchange. Based on
the discreteness and significance of the American Samoa population of
the spotless crake, we consider this population to be a distinct
vertebrate population segment which warrants review for listing under
the Act.
Threats to this species have not changed over the past year. The
population in American Samoa is threatened by small population size,
limited distribution, predation by nonnative mammals, continued
development of wetland habitat, and natural catastrophes such as
hurricanes.
[[Page 69058]]
The co-occurrence of a known predator of ground-nesting birds, the
Norway rat (Rattus norvegicus), and the only known population of the
spotless crake under U.S. jurisdiction, along with the extremely
restricted observed distribution and low numbers, indicate that the
American Samoa distinct population segment of this species continues to
merit status as a candidate for listing. Based on our assessment of
existing information about the imminence and high magnitude of these
threats, we assigned the spotless crake an LPN of 3.
Kauai creeper (Oreomystis bairdi)--We have not updated our
candidate assessment for this species as we are currently developing a
proposed listing rule.
Yellow-billed cuckoo, western U.S. DPS (Coccyzus americanus)--The
following summary is based on information contained in our files and
the petition we received on February 9, 1998. See also our 12-month
petition finding published on July 25, 2001 (66 FR 38611). The yellow-
billed cuckoo is a medium-sized bird of about 12 inches (30
centimeters) in length with a slender, long-tailed profile and a fairly
stout and slightly down-curved bill. Plumage is grayish-brown above and
white below, with rufous primary flight feathers with the tail feathers
boldly patterned with black and white below. Western cuckoos breed in
large blocks of riparian habitats (particularly woodlands with
cottonwoods (Populus fremontii) and willows (Salix sp.). Dense
understory foliage appears to be an important factor in nest site
selection, while cottonwood trees are an important foraging habitat in
areas where the species has been studied in California. We consider the
yellow-billed cuckoos that occur in the western United States as a
distinct population segment (DPS). The area for this DPS is west of the
crest of the Rocky Mountains.
The threats currently facing the yellow-billed cuckoo include
habitat loss, cattle grazing, and pesticide application. Principal
causes of riparian habitat losses are conversion to agricultural and
other uses, dams and river flow management, stream channelization and
stabilization, and livestock grazing. Available breeding habitats for
cuckoos have also been substantially reduced in area and quality by
groundwater pumping and the replacement of native riparian habitats by
invasive nonnative plants, particularly tamarisk. Overuse by livestock
has been a major factor in the degradation and modification of riparian
habitats in the western United States. The effects include changes in
plant community structure and species composition and in relative
abundance of species and plant density. These changes are often linked
to more widespread changes in watershed hydrology. Livestock grazing in
riparian habitats typically results in reduction of plant species
diversity and density, especially of palatable broadleaf plants like
willows and cottonwood saplings, and is one of the most common causes
of riparian degradation. In addition to destruction and degradation of
riparian habitats, pesticides may affect cuckoo populations. In areas
where riparian habitat borders agricultural lands, e.g., in
California's central valley, pesticide use may indirectly affect
cuckoos by reducing prey numbers, or by poisoning nestlings if sprayed
directly in areas where the birds are nesting. We retain an LPN of 3
for the yellow-billed cuckoo due to imminent threats of a high
magnitude.
Friendly ground-dove, American Samoa DPS (Gallicolumba stairi
stairi)--See above in ``Summary of Listing Priority Changes in
Candidates.'' The above summary is based on information contained in
our files. No new information was provided in the petition we received
on May 11, 2004.
Streaked horned lark (Eremophila alpestris strigata)--The following
summary is based on information contained in our files. No new
information was provided in the petition we received on December 11,
2002. The streaked horned lark occurs in Washington and Oregon, and is
thought to be extirpated in British Columbia, Canada. In Washington,
surveys show that there are approximately 330 remaining breeding birds.
In Oregon, the breeding population is estimated to be approximately 400
birds.
The streaked horned lark's breeding habitat continues to be
threatened by loss and degradation due to conversion of native
grasslands to other uses (such as agriculture, homes, recreational
areas, and industry), encroachment of woody vegetation, and invasion of
nonnative plant species (e.g., Scot's broom, sod-forming grasses, and
beachgrasses). Wintering habitats are seemingly few, and susceptible to
unpredictable conversion to unsuitable over-wintering habitat. Where
larks inhabit manmade habitats similar in structure to native prairies
(such as airports, military reservations, agricultural fields, and
dredge-formed islands), or where they occur adjacent to human
habitation, they are subjected to a variety of unintentional human
disturbances such as mowing, recreational and military activities,
plowing, flooding, and dredge spoil dumping during the nesting season,
as well as intentional disturbances such as at the McChord Air Force
Base where falcons and dogs are used to haze the birds in order to
prevent aircraft collisions. In some areas, landowners have taken steps
to improve streaked-horned-lark nesting habitat.
The magnitude of threat is high due to small populations with low
genetic diversity and patchy and isolated habitats in areas desirable
for development, many of which remain unsecured. The threat of invasive
plant species is high and constant, aside from a few restoration sites.
The numbers of individuals are low and the numbers of populations are
few. Over-wintering birds are concentrated in larger flocks and subject
to unpredictable wintering habitat loss (especially in Oregon),
potentially affecting a large portion of the population at one time. In
Washington, known populations occur on airports, military bases,
coastal beaches, and Columbia River islands, where management, training
activities, recreation, and dredge spoil dumping continue to negatively
affect streaked-horned-lark breeding and wintering. In Oregon, breeding
and wintering sites occur on Columbia River islands, in cultivated
grass fields, grazed pastures, fallow fields, roadside shoulders,
Christmas tree farms, and wetland mudflats. Such areas continue to be
subject to negative impacts such as dredge spoil dumping, development,
plowing, mowing, pesticide and herbicide applications, trampling,
vehicle traffic, and recreation.
The threats are imminent due to the continued loss of suitable lark
habitat, risks to the wintering populations, plans for development on
and adjacent to several of its nesting areas, use of falcons and dogs
to haze breeding birds at McChord AFB, planned and/or continued
expansions of the McChord AFB West Ramp and Olympia Airport, and annual
Air Force military training and fire-bombing on top of lark nesting
habitat. We continue to assign an LPN of 3 to this species.
Red knot (Calidris canutus rufa)--The following summary is based on
information from our files and information provided by petitioners. We
received one petition on August 9, 2004, and two others were each
received on August 5, 2005. The rufa subspecies is one of six
recognized subspecies of red knot and one of three subspecies occurring
in North America (hereafter all mention of red knot refers strictly to
the rufa subspecies). This subspecies makes one of the longest distance
[[Page 69059]]
migrations known in the animal kingdom as it travels between breeding
areas in the central Canadian Arctic and wintering areas that are
primarily in southern South America along the coast of Chile and
Argentina. They migrate along the Atlantic coast of the United States,
where they may be found from Maine to Florida. The Delaware Bay area
(in Delaware and New Jersey) is the largest known spring migration
stopover area, with far fewer migrants congregating elsewhere along the
Atlantic coast. The concentration in the Delaware Bay area occurs from
the middle of May to early June, corresponding to the spawning season
of horseshoe crabs. The knots feed on horseshoe crab eggs, rebuilding
energy reserves needed to complete migrations to the Arctic and arrive
on the breeding grounds in good condition. Surveys at wintering areas
and at Delaware Bay during spring migration indicate a substantial
decline in recent years. At the Delaware Bay area, peak counts between
1982 and 1998 were as high as 95,360 knots. Although counts may vary
considerably between years, some of the population fluctuations can be
attributed to predator-prey cycles in the breeding grounds, and counts
show that knots rebound from such reductions. In the past, horseshoe
crab eggs were so numerous that a knot could eat enough in two to three
weeks to double its weight. Research shows that from 1997 to 2002 an
increasing proportion of red knots leaving the Delaware Bay failed to
achieve threshold departure masses needed to fly to breeding grounds
and survive an initial few days of snow cover, and this corresponded to
reduced annual survival rates. Recently, peak counts at the Delaware
Bay area have been lower than in the past and do not show a rebound.
The peaks were 13,315 in 2004, 15,345 in 2005, and 13,455 in 2006.
Counts in recent years at the principal wintering areas in South
America also are substantially lower than in the past and do not show a
rebound.
The primary factor threatening the red knot is destruction and
modification of its habitat, particularly the reduction in key food
resources resulting from reductions in horseshoe crabs, which are
harvested primarily for use as bait and secondarily to support a
biomedical industry. Commercial harvest increased substantially in the
1990's. Since 1999, a series of timing restrictions and substantially
lower harvest quotas have been adopted by the Atlantic States Marine
Fisheries Commission (ASMFC), as well as New Jersey and Delaware. In
May 2006, the ASMFC adopted restrictions effective from October 1,
2006, to September 30, 2008, including a prohibition on harvest and
landing of horseshoe crabs in New Jersey and Delaware from January 1
through June 7, harvest of males only from June 8 through December 31,
and harvest limited to no more than 100,000 horseshoe crabs per state
per year. The ASMFC also adopted other restrictions applicable to
Maryland and Virginia. New Jersey has established restrictions which
supersede those of the ASMFC; as a result there is a moratorium on all
horseshoe crab harvest in New Jersey from May 15, 2006 through June 7,
2008, after which the restrictions adopted by ASMFC apply. In February
2007, Delaware imposed a two-year moratorium, effective January 1,
2007, on harvest of horseshoe crabs within Delaware lands or waters. In
June 2007, following litigation by two businesses involved in the
harvesting and sale of horseshoe crabs, Delaware's moratorium was
overturned. Consequently Delaware developed regulations allowing for a
male-only horseshoe crab harvest, consistent with restrictions adopted
by ASMFC. The reductions in commercial harvest since 1999 are
substantial: 726,660 horseshoe crab landings for bait were reported in
1999 in Delaware and New Jersey, compared to 173,177 in 2004. However,
we do not know whether horseshoe crab populations will rebuild or how
long a lag time there may be in increased availability of eggs, as they
need 8 to 10 years to reach sexual maturity and other key information
for estimating population response is lacking. A survey in Delaware Bay
showed spawning activity was stable or slightly declining from 1999 to
2004. In 2004, availability of horseshoe crab eggs on principal
shorebird foraging beaches increased over recent years. The peak number
of migrant red knots observed at Delaware Bay increased slightly in
2005 compared to 2004, and in 2006 the peak count was similar to that
in 2004. Also, body weights of red knots at the time of departure from
Delaware Bay improved in 2005 over previous years. Counts of red knots
at key wintering areas in South America, although much reduced from the
past, were similar in 2007 to the counts in 2006 and 2005. Thus in
recent years the number of knots has been much lower than in the past
and the trend in the abundance is not improving despite a four-fold
reduction in horseshoe crab landings since the late 1990s.
Other identified threat factors include habitat destruction due to
beach erosion and various shoreline protection and stabilization
projects that are impacting areas used by migrating knots for foraging,
the inadequacy of existing regulatory mechanisms, human disturbance,
and competition with other species for limited food resources. Also,
the concentration of red knots in the Delaware Bay areas and at a
relatively small number of wintering areas make the species vulnerable
to potential large-scale events in those areas such as oil spills or
severe weather. Overall, we conclude that the major threat, the
modification of habitat through harvesting of horseshoe crabs to such
an extent that it puts the viability of the knot at substantial risk,
is of a high magnitude, but is nonimminent because of reductions and
restrictions on harvesting horseshoe crabs. Based on nonimminent
threats of a high magnitude, we retain an LPN of 6 for this subspecies.
Kittlitz's murrelet (Brachyramphus brevirostris)--See above in
``Summary of Listing Priority Changes in Candidates.'' The above
summary is based on information contained in our files and the petition
we received on May 9, 2001.
Xantus's murrelet (Synthliboramphus hypoleucus)--See above in
``Summary of Listing Priority Changes in Candidates.'' The above
summary is based on information contained in our files and the petition
we received on April 16, 2002.
Lesser prairie-chicken (Tympanuchus pallidicinctus)--The following
summary is based on information contained in our files and the petition
received on October 5, 1995. Additional information can be found in the
12-month finding published on June 7, 1998 (63 FR 31400). Biologists
estimate that the occupied range has declined by 92 percent since the
1800s. The most serious threats to the lesser prairie-chicken are loss
of habitat from conversion of native rangelands to introduced forages
and cultivation, cumulative habitat degradation caused by severe
grazing, woody plant invasion of open prairies, fire suppression,
herbicides, and habitat fragmentation caused by structural and
transportation developments. Many of these threats may exacerbate the
normal effects of periodic drought on lesser prairie-chicken
populations. In many cases, the remaining suitable habitat has become
fragmented by the spatial arrangement of these individual threats.
Habitat fragmentation can be a threat to the species through several
mechanisms: remaining habitat patches may become smaller than necessary
to meet the requirements of individuals and populations, necessary
habitat
[[Page 69060]]
heterogeneity may be lost to areas of homogeneous habitat structure,
areas between habitat patches may harbor high levels of predators or
brood parasites, and the probability of recolonization decreases as the
distance between suitable habitat patches expands.
Based on all currently available information, we find that ongoing
threats to the lesser prairie-chicken, as outlined in the 12-month
finding, remain unchanged and lesser prairie-chickens continue to
warrant federal listing as threatened. We have determined that the
overall magnitude of threats to the lesser prairie-chicken throughout
its range is moderate, and that the threats are ongoing and thus,
imminent. Consequently, an LPN of 8 remains appropriate for the
species.
Greater sage-grouse, Columbia Basin DPS (Centrocercus
urophasianus)--We have not updated our finding with regard to the
Columbia Basin DPS of the greater sage-grouse in this notice. The
following summary is based on information in our files and a petition,
dated May 14, 1999, requesting the listing of the Washington population
of western sage-grouse (C. u. phaios). Pursuant to Service policy (61
FR 4722), on May 7, 2001, we concluded that listing the Columbia Basin
DPS of western sage-grouse, which was historically found in northern
Oregon and central Washington, was warranted, but precluded by higher
priority listing actions (66 FR 22984). In the May 4, 2004, notice, we
found that a listing proposal for this DPS was still warranted but
precluded by higher priorities, and maintained its LPN of 6. In the
intervening time, the Service received two petitions requesting the
listing of the entire ranges of the nominal western and eastern
subspecies of greater sage-grouse, dated January 24 and July 3, 2002,
respectively. However, based on communications with recognized sage-
grouse experts, disagreement as to the validity of an eastern and
western subspecies of sage-grouse existed. Due to this disagreement in
the scientific community, the Service evaluated the available
information with regard to our section 4 listing responsibilities under
the Endangered Species Act (USFWS 1992). The Service subsequently
concluded that the eastern and western subspecies designations for
greater sage-grouse are inappropriate given current taxonomic standards
(68 FR 6500 and 69 FR 933). The Institute for Wildlife Protection filed
a court complaint, dated June 6, 2003, challenging the merits of the
90-day finding. On August 10, 2004, a U.S. District Court judge issued
an order in favor of the USFWS and dismissing the plaintiff's case. An
appeal, dated November 24, 2004, was filed by the Institute for
Wildlife Protection regarding this decision. On March 3, 2006, the 9th
Circuit Court remanded the finding back to the Service to revisit the
90-day finding regarding the conclusion that the western sage-grouse is
not a subspecies. The Court did uphold that the petitioned population
(western sage-grouse) does not constitute a DPS. We will publish an
updated finding addressing the Columbia Basin DPS in the Federal
Register following our assessment of the remand.
Band-rumped storm-petrel, Hawaii DPS (Oceanodroma castro)--The
following summary is based on information contained in our files and
the petition we received on May 8, 1989. No new information was
provided in the second petition received on May 11, 2004. The band-
rumped storm-petrel is a small seabird that is found in several areas
of the subtropical Pacific and Atlantic Oceans. In the Pacific, there
are three widely separated breeding populations--one in Japan, one in
Hawaii, and one in the Galapagos. Populations in Japan and the
Galapagos are comparatively large and number in the thousands, while
the Hawaiian birds represent a small, remnant population of possibly
only a few hundred pairs. Band-rumped storm-petrels are most commonly
found in close proximity to breeding islands. The three populations in
the Pacific are separated by long distances across the ocean where
birds are not found. Extensive at-sea surveys of the Pacific have
revealed a broad gap in distribution of the band-rumped storm-petrel to
the east and west of the Hawaiian Islands, indicating the distribution
of birds in the central Pacific around Hawaii is disjunct from other
nesting areas. The available information indicates that distinct
populations of band-rumped storm-petrels are definable and that the
Hawaiian population is distinct based on geographic and distributional
isolation from other band-rumped storm-petrel populations in Japan, the
Galapagos, and the Atlantic Ocean. A population also can be considered
discrete if it is delimited by international boundaries across which
exist differences in management control of the species. The Hawaiian
population of the band-rumped storm-petrel is the only population
within U.S. borders or under U.S. jurisdiction. Loss of the Hawaiian
population would cause a significant gap in the distribution of the
band-rumped storm-petrel in the Pacific, and could result in the
complete isolation of the Galapagos and Japan populations without even
occasional genetic exchanges.
The band-rumped storm-petrel probably was common on all of the main
Hawaiian Islands when Polynesians arrived about 1,500 years ago, based
on storm-petrel bones found in middens on the island of Hawaii and in
excavation sites on Oahu and Molokai. Nesting colonies of this species
in the Hawaiian Islands currently are restricted to remote cliffs on
Kauai and Lehua Island and high-elevation lava fields on Hawaii.
Vocalizations of the species were heard in Haleakala Crater on Maui as
recently as 2006; however, no nesting sites have been located on the
island to date. The significant reduction in numbers and range of the
band-rumped storm-petrel is due primarily to predation by nonnative
predators introduced by humans, including the domestic cat (Felis
catus), small Indian mongoose (Herpestes auropunctatus), common barn
owl (Tyto alba), black rat (R. rattus), Polynesian rat (Rattus
exulans), and Norway rat (R. norvegicus), which occur throughout the
main Hawaiian Islands, with the exception of the mongoose, which is not
established on Kauai. Attraction of fledglings to artificial lights and
collisions with artificial structures such as communication towers and
utility lines are also threats. Erosion of nest sites caused by the
actions of nonnative ungulates is a potential threat in some locations.
Efforts are underway in some areas to reduce light pollution and
mitigate the threat of collisions, but there are no large-scale efforts
to control nonnative predators in the Hawaiian Islands. Based on the
imminent threats of a high magnitude, we assign this distinct
population segment an LPN of 3.
Elfin-woods warbler (Dendroica angelae)--The following summary is
based on information contained in our files. No new information was
provided in the petition we received on May 11, 2004. The elfin-woods
warbler is a small entirely black and white warbler, distinguished by
its white eyebrow stripe, white patches on ear covers and neck,
incomplete eye ring, and black crown. Dendroica angelae was at first
thought to occur only in the high elevation dwarf or elfin forests, but
it has since been found at lower elevations, including shade coffee
plantations and secondary forests. Dendroica angelae builds a compact
cup nest, usually close to the trunk and well hidden among the
epiphytes of a small
[[Page 69061]]
tree, and its breeding season extends from March to June. This species
forages in the middle part of trees, gleaning insects from leaves in
the outer portion of the tree crown. Dendroica angelae has been
documented from four locations in Puerto Rico: Luquillo Mountains,
Sierra de Cayey, and the Commonwealth forests of Maricao and Toro
Negro. However, it has not been recorded again in Toro Negro and Cayey,
following the passing of Hurricane Hugo in 1989. In 2003 and 2004,
surveys were conducted for the elfin-woods warbler in the Carite
Commonwealth Forest, Toro Negro Forest, Guilarte Forest, Bosque del
Pueblo, Maricao Forest and the Caribbean National Forest, but only
detected the species in the latter two. Biologist recorded 778 elfin-
woods warblers in the Maricao Commonwealth Forest, and 196 elfin-woods
warblers in the Caribbean National Forest.
Habitat destruction from expansion of public facilities within the
forests, potential construction of additional telecommunication towers
and their maintenance, disruption of breeding activities from
pedestrians and high human use areas, switching from shade to sun
coffee plantations, timber management practices, potential predators,
and catastrophic natural events such as hurricanes and forest fires,
threaten this species. Although these threats are not imminent, because
most of the range of Dendroica angelae is within protected lands the
magnitude of threat to Dendroica angelae is considered high, due to its
restricted distribution and low population numbers. Therefore, we
assign an LPN of 5 to this species.
Reptiles
Sand dune lizard (Sceloporus arenicolus)--The following summary is
based on information contained in our files and in the petition we
received June 6, 2002. The sand dune lizard is endemic to a small area
in southeastern New Mexico (Chaves, Eddy, Lea, and Roosevelt Counties)
and adjacent west Texas (Andrews, Crane, Gaines, Ward, and Winkler
Counties). Within this area, the known occupied and potentially
occupied habitat is only 1,697 square kilometers (655 square miles) in
New Mexico, and an area of unknown size in west Texas. The sand dune
lizard's distribution is localized and fragmented (i.e., known
populations are separated by vast areas of unoccupied habitat), and the
species is restricted to sand dune blowouts associated with active sand
dunes and shinnery oak (Quercus harvardii) and scattered sandsage
(Artemisia filifolia) vegetation. Sand dune lizards are not found at
sites lacking shinnery oak dune habitat.
It is clear that shinnery oak removal (e.g., by treating with the
herbicide Tebuthiuron for livestock range improvements) results in
dramatic reductions and extirpation of sand dune lizards. Scientists
repeatedly confirmed the extirpation of sand dune lizards from areas
with herbicide treatment to remove shinnery oak. In 1999, biologists
estimated that about 25 percent of the total sand dune lizard habitat
in New Mexico had been eliminated in the previous 10 years. The
population of sand dune lizards has also been affected by oil and gas
field development. An estimated 50-percent decline in sand dune lizard
populations can be expected in areas with approximately 25 to 30 oil
and/or gas wells per section. Because the distribution of sand dune
lizards is localized and fragmented, and this species is a habitat
specialist, impacts to its habitat will most likely greatly decrease
populations. If current herbicide application continues and oil and gas
development progresses as expected, the magnitude of threat to sand
dune lizards will increase. Continued pressure to develop oil and gas
resources in areas with sand dune lizards poses an imminent threat to
the species. Therefore, we continue to assign this species an LPN of 2.
Eastern massasauga (Sistrurus catenatus catenatus)--The following
summary is based on information contained in our files. No new
information was provided in the petition received on May 11, 2004. The
eastern massasauga is one of three recognized subspecies of massasauga.
It is a small, thick-bodied rattlesnake that occupies shallow wetlands
and adjacent upland habitat in portions of Illinois, Indiana, Iowa,
Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Wisconsin,
and Ontario.
Although the current range of S. c. catenatus resembles the
subspecies' historical range, the geographic distribution has been
restricted by the loss of the subspecies from much of the area within
the boundaries of that range. Approximately 40 percent of the counties
that were historically occupied by S. c. catenatus no longer support
the subspecies. S. c. catenatus is currently considered imperiled in
every State and province which it occupies. Each State and Canadian
province across the range of S. c. catenatus has lost more than 30
percent, and for the majority more than 50 percent, of their historical
populations. Furthermore, less than 35 percent of the remaining
populations are considered secure. Approximately 59 percent of the
remaining S. c. catenatus populations occur wholly or in part on public
land, and Statewide and/or site-specific Candidate Conservation
Agreements with Assurances (CCAAs) are currently being developed for
many of these areas in Iowa, Illinois, Michigan, and Wisconsin. In
2006, a CCAA with the Ohio Department of Natural Resources Division of
Natural Areas and Preserves was completed for Rome State Nature
Preserve in Ashtabula County. Populations soon to be under CCAs and
CCAAs have a high likelihood of persisting and remaining viable. Other
populations are likely to suffer additional losses in abundance and
genetic diversity and some will likely be extirpated unless threats are
removed in the near future. Because of the ongoing efforts to protect
the subspecies through CCAAs, the magnitude of threats from habitat
modification, habitat succession, incompatible land management
practices, illegal collection for the pet trade, and human persecution
is moderate overall, with most imminent threats occurring to remaining
populations on private lands. Due in large part to the numerous CCAAs
currently being developed and implemented, we do not believe emergency
listing is warranted and have kept the LPN at 9 for this subspecies.
Black pine snake (Pituophis melanoleucus lodingi)--The following
summary is based on information contained in our files. No new
information was provided in the petition we received on May 11, 2004.
There are historical records for the black pine snake from one parish
in Louisiana, 14 counties in Mississippi, and 3 counties in Alabama
west of the Mobile River Delta. Black pine snake surveys and trapping
indicate that this species has been extirpated from Louisiana and from
four counties in Mississippi. Moreover, the distribution of remaining
populations has become highly restricted due to the destruction and
fragmentation of the remaining longleaf pine habitat within the range
of the species. Most of the known Mississippi populations are
concentrated on the DeSoto National Forest. Populations occurring on
properties managed by State and other governmental agencies as gopher
tortoise mitigation banks or wildlife sanctuaries represent the best
opportunities for long-term survival of the species in Alabama. Other
factors affecting the black pine snake include vehicular mortality and
low reproductive rates, which magnify other threats and increase the
likelihood of local extinctions. Due to the imminent
[[Page 69062]]
threats of high magnitude caused by the past destruction of most of the
longleaf pine habitat of the black pine snake, and the continuing
persistent degradation of what remains, we assigned an LPN of 3 to this
subspecies.
Louisiana pine snake (Pituophis ruthveni)--See above in ``Summary
of Listing Priority Changes in Candidates.'' The above summary is based
on information contained in our files and the petition we received on
July 19, 2000.
Sonoyta mud turtle (Kinosternon sonoriense longifemorale)--The
following summary is based on information contained in our files. No
new information was provided in the petition we received on May 11,
2004. The Sonoyta mud turtle occurs in a spring and pond at
Quitobaquito Springs on Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument in Arizona,
and in the Rio Sonoyta and Quitovac Spring of Sonora, Mexico. Loss and
degradation of stream habitat from water diversion and groundwater
pumping, along with its very limited distribution, is the primary
threat to the Sonoyta mud turtle. Sonoyta mud turtles are highly
aquatic and depend on permanent water for survival. The area of
southwest Arizona and northern Sonora where the Sonoyta mud turtle
occurs is one of the driest regions of the southwest. Due to continuing
drought, irrigated agriculture, and development in the region, surface
water in the Rio Sonoyta can be expected to dwindle further. This
species may also be vulnerable to aerial spraying of pesticides on
nearby agricultural fields. We retained an LPN of 3 for this subspecies
because threats are of a high magnitude and continue to date, and
therefore, are imminent.
Amphibians
Columbia spotted frog, Great Basin DPS (Rana luteiventris)--See
above in ``Summary of Listing Priority Changes in Candidates.'' The
above summary is based on information contained in our files and the
petition we received on May 1, 1989.
Mountain yellow-legged frog, Sierra Nevada DPS (Rana muscosa)--The
following summary is based on information contained in our files and
the petition received on February 8, 2000. Also see our 12-month
petition finding published on January 16, 2003 (68 FR 2283) and our
amended 12-month petition finding published on June 25, 2007 (72 FR
34657). The mountain yellow-legged frog inhabits the high elevation
lakes, ponds, and streams in the Sierra Nevada Mountains of California,
from near 4,500 feet (ft) (1,370 meters (m)) to 12,000 ft (3,650 m).
The distribution of the mountain yellow-legged frog is from Butte and
Plumas counties in the north to Tulare and Inyo counties in the south.
A separate population in southern California is already listed as
endangered (67 FR 44382).
Predation by introduced trout is the best-documented cause of the
decline of the Sierra Nevada mountain yellow-legged frog, because it
has been repeatedly observed that nonnative fishes and mountain yellow-
legged frogs rarely co-exist. Mountain yellow-legged frogs and trout
(native and nonnative) do co-occur at some sites, but these co-
occurrences probably are mountain yellow-legged frog populations with
negative population growth rates in the absence of immigration. To help
reverse the decline of the mountain yellow-legged frog, the Sequoia and
Kings Canyon National Parks have been removing introduced trout since
2001. Over 18,000 introduced trout have been removed from 11 lakes
since the project started in 2001. The lakes are completely- to mostly
fish-free and substantial mountain yellow-legged frog population
increases have resulted. The California Department of Fish and Game
(CDFG) has also removed or is in the process of removing nonnative
trout from a total of between 10 and 20 water bodies in the Inyo,
Humboldt-Toiyabe, Sierra, and El Dorado National Forests. In the El
Dorado National Forest golden trout were removed from Leland Lakes, and
attempts have been made to remove trout from two sites near Gertrude
Lake and a tributary of Cole Creek; no data showing increase in
mountain yellow-legged frogs at these sites was available.
In California, chytridiomycosis, more commonly known as chytrid
fungus, has been detected in many amphibian species, including the
mountain yellow-legged frog within the Sierra Nevada. Recent research
has shown that this pathogenic fungus is widely distributed throughout
the Sierra Nevada, and that infected mountain yellow-legged frogs die
soon after metamorphosis. Several infected and uninfected populations
were monitored in Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks over multiple
years, documenting dramatic declines and extirpations in infected but
not in uninfected populations. In the summer of 2005, 39 of 43
populations assayed in Yosemite National Park were positive for chytrid
fungus.
The current distribution of the Sierra Nevada mountain yellow-
legged frog is restricted primarily to publicly managed lands at high
elevations, including streams, lakes, ponds, and meadow wetlands
located on national forests, including wilderness and non-wilderness on
the forests, and national parks. In several areas where detailed
studies of the effects of chytrid fungus on the mountain yellow-legged
frog are ongoing, substantial declines have been observed over the past
several years. For example, in 2005 surveys in Yosemite National Park
mountain yellow-legged frogs were not detectable at 37 percent of 113
sites where they had been observed in 2000-2002; in 2005 in Sequoia and
Kings Canyon National Parks mountain yellow-legged frogs were not
detected at 47 percent of sites where they had been recorded 3-8 years
earlier. A compounding effect of disease-caused extinctions of mountain
yellow-legged frogs is that recolonization may never occur, because
streams connecting extirpated sites to extant populations now contain
introduced fishes, which act as barriers to frog movement within
metapopulations. The most recent assessment of the species status in
the Sierra Nevada indicates that mountain-yellow legged frogs occur at
less than 8 percent of the sites from which they were historically
observed. A group of prominent scientists further suggest a 10 percent
decline per year in the number of remaining Rana mucosa populations and
urge the listing of the mountain yellow-legged frogs as endangered.
Based on imminent, high-magnitude threats, we continue to assign the
population of mountain yellow-legged frog in the Sierra Nevada an LPN
of 3.
Oregon spotted frog (Rana pretiosa)--The following summary is based
on information contained in our files and the petition we received on
May 4, 1989. Historically, the Oregon spotted frog ranged from British
Columbia to the Pit River drainage in northeastern California. Based on
surveys of historical sites, the Oregon spotted frog is now absent from
at least 76 percent of its former range. The majority of the remaining
Oregon spotted frog populations are small and isolated. The threats to
the species' habitat include development, livestock grazing,
introduction of nonnative plant species, changes in hydrology due to
construction of dams and alterations to seasonal flooding, and poor
water quality. Additional threats to the species are predation by
nonnative fish and introduced bullfrogs; competition with bullfrogs for
habitat; and diseases, such as oomycete water mold Saprolegnia and
chytrid fungus infections. The magnitude of threat is high for this
species because the small populations with patchy and isolated
distributions are subject to a wide range of threats to both
individuals and their habitats that
[[Page 69063]]
could seriously reduce or eliminate any of these isolated populations
and further reduce the range of the species. Habitat restoration and
management actions have not prevented a decline in the reproductive
rates in some populations. The threats are imminent because each
population is faced with multiple ongoing and potential threats.
Therefore, we retain an LPN of 2 for the Oregon spotted frog.
Relict leopard frog (Rana onca)--The following summary is based on
information contained in our files and the petition we received on May
9, 2002. Relict leopard frogs are currently known to occur only in two
general areas in Nevada: near the Overton Arm area of Lake Mead, and
Black Canyon below Lake Mead. These two areas comprise a small fraction
of the historical distribution of the species, which included springs,
streams, and wetlands within the Virgin River drainage downstream from
the vicinity of Hurricane, Utah; along the Muddy River, Nevada; and
along the Colorado River from its confluence with the Virgin River
downstream to Black Canyon below Lake Mead, Nevada and Arizona.
Suggested factors contributing to the decline of the species include
alteration of aquatic habitat due to agriculture and water development,
including regulation of the Colorado River, and the introduction of
exotic predators and competitors. In 2005, the National Park Service,
in cooperation with the Service and various other Federal, State, and
local partners, developed a conservation agreement and strategy which
is intended to improve the status of the species through prescribed
management actions and protection. Conservation actions identified for
implementation in the agreement and strategy include captive rearing
tadpoles for translocation and refugium populations, habitat and
natural history studies, habitat enhancement, population and habitat
monitoring, and translocation. Conservation is proceeding under the
agreement; however, additional time is needed to determine whether or
not the agreement will be effective in eliminating or reducing the
threats to the point that the relict leopard frog can be removed from
candidate status. However, because of these conservation efforts the
magnitude of existing threats is low to moderate. These threats remain
nonimminent since there are no known projects or actions that would
adversely affect frog populations or threaten surface water associated
with known sites occupied by the frog. We assigned an LPN of 11 to this
species.
Ozark hellbender (Cryptobranchus alleganiensis bishopi)--The
following summary is based on information contained in our files. No
new information was provided in the petition we received on May 11,
2004. Since the species was elevated to candidate status in 2001 (66 FR
54808), the known threats have increased. In particular, the 2006
discovery of the amphibian disease chytridiomycosis, caused by the
pathogen Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis, in captive and remaining wild
populations of the Ozark hellbender has made increased protection vital
to persistence of this subspecies. Chytridiomycosis has proven fatal to
several amphibian species worldwide, as well as to Ozark hellbenders in
captivity. The majority (approximately 75 percent) of captive
hellbenders at the St. Louis Zoo (St. Louis, Missouri) that have been
infected with chytridiomycosis have died. Deaths relating to
chytridiomycosis continue to occur as the St. Louis Zoo staff continues
to search for an effective way to treat infected animals. Due to the
incidence of Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis in the St. Louis Zoo
hellbender population, in 2006 the Missouri Department of Conservation
began testing wild hellbenders in Missouri for infection of the
pathogen. Individuals that tested positive for the pathogen were found
in all three Ozark hellbender rivers in Missouri. Although dead animals
in the wild have not been seen, animals continue to be seen with
increasingly severe abnormalities. These abnormalities have not been
linked conclusively with the presence of Batrachochytrium
dendrobatidis; however, considering the types of abnormalities
documented (e.g., lesions, digit and appendage loss, epidermis
sloughing) researchers believe there is likely a connection. In
general, researchers have found that abnormalities in Ozark hellbenders
are becoming increasingly more severe, often to a level that the animal
is approaching death (e.g., missing digits on all/most limbs, missing
all/most limbs). Recreational pressures on Ozark hellbender rivers have
also increased substantially on an annual basis. The Missouri
Department of Conservation reports that gigging popularity and pressure
have increased, and present a significant threat to hellbenders during
the breeding season as they tend to move greater distances and
congregate in small groups where they are an easy target for giggers.
Canoe, kayak, and motor/jet boat traffic has increased in recent years
on the Jacks Fork, Current, Eleven Point, and North Fork Rivers. The
popularity of these float streams has grown to the point that the
National Park Service is considering alternatives to reducing the
number of boats that can be launched daily by concessionaires.
To date, nothing has been done to reduce or ameliorate ongoing
threats to Ozark hellbenders. The Ozarks region continues to experience
rapid urbanization, expansion of industrial agricultural practices such
as concentrated animal feeding operations (chickens, turkeys, hogs,
cattle), and logging. No laws are in place to preclude livestock from
grazing in riparian corridors and resting in or along streams and
rivers. The majority of the Ozarks region in Missouri and Arkansas is
comprised of karst topography (caves, springs, sinkholes, and losing
streams) further complicating the containment and transport of
potential contaminants. In short, the abundance of waste being
generated and lack of adequate treatment facilities or practices for
both human and livestock waste poses a significant and ever increasing
threat to aquatic ecosystems. The decrease in Ozark hellbender range
and population size and the shift in age structure are likely due in
part to a variety of historic and ongoing activities. The primary
causes of these trends are habitat destruction and modification. Among
these are impoundment, channelization, and siltation and water quality
degradation from a variety of sources, including industrialization,
agricultural runoff, mine waste, and timber harvest. Overutilization of
hellbenders for commerce and scientific purposes is also likely
contributing to their decline. The regulations targeting these threats,
including Clean Water Act and state laws, have not prevented Ozark
hellbender declines. Finally, most of the remaining Ozark hellbender
populations are small and isolated, making them vulnerable to
individual catastrophic events and reducing the likelihood of
recolonization after localized extinctions. Due to the existence of
ongoing, high-magnitude threats and the newly documented presence of
chytridiomycosis, we are deliberating whether emergency listing is
appropriate for the Ozark hellbender and continue to assign an LPN of 3
to this subspecies.
Austin blind salamander (Eurycea waterlooensis)--The following
summary is based on information in our files. No new information was
provided in the petition we received on May 11, 2004. The Austin blind
salamander is known to occur in and around three of the four spring
sites that comprise the Barton
[[Page 69064]]
Springs complex in the City of Austin, Travis County, Texas.
Primary threats to this species are degradation of water quality
and quantity due to expanding urbanization. The Austin blind salamander
depends on a constant supply of clean water in the Edwards Aquifer
discharging from Barton Springs for its survival. Urbanization
dramatically alters the normal hydrologic regime and water quality of
an area. Increased impervious cover caused by development increases the
quantity and velocity of runoff that leads to erosion and greater
pollution transport. Pollutants and contaminants that enter the Edwards
Aquifer are discharged in salamander habitat at Barton Springs and have
serious morphological and physiological effects to the salamander. As
the human population increases in central Texas, greater demand on
groundwater sources occurs. Increased pumping of the Edwards Aquifer
can result in reduced springflows that may also have a detrimental
impact on the salamander.
The Texas Commission on Environmental Quality adopted the Edwards
Rules in 1995 and 1997, which require a number of water quality
protection measures for new development occurring in the recharge and
contributing zones of the Edwards Aquifer. However, Chapter 245 of the
Texas Local Government Code permits ``grandfathering'' of state
regulations. Grandfathering allows developments to be exempted from any
new local or state requirements for water quality controls and
impervious cover limits if the developments were planned prior to the
implementation of such regulations. As a result of the grandfathering
law, very few developments have followed these ordinances. New
developments are still obligated to comply with regulations that were
applicable at the time when project applications for development were
first filed. In addition, it is significant that even if they were
followed with every new development, these ordinances do not span the
entire watershed for Barton Springs.
Consequently, development occurring outside these jurisdictions can
have negative consequences on water quality and thus have an impact on
the species. Despite having the Edwards Rules, as well as other local
ordinances, in place, 10 years of trend data continues to show that
water quality at Barton Springs is declining. Because of the limited
distribution of this species, the magnitude of the threats facing it is
high. The threats are imminent because urbanization is ongoing and
continues to expand over the Barton Springs Segment of the Edwards
Aquifer and water quality continues to degrade. Thus, we retain an LPN
of 2 for this species.
Georgetown salamander (Eurycea naufragia)--The following summary is
based on information in our files. No new information was provided in
the petition we received on May 11, 2004. The Georgetown salamander is
known to occur in spring outlets along five tributaries to the San
Gabriel River and one cave in the City of Georgetown, Williamson
County, Texas. The Georgetown salamander has a very limited
distribution and depends on a constant supply of clean water from the
Northern Segment of the Edwards Aquifer for its survival.
Primary threats to this species are degradation of water quality
and quantity due to expanding urbanization. Increased impervious cover
by development increases the quantity and velocity of runoff that leads
to erosion and greater pollution transport. Pollutants and contaminants
that enter the Edwards Aquifer are discharged from spring outlets in
salamander habitat and have serious morphological and physiological
effects to the species. As the human population increases in central
Texas, greater demand on groundwater sources occurs. Increased
groundwater pumping of the Edwards Aquifer results in reduced
springflows that may also have a detrimental impact on the salamander.
The Texas Commission on Environmental Quality adopted the Edwards
Rules in 1995 and 1997, which require a number of water quality
protection measures for new development occurring in the recharge and
contributing zones of the Edwards Aquifer. However, Chapter 245 of the
Texas Local Government Code permits ``grandfathering'' of State
regulations. Grandfathering allows developments to be exempted from any
new local or State requirements for water quality controls and
impervious cover limits if the developments were planned prior to the
implementation of such regulations. As a result of the grandfathering
law, very few developments have followed these ordinances. New
developments are still obligated to comply with regulations that were
applicable at the time when project applications for development were
first filed. In addition, it is significant that even if they were
followed with every new development, these ordinances do not span the
entire watershed for the Edwards Aquifer. The Texas Commission on
Environmental Quality has developed voluntary water quality protection
measures for development in the Edwards Aquifer region of Texas;
however, it is unknown if these measures will be implemented or if they
will be effective in maintaining or improving water quality.
Development occurring outside the Texas Commission on Environmental
Quality's jurisdiction can have negative consequences on water quality
and thus have an impact on the species. Despite having the Edwards
Rules in place, as well as other local ordinances, 10 years of trend
data at Barton Springs in Austin, Texas, continues to show that water
quality is declining. Because of the limited distribution of the
Georgetown salamander, the magnitude of the threats facing it is high.
The threats are also imminent because urbanization is ongoing and
continues to expand over the Northern Segment of the Edwards Aquifer.
Thus, we retain an LPN of 2 for this species.
Salado salamander (Eurycea chisholmensis)--The following summary is
based on information in our files. No new information was provided in
the petition we received on May 11, 2004. The Salado salamander is
historically known to occur in two spring sites, Big Boiling Springs
and Robertson Springs, near Salado, Bell County, Texas. Salamanders
have not been located at Robertson Springs since 1991.
Primary threats to this species are habitat modification and
degradation of water quality and quantity due to expanding
urbanization. Many of the spring outlets in the City of Salado have
been modified by dam construction. Because Big Boiling Springs is
located near Interstate 35 and in the center of the city, increasing
traffic and urbanization increase threats of contamination from spills,
higher levels of impervious cover, and subsequent impacts to
groundwater. Several groundwater contamination incidents have occurred
within Salado salamander habitat. The Salado salamander depends on a
constant supply of clean water from the Northern Segment of the Edwards
Aquifer for its survival. Pollutants and contaminants that enter the
Edwards Aquifer discharge in salamander habitat and have serious
morphological and physiological effects to the salamander. As the human
population increases in central Texas, greater demand on groundwater
sources occurs. Increased pumping of the Edwards Aquifer can result in
reduced springflows that may also have a detrimental impact on the
salamander.
Controls of nonpoint source pollution in the watershed are
implemented through the Edwards Rules (water quality protection
measures for the
[[Page 69065]]
recharge and contributing zones of the Edwards Aquifer) adopted by the
Texas Commission on Environmental Quality in 1995 and 1997. Although
implementation of the Edwards Rules in other areas of the Northern
Segment of the Edwards Aquifer may have the potential to affect
conditions at spring sites occupied by the Salado salamander, the
jurisdiction of Texas Commission on Environmental Quality does not
extend into Bell County. For this reason, compliance with the Edwards
Rules is not required in this part of the Edwards Aquifer. There are no
other local or regional water protection measures that have been put in
place for areas that feed the springs known to be occupied by the
Salado salamander. Because of the limited distribution of this species,
the magnitude of the threats facing it is high. The threats are also
imminent because urbanization is ongoing and contamination events are
occurring near spring sites known to support Salado salamanders. Thus,
we retain an LPN of 2 for this species.
Yosemite toad (Bufo canorus)--The following summary is based on
information contained in our files and the petition we received on
April 3, 2000. See also our 12-month petition finding published on
December 10, 2002 (67 FR 75834). Yosemite toads are moderately sized
toads with females having black spots, edged with white or cream, that
are set against a grey, tan or brown background. Males have a nearly
uniform coloration of yellow-green to olive drab to greenish brown.
Yosemite toads are most likely to be found in areas with thick meadow
vegetation or patches of low willows near or in water, and use rodent
burrows for overwintering and temporary refuge during the summer.
Breeding habitat includes the edges of wet meadows, slow flowing
streams, shallow ponds and shallow areas of lakes. The historic range
of Yosemite toads in the Sierra Nevada occurs from the Blue Lakes
region north of Ebbetts Pass (Alpine County) to south of Kaiser Pass in
the Evolution Lake/Darwin Canyon area (Fresno County). The historic
elevational range of Yosemite toads is 1,460 to 3,630 m (4,790 to
11,910 ft).
The threats currently facing the Yosemite toad include cattle
grazing, timber harvesting, recreation, disease, and climate change.
Inappropriate grazing has shown to cause loss of vegetative cover and
destruction of peat layers in meadows, which lowers the groundwater
table and summer flows. This may increase the stranding and mortality
of tadpoles, or make these areas completely unsuitable for Yosemite
toads. Grazing can also degrade or destroy moist upland areas used as
non-breeding habitat by Yosemite toads and collapse rodent burrows used
by Yosemite toads as cover and hibernation sites. Timber harvesting and
associated road development could severely alter the terrestrial
environment and result in the reduction and occasional extirpation of
amphibian populations in the Sierra Nevada. These habitat gaps may act
as dispersal barriers and contribute to the fragmentation of Yosemite
toad habitat and populations. Trails (foot, horse, bicycle, or off-
highway motor vehicle) compact soil in riparian habitat, which
increases erosion, displaces vegetation, and can lower the water table.
Trampling or the collapsing of rodent burrows by recreational users,
pets, and vehicles could lead to direct mortality of all life stages of
the Yosemite toad and disrupt their behavior. Various diseases have
been confirmed in Yosemite toads. Mass die-offs of amphibians have been
attributed to: Chytrid fungal infections of metamorphs and adults;
Saprolegnia fungal infections of eggs; iridovirus infection of larvae,
metamorphs, or adults; and bacterial infections. Yosemite toads
probably are exposed to a variety of pesticides and other chemicals
throughout their range. Environmental contaminants could negatively
affect the species by causing direct mortality; suppressing the immune
system; disrupting breeding behavior, fertilization, growth or
development of young; and disrupting the ability to avoid predation. We
retained an LPN of 11 for the Yosemite toad since the threats are
nonimminent and moderate to low in magnitude.
Black Warrior waterdog (Necturus alabamensis)--See above in
``Summary of Listing Priority Changes in Candidates.'' The above
summary is based on information contained in our files. No new
information was provided in the petition we received on May 11, 2004.
Fishes
Headwater chub (Gila nigra)--The following summary is based on
information contained in our files and the 12-month finding on a
petition to list the species we published May 3, 2006 (71 FR 26007).
The range of the headwater chub has been reduced by approximately 50 to
60 percent. Approximately 16 streams (125 miles (200 kilometers) of
stream) are thought to be occupied out of 19 streams (312 miles (500
kilometers) of stream) formerly occupied in the Gila River Basin in
Arizona and New Mexico. Remaining populations are fragmented and
isolated and threatened by a combination of factors.
Headwater chub are threatened by introductions of nonnative fish
that prey on them and/or compete with them for food. These nonnative
fish are difficult to eliminate and, therefore, pose an on-going
threat. Habitat destruction and modification has occurred and continues
to occur as a result of dewatering, impoundment, channelization, and
channel changes caused by alteration of riparian vegetation and
watershed degradation from mining, grazing, roads, water pollution,
urban and suburban development, groundwater pumping, and other human
actions. Existing regulatory mechanisms do not appear to be adequate
for addressing the impact of nonnative fish and also have not removed
or eliminated the threats that continue to be posed in relation to
habitat destruction or modification. The fragmented nature and rarity
of existing populations makes them vulnerable to other natural or
manmade factors, such as drought and wildfire.
The Arizona Game and Fish Department has created the Arizona
Statewide Conservation Agreement for Roundtail Chub (G. robusta),
Headwater Chub, Flannelmouth Sucker (Catostomus latipinnis), Little
Colorado River Sucker (Catostomus spp.), Bluehead Sucker (C.
discobolus), and Zuni Bluehead Sucker (C. discobolus yarrowi), which is
in the process of being finalized. The New Mexico Department of Game
and Fish recently listed the headwater chub as endangered and created a
recovery plan for the species, Colorado River Basin Chubs (Roundtail
Chub, Gila Chub (G. intermedia), and Headwater Chub) Recovery Plan,
which was approved by the New Mexico State Game Commission on November
16, 2006. Both the Arizona Agreement and the New Mexico Recovery Plan
recommend preservation and enhancement of extant populations and
restoration of historical headwater chub populations. The recovery and
conservation actions prescribed by Arizona and New Mexico plans, which
we believe will reduce and remove threats to this species, will require
further discussions and authorizations before they can be implemented.
However, due to the ongoing high magnitude threats, including loss of
habitat, degradation of remaining habitat, and others (e.g., nonnative
species, drought, and fire), we maintain the current LPN of 2 for this
species.
Arkansas darter (Etheostoma cragini)--The following summary is
based on information from our files. No
[[Page 69066]]
new information was provided in the petition we received on May 11,
2004. The Arkansas darter is a small fish in the perch family native to
portions of the Arkansas River basin. The species' range includes sites
in extreme northwestern Arkansas, southwestern Missouri, and
northeastern Oklahoma, within the Neosho River watershed. It also
occurs in a number of watersheds and isolated streams in eastern
Colorado, south-central and southwestern Kansas, and the Cimarron
watershed in northwest Oklahoma. The species is most often found in
small spring fed streams with sand substrate and aquatic vegetation. It
appears stable at most sites where spring flows persist. It has
declined in areas where spring flows have decreased or been eliminated.
We estimate that currently there are approximately 145 occurrences of
the Arkansas darter distributed across the five States; it was found at
29 of 67 sites sampled in 2005-2006. Major threats to the species
include stream dewatering resulting from groundwater pumping in the
western portion of the species' range, and development pressures in
portions of its eastern range. Spills and runoff from confined animal
feeding operations also potentially threaten the species range-wide. We
are retaining an LPN of 11 for the Arkansas darter until we can assess
more current information.
Cumberland darter (Etheostoma susanae)--The following summary is
based on information contained in our files. No new information was
provided in the petition we received on May 11, 2004. Although the
Cumberland darter was once recorded as abundant, it is now considered
to be rare and extremely restricted in range known from only 18
locations in streams in the upper Cumberland River system, above
Cumberland Falls, in Kentucky and Tennessee. The species inhabits
shallow water in pools and runs of headwater streams with stable sand,
silt, or sand-covered bedrock substrata.
The primary threat to the Cumberland darter is the siltation of
instream habitats caused by coal mining activities, silvicultural
practices, road construction, and urban development. The small size and
range of Cumberland darter populations also make them much more
susceptible to extirpation from single catastrophic events (such as
toxic chemical spills) and reduces their ability to recover from
smaller impacts to their habitat or populations. All surviving
populations of the Cumberland darter are restricted to short stream
reaches, with the majority believed to be restricted to less than one
mile of stream. These occurrences are thought to form six population
clusters, which are isolated from one another by poor quality habitat,
impoundments, or natural barriers. Specific information on the threats
to the current distribution of the Cumberland darter was initiated in
May 2006 by the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources and
additional sampling was completed in spring 2007 at approximately 10 to
15 sites in Kentucky and Tennessee. Collectively, these factors are
serious and significant impediments to the survival of the Cumberland
darter; thus these threats are high in magnitude. Federal and state
water quality laws have reduced water quality threats to some degree,
and non-point pollution threats and modification of reach geomorphology
and hydrology are cumulative and gradual. Therefore, these factors are
nonimminent. Consequently, we have assigned the Cumberland darter a
listing priority of 5, reflecting a threat magnitude and immediacy of
high and nonimminent, respectively.
Pearl darter (Percina aurora)--The following summary is based on
information from our files. No new information was provided in the
petition we received on May 11, 2004. Little is known about the
specific habitat requirements or natural history of the Pearl darter.
Pearl darters have been collected from a variety of river/stream
attributes, mainly over gravel bottom substrate. This species is
historically known only from localized sites within the Pascagoula and
Pearl River drainages in two states. Currently, the Pearl darter is
considered extirpated from the Pearl River drainage and rare in the
Pascagoula River drainage. Since 1983, the range of the Pearl darter
has decreased by 55 percent.
Pearl darters are vulnerable to the cumulative impacts of a variety
of non-point pollution sources, such as sedimentation and chemicals,
and also to more localized and concentrated pollution events. The
steady yet gradual change in river and tributary geomorphology and
hydrology over time is believed to have an impact on this species. The
magnitude of threat to this species is high due to their limited and
disjunct populations and threat due to sedimentation. However, the
immediacy of the threat is nonimminent since no known projects are
planned that would have a direct impact on the species, and the decline
of water quality is slow and gradual. In addition, efforts are underway
to improve habitat by reducing these threats and to increase and
augment the numbers of Pearl darters by husbandry. Therefore, we assign
this species an LPN of 5.
Rush darter (Etheostoma phytophilum)--The following summary is
based on information contained in our files. No new information was
provided in the petition we received on May 11, 2004. The Rush Darter
is endemic to upland portions of the Black Warrior River system in
Alabama where it occurs in shallow headwater streams. This species is
uncommon and sporadic within its range, as it favors shallow, flowing
water in spring runs and spring-associated streams with emergent
vegetation. Only three disjunct populations are known: One in the Clear
Creek system in Winston County, one in spring-fed tributaries of Turkey
Creek in Jefferson County; and one population in Little Cove Creek
(Cove Springs) in Etowah County. The Jefferson County population
(Turkey Creek), which is located in a large metropolitan area, is
threatened by urbanization and commercialization of its habitat.
Siltation from bridge, road, and sewer line construction has been
recently documented within the Turkey Creek watershed by academic
researchers and Service biologists.
The major threat to the Winston County population of rush darters
is erosion of Mill Creek, Doe and Wildcat Branch, and the cumulative
increase of sediments caused from gravel roads and roadside ditches.
Within the past year, biologists have observed increased erosion along
roads adjacent to Doe and wildcat Branches which resulted in increased
siltation within those streams. Increases in urbanization, road
maintenance and silviculture practices contribute to increased
sedimentation in the watershed. The major threat to the Cove Springs
population is contamination of the water with chlorine. Efforts are
underway to improve habitat and water quality; however, at this time
all populations are being negatively affected by declining water
quality. The magnitude of threat is high due to the limited number of
populations, and the threat is imminent because water quality is
currently declining for all populations. Thus, we assigned an LPN of 2
to this species.
Yellowcheek darter (Etheostoma moorei)--The following summary is
based on information from our files. No new information was provided in
the petition we received on May 11, 2004. The yellowcheek darter is
endemic to four headwater tributaries of the Little Red River. It is
vulnerable to alterations in physical habitat characteristics such as
the impoundment of Greers Ferry Reservoir, channel maintenance in the
Archey Fork, increased sedimentation from eroding stream banks and poor
riparian management, and illegal gravel
[[Page 69067]]
mining. Factors affecting the remaining populations include loss of
suitable breeding habitat, habitat and water quality degradation,
population isolation, and severe population declines exacerbated by
stochastic drought conditions. A 2004-2005 threats assessment by
Service personnel documented occurrences of the aforementioned
activities and found 52 sites on the Middle Fork, 28 sites on the South
Fork, eight sites on Archey Fork, and one site in the Turkey/Beech/
Devils Fork system that are potential contributors to the decline of
the species. Since the threats assessment was completed, natural gas
exploration and development in the Fayetteville Shale formation in
north central Arkansas has also become a primary threat in all
watersheds and is not addressed by the conservation agreements in place
or by any regulatory mechanism. The Middle Fork was listed as an
impaired waterbody by the Arkansas Department of Environmental Quality
in 2004 due to excessive bacteria and low dissolved oxygen.
Recent studies have documented significant declines in the numbers
(60,000 in 1981; 10,300 in 2000) of this fish in the remaining
populations and further range restriction within the tributaries (130.4
to 65.0 stream km). As a result, yellowcheek darter numbers had
declined over a 20 year period by 83 percent in both the Middle Fork
and South Fork, and 60 percent in the Archey Fork during a 2000 status
survey. No yellowcheek darters have been found in the Turkey Fork
between 1999 and 2005; the species has apparently been extirpated in
that reach. Due to imminent threats of a high magnitude that are not
currently targeted by conservation actions, we assigned this species an
LPN of 2.
Chucky madtom (Noturus crypticus)--The following summary is based
on information from our files. No new information was provided in the
petition we received on May 11, 2004. Chucky madtom is a rare catfish
known from only 15 specimens collected from two Tennessee streams. A
lone individual was collected in 1940 from Dunn Creek (a Little Pigeon
River tributary) in Sevier County and 14 specimens have been
encountered since 1991 in Little Chucky Creek (a Nolichucky River
tributary) in Greene County. Only 3 specimens have been encountered
since 1994 from two riffle areas in a short reach of Little Chucky
Creek. All Little Chucky Creek specimens have been collected from
stream runs with slow to moderate current over pea gravel, cobble, or
slab-rock substrates.
Threats to the chucky madtom include both extrinsic and intrinsic
factors. Extrinsic factors include potential degradation of water
quality and breeding and sheltering habitat due primarily to
agricultural land use practices and secondarily to urban and rural
development in the watersheds of Little Chucky and Dunn creeks. The
Service believes that intrinsic factors including the potential
demographic effects of inbreeding, limited species distribution,
presumed low number of individuals, and presumed low fecundity and
short life span characteristic of closely related madtom species pose
imminent threats to the chucky madtom in its only known extant and
historic locations. Therefore, we assigned the chucky madtom an LPN of
2.
Grotto sculpin (Cottus sp., sp. nov.)--The following summary is
based on information from our files. No new information was provided in
the petition we received on May 11, 2004. The Grotto sculpin, a small
fish, is restricted to two karst areas (limestone regions characterized
by sink holes, abrupt ridges, caves, and underground streams), the
Central Perryville Karst and Mystery-Rimstone Karst in Perry County,
southeast Missouri. Grotto sculpins have been documented in only 5
caves. The current overall range of the grotto sculpin has been
estimated to encompass approximately 260 square kilometers (100 square
miles).
The small population size and endemism of the grotto sculpin make
it vulnerable to extinction due to genetic drift, inbreeding
depression, and random or chance changes to the environment. The
species' karst habitat is located down-gradient of the city of
Perryville, Missouri, which poses a potential threat if contaminants
from this urban area enter cave streams occupied by grotto sculpins.
Various agricultural chemicals, such as ammonia, nitrite/nitrate,
chloride, and potassium have been detected at levels high enough to be
detrimental to aquatic life within the Perryville Karst area. More than
half of the sinkholes in Perry County contain anthropogenic refuse,
ranging from household cleansers and sewage to used pesticide and
herbicide containers. As a result, potential water contamination from
various sources of point and non-point pollution poses a significant
threat to the grotto sculpin. Of the 5 cave systems documented to have
grotto sculpins, populations in one cave system were likely eliminated,
presumably as the result of point-source pollution. When the cave was
searched in the spring of 2000, a mass mortality of grotto sculpin was
noted, and subsequent visits to the cave have failed to document a
single live grotto sculpin. Thus, the species appears to have suffered
a 20 percent decrease in the number of populations from the single
event. Predatory fish such as common carp, fat-head minnow, yellow
bullhead, green sunfish, bluegill, and channel catfish occur in all of
the caves occupied by grotto sculpin. These potential predators may
escape surface farm ponds that unexpectedly drain through sinkholes
into the underground cave systems and enter grotto sculpin habitat. No
regulatory mechanisms are in place that would provide protection to the
grotto sculpin. Current threats to the habitat of the grotto sculpin
may exacerbate potential problems associated with its low population
numbers and increase the likelihood of extinction. Due to the high
magnitude of ongoing, and thus imminent, threats we assigned this
species an LPN of 2.
Sharpnose shiner (Notropis oxyrhynchus)--The following summary is
based on information from our files. No new information was provided in
the petition we received on May 11, 2004. The sharpnose shiner is a
small, slender minnow, endemic to the Brazos River Basin in Texas.
Historically, the sharpnose shiner existed throughout the Brazos River
and several of its major tributaries within the watershed. It has also
been found in the Wichita River (within the Red River Basin) where it
may have once naturally occurred but has since been extirpated. Current
information indicates that the population within the Upper Brazos River
drainage (upstream of Possum Kingdom Reservoir) is apparently stable,
while the population within the Middle and Lower Brazos River Basins
may only exist in remnant populations in areas of suitable habitat,
which may no longer be viable, representing a reduction of
approximately 68 percent of its historical range.
The most significant threat to the existence of the sharpnose
shiner is potential reservoir development within its current range.
Additional threats include irrigation and water diversion,
sedimentation, desalination, industrial and municipal discharges,
agricultural activities, in-stream sand and gravel mining, and the
spread of invasive saltcedar. The current limited distribution of the
sharpnose shiner within the Upper Brazos River Basin makes it
vulnerable to catastrophic events such as the introduction of
competitive species or prolonged drought. State law does not provide
protection for the sharpnose shiner. The magnitude of threat is
considered high since the major threat of reservoir
[[Page 69068]]
development within the species current range may render its remaining
habitat unsuitable. The immediacy of threat is non-imminent because
major reservoir projects are not likely to occur in the near future and
there is potential for implementing other water supply options that
could preclude reservoir development. For these reasons, we assign an
LPN of 5 to this species.
Smalleye shiner (Notropis buccula)--The following summary is based
on information from our files. No new information was provided in the
petition we received on May 11, 2004. The smalleye shiner is a small,
pallid minnow endemic to the Brazos River Basin in Texas. The
population of smalleye shiners within the Upper Brazos River drainage
(upstream of Possum Kingdom Reservoir) is apparently stable. However,
the shiner has not been collected since 1976 downstream from the
reservoir, and may be extirpated from this area, representing a
reduction of approximately 54 percent of its historical range.
The most significant threat to the existence of the smalleye shiner
is potential reservoir development within its current range. Additional
threats include irrigation and water diversion, sedimentation,
desalination, industrial and municipal discharges, agricultural
activities, in-stream sand and gravel mining, and the spread of
invasive saltcedar. The current limited distribution of the smalleye
shiner within the Upper Brazos River Basin makes it vulnerable to
catastrophic events such as the introduction of competitive species or
prolonged drought. State law does not provide protection for the
smalleye shiner. The magnitude of threat is considered high since the
major threat of reservoir development within the current range of the
species may render its remaining habitat unsuitable. The immediacy of
threat is considered non-imminent because major reservoir projects are
not likely to occur in the near future and there is potential for
implementing other water supply options that could preclude reservoir
development. For these reasons, we assign an LPN of 5 to this species.
Zuni bluehead sucker (Catostomus discobolus yarrowi)--The following
summary is based on information contained in our files. No new
information was provided in the petition we received on May 11, 2004.
The range of the Zuni bluehead sucker has been reduced by over 90
percent. The Zuni bluehead sucker currently occupies 9 river miles in 3
areas of New Mexico, and potentially occurs in 27 miles in the
Kinlichee drainage of Arizona. However, the number of occupied miles in
Arizona is unknown and the genetic composition of these fish is still
under investigation. Zuni bluehead sucker range reduction and
fragmentation is caused by discontinuous surface water flow, separation
of inhabited reaches by reservoirs, and habitat degradation from fine
sediment deposition. The principal uses of surface and ground water
within the Zuni River watershed are human consumption, livestock, and
irrigation. Diverting water for agricultural use is the primary purpose
of at least five impoundments, and several other reservoirs act as
flood-control structures. Degradation of the upper watershed has led to
increased sedimentation, and many of the reservoirs are now only
shallow, eutrophic (low oxygen) ponds or wetlands with little or no
storage capacity. The impoundments have also changed the downstream
channel morphology and substrate composition of streams. Another major
impact to populations of Zuni bluehead sucker was the application of
fish toxicants through at least two dozen treatments in the Nutria and
Pescado rivers between 1960 and 1975. Large numbers of Zuni bluehead
suckers were killed during these treatments.
For several years, the New Mexico Department of Game and Fish has
been the lead agency to develop a conservation plan for Zuni bluehead
sucker. A study funded through section 6 of the Act was initiated in
2000 and has continued annually. The grant included funding for
development and implementation of a Zuni Bluehead Sucker Conservation
Plan and the acquisition of additional information on distribution,
life history, and species associations. The Zuni Bluehead Sucker
Recovery Plan was approved by the New Mexico State Game Commission
during a State Game Commission meeting on December 15, 2004. The
Recovery Plan recommends preservation and enhancement of extant
populations and restoration of historical Zuni bluehead sucker
populations. The recovery actions prescribed by the State Recovery Plan
that we believe will reduce and remove threats to this subspecies will
require further discussions and authorizations before they can be
implemented. Because of the ongoing threats of high magnitude,
including loss of habitat (historical and current from beaver
activity), degradation of remaining habitat, drought, and fire, we
maintain the current LPN of 3 for this subspecies.
Clams
Texas hornshell (Popenaias popei)--The following summary is based
on information from our files. No new information was provided in the
petition we received on May 11, 2004. The Texas hornshell is a
freshwater mussel found in the Black River of New Mexico and one
confirmed locality in the mainstem Rio Grande of Texas and Mexico. The
primary threats are habitat alterations such as stream bank
channelization, impoundments, and diversions for agriculture and flood
control; contamination of water by the oil and gas industry;
alterations in the natural riverine hydrology; and increased
sedimentation from prolonged overgrazing and loss of native vegetation.
Riverine habitats in both the Black River and the Rio Grande are under
constant threats from these adverse changes. The magnitude of threats
is high because of the existence of only one confirmed location in New
Mexico and Texas each, which makes this species highly vulnerable to
extinction. The threats are imminent because past alterations to
riverine habitats have resulted in the much reduced distribution of
this species and demands for water from the Rio Grande continue to
increase and make additional habitat degradation likely. Thus, we
maintain the LPN of 2 for this species.
Fluted kidneyshell (Ptychobranchus subtentum)--See above in
``Summary of Listing Priority Changes in Candidates.'' The above
summary is based on information from our files. No new information was
provided in the petition we received on May 11, 2004.
Neosho mucket (Lampsilis rafinesqueana)--The following summary is
based on information from our files. No new information was provided in
the petition we received on May 11, 2004. The Neosho mucket is a
freshwater mussel native to Arkansas, Kansas, Missouri, and Oklahoma.
The species has been extirpated from approximately 62 percent (835
river miles) of its range, most of which has occurred in Kansas and
Oklahoma. The Neosho mucket survives in four river drainages; however,
only two of these, the Spring and Illinois Rivers, currently support
relatively large populations.
Significant portions of the historic range have been inundated by
the construction of at least 11 dams. Channel instability downstream of
these dams has further reduced suitable habitat and mussel
distribution. Range restriction and population declines have occurred
due to habitat degradation attributed to impoundments, mining,
[[Page 69069]]
sedimentation, and agricultural pollutants. Rapid development and
urbanization in the Illinois River watershed will likely continue to
increase sedimentation and eutrophication to this river but populations
are currently stable in this river. The remaining extant populations
are vulnerable to random catastrophic events (e.g., flood scour,
drought, toxic spills), land use changes within the limited range, and
genetic isolation and the deleterious effects of inbreeding. These
threats have led to the species being intrinsically vulnerable to
extirpation. Although State regulations limit harvest of this species,
there is little protection for habitat. The threats are high in
magnitude as they can negatively affect the species throughout its
range and result in mortality and/or reduced reproductive output. While
some of the threats are ongoing and thus, imminent, others are
nonimminent, but on balance, the threats are nonimminent. Thus, we
assigned an LPN of 5 to this species.
Alabama pearlshell (Margaritifera marrianae)--The following summary
is based on information from our files. No new information was provided
in the petition we received on May 11, 2004. The Alabama pearlshell
(Margaritifera marrianae) inhabits shallow riffles and pool margins of
small creeks and streams of southwest Alabama. Only three populations
of Alabama pearlshell have been confirmed to survive during the past 15
years. A comprehensive survey is planned by the Alabama Department of
Conservation and Natural Resources in 2007. One of the three
populations has declined significantly over the past few years,
apparently due to increased sedimentation at this location and possibly
other forms of non-point source (NPS) pollution. The other two
populations also appear to be declining. The Alabama pearlshell has
been assigned a listing priority of 2 because the NPS pollution is
ongoing, and therefore imminent, and the vulnerability of small stream
habitat to continuing NPS pollution, combined with the fewer numbers of
live mussels in the three known populations, means that the NPS
pollution poses a high-magnitude threat to this species.
Slabside pearlymussel (Lexingtonia dolabelloides)--The following
summary is based on information from our files. No new information was
provided in the petition we received on May 11, 2004. The slabside
pearlymussel is a freshwater mussel (Unionidae) endemic to the
Cumberland and Tennessee River systems (Cumberlandian Region) in
Alabama, Kentucky, Tennessee, and Virginia. It requires shoal habitats
in free-flowing rivers to survive and successfully recruit new
individuals into its populations. Habitat destruction and alteration
(e.g., impoundments, sedimentation, and pollutants) are the chief
factors contributing to its decline. This species has been extirpated
from numerous regional streams and is no longer found in the
Commonwealth of Kentucky. The slabside pearlymussel was historically
known from at least 32 streams but is currently restricted to no more
than 10 isolated stream segments. Current status information for most
of the 10 populations deemed to be extant is available from recent
periodic sampling efforts (sometimes annually) and other field studies.
Comprehensive surveys have taken place in the Middle and North Forks
Holston River, Paint Rock River, and Duck River in the past several
years. Based on recent information, the overall population of the
slabside pearlymussel is declining rangewide. Of the five streams in
which the species remains in good numbers and is clearly viable (e.g.,
Clinch, North and Middle Forks Holston, Paint Rock, Duck Rivers), the
Middle and upper North Fork Holston Rivers have undergone drastic
recent declines, while the Clinch population has been in a longer-term
decline. Most of the remaining five populations (e.g., Powell River,
Big Moccasin Creek, Hiwassee River, Elk River, Bear Creek) have
doubtful viability and several if not all of them may be on the verge
of extirpation. Since most of the populations of slabside pearlymussel
are declining and face potential threats from impoundments,
sedimentation, small population size, isolation of populations, gravel
mining, municipal pollutants, agricultural run-off, nutrient
enrichment, and coal processing pollution, the threats are high in
magnitude. However, there is no specific information regarding the
timing of these threats, so we do not consider them to be imminent.
Thus, we continue to assign an LPN of 5 to this mussel.
Georgia pigtoe (Pleurobema hanleyanum)--We have not updated our
candidate assessment for this species as we are currently developing a
proposed listing rule.
Altamaha spinymussel (Elliptio spinosa)--The following summary is
based on information contained in our files. No new information was
provided in the petition we received on May 11, 2004. The Altamaha
spinymussel is a freshwater mussel endemic to the Altamaha River
drainage of southeastern Georgia. The historical range of the Altamaha
spinymussel was restricted to the Coastal Plain portion of the Altamaha
River and the lower portions of its three major tributaries, the
Ohoopee, Ocmulgee, and Oconee Rivers. The Altamaha spinymussel is
associated with stable, coarse to fine sandy sediments of sandbars and
sloughs and appears to be restricted to swiftly flowing water. As the
name implies, the shells of these animals are adorned with one to five
prominent spines that reach lengths from 10 to 25 mm (0.39 to 0.98 in).
The species appears to be extirpated from the Ohoopee and Oconee
Rivers, and its numbers are greatly reduced in the Ocmulgee and
Altamaha Rivers.
Altamaha spinymussels face severe habitat degradation from a number
of sources. Primary among these are threats from sedimentation and
contaminants within the rivers that the Altamaha spinymussel inhabits.
A new threat of deadhead logging has recently emerged. These threats to
the Altamaha spinymussel are further compounded by its limited
distribution and the low population size identified in recent survey
efforts. Efforts to identify the host fish and expand our understanding
of the spinymussels life cycle have not yet produced results. Since the
threats are ongoing (i.e., imminent) and severely affect this species
throughout its range (i.e., high in magnitude), we continue to assign
an LPN of 2 to this species.
Snails
Ogden mountainsnail (Oreohelix peripherica wasatchensis)--The
following summary is based on information from our files. No new
information was provided in the petition we received on May 11, 2004.
The Ogden mountain snail is known from a single population near the
mouth of Ogden Canyon, Weber County, Utah. The total occupied habitat
is an area approximating 100 meters (328 ft) wide by 1 kilometer (0.5
miles) long. The restricted range of this snail, the proximity to an
expanding residential area, and impacts from relatively heavy
recreational use, makes it vulnerable to extirpation from stochastic or
human-caused events. Threats to the colony have not changed or
increased substantially over the past year. Recent molecular phylogenic
studies are expected to clarify the level of uniqueness of this taxon.
The ongoing (i.e. imminent) threats are moderately affecting the
species. Therefore, we retained an LPN of 9 for this subspecies.
Fat-whorled (Bonneville) pondsnail (Stagnicola bonnevillensis)--The
following summary is based on information contained in our files. No
new information was provided in the
[[Page 69070]]
petition we received on May 11, 2004. The fat-whorled pondsnail, also
known as the Bonneville pondsnail, occupies four spring pools north of
the Great Salt Lake in Box Elder County, Utah. While the number of
individuals is unknown, the total known occupied habitat is less than
one hectare. Previous and ongoing threats include chemical
contamination of the groundwater. Significant actions are underway to
remediate this threat, including implementation of a Corrective Action
Plan to characterize and remediate groundwater contamination,
implementation of a site management plan, and development of a
groundwater model and risk assessment. These efforts have not been
underway for a sufficient period to reduce the threat from
contamination. While contamination continues to occur, and therefore,
the threat is imminent, the levels of contamination are such that it
affects the species over a longer timeframe, so the threat is moderate
in magnitude. Therefore, we retained an LPN of 8 for this species.
Interrupted rocksnail (Leptoxis foremani (= downei)--We have not
updated our candidate assessment as we are currently developing a
proposed listing rule for this species.
Sisi snail (Ostodes strigatus)--The following summary is based on
information contained in our files. No new information was provided in
the petition we received on May 11, 2004. The sisi snail is a ground-
dwelling species in the Potaridae family and is endemic to American
Samoa. The species is now known from a single population on the island
of Tutuila, American Samoa.
This species is currently threatened by habitat loss and
modification and by predation from nonnative predatory snails. The
decline of the sisi in American Samoa has resulted, in part, from loss
of habitat to forestry and agriculture and loss of forest structure to
hurricanes and alien weeds that establish after these storms. All live
sisi snails have been found in the leaf litter beneath remaining intact
forest canopy. No snails were found in areas bordering agricultural
plots or in forest areas that were severely damaged by three hurricanes
(1987, 1990, and 1991). Under natural historic conditions, loss of
forest canopy to storms did not pose a great threat to the long term
survival of these snails; enough intact forest with healthy populations
of snails would support dispersal back into newly regrown canopy
forest. However, the presence of alien weeds such as mile-a-minute vine
(Mikania micrantha) may reduce the likelihood that native forest will
re-establish in areas damaged by the hurricanes. This loss of habitat
to storms is greatly exacerbated by expanding agriculture. Agricultural
plots on Tutuila have spread from low elevation up to middle and some
high elevations, greatly reducing the forest area and thus reducing the
resilience of native forests and its populations of native snails.
These reductions also increase the likelihood that future storms will
lead to the extinction of populations or species that rely on the
remaining canopy forest. In an effort to eradicate the giant African
snail (Achatina fulica), the alien rosy carnivore snail (Euglandia
rosea) was introduced in 1980. The rosy carnivore snail has spread
throughout the main island of Tutuila. Numerous studies show that the
rosy carnivore snail feeds on endemic island snails including the sisi,
and is a major agent in their declines and extirpations. At present,
the major threat to long-term survival of the native snail fauna in
American Samoa is predation by nonnative predatory snails. These
threats are ongoing and are therefore imminent. Since the threats occur
throughout the entire range of the species and have a significant
effect on the survival of the snails, they are of a high magnitude.
Therefore we assigned this species an LPN of 2.
Diamond Y Spring snail (Pseudotryonia adamantina) and Gonzales
springsnail (Tryonia circumstriata)--The following summary is based on
information from our files. No new information was provided in the
petition we received on May 11, 2004. Diamond Y Spring snail and
Gonzales springsnail are small aquatic snails endemic to Diamond Y
Spring in Pecos County, Texas. The spring and its outflow channel are
owned and managed by The Nature Conservancy. These snails are primarily
threatened with habitat loss due to springflow declines from drought
and from pumping of groundwater. Additional threats include water
contamination from accidental releases of petroleum products, as their
habitat is in an active oil and gas field. Also, a nonnative aquatic
snail (Melanoides sp.) was recently introduced into the native snails'
habitat and may compete with endemic snails for space and resources.
The magnitude of threats is high because limited distribution of these
narrow endemics makes any impact from increasing threats (e.g., loss of
springflow, contaminants, and nonnative species) likely to result in
the extinction of the species. These species occur in one location in
an arid region currently plagued by drought and ongoing aquifer
withdrawals, making the threat to spring flow imminent. Thus, we
maintain the LPN of 2 for both species.
Fragile tree snail (Samoana fragilis)--The following summary is
based on information contained in our files. No new information was
provided in the petition we received on May 11, 2004. A tree-dwelling
species, the fragile tree snail is a member of the Partulidae family of
snails and is endemic to the islands of Guam and Rota (Mariana
Islands). Requiring cool and shaded native forest habitat, the species
is now known from 4 populations on Guam and a single population on
Rota. This species is currently threatened by habitat loss and
modification and by predation from nonnative predatory snails and
flatworms. Large numbers of deer (Cervus marianuns) (Guam and Rota),
pigs (Sus scrofra) (Guam), water buffalo (Bubalus bubalis) (Guam), and
cattle (Bos taurus) (Rota), directly alter the understory plant
community and overall forest microclimate making it unsuitable for
snails. Predation by the alien rosy carnivore snail (Euglandina rosea)
and the Manokwar flatworm (Platydemus manokwari) is a serious threat to
the survival of the fragile tree snail. Field observations have
established that the rosy carnivore snail and the Manokwar flatworm
will readily feed on native Pacific island tree snails, including the
Partulidae, such as those of the Mariana Islands. The rosy carnivore
snail has caused the extirpation of many populations and species of
native snails throughout the Pacific islands. Because all of the
threats occur rangewide and have a significant effect on the survival
of this snail species, they are high in magnitude. The threats are also
ongoing and thus, are imminent. Therefore, we assigned this species an
LPN of 2.
Guam tree snail (Partula radiolata)--The following summary is based
on information contained in our files. No new information was provided
in the petition we received on May 11, 2004. A tree-dwelling species,
the Guam tree snail is a member of the Partulidae family of snails and
is endemic to the island of Guam. Requiring cool and shaded native
forest habitat, the species is now known from 22 populations on Guam.
This species is primarily threatened by predation from nonnative
predatory snails and flatworms. In addition, the species is also
threatened by habitat loss and degradation. Predation by the alien rosy
carnivore snail (Euglandina rosea) and the alien Manokwar flatworm
(Platydemus manokwari) is a serious threat to the survival of the Guam
tree
[[Page 69071]]
snail. Field observations have established that the rosy carnivore
snail will readily feed on native Pacific island tree snails, including
the Partulidae, such as those of the Mariana Islands. The rosy
carnivore snail has caused the extirpation of many populations and
species of native snails throughout the Pacific islands. The Manokwar
flatworm has also contributed to the decline of native tree snails, in
part due to its ability to ascend into trees and bushes that support
native snails. Areas with populations of the flatworm usually lack
partulid tree snails or have declining numbers of snails. On Guam, open
agricultural fields and other areas prone to erosion were seeded with
tangantangan (Leucaena leucocephala) by the U.S. Military. Tangantangan
grows as a single species stand with no substantial understory. The
microclimatic condition is dry with little accumulation of leaf litter
humus and is particularly unsuitable as Guam tree snail habitat. In
addition, native forest cannot reestablish and grow where this alien
weed has become established. Because all of the threats occur rangewide
and have a significant effect on the survival of this snail species,
they are high in magnitude. The threats are also ongoing and thus are
imminent. Therefore, we assigned this species an LPN of 2.
Humped tree snail (Partula gibba)--The following summary is based
on information contained in our files. No new information was provided
in the petition we received on May 11, 2004. A tree-dwelling species,
the humped tree snail is a member of the Partulidae family of snails,
and was originally known from the island of Guam and the Commonwealth
of the Northern Mariana Islands (islands of Rota, Aguiguan, Tinian,
Saipan, Anatahan, Sarigan, Alamagan, and Pagan). Most recent surveys
revealed a total of 14 populations on the islands of Guam, Rota,
Aguiguan, Sarigan, Saipan, Alamagan, and Pagan. Although still the most
widely distributed tree snail endemic in the Mariana Islands, remaining
population sizes are often small.
This species is currently threatened by habitat loss and
modification and by predation from nonnative predatory snails and flat
worms. Throughout the Mariana Islands, feral ungulates (pigs (Sus
scrofa), Philippine deer (Cervus mariannus), cattle (Bos taurus), water
buffalo (Bubalus bubalis), and goats (Capra hircus)) have caused severe
damage to native forest vegetation by browsing directly on plants,
causing erosion, and retarding forest growth and regeneration. This in
turn reduces the quantity and quality of forested habitat for the
humped tree snail. Currently, populations of feral ungulates are found
on the islands of Guam (deer, pigs, and water buffalo), Rota (deer and
cattle), Aguiguan (goats), Saipan (deer, pigs, and cattle), Alamagan
(goats, pigs, and cattle), and Pagan (cattle, goats, and pigs). Goats
were eradicated from Sarigan in 1998 and the humped tree snail has
increased in abundance on that island, likely in response to the
removal of all the goats. However, the population of humped tree snails
on Anatahan is likely extirpated due to the massive volcanic explosions
of the island beginning in 2003 and still continuing, and the resulting
loss of up to 95 percent of the vegetation on the island. Predation by
the alien rosy carnivore snail (Euglandina rosea) and the alien
Manokwar flatworm (Platydemus manokwari) is a serious threat to the
survival of the humped tree snail. Field observations have established
that the rosy carnivore snail will readily feed on native Pacific
island tree snails, including the Partulidae, such as those of the
Mariana Islands. The rosy carnivore snail has caused the extirpation of
many populations and species of native snails throughout the Pacific
islands. The Manokwar flatworm has also contributed to the decline of
native tree snails, in part due to its ability to ascend into trees and
bushes that support native snails. Areas with populations of the
flatworm usually lack partulid tree snails or have declining numbers of
snails. The magnitude of threats is high because they cause significant
population declines to the humped tree snail rangewide. These threats
are ongoing and thus are imminent. Therefore, we assigned this species
an LPN of 2.
Lanai tree snail (Partulina semicarinata)--The following summary is
based on information contained in our files. No new information was
provided in the petition we received on May 11, 2004. A tree-dwelling
species, P. semicarinata is a member of the Achatinellidae family of
snails. Endemic to the island of Lanai, the species is currently known
from 3 populations totaling 29 individuals. This species is highly
threatened throughout its limited range by habitat loss and
modification and by predation from rats. No efforts are being
undertaken to remove rats in areas where P. semicarinata occur. The
threat from this predator is expected to continue or increase unless
the rats are actively controlled or eradicated. Habitat loss also
continues as nonnative ungulates trample and browse native vegetation
required by P. semicarinata. Although the snails are in an area to be
fenced, until the fence is completed and the ungulates have been
removed, the habitat will continue to be degraded. The small number of
individuals and the small number of populations make this species very
susceptible to the negative effects of stochastic events such as
hurricanes and storms. There is a population in captivity that is
protected from the effects of unexpected droughts, though the effects
of severe storms may still affect this population as evidenced by the
loss of snails when a severe flood interrupted the power supply to the
Hawaii Endangered Snail Captive Propagation Lab and temperatures
increased within the environmental chambers containing the snails. In
addition, these snails are likely subjected to the same concerns of
reproductive vigor and loss of genetic variability. The magnitude of
threats is high because they cause significant population declines to
P. semicarinata rangewide. The threats are also ongoing and thus are
imminent. Therefore, we assigned this species an LPN of 2.
Lanai tree snail (Partulina variabilis)--The following summary is
based on information contained in our files. No new information was
provided in the petition we received on May 11, 2004. A tree-dwelling
species, P. variabilis is a member of the Achatinellidae family of
snails. Endemic to the island of Lanai, the species is currently known
from 12 populations totaling 90 individuals. This species is highly
threatened throughout its limited range by habitat loss and
modification and by predation from rats. The threat from this predator
is expected to continue or increase unless the rats are actively
controlled or eradicated. Habitat loss also continues as nonnative
ungulates trample and browse native vegetation required by P.
variabilis. Although the snails are in an area to be fenced, until the
fence is constructed and the ungulates have been removed, the habitat
will continue to be degraded. The small number of individuals and the
small number of populations make this species very susceptible to the
negative effects of stochastic events such as hurricanes and storms.
There is a population in captivity that is protected from the effects
of unexpected droughts, though the effects of severe storms may still
affect this population as evidenced by the loss of snails when a severe
flood interrupted the power supply to the University and temperatures
increased within the environmental chambers containing the snails. In
addition, these
[[Page 69072]]
snails are likely subjected to the same concerns of reproductive vigor
and loss of genetic variability as the wild population. The magnitude
of threats is high because they result in direct mortality or
significant population declines to P. variabilis rangewide. The threats
are ongoing and thus are imminent. Therefore, we assigned this species
an LPN of 2.
Langford's tree snail (Partula langfordi)--The following summary is
based on information contained in our files. No new information was
provided in the petition we received on May 11, 2004. A tree-dwelling
species, Langford's tree snail is a member of the Partulidae family of
snails and is known from one population on the island of Aguiguan. This
species is currently threatened by habitat loss and modification and by
predation from nonnative predatory snails. In the 1930s, the island of
Aguiguan was mostly cleared of native forest to support sugar cane and
pineapple production. The abandoned fields and airstrip are now
overgrown with alien weeds. The remaining native forest understory has
greatly suffered from large and uncontrolled populations of alien goats
and the invasion of weeds. Goats (Capra hircus) have caused severe
damage to native forest vegetation by browsing directly on plants,
causing erosion, and retarding forest growth and regeneration. This in
turn reduces the quantity and quality of forested habitat for
Langford's tree snail. Predation by the alien rosy carnivore snail
(Euglandina rosea) is also a serious threat to the survival of
Langford's tree snail. Field observations have established that the
rosy carnivore snail will readily feed on native Pacific island tree
snails, including the Partulidae such as those of the Mariana Islands.
The rosy carnivore snail has caused the extirpation of many populations
and species of native snails throughout the Pacific islands. Predation
on native partulid tree snails by the terrestrial Manokwar flatworm
(Platydemus manokwari) is also a threat to the long-term survival of
these snails. The Manokwar flatworm has contributed to the decline of
native tree snails, due to its ability to ascend into trees and bushes
that support native snails. Areas with populations of the flatworm
usually lack partulid tree snails or have declining numbers of snails.
All of the threats are occurring rangewide and no efforts to control or
eradicate the nonnative predatory snail species or to reduce habitat
loss are being undertaken. The magnitude of threats is high because
they result in direct mortality or significant population declines to
Langford's tree snail rangewide. These threats are also ongoing and
thus are imminent. Therefore, we assigned this species an LPN of 2.
Newcomb's tree snail (Newcombia cumingi)--The following summary is
based on information contained in our files. No new information was
provided in the petition we received on May 11, 2004. The species is
endemic to the island of Maui, where it is currently known from a
single remaining population. The greatest threats to Newcomb's tree
snail are the loss of the only known remaining population due to
predation from rats and the rosy carnivore snail (Euglandina rosea).
There are no efforts in place to reduce the threat from the rosy
carnivore snail although discussions are underway with the private
landowner to construct a rat proof fence in the area occupied by this
snail. Our attempts to raise this species in a captive propagation
facility have been unsuccessful. The magnitude of threats is high
because they occur within the last known population of the species and
result in direct mortality or significant population declines. These
threats are also ongoing and thus are imminent. Therefore, we assigned
this species an LPN of 2.
Phantom Cave snail (Cochliopa texana) and Phantom springsnail
(Tryonia cheatumi)--The following summary is based on information from
our files. No new information was provided in the petition we received
on May 11, 2004. Phantom Cave snail and Phantom springsnail are small
aquatic snails that occur in three spring outflows in the Toyah Basin
in Reeves and Jeff Davis counties, Texas. The primary threat to both
species is the loss of surface flows due to declining groundwater
levels from drought and pumping for agricultural production. Although
much of the land immediately surrounding their habitat is owned and
managed by The Nature Conservancy, Bureau of Reclamation, and Texas
Parks and Wildlife Department, the water needed to maintain their
habitat has declined due to a reduction in spring flows, possibly as a
result of private groundwater pumping in areas beyond that controlled
by these landowners. As an example, Phantom Lake Spring, one of the
sites of occurrence, has already ceased flowing and aquatic habitat is
supported only by a pumping system. The magnitude of the threats is
high because spring flow loss would result in complete habitat
destruction and permanent elimination of all populations of the
species. The immediacy of the threats is imminent, as evidenced by the
drastic decline in spring flow at Phantom Lake Spring that is happening
now and may extirpate these populations in the near future. Declining
spring flows in San Solomon Spring are also becoming evident and will
affect that spring site as well within the foreseeable future. Thus, we
maintain the LPN of 2 for both species.
Tutuila tree snail (Eua zebrina)--The following summary is based on
information contained in our files. No new information was provided in
the petition we received on May 11, 2004. A tree-dwelling species, the
Tutuila tree snail is a member of the Partulidae family of snails and
is endemic to American Samoa. The species is known from 32 populations
on the islands of Tutuila, Nuusetoga, and Ofu.
This species is currently threatened by habitat loss and
modification and by predation from nonnative predatory snails and rats.
All live Tutuila tree snails were found on understory vegetation
beneath remaining intact forest canopy. No snails were found in areas
bordering agricultural plots or in forest areas that were severely
damaged by three hurricanes (1987, 1990, and 1991). Under natural
historical conditions, loss of forest canopy to storms did not pose a
great threat to the long-term survival of these snails; enough intact
forest with healthy populations of snails would support dispersal back
into newly regrown canopy forest. However, the presence of alien weeds
such as mile-a-minute vine (Mikania micrantha) may reduce the
likelihood that native forest will re-establish in areas damaged by the
hurricanes. This loss of habitat to storms is greatly exacerbated by an
expanding agricultural footprint. Agricultural plots on Tutuila have
spread from low elevation up to middle and some high elevations,
greatly reducing the forest area and thus reducing the resilience of
native forests and its populations of native snails. In an effort to
eradicate the giant African snail (Achatina fulica), the rosy carnivore
snail (Euglandina rosea) was introduced in 1980 and has spread
throughout the main island of Tutuila. Numerous studies show that the
rosy carnivore snail feeds on endemic island snails, including the
Tutuila snail, and is a major agent in their declines and extirpations.
Rats (Rattus spp) have also been shown to devastate snail populations
and rat-chewed snail shells have been found at sites where the Tutuila
snail occurs. At present, the major threat to the long-term survival of
the native snail fauna in American Samoa is predation by nonnative
predatory snails and rats. The magnitude of threats is high because
[[Page 69073]]
they result in direct mortality or significant population declines to
the Tutuila tree snail rangewide. The threats are also ongoing and thus
are imminent. Therefore, we assigned this species an LPN of 2.
Chupadera springsnail (Pyrgulopsis chupaderae)--The following
summary is based on information contained in our files and the petition
we received on November 20, 1985. See also our 12-month petition
finding published on October 4, 1988 (53 FR 38969). This aquatic
species is endemic to Willow Spring on the Willow Spring Ranch
(formerly Cienega Ranch) at the south end of the Chupadera Mountains in
Socorro County, New Mexico. The Chupadera springsnail has been
documented from two springs that flow through gravels containing sand,
mud, and hydrophytic plants. Regional and local groundwater depletion,
springrun dewatering, and riparian habitat degradation from livestock
grazing represent the principal threats. The survival and recovery of
the Chupadera springsnail is contingent upon protection of the riparian
corridor immediately adjacent to Willow Spring and the availability of
perennial, oxygenated flowing water within the species' thermal range.
Due to several factors, including the extremely localized distribution
of the snail, its occurrence only on private property, the lack of
regulatory protection of its habitat, and the inability of land
managers to participate in its management, the threats can cause
significant population declines of the Chupadera springsnail.
Therefore, the magnitude of the threats to this species is high. There
is an imminent threat to this species because the threats are ongoing
(e.g., grazing of cattle, water withdrawal, and fire). Due to the
continuing high magnitude and imminence of threats to this species, we
retain an LPN of 2 for this species.
Elongate mud meadows springsnail (Pyrgulopsis notidicola)--The
following summary is based on information contained in our files. No
new information was provided in the petition received on May 11, 2004.
Pyrgulopsis notidicola is endemic to Soldier Meadow, which is located
at the northern extreme of the western arm of the Black Rock Desert in
the transition zone between the Basin and Range Physiographic Province
and the Columbia Plateau Province, Humboldt County, Nevada. The type
locality, and the only known location of the species, occurs in a
stretch of thermal [between 45[deg] Celsius (C) (113[deg] Fahrenheit
(F)) and 32[deg] C (90[deg] F)] aquatic habitat that is approximately
300 m (984 ft) long and 2 m (6.7 ft) wide. Pyrgulopsis notidicola
occurs only in shallow, flowing water on gravel substrate. The species
does not occur in deep water (i.e. impoundments) where water velocity
is low, gravel substrate is absent, and sediment levels are high. The
present or threatened destruction, modification, or curtailment of its
habitat or range by recreational bathers in the thermal waters is the
greatest threat to the species. The small size of their habitat and
their limited range makes them highly susceptible to any factors that
negatively affect their habitat. A Recreational Management Plan was
established in 2004 and several actions have been implemented, but no
monitoring has taken place to evaluate the effectiveness of these
actions on removing the threats to the species. Based on imminent
threats of high magnitude, we assigned an LPN of 2 for this species.
Gila springsnail (Pyrgulopsis gilae)--The following summary is
based on information contained in our files and the petition we
received on November 20, 1985. Also see our 12-month petition finding
published on October 4, 1988 (53 FR 38969). The Gila springsnail is an
aquatic species known from 13 populations in New Mexico. The long-term
persistence of the Gila springsnail is contingent upon protection of
the riparian corridor immediately adjacent to springhead and springrun
habitats. Sites on both private and Federal lands are subject to levels
of recreational use and livestock grazing that negatively affect this
species, thus placing the long-term survival of the Gila springsnail at
risk. Natural events such as drought, forest fire, sedimentation, and
flooding; wetland habitat degradation by recreational bathing in
thermal springs; and poor watershed management practices represent the
primary threats to the Gila springsnail. Fire suppression activities
and fire retardant chemicals have potentially deleterious effects on
this species. Because several of the springs occur on U.S. Forest
Service land, management options for the protection of the snail should
be possible. However, randomly occurring events, especially fire and
drought, could have a major impact on the species. Moderate use by
recreationalists and livestock is ongoing. If these uses remain at
current or lower levels, they will not pose an imminent threat to the
species. Of greater concern is drought, which could affect spring
discharge and increases the potential for fire. Although the effect
global climate change may have on streams and forests of the Southwest
is unpredictable, mean annual temperature in New Mexico has increased
by 0.6 degrees per decade since 1970. Higher temperatures lead to
higher evaporation rates which may reduce the amount of runoff and
groundwater recharge. Increased temperatures may also increase the
extent of area influenced by drought and fire. Large fires have
occurred in the Gila National Forest and subsequent floods and ash
flows have severely affected aquatic life in streams. If the drought
continues or worsens, the imminence of threats from decreased discharge
or fire will increase. Based on these nonimminent threats that are
currently of a low magnitude, we retain an LPN of 11 for this species.
Gonzales springsnail (Tryonia circumstriata)--See paragraph above
under Diamond Y Spring snail (Pseudotryonia adamantina).
Huachuca springsnail (Pyrgulopsis thompsoni)--See above in
``Summary of Listing Priority Changes in Candidates.'' The above is
based on information from our files. No new information was provided in
the petition we received on May 11, 2004.
New Mexico springsnail (Pyrgulopsis thermalis)--The following
summary is based on information contained in our files and the petition
received on November 20, 1985. Also see our 12-month petition finding
published on October 4, 1988 (53 FR 38969). The New Mexico springsnail
is an aquatic species known from only two separate populations
associated with a series of spring-brook systems along the Gila River
in the Gila National Forest in Grant County, New Mexico. The long-term
persistence of the New Mexico springsnail is contingent upon protection
of the riparian corridor immediately adjacent to springhead and
springrun habitats. Although the New Mexico springsnail populations may
be stable, the sites inhabited by the species are subject to levels of
recreational use and livestock grazing that can negatively affect this
species. Moderate use by recreationalists and livestock is ongoing. If
these uses remain at the current or lower levels, they will not pose an
imminent threat to the species. Of greater concern is drought, which
could affect spring discharge and increases the potential for fire.
Although the effect global climate change may have on streams and
forests of the Southwest is unpredictable, mean annual temperature in
New Mexico has increased by 0.6 degrees per decade since 1970. Higher
temperatures lead to higher evaporation rates which may reduce the
amount of runoff and groundwater recharge. Increased
[[Page 69074]]
temperatures may also increase the extent of area influenced by drought
and fire. Large fires have occurred in the Gila National Forest and
subsequent floods and ash flows have severely affected aquatic life in
streams. If the drought continues or worsens, the imminence of threats
from decreased discharge and fire will increase. Based on these
nonimminent threats of a low magnitude, we retain an LPN of 11 for this
springsnail.
Page springsnail (Pyrgulopsis morrisoni)--See above in ``Summary of
Listing Priority Changes in Candidates.'' The above summary is based on
information from our files. No new information was provided in the
petition received on May 11, 2004.
Three Forks springsnail (Pyrgulopsis trivialis)--The following
summary is based on information from our files. No new information was
provided in the petition we received on May 11, 2004. The Three Forks
springsnail is an endemic species with distribution limited to the
Three Forks Springs and Boneyard Springs spring complexes in the North
Fork East Fork Black River Watershed of east-central Arizona. The
springsnail was known from free-flowing spring heads, concrete boxed
spring heads, spring runs, and spring seepage at these sites. The
primary threats include habitat modification from recreational
activities, damage from elk wallowing, and predation from nonnative
crayfish. The population at Three Forks appears to be nearly extirpated
following a fire retardant drop in 2004. The Arizona Game and Fish
Department currently maintains an active monitoring program for the
Three Forks springsnail in cooperation with the Service and U.S. Forest
Service. This program includes population monitoring, habitat sampling,
and removal of nonnative predatory crayfish. However, in the absence of
a comprehensive management strategy to effectively address the threat
from elk, crayfish, and fire suppression in the long-term, the threats
are ongoing and therefore, imminent. The magnitude of threats is high,
because limited distribution of this narrow endemic makes any impact
from the threats likely to result in the extinction of the species.
Therefore, we retain an LPN of 2 for the Three Forks springsnail.
Insects
Wekiu bug (Nysius wekiuicola)--The following summary is based on
information contained in our files. No new information was provided in
the petition we received on May 11, 2004. The wekiu bug belongs to the
true bug family, Lygaeidae, and is endemic to the island of Hawaii.
This species only occurs on the summit of Mauna Kea and feeds upon
other insect species which are blown to the summit of this large
volcano. The wekiu bug is primarily threatened by the loss of its
habitat from astronomy development. In 2004 and early 2005, surveys
were conducted that found multiple new locations of the wekiu bug on
the Mauna Kea summit. Several of these cinder cones within the Mauna
Kea Science Reserve, as well as two other cinder cones located in the
State Ice Age Natural Area Reserve, are not currently undergoing
development nor is development planned. With the discovery of these new
locations, the threats, though ongoing, do not occur across the entire
range of the wekiu bug. The immediacy of the threats is imminent in
some parts of the wekiu bug's range because ongoing development is
occurring. Although the threats are ongoing and therefore imminent in
some areas of wekiu bug habitat, the recent discoveries of new
locations of the wekiu bug in areas that are not subject to the primary
threat of astronomy development reduces the magnitude of the threat
from high to moderate. Therefore, we assigned this species an LPN of 8.
Mariana eight spot butterfly (Hypolimnas octucula mariannensis)--
The following summary is based on information contained in our files.
No new information was provided in the petition we received on May 11,
2004. The Mariana eight spot butterfly is a nymphalid butterfly species
that feeds upon two host plants, Procris pedunculata and Elatostema
calcareum. Endemic to the islands of Guam and Saipan, the species is
now known from ten populations on Guam. This species is currently
threatened by predation and parasitism. The Mariana eight spot
butterfly has extremely high mortality of eggs and larvae due to
predation by alien ants and wasps. Because the threat of parasitism and
predation by nonnative insects occur range-wide and can cause
significant population declines to this species, they are high in
magnitude. The threats are imminent because they are ongoing.
Therefore, we assigned an LPN of 3 for this subspecies.
Mariana wandering butterfly (Vagrans egestina)--The following
summary is based on information contained in our files. No new
information was provided in the petition we received on May 11, 2004.
The Mariana wandering butterfly is a nymphalid butterfly species which
feeds upon a single host plant species, Maytenus thompsonii. Originally
known from and endemic to the islands of Guam and Rota, the species is
now known from one population on Rota. This species is currently
threatened by alien predation and parasitism. The Mariana wandering
butterfly is likely predated on by alien ants and parasitized by native
and nonnative parasitoids. Because the threat of parasitism and
predation by nonnative insects occur range-wide and can cause
significant population declines to this species, they are high in
magnitude. These threats are imminent because they are ongoing.
Therefore, we assigned an LPN of 2 for this species.
Miami blue butterfly (Cyclargus thomasi bethunebakeri)--The
following summary is based on information contained in our files and in
the petition we received on June 15, 2000. The Miami blue is endemic to
south Florida. Historically, it occurred throughout the Florida Keys,
north to Hillsborough and Volusia Counties. None were reported to be
found between 1996 and 1999, but it is presently located at two sites
in the Keys. In 1999, a population was discovered at Bahia Honda State
Park on Bahia Honda Key and in 2006 a second population was discovered
on the outer islands of Key West National Wildlife Refuge. The former
appears restricted to several 100 individuals at most, while the latter
likely includes at least 1,500 individuals. Capacity to expand at
either site or successfully emigrate from either site appears to be
very low due to the sedentary nature of the butterfly and isolation of
habitats. The actual area of occupied habitat has not yet been defined.
Captive propagation and reintroduction efforts are continuing with some
success. The Miami blue is predominantly a coastal species, occurring
in disturbed and early successional habitats such as the edges of
tropical hardwood hammock, coastal berm forest, and along trails and
other open sunny areas, and historically in pine rocklands. These
habitats provide larval host plants and adult nectar sources that are
required to occur in close proximity. The magnitude of threat is high
for this species, due to interacting risks associated with limited
population size and range (and loss of historical range), hurricanes,
and mosquito control activities. In addition, illegal collection may
also pose a threat. Except for hurricanes, the threats are nonimminent
because the current range is within a State park and National Wildlife
Refuge, wherein the above threats are substantially controlled.
Therefore, the Miami blue is assigned an LPN of 6.
Sequatchie caddisfly (Glyphopsyche sequatchie)--The following
summary is based on information in our files. No new information was
provided in the petition we received on May 11, 2004.
[[Page 69075]]
The Sequatchie caddisfly is known from two spring runs that emerge from
caves in Marion County, Tennessee--Owen Spring Branch and Martin Spring
run in the Battle Creek system. The Owen Spring Branch population
occurs within Sequatchie Cave Park, which is a Class II Natural-
Scientific State Natural Area, thus providing statutory protection from
collection for the population in Owen Spring Branch. In spite of
greater amounts of suitable habitat at the Martin Spring run,
Sequatchie caddisflies are more difficult to find at this site.
Biologists estimated population sizes at 500 to 5000 individuals for
Owen Spring Branch and 2 to 10 times higher at Martin Spring, due to
the greater amount of apparently suitable habitat. More recently, Dr.
David Etnier reported that the Sequatchie caddisfly was abundant at the
Owens Spring Branch location during observations in 2001, while only
two individuals were observed at the Martin Spring locale. The primary
threats to Sequatchie caddisfly include its extremely limited
distribution, apparent small population size, the limited amount of
occupied habitat, and the ease of accessibility. These threats are
gradual and/or not necessarily imminent but are of a high magnitude;
therefore, we assigned this species an LPN of 5.
Clifton cave beetle (Pseudanophthalmus caecus)--The following
summary is based upon information in our files. No new information was
provided in the petition we received on May 11, 2004. Clifton cave
beetle is a small, eyeless, reddish-brown predatory insect that feeds
upon small cave invertebrates. It is cave dependent and is not found
outside the cave environment. Clifton cave beetle is only known from
two privately owned Kentucky caves. Soon after the species was first
collected in 1963, the entrance to the cave was enclosed due to road
construction. Other caves in the vicinity of this cave were surveyed
for the species during 1995-1996. Only one additional site was found to
support the Clifton cave beetle. It can not be determined at this time
if the species still occurs at the original location or if the species
has been extirpated from the site by the closure of the cave entrance.
The limestone caves in which this species are found provide a unique
and fragile environment that supports a variety of species that have
evolved to survive and reproduce under the demanding conditions found
in cave ecosystems. The limited distribution of the species makes it
vulnerable to isolated events that would only have a minimal effect on
the more wide-ranging insects. Events such as toxic chemical spills,
discharges of large amounts of polluted water or indirect impacts from
off-site construction activities, closure of entrances, alteration of
entrances, or the creation of new entrances could have serious adverse
impacts on this species. The magnitude of threat is high for this
species due to its limited distribution. The immediacy of threat is
nonimminent because there are no known projects planned that would
affect the species in the next 1-2 years; we therefore have assigned an
LPN of 5 to this species.
Icebox cave beetle (Pseudanophthalmus frigidus)--The following
summary is based upon information in our files. No new information was
provided in the petition we received on May 11, 2004. Icebox cave
beetle is a small, eyeless, reddish-brown predatory insect that feeds
upon small cave invertebrates. It is cave dependent and is not found
outside the cave environment. Icebox cave beetle is only known from one
privately owned Kentucky cave. The limestone cave in which this species
is found provides a unique and fragile environment that supports a
variety of species that have evolved to survive and reproduce under the
demanding conditions found in cave ecosystems. The species has not been
observed since it was originally collected from the only site known to
support the species, but species experts believe that it may still
exist there in low numbers. The limited distribution of the species
makes it vulnerable to isolated events that would only have a minimal
effect on the more wide-ranging insects. Events such as toxic chemical
spills or discharges of large amounts of polluted water, or indirect
impacts from off-site construction activities, closure of entrances,
alteration of entrances, or the creation of new entrances, could have
serious adverse impacts on this species. The magnitude of threat is
high for this species due to its limited distribution. The immediacy of
threat is nonimminent because there are no known projects planned that
would affect the species in the next 1-2 years; we therefore have
assigned an LPN of 5 to this species.
Inquirer cave beetle (Pseudanophthalmus inquisitor)--The following
summary is based upon information in our files. No new information was
provided in the petition we received on May 11, 2004. The inquirer cave
beetle is a fairly small, eyeless, reddish-brown predatory insect that
feeds upon small cave invertebrates. It is cave dependent and is not
found outside the cave environment. The inquirer cave beetle is only
known from one privately owned Tennessee cave. The limestone cave in
which this species is found provides a unique and fragile environment
that supports a variety of species that have evolved to survive and
reproduce under the demanding conditions found in cave ecosystems. The
species was last observed in 2006. The limited distribution of the
species makes it vulnerable to isolated events that would only have a
minimal effect on the more wide-ranging insects. The area around the
only known site for the species is in a rapidly expanding urban area
and indirect impacts, such as chemical or other pollution, could
significantly impact both the cave and the species the cave supports.
The entrance to the cave is protected by the landowner through a
cooperative management agreement with the Service, The Nature
Conservancy and Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency; however, a
sinkhole that drains into the cave system is located away from the
protected entrance and is near a highway. Events such as toxic chemical
spills, discharges of large amounts of polluted water or indirect
impacts from off-site construction activities could adversely affect
the species. The magnitude of threat is high for this species due to
its limited distribution. The immediacy of threat is nonimminent
because there are no known projects planned that would affect the
species in the next 1-2 years and it receives some protection under a
cooperative management agreement; we therefore have assigned an LPN of
5 to this species.
Louisville cave beetle (Pseudanophthalmus troglodytes)--The
following summary is based upon information in our files. No new
information was provided in the petition we received on May 11, 2004.
The Louisville cave beetle is a small, eyeless, reddish-brown predatory
insect that feeds upon cave invertebrates. It is cave dependent and is
not found outside the cave environment. Louisville cave beetle is only
known from two privately owned Kentucky caves. The limestone caves in
which this species are found provide a unique and fragile environment
that supports a variety of species that have evolved to survive and
reproduce under the demanding conditions found in cave ecosystems. The
limited distribution of the species makes it vulnerable to isolated
events that would only have a minimal effect on the more wide-ranging
insects. Events such as toxic chemical spills, discharges of large
[[Page 69076]]
amounts of polluted water or indirect impacts from off-site
construction activities, closure of entrances, alteration of entrances,
or the creation of new entrances could have serious adverse impacts on
this species. The magnitude of threat is high for this species, given
its narrow distribution. The immediacy of threat is nonimminent because
there are no known projects planned that would affect the species in
the next 1-2 years; we therefore have assigned an LPN of 5 to this
species.
Tatum Cave beetle (Pseudanophthalmus parvus)--The following summary
is based upon information in our files. No new information was provided
in the petition we received on May 11, 2004. Tatum Cave beetle is a
small, eyeless, reddish-brown predatory insect that feeds upon cave
invertebrates. It is cave dependent and is not found outside the cave
environment. Tatum Cave beetle is only known from one privately owned
Kentucky cave. The limestone cave in which this species is found
provides a unique and fragile environment that supports a variety of
species that have evolved to survive and reproduce under the demanding
conditions found in cave ecosystems. The species has not been observed
since 1965, but species experts believe that it still exists in low
numbers. The limited distribution of the species makes it vulnerable to
isolated events that would only have a minimal effect on the more wide-
ranging insects. Events such as toxic chemical spills or discharges of
large amounts of polluted water, or indirect impacts from off-site
construction activities, closure of entrances, alteration of entrances,
or the creation of new entrances could have serious adverse impacts on
this species. The magnitude of threat is high for this species, because
its limited numbers mean that any threats could affect its continued
existence. The immediacy of threat is non-imminent because there are no
known projects planned that would affect the species in the next 1-2
years; we therefore have assigned an LPN of 5 to this species.
Taylor's (Whulge, Edith's) checkerspot butterfly (Euphydryas editha
taylori)--The following summary is based on information from our files
and in the petition received on December 11, 2002. Historically, the
Taylor's checkerspot butterfly was known from 70 locations: 23 in
British Columbia, 34 in Washington, and 13 in Oregon. Following surveys
during the 2007 flight period, 11 populations were known, with a total
of about 2,500-3,000 individuals observed rangewide. Currently, eight
populations are known from Washington, two of which are in the
Willamette Valley of Oregon, and a new location was discovered in
British Columbia, Canada, in 2005. The species had not been detected in
Canada since 2000, and many negative surveys were conducted until the
species was found at a new location on Denman Island, British Columbia.
The size and location of the populations may shift from year to year.
Most populations are small, usually with fewer than 5 or 10 butterflies
detected; one population on Department of Defense land had more than
1,000 individuals in 2006, but this was an exception.
Threats include degradation and destruction of native grasslands to
agriculture, residential and commercial development, encroachment by
nonnative plants; succession from grasslands to native shrubs and
trees, and fire. The grassland ecosystem on which this subspecies
depends requires annual management to maintain suitable grassland
habitat for the species. Application of Bacillus thuringiensis var.
kurstake (Btk) for Asian gypsy moth control likely contributed to
extirpation of the subspecies at three locations in Pierce County,
Washington. The use of Btk continues to be a threat if it is used in
areas in proximity to native prairies. The magnitude of threats is high
because of the extremely small number of populations, the size of
remaining populations, and the collapse in the species' distribution;
many of the numerous threats could occur simultaneously and affect most
of the populations. Threats are imminent because many are ongoing. We
assigned the Taylor's checkerspot butterfly an LPN of 3.
Blackline Hawaiian damselfly (Megalagrion nigrohamatum
nigrolineatum)--The following summary is based on information contained
in our files. No new information was provided in the petition we
received on May 11, 2004. The blackline Hawaiian damselfly is a stream-
dwelling damselfly species endemic to the island of Oahu, Hawaii. Once
known from throughout Oahu, the species is now restricted to 16 streams
within the Koolau Mountains. This species is threatened by predation
from alien aquatic species such as fish and predacious insects and
habitat loss through dewatering of streams and invasive nonnative
plants. Nonnative fish and insects prey on the naiads of the damselfly
and loss of water reduces the amount of suitable naiad habitat
available. Invasive plants (e.g. California grass (Brachiaria mutica))
also contribute to loss of habitat by forming dense, monotypic stands
that completely eliminate any open water. These threats are occurring
in varying degrees rangewide for the blackline Hawaiian damselfly.
Although there are no efforts being done to control or eradicate
nonnative fish or insects or to stop the loss of habitat, the 16
streams are widely dispersed on both sides of the mountain range and
are highly unlikely to experience complete loss of populations at the
same time. Therefore the magnitude of the threats is moderate. Threats
to the blackline Hawaiian damselfly from loss of habitat and introduced
nonnative fish and insects are ongoing and therefore are imminent.
Therefore, we assigned this subspecies an LPN of 9.
Crimson Hawaiian damselfly (Megalagrion leptodemas)--We have not
updated our candidate assessment for this species, as we are currently
developing a proposed listing rule.
Flying earwig Hawaiian damselfly (Megalagrion nesiotes)--We have
not updated our candidate assessment for this species, as we are
currently developing a proposed listing rule.
Oceanic Hawaiian damselfly (Megalagrion oceanicum)--We have not
updated our candidate assessment for this species, as we are currently
developing a proposed listing rule.
Orangeblack Hawaiian damselfly (Megalagrion xanthomelas)--The
following summary is based on information contained in our files. No
new information was provided in the petition we received on May 11,
2004. Megalagrion xanthomelas is a stream-dwelling damselfly species
endemic to the Hawaiian Islands of Kauai, Oahu, Molokai, Maui, Lanai,
and Hawaii. The species is now restricted to 16 populations on the
islands of Oahu, Maui, Molokai, Lanai, and Hawaii. This species is
threatened by predation from alien aquatic species such as fish and
predacious insects and habitat loss through dewatering of streams and
invasion by nonnative plants. Nonnative fish and insects prey on the
naiads of the damselfly and loss of water reduces the amount of
suitable naiad habitat available. Invasive plants (e.g. California
grass (Brachiaria mutica)) also contribute to loss of habitat by
forming dense, monotypic stands that completely eliminate any open
water. Nonnative fish and plants are found in all the streams the
orangeblack damselfly occur in, except the Oahu location, where there
are no nonnative fish. We assigned this species an LPN of 8 because
though the threats are ongoing and therefore imminent, they occur in
varying degrees throughout the range of
[[Page 69077]]
the species and are considered of moderate magnitude.
Pacific Hawaiian damselfly (Megalagrion pacificum)--We have not
updated our candidate assessment for this species, as we are currently
developing a proposed listing rule.
Picture-wing fly (Drosophila attigua)--We have not updated our
candidate assessment for this species, as we are currently developing a
proposed listing rule.
Picture-wing fly (Drosophila digressa)--The following summary is
based on information contained in our files. No new information was
provided in the petition we received on May 11, 2004, but new
information was provided by one Drosophila expert in 2006. This
picture-wing fly, a member of the family Drosophilidae, feeds only upon
species of Charpentiera, and is endemic to the Hawaiian Island of
Hawaii. Never abundant in number of individuals observed, D. digressa
was originally known from 5 population sites and may now be limited to
as few as 1 or 2 sites. Due to the small population size of the species
and its small known habitat area, Drosophila researchers believe this
species and its habitat are particularly vulnerable to a myriad of
threats. Feral ungulates (pigs, goats, and cattle) degrade and destroy
D. digressa host plants and habitat by directly trampling plants,
facilitating erosion, and spreading nonnative plant seeds. Nonnative
plants degrade host plant habitat and compete for light, space, and
nutrients. Direct predation of D. digressa by nonnative social insects,
particularly yellow jacket wasps, is also a serious threat.
Additionally, this species faces competition at the larval stage from
non-native tipulid flies, which feed within the same portion of the
decomposing host plant area normally occupied by the D. digressa larvae
during their development with a resulting reduction in available host
plant material. The threats to the native forest habitat of Drosophila
digressa, and to individuals of this species, occur throughout its
range and are expected to continue or increase without their control or
eradication, and are considered imminent, because they are ongoing. No
known conservation measures have been taken to date to specifically
address these threats, and we have therefore assigned this species an
LPN of 2.
Stephan's riffle beetle (Heterelmis stephani)--See above in
``Summary of Listing Priority Changes in Candidates.'' The above
summary is based on information from our files. No new information was
provided in the petition received on May 11, 2004.
Dakota skipper (Hesperia dacotae)--See above in ``Summary of
Listing Priority Changes in Candidates.'' The above summary is based on
information contained in our files, including information from the
petition received on May 12, 2003.
Mardon skipper (Polites mardon)--The following summary is based on
information contained in our files and the petition we received on
December 24, 2002. The Mardon skipper is a rare northwestern butterfly
with a remarkably disjunct range. Currently this species is known from
four widely separated regions: south Puget Sound region, southern
Washington Cascades, Siskiyou Mountains of southern Oregon, and coastal
northwestern California. The number of documented locations for the
species has increased from less than 10 in 1997 to more than 50
rangewide in 2007. However, most populations for Mardon skipper are
extremely small, and approximately 10 locations have populations with
more than 50 individuals. The Mardon skipper spends its entire life
cycle in one location, often on the same grassland patch. The dispersal
ability for Mardon skipper is restricted. Threats include habitat loss
and degradation due to development, overgrazing, use of herbicides and
pesticides, encroachment of nonnative and native vegetation, succession
from grassland to forest, fire suppression; direct loss of individuals
due to fire; recreational activities; insect collecting; and random,
naturally occurring events. The species' limited dispersal ability
restricts the likelihood of recolonization once a population is lost.
The likelihood of Mardon skippers dispersing between suitable habitat
patches in a fragmented landscape is low. The magnitude of threats is
high because of the small population sizes and disjunct distribution of
the species that limits its ability to disperse. Loss of any of the
populations could threaten the continued existence of the species
within each of its disjunct population centers. It would be unlikely
that any threat would affect all known locales simultaneously. Overall,
the threats are nonimminent because the threats are not currently
occurring at all known population sites. We assign an LPN of 5 to the
Mardon skipper.
Coral Pink Sand Dunes tiger beetle (Cicindela limbata albissima)--
See above in ``Summary of Listing Priority Changes in Candidates.'' The
above summary is based on information contained in our files, including
information from the petition we received on April 21, 1994.
Highlands tiger beetle (Cicindela highlandensis)--The following
summary is based on information in our files. No new information was
provided in the petition we received on May 11, 2004. The Highlands
tiger beetle is narrowly distributed and restricted to areas of bare
sand within upland oak scrub and pine vegetation on the ancient sand
dunes of the Lake Wales Ridge in Polk and Highlands Counties, Florida.
Adult tiger beetles have been found at 40 sites from near Haines City
south to Josephine Creek. In 2004-2005 surveys, biologists found a
total of 1,574 adults at 40 sites, compared with 643 adults at 31 sites
in 1996, 928 adults at 31 sites in 1995, and 742 adults at 21 sites in
1993. Of the 40 sites in the 2004-2005 surveys with one or more adults:
3 sites were found to have large populations of over 100 adults
[Catfish Creek Preserve (493), Snell Creek South (193), and Flaming
Arrow Scout Camp (175)]; 3 sites had populations of 50-99 adults; 8
sites had 20-49 adults, 13 sites had 10-19 adults, and 13 sites had
fewer than 10 adults. Results from a limited removal study at four
sites suggest that the actual population size at the various survey
sites is likely to be as much as two times as high as indicated by the
visual index counts. Lack of fire to create open sand, pesticide use,
small population sizes, and over-collecting pose serious threats to
this species. Because this species is narrowly distributed with
specific habitat requirements and small populations, the magnitude of
threats is high. Although the majority of its historic range has been
lost, degraded, and fragmented, numerous sites are protected and land
managers are implementing prescribed fire, which should restore habitat
and help reduce threats. Overall, the threats are nonimminent.
Therefore, we assigned the Highlands tiger beetle an LPN of 5.
Arachnids
Warton cave meshweaver (Cicurina wartoni)--The following summary is
based on information from our files. No new information was received
since the last Candidate Notice of Review published on September 12,
2006, or was provided in the petition we received on May 11, 2004.
Warton Cave meshweaver is an eyeless, cave-dwelling, unpigmented, 0.25-
inch long invertebrate known only from female specimens. This
meshweaver is known to occur in only one cave (Pickle Pit) in Travis
County, Texas. Primary threats to the species and its habitat are
predation and competition from fire ants and surface and subsurface
effects from runoff from an adjacent subdivision.
[[Page 69078]]
The magnitude of threats is considered high, because the single
location for this species makes it highly vulnerable to extinction. The
threats are imminent, because fire ants are known to occur in the
vicinity of the cave, and impacts to the cave from runoff and human
activities are an imminent threat. Thus, we assign an LPN of 2 to this
species.
Crustaceans
Anchialine pool shrimp (Metabetaeus lohena)--The following summary
is based on information contained in our files. No new information was
provided in the petition we received on May 11, 2004. Metabetaeus
lohena is an anchialine pool-inhabiting species of shrimp belonging to
the family Alpheidae. This species is endemic to the Hawaiian Islands
and is currently known from populations on the islands of Oahu, Maui,
and Hawaii. The primary threats to this species are predation by fish
(which do not naturally occur in the pools inhabited by this species)
and habitat loss from degradation. The pools where this species occurs
on Maui and Hawaii Island are located within State Natural Area
Reserves (NAR). Hawaii's State statutes prohibit the collection of the
species and the disturbance of the pools in State NARs. The pools where
this species occurs on the island of Oahu do not receive protection
from collection of the species or disturbance of the pools. Enforcement
of collection and disturbance prohibitions is difficult, and the
negative effects from the introduction of fish are extensive and happen
quickly. Therefore, threats to this species are of a high magnitude.
However, we consider the primary threats of predation from fish and
loss of habitat due to degradation to be nonimminent, because no fish
were observed in any of the pools where this species occurs and there
has been no documented dumping in the pools this species occurs in on
the islands of Maui or Hawaii. Only one site on Oahu had a dumping
instance, and in that case the dumping was cleaned up and the species
subsequently returned. No additional dumping events are known to have
occurred. Therefore, we assigned this species an LPN of 5.
Anchialine pool shrimp (Palaemonella burnsi)--The following summary
is based on information contained in our files. No new information was
provided in the petition we received on May 11, 2004. Palaemonella
burnsi is an anchialine pool-inhabiting species of shrimp belonging to
the family Palaemonidae. This species is endemic to the Hawaiian
Islands and is currently known from three populations on the island of
Maui and one population on the island of Hawaii. The primary threats to
this species are predation by fish (which do not naturally occur in the
pools inhabited by this species) and habitat loss due to degradation.
The pools where this species occurs on Maui are located within a State
Natural Area Reserve (NAR). Hawaii's State statutes prohibit the
collection of the species and the disturbance of the pools in State
NARs. On the island of Hawaii, the species occurs within a National
Park, and collection and disturbance are also prohibited. However,
enforcement of these prohibitions is difficult, and the negative
effects from the introduction of fish are extensive and happen quickly.
Therefore, threats to this species are of high magnitude. However,
threats are considered nonimminent, because a 2004 survey did not find
fish in the pools where these shrimp occur on Maui or the island of
Hawaii, and there was no evidence of recent habitat degradation.
Therefore, the threats of predation from fish and habitat degradation
are nonimminent, and we assigned this species an LPN of 5.
Anchialine pool shrimp (Procaris hawaiana)--The following summary
is based on information contained in our files. No new information was
provided in the petition we received on May 11, 2004. Procaris hawaiana
is an anchialine pool-inhabiting species of shrimp belonging to the
family Procarididae. This species is endemic to the Hawaiian Islands
and is currently known from two populations on the island of Maui and
one population on the island of Hawaii. The primary threats to this
species are predation from fish (which do not naturally occur in the
pools inhabited by this species) and habitat loss due to degradation.
The pools where this species occurs on Maui are located within a State
Natural Area Reserve (NAR). Hawaii's State statutes prohibit the
collection of the species and the disturbance of the pools in State
NARs. However, enforcement of these prohibitions is difficult and the
negative effects from the introduction of fish are extensive and happen
quickly. There are no conservation efforts underway to alleviate the
potential for any of these threats in the one pool on the island of
Hawaii. Therefore, threats to this species remain at high magnitude.
However, the threats to the species are nonimminent because, during a
2004 survey, no fish were observed in the pools where these shrimp
occur on Maui and no fish were observed in the one pool on the island
of Hawaii during a site visit in 2005. In addition, there were no signs
of dumping or fill in any of the pools where the species occurs.
Therefore, we assigned this species an LPN of 5.
Anchialine pool shrimp (Vetericaris chaceorum)--The following
summary is based on information contained in our files. No new
information was provided in the petition we received on May 11, 2004.
Vetericaris chaceorum is an anchialine pool-inhabiting species of
shrimp belonging to the family Procarididae; it is the only species in
its genus. This species is endemic to the Hawaiian Islands and is only
known from one population in a single pool on the island of Hawaii. The
primary threats to this species are predation from nonnative fish and
habitat degradation and contamination from illegal trash dumping. This
species would be highly vulnerable to predation by any intentionally or
accidentally introduced fish, or contamination from illegal dumping
into its single known location. This pool lies within lands
administered by the State of Hawaii Department of Hawaiian Home Lands.
The threats to Vetericaris chaceorum from habitat degradation and
destruction, and predation by nonnative fish are of high magnitude,
because this species occurs in only one pool. All individuals of this
species may be adversely impacted by a single dumping of trash or
release of nonnative fish in its only known pool. However, the threats
are nonimminent, as fish have not been introduced into the pool (nor is
there any reason to believe that introduction is imminent) and a site
visit in early 2005 showed there were no signs of dumping or fill.
Therefore we assigned this species an LPN of 4 because the threats are
of high magnitude though nonimminent, and the species is in a monotypic
genus.
Troglobitic groundwater shrimp (Typhlatya monae)--See above in
``Summary of Listing Priority Changes in Candidates.'' The above
summary is based on information contained in our files, including
information from the petition we received on May 11, 2004.
Flowering plants
Abronia alpina (Ramshaw Meadows sand-verbena)--See above in
``Summary of Listing Priority Changes in Candidates.'' The above
summary is based on information in our files. No new information was
provided in the petition we received on May 11, 2004.
Arabis georgiana (Georgia rockcress)--The following summary is
based on information contained in our files. No new information was
provided in the petition we received on May 11, 2004. The Georgia
rockcress grows in a
[[Page 69079]]
variety of dry situations, including shallow soil accumulations on
rocky bluffs, ecotones of gently sloping rock outcrops, and in sandy
loam along eroding river banks. It is occasionally found in adjacent
mesic woods, but it will not persist in heavily shaded conditions.
Currently a total of 20 populations are known from the Gulf Coastal
Plain, Piedmont, and Ridge and Valley physiographic provinces of
Alabama and Georgia. Populations of this species typically have a
limited number of individuals over a small area. Habitat degradation,
more than outright habitat destruction, is the most serious threat to
the continued existence of this species. Disturbance, associated with
timber harvesting, road building, and grazing has created favorable
conditions for the invasion of exotic weeds, especially Japanese
honeysuckle (Lonicera japonica), in this species' habitat. Eight
populations are currently or potentially threatened by the presence of
exotics. The heritage programs in Alabama and Georgia have initiated
plans for exotic control at several populations. The magnitude of
threats to this species is moderate to low due to the number of
populations (20) across multiple counties in two states and the nature
of the threats. However, since a number of the populations are
currently being affected by nonnative plants, the threat is imminent.
Thus, we assigned an LPN of 8 to this species.
Argythamnia blodgettii (Blodgett's silverbush)--The following
summary is based on information in our files. No new information was
provided in the petition we received on May 11, 2004. Blodgett's
silverbush is found in open, sunny areas in pine rockland, edges of
rockland hammock, edges of coastal berm, and sometimes disturbed areas
at the edges of natural areas. Plants can be found growing from
crevices on limestone, or on sand. The pine rockland habitat where it
occurs in Miami-Dade County and the Florida Keys requires periodic
fires to maintain habitat with a minimum amount of hardwoods. Based
upon available data, there are approximately 27 extant occurrences, 12
in Monroe County and 15 in Miami-Dade County; many occurrences are on
conservation lands; however, 4-5 sites are recently thought to be
extirpated or destroyed. The estimated population size of Blodgett's
silverbush in the Florida Keys, excluding Big Pine Key, is roughly
11,000; the estimated population in Miami-Dade County is 375 to 13,650
plants. Blodgett's silverbush is threatened by habitat loss, which is
exacerbated by habitat degradation due to fire suppression, the
difficulty of applying prescribed fire to pine rocklands, and threats
from exotic plants. Remaining habitats are fragmented. Threats such as
road maintenance, road enhancement, infrastructure, and illegal dumping
threaten some populations. Blodgett's silverbush is vulnerable to
natural disturbances, such as hurricanes, tropical storms, and storm
surges. Sea level rise is a long-term threat that will continue; it is
expected to continue to affect pine rocklands and ultimately reduce the
extent of available habitat, especially in the Keys. Overall, the
magnitude of threats is moderate and the threats are nonimminent. Thus,
we assigned an LPN of 11 to this species.
Artemisia campestris var. wormskioldii (Northern wormwood)--The
following summary is based on information from our files. No new
information was provided in the petition we received on May 11, 2004.
Historically known from eight sites, northern wormwood is currently
known from only two populations in Klickitat and Grant Counties,
Washington. This plant is restricted to exposed basalt, cobbly-sandy
terraces, and sand habitat along the shore and on islands in the
Columbia River. The two sites are separated by 200 miles (322
kilometers) of the Columbia River and three large hydroelectric dams.
The Klickitat County population is declining; it is unclear whether the
Grant County population is stable or declining, but it is vulnerable to
environmental variability. Surveys of apparently suitable habitat along
the Hanford Reach have not detected any additional plants.
Threats to northern wormwood include direct loss of suitable
habitat through regulation of water levels in the Columbia River and
placement of riprap along the river bank; trampling of plants as a
result of recreational use; competition with non-native invasive
species; burial by wind and water-borne sediments; a small population
size that makes both sites susceptible to genetic drift and inbreeding;
and the potential for hybridization with two other species of
Artemisia. Ongoing conservation actions have reduced trampling, but
have not eliminated or reduced the other threats at the Grant County
site. The magnitude of threat is high for this subspecies, because the
only two remaining populations are widely separated and distributed
such that one or both populations could be eliminated by a single
disturbance. The threats are imminent, because recreational use is
ongoing, invasive nonnative species occur at both sites, erosion of the
substrate is ongoing at the Klickitat County site, and high water flows
are random, naturally occurring events that may occur unpredictably in
any year. Therefore, we have retained an LPN of 3 for this subspecies.
Astelia waialealae (Pa[revaps]iniu)--We have not updated our
candidate assessment as we are currently developing a proposed listing
rule for this species.
Astragalus tortipes (Sleeping Ute milkvetch)--The following summary
is based on information contained in our files. No new information was
provided in the petition we received on May 11, 2004. Sleeping Ute
milkvetch is a perennial plant that grows only on the Smokey Hills
layer of the Mancos Shale Formation on the Ute Mountain Ute Indian
Reservation in Montezuma County, Colorado. In 2000, 3,744 plants were
recorded at 24 locations covering 500 acres within an overall range of
64,000 acres. Available information from 2000 indicates that the
species remains stable. Recently, the Tribe expressed interest in
conducting new surveys and initiating protection for the species.
Previous and ongoing threats from borrow pit excavation, off-highway
vehicles, irrigation canal construction, and a prairie dog colony have
had minor impacts that reduced the range and number of plants by small
amounts. Off-highway vehicle use of the habitat is reportedly
increasing. Oil and gas development is active in the general area, but
we have received no information from the tribe to indicate whether
there is development within the habitat for the plants. The threats are
moderate in magnitude, since they have had minor impacts and, based on
information we have, the population appears to be stable. In addition,
the Tribe indicated that it is developing a management plan for the
species and has started to implement some protective measures such as
installing fencing and removing cattle from the fenced area where the
plants occur. Because of the general lack of information on current
threats from the Tribe, imminence of threats is not fully known. While
ORV use is currently occurring and may be increasing, oil and gas
production is not known to currently occur in the areas where this
species exists. Overall, we conclude threats are nonimminent.
Therefore, we assigned a LPN of 11 to this species.
Bidens amplectens (Kookooalu)--The following summary is based on
information contained in our files. No new information was provided in
the petition we received on May 11, 2004. This species is an erect
perennial or facultative annual herb found in mixed lowland dry
shrubland/grassland on Oahu, Hawaii. Known from one
[[Page 69080]]
population of 500 to 1,000 individuals in the Waianae Mountains, the
threats to this species are nonnative plants that increase the fuel
load and fire threat, and compete for habitat. The magnitude of threats
continues to be high because no conservation measures have been taken
to address them and because of the potential for the elimination of the
only known population by a single stochastic or naturally occurring
event. Threats continue to be imminent because they are ongoing. We
retained an LPN of 2 for this species.
Bidens campylotheca ssp. pentamera (Kookooalu)--The following
summary is based on information contained in our files. No new
information was provided in the petition we received on May 11, 2004.
This subspecies is an erect, perennial herb found in Cheirodendron-
Metrosideros polymorpha (olapa-ohia) montane wet forest on Maui,
Hawaii. This subspecies is known from four populations with a total of
approximately 350 individuals. Bidens campylotheca ssp. pentamera is
threatened by feral pigs that degrade and destroy habitat, and by
nonnative plants that compete for habitat. Feral pigs have been fenced
out of one population at Kipahulu. The remaining populations on east
and west Maui are still affected by these threats. This subspecies is
represented in an ex-situ collection. However, these on-going
conservation efforts benefit only one of the four known populations and
therefore threats continue to be of a high magnitude, because they
threaten the continued existence of this subspecies. In addition,
threats to B. campylotheca ssp. pentamera are imminent because they are
ongoing in three populations. Therefore, we retained an LPN of 3 for
this subspecies.
Bidens campylotheca ssp. waihoiensis (Kookooalu)--See above in
``Summary of Listing Priority Changes in Candidates.'' The above
summary is based on information contained in our files. No new
information was provided in the petition we received on May 11, 2004.
Bidens conjuncta (Kookooalu)--The following summary is based on
information contained in our files. No new information was provided in
the petition we received on May 11, 2004. Bidens conjuncta is an erect,
perennial herb found in Metrosideros-Dicranopteris-Cheirodendron (ohia-
uluhe-olapa) lowland to montane wet forest and shrubland on Maui,
Hawaii. Seven populations are known, totaling approximately 2,200
individuals scattered throughout upper elevation drainages of west
Maui. Although the overall range of the species has not changed, the
number of individuals has declined over the last decade or so. This
species is threatened by pigs that degrade and destroy habitat, and eat
vegetative parts and fruit of B. conjuncta, and by nonnative plants
that outcompete and displace it. Feral pigs have been fenced out of
portions of the populations of B. conjuncta, and nonnative plants have
been greatly reduced in the fenced areas. The threats from feral pigs
and nonnative plants are, therefore, of a moderate magnitude to this
species. However, these threats are imminent because they are ongoing.
Therefore, we retained an LPN of 8 for this species.
Bidens micrantha ssp. ctenophylla (Kookooalu)--The following
summary is based on information contained in our files. No new
information was provided in the petition we received on May 11, 2004.
This subspecies is an erect, perennial herb found in open mixed
shrubland to dry Metrosideros (ohia) forest on the island of Hawaii,
Hawaii. This subspecies is endemic to the island of Hawaii, where it is
restricted to an area of less than 10 square miles (26 square
kilometers). Bidens micrantha ssp. ctenophylla is known from three wild
and four outplanted populations totaling approximately 2,000 to 3,000
individuals, the majority of which occur in only two (wild)
populations. This subspecies is threatened by fire and nonnative
plants, and two populations are threatened by residential and
commercial development. The threats to B. micrantha ssp. ctenophylla
from fire and nonnative plants are of a high magnitude and imminent
because they are occurring range-wide, they threaten the continued
existence of the species, and no efforts for their control have been
undertaken. In addition, two populations are also threatened by
development. Therefore, we retained an LPN of 3 for this subspecies.
Brickellia mosieri (Florida brickell-bush)--The following summary
is based on information contained in our files. No new information was
provided in the petition we received on May 11, 2004. This species is
restricted to pine rocklands of Miami-Dade County, Florida. This
habitat requires periodic prescribed fires to maintain the low
understory and prevent encroachment by native tropical hardwoods and
exotic plants, such as Brazilian pepper. Only one large population (up
to 10,000 individuals) is known to exist, plus 18 other occurrences
each containing less than 100 individuals. Ten of these occurrences are
on conservation lands. This species is threatened by habitat loss,
which is exacerbated by habitat degradation due to fire suppression,
the difficulty of applying prescribed fire to pine rocklands, and
threats from exotic plants. Remaining habitats are fragmented. The
species is vulnerable to natural disturbances, such as hurricanes,
tropical storms, and storm surges. Due to its restricted range and the
small sizes of most isolated occurrences, this species is vulnerable to
environmental (catastrophic hurricanes), demographic (potential
episodes of poor reproduction), and genetic (potential inbreeding
depression) threats. Thus, the overall magnitude of threat is moderate.
The threats are ongoing and thus imminent. We assigned this species an
LPN of 8.
Calamagrostis expansa (Maui reedgrass)--The following summary is
based on information contained in our files. No new information was
provided in the petition we received on May 11, 2004. This species is a
robust, short-rhizomatous perennial found in wet forest, open bogs, and
bog margins on the islands of Maui and Hawaii, Hawaii. Historically
rare, C. expansa was restricted to wet forest and bogs on Maui. It is
unknown what the historical status was on Hawaii. Currently, this
species is known from 100 populations totaling approximately 400
individuals on Maui, and was recently discovered in five populations
totaling approximately 300 individuals on the island of Hawaii.
Calamagrostis expansa is threatened by pigs that degrade and destroy
habitat and by nonnative plants that outcompete and displace it. Feral
pigs have been fenced out of most of the west Maui populations where C.
expansa currently occurs, and nonnative plants have been reduced in the
fenced areas. However, the threats are not controlled and are ongoing
in the remaining unfenced populations on Maui and in all of the
populations on the island of Hawaii. Therefore, the threats from feral
pigs and nonnative plants are of a high magnitude and imminent for C.
expansa and we retained an LPN of 2 for this species.
Calamagrostis hillebrandii (Hillebrand's reedgrass)--The following
summary is based on information contained in our files. No new
information was provided in the petition we received on May 11, 2004.
Calamagrostis hillebrandii is a slender, short-rhizomatous perennial
found in Metrosideros-Machaerina montane wet bog or Metrosideros-
Rhynchospora-Oreobolus mixed bog on Maui, Hawaii. This species is known
from two populations of about 2,000 individuals, restricted to the bogs
of west Maui. There is an unconfirmed report of C. hillebrandii from
central Molokai. This species is currently threatened by pigs
[[Page 69081]]
that degrade and destroy habitat and nonnative plants that outcompete
and displace it. A portion of one population is protected by an
ungulate exclosure fence while the other population may indirectly
benefit from conservation actions for ungulate control and control of
nonnative plants conducted in a nearby preserve. The threats are
imminent because they are ongoing in one of the two known populations.
Because they threaten the continued existence of the species, the
threats are high in magnitude. Therefore, we retained an LPN of 2 for
this species.
Calliandra locoensis (no common name)--The following summary is
based on information from our files. No new information was provided in
the petition we received on May 11, 2004. Calliandra locoensis is a
spiny, leguminous shrub currently known from only two localities within
the Sus[uacute]a Commonwealth Forest in the municipalities of Yauco and
Sabana Grande, in southwestern Puerto Rico. Twenty-five native species
of Calliandra have been reported for the Antilles, three of which are
native to Puerto Rico, including Calliandra locoensis. This species is
endemic to Puerto Rico, and was discovered in 1991 during a study of
the flora of the Sus[uacute]a Commonwealth Forest. It was described by
Garc[iacute]a and Kolterman in 1992.
Calliandra locoensis is found along one creek in semi-evergreen to
deciduous forests on shallow, serpentine soils with low nutrients, high
drainage, and low fertility. Much of the vegetation in the forest was
cut for wood, cultivation, livestock grazing, and charcoal production,
prior to its designation as a public forest. Calliandra locoensis
exhibits a low degree of self-compatibility in pollination tests. Seeds
have a short viability period, do not appear to have a biotic dispersal
agent (dispersed by dehiscence--seed pod splits open), and require
mesic conditions for germination, which may be factors in the limited
distribution of the species. The small number of individuals in the two
populations, restricted distribution (two localities), forest
management practices (accidental trampling, brush clearing, trail
maintenance), forest fires (natural or manmade), and catastrophic
natural events (hurricanes, floods, mudslides), threaten this species.
We assigned an LPN of 5 to this species because the magnitude of threat
to Calliandra locoensis is high because the threats can result in
direct mortality and further reduce the populations, combined with its
restricted distribution, apparent low dispersal capability, and
population number (only two small populations relatively close to one
another). The threats are nonimminent given that the populations are
found within protected lands and there are no known projects or
management activities planned that would destroy the known populations
of Calliandra locoensis.
Calochortus persistens (Siskiyou mariposa lily)--The following
summary is based on information contained in our files and the petition
we received on September 10, 2001. The Siskiyou mariposa lily is a
narrow endemic that is restricted to two disjunct ridge tops in the
Klamath-Siskiyou Range on the California-Oregon border. In California,
this species is currently found at nine separate sites on approximately
10 hectares (ha) (24.7 acres (ac)) of Klamath National Forest and
privately owned lands that stretch for 6 kilometers (km) (3.7 miles
(mi)) along the Gunsight-Humbug Ridge. In 1998, five Siskiyou mariposa
lily plants were discovered on Bald Mountain, west of Ashland, Jackson
County, Oregon.
Major threats include competition and shading by native and
nonnative species fostered by suppression of wild fire; increased fuel
loading and subsequent risk of wild fire; fragmentation by roads, fire
breaks, tree plantations, and radio-tower facilities; maintenance and
construction around radio towers and telephone relay stations located
on Gunsight Peak and Mahogany Point; and soil disturbance and exotic
weed and grass species introduction as a result of heavy recreational
use and construction of fire breaks. Dyer's woad (Isatis tinctoria), an
invasive, nonnative plant that may prevent germination of Siskiyou
mariposa lily seedlings, is now found throughout the California
population, affecting 90 percent of the known lily habitat. Forest
Service staff and the Klamath-Siskiyou Wildlands Center cite
competition with dyer's woad as a significant and chronic threat to the
survival of Siskiyou mariposa lily.
The combination of restricted range, extremely low numbers (five
plants) in one of two disjunct populations, poor competitive ability,
short seed dispersal distance, slow growth rates, low seed production,
apparently poor survival rates in some years and competition from
exotic plants threaten the continued existence of this species. Because
of the restricted range and low numbers, the magnitude of threats is
high. While some of the threats are ongoing, others are not, and
overall the threats are nonimminent. We assigned an LPN of 5 to this
species.
Calyptranthes estremerae (no common name)--The following summary is
based on information from our files. No new information was provided in
the petition we received on May 11, 2004. Calyptranthes estremerae is a
small tree from the subtropical moist forest of northwestern Puerto
Rico, in the municipalities of Camuy, Utuado, and Arecibo.
Calyptranthes estremerae was only known from several individuals found
near the recreation area adjacent to the Camuy Caves, but specimens
were later found within the R[iacute]o Abajo Commonwealth Forest (up to
50 individuals) at a site that was affected by the construction of
Highway PR 10 in 1995. At the present time, a minimum of 100 specimens
of Calyptranthes estremerae are estimated for the R[iacute]o Abajo
Commonwealth Forest and undetermined number in the Camuy area. The
magnitude of threat to Calyptranthes estremerae is considered high, due
to restricted distribution and small number of individuals,
catastrophic natural events, and the potential destruction of specimens
from expansion of recreational facilities. However, these threats are
not imminent, because the largest known population of Calyptranthes
estremerae is found within protected lands, there are no known projects
planned that would destroy the sites, and the species can be
transplanted successfully. Therefore, we assign an LPN of 5 to
Calyptranthes estremerae.
Canavalia napaliensis (Awikiwiki)--We have not updated our
candidate assessment for this species, as we are currently developing a
proposed listing rule.
Canavalia pubescens (Awikiwiki)--The following summary is based on
information contained in our files. No new information was provided in
the petition we received on May 11, 2004. Awikiwiki is a perennial
climber found in lowland dryland forest on Maui and Lanai, and is
possibly on the island of Niihau, Hawaii. This species is known from
eight populations totaling at least 123 individuals. This species is
threatened by development (Maui), goats (Maui) and axis deer (Maui and
Lanai) that degrade and destroy habitat, and by nonnative plants that
outcompete and displace native plants (both islands). An ungulate
exclosure fence protects six individuals of C. pubescens, and weed
control is ongoing at this location on Maui. This species is
represented in two ex situ collections. Threats to this species from
feral goats, axis deer, and nonnative plants are ongoing, or imminent,
and of high magnitude because they significantly affect the species
throughout its range. Therefore, we retained an LPN of 2 for this
species.
[[Page 69082]]
Castilleja christii (Christ's paintbrush)--The following summary is
based on information contained in our files and the petition we
received on January 2, 2001. Castilleja christii is found in one
population on the summit of Mount Harrison in Cassia County, Idaho.
This endemic species is considered a hemiparasite, and it grows in
association with subalpine meadow and sagebrush habitats. The
population found on 85 ha (220 ac) may be large (greater than 10,000
individual plants); however, an accurate current population estimate is
not yet available. Monitoring indicates that reproductive stems per
plant and plant density decreased significantly between 1995 and 2005.
The largest threat to the species is from nonnative invasive plants,
the majority of which is smooth brome (Bromus inermis). Despite a
commitment by the Forest Service and the Service to control smooth
brome until our efforts are successful or for the next 10 years, recent
control efforts conducted in 2005 and 2006 have not been successful in
reducing the smooth brome infestation. Other threats to Castilleja
christii from recreational use appear to be mostly seasonal and affect
only a small portion of the population, although they too are imminent.
The magnitude of the threats is moderate at this time, primarily due to
the lack of control over the smooth brome infestation. This threat from
smooth brome is imminent because the threat still persists in levels
that affect the native plant community that provides habitat for C.
christii. Thus, we assign an LPN of 8 to this species.
Chamaecrista lineata var. keyensis (Big Pine partridge pea)--See
above in ``Summary of Listing Priority Changes in Candidates.'' The
above summary is based on information in our files. No new information
was provided in the petition we received on May 11, 2004. New survey
results were attained in March 2006.
Chamaesyce deltoidea pinetorum (Pineland sandmat)--See above in
``Summary of Listing Priority Changes in Candidates.'' The above
summary is based on information contained in our files. No new
information was provided in the petition we received on May 11, 2004.
Chamaesyce deltoidea ssp. serpyllum (Wedge spurge)--See above in
``Summary of Listing Priority Changes in Candidates.'' The above
summary is based on information in our files. No new information was
provided in the petition we received on May 11, 2004.
Chamaesyce eleanoriae (Akoko)--We have not updated our candidate
assessment, as we are currently developing a proposed listing rule for
this species.
Chamaesyce remyi var. kauaiensis (Akoko)--We have not updated our
candidate assessment for this species, as we are currently developing a
proposed listing rule.
Chamaesyce remyi var. remyi (Akoko)--We have not updated our
candidate assessment for this species as we are currently developing a
proposed listing rule.
Charpentiera densiflora (Papala)--We have not updated our candidate
assessment, as we are currently developing a proposed listing rule for
this species.
Chorizanthe parryi var. fernandina (San Fernando Valley
spineflower)--The following summary is based on information contained
in our files and the petition we received on December 14, 1999.
Chorizanthe parryi var. fernandina is a low-growing herbaceous annual
plant in the buckwheat family. Germination occurs following the onset
of late-fall and winter rains and typically represents different
cohorts from the seed bank. Flowering occurs in the spring, generally
between April and June. Chorizanthe parryi var. fernandina grows up to
30 centimeters in height and 5 to 40 centimeters across.
The plant currently is known from two disjunct localities: the
first is in the southeastern portion of Ventura County on a site
formerly known as Ahmanson Ranch, and the second is in an area of
southwestern Los Angeles County known as Newhall Ranch. Investigations
of historical locations and seemingly suitable habitat within the range
of the species have not revealed any other occurrences.
The threats currently facing San Fernando Valley spineflower
include threatened destruction, modification, or curtailment of its
habitat or range, and other natural or manmade factors. The threats to
Chorizanthe parryi var. fernandina from habitat destruction or
modification are less than they were four years ago. One of the two
populations (Ahmanson Ranch) is in permanent, public ownership and is
being managed by an agency that is working to conserve the plant. The
other population (Newhall Ranch) is under threat of development;
however, a Candidate Conservation Agreement (CCA) is being developed
with the landowner, and it is possible that the remaining plants can
also be conserved. Until such an agreement is finalized, the threat of
development and the potential damage to the Newhall Ranch population
still exists, as shown by the destruction of some plants during
installation of an agave farm. Chorizanthe parryi var. fernandina may
be threatened by invasive nonnative plants, including grasses, which
could potentially displace it from available habitat; compete for
light, water, and nutrients; and reduce survival and establishment.
Chorizanthe parryi var. fernandina is particularly vulnerable to
extinction due to its concentration in two isolated areas. The
existence of only two areas of occurrence, and a relatively small
range, makes the variety highly susceptible to extinction or
extirpation from a significant portion of its range due to random
events such as fire, drought, erosion, or other occurrences. We
retained an LPN of 6 for C. parryi var. fernandina due to high-
magnitude, nonimminent threats.
Chromolaena frustrata (Cape Sable thoroughwort)--The following
summary is based on information contained in our files. No new
information was provided in the petition we received on May 11, 2004.
This species is found most commonly in open sun to partial shade at the
edges of rockland tropical hammock and in coastal rock barrens. There
are nine extant occurrences located at five islands in the Florida Keys
and one small area in Everglades National Park. The plant has been
extirpated from half of the islands where it occurred. Prior to
Hurricane Wilma in 2005, the population was estimated at roughly 5,000
individuals, with all but 500 occurring on one privately owned island.
This species is threatened by habitat loss and modification, even
on public lands, and habitat loss and degradation due to threats from
exotic plants at almost all sites. The species is vulnerable to natural
disturbances, such as hurricanes, tropical storms, and storm surges.
While these factors may also work to maintain coastal rock barren
habitat in the long-term, Hurricane Wilma appears to have had severe
impacts, at least in the short-term. Plants have not been located in
Everglades National Park since Hurricane Wilma and other occurrences
probably declined due to inundation of its coastal barren and rockland
hammock habitats. The long-term effects of these impacts are unknown.
Sea level rise is considered a major threat that will continue.
Potential effects from other changes in fresh water deliveries and the
construction of the Buttonwood Canal are unknown. Problems associated
with small population size and isolation are likely major factors, as
occurrences may not be large enough to be viable; this narrowly endemic
plant has uncertain viability at most locations, especially following
Hurricane Wilma. Thus, these factors constitute a high
[[Page 69083]]
magnitude of threat. Threats are imminent as they are ongoing. As a
result, we assigned an LPN of 2 to this species.
Consolea corallicola (Florida semaphore cactus)--The following
summary is based on information in our files. No new information was
provided in the petition we received on May 11, 2004. The Florida
semaphore cactus is endemic to the Florida Keys and was discovered on
Big Pine Key in 1919 but has since been extirpated there as a result of
road building and poaching. This cactus grows close to salt water on
bare rock with a minimum of humus soil cover in or along the edges of
hammocks near sea level. The species is known to occur naturally only
in two areas, Little Torch Key and Biscayne National Park. Outplanting
has resulted in the reestablishment of a population in Dagny Johnson
Key Largo Hammock Botanical State Park in North Key Largo as well as in
some of the lower keys. Outplanting success has been low and more
research is needed to determine the requirements of this cactus. Few
plants remain in the population at The Nature Conservancy's Torchwood
Hammock Preserve on Little Torch Key. Two sexual morphs (males and weak
hermaphrodites) comprise the population on Little Torch Key. The female
sex morph is absent from the population and sexual reproduction at this
site is not possible without human intervention. Regeneration in this
population is restricted to clonal propagation. At least 629 plants
were discovered on a key in Biscayne National Park in November of 2001.
During monitoring work conducted in 2005, a total of 655 plants were
documented. Recent studies have found no genetic diversity within the
two wild populations. The results were consistent with previous
reproductive biology studies that suggested that the cactus does not
propagate sexually and that asexual reproduction is the main life
history strategy of this species. The causes for the population decline
of this species include destruction or modification of habitat,
predation from Cactoblastis cactorum moths and disease, poaching and
vandalism, sea level rise, and hurricanes. Because of low population
numbers, lack of variation between and within populations, reproductive
problems, and numerous ongoing threats, we assigned this species an LPN
of 2.
Cordia rupicola (no common name)--See above in ``Summary of Listing
Priority Changes in Candidates.'' The above summary is based on
information from our files. No new information was provided in the
petition we received on May 11, 2004.
Cyanea asplenifolia (Haha)--The following summary is based on
information contained in our files. No new information was provided in
the petition we received on May 11, 2004. Cyanea asplenifolia is a
shrub found in Acacia-Metrosideros (koa-ohia) forest on Maui, Hawaii.
Currently, this species is known from three populations totaling fewer
than 187 individuals. Cyanea asplenifolia is threatened by pigs, goats,
and cattle that degrade and destroy habitat and by nonnative plants,
such as Australian tree fern, that outcompete and displace it. This
species is likely threatened by habitat degradation caused by axis deer
and by feral ungulates, rats, and slugs that may directly prey upon and
defoliate individuals. Pig and goat exclusion fences protect
individuals of two of the three known populations of this species and
nonnative plants have been reduced in one fenced area; however,
continued monitoring of these fences will be necessary, as feral
ungulates from surrounding areas can easily access unmaintained fenced
areas. This species is represented in three ex-situ collections. The
threats continue to be of a high magnitude because they significantly
affect the species resulting in direct mortality or reduced
reproductive capacity. The threats are imminent because they are
ongoing in at least two of the three known populations. Therefore, we
retained an LPN of 2 for this species.
Cyanea calycina (Haha)--The following summary is based on
information contained in our files. No new information was provided in
the petition we received on May 11, 2004. This species is an unbranched
shrub found in Acacia-Metrosideros-Dicranopteris (koa-ohia-uluhe)
montane mesic to wet forest and wet gulches and streambanks on Oahu,
Hawaii. Cyanea calycina is known from 28 populations totaling
approximately 262 individuals. This species is threatened by pigs that
degrade and destroy habitat, and by nonnative plants that outcompete
and displace it. Potential threats to this species include goats that
degrade and destroy habitat, and rats and slugs that may directly prey
upon and defoliate individuals. Ungulate fences provide protection to
five populations of C. calycina in the Waianae Mountains, but the
fences must be continually maintained to prevent incursion. Nonnative
plants are currently being controlled within the fenced areas, and
partial control measures are being implemented to address potential
threats from rats. There are no other conservation measures underway in
the other 23 populations to alleviate these ongoing, or imminent,
threats to C. calycina. These threats are of a high magnitude because
they significantly affect the species throughout its limited range
resulting in direct mortality or reduced reproductive capacity. The
threats are imminent in all but five populations. Therefore, we
retained an LPN of 2 for this species.
Cyanea eleeleensis (Haha)--We have not updated our candidate
assessment for this species, as we are currently developing a proposed
listing rule.
Cyanea kuhihewa (Haha)--We have not updated our candidate
assessment for this species, as we are currently developing a proposed
listing rule.
Cyanea kunthiana (Haha)--The following summary is based on
information contained in our files. No new information was provided in
the petition we received on May 11, 2004. Cyanea kunthiana is a shrub
found in closed Metrosideros-Dicranopteris (ohia-uluhe) montane wet
forest on Maui, Hawaii. The historic range of C. kunthiana was wet
forest on the island of Maui. Currently, C. kunthiana is declining
throughout its range and is known from 15 populations with a combined
total of slightly more than 200 individuals. This species is threatened
by pigs that directly prey upon the plants and degrade and destroy
habitat, and by nonnative plants that outcompete and displace it.
Potential threats to this species include rats and slugs that may
directly prey upon and defoliate individuals. While large-scale
fencing, ungulate removal, and invasive species control measures are
underway in areas in which five of the current populations exist, these
efforts have not served to completely remove these threats, and there
are no efforts to control the ongoing and imminent threats to the other
10 populations. Therefore, the threats continue to be of a high
magnitude to C. kunthiana. Because the threats continue to be of a high
magnitude and are imminent for 10 of the 15 populations, we retained an
LPN of 2 for this species.
Cyanea lanceolata (Haha)--The following summary is based on
information contained in our files. No new information was provided in
the petition we received on May 11, 2004. Cyanea lanceolata is a shrub
found in Acacia koa-Metrosideros polymorpha (koa-ohia) lowland mesic
forest on Oahu, Hawaii. This species is known from six populations
totaling fewer than 100 individuals. Cyanea lanceolata is threatened by
pigs that eat plants and degrade and destroy habitat, and by nonnative
plants that outcompete and
[[Page 69084]]
displace it. Likely threats to this species include rats and slugs that
may directly prey upon and defoliate individuals. This species is
represented in an ex-situ collection. There are no conservation
measures underway to alleviate the ongoing, or imminent, threats to C.
lanceolata. These threats are of a high magnitude because they are
occurring throughout its limited range and they significantly affect
species resulting in direct mortality or reduced reproductive capacity.
The threats are ongoing, and, therefore, imminent, in all populations.
Therefore, we retained an LPN of 2 for this species.
Cyanea obtusa (Haha)--The following summary is based on information
contained in our files. No new information was provided in the petition
we received on May 11, 2004. Cyanea obtusa is a shrub found in
Metrosideros polymorpha (ohia) mixed mesic forest on Maui, Hawaii. This
species is known from three populations with a combined total of fewer
than 44 individuals, with 30 of these being possible hybrids. Cyanea
obtusa is threatened by feral goats, pigs, and cattle that degrade and
destroy habitat, and by nonnative plants that outcompete and displace
it. Potential threats include fire, and rats and slugs that may
directly prey upon and defoliate individuals of C. obtusa. Feral pigs
have been fenced out of one of the three populations of this species.
Nonnative plant control is underway in the fenced area. Although one of
the three populations of C. obtusa has been fenced and is undergoing
weed control, there are no efforts to control the ongoing and imminent
threats to the other two populations. The threats continue to be of a
high magnitude for C. obtusa because they significantly affect the
species resulting in direct mortality or reduced reproductive capacity.
Therefore, we retained an LPN of 2 for this species.
Cyanea tritomantha (Aku)--The following summary is based on
information contained in our files. No new information was provided in
the petition we received on May 11, 2004. Cyanea tritomantha is a palm-
like tree found in Metrosideros-Cibotium montane wet forest on the
island of Hawaii, Hawaii. This species is known from five populations
with a total of approximately 135 wild and 373 outplanted individuals
in Olaa, Kau, and Laupahoehoe on the island of Hawaii. Cyanea
tritomantha is threatened by pigs and cattle that degrade and destroy
habitat, and nonnative plants that outcompete and displace it.
Potential threats to this species include rats and slugs that may
directly prey upon and defoliate individuals, and human trampling of
individuals located near trails. Feral pigs and cattle have been fenced
out of three populations of C. tritomantha and nonnative plants have
been reduced in the fenced areas. Although three populations of C.
tritomantha have been fenced and weeds are being controlled in these
fenced areas, there are no efforts to control the ongoing and imminent
threats to the other populations. The threats continue to be of a high
magnitude to C. tritomantha because they significantly affect the
species resulting in direct mortality or reduced reproductive capacity.
Because the threats continue to be of a high magnitude and are imminent
for the unmanaged populations, we retained an LPN of 2 for this
species.
Cyrtandra filipes (Haiwale)--The following summary is based on
information contained in our files. No new information was provided in
the petition we received on May 11, 2004. Haiwale is a shrub found in
lowland to montane wet forest on Maui and Molokai, Hawaii. Historically
rare, C. filipes was found in southeastern Molokai and west Maui.
Currently, this species is known from nine populations, three on
Molokai and six on west Maui, totaling approximately 2,000 individuals.
There is some question as to the true identity of the Maui populations,
which do not fit the description of the species precisely. If, upon
further taxonomic study, the Maui populations are determined not to be
this species, then it is even more rare, with only the Molokai
population of a few individuals remaining. Cyrtandra filipes is
threatened by pigs, goats, and deer that degrade and destroy habitat,
by nonnative plants that outcompete and displace it, and potentially by
rats that directly prey on it. Feral pigs have been fenced out of one
of the populations of C. filipes, and strategic fencing for axis deer
is under construction on west Maui, but deer are able to jump over most
pig exclusion fences so they are still considered a threat. Nonnative
plants are being reduced in the population that is fenced but all
populations are potentially threatened by rats. The threats from pigs
and nonnative plants are of a high magnitude because of their severity
and the fact that they occur in eight of the nine known populations. In
addition, these threats are imminent because they are ongoing.
Therefore, we retained an LPN of 2 for this species.
Cyrtandra kaulantha (Haiwale)--The following summary is based on
information contained in our files. No new information was provided in
the petition we received on May 11, 2004. Cyrtandra kaulantha is a
shrub found in moist wooded gulches in dense shade on Oahu, Hawaii.
This species is known from four populations with a total of 29
individuals in subgulches in Waianu Valley. Cyrtandra kaulantha is
threatened by pigs that degrade and destroy habitat, nonnative plants
that outcompete and displace it, genetic bottlenecks, random
demographic fluctuations, and stochastic environmental events such as
tree falls and hurricanes. Direct predation by slugs is a potential
threat, as well. None of the populations are protected by fences.
Nonnative plants have been reduced in the four known populations. There
are no other conservation measures being taken to alleviate these
ongoing and imminent threats to C. kaulantha. These threats are of a
high magnitude because of their severity and the fact that they are
occurring throughout its limited range. Therefore, we retained an LPN
of 2 for this species because the threats continue to be of a high
magnitude and are imminent in all populations.
Cyrtandra oenobarba (Haiwale)--We have not updated our candidate
assessment for this species, as we are currently developing a proposed
listing rule.
Cyrtandra oxybapha (Haiwale)--The following summary is based on
information contained in our files. No new information was provided in
the petition we received on May 11, 2004. Cyrtandra oxybapha is a shrub
found in Metrosideros polymorpha-Cheirodendron trigynum (ohia-olapa)
montane wet forest to mesic Acacia-Metrosideros (koa-ohia) forest on
Maui, Hawaii. Currently, this species is known only from one population
totaling 50 to 100 individuals in the Kahikinui area of east Maui and
one additional population of 20 to 30 individuals on west Maui. This
species is threatened by pigs, goats, and cattle that degrade and
destroy habitat, and by nonnative plants that outcompete and displace
it. Fire is a likely threat at the Kahikinui population. The
individuals within the fence at Kahikinui benefit from management
actions; however, the remaining individuals there and on west Maui are
threatened by pigs, goats, cattle, and likely threatened by fire. The
threats are of a high magnitude because of their severity and are
imminent since they are ongoing. Therefore, we retained an LPN of 2 for
C. oxybapha.
Cyrtandra sessilis (Haiwale)--The following summary is based on
information contained in our files. No new information was provided in
the petition we received on May 11, 2004.
[[Page 69085]]
Cyrtandra sessilis is a shrub found in wet gulch bottoms and slopes of
mesic valleys and wet forests on Oahu, Hawaii. This species is known
from two populations totaling approximately 80 individuals in Waikane
and Hawaii Loa in the Koolau Mountains. Cyrtrandra sessilis is
threatened by pigs that degrade and/or destroy habitat, by nonnative
plants that outcompete and displace it, and by reduced reproductive
vigor. Flooding and landslides are likely threats to one population. No
on-the-ground conservation efforts have been initiated, but this
species is represented in an ex-situ collection. Pigs and nonnative
plants are found throughout the mesic and wet forest habitat in which
C. sessilis occurs, making these threats ongoing and imminent. These
threats are of high magnitude because of their severity and because
they are occurring throughout its limited range. We retained an LPN of
2 for this species.
Dalea carthagenensis floridana (Florida prairie-clover)--See above
in ``Summary of Listing Priority Changes in Candidates.'' The above
summary is based on information contained in our files. No new
information was provided in the petition we received on May 11, 2004.
Dichanthelium hirstii (Hirsts' panic grass)--The following summary
is based on information from our files. No new information was provided
in the petition we received on May 11, 2004. D. hirstii is a perennial
grass that produces erect leafy flowering stems from May to October. D.
hirstii occurs in coastal plain intermittent ponds, usually in wet
savanna or pine barren habitats and is found at only two sites in New
Jersey, one site in Delaware, and one site in North Carolina. While all
four extant D. hirstii populations are located on public land or
privately owned conservation lands, natural threats to the species from
encroaching vegetation and fluctuations in climatic conditions remain
of concern and may be exacerbated by anthropomorphic factors occurring
adjacent to the wetland habitat of the species. Given the low numbers
of plants found at each site, even minor changes in the habitat of the
species could result in local extirpation. Loss of any known sites
could result in a serious protraction of the species' range. However,
the most immediate and severe of the threats to this species (i.e.,
ditching of the Laboundsky Pond site, and encroachment of aggressive
vegetative competitors) have been curtailed or are being actively
managed by The Nature Conservancy at one New Jersey site and by the
Delaware Division of Fish and Wildlife and Delaware Natural Heritage
Program at the Assawoman Pond, Delaware site. Based on threats of a
high magnitude but low imminence, we retained an LPN of 5 for this
species.
Digitaria pauciflora (Florida pineland crabgrass)--The following
summary is based on information in our files. No new information was
provided in the petition we received on May 11, 2004. Digitaria
pauciflora occurs in the pineland/prairie ecotones and prairies in
Miami-Dade and Monroe Counties, Florida. Pine rocklands in Miami-Dade
County have largely been destroyed by residential, commercial, and
urban development and agriculture. Most remaining habitat has been
negatively altered, and this species has been extirpated from much of
its historical range. Two large occurrences remain within Everglades
National Park and Big Cypress National Preserve. While privately owned
pine rocklands and prairies are at risk to development, the plants on
Federal lands are protected from this threat. This grass is threatened
by habitat loss and habitat degradation due to fire suppression, the
difficulty of applying prescribed fire to pine rocklands, and exotic
plants. Since the only remaining populations are on lands managed by
the National Park Service, the threats of fire suppression and exotics
are somewhat reduced. The nearby presence of the exotic Old World
climbing fern is of particular concern due to its ability to rapidly
spread. In Big Cypress National Preserve, plants are currently
threatened by off-road vehicle use. Hydrology has been altered within
Long Pine Key due to artificial drainage, which lowered ground water,
and construction of roads, which either impounded or diverted water.
Regional water management intended to restore the Everglades has the
potential to have a negative effect on the pinelands of Long Pine Key,
where a large population occurs. At this time, it is not known whether
Everglades restoration will have a positive or negative effect. This
narrow endemic may be vulnerable to catastrophic events and natural
disturbances, such as hurricanes. Sea level rise will likely be a
factor over the long-term. Overall, the magnitude of threats is
considered to be high because this species has been extirpated from all
pine rocklands in Miami-Dade County outside of Everglades National
Park. However, the more significant threats are not currently occurring
(Old World climbing fern is not yet in the area where the species is
found and the effects of Everglades restoration are unknown at this
time), and are, thus, nonimminent. Therefore, we assigned an LPN 5 for
this species.
Dubautia imbricata ssp. imbricata (Naenae)--We have not updated our
candidate assessment for this species, as we are currently developing a
proposed listing rule.
Dubautia plantaginea ssp. magnifolia (Naenae)--We have not updated
our candidate assessment for this species, as we are currently
developing a proposed listing rule.
Dubautia waialealae (Naenae)--We have not updated our candidate
assessment for this species, as we are currently developing a proposed
listing rule.
Echinomastus erectocentrus var. acunensis (Acuna cactus)--See above
in ``Summary of Listing Priority Changes in Candidates.'' The above
summary is based on information contained in our files and the petition
we received on October 30, 2002.
Erigeron lemmonii (Lemmon fleabane)--The following summary is based
on information contained in our files and the petition we received in
July 1975. The species is known from one site in a canyon in the Fort
Huachuca Military Reservation of southeastern Arizona. As of 2006,
approximately 950 plants were known from this site. The population had
not been inventoried since the 1990s, but a complete assessment was
completed in 2006; approximately 500 more plants were located and
occupied habitat encompasses about 1 square kilometer.
The threats to this species are from catastrophic wildfire in the
canyon and on-going drought conditions. We do not know if this species
has any adaptations to fire. Due to its location on cliffs, we suspect
that fires that may have occurred at more regular intervals and burned
at low intensities may have had little to no effect on this species. It
may be that the fire intensity and associated heat is only high enough
to damage or kill plants on adjacent cliffs, especially near the
ground, when an extended absence results in an accumulated fuel load.
Even with an accumulated fuel load, the plants that are much higher on
the cliff face probably would not be affected. Ft. Huachuca Military
Reservation has indicated a willingness to develop a conservation
agreement for this species. The magnitude of threats is moderate,
because we believe that not all of the population would be adversely
affected by a wildfire or drought. The threats are imminent because the
likelihood of a fire is high due to the ongoing drought. We retained an
LPN of 8 for this species due to moderate, imminent threats.
Eriogonum codium (Umtanum Desert buckwheat)--The following summary
is based on information from our files. No
[[Page 69086]]
new information was provided in the petition we received on May 11,
2004. This species is a long-lived, slow-growing, woody perennial plant
that forms low dense mats. The known range of the species is a single
location along a ridge on federally owned land in the Hanford National
Monument in Washington State. Although it is found exclusively on
exposed basalt from the Lolo Flow of the Wanapum Basalt Formation, it
is unknown if the close association is related to the chemical
composition or physical characteristics of the bedrock or other
factors. Individual plants may exceed 100 years of age, based on counts
of annual growth rings of dead plants. After its discovery in 1995, the
population was counted in 1997. This count reported 5,228 living
individuals, and by 2005 the figure had dropped to 4,418, representing
a 15 percent decline in the population over eight years. A draft
population viability analysis based on 9 years of demographic data was
recently completed. This study determined that that there is little or
no risk of a population decline greater than 90 percent within the next
100 years, but there is a 72 percent chance of a decline of 50 percent
over the next century.
The major threats to the species are wildfire, fire-fighting
activities, trampling, and invasive weeds. However, the relationship
between the current decline in population numbers and the known threats
is not clearly understood at this time. With the possible exception of
wildfire, the observed decline in population numbers and recruitment
since 1997 is not directly attributable to the currently known threats.
Because the population is small, limited to a single site, and
sensitive to fire and disturbance, the species remains vulnerable to
the identified threats. The magnitude of threats is high, because,
given the limited range of the species and the degree of uncertainty
about its habitat and the cause of its declines, any of the threats
could adversely affect its continued existence. The threats are both
ongoing and imminent in nature. Because the species continues to be
vulnerable to these threats, we assigned an LPN of 2 to this species.
Eriogonum kelloggii (Red Mountain buckwheat)--The following summary
is based on information contained in our files. No new information was
provided in the petition we received on May 11, 2004. Red Mountain
buckwheat is a perennial herb endemic to serpentine habitat of lower
montane forests found between 1,900 and 4,100 feet. Its distribution is
limited to the Red Mountain and Little Red Mountain areas of Mendocino
County, California, where it occupies 50 acres and 900 square feet,
respectively. Occupied habitat at Red Mountain is scattered over 4
square miles. Total population size is estimated at between 20,000 and
30,000 plants, which occur in 44 polygons. Intensive monitoring of
permanent plots on three study sites in Red Mountain suggests
considerable annual variation in plant density and reproduction, but no
discernable population trend was evident in two of three study sites.
One study site showed a 65 percent decline in plant density over 11
years.
The primary threat to this species is the potential for surface
mining for chromium and nickel. Virtually the entire distribution of
Red Mountain buckwheat is either owned by mining interests, or is
covered by existing mining claims, that are not currently active.
Surface mining would destroy habitat suitability for this species. The
species is also believed threatened by tree and shrub encroachment into
its habitat, in absence of fire. The species distribution by ownership
is described as follows: Federal (Bureau of Land Management)--69
percent (this portion of the distribution was recently included in the
South Fork Eel River Wilderness Area, managed by BLM); State of
California--1 percent; and private--30 percent. Given the magnitude
(high) and immediacy (nonimminent) of the threat to the small,
scattered populations, and its taxonomy (species), we assigned an LPN
of 5 to this species.
Festuca hawaiiensis (no common name)--The following summary is
based on information contained in our files. No new information was
provided in the petition we received on May 11, 2004. This species is a
cespitose (growing in dense, low tufts) annual found in dry forest on
the island of Hawaii, Hawaii. Festuca hawaiiensis is known from four
populations totaling approximately 1,000 individuals in and around the
Pohakuloa Training Area on the island of Hawaii. Historically, this
species was also found on Hualalai and Puu Huluhulu on Hawaii and
possibly Ulupalakua on Maui, but it no longer occurs at these sites.
Festuca hawaiiensis is threatened by pigs, goats, mouflon, and sheep
that degrade and destroy habitat; fire; military training activities;
and nonnative plants that outcompete and displace it. Feral pigs,
goats, mouflon, and sheep have been fenced out of a portion of the
populations of F. hawaiiensis, and nonnative plants have been reduced
in the fenced areas. Firebreaks have been established at two
populations. However, these threats are imminent because they are not
controlled and are ongoing in the remaining, unfenced populations. The
threats are of a high magnitude because they could adversely affect F.
hawaiiensis resulting in direct mortality or reduced reproductive
capacity. Therefore, we retained an LPN of 2 for this species.
Festuca ligulata (Guadalupe fescue)--The following summary is based
on information from our files and in the petition we received in 1975.
Guadalupe fescue is a member of the Poaceae (Grass family). This
species is currently only known from higher elevations in the Chisos
Mountains in the Big Bend Area of Texas (one population) and adjacent
Coahuila, Mexico (two populations). The population in Big Bend National
Park is bisected by a trail and subject to occasional trampling by
horses and hikers. The magnitude of threats for Guadalupe fescue is
moderate to low because of population monitoring and trail operation by
the National Park Service. Based on monitoring results, threats to the
U.S. population are nonimminent because of conservation actions at Big
Bend National Park to address threats to the species. Thus, we assign
an LPN of 11 to this species.
Gardenia remyi (Nanu)--The following summary is based on
information contained in our files. No new information was provided in
the petition we received on May 11, 2004. Nanu is a tree found in mesic
to wet forest on islands of Kauai, Molokai, Maui, and Hawaii, Hawaii.
Gardenia remyi is known from 19 populations totaling between 77 and 104
individuals throughout its range. This species is threatened by pigs,
goats, and deer that degrade and destroy habitat and possibly prey upon
the species, and by nonnative plants that outcompete and displace it.
It is also threatened by landslides on the island of Hawaii. This
species is represented in an ex situ collection. Feral pigs have been
fenced out of the west Maui populations of G. remyi, and nonnative
plants have been reduced in those areas. However, these threats are not
controlled and are ongoing in the remaining, unfenced populations, and
are, therefore, imminent. In addition, the threat from goats and deer
is ongoing and imminent, because no goat or deer control measures have
been undertaken for any of the populations of G. remyi. All of the
threats are of a high magnitude because they are significant enough
that they could adversely affect the species resulting in direct
mortality or reduced reproductive capacity. Therefore, we retained an
LPN of 2 for this species.
Geranium hanaense (Nohoanu)--See above in ``Summary of Listing
Priority
[[Page 69087]]
Changes in Candidates.'' The above summary is based on information
contained in our files. No new information was provided in the petition
we received on May 11, 2004.
Geranium hillebrandii (Nohoanu)--The following summary is based on
information contained in our files. No new information was provided in
the petition we received on May 11, 2004. Geranium hillebrandii is a
decumbent subshrub found in bogs on Maui, Hawaii. Previously known from
two populations totaling approximately 1,000 to 2,000 individuals, it
is currently known, as a result of more thorough surveys, from three
populations totaling 10,000 individuals. Geranium hillebrandii is
moderately threatened by pigs that degrade and destroy habitat, and by
nonnative plants that outcompete and displace it. Conservation measures
taken to control feral pigs and nonnative plants reduce the impact of
these threats to G. hillebrandii; however, continued monitoring will be
necessary to keep the areas threat-free. The threats from feral pigs
and nonnative plants are, therefore, of a moderate magnitude to this
species; however, these threats are imminent because they are ongoing
in half of the populations. Therefore, we retained an LPN of 8 for this
species.
Geranium kauaiense (Nohoanu)--We have not updated our candidate
assessment for this species, as we are currently developing a proposed
listing rule.
Gonocalyx concolor (no common name)--The following summary is based
on information from our files. No new information was provided in the
petition we received on May 11, 2004. Gonocalyx concolor is a small
evergreen epiphytic shrub. Currently, G. concolor is known only from
the dwarf or elfin forest type in the Carite Commonwealth Forest (Cerro
La Santa), located in the Sierra de Cayey in the municipalities of
Guayama, Cayey, Caguas, San Lorenzo, and Patillas in southeastern
Puerto Rico. The population previously reported in the Caribbean
National Forest is apparently no longer extant. The limited
distribution (i.e., the entire population located at one site) and low
population numbers (approximately 172 individuals) of G. concolor,
habitat destruction from construction of roads and telecommunication
towers, certain forest management practices such as the development and
maintenance of trails, and potential for catastrophic natural events
threaten this species. Gonocalyx concolor has a restricted distribution
that renders this species vulnerable to natural (e.g., hurricanes,
landslides) or manmade (e.g., telecommunication towers, forest
management practices) threats to its habitat and population, thus
making the threat magnitude high. The Puerto Rico Department of Natural
and Environmental Resources developed a management plan for the Carite
Commonwealth Forest in 1976. This management plan includes the
protection and conservation of species classified under PRDNER
regulations as critical, threatened, or endangered. Actions that may
impact such species are generally scrutinized, and measures to minimize
or avoid impacts to these species are recommended and implemented, if
deemed appropriate. Thus, the immediacy of the threats is nonimminent.
Therefore, we have assigned an LPN of 5 for the Gonocalyx concolor.
Hazardia orcuttii (Orcutt's hazardia)--The following summary is
based on information contained in our files and the petition we
received on March 8, 2001. Hazardia orcuttii is an evergreen shrubby
species in the Asteraceae (sunflower family). The erect shrubs are 50-
100 centimeters (20-40 inches) high. The only known extant native
occurrence of this species in the U.S., is in the Manchester
Conservation Area in northwestern San Diego County, California. This
site is managed by Center for Natural Lands Management. Hazardia
orcuttii also occurs at a few coastal sites in Mexico, where it has no
conservation standing in Mexico. The occurrences in Mexico are
threatened by the rapid rate of coastal development from Tijuana to
Ensenada. There are approximately 600 native plants remaining in the
U.S. and the population in Mexico is estimated at approximately 1,300
plants. Apparent threats to the U.S. population include pedestrian
trampling, on- and off-leash dogs, and creation of bicycle trails near
Hazardia orcuttii plants. Competition from invasive nonnative plants
may pose a threat to the reproductive potential of this species.
Another significant threat is the apparently low reproductive output of
the species. This stems from a recent study that found that 95 percent
of the flowers examined were damaged by insects or fungal agents or
aborted prematurely, and that insects or fungal agents damaged 50
percent of the seeds produced. The threats are of a high magnitude
because they are significant enough that they could adversely affect
the continued existence of the species. Overall, the threats are
nonimminent since the species occurs in a protected area where some of
the threats are not occurring since they are managed. Therefore, we
assigned this species a listing priority of 5.
Hedyotis fluviatilis (Kamapuaa)--The following summary is based on
information contained in our files. No new information was provided in
the petition we received on May 11, 2004. Kamapuaa is a scandent shrub
found in mixed shrubland to wet lowland forest on Oahu and Kauai,
Hawaii. This species is known from 12 populations totaling 800 to 1,200
individuals throughout its range. Hedyotis fluviatilis is threatened by
pigs and goats that degrade and destroy habitat, and by nonnative
plants that outcompete and displace it. All of the threats occur range-
wide and no efforts for their control or eradication are being
undertaken. We retained an LPN of 2 because the severity of the threats
is high and are ongoing so are imminent.
Helianthus verticillatus (Whorled sunflower)--See above in
``Summary of Listing Priority Changes in Candidates.'' The above
summary is based on information contained in our files. No new
information was provided in the petition we received on May 11, 2004.
Hibiscus dasycalyx (Neches River rose-mallow)--The following
summary is based on information from our files. No new information was
provided in the petition received on May 11, 2004. Neches River rose-
mallow is a perennial woody herb growing 1-2 meters tall with one or
more stems per clump and white flowers 7.5-15 centimeters wide,
consisting of five 5-10 centimeter-long white petals with deep red or
purple at the base. The Neches River rose-mallow appears to be
restricted to wetlands, or those portions of wetlands that are exposed
to open sun and normally hold standing water early in the growing
season, with water levels dropping during late summer and fall. This
species appears to have community dominance within the narrow band
between high and low water levels in wetlands exposed to open sun.
However, historical habitat has been affected by drainage or filling of
floodplain depressions and oxbows, stream channelization, road
construction, timber harvesting, agricultural activities (primarily
mowing and grazing), and herbicide use. Threats that continue to
potentially affect the species include wetland alteration, herbicide
use, grazing, mowing during the species' growing and flowering period,
and genetic swamping by other Hibiscus species.
A 1995 status survey of 10 counties resulted in confirmation or
discovery of the species in only three sites, but in three separate
counties and three different watersheds, suggesting a
[[Page 69088]]
relatively wide historical range. These three populations--Ponta site
in Cherokee County, Lovelady in Houston County, and Highway 94 in
Trinity County--were all within highway rights-of-way and somewhat
protected by a management agreement between Texas Parks and Wildlife
Department and Texas Department of Transportation. Because these sites
were still vulnerable to herbicides and adjacent agricultural
activities, they supported relatively low population numbers: In 2005,
Ponta (Highway 204) had declined to 0 plants; Lovelady (Highway 230),
to 0 plants; and Highway 94, to 20 plants. Continued surveys for H.
dasycalyx have resulted in new populations. About 300 plants were found
on land owned by the Temple-Inland Corporation in east Trinity County.
A Candidate Conservation Agreement was developed for this site, but
smaller plant numbers have been seen in recent years, possibly due to
changes in the wetland's hydrology. Another site discovered on land
previously owned by Champion International Corporation (near White Rock
Creek in west Trinity County) once supported 300-400 plants. However,
the status of this population is currently unknown due to a change in
ownership.
In west Houston County, a population of 300 to 400 plants
discovered on private land has been purchased by the Natural Area
Preservation Association, a land trust organization, in order to
protect this land in perpetuity. In east Houston County, a population
discovered in Compartment 55 in Davy Crockett National Forest numbered
over 1,000 in 2006. Davy Crockett National Forest represents the only
public land within the range of H. dasycalyx. In 2000, nearly 800
plants were introduced into Compartments 16 and 20 of Davy Crockett
National Forest as part of a reintroduction effort. One population has
retained high numbers (350 in 2006), but the second was affected by a
change in hydrology and has declined to 50 plants in 2006. In 2004, 200
plants were placed in a wetland in Compartment 11 of Davy Crockett
National Forest. This attempt has not been successful; only 10 plants
were seen in 2006 and all showed evidence of wilt and insect predation.
Four unconfirmed reports of the Neches River rose-mallow in Davy
Crockett National Forest will be investigated in 2008.
The threats to the species continue to be of a high magnitude
because they can severely affect the survival and reproductive capacity
of the species. Overall the threats are nonimminent since they are not
currently affecting or likely to affect the majority of the populations
of this species in the immediate future. Thus, we have retained an LPN
of 5 for the Neches River rose-mallow.
Indigofera mucronata keyensis (Florida indigo)--The following
summary is based on information contained in our files. No new
information was provided in the petition we received on May 11, 2004.
Florida indigo occurs in coastal rock barrens, ecotone rock barren
areas, and scraped areas mimicking rock barren habitat. Based upon
available data, there are 12 occurrences of Florida indigo on eight
islands in the upper and middle Florida Keys, in Monroe County; half of
the original occurrences in the Keys are now extirpated, as are
historic occurrences on mainland Florida in Collier and Miami-Dade
Counties. Most occurrences are small; total population size is probably
close to 3,000 individuals. One of the largest occurrences (500
individuals) is on private lands. Florida indigo is threatened by
habitat loss, even on public lands, as well as habitat loss and
degradation from exotic plants on all sites. Shading by hardwoods is a
problem at approximately half of the sites. Planned restoration
activities, illegal dumping, and trespass have also been identified as
threats. Florida indigo is vulnerable to natural disturbances, such as
hurricanes, tropical storms, and storm surges; however, these factors
may also work to maintain coastal rock barren habitat in the long-term.
Sea level rise is considered a long-term threat that will continue.
Overall, the threats are moderate in magnitude because most populations
occur on public land where there is some work being done to manage for
this species. The threats are ongoing, and therefore, imminent. Thus,
we assigned an LPN of 9 to this plant variety.
Ivesia webberi (Webber ivesia)--The following summary is based on
information contained in our files. No new information was provided in
the petition we received on May 11, 2004. Ivesia webberi is a low,
spreading, perennial herb that occurs very infrequently in Lassen,
Plumas, and Sierra Counties, California, and in Douglas and Washoe
Counties, Nevada. The species is restricted to sites with sparse
vegetation and shallow, rocky soils composed of volcanic ash or derived
from andesitic rock. Occupied sites generally occur on mid-elevation
flats, benches, or terraces on mountain slopes above large valleys
along the transition zone between the eastern edge of the northern
Sierra Nevada and the northwestern edge of the Great Basin Desert.
Currently, the global population is estimated at approximately 4.8
million individuals at 15 known sites. The Nevada sites support nearly
98 percent of the total number of individuals (4.7 million) on about 30
acres of occupied habitat. The California sites are larger in area,
totaling about 156 acres, but support fewer individuals (approximately
115,000).
The primary threats to Webber ivesia include urban development,
authorized and unauthorized roads, off-road vehicle activities and
other dispersed recreation, livestock grazing and trampling, fire and
fire suppression activities including fuels reduction and prescribed
fires, and displacement by noxious weeds. Despite the high numbers of
individuals, observations in 2002 and 2004 confirmed that direct and
indirect impacts to the species and its habitat, specifically from
urban development and off-highway vehicle activity remain high and are
likely to increase. The threats are therefore of a high magnitude.
However, the U.S. Forest Service has committed to develop a
conservation strategy and monitoring program to protect this species on
National Forest lands, and the State of Nevada has listed the species
as critically endangered, which provides a mechanism to track future
impacts on private lands. In addition, both the Forest Service and
State of Nevada have agreed to coordinate closely on all activities
that may affect this species. For these reasons, we determined that the
threats to Webber ivesia are nonimminent and we maintained an LPN of 5
for this species.
Joinvillea ascendens ssp. ascendens (Ohe)--The following summary is
based on information contained in our files. No new information was
provided in the petition we received on May 11, 2004. Ohe is an erect
herb found in wet to mesic Metrosideros polymorpha-Acacia koa (ohia-
koa) forest on the islands of Kauai, Oahu, Molokai, Maui, and Hawaii,
Hawaii. Joinvillea ascendens ssp. ascendens is known from 37
populations totaling approximately 200 individuals throughout its
range. Plants are typically found as only one or two individuals, with
miles between populations. This subspecies is threatened by pigs,
goats, and deer that degrade and destroy habitat, and by nonnative
plants that outcompete and displace native plants. Predation by pigs,
goats, deer, and rats is a likely threat to this species. Seedlings
have rarely been observed in the wild. Seeds germinate in cultivation,
but most die soon thereafter. It is uncertain if this rarity of
reproduction is typical of this subspecies, or if it is related to
habitat disturbance. Feral pigs
[[Page 69089]]
have been fenced out of a few of the populations of J. ascendens ssp.
ascendens, and nonnative plants have been reduced in a few populations
that are fenced. However, these threats are not controlled and are
ongoing in the remaining, unfenced populations. The threats to this
species are of high magnitude because habitat degradation, nonnative
plants and predation could affect the ability of the species to
survive. The threats are on-going, and thus are imminent. Therefore, we
retained an LPN of 3 for this subspecies.
Keysseria erici (no common name)--We have not updated our candidate
assessment for this species, as we are currently developing a proposed
listing rule.
Keysseria helenae (no common name)--We have not updated our
candidate assessment for this species, as we are currently developing a
proposed listing rule.
Korthalsella degeneri (Hulumoa)--The following summary is based on
information contained in our files. No new information was provided in
the petition we received on May 11, 2004. Hulumoa is a parasitic
subshrub found on two species of native trees, Sapindus oahuensis and
Nestegis sandwicensis, only in diverse mesic forests on Oahu, Hawaii.
Recent surveys indicate that the species is known only from one
population of 900 to 1,000 individuals in Makua Valley. Korthalsella
degeneri is threatened by pigs and goats that degrade and destroy
habitat, fire, and nonnative plants that outcompete and displace native
plants. Goats and pigs may prey upon the plant species K. degeneri is
dependent on. Goats and pigs have been partially fenced out of the area
in Makua Valley where K. degeneri currently occurs, but some goats are
still present. Fires resulting from military activities have been
minimized but not completely eliminated. Threats continue to be of a
high magnitude and imminent, because they are ongoing and because of
the potential for the elimination of the only known population by a
single fire event. Therefore, we retained an LPN of 2 for this species.
Labordia helleri (Kamakahala)--We have not updated our candidate
assessment for this species, as we are currently developing a proposed
listing rule.
Labordia pumila (Kamakahala)--We have not updated our candidate
assessment for this species, as we are currently developing a proposed
listing rule.
Leavenworthia crassa (Gladecress)--The following information is
based on information contained in our files. No new information was
provided in the petition we received on May 11, 2004. This species of
gladecress is a component of glade flora, occurring in association with
limestone outcroppings. Leavenworthia crassa is endemic to a 13-mile
radius area in north central Alabama in Lawrence and Morgan Counties,
Alabama, where only six populations of this species are documented.
Glade habitats today have been reduced to remnants fragmented by
agriculture and development. Populations of this species are now
located in glade-like areas exhibiting various degrees of disturbance
including pastureland, roadside rights-of-way, and cultivated or plowed
fields. The most vigorous populations of this species are located in
areas which receive full, or near full, sunlight with limited
herbaceous competition. The magnitude of threat is high for this
species, because with the limited number of populations, the threats
could result in direct mortality or reduced reproductive capacity of
the species. The immediacy of threat is nonimminent since there are no
known projects planned that would destroy any sites and the species is
able to withstand some disturbance. Thus, we assigned an LPN of 5 to
this species.
Leavenworthia texana (Texas golden gladecress)--The following
summary is based on information from our files. No new information was
provided in the petition we received on May 11, 2004. The Texas golden
gladecress is a small annual member of the mustard family, with deep,
yellow petals only 7-10 mm long; flowering is February through March.
The gladecress occurs only on the Weches outcrops of east Texas in San
Augustine and Sabine counties. The Weches geologic formation consists
of a layer of calcareous sediment, lying above a layer of glauconite
clay deposited up to 50 million years ago. Erosion of this complex has
produced topography of steep, flat-topped hills and escarpments, as
well as the unique ecology of Weches glades: islands of thin, loamy,
seepy, alkaline soils that support open-sun, herbaceous, and highly
diverse and specialized plant communities.
The gladecress was historically recorded at eight sites, all in a
narrow region along north San Augustine and Sabine counties, following
the Weches formation. All sites are on private land. Two historic
locations have been lost to glauconite mining. A nearby glauconite mine
has probably altered the water regime at another historic site. Two
sites are currently closed to visitors, so biologists could not
evaluate the number of plants they could support. However, the Sabine
County site supported 1000 plants within 9 square meters in 2007. The
Tiger Creek site in San Augustine County (less than 0.1 ha in size) was
found to have about 200 gladecress in 2007. The Kardell site (less than
9 square meters) has supported 400-500 plants in past years, but none
in 2005. An introduced population in Nacogdoches County numbered about
1000 within an area of about 18 square meters in 2007.
Historic gladecress habitat has been affected by highway
construction, residential development, conversion to pasture and
cropland, widespread use of herbicide, overgrazing, and glauconite
mining. However, the primary threat to existing gladecress populations
is the invasion of nonnative and weedy shrubs and vines (primarily
Macartney rose (Rosa bracteata) and Japanese honeysuckle (Lonicera
japonica)). All known sites are undergoing severe degradation by the
incursion of nonnative shrubs and vines, which restrict both growth and
reproduction of the gladecress. Brushclearing carried out in 1995
resulted in the reappearance of gladecress after a 10-year absence at
one site. However, nonnative shrubs have again invaded this area. More
effective control measures, such as burning and selective herbicide
use, need to be tested and monitored. The small number of known sites
also makes the gladecress vulnerable to extreme natural disturbance
events. A severe drought in 1999 and 2000 had a pronounced adverse
effect on gladecress reproduction. Since the threat from nonnative
plants severely affects all known sites, the magnitude is high. The
threats are imminent since they are ongoing. Therefore, we retain an
LPN of 2 for the Texas golden gladecress.
Lesquerella globosa (Desvaux) Watson (Short's bladderpod)--The
following summary is based on information contained in our files. No
new information was provided in the petition we received on May 11,
2004. Short's bladderpod is a perennial member of the mustard family
that occurs in Indiana (1 location), Kentucky (6 locations), and
Tennessee (18 locations). It grows on steep, rocky, wooded slopes,
talus areas, along cliff tops and bases, and on cliff ledges. It is
usually associated with south to west facing calcareous outcrops
adjacent to rivers or streams. Road construction and road maintenance
have played a significant role in the decline of Lesquerella globosa.
Specific activities that have affected the species in the past and
potentially threaten it now, include bank stabilization, herbicide use,
mowing during the growing season, grading of road shoulders, and road
[[Page 69090]]
widening or repaving. Sediment deposition during road maintenance or
from other activities also potentially threatens the species.
Interruption of natural processes that maintained habitat suitability
and competition from invasive nonnative vegetation necessitates active
habitat management at many locations. Given the number of threats that
could adversely affect the ability of this species to survive, the
magnitude of threat is high. Based upon the number of populations and
the anticipation that most of these threats will not be realized in the
next 1-2 years, the threats are nonimminent. We have therefore assigned
an LPN of 5 to this species.
Linum arenicola (Sand flax)--The following summary is based on
information in our files. No new information was provided in the
petition we received on May 11, 2004. Based upon available data, there
are 10 extant occurrences of sand flax; 11 others are extirpated or
destroyed. Only small and isolated occurrences remain in a restricted
range of southern Florida and the Florida Keys. Habitat loss and
degradation due to development is a major threat--most of the remaining
occurrences are on private land or non-conservation public land.
However, much of the pine rocklands on Big Pine Key are protected.
Nearly all remaining populations are threatened by fire suppression,
difficulty in applying prescribed fire, road maintenance activities,
exotic species, or illegal dumping. However, some efforts are underway
to use prescribed fire and control exotics on conservation lands. Sand
flax is vulnerable to natural disturbances, such as hurricanes,
tropical storms, and storm surges; Hurricane Wilma inundated most of
its habitat on Big Pine Key in 2005, and plants were not found 8-9
weeks post-storm. We also consider sea level rise to be a substantial
threat that will reduce the extent of upland habitats. Due to the small
and fragmented nature of the current population, stochastic events,
disease, or genetic bottlenecks may strongly affect this species.
Reduced pollinator activity and suppression of pollinator populations
from pesticides used in mosquito control and decreased seed production
due to increased seed predation in a fragmented wildland-urban
interface may also affect sand flax; however, not enough information is
known on this species' reproductive biology or life history to assess
these potential threats. Viability is uncertain. Overall, the magnitude
of threats is high and most threats are ongoing and thus are imminent.
Therefore, we assigned an LPN of 2 to this species.
Linum carteri var. carteri (Carter's small-flowered flax)--The
following summary is based on information in our files. No new
information was provided in the petition we received on May 11, 2004.
This plant occupies open sites in pinelands of Miami-Dade County,
Florida. Occurrences with fewer than 100 individuals are located on
three county-owned preserves. An occurrence with more than 100 plants
is on a non-conservation site owned by the U.S. government. The 10
existing occurrences are small and vulnerable to habitat loss, which is
exacerbated by habitat degradation due to fire suppression, the
difficulty of applying prescribed fire to pine rocklands, and threats
from exotic plants. Remaining habitats are fragmented. Non-compatible
management practices are also a threat at most protected sites; several
sites are mowed during the flowering and fruiting season. The species
is vulnerable to natural disturbances, such as hurricanes, tropical
storms, and storm surges. This species exists in such small numbers at
so few sites, that it may be difficult to develop viable occurrences on
the available conservation lands. Although no population viability
analysis has been conducted for this plant, indications are that
existing occurrences are at best marginal and none are truly viable. As
a result, the magnitude of threats is high. Because no viable
populations of this plant exist, threats are imminent, so we assigned
an LPN of 3 to this plant variety.
Lysimachia daphnoides (Lehua makanoe)--We have not updated our
candidate assessment for this species, as we are currently developing a
proposed listing rule.
Melicope christophersenii (Alani)--The following summary is based
on information contained in our files. No new information was provided
in the petition we received on May 11, 2004. Melicope christophersenii
is a long-lived perennial shrub or tree found in Metrosideros
tremuloides montane wet forest in the Waianae Mountains on Oahu,
Hawaii. Currently, this species is known from one wide-spread area
totaling approximately 300 individuals. Melicope christophersenii is
threatened by feral pigs that may eat it and degrade and destroy
habitat, and nonnative plants that compete for light and nutrients. The
black twig borer may pose a threat to M. christophersenii because it is
known to infest other species of Melicope on Oahu and it occurs
throughout the Waianae Mountains. Only a few individuals may benefit
from fencing that the U.S. Army has constructed. The threats to M.
christophersenii from feral pigs, nonnative plants, and the black twig
borer are imminent and of a high magnitude because they represent
severe threats to the species throughout its limited range and they are
ongoing; therefore, we retained an LPN of 2 for this species.
Melicope degeneri (Alani)--We have not updated our candidate
assessment, as we are currently developing a proposed listing rule for
this species.
Melicope hiiakae (Alani)--We have not updated our candidate
assessment, as we are currently developing a proposed listing rule for
this species.
Melicope makahae (Alani)--The following summary is based on
information contained in our files. No new information was provided in
the petition we received on May 11, 2004. Melicope makahae is a shrub
or shrubby tree found in mesic forest in the Waianae Mountains on Oahu,
Hawaii. Currently M. makahae is known from two populations on two
discrete ridges, totaling approximately 200 individuals. This species
is threatened by goats and pigs that degrade and destroy habitat, and
likely prey upon the plants, and nonnative plants that compete for
light and nutrients. The black twig borer is a likely threat to M.
makahae, because it is known to infest other species of Melicope on
Oahu and it occurs throughout the Waianae Mountains. Portions of both
populations are within fenced and managed areas; however, the threats
to M. makahae from goats, pigs, nonnative plants, and the black twig
borer are of a high magnitude because they pose a severe threat to all
unmanaged individuals range-wide. The threats are imminent, since they
are ongoing. Therefore, we retained an LPN of 2 for this species.
Melicope paniculata (Alani)--We have not updated our candidate
assessment for this species, as we are currently developing a proposed
listing rule.
Melicope puberula (Alani)--We have not updated our candidate
assessment for this species, as we are currently developing a proposed
listing rule.
Myrsine fosbergii (Kolea)--The following summary is based on
information contained in our files. No new information was provided in
the petition we received on May 11, 2004. Myrsine fosbergii is a
branched shrub or small tree found in cloud swept ridges and wet forest
on Kauai and Oahu, Hawaii. This species is currently known from 9
populations totaling approximately 56 individuals on Kauai and from 8
populations totaling between
[[Page 69091]]
73 and 83 individuals in the Koolau mountains of Oahu. Myrsine
fosbergii is threatened by feral pigs and goats that degrade and
destroy habitat and may prey upon the plant, and nonnative plants that
compete for light and nutrients. Although there are plans to fence and
remove ungulates from the Helemano area of Oahu, which may benefit this
species, no conservation measures have been taken to date to alleviate
these threats for this species. Feral pigs and goats are found
throughout the known range of M. fosbergii, as are nonnative plants.
The threats from feral pigs, goats, and nonnative plants are of a high
magnitude because they pose a severe threat throughout the limited
range of this species and are on-going and therefore imminent. We
retained an LPN of 2 for this species.
Myrsine mezii (Kolea)--We have not updated our candidate
assessment, as we are currently developing a proposed listing rule for
this species.
Myrsine vaccinioides (Kolea)--The following summary is based on
information contained in our files. No new information was provided in
the petition we received on May 11, 2004. Myrsine vaccinioides is a
small branched shrub found in shrubby bogs on Maui, Hawaii. This
species is found scattered throughout the bogs of west Maui, totaling
fewer than 1,000 individuals. Myrsine vaccinioides is threatened by
feral pigs that degrade and destroy habitat, and nonnative plants that
compete for light and nutrients. Pig exclusion fences protect some
individuals of this species, and nonnative plants have been reduced
around some individuals that are fenced. However, these ongoing
conservation efforts benefit only a small number of the known
individuals. Further, nonnative plants will probably never be
completely eradicated because new propagules are constantly being
dispersed into the fenced areas from surrounding, unmanaged lands. The
threats are of a high magnitude because they pose a severe threat
throughout the limited range of the species and are ongoing, and thus
imminent. Therefore, we retained an LPN of 2 for this species.
Narthecium americanum (Bog asphodel)--The following summary is
based on information from our files. No new information was provided in
the petition we received on May 11, 2004. Bog asphodel is a perennial
herb that is found in savannah areas, usually with water moving through
the substrate, as well as in sandy bogs along streams and rivers. The
historic range of bog asphodel include New York, New Jersey, Delaware,
North Carolina, and South Carolina, but is now only found within the
Pine Barrens region of New Jersey.
As an obligate wetland species, N. americanum is threatened by
changes in hydrology, loss of habitat due to filling or draining of
wetlands, flooding as a result of reservoir construction, and
conversion of natural wetlands to commercial cranberry bogs. This
species occurs in the Pine Barrens region, and the Pinelands Commission
issues the State-assumed Clean Water Act Section 404 permits. The
Pinelands Commission grants wetland exemptions to cranberry production
and other agricultural uses. Illegal wetland filling is occurring. For
example, a cranberry expansion was illegally completed without a State
permit. In addition, activities not needing State or federal permits
are occurring in uplands that are indirectly affecting the wetlands.
Natural succession of vegetation in wetlands supporting bog asphodel
from emergent (herbaceous) to forested wetlands may also be
contributing to the decline of the species. Suppression of natural
wildfires that would retard succession or created open wetland
savannahs may be a factor in the decline of the species. Other factors
adversely affecting N. americanum include trampling, erosion, and
siltation caused by recreationists on foot or using off-road vehicles.
Approximately 70 percent of known extant populations occur on State-
owned lands. We are working with the New Jersey Department of
Environmental Protection to abate known moderate threats at these sites
from recreational use and erosion. Approximately 30 percent of the
known extant sites are on privately owned lands, many of which are
threatened by habitat degradation from on-site or adjacent residential
or commercial development. Overall, the threats are moderate due to the
protection provided by the State on State-owned lands. The threats are
ongoing and therefore are imminent. Therefore, we retained an LPN of 8
for this species.
Nothocestrum latifolium (Aiea)--The following summary is based on
information contained in our files. No new information was provided in
the petition we received on May 11, 2004. Aiea is a small tree found in
dry to mesic forest and diverse mesic forests on Kauai, Oahu, Maui,
Molokai, and Lanai, Hawaii. Nothocestrum latifolium is known from 19
populations totaling fewer than 1,100 individuals. This species is
threatened by feral pigs, goats and axis deer that degrade and destroy
habitat and may prey upon it, by nonnative plants that compete for
light and nutrients, and by the loss of pollinators that negatively
affect the reproductive viability of the species. Ungulates have been
fenced out of some areas where N. latifolium currently occurs, and
nonnative plants have been reduced in some populations that are fenced.
However, these ongoing conservation efforts for this species benefit
only a few of the known populations. The threats are not controlled and
are ongoing in the remaining unfenced populations. In addition, little
regeneration is observed in this species. Therefore, the threats are of
a high magnitude since they are severe enough to affect the continued
existence of the species. The threats are imminent since they are
ongoing. Therefore, we retained an LPN of 2 for this species.
Ochrosia haleakalae (Holei)--The following summary is based on
information contained in our files. No new information was provided in
the petition we received on May 11, 2004. Holei is a tree found often
on lava in dry to mesic forest on the islands of Hawaii and Maui,
Hawaii. This species is currently known from 9 wild and outplanted
populations totaling fewer than 500 individuals. Ochrosia haleakalae is
threatened by fire; by feral pigs, goats, and cattle that degrade and
destroy habitat and may directly prey upon holei; and by nonnative
plants that compete for light and nutrients. Feral pigs, goats, and
cattle have been fenced out of one wild and one outplanted population
on private lands on the island of Maui and one outplanted population in
Hawaii Volcanoes National Park on the island of Hawaii. Nonnative
plants have been reduced in the fenced areas. No known conservation
measures have been taken to date for the other populations on the
islands of Maui and Hawaii. The threat from fire is of a high magnitude
and imminent because no control measures have been undertaken to
address this threat that could adversely affect O. haleakalae as a
whole. The threats from feral pigs, goats, and cattle are ongoing to
the unfenced populations of O. haleakalae. The threat from nonnative
plants is ongoing and imminent, and of a high magnitude to the wild
populations on both islands since this threat has the potential to
adversely affect the continued existence of this species. Therefore, we
retained an LPN of 2 for this species.
Pediocactus peeblesianus var. fickeiseniae (Fickeisen plains
cactus)--The following summary is based on information contained in our
files. No new information was provided in the petition we received on
May 11, 2004. The Fickeisen plains cactus is a small
[[Page 69092]]
cactus known from the Gray Mountain vicinity to the Arizona strip in
Coconino and Mohave counties, Arizona. The cactus grows on exposed
layers of Kaibab limestone on canyon margins and well-drained hills in
Navajoan desert or grassland. In 1999, Arizona Game and Fish Department
noted 23 occurrences of the species, including historical ones. The
species is located on Bureau of Land Management, U.S. Forest Service,
tribal, and possibly State lands. Recent reports from the Bureau of
Land Management and Navajo Nation describe populations of the species
as being in decline.
The main human-induced threats to this cactus are off-road vehicles
and trampling associated with livestock grazing. Monitoring data has
detected mortality associated with livestock grazing. Illegal
collection of this species has been noted in the past, but we do not
know if it is a continuing threat. The populations that have been
monitored have been affected, in part, by the continuing drought. There
has been very low recruitment, and rabbits and rodents have consumed
adult plants since there is reduced forage available during these dry
conditions. The threats are high magnitude because they adversely
affect the plant resulting in direct mortality or reduced reproductive
capacity. The threats are imminent because they are ongoing. The LPN
for this plant variety remains a 3.
Penstemon debilis (Parachute beardtongue)--The following summary is
based on information contained in our files. No new information was
provided in the petition we received on May 11, 2004. Penstemon debilis
is an extremely rare plant endemic to oil shale outcrops on the Roan
Plateau escarpment in Garfield County, Colorado. Total estimated number
of plants is approximately 3800 individuals. About 62 percent of the
plants are on private land owned by Occidental Petroleum. Most of the
remaining 38 percent occur in one population on Bureau of Land
Management land that will soon be open to leasing under a new Resource
Management Plan amendment. Pressure to develop energy reserves in this
area is intense. Threats include habitat destruction caused by heavy
equipment use of access roads through plant populations. These threats
are high magnitude because they present a significant threat to the
parachute beardtongue resulting in direct mortality or reduced
reproductive capacity. We maintained an LPN 2 for this species based on
a dramatic increase in the intensity of energy exploration in the last
three years along the Roan Plateau escarpment.
Penstemon scariosus var. albifluvis (White River beardtongue)--The
following summary is based on information contained in our files and
the petition we received on October 27, 1983. The White River
beardtongue is restricted to calcareous soils derived from oil shale
barrens of the Green River Formation in the Uinta Basin of northeastern
Utah and adjacent Colorado. There are 14 occurrences known in Utah and
1 in Colorado. Most of the occupied habitat of the White River
beardtongue is within developed and expanding oil and gas fields. The
location of the species' habitat exposes it to destruction from road,
pipeline, and well-site construction in connection with oil and gas
development. Recreational off-road vehicle use, heavy grazing by
livestock, and wildlife and livestock trampling are additional threats.
Based on current information, we retained an LPN of 6 because these
nonimminent threats present a significant risk to this plant variety.
Peperomia subpetiolata (Ala ala wai nui)--The following summary is
based on information contained in our files. No new information was
provided in the petition we received on May 11, 2004. Ala ala wai nui
is a short-lived perennial herb found in montane mesic forest on Maui,
Hawaii. This species is known from one occurrence consisting of two
subpopulations on windward east Maui, totaling 23 individuals. Further
study of the occurrence indicates that the plants may actually
represent clones of only six genetically distinct individuals.
Peperomia subpetiolata is threatened by feral pigs that may eat this
plant and degrade and destroy habitat, and by nonnative plants that
compete for light and nutrients. Individuals that occur within the
Waikamoi Preserve may benefit from fencing and management actions;
however, all of the threats occur range-wide. We retained an LPN of 2
because the threats are of a high magnitude because they pose a
significant threat to the species resulting in direct mortality or
reduced reproductive capacity, and are ongoing so are imminent.
Phacelia submutica (DeBeque phacelia)--The following summary is
based on information contained in our files. No new information was
provided in the petition we received on May 11, 2004. DeBeque phacelia
is an annual flowering plant endemic to clay soils derived from the
Atwell Gulch and Shire members of the Wasatch Formation in Mesa and
Garfield Counties, Colorado. There are approximately 40 populations,
all less than five acres. The number of plants varies from none to
thousands each year, depending on precipitation. The habitat coincides
with high quality oil and gas reserves of the Piceance Basin, mostly on
federal lands. The primary threats are gas field development and
associated construction and transportation activities, as well as
increased access for all-terrain vehicles. Substantial surface
disturbance alters the unique soil structure and destroys seed banks
that are critical to the survival of this species. These threats are
ongoing, therefore imminent. They are of moderate magnitude because the
threat from oil and gas construction and transportation activities only
affects a little over half of the land area where this plant occurs. We
retained an LPN of 8 for this species.
Phyllostegia bracteata (no common name)--The following summary is
based on information contained in our files. No new information was
provided in the petition we received on May 11, 2004. Phyllostegia
bracteata is a scandent perennial herb found in Metrosideros-
Cheirodendron-Dicranopteris (ohia-olapa-uluhe) montane wet forest.
Currently this species is known from five populations totaling no more
than 19 individuals on east and west Maui. Phyllostegia bracteata is
threatened by feral pigs that may directly prey upon it and degrade and
destroy habitat, nonnative plants that compete for light and nutrients,
and reduced reproductive vigor and randomly occurring natural events.
The threats to P. bracteata from pigs and nonnative plants are of a
high magnitude and imminent because in light of their severity, they
pose a risk to the species range-wide, are ongoing, and are not subject
to any control efforts. Therefore, we retained an LPN of 2 for this
species.
Phyllostegia floribunda (no common name)--See above in ``Summary of
Listing Priority Changes in Candidates.'' No new information was
provided in the petition we received on May 11, 2004.
Phyllostegia hispida (no common name)--We have not updated our
candidate assessment, as we are currently developing a proposed listing
rule for this species.
Physaria tuplashensis (White Bluffs bladder-pod)--The following
summary is based on information contained in our files. No new
information was provided in the petition we received on May 11, 2004.
White Bluffs bladder-pod is a low-growing, herbaceous, short-lived,
perennial plant in the Brassicaceae (mustard) family. Historically and
currently, White Bluffs
[[Page 69093]]
bladder-pod has only been known from a single population that occurs
along the White Bluffs of the Columbia River in Franklin County,
Washington. The entire range of the species is a narrow band,
approximately 33 feet (10 meters) wide by 10.6 miles (17 kilometers)
long, at the upper edge of the bluffs. The species occurs only on
cemented, highly alkaline, calcium carbonate paleosol (a ``caliche''
soil) and is believed to be a ``calciphile.'' Approximately 35 percent
of the known range of the species has been moderately to severely
affected by landslides, an apparently permanent destruction of the
habitat. The entire population of the species is down-slope of
irrigated agricultural land, the source of the water seepage causing
the mass failures and landslides. Other significant threats include the
presence of invasive plants, and some potential use of the habitat by
recreational off road vehicles. While P. tuplashensis is inherently
vulnerable because it is a narrow endemic, the threats are nonimmient
since they are unlikely to occur in the immediate future, except the
threat from invasive plants. Invasive plants are present in the
vicinity, but have not yet been described as a significant problem.
Currently, we know of no plans to expand or significantly modify the
existing agriculture activities in areas adjacent to the population. In
addition, deliberate modification of the species' immediate habitat is
unlikely due to its location and 85 percent Federal ownership. However,
because the threats could negatively affect the only known population
of this species, the threats are high in magnitude. Therefore we
assigned an LPN of 5 to this species.
Pittosporum napaliense (Hoawa)--We have not updated our candidate
assessment for this species, as we are currently developing a proposed
listing rule.
Platanthera integrilabia (Correll) Leur (White fringeless orchid)--
The following summary is based on information contained in our files.
No new information was provided in the petition we received on May 11,
2004. Platanthera integrilabia is a perennial herb that grows in
partially, but not fully, shaded, wet, boggy areas at the head of
streams and on seepage slopes in Alabama, Georgia, Kentucky and
Tennessee. Historically, there were at least 90 populations of
Platanthera integrilabia. Currently there are only 53 extant sites
supporting the species.
Several populations have been lost to road, residential and
commercial construction, and to projects that altered soil and site
hydrology and thereby reduced site suitability for the species. Several
of the known populations are in or adjacent to powerline rights-of-way.
Mechanical clearing of these areas may benefit the species by
maintaining adequate light levels; however, the use of herbicides could
pose a significant threat to the species. All-terrain vehicles have
damaged several sites and pose a threat to most sites. Most of the
known sites for the species occur in areas that are managed
specifically for timber production. Timber management is not
necessarily incompatible with the protection and management of the
species. However, care must be taken during timber management to ensure
that the hydrology of the bogs that supports the species is not
altered. Natural succession can result in decreased light levels.
Because of the dependence of the species upon moderate to high light
levels, some type of active management to prevent complete canopy
closure is required at most locations. Collecting for commercial and
other purposes is a threat. Herbivory (primarily deer) threatens the
species at several sites. Protection and recovery of this species is
dependent upon active management rather than just preservation of its
habitat. Invasive, nonnative plants such as Japanese honeysuckle and
kudzu threaten several sites. Given the number and severity of current
threats to this species, the magnitude of threat is high. Based upon
the number of populations and the anticipation that most of these
threats will not be realized in the next 1-2 years, the threats are
nonimminent. We, therefore, assigned an LPN of 5 to this species.
Platydesma cornuta var. cornuta (no common name)--The following
summary is based on information contained in our files. No new
information was provided in the petition we received on May 11, 2004.
This variety is an erect palmoid shrub found in mesic forest on Oahu,
Hawaii. This variety is known from 9 populations with a combined total
of approximately 36 individuals in the Koolau Mountains on the island
of Oahu. Limited monitoring has shown that this population is
declining. The threats to P. cornuta var. cornuta include feral pigs
that degrade and destroy habitat and possibly prey upon it, and
nonnative plants that compete for light and nutrients. All of the
threats occur range-wide and no efforts for their control or
eradication are being undertaken. We retained an LPN of 3 for this
variety. The threats are of a high magnitude because they are
sufficiently severe to result in direct mortality or significantly
reduce the reproductive capacity of this plant variety. In addition,
they are ongoing, so are imminent.
Platydesma cornuta var. decurrens (no common name)--The following
summary is based on information contained in our files. No new
information was provided in the petition we received on May 11, 2004.
This variety is an erect palmoid shrub found in mesic forest on Oahu,
Hawaii. This variety is known from several populations totaling a few
hundred individuals in the Waianae Mountains. Platydesma cornuta var.
decurrens is threatened by feral pigs and goats that degrade and
destroy habitat and possibly prey upon the plants, and by nonnative
plants that compete for light and nutrients. All of the threats occur
range-wide, and no efforts for their control or eradication are being
undertaken, other than the current protection of 5 individuals within a
fenced enclosure maintained by The Nature Conservancy of Hawaii. We
retained an LPN of 3 for this variety. The threats are high in
magnitude because the threats are sufficiently severe to result in
direct mortality or significantly reduce the reproductive capacity of
this plant variety particularly given its small population size. In
addition, the threats are ongoing, so are imminent.
Platydesma remyi (no common name)--The following summary is based
on information contained in our files. No new information was provided
in the petition we received on May 11, 2004. Platydesma remyi is a
shrub or shrubby tree found in wet forests on old volcanic slopes on
the island of Hawaii, Hawaii. This species is known from two
populations totaling fewer than 50 individuals. Platydesma remyi is
threatened by feral pigs and cattle that degrade and destroy habitat,
nonnative plants that compete for light and nutrients, reduced
reproductive vigor, and stochastic extinction due to naturally
occurring events. Only one individual is included in a rare plant
exclosure in the Laupahoehoe Natural Area Reserve. These threats are
ongoing and therefore imminent, and of a high magnitude because of
their severity; the threats cause direct mortality or significantly
reduce the reproductive capacity of the species throughout its limited
range. Therefore, we retained an LPN of 2 for this species.
Platydesma rostrata (Pilo kea lau lii)--We have not updated our
candidate assessment for this species, as we are currently developing a
proposed listing rule.
Pleomele forbesii (Hala pepe)--The following summary is based on
[[Page 69094]]
information contained in our files. No new information was provided in
the petition we received on May 11, 2004. Pleomele forbesii is a tree
found in diverse mesic and dry forests on Oahu, Hawaii. This species is
currently known from 16 populations totaling 500 individuals. Pleomele
forbesii is threatened by predation by rats, habitat degradation and
destruction by feral pigs and goats, fire, and nonnative plants that
compete for light and nutrients. One population is protected within a
fenced area by the U.S. Navy and the species is represented in an ex
situ collection; however, no other conservation efforts are being
implemented to alleviate the threats to P. forbesii. The threats are of
a high magnitude because of their severity and their potential to
adversely affect this plant throughout its range in all 16 populations.
The threats are ongoing and therefore, imminent. Thus, we retained an
LPN of 2 for this species.
Potentilla basaltica (Soldier Meadow cinquefoil or basalt
cinquefoil)--The following summary is based on information contained in
our files; the petition we received on May 11, 2004, provided no
additional information on the species. Soldier Meadow cinquefoil is a
low-growing, rhizomatous, herbaceous perennial that is associated with
alkali meadows, seeps, and occasionally marsh habitats bordering
perennial thermal springs, outflows, and meadow depressions. In
Humboldt County, Nevada, the species is known only from Soldier Meadow.
In northeastern California, a single population occurs in Lassen
County. At Soldier Meadow, there are 10 discrete known occurrences
within an area of about 70 acres that support about 130,000
individuals. The California population occupies less than an acre on
private lands and supports fewer than 1,000 plants.
The species and its habitat are threatened by recreational use in
the areas where it occurs, as well as the ongoing impacts of past water
diversions and livestock grazing and current off-highway vehicle
travel. Conservation measures implemented recently by the Bureau of
Land Management include the installation of fencing to exclude
livestock, wild horses, burros and other large mammals; closing of
access roads to spring, riparian, and wetland areas and the limiting of
vehicles to designated routes; the establishment of a designated
campground away from the habitats of sensitive species; the
installation of educational signage; and, an increased staff presence,
including law enforcement and a volunteer site steward during the six-
month period of peak visitor use. These conservation measures have
reduced the magnitude of threat to the species to moderate; all
remaining threats are nonimminent and involve long-term changes to the
habitat for the species resulting from past impacts. Until a monitoring
program is in place that allows us to assess the long-term trend of the
species, we continue to assign this species an LPN of 11.
Pritchardia hardyi (Loulu)--We have not updated our candidate
assessment, as we are currently developing a proposed listing rule for
this species.
Pseudognaphalium (Gnaphalium) sandwicensium var. molokaiense
(Enaena)--The following summary is based on information contained in
our files. No new information was provided in the petition we received
on May 11, 2004. Pseudognaphalium sandwicensium var. molokaiense is a
perennial herb found in strand vegetation in dry consolidated dunes on
Molokai and Maui, Hawaii. This variety is known from a total of four
populations with several hundred individuals in the Moomomi area on the
island of Molokai, and a single population of 25 individuals at Puu
Kahulianapa on west Maui. Pseudognaphalium sandwicensium var.
molokaiense is threatened by axis deer and cattle that degrade and
destroy habitat and possibly prey upon it, and by nonnative plants that
compete for light and nutrients. Potential threats also include
collection for lei and off-road vehicles that directly damage plants
and degrade habitat. While ungulate exclusion fences protect the three
populations of P. sandwicensium var. molokaiense on Molokai and
nonnative plant control has been implemented in these populations, no
conservation efforts have been initiated to date for the individuals on
Maui. The ongoing threats from axis deer, cattle, nonnative plants,
collection, and off-road vehicles are of a high magnitude because no
control measures have been undertaken for the Maui population and the
threats therefore pose a significant threat to this plant. Therefore,
we retained an LPN of 3 for this variety.
Psychotria grandiflora (Kopiko)--We have not updated our candidate
assessment, as we are currently developing a proposed listing rule for
this species.
Psychotria hexandra ssp. oahuensis var. oahuensis (Kopiko)--The
following summary is based on information contained in our files. No
new information was provided in the petition we received on May 11,
2004. Psychotria hexandra ssp. oahuensis var. oahuensis is a tree or
shrub found in mesic and wet forests on Oahu, Hawaii. This variety is
known from three populations of fewer than 20 individuals. Two other
varieties of this subspecies, var. hosakana and var. rockii, are
extinct. Psychotria hexandra ssp. oahuensis var. oahuensis is
threatened by feral pigs and rats that consume this plant and degrade
and destroy habitat, rats that consume its fruit, and nonnative plants
that compete for light and nutrients. All of the threats occur range-
wide, and no efforts for their control or eradication are being
undertaken. We retained an LPN of 3 because the threats are of a high
magnitude because they could adversely affect this plant variety
resulting in direct mortality or reduced reproductive capacity, and are
ongoing, so are imminent.
Psychotria hobdyi (Kopiko)--We have not updated our candidate
assessment for this species, as we are currently developing a proposed
listing rule.
Pteralyxia macrocarpa (Kaulu)--The following summary is based on
information contained in our files. No new information was provided in
the petition we received on May 11, 2004. Kaulu is a tree found in
valleys and slopes in diverse mesic forest on Oahu, Hawaii. This
species is known from 20 populations totaling less than 300
individuals. This species is threatened by feral pigs and goats that
degrade and destroy habitat; nonnative plants that compete for light
and nutrients; and possibly by predation from feral pigs, goats, rats,
and the two-spotted leafhopper. These threats are of a high magnitude
because in light of their severity and the absence of control or
eradication efforts, they have the potential to adversely affect this
plant species throughout its limited range. The threats are also
imminent because they are ongoing. We retained an LPN of 2 for this
species.
Ranunculus hawaiensis (Makou)--The following summary is based on
information contained in our files. No new information was provided in
the petition we received on May 11, 2004. Ranunculus hawaiensis is an
erect or ascending perennial herb found in mesic to wet forest
dominated by Metrosideros polymorpha and Acacia koa with scree
substrate on Maui and the island of Hawaii, Hawaii. Populations
formerly within Haleakala National Park have been extirpated. This
species is known from fewer than 300 individuals in six populations.
Four wild populations occur on Hawaii, and three outplanted populations
and two wild populations occur on Maui, one on east Maui at Kahikinui
and one on west
[[Page 69095]]
Maui at Lihau. Ranunculus hawaiensis is threatened by direct predation
by slugs, feral pigs, goats, cattle, mouflon, and sheep; by pigs,
goats, cattle, mouflon and sheep that degrade and destroy habitat; and
by nonnative plants that compete for light and nutrients. Three
populations have been outplanted into protected exclosures; however,
feral ungulates and nonnative plants are not controlled in the
remaining, unfenced populations. In addition, the threat from slugs is
of a high magnitude because slugs occur throughout the limited range of
this species and no effective measures have been undertaken to control
them or prevent them from causing significant adverse impacts to this
species. Therefore, the threats from pigs, goats, cattle, mouflon,
sheep, slugs, and nonnative plants are of a high magnitude and ongoing
and imminent for R. hawaiensis. We retained an LPN of 2 for this
species.
Ranunculus mauiensis (Makou)--The following summary is based on
information contained in our files. No new information was provided in
the petition we received on May 11, 2004. Ranunculus mauiensis is an
erect to weakly ascending perennial herb found in open sites in mesic
to wet forest and along streams on the islands of Maui, Kauai, and
Molokai, Hawaii. This species is currently known from fewer than 200
individuals on Molokai, more than 100 individuals on Maui, and
approximately 76 individuals on Kauai. Ranunculus mauiensis is
threatened by feral pigs, goats, deer and slugs that consume it; by
habitat degradation and destruction by feral pigs, goats and deer; and
by nonnative plants that compete for light and nutrients. Feral pigs
have been fenced out of the Maui populations of R. mauiensis, and
nonnative plants have been reduced in the fenced areas. One individual
occurs in the Kamakou Preserve on Molokai, managed by The Nature
Conservancy of Hawaii. However, these ongoing conservation efforts
benefit only the Maui and Molokai individuals and absent conservation
efforts for the Kauia individuals, these threats present a significant
risk to the continued existence of R. mauiensis. Therefore, the threats
continue to be of a high magnitude to this species on Kauai. Threats to
the species overall are also of a high magnitude, since half of the
individuals are found on Kauai. In addition, threats to R. mauiensis
are imminent because they are ongoing in the Kauai and the majority of
the Maui populations. Therefore, we retained an LPN of 2 for this
species.
Rorippa subumbellata (Tahoe yellow cress)--The following summary is
based on information contained in our files and the petition we
received on December 27, 2000. Tahoe yellow cress is a small perennial
herb known only from the shores of Lake Tahoe in California and Nevada.
Data collected over the last 25 years generally indicate that species
occurrence fluctuates yearly as a function of both lake level and the
amount of exposed habitat. Records kept since 1900 show a preponderance
of years with high lake levels that would isolate and reduce Tahoe
yellow cress occurrences at higher beach elevations. From the
standpoint of the species, less favorable peak years have occurred
almost twice as often as more favorable low-level years. Annual surveys
are conducted to determine population numbers, site occupancy, and
general disturbance regime. During the 2003 and 2004 annual survey
period, the lake level was approximately 6,224 ft (1,898 m); 2004 was
the fourth consecutive year of low water. Tahoe yellow cress was
present at 45 of the 72 sites surveyed (65 percent occupied), up from
15 sites (19 percent occupied) in 2000 when the lake level was high at
6,228 ft. Approximately 25,200 stems were counted or estimated in 2003,
whereas during the 2000 annual survey, the estimated number of stems
was 4,590. Lake levels began to rise again in 2005 and less habitat was
available; intermediate lake levels are expected in 2007.
Many Tahoe yellow cress sites are intensively used for commercial
and public purposes and are subject to various activities such as
erosion control, marina developments, pier construction, and
recreation. The U.S. Forest Service, California Tahoe Conservancy, and
California Department of Parks and Recreation have management programs
for Tahoe yellow cress that include monitoring, fenced enclosures, and
transplanting efforts when funds and staff are available. Public
agencies (including the Service), private landowners, and environmental
groups collaborated to develop a conservation strategy coupled with a
Memorandum of Understanding/Conservation Agreement. The conservation
strategy, completed in 2003, contains goals and objectives for recovery
and survival, a research and monitoring agenda, and serves as the
foundation for an adaptive management program. Because of the continued
commitments to conservation demonstrated by regulatory and land
management agencies participating in the conservation strategy, we have
determined the threats to Tahoe yellow cress from various land uses
have been reduced to a moderate magnitude. In high lake level years
such as 2005, however, recreational use is concentrated within Tahoe
yellow cress habitat, and we consider this threat in particular to be
ongoing and imminent. Therefore, we maintained an LPN of 8 for this
species.
Schiedea attenuata (no common name)--We have not updated our
candidate assessment, as we are currently developing a proposed listing
rule for this species.
Schiedea pubescens (Maolioli)--The following summary is based on
information contained in our files. No new information was provided in
the petition we received on May 11, 2004. Schiedea pubescens is a
reclining or weakly climbing vine found in diverse mesic to wet forest
on Maui and Molokai, Hawaii. Currently, this species is known from six
populations totaling approximately 100 individuals on Maui and Molokai.
Schiedea pubescens is threatened by feral goats that consume it and
degrade and destroy habitat, and by nonnative plants that compete for
light and nutrients. Feral ungulates have been fenced out of the
population of S. pubescens on Hawaii, and feral goats have been fenced
out of a few of the west Maui populations of S. pubescens. Nonnative
plants have been reduced in the populations that are fenced on Maui.
However, the threats are not controlled and are ongoing in the
remaining unfenced populations on Maui and the three populations on
Molokai. In light of the extremely low number of individuals of this
species, the threats from goats and nonnative plants are of a high
magnitude because they pose a significant threat to the species, and
imminent because they are ongoing. Therefore, we retained an LPN of 2
for this species.
Schiedea salicaria (no common name)--The following summary is based
on information contained in our files. No new information was provided
in the petition we received on May 11, 2004. Schiedea salicaria is an
erect subshrub or shrub found on ridges and steep slopes in dry
shrubland on Maui, Hawaii. Currently, this species is declining
throughout its range, and is known from six populations totaling 100 to
300 individuals, typically of 25 individuals per population. This
species is threatened by cattle that may directly prey upon it and
degrade and destroy habitat, fire, and nonnative plants that compete
for light and nutrients. This species is represented in an ex-situ
collection. All of the threats occur range-wide, and no efforts for
their control or eradication are being undertaken. We retained an LPN
of 2.
[[Page 69096]]
The threats are imminent because they are ongoing, and are of a high
magnitude, because in light of their severity and the small size of the
population, they have the potential to adversely affect the species.
Sedum eastwoodiae (Red Mountain stonecrop)--The following summary
is based on information contained in our files and information provided
by the California Department of Fish and Game. The petition we received
on May 11, 2004 provided no new information on the species. Red
Mountain stonecrop is a perennial succulent which occupies relatively
barren, rocky openings and cliffs in lower montane coniferous forests,
between 1,900 and 4,000 feet elevation. Its distribution is limited to
Red Mountain, Mendocino County, California, where it occupies 30 acres
scattered over 4 square miles. Total population size is estimated at
between 5,300 and 23,000 plants, contained within 27 habitat polygons.
Intensive monitoring suggests considerable annual variation in plant
seedling success and inflorescence production; stonecrop density varied
from year-to-year. The primary threat to the species is the potential
for surface mining for chromium and nickel. The entire distribution
area of Red Mountain stonecrop is either owned by mining interests or
covered by mining claims that are not currently active. Surface mining
would destroy habitat suitability for this species. The species is also
believed threatened by tree and shrub encroachment into its habitat, in
absence of fire. The species distribution by ownership is described as
follows: Federal (Bureau of Land Management)--95 percent ( this portion
of the distribution was recently included in the South Fork Eel River
Wilderness Area, managed by BLM); and private--5 percent. Given the
magnitude (high, because mining of the area would put the continued
existence of the species at risk) and immediacy (nonimminent, because
there are no known plans to mine the area) of the threat to the small,
scattered populations, and its taxonomy (species), we assigned an LPN
of 5 to this species.
Sicyos macrophyllus (Anunu)--The following summary is based on
information contained in our files. No new information was provided in
the petition we received on May 11, 2004. Sicyos macrophyllus is a
perennial vine found in wet Metrosideros polymorpha (ohia) forest and
subalpine Sophora chrysophylla-Myoporum sandwicense (mamane-naio)
forest on the island of Hawaii, Hawaii. This species is known from six
populations totaling a few hundred individuals in the Kohala and Mauna
Kea areas and in Hawaii Volcanoes National Park (Puna area) on the
island of Hawaii. It appears that a naturally occurring population at
Kipuka Ki in Hawaii Volcanoes National Park is reproducing by seeds,
but seeds have not been successfully germinated under nursery
conditions. This species is threatened by feral pigs and sheep that
degrade and destroy habitat, and nonnative plants that compete for
light and nutrients. Feral pigs have been fenced out of some of the
areas where S. macrophyllus currently occurs, but the fences do not
exclude sheep. Nonnative plants have been reduced in the populations
that are fenced. However, the threats are not controlled and are
ongoing in the remaining, unfenced populations, and are, therefore,
imminent. Similarly the threat from sheep is ongoing and imminent in
all populations, because the current fences do not exclude sheep. In
addition, all of the threats are of a high magnitude, because habitat
degradation and competition from nonnative plants present a risk to the
species, resulting in direct mortality or significantly reducing the
reproductive capacity. Therefore, we retained an LPN of 2 for this
species.
Solanum nelsonii (popolo)--See above in ``Summary of Listing
Priority Changes in Candidates.'' The above summary is based on
information from our files. No new information was provided in the
petition we received on May 11, 2004.
Stenogyne cranwelliae (no common name)--The following summary is
based on information contained in our files. No new information was
provided in the petition we received on May 11, 2004. Stenogyne
cranwelliae is a creeping vine found in wet forest dominated by
Metrosideros polymorpha on the island of Hawaii, Hawaii. Stenogyne
cranwelliae is known from 10 populations totaling 100 individuals. This
species is threatened by feral pigs that degrade and destroy habitat,
and nonnative plants that compete for light and nutrients. In addition,
this species is potentially threatened by rats that may directly prey
upon it, and by randomly occurring natural events such as hurricanes
and landslides. All of the threats occur range-wide and no efforts for
their control or eradication are being undertaken. These threats are
sufficient to adversely affect the species particularly in light of its
small population size. We retained an LPN of 2 because the threats are
of a high magnitude and are ongoing, so are imminent.
Stenogyne kealiae (no common name)--We have not updated our
candidate assessment for this species, as we are currently developing a
proposed listing rule.
Symphyotrichum georgianum (Georgia aster)--See above in ``Summary
of Listing Priority Changes in Candidates.'' The above summary is based
on information from our files. No new information was provided in the
petition we received on May 11, 2004.
Zanthoxylum oahuense (Ae)--The following summary is based on
information contained in our files. No new information was provided in
the petition we received on May 11, 2004. Zanthoxylum oahuense is a
small tree found in mesic to wet forest habitat on Oahu, Hawaii.
Currently this species is known from 11 populations totaling fewer than
40 individuals on Oahu. Zanthoxylum oahuense is threatened by feral
pigs that directly prey upon it and degrade and destroy habitat,
nonnative plants that compete for light and nutrients, and the two-
spotted leafhopper. All of the threats occur range-wide and no efforts
for their control or eradication are being undertaken. These threats
are sufficient to adversely affect the species particularly in light of
its small population size. We retained an LPN of 2 for this species,
because the threats are of a high magnitude and are ongoing, so are
imminent.
Ferns and Allies
Christella boydiae (no common name)--See above in ``Summary of
Listing Priority Changes in Candidates.'' The above summary is based on
information contained in our files. No new information was provided in
the petition we received on May 11, 2004.
Doryopteris takeuchii (no common name)--We have not updated our
candidate assessment, as we are currently developing a proposed listing
rule for this species.
Huperzia stemmermanniae (no common name)--The following summary is
based on information contained in our files. No new information was
provided in the petition we received on May 11, 2004. Waewaeiole, a
pendant clubmoss, is found in mesic to wet Metrosideros polymorpha-
Acacia koa (ohia-koa) forests on the islands of Maui and Hawaii,
Hawaii. Only four populations are known, totaling fewer than 30
individuals on Hawaii and Maui. Huperzia stemmermanniae is threatened
by feral pigs, goats, cattle, and deer that degrade and/or destroy
habitat, and by nonnative plants that compete for light, space, and
nutrients. Huperzia stemmermanniae is also threatened by randomly
occurring
[[Page 69097]]
natural events due to its small population size. One population at
Waikamoi Preserve may benefit from fencing for deer and pigs. The
threats to H. stemmermanniae from pigs, goats, cattle, deer, and
nonnative plants are of a high magnitude because they are sufficiently
severe to adversely affect the species throughout its range, resulting
in direct mortality or significantly reducing reproductive capacity.
They are imminent because they are ongoing. Therefore, we retained an
LPN of 2 for this species.
Microlepia strigosa var. mauiensis (Palapalai)--The following
summary is based on information contained in our files. No new
information was provided in the petition we received on May 11, 2004.
Palapalai is a fern found in mesic to wet forests. It is currently
found on the islands of Maui, Hawaii, and Oahu, from at least 11
populations totaling more than 35 individuals. There is a possibility
that the range of this plant variety could be larger and include the
other main Hawaiian Islands. Microlepia strigosa var. mauiensis is
threatened by feral pigs that degrade and destroy habitat, and
nonnative plants that compete for light and nutrients. Pigs have been
fenced out of areas on east and west Maui, and on Hawaii, where M.
strigosa var. mauiensis currently occurs, and nonnative plants have
been reduced in the fenced areas. However, the threats are not
controlled and are ongoing in the remaining unfenced populations on
Maui, Hawaii, and Oahu. Therefore, the threats from feral pigs and
nonnative plants are imminent. They are also of a high magnitude
because they are sufficiently severe to adversely affect the species
throughout its range, resulting in direct mortality or significantly
reducing reproductive capacity. We therefore retained an LPN of 3 for
M. strigosa var. mauiensis.
Petitions To Reclassify Species Already Listed
We previously made warranted-but-precluded findings on five
petitions seeking to reclassify threatened species to endangered
status. Because these species are already listed, they are not
technically candidates for listing and are not included in Table 1.
However, this notice and associated species assessment forms also
constitute the resubmitted petition findings for these species. For the
three grizzly bear populations, we have not updated our resubmitted
petition findings through this notice as explained below. For the other
two species (spikedace and loach minnow), we find that reclassification
to endangered status is currently warranted but precluded by work
identified above (see ``Petition Findings for Candidate Species''
above). One of the primary reasons that the work identified above is
higher priority is that these species are currently listed as
threatened under the Act, and therefore they already receive certain
protections under the Act. The Service promulgated regulations
extending take prohibitions for endangered species under section 9 to
threatened species (50 CFR 17.31). Prohibited actions under section 9
include, but are not limited to, take (i.e., harass, harm, pursue,
hunt, shoot, wound, kill, trap, capture, or collect, or attempt to
engage in such activity). Other protections include those under section
7(a)(2) of the Act whereby Federal agencies must insure that any action
they authorize, fund, or carry out is not likely to jeopardize the
continued existence of any endangered or threatened species.
(1) Grizzly bear (Ursus arctos horribilis) North Cascades
ecosystem, Cabinet-Yaak, and Selkirk populations (Region 6)--We have
not updated our finding with regard to the grizzly bear populations in
the North Cascade, the Cabinet-Yaak, or the Selkirk Ecosystems in this
notice. Between 1991 and 1999, we issued warranted but precluded
findings to reclassify grizzly bears as endangered in the North
Cascades (56 FR 33892-33894, July 24, 1991; 63 FR 30453-30454, June 4,
1998), the Cabinet-Yaak (58 FR 8250-8251, February 12, 1993; 64 FR
26725-26733, May 17, 1999), and the Selkirk Ecosystems (64 FR 26725-
26733, May 17, 1999). We also made previous resubmitted petition
findings that uplisting these three populations to endangered was
warranted but precluded through previous CNORS (most recently on
September 12, 2006; 71 FR 53755). However, none of the findings
included a formal analysis under our 1996 Policy Regarding the
Recognition of Distinct Vertebrate Population Segments (DPS) under the
Endangered Species Act (61 FR 4722-4725, February 7, 1996). Under this
policy a formal analysis of discreteness and significance is necessary
to determine if the entity is a ``listable entity.'' While our 1999
revised 12-month finding performed a preliminary DPS analysis, it
appears to have incorrectly analyzed significance to the listed entity
(i.e., grizzly bears in the lower 48 States) instead of significance to
the taxon (Ursus arctos horribilis) as required by our DPS policy (64
FR 26725-26733, May 17, 1999; 61 FR 4722-4725, February 7, 1996;
National Association of Home Builders v. Norton, 340 F. 3d 835, 852
(9th Cir. 2003)). Additionally, emerging biological information now
suggests increasing levels of connectivity among some of these
populations, casting doubt on their discreteness.
Also relevant is the March 16, 2007, Department of Interior Office
of the Solicitor memorandum (available at: http://www.doi.gov/solicitor/M37013.pdf) regarding the meaning of ``significant portion of
[a species'] range.'' This memorandum states that ``whenever the
Secretary concludes because of the statutory five-factor analysis that
a species is `in danger of extinction throughout * * * a significant
portion of its range,' it is to be listed and the protections of the
ESA applied to the species in that portion of its range.'' The
memorandum goes on to say, ``the Secretary has broad discretion in
defining what portion of a range is `significant.' '' To date, the
Service has not determined whether the North Cascade, the Cabinet-Yaak,
or the Selkirk Ecosystems each constitutes a significant portion of the
grizzly bear's range or whether they only represent significant
portions of the species' range when combined with other units.
On April 18, 2007, the Service initiated a 5-year review to
evaluate the current status of grizzly bears in the lower 48-States
outside of the Greater Yellowstone Area (72 FR 19549-19551). This
status review will fully evaluate the status of each population and the
appropriate application of the DPS policy and the solicitor memorandum
regarding recognition and listing of significant portions of range. We
expect this 5-year review to be completed in 2008.
(2) Spikedace (Meda fulgida) (Region 2) (see 59 FR 35303, July 11,
1994, and the species assessment form (see ADDRESSES) for additional
information on why reclassification to endangered is warranted-but-
precluded)--The spikedace, a small fish species in a monotypic genus,
is found in moderate-to-large perennial waters, where it inhabits
shallow riffles with sand, gravel, and rubble substrates, and moderate-
to-swift currents and swift pools over sand or gravel substrates. This
species is now common only in Aravaipa Creek and portions of the upper
Gila River in New Mexico. Smaller, less stable populations occur in
some areas of the upper Gila, as well as in the Verde River.
The threats to this species are primarily from nonnative aquatic
species and water withdrawals, including groundwater pumping. Other
threats include grazing, road construction, and recreation. Spikedace
[[Page 69098]]
occur in only 5 to 10 percent of their historical range, and threats
occur over the majority of their range, to varying degrees. Threats are
exacerbated by ongoing drought. In addition, different threats can
interact with each other to further cause decline. For example, drought
and water withdrawals may decrease the amount of habitat available to
all species within a given stream, forcing natives and nonnatives into
closer proximity to one another. Effects from nonnative species
introductions are permanent, unless streams are actively renovated and/
or barriers installed to preclude further recolonization by nonnatives.
Grazing pressures have eased somewhat as Federal agencies remove cattle
from streams directly, but upland conditions continue to degrade
watersheds in general. Groundwater withdrawals or exchanges that affect
streamflow are not reversible. For these reasons, the magnitude of the
threat to this species is high. In addition, most of the threats to
this species are already ongoing, in particular grazing, water
withdrawals, nonnative stocking programs, recreational use, and
drought. Because threats have gone on for many years in the past, are
associated with irreversible commitments (i.e., water exchanges), or
are not easily reversed (i.e., nonnative stocking and impacts from
grazing), the threats to the species are imminent. Therefore, we
assigned this species an LPN of 1 for uplisting to endangered.
(3) Loach minnow (Tiaroga cobitis) (Region 2) (see 59 FR 35303,
July 11, 1994, and the species assessment form (see ADDRESSES) for
additional information on why reclassification to endangered is
warranted-but-precluded)--This small fish, the only species within the
genus, is found in small-to-large perennial streams and uses shallow,
turbulent riffles with primarily cobble substrate and swift currents.
This species is now common only in Aravaipa Creek and the Blue River in
Arizona, and limited portions of the San Francisco, upper Gila, and
Tularosa rivers in New Mexico. Smaller, less stable populations occur
in some areas of the upper Gila, such as the Middle Fork and in small
areas of several tributary streams to Aravaipa Creek and the Blue and
Tularosa rivers, such as Pace, Frieborn, Negrito, Turkey, and Deer
creeks. Small populations are also present in Eagle Creek and the Black
River.
The threats to this species are primarily from nonnative aquatic
species and water withdrawals, including groundwater pumping. Other
threats include grazing, road construction, and recreation. Loach
minnow occur in only 10 to 15 percent of their historic range, and
threats occur over the majority of their range, to varying degrees.
Threats are exacerbated by ongoing drought. In addition, different
threats can interact with each other to further cause decline. For
example, drought and water withdrawals may decrease the amount of
habitat available to all species within a given stream, bringing
natives and nonnatives into closer contact. Effects from nonnative
species introductions are permanent, unless streams are actively
renovated and/or barriers installed to preclude further recolonization
by nonnatives. Grazing pressures have eased somewhat as Federal
agencies remove cattle from streams directly, but upland conditions
continue to degrade watersheds in general. Groundwater withdrawals or
exchanges that affect streamflow are not reversible. For these reasons,
the magnitude of the threats to this species is high. In addition, most
of the threats to this species are already ongoing, in particular
grazing, water withdrawals, nonnative stocking programs, recreational
use, and drought. Because threats have gone on for many years in the
past, are associated with irreversible commitments (i.e., water
exchanges), or are not easily reversed (i.e., nonnative stocking and
impacts from grazing), the threats to this species are imminent.
Therefore, we assigned this species an LPN of 1 for uplisting to
endangered.
Current Notice of Review
We gather data on plants and animals native to the U.S. that appear
to merit consideration for addition to the Lists of Endangered and
Threatened Wildlife and Plants. This notice identifies those species
that we currently regard as candidates for addition to the Lists. These
candidates include species and subspecies of fish, wildlife, or plants
and DPSs of vertebrate animals. This compilation relies on information
from status surveys conducted for candidate assessment and on
information from State Natural Heritage Programs, other State and
Federal agencies, knowledgeable scientists, public and private natural
resource interests, and comments received in response to previous
notices of review.
Tables 1 and 2 list animals arranged alphabetically by common names
under the major group headings and list plants alphabetically by names
of genera, species, and relevant subspecies and varieties. Animals are
grouped by class or order. Plants are subdivided into two groups: (1)
Flowering plants and (2) ferns and their allies. Useful synonyms and
subgeneric scientific names appear in parentheses with the synonyms
preceded by an ``equals'' sign. Several species that have not yet been
formally described in the scientific literature are included; such
species are identified by a generic or specific name (in italics),
followed by ``sp.'' or ``ssp.'' We incorporate standardized common
names in these notices as they become available. We sorted plants by
scientific name due to the inconsistencies in common names, the
inclusion of vernacular and composite subspecific names, and the fact
that many plants still lack a standardized common name.
Table 1 lists all candidate species and all species proposed for
listing under the Act. We emphasize that we are not proposing these
candidate species for listing by this notice, but we anticipate
developing and publishing proposed listing rules for these species in
the future. We encourage State agencies, other Federal agencies, and
other parties to give consideration to these species in environmental
planning.
In Table 1, the ``category'' column on the left side of the table
identifies the status of each species according to the following codes:
PE--Species proposed for listing as endangered. Proposed species are
those species for which we have published a proposed rule to list as
endangered or threatened in the Federal Register. This category does
not include species for which we have withdrawn or finalized the
proposed rule.
PT--Species proposed for listing as threatened.
PSAT--Species proposed for listing as threatened due to similarity of
appearance.
C--Candidates: Species for which we have on file sufficient information
on biological vulnerability and threats to support proposals to list
them as endangered or threatened. Issuance of proposed rules for these
species is precluded at present by other higher-priority listing
actions. This category includes species for which we made a 12-month
warranted-but-precluded finding on a petition to list. We made new
findings on all petitions for which we previously made ``warranted-but-
precluded'' findings. We identify the species for which we made a
continued warranted-but-precluded finding on a resubmitted petition by
the code ``C*'' in the category column (see ``Findings on Resubmitted
Petitions'' section for additional information).
The ``Priority'' column indicates the LPN for each candidate
species which we use to determine the most appropriate use of our
available
[[Page 69099]]
resources. The lowest numbers have the highest priority. We assign LPNs
based on the immediacy and magnitude of threats as well as on taxonomic
status. We published a complete description of our listing priority
system in the Federal Register (48 FR 43098, September 21, 1983).
The third column, ``Lead Region,'' identifies the Regional Office
to which you should direct comments or questions (see addresses at the
end of the SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION section).
Following the scientific name (fourth column) and the family
designation (fifth column) is the common name (sixth column). The
seventh column provides the known historic range for the species or
vertebrate population (for vertebrate populations, this is the historic
range for the entire species or subspecies and not just the historic
range for the distinct population segment), indicated by postal code
abbreviations for States and U.S. territories. Many species no longer
occur in all of the areas listed.
Species in Table 2 of this notice are species we included either as
proposed species or as candidates in the previous CNOR (published May
11, 2005) that are no longer proposed species or candidates for
listing. Since May 11, 2005, we removed two species from proposed
status and removed six species from candidate status for the reasons
indicated by the codes. The first column indicates the present status
of the species, using the following codes (not all of these codes may
have been used in this CNOR):
E--Species we listed as endangered.
T--Species we listed as threatened.
Rc--Species we removed from the candidate list because currently
available information does not support a proposed listing.
Rp--Species we removed from the candidate list because we have
withdrawn the proposed listing.
The second column indicates why we no longer regard the species as
a candidate or proposed species using the following codes (not all of
these codes may have been used in this CNOR):
A--Species that are more abundant or widespread than previously
believed and species that are not subject to the degree of threats
sufficient to warrant continuing candidate status, or issuing a
proposed or final listing.
F--Species whose range no longer includes a U.S. territory.
I--Species for which we have insufficient information on
biological vulnerability and threats to support issuance of a
proposed rule to list.
L--Species we added to the Lists of Endangered and Threatened
Wildlife and Plants.
M--Species we mistakenly included as candidates or proposed
species in the last notice of review.
N--Species that are not listable entities based on the Act's
definition of ``species'' and current taxonomic understanding.
U--Species not subject to the degree of threats sufficient to
warrant issuance of a proposed listing or continuance of candidate
status due, in part or totally, to conservation efforts that remove
or reduce the threats to the species.
X--Species we believe to be extinct.
The columns describing lead region, scientific name, family, common
name, and historical range include information as previously described
for Table 1.
Request for Information
We request you submit any further information on the species named
in this notice as soon as possible or whenever it becomes available. We
are particularly interested in any information:
(1) Indicating that we should add a species to the list of
candidate species;
(2) Indicating that we should remove a species from candidate
status;
(3) Recommending areas that we should designate as critical habitat
for a species, or indicating that designation of critical habitat would
not be prudent for a species;
(4) Documenting threats to any of the included species;
(5) Describing the immediacy or magnitude of threats facing
candidate species;
(6) Pointing out taxonomic or nomenclature changes for any of the
species;
(7) Suggesting appropriate common names; and
(8) Noting any mistakes, such as errors in the indicated historical
ranges.
Submit your comments regarding a particular species to the Regional
Director of the Region identified as having the lead responsibility for
that species. The regional addresses follow:
Region 1. Hawaii, Idaho, Oregon, Washington, American Samoa, Guam,
and Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands. Regional Director
(TE), U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Eastside Federal Complex, 911
N.E. 11th Avenue, Portland, OR 97232-4181 (503/231-6158).
Region 2. Arizona, New Mexico, Oklahoma, and Texas. Regional
Director (TE), U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, 500 Gold Avenue SW.,
Room 4012, Albuquerque, NM 87102 (505/248-6920).
Region 3. Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri,
Ohio, and Wisconsin. Regional Director (TE), U.S. Fish and Wildlife
Service, Bishop Henry Whipple Federal Building, One Federal Drive, Fort
Snelling, MN 55111-4056 (612/713-5334).
Region 4. Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana,
Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Puerto Rico,
and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Regional Director (TE), U.S. Fish and
Wildlife Service, 1875 Century Boulevard, Suite 200, Atlanta, GA 30345
(404/679-4156).
Region 5. Connecticut, Delaware, District of Columbia, Maine,
Maryland, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York,
Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, Virginia, and West Virginia.
Regional Director (TE), U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, 300 Westgate
Center Drive, Hadley, MA 01035-9589 (413/253-8615).
Region 6. Colorado, Kansas, Montana, Nebraska, North Dakota, South
Dakota, Utah, and Wyoming. Regional Director (TE), U.S. Fish and
Wildlife Service, P.O. Box 25486, Denver Federal Center, Denver, CO
80225-0486 (303/236-7400).
Region 7. Alaska. Regional Director (TE), U.S. Fish and Wildlife
Service, 1011 East Tudor Road, Anchorage, AK 99503-6199 (907/786-3505).
Region 8. California and Nevada. Regional Director (TE), U.S. Fish
and Wildlife Service, 2800 Cottage Way, Suite W2606, Sacramento, CA
95825.
We will provide comments received in response to the previous CNOR
to the Region having lead responsibility for each candidate species
mentioned in the comment. We will likewise consider all information
provided in response to this CNOR in deciding whether to propose
species for listing and when to undertake necessary listing actions
(including whether emergency listing pursuant to section 4(b)(7) of the
Act is appropriate). Comments we receive will become part of the
administrative record for the species, which we maintain at the
appropriate Regional Office.
Our practice is to make comments, including names and home
addresses of respondents, available for public review during regular
business hours. Individual respondents may request that we withhold
their home addresses from the rulemaking record, which we will honor to
the extent allowable by law. There also may be circumstances in which
we would withhold from the
[[Page 69100]]
record a respondent's identity, as allowable by law. If you wish us to
withhold your name and/or address, you must state this prominently at
the beginning of your comment, but you should be aware that the Service
may be required to disclose your name and address pursuant to the
Freedom of Information Act. However, we will not consider anonymous
comments. We will make all submissions from organizations or
businesses, and from individuals identifying themselves as
representatives or officials of organizations or businesses, available
for public inspection in their entirety.
Authority
This notice of review is published under the authority of the
Endangered Species Act (16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.).
Dated: November 27, 2007.
H. Dale Hall,
Director, Fish and Wildlife Service.
Table 1.--Candidate Notice of Review (Animals and Plants)
[Note: See end of Supplementary Information for an explanation of symbols used in this table.]
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Status
---------------------------------------------- Lead region Scientific name Family Common name Historic range
Category Priority
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Mammals
C*................................ 3 R1.............. Emballonura Emballonuridae...... Bat, Pacific sheath- U.S.A. (GU, CNMI).
semicaudata rotensis. tailed (Mariana
Islands subspecies).
C*................................ 3 R1.............. Emballonura Emballonuridae...... Bat, Pacific sheath- U.S.A. (AS), Fiji,
semicaudata tailed (American Independent Samoa,
semicaudata. Samoa DPS). Tonga, Vanuatu.
PT................................ 2 R7.............. Ursus maritimus...... Ursidae............. Bear, polar......... U.S.A. (AK), Canada,
Russia, Denmark
Greenland), Norway.
C*................................ 2 R5.............. Sylvilagus Leporidae........... Cottontail, New U.S.A. (CT, MA, ME,
transitionalis. England. NH, NY, RI, VT).
C*................................ 6 R8.............. Martes pennanti...... Mustelidae.......... Fisher (west coast U.S.A. (CA, CT, IA,
DPS). ID, IL, IN, KY, MA,
MD,ME, MI, MN, MT,
ND, NH, NJ, NY, OH,
OR, PA, RI, TN, UT,
VA, VT, WA, WI, WV,
WY), Canada.
C................................. 3 R2.............. Zapus hudsonius Zapodidae........... Mouse, New Mexico U.S.A. (AZ, CO, NM).
luteus. meadow jumping.
C*................................ 3 R1.............. Thomomys mazama Geomyidae........... Pocket gopher, U.S.A. (WA).
couchi. Shelton.
C................................. 3 R1.............. Thomomys mazama Geomyidae........... Pocket gopher, Brush U.S.A. (WA).
douglasii. Prairie.
C*................................ 3 R1.............. Thomomys mazama Geomyidae........... Pocket gopher, Roy U.S.A. (WA).
glacialis. Prairie.
C*................................ 3 R1.............. Thomomys mazama Geomyidae........... Pocket gopher, U.S.A. (WA).
louiei. Cathlamet.
C*................................ 3 R1.............. Thomomys mazama Geomyidae........... Pocket gopher, U.S.A. (WA).
melanops. Olympic.
C*................................ 3 R1.............. Thomomys mazama Geomyidae........... Pocket gopher, U.S.A. (WA).
pugetensis. Olympia.
C*................................ 3 R1.............. Thomomys mazama Geomyidae........... Pocket gopher, U.S.A. (WA).
tacomensis. Tacoma.
C*................................ 3 R1.............. Thomomys mazama Geomyidae........... Pocket gopher, U.S.A. (WA).
tumuli. Tenino.
C*................................ 3 R1.............. Thomomys mazama Geomyidae........... Pocket gopher, Yelm. U.S.A. (WA).
yelmensis.
C*................................ 3 R8.............. Spermophilus Sciuridae........... Squirrel, Palm U.S.A. (CA).
tereticaudus chlorus. Springs.
(= Coachella Valley)
round-tailed ground.
C*................................ 9 R1.............. Spermophilus brunneus Sciuridae........... Squirrel, Southern U.S.A. (ID).
endemicus. Idaho ground.
C*................................ 5 R1.............. Spermophilus Sciuridae........... Squirrel, Washington U.S.A. (WA, OR).
washingtoni. ground.
Birds
C*................................ 3 R1.............. Porzana tabuensis.... Rallidae............ Crake, spotless U.S.A. (AS),
(American Samoa Australia, Fiji,
DPS). Independent Samoa,
Marquesas,
Philippines,
Society Islands,
Tonga.
C*................................ 2 R1.............. Oreomystis bairdi.... Fringillidae........ Creeper, Kauai...... U.S.A. (HI).
C*................................ 3 R8.............. Coccyzus americanus.. Cuculidae........... Cuckoo, yellow- U.S.A. (Lower 48
billed (Western States), Canada,
U.S. DPS). Mexico, Central and
South America.
C*................................ 9 R1.............. Gallicolumba stairi.. Columbidae.......... Ground-dove, U.S.A. (AS),
friendly (American Independent Samoa.
Samoa DPS).
C*................................ 3 R1.............. Eremophila alpestris Alaudidae........... Horned lark, U.S.A. (OR, WA),
strigata. streaked. Canada (BC).
C*................................ 6 R5.............. Calidris canutus rufa Scolopacidae........ Knot, red........... U.S.A. (Atlantic
coast), Canada,
South America.
C*................................ 2 R7.............. Brachyramphus Alcidae............. Murrelet, Kittlitz's U.S.A. (AK), Russia.
brevirostris.
C*................................ 5 R8.............. Synthliboramphus Alcidae............. Murrelet, Xantus's.. U.S.A. (CA), Mexico.
hypoleucus.
[[Page 69101]]
C*................................ 8 R2.............. Tympanuchus Phasianidae......... Prairie-chicken, U.S.A. (CO, KA, NM,
pallidicinctus. lesser. OK, TX).
C*................................ 6 R1.............. Centrocercus Phasianidae......... Sage-grouse, greater U.S.A. (AZ, CA, CO,
urophasianus. (Columbia Basin ID, MT, ND, NE, NV,
DPS). OR, SD, UT, WA,
WY), Canada (AB,
BC, SK).
C*................................ 3 R1.............. Oceanodroma castro... Hydrobatidae........ Storm-petrel, band- U.S.A. (HI),
rumped (Hawaii DPS). Atlantic Ocean,
Ecuador (Galapagos
Islands), Japan.
C*................................ 5 R4.............. Dendroica angelae.... Emberizidae......... Warbler, elfin-woods U.S.A. (PR).
Reptiles
C*................................ 2 R2.............. Sceloporus arenicolus Iguanidae........... Lizard, sand dune... U.S.A. (TX, NM).
C*................................ 9 R3.............. Sistrurus catenatus Viperidae........... Massasauga (= U.S.A. (IA, IL, IN,
catenatus. rattlesnake), MI, MO, MN, NY, OH,
eastern. PA, WI), Canada.
C*................................ 3 R4.............. Pituophis Colubridae.......... Snake, black pine... U.S.A. (AL, LA, MS).
melanoleucus lodingi.
C*................................ 5 R4.............. Pituophis ruthveni... Colubridae.......... Snake, Louisiana U.S.A. (LA, TX).
pine.
C*................................ 3 R2.............. Kinosternon Kinosternidae....... Turtle, Sonoyta mud. U.S.A. (AZ), Mexico.
sonoriense
longifemorale.
Amphibians
C*................................ 9 R8.............. Rana luteiventris.... Ranidae............. Frog, Columbia U.S.A. (AK, ID, MT,
spotted (Great NV, OR, UT, WA,
Basin DPS). WY), Canada (BC).
C*................................ 3 R8.............. Rana muscosa......... Ranidae............. Frog, mountain U.S.A (CA, NV).
yellow-legged
(Sierra Nevada DPS).
C*................................ 2 R1.............. Rana pretiosa........ Ranidae............. Frog, Oregon spotted U.S.A. (CA, OR, WA),
Canada (BC).
C*................................ 11 R8.............. Rana onca............ Ranidae............. Frog, relict leopard U.S.A. (AZ, NV, UT).
C*................................ 3 R3.............. Cryptobranchus Crytobranchidae..... Hellbender, Ozark... U.S.A. (AR, MO).
alleganiensis
bishopi.
C*................................ 2 R2.............. Eurycea waterlooensis Plethodontidae...... Salamander, Austin U.S.A. (TX).
blind.
C*................................ 2 R2.............. Eurycea naufragia.... Plethodontidae...... Salamander, U.S.A. (TX).
Georgetown.
C*................................ 2 R2.............. Eurycea chisholmensis Plethodontidae...... Salamander, Salado.. U.S.A. (TX).
C*................................ 11 R8.............. Bufo canorus......... Bufonidae........... Toad, Yosemite...... U.S.A. (CA).
C................................. 3 R2.............. Hyla wrightorum...... Hylidae............. Treefrog, Arizona U.S.A. (AZ), Mexico
(Huachuca/Canelo (Sonora).
DPS).
C*................................ 8 R4.............. Necturus alabamensis. Proteidae........... Waterdog, black U.S.A. (AL).
warrior.
(= Sipsey Fork).....
Fishes
C*................................ 2 R2.............. Gila nigra........... Cyprinidae.......... Chub, headwater..... U.S.A. (AZ, NM).
C................................. 5 R4.............. Phoxinus saylori..... Cyprinidae.......... Dace, laurel........ U.S.A. (TN).
C*................................ 11 R6.............. Etheostoma cragini... Percidae............ Darter, Arkansas.... U.S.A. (AR, CO, KS,
MO, OK).
C*................................ 5 R4.............. Etheostoma susanae... Percidae............ Darter, Cumberland.. U.S.A. (KY, TN).
C*................................ 5 R4.............. Percina aurora....... Percidae............ Darter, Pearl....... U.S.A. (LA, MS).
C*................................ 2 R4.............. Etheostoma Percidae............ Darter, rush........ U.S.A. (AL).
phytophilum.
C*................................ 2 R4.............. Etheostoma moorei.... Percidae............ Darter, yellowcheek. U.S.A (AR).
C*................................ 2 R4.............. Noturus crypticus.... Ictaluridae......... Madtom, chucky...... U.S.A. (TN).
C................................. 5 R4.............. Moxostoma sp......... Catostomidae........ Redhorse, sicklefin. U.S.A. (GA, NC, TN).
C*................................ 2 R3.............. Cottus sp............ Cottidae............ Sculpin, grotto..... U.S.A. (MO).
C*................................ 5 R2.............. Notropis oxyrhynchus. Cyprinidae.......... Shiner, sharpnose... U.S.A. (TX).
C*................................ 5 R2.............. Notropis buccula..... Cyprinidae.......... Shiner, smalleye.... U.S.A. (TX).
C*................................ 3 R2.............. Catostomus discobolus Catostomidae........ Sucker, Zuni U.S.A. (AZ, NM).
yarrowi. bluehead.
PSAT.............................. N/A R1.............. Salvelinus malma..... Salmonidae.......... Trout, Dolly Varden. U.S.A. (AK, WA),
Canada, East Asia.
Clams
C................................. 5 R4.............. Villosa choctawensis. Unionidae........... Bean, Choctaw....... U.S.A. (AL, FL).
C................................. 2 R3.............. Villosa fabalis...... Unionidae........... Bean, rayed......... U.S.A. (IL, IN, KY,
MI, NY, OH, TN, PA,
VA, WV), Canada
(ON).
C................................. 2 R4.............. Fusconaia rotulata... Unionidae........... Ebonyshell, round... U.S.A. (AL, FL).
C*................................ 2 R2.............. Popenaias popei...... Unionidae........... Hornshell, Texas.... U.S.A. (NM, TX),
Mexico.
C*................................ 2 R4.............. Ptychobranchus Unionidae........... Kidneyshell, fluted. U.S.A. (AL, KY, TN,
subtentum. VA).
C................................. 2 R4.............. Ptychobranchus jonesi Unionidae........... Kidneyshell, U.S.A. (AL, FL).
southern.
C*................................ 5 R4.............. Lampsilis Unionidae........... Mucket, Neosho...... U.S.A. (AR, KS, MO,
rafinesqueana. OK).
C................................. 2 R3.............. Plethobasus cyphyus.. Unionidae........... Mussel, sheepnose... U.S.A. (AL, IA, IL,
IN, KY, MN, MO, MS,
OH, PA, TN, VA, WI,
WV).
C*................................ 2 R4.............. Margaritifera Margaritiferidae.... Pearlshell, Alabama. U.S.A. (AL).
marrianae.
C*................................ 5 R4.............. Lexingtonia Unionidae........... Pearlymussel, U.S.A. (AL, KY, TN,
dolabelloides. slabside. VA).
C................................. 5 R4.............. Pleurobema strodeanum Unionidae........... Pigtoe, fuzzy....... U.S.A. (AL, FL).
C*................................ 2 R4.............. Pleurobema Unionidae........... Pigtoe, Georgia..... U.S.A. (AL, GA, TN).
hanleyianum.
[[Page 69102]]
C................................. 5 R4.............. Fusconaia escambia... Unionidae........... Pigtoe, narrow...... U.S.A. (AL, FL).
C................................. 11 R4.............. Quincuncina burkei... Unionidae........... Pigtoe, tapered..... U.S.A. (AL, FL).
C................................. 5 R4.............. Hamiota (= Lampsilis) Unionidae........... Sandshell, southern. U.S.A. (AL, FL).
australis.
C................................. 4 R3.............. Cumberlandia Margaritiferidae.... Spectaclecase....... U.S.A. (AL, AR, IA,
monodonta. IN, IL, KS, KY, MO,
MN, NE, OH, TN, VA,
WI, WV).
C*................................ 2 R4.............. Elliptio spinosa..... Unionidae........... Spinymussel, U.S.A. (GA).
Altamaha.
Snails
C................................. 2 R4.............. Pleurocera foremani.. Pleuroceridae....... Hornsnail, rough.... U.S.A. (AL).
C................................. 8 R4.............. Elimia melanoides.... Pleuroceridae....... Mudalia, black...... U.S.A. (AL)
C*................................ 9 R6.............. Oreohelix peripherica Oreohelicidae....... Mountainsnail, Ogden U.S.A. (UT).
wasatchensis.
C*................................ 8 R6.............. Stagnicola Lymnaeidae.......... Pondsnail, fat- U.S.A. (UT).
bonnevillensis. whorled.
(= Bonneville)......
C*................................ 2 R4.............. Leptoxis foremani.... Pleuroceridae....... Rocksnail, U.S.A. (GA, AL).
(= downei)........... Interrupted.
(= Georgia).........
C*................................ 2 R1.............. Ostodes strigatus.... Potaridae........... Sisi snail.......... U.S.A. (AS).
C*................................ 2 R2.............. Pseudotryonia Hydrobiidae......... Snail, Diamond Y U.S.A. (TX).
adamantina. Spring.
C*................................ 2 R1.............. Samoana fragilis..... Partulidae.......... Snail, fragile tree. U.S.A. (GU, MP).
C*................................ 2 R1.............. Partula radiolata.... Partulidae.......... Snail, Guam tree.... U.S.A. (GU).
C*................................ 2 R1.............. Partula gibba........ Partulidae.......... Snail, Humped tree.. U.S.A. (GU, MP).
C*................................ 2 R1.............. Partulina Achatinellidae...... Snail, Lanai tree... U.S.A. (HI).
semicarinata.
C*................................ 2 R1.............. Partulina variabilis. Achatinellidae...... Snail, Lanai tree... U.S.A. (HI).
C*................................ 2 R1.............. Partula langfordi.... Partulidae.......... Snail, Langford's U.S.A. (MP).
tree.
C*................................ 2 R2.............. Cochliopa texana..... Hydrobiidae......... Snail, Phantom cave. U.S.A. (TX).
C*................................ 2 R1.............. Newcombia cumingi.... Achatinellidae...... Snail, Newcomb's U.S.A. (Hl).
tree.
C*................................ 2 R1.............. Eua zebrina.......... Partulidae.......... Snail, Tutuila tree. U.S.A. (AS).
C*................................ 2 R2.............. Pyrgulopsis Hydrobiidae......... Springsnail, U.S.A. (NM).
chupaderae. Chupadera.
C*................................ 2 R8.............. Pyrgulopsis Hydrobiidae......... Springsnail, U.S.A. (NV).
notidicola. elongate mud
meadows.
C*................................ 11 R2.............. Pyrgulopsis gilae.... Hydrobiidae......... Springsnail, Gila... U.S.A. (NM).
C*................................ 2 R2.............. Tryonia circumstriata Hydrobiidae......... Springsnail, U.S.A. (TX).
(= stocktonensis).... Gonzales.
C*................................ 8 R2.............. Pyrgulopsis thompsoni Hydrobiidae......... Springsnail, U.S.A. (AZ), Mexico.
Huachuca.
C*................................ 11 R2.............. Pyrgulopsis thermalis Hydrobiidae......... Springsnail, New U.S.A. (NM).
Mexico.
C*................................ 2 R2.............. Pyrgulopsis morrisoni Hydrobiidae......... Springsnail, Page... U.S.A. (AZ).
C*................................ 2 R2.............. Tryonia cheatumi..... Hydrobiidae......... Springsnail (= U.S.A. (TX).
Tryonia), Phantom.
C*................................ 2 R2.............. Pyrgulopsis Hydrobiidae......... Springsnail, San U.S.A. (AZ), Mexico
bernardina. Bernardino. (Sonora).
C*................................ 2 R2.............. Pyrgulopsis trivialis Hydrobiidae......... Springsnail, Three U.S.A. (AZ).
Forks.
Insects
C*................................ 8 R1.............. Nysius wekiuicola.... Lygaeidae........... Bug, Wekiu.......... U.S.A. (HI).
C................................. 3 R4.............. Strymon acis bartrami Lycaenidae.......... Butterfly, Bartram's U.S.A. (FL).
hairstreak.
C................................. 3 R4.............. Anaea troglodyta Nymphalidae......... Butterfly, Florida U.S.A. (FL).
floridalis. leafwing.
C*................................ 3 R1.............. Hypolimnas octucula Nymphalidae......... Butterfly, Mariana U.S.A. (GU, MP).
mariannensis. eight-spot.
C*................................ 2 R1.............. Vagrans egistina..... Nymphalidae......... Butterfly, Mariana U.S.A. (GU, MP).
wandering.
C*................................ 6 R4.............. Cyclargus thomasi Lycaenidae.......... Butterfly, Miami U.S.A. (FL),
bethunebakeri. blue. Bahamas.
C*................................ 5 R4.............. Glyphopsyche Limnephilidae....... Caddisfly, U.S.A. (TN).
sequatchie. Sequatchie.
C................................. 5 R4.............. Pseudanophthalmus Carabidae........... Cave beetle, Baker U.S.A. (TN).
insularis. Station (= insular).
C*................................ 5 R4.............. Pseudanophthalmus Carabidae........... Cave beetle, Clifton U.S.A. (KY).
caecus.
C................................. 11 R4.............. Pseudanophthalmus Carabidae........... Cave beetle, Coleman U.S.A. (TN).
colemanensis.
C................................. 5 R4.............. Pseudanophthalmus Carabidae........... Cave beetle, U.S.A. (TN).
fowlerae. Fowler's.
C*................................ 5 R4.............. Pseudanophthalmus Carabidae........... Cave beetle, icebox. U.S.A. (KY).
frigidus.
C................................. 5 R4.............. Pseudanophthalmus Carabidae........... Cave beetle, Indian U.S.A. (TN).
tiresias. Grave Point (=
Soothsayer).
C*................................ 5 R4.............. Pseudanophthalmus Carabidae........... Cave beetle, U.S.A. (TN).
inquisitor. inquirer.
C*................................ 5 R4.............. Pseudanophthalmus Carabidae........... Cave beetle, U.S.A. (KY).
troglodytes. Louisville.
C................................. 5 R4.............. Pseudanophthalmus Carabidae........... Cave beetle, U.S.A. (TN).
paulus. Noblett's.
C*................................ 5 R4.............. Pseudanophthalmus Carabidae........... Cave beetle, Tatum.. U.S.A. (KY)
parvus.
C*................................ 3 R1.............. Euphydryas editha Nymphalidae......... Checkerspot U.S. A. (OR, WA),
taylori. butterfly, Taylor's Canada (BC).
(= Whulge).
[[Page 69103]]
C*................................ 9 R1.............. Megalagrion Coenagrionidae...... Damselfly, blackline U.S.A. (HI).
nigrohamatum Hawaiian.
nigrolineatum.
C*................................ 2 R1.............. Megalagrion Coenagrionidae...... Damselfly, crimson U.S.A. (HI).
leptodemas. Hawaiian.
C*................................ 2 R1.............. Megalagrion nesiotes. Coenagrionidae...... Damselfly, flying U.S.A. (HI).
earwig Hawaiian.
C*................................ 2 R1.............. Megalagrion oceanicum Coenagrionidae...... Damselfly, oceanic U.S.A. (HI).
Hawaiian.
C*................................ 8 R1.............. Megalagrion Coenagrionidae...... Damselfly, U.S.A. (HI).
xanthomelas. orangeblack
Hawaiian.
C*................................ 2 R1.............. Megalagrion pacificum Coenagrionidae...... Damselfly, Pacific U.S.A. (HI).
Hawaiian.
C*................................ 2 R8.............. Dinacoma caseyi...... Scarabidae.......... June beetle, Casey's U.S.A. (CA).
C................................. 5 R8.............. Ambrysus funebris.... Naucoridae.......... Naucorid bug (= U.S.A. (CA).
Furnace Creek),
Nevares Spring.
C*................................ 2 R1.............. Drosophila attigua... Drosophilidae....... fly, Picture-wing... U.S.A. (HI).
C*................................ 2 R1.............. Drosophila digressa.. Drosophilidae....... fly, Picture-wing U.S.A. (HI).
[unnamed].
C*................................ 8 R2.............. Heterelmis stephani.. Elmidae............. Riffle beetle, U.S.A. (AZ).
Stephan's.
C*................................ 8 R3.............. Hesperia dacotae..... Hesperiidae......... Skipper, Dakota..... U.S.A. (MN, IA, SD,
ND, IL), Canada.
C*................................ 5 R1.............. Polites mardon....... Hesperiidae......... Skipper, Mardon..... U.S.A. (CA, OR, WA).
C*................................ 8 R6.............. Cicindela albissima.. Cicindelidae........ Tiger beetle, Coral U.S.A. (UT).
Pink Sand Dunes.
C*................................ 5 R4.............. Cicindela Cicindelidae........ Tiger beetle, U.S.A. (FL).
highlandensis. highlands.
Arachnids
C*................................ 2 R2.............. Cicurina wartoni..... Dictynidae.......... Meshweaver, Warton U.S.A. (TX).
cave.
Crustaceans
C................................. 2 R2.............. Gammarus hyalleloides Gammaridae.......... Amphipod, diminutive U.S.A. (TX).
C*................................ 5 R1.............. Metabetaeus lohena... Alpheidae........... Shrimp, anchialine U.S.A. (HI).
pool.
C*................................ 5 R1.............. Palaemonella burnsi.. Palaemonidae........ Shrimp, anchialine U.S.A. (HI).
pool.
C*................................ 5 R1.............. Procaris hawaiana.... Procarididae........ Shrimp, anchialine U.S.A. (HI).
pool.
C*................................ 4 R1.............. Vetericaris chaceorum Procaridae.......... Shrimp, anchialine U.S.A. (HI).
pool.
C*................................ 11 R4.............. Typhlatya monae...... Atyidae............. Shrimp, troglobitic U.S.A. (PR),
groundwater. Barbuda, Dominican
Republic.
Flowering Plants
C*................................ 11 R8.............. Abronia alpina....... Nyctaginaceae....... Sand-verbena, U.S.A. (CA).
Ramshaw Meadows.
C*................................ 8 R4.............. Arabis georgiana..... Brassicaceae........ Rockcress, Georgia.. U.S.A. (AL, GA).
C*................................ 11 R4.............. Argythamnia Euphorbiaceae....... Silverbush, U.S.A. (FL).
blodgettii. Blodgett's.
C*................................ 3 R1.............. Artemisia campestris Asteraceae.......... Wormwood, northern.. U.S.A. (OR, WA).
var. wormskioldii.
C*................................ 2 R1.............. Astelia waialealae... Liliaceae........... Pa[revaps]iniu...... U.S.A. (HI).
C*................................ 11 R6.............. Astragalus tortipes.. Fabaceae............ Milk-vetch, Sleeping U.S.A. (CO).
Ute.
C*................................ 2 R1.............. Bidens amplectens.... Asteraceae.......... Ko[revaps]oko[revaps U.S.A. (HI).
]olau.
C*................................ 3 R1.............. Bidens campylotheca Asteraceae.......... Ko[revaps]oko[revaps U.S.A. (HI).
pentamera. ]olau.
C*................................ 3 R1.............. Bidens campylotheca Asteraceae.......... Ko[revaps]oko[revaps U.S.A. (HI).
waihoiensis. ]olau.
C*................................ 8 R1.............. Bidens conjuncta..... Asteraceae.......... Ko[revaps]oko[revaps U.S.A. (HI).
]olau.
C*................................ 3 R1.............. Bidens micrantha Asteraceae.......... Ko[revaps]oko[revaps U.S.A. (HI).
ctenophylla. ]olau.
C*................................ 8 R4.............. Brickellia mosieri... Asteraceae.......... Brickell-bush, U.S.A. (FL).
Florida.
C*................................ 2 R1.............. Calamagrostis expansa Poaceae............. Reedgrass, Maui..... U.S.A. (HI).
C*................................ 2 R1.............. Calamagrostis Poaceae............. Reedgrass, U.S.A. (HI).
hillebrandii. Hillebrand's.
C*................................ 5 R4.............. Calliandra locoensis. Mimosaceae.......... No common name...... U.S.A. (PR).
C*................................ 5 R8.............. Calochortus Liliaceae........... Mariposa lily, U.S.A. (CA, OR).
persistens. Siskiyou.
C*................................ 5 R4.............. Calyptranthes Myrtaceae........... No common name...... U.S.A. (PR).
estremerae.
C*................................ 2 R1.............. Canavalia napaliensis Fabaceae............ [revaps]Awikiwiki... U.S.A. (HI).
C*................................ 2 R1.............. Canavalia pubescens.. Fabaceae............ [revaps]Awikiwiki... U.S.A. (HI).
C*................................ 8 R1.............. Castilleja christii.. Scrophulariaceae.... Paintbrush, Christ's U.S.A. (ID).
C*................................ 9 R4.............. Chamaecrista lineata Fabaceae............ Pea, Big Pine U.S.A. (FL).
var. keyensis. partridge.
C*................................ 12 R4.............. Chamaesyce deltoidea Euphorbiaceae....... Sandmat, pineland... U.S.A. (FL).
pinetorum.
C*................................ 9 R4.............. Chamaesyce deltoidea Euphorbiaceae....... Spurge, wedge....... U.S.A. (FL).
serpyllum.
C*................................ 2 R1.............. Chamaesyce eleanoriae Euphorbiaceae....... [revaps]Akoko....... U.S.A. (HI).
C*................................ 3 R1.............. Chamaesyce remyi var. Euphorbiaceae....... [revaps]Akoko....... U.S.A. (HI).
kauaiensis.
C*................................ 3 R1.............. Chamaesyce remyi var. Euphorbiaceae....... [revaps]Akoko....... U.S.A. (HI).
remyi.
C*................................ 2 R1.............. Charpentiera Amaranthaceae....... Papala.............. U.S.A. (HI).
densiflora.
[[Page 69104]]
C*................................ 6 R8.............. Chorizanthe parryi Polygonaceae........ Spineflower, San U.S.A. (CA).
var. fernandina. Fernando Valley.
C*................................ 2 R4.............. Chromolaena frustrata Asteraceae.......... Thoroughwort, Cape U.S.A. (FL).
Sable.
C*................................ 2 R4.............. Consolea corallicola. Cactaceae........... Cactus, Florida U.S.A. (FL).
semaphore.
C*................................ 5 R4.............. Cordia rupicola...... Boraginaceae........ No common name...... U.S.A. (PR),
Anegada.
C*................................ 2 R1.............. Cyanea asplenifolia.. Campanulaceae....... Haha................ U.S.A. (HI).
C*................................ 2 R1.............. Cyanea calycina...... Campanulaceae....... Haha................ U.S.A. (HI).
C*................................ 2 R1.............. Cyanea eleeleensis... Campanulaceae....... Haha................ U.S.A. (HI).
C*................................ 2 R1.............. Cyanea kuhihewa...... Campanulaceae....... Haha................ U.S.A. (HI).
C*................................ 2 R1.............. Cyanea kunthiana..... Campanulaceae....... Haha................ U.S.A. (HI).
C*................................ 2 R1.............. Cyanea lanceolata.... Campanulaceae....... Haha................ U.S.A. (HI).
C*................................ 2 R1.............. Cyanea obtusa........ Campanulaceae....... Haha................ U.S.A. (HI).
C*................................ 2 R1.............. Cyanea tritomantha... Campanulaceae....... [revaps]aku U.S.A. (HI).
[revaps]aku.
C*................................ 2 R1.............. Cyrtandra filipes.... Gesneriaceae........ Ha[revaps]iwale..... U.S.A. (HI).
C*................................ 2 R1.............. Cyrtandra kaulantha.. Gesneriaceae........ Ha[revaps]iwale..... U.S.A. (HI).
C*................................ 2 R1.............. Cyrtandra oenobarba.. Gesneriaceae........ Ha[revaps]iwale..... U.S.A. (HI).
C*................................ 2 R1.............. Cyrtandra oxybapha... Gesneriaceae........ Ha[revaps]iwale..... U.S.A. (HI).
C*................................ 2 R1.............. Cyrtandra sessilis... Gesneriaceae........ Ha[revaps]iwale..... U.S.A. (HI).
C*................................ 3 R4.............. Dalea carthagenensis Fabaceae............ Prairie-clover, U.S.A. (FL).
var. floridana. Florida.
C*................................ 5 R5.............. Dichanthelium hirstii Poaceae............. Panic grass, Hirsts' U.S.A. (DE, GA, NC,
NJ).
C*................................ 5 R4.............. Digitaria pauciflora. Poaceae............. Crabgrass, Florida U.S.A. (FL).
pineland.
C*................................ 3 R1.............. Dubautia imbricata Asteraceae.......... Na[revaps]ena[revaps U.S.A. (HI).
imbricata. ]e.
C*................................ 3 R1.............. Dubautia plantaginea Asteraceae.......... Na[revaps]ena[revaps U.S.A. (HI).
magnifolia. ]e.
C*................................ 2 R1.............. Dubautia waialealae.. Asteraceae.......... Na[revaps]ena[revaps U.S.A. (HI).
]e.
C*................................ 3 R2.............. Echinomastus Cactaceae........... Cactus, Acuna....... U.S.A. (AZ), Mexico.
erectocentrus var.
acunensis.
C*................................ 8 R2.............. Erigeron lemmonii.... Asteraceae.......... Fleabane, Lemmon.... U.S.A. (AZ).
C*................................ 2 R1.............. Eriogonum codium..... Polygonaceae........ Buckwheat, Umtanum U.S.A. (WA).
Desert.
C................................. 6 R8.............. Eriogonum corymbosum Polygonaceae........ Buckwheat, Las Vegas U.S.A. (NV).
var. nilesii.
C................................. 2 R8.............. Eriogonum diatomaceum Polygonaceae........ Buckwheat, Churchill U.S.A. (NV).
Narrows.
C*................................ 5 R8.............. Eriogonum kelloggii.. Polygonaceae........ Buckwheat, Red U.S.A. (CA).
Mountain.
C*................................ 2 R1.............. Festuca hawaiiensis.. Poaceae............. No common name...... U.S.A. (HI).
C*................................ 11 R2.............. Festuca ligulata..... Poaceae............. Fescue, Guadalupe... U.S.A. (TX), Mexico.
C*................................ 2 R1.............. Gardenia remyi....... Rubiaceae........... Nanu................ U.S.A. (HI).
C*................................ 8 R1.............. Geranium hanaense.... Geraniaceae......... Nohoanu............. U.S.A. (HI).
C*................................ 8 R1.............. Geranium hillebrandii Geraniaceae......... Nohoanu............. U.S.A. (HI).
C*................................ 5 R1.............. Geranium kauaiense... Geraniaceae......... Nohoanu............. U.S.A. (HI).
C*................................ 5 R4.............. Gonocalyx concolor... Ericaceae........... No common name...... U.S.A. (PR).
C................................. 5 R4.............. Harrisia aboriginum.. Cactaceae........... Pricklyapple, U.S.A. (FL).
aboriginal
(shellmound
applecactus).
C*................................ 5 R8.............. Hazardia orcuttii.... Asteraceae.......... Orcutt's hazardia... U.S.A. (CA), Mexico.
C*................................ 2 R1.............. Hedyotis fluviatilis. Rubiaceae........... Kampua[revaps]a..... U.S.A. (HI).
C*................................ 5 R4.............. Helianthus Asteraceae.......... Sunflower, whorled.. U.S.A. (AL, GA, TN).
verticillatus.
C*................................ 5 R2.............. Hibiscus dasycalyx... Malvaceae........... Rose-mallow, Neches U.S.A. (TX).
River.
C*................................ 9 R4.............. Indigofera mucronata Fabaceae............ Indigo, Florida..... U.S.A. (FL).
var. keyensis.
C................................. 2 R6.............. Ipomopsis polyantha.. Polemoniaceae....... Skyrocket, Pagosa... U.S.A. (CO).
C*................................ 5 R8.............. Ivesia webberi....... Rosaceae............ Ivesia, Webber...... U.S.A. (CA, NV).
C*................................ 3 R1.............. Joinvillea ascendens Joinvilleaceae...... [revaps]Ohe......... U.S.A. (HI).
ascendens.
C*................................ 2 R1.............. Keysseria (= Asteraceae.......... No common name...... U.S.A. (HI).
Lagenifera) erici.
C*................................ 8 R1.............. Keysseria (= Asteraceae.......... No common name...... U.S.A. (HI).
Lagenifera) helenae.
C*................................ 2 R1.............. Korthalsella degeneri Viscaceae........... Hulumoa............. U.S.A. (HI).
C*................................ 2 R1.............. Labordia helleri..... Loganiaceae......... Kamakahala.......... U.S.A. (HI).
C*................................ 2 R1.............. Labordia pumila...... Loganiaceae......... Kamakahala.......... U.S.A. (HI).
C*................................ 5 R4.............. Leavenworthia crassa. Brassicaceae........ Gladecress, unnamed. U.S.A. (AL).
C*................................ 2 R2.............. Leavenworthia texana. Brassicaceae........ Gladecress, Texas U.S.A. (TX).
golden.
C*................................ 5 R4.............. Lesquerella globosa.. Brassicaceae........ Bladderpod, Short's. U.S.A. (IN, KY, TN).
C*................................ 2 R4.............. Linum arenicola...... Linaceae............ Flax, sand.......... U.S.A. (FL).
C*................................ 3 R4.............. Linum carteri var. Linaceae............ Flax, Carter's small- U.S.A. (FL).
carteri. flowered.
C*................................ 8 R1.............. Lysimachia daphnoides Primulaceae......... Lehua makanoe....... U.S.A. (HI).
C*................................ 2 R1.............. Melicope Rutaceae............ Alani............... U.S.A. (HI).
christophersenii.
C*................................ 2 R1.............. Melicope degeneri.... Rutaceae............ Alani............... U.S.A. (HI).
[[Page 69105]]
C*................................ 2 R1.............. Melicope hiiakae..... Rutaceae............ Alani............... U.S.A. (HI).
C*................................ 2 R1.............. Melicope makahae..... Rutaceae............ Alani............... U.S.A. (HI).
C*................................ 2 R1.............. Melicope paniculata.. Rutaceae............ Alani............... U.S.A. (HI).
C*................................ 2 R1.............. Melicope puberula.... Rutaceae............ Alani............... U.S.A. (HI).
C*................................ 2 R1.............. Myrsine fosbergii.... Myrsinaceae......... Kolea............... U.S.A. (HI).
C*................................ 2 R1.............. Myrsine mezii........ Myrsinaceae......... Kolea............... U.S.A. (HI).
C*................................ 2 R1.............. Myrsine vaccinioides. Myrsinaceae......... Kolea............... U.S.A. (HI).
C*................................ 8 R5.............. Narthecium americanum Liliaceae........... Asphodel, bog....... U.S.A. (DE, NC, NJ,
NY, SC).
C*................................ 2 R1.............. Nothocestrum Solanaceae.......... [revaps]Aiea........ U.S.A. (HI).
latifolium.
C*................................ 2 R1.............. Ochrosia haleakalae.. Apocynaceae......... Holei............... U.S.A. (HI).
C*................................ 3 R2.............. Pediocactus Cactaceae........... Cactus, Fickeisen U.S.A. (AZ).
peeblesianus var. plains.
fickeiseniae.
C*................................ 2 R6.............. Penstemon debilis.... Scrophulariaceae.... Beardtongue, U.S.A. (CO).
Parachute.
C*................................ 6 R6.............. Penstemon scariosus Scrophulariaceae.... Beardtongue, White U.S.A. (CO, UT).
var. albifluvis. River.
C*................................ 2 R1.............. Peperomia Piperaceae.......... [revaps]Ala U.S.A. (HI).
subpetiolata. [revaps]ala wai nui.
C................................. 5 R8.............. Phacelia stellaris... Hydrophyllaceae..... Phacelia, Brand's... U.S.A. (CA), Mexico.
C*................................ 8 R6.............. Phacelia submutica... Hydrophyllaceae..... Phacelia, DeBeque... U.S.A. (CO).
C*................................ 2 R1.............. Phyllostegia Lamiaceae........... No common name...... U.S.A. (HI).
bracteata.
C*................................ 8 R1.............. Phyllostegia Lamiaceae........... No common name...... U.S.A. (HI).
floribunda.
C*................................ 2 R1.............. Phyllostegia hispida. Lamiaceae........... No common name...... U.S.A. (HI).
C*................................ 5 R1.............. Physaria tuplashensis Brassicaceae........ Bladderpod, White U.S.A. (WA).
Bluffs.
C*................................ 2 R1.............. Pittosporum Pittosporaceae...... Ho[revaps]awa....... U.S.A. (HI).
napaliense.
C*................................ 5 R4.............. Platanthera Orchidaceae......... Orchid, white U.S.A. (AL, GA, KY,
integrilabia. fringeless. MS, NC, SC, TN,
VA).
C*................................ 3 R1.............. Platydesma cornuta Rutaceae............ No common name...... U.S.A. (HI).
var. cornuta.
C*................................ 3 R1.............. Platydesma cornuta Rutaceae............ No common name...... U.S.A. (HI).
var. decurrens.
C*................................ 2 R1.............. Platydesma remyi..... Rutaceae............ No common name...... U.S.A. (HI).
C*................................ 2 R1.............. Platydesma rostrata.. Rutaceae............ Pilo kea lau U.S.A. (HI).
li[revaps]i.
C................................. 2 R1.............. Pleomele fernaldii... Agavaceae........... Hala pepe........... U.S.A. (HI).
C*................................ 2 R1.............. Pleomele forbesii.... Agavaceae........... Hala pepe........... U.S.A. (HI).
C*................................ 11 R8.............. Potentilla basaltica. Rosaceae............ Cinquefoil, Soldier U.S.A. (NV).
Meadow.
C*................................ 2 R1.............. Pritchardia hardyi... Asteraceae.......... Lo[revaps]ulu....... U.S.A. (HI).
C*................................ 3 R1.............. Pseudognaphalium..... Asteraceae.......... [revaps]Ena[revaps]e U.S.A. (HI).
(= Gnaphalium) na.
sandwicensium var.
molokaiense.
C*................................ 2 R1.............. Psychotria Rubiaceae........... Kopiko.............. U.S.A. (HI).
grandiflora.
C*................................ 3 R1.............. Psychotria hexandra Rubiaceae........... Kopiko.............. U.S.A. (HI).
ssp. oahuensis var.
oahuensis.
C*................................ 2 R1.............. Psychotria hobdyi.... Rubiaceae........... Kopiko.............. U.S.A. (HI).
C*................................ 2 R1.............. Pteralyxia macrocarpa Apocynaceae......... Kaulu............... U.S.A. (HI).
C*................................ 2 R1.............. Ranunculus hawaiensis Ranunculaceae....... Makou............... U.S.A. (HI).
C*................................ 2 R1.............. Ranunculus mauiensis. Ranunculaceae....... Makou............... U.S.A. (HI).
C*................................ 8 R8.............. Rorippa subumbellata. Brassicaceae........ Cress, Tahoe yellow. U.S.A. (CA, NV).
C*................................ 2 R1.............. Schiedea attenuata... Caryophyllaceae..... No common name...... U.S.A. (HI).
C*................................ 2 R1.............. Schiedea pubescens... Caryophyllaceae..... Ma[revaps]oli[revaps U.S.A. (HI).
]oli.
C*................................ 2 R1.............. Schiedea salicaria... Caryophyllaceae..... No common name...... U.S.A. (HI).
C*................................ 5 R8.............. Sedum eastwoodiae.... Crassulaceae........ Stonecrop, Red U.S.A. (CA).
Mountain.
C*................................ 2 R1.............. Sicyos macrophyllus.. Cucurbitaceae....... [revaps]Anunu....... U.S.A. (HI).
C................................. 12 R4.............. Sideroxylon Sapotaceae.......... Bully, Everglades... U.S.A. (FL).
reclinatum ssp.
austrofloridense.
C*................................ 8 R1.............. Solanum nelsonii..... Solanaceae.......... Popolo.............. U.S.A. (HI).
C................................. 8 R4.............. Solidago plumosa..... Asteraceae.......... Goldenrod, Yadkin U.S.A. (NC).
River.
C*................................ 2 R1.............. Stenogyne cranwelliae Lamiaceae........... No common name...... U.S.A. (HI).
C*................................ 2 R1.............. Stenogyne kealiae.... Lamiaceae........... No common name...... U.S.A. (HI).
C*................................ 8 R4.............. Symphyotrichum Asteraceae.......... Aster, Georgia...... U.S.A. (AL, FL, GA,
georgianum. NC, SC).
C*................................ 2 R1.............. Zanthoxylum oahuense. Rutaceae............ A[revaps]e.......... U.S.A. (HI).
Ferns and Allies
C*................................ 8 R1.............. Christella boydiae (= Thelypteridaceae.... No common name...... U.S.A. (HI).
Cyclosorus boydiae
var. boydiae +
Cyclosorus boydiae
kipahuluensis).
C*................................ 2 R1.............. Doryopteris takeuchii Pteridaceae......... No common name...... U.S.A. (HI).
C*................................ 2 R1.............. Huperzia (= Lycopodiaceae....... Wawae[revaps]iole... U.S.A. (HI).
Phlegmariurus)
stemmermanniae.
C*................................ 3 R1.............. Microlepia strigosa Dennstaedtiaceae.... Palapalai........... U.S.A. (HI).
var. mauiensis (=
Microlepia
mauiensis).
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
[[Page 69106]]
Table 2.--Animals and Plants Formerly Candidates or Formerly Proposed for Listing
[Note: See end of Supplementary Information for an explanation of symbols used in this table.0
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Status
--------------------------------------------------- Lead region Scientific name Family Common name Historical range
Code Expl.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Fishes
Rp............................... A.............. R8............. Gila bicolor Cyprinidae......... Chub, Cowhead tui U.S.A. (CA).
vaccaceps. chub.
Rc............................... N.............. R6............. Thymallus arcticus.. Salmonidae......... Grayling, Fluvial U.S.A. (MT, WY).
arctic (upper
Missouri River
DPS).
Insects
Rc............................... U.............. R4............. Pseudanophthalmus Carabidae.......... Cave beetle, Beaver U.S.A. (KY).
major.
Rc............................... A, U........... R4............. Pseudanophthalmus Carabidae.......... Cave beetle, U.S.A. (KY).
inexpectatus. surprising.
Rc............................... U.............. R6............. Zaitzevia thermae... Elmidae............ Beetle, Warm Spring U.S.A. (MT).
Zaitzevian riffle.
Flowering Plants
Rp............................... A.............. R6............. Penstemon grahamii.. Scrophulariaceae... Beardtongue, Graham U.S.A. (CO, UT).
Rc............................... A.............. R1............. Erigeron basalticus. Asteraceae......... Daisy, basalt...... U.S.A. (WA).
Ferns and Allies
Rc............................... A, I........... R1............. Botrychium lineare.. Ophioglossaceae.... Moonwort, slender.. U.S.A. (AK, CA, CO,
ID, MT, OR, WA),
Canada (AB, BC,
NB, QC).
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[FR Doc. E7-23416 Filed 12-5-07; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-55-P