[Federal Register Volume 60, Number 126 (Friday, June 30, 1995)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 34225-34227]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 95-16264]
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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
50 CFR Part 17
Endangered and Threatened Species; Notice of Reclassification of
32 Candidate Species
AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior.
ACTION: Notice of candidate species reclassification.
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SUMMARY: In this document, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service)
provides explanation for changes in the candidate status of 32 species
of plants and animals that are under review for possible addition to
the List of Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants (List) under
the Endangered Species Act (Act) of 1973, as amended. The changes for
which explanation is provided in this document were previously
published for 20 plants in the 1993 Plant Notice of Review and for 12
animals in the 1994 Animal Notice of Review.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: E. LaVerne Smith, Chief, Division of
Endangered Species, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Washington, D.C.
20240 (703/358-2171).
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Background
In December 1992, the Service reached a settlement agreement
(agreement) with the plaintiffs in the Fund For Animals et al. v. Lujan
et al. case (Civ. No. 92-800) that provides for the Service to review
the listing status of species regarded as Category 1 candidates as of
September 1, 1992. The Service has historically classified species
regarded as candidates for listing under the Endangered Species Act
(Act) of 1973, as amended (16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.) into two primary
categories. Category 1 candidates are those species for which the
Service has on file sufficient information on biological vulnerability
and threat(s) to support proposals to list them as endangered or
threatened species. Category 2 candidates are taxa for which
information now in the possession of the Service indicates that
proposing to list as endangered or threatened is possibly appropriate,
but for which substantial data on biological vulnerability and threat
are not currently available to support a proposed listing. Species
classified as Category 2* are those whose continued existence is in
doubt. Species classified as Category 3 were once considered for
listing as threatened or endangered but are no longer under such
consideration. For any candidate species covered by the agreement and
removed from Category 1 because listing is not warranted, the Service
must publish a notice in the Federal Register that provides explanation
for the removal from Category 1.
This notice provides explanations for previously announced
decisions to
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remove candidate species from Category 1. The changes announced in this
notice reflect changes first published in the 1993 Plant Notice of
Review (58 FR 51444) or the 1994 Animal Notice of Review (59 FR 58982).
This notice also provides explanation for returning three candidate
species covered by the settlement agreement to Category 1 status.
Findings
Two species of animals that were removed from the Category 1
candidate list in the 1994 Animal Notice of Review are now returned to
Category 1 status. The northern Idaho ground squirrel (Spermophilus
brunneus) was incorrectly placed in Category 2 status in the 1994
Animal Notice of Review. Wild specimens of the greenest tiger beetle
(Cicindella tranquebarica viridissima) were recently discovered near
the Santa Ana River, California. Based on this rediscovery and present
knowledge of threats, the species is now returned to Category 1 status.
One plant species that was removed from the Category 1 candidate
list in the 1993 Plant Notice of Review is being returned to Category 1
status. Although previously thought to be extinct, Eragrostis fosbergii
(Fosberg's love grass) has been rediscovered and is now classified as a
Category 1 candidate.
The remaining 29 reclassifications involve removal from Category 1
status. Eleven species of plants were reclassified because they were
included in the 1990 Plant Notice of Review (55 FR 6184) as Category
1*, meaning their continued existence is in doubt. This classification
was administratively changed to Category 2* in the 1993 Plant Notice of
Review because the absence of reliable reports of extant wild
populations would preclude issuing a proposed listing for these taxa.
These species retain a high priority for addition to the List, if
reliable reports of the species' existence are received. The plants so
reclassified are: Abronia umbellata ssp. acutalata (rose purple sand-
verbena), last observed in 1940; Botrychium subbifoliatum (makou), last
observed in 1940; Cenchrus agrimonioides var. laysanensis (Laysan
agrimony sandbur), last observed in 1973; Chamaesyce celastroides var.
tomentella (`akoko), last observed in the 1920's; Cyanea longissima
(haha), last observed in 1927; Eragrostis hosakai, last observed in
1937; Lepidium bidentatum var. remyi (Remy's `anaunau), last observed
in 1855; Lipochaeta degeneri (small-leaved nehe), last observed in
1928; Mariscus rockii, last observed in the early 1900's; Melicope
degeneri (alani), last observed in the early 1900's; and Phyllostegia
imminuta, last observed in 1980.
Abutilon virginianum (Indian mallow) was originally collected in
Culebra, Puerto Rico, but according to a recent status survey, has not
been seen there since 1913. The species was removed from Category 1
status because its continued existence in the wild is in doubt.
Nelson's antelope ground squirrel (Ammospermophilus nelsoni) was
historically found in the southern San Joaquin Valley of California.
Presently the populations are more restricted and are located in the
San Joaquin area. The species was removed from Category 1 status
because its range is more widespread on slopes and hillsides than
originally thought. Also, the destruction, modification, or curtailment
of the species' habitat or range will be controlled by implementation
of the San Joaquin Endangered Species Recovery Program, which will
include setting aside foothill habitat for species such as the San
Joaquin kit fox (Vulpes macrotis mutica) and giant kangaroo rat
(Dipodomys ingens). This will provide de facto protection for Nelson's
antelope ground squirrel.
Aster avitus (Alexander's rock aster) was classified as a Category
1 species based on a 1980 status survey that found only five
populations. Since then, 43 additional populations have been found. The
discovery of additional populations, coupled with limited information
on threats to the species, support removal from Category 1.
Chrysothamnus molestus (Tusayan rabbitbrush) occurs in pinyon-
juniper woodland and associated grasslands and shrublands in the
southwest. The species was removed from Category 1 primarily because
the species was found in many new localities in surveys conducted in
1990 and 1991. Also, the Arizona Plant Recovery Team concluded in a
1991 session that Category 1 designation was premature. The Team is
composed of representatives from the Service, U.S. Forest Service,
Arizona State University, Arizona Game and Fish Department, Arizona
Nature Conservancy, National Park Service, Southwest field biologists,
and the Desert Botanical Garden. The species is now known to be extant
at 21 locations within Coconino County, Arizona, and numerous questions
exist about its life history. Specifically, the role of disturbance in
establishment of seedlings and the significance of asexual reproduction
in prohibiting expansion of the species' number and range are not
understood. With so many questions remaining, particularly about
reproductive success, and trends in abundance unknown, maintaining this
species in Category 1 is not justified.
Conostegia hotteana is a small to medium sized tree known only from
the island of Hispaniola and the eastern mountains of Puerto Rico.
There is no current information on distribution or abundance of this
plant and review of the file information indicates that classification
as Category 1 was premature. Additional information on biological
distribution and abundance, habitat needs, and threats to the species
is needed before a proposal to list would be justified.
Descurainia torulosa (Wyoming tansymustard) is known only from the
high volcanic mountains in northwest Wyoming and Pine Butte in
southwest Wyoming. The species was removed from Category 1 status
primarily because of taxonomic questions and the apparently large
amount of suitable habitat that has not been searched for the species.
Descurainia torulosa may in fact be a minor variant of the common D.
incana. Successful searches for additional populations were conducted
in the 1980's by various investigators, suggesting that additional
searches in suitable habitat will yield more populations.
The short-nosed kangaroo rat (Dipodomys nitratroides brevinasus) is
native to the lower foothills of the San Joaquin Valley, California.
The species was deleted from Category 1 because threats to its
existence, primarily destruction of habitat, will be alleviated by
implementation of the San Joaquin Endangered Species Recovery Program.
This program will include setting aside foothill habitat for species
such as the San Joaquin kit fox and giant kangaroo rat and will provide
de facto protection for the short-nosed kangaroo rat. Furthermore,
review of the files regarding this species revealed no information on
species abundance and distribution that would justify inclusion in
Category 1.
The Summer Basin tui chub (Gila bicolor ssp.) is a subspecies of
tui chub that had been restricted to the Summer Basin for the past
10,000 years. Most of the subspecies was eradicated by a toxaphene
project conducted in the late 1950's, and only one population of pure
Summer Basin tui chub was then known to survive. The subspecies was
removed from Category 1 because additional populations were discovered
and presumed threats from hybridization are less than originally
believed. The subspecies is believed to be fairly secure.
Based on recommendations provided by the Arizona Plant Recovery
Team in
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1991, the Service removed Macroptilium supinum (= Phaseolus supinus)
(supine bean) from Category 1. The present biological status of the
species is unclear since new populations were discovered in Mexico in
1990. Additional information on abundance and distribution are needed
to justify a proposal for listing.
Malpighia infestissima (stingingbush) is endemic to Buck Island and
St. Croix, U.S. Virgin Islands. It was removed from Category 1 because
its distribution and abundance are poorly known. On St. Croix, it is
reported to be widespread and scattered. Other than general threats
from residential, tourism, and industrial development, no direct
threats to this species are known. The general lack of information on
biological distribution and abundance, coupled with limited knowledge
of threats, justifies removal from Category 1.
Peperomia megalopoda is a small herb endemic to Puerto Rico. The
species was originally collected in 1929 and has not been observed
since. Efforts to relocate the species at the type locality in 1991
were unsuccessful. It was removed from Category 1 because its continued
existence is in doubt.
Psychilis kranzlinii (= Encyclia kranzlinii) is an orchid endemic
to Puerto Rico. It is rare but found in a variety of habitats. The
extent of its distribution and abundance is poorly known and currently
available information on its status does not support a listing
proposal.
The Tarahumara leopard frog (Rana tarahumarae) is known from 53
localities in southern Arizona as well as Sonora, Chihuahua, and
Sinoloa, Mexico. Although extirpated from the five historic localities
in Arizona, populations elsewhere appear to be thriving and healthy
based on surveys conducted in the mid-1980's. Several members of the
Tarahumara Frog Oversight Group concurred with the removal of this
species from Category 1.
The Suisan ornate shrew (Sorex ornatus sinuosus) and the salt marsh
wandering shrew (Sorex vagrans halicoetes) were historically found
along streams, in grasslands and marshy areas of San Francisco Bay,
California. Currently these species are more restricted to marshy areas
of the Bay. Habitat for these shrews is strongly overlapped with that
of two other listed species, the salt marsh harvest mouse
(Reithrodontomys raviventris) and the California clapper rail (Railus
longirostris obsoletus). Threats to the shrews will be alleviated by
implementation of recovery plans for the salt marsh harvest mouse and
the California clapper rail. The alleviation of threats to habitat
supports removal of these subspecies from Category 1.
Review of file information on Tillandsia baileyi (Bailey's
ballmoss) indicates that the placement of this species in Category 1 in
1990 was in error. Data to support inclusion in Category 1 are not on
file. Although population estimates are not available, the species is
estimated to occur in over 50,000 acres in south Texas, where its
continued existence is believed secure.
The Service removed Doyen's Trigonoscuta dune weevil (Trigonoscuta
sp.) from Category 1 primarily due to concerns about the taxonomy of
this species. The taxonomy of the genus is unresolved and Doyen's dune
weevil has not been formally described. The specific taxonomy is based
solely on a single-page letter written by E.L. Sleeper. The last
revisions to this genus described many species and subspecies based on
conclusions that the Service questions.
The New Mexican jumping mouse (Zapus hudsonius luteus) occurs
locally in the San Juan, Jemez, and Sacramento mountains and in the
central-northern and central Rio Grande Valley. This species is already
listed as a group 2 endangered species by the State of New Mexico,
which means that permits are required for collecting the species.
Populations were originally impacted by destruction of wetlands.
However, the species has been recently found to occupy man-made
habitats adjacent to irrigation drains and canals, thus alleviating the
threat of habitat destruction. Dr. Joan Morrison, University of
Florida, has raised concerns that the classification to Category 1 was
premature. Subsequent review of the record supports her position and
the species is now removed from Category 1.
Author
The primary author of this notice is Dr. Richard E. Sayers, Jr.,
Division of Endangered Species, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, 1849 C
Street, N.W., Mailstop ARLSQ-452, Washington, D.C. 20240 (phone 703/
358-2105; fascimile 703/358-1735).
Authority: The authority for this notice is the Endangered
Species Act of 1973, as amended, 16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.
Dated: June 27, 1995.
John G. Rogers
Acting Director, Fish and Wildlife Service.
[FR Doc. 95-16264 Filed 6-28-95; 1:20 pm]
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