[Federal Register Volume 59, Number 158 (Wednesday, August 17, 1994)]
[Unknown Section]
[Page 0]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 94-20161]
[[Page Unknown]]
[Federal Register: August 17, 1994]
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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Fish and Wildlife Service
50 CFR Part 17
Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants; Notice of 90-day
Finding on a Petition To List the Scaled Dune Buprestid Beetle
AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior.
ACTION: Notice of petition finding.
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SUMMARY: The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) announces a 90-
day finding on a petition to list the scaled dune buprestid beetle
(Lepismadora algodones) under the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as
amended (Act). The Service determines that substantial information has
not been presented indicating that the requested action may be
warranted.
DATES: Comments from all interested parties will be accepted until
further notice.
ADDRESSES: Comments and materials concerning this proposal should be
sent to the Field Supervisor, Carlsbad Field Office, U.S. Fish and
Wildlife Service, 2730 Loker Avenue West, Carlsbad, California 92008.
The complete file for this action is available for public inspection,
by appointment, during normal business hours at the address listed
above.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Gail Kobetich at the above address (telephone 619/431-9440).
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Background
Section 4(b)(3)(A) of the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as
amended (16 U.S.C. 1533) (Act), requires that the Service make a
finding on whether a petition to list, delist or reclassify a species
presents substantial scientific or commercial information indicating
that the petitioned action may be warranted. To the maximum extent
practicable, this finding is to be published promptly in the Federal
Register. The Service determines that the subject petition did not
present substantial information indicating that the requested action
may be warranted.
On August 10, 1992, the Service received a petition to list the
scaled dune Buprestid beetle (Lepismadora algodones) as an endangered
species. The petition was submitted by Dr. Charles Bellamy of
Escondido, California and was dated August 5, 1992. The petition stated
that L. algodones is imperiled because its current distribution is
small, its population size is low, and its habitat is being depleted
and degraded by off-highway vehicles (OHVs).
The scaled dune buprestid beetle was first collected in 1985 along
the western edge of the Algodones Sand Hills, near Glamis, Imperial
County, California (Bellamy 1992). The beetle was first described in
1987 by R.K. Velten (Velten and Bellamy 1987). It is quite distinct
from other buprestids in North America (Bellamy 1992). The species has
been collected from its type locality every year since 1985.
The scaled dune buprestid beetle occupies ecotonal vegetation
between Sonoran creosote bush scrub and southern dune scrub along the
perimeter of the Algodones Sand Hills, an area of extensive sand dunes
approximately 45 miles (70 kilometers) in length. Dominant shrubs in
this habitat include Larrea divaricata (creosote), Ephedra sp., and
Eriogonum deserticola (Imperial buckwheat). A variety of perennial
herbs as also present in this habitat. Adult beetles have been observed
feeding on Tiquila plicata (plicate coldenia), but no information is
available on larval hosts or the species' population biology.
The Bureau of Land Management owns the lands supporting the beetle.
Portions of the Algodones Sand Hills are heavily used by OHVs and are
completely denuded of vegetation. A large portion of the sand hills are
closed to OHV use, and much of the open section of the dunes are
unaffected by OHVs, because the area is not easily accessible.
Dr. Bellamy (pers. comm. 1992) suggested that the scaled dune
buprestid is restricted to a single large colony, located in the closed
portion of the dunes. He acknowledge that seemingly suitable habitat
exists along the perimeter of the Algodones Sand Hills. Tiquila
plicata, an adult food plant, is common along the perimeter of the
dunes. Dr. Bellamy indicated that much of the area has not been
surveyed because it is inaccessible without using OHVs, which would
potentially damage the species habitat.
The Service has carefully reviewed the petition and interviewed Dr.
Bellamy. Based upon this information, the Service has determined that
substantial information has not been presented indicating that the
listing of the scaled dune buprestid may be warranted. This finding is
based upon a lack of data for the vast majority of apparently suitable
habitat, coupled with a lack of documentation of threats facing this
species.
References Cited
Bellamy, C.L. 1991. Petition for listing the scaled dune buprestid
Lepismadora algodones Velten (Coleoptera: Buprestidae) unpublished
document.
Velten, R.K., and C.L. Bellamy. 1987. A new genus and species of
North American Coiroebini Bedel with a discussion of its
relationship within the tribe (Coleoptera: Buprestidae). The
Coleopterists Bulletin (41(2):185-192.
Author
This notice was prepared by Ellen Berryman, Carlsbad Field Office,
Carlsbad Field Office (see ADDRESSES section).
List of Subjects in 50 CFR Part 17
Endangered and threatened species, Exports, Imports, Reporting and
recordkeeping requirements, and Transportation.
Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1531-1544.
Dated: August 10, 1994.
Russell D. Earnest,
Director, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
[FR Doc. 94-20161 Filed 8-16-94; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-55-M
