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Home , Texas horned lizard

ATTACHMENT SS2

REGION 2 SENSITIVE EVALUATION FORM

Species: horned (Phrynosoma cornutum)

Criteria Rank Rationale Literature Citations The species occurs in and . • 1 B Distribution within R2 Confidence in Rank: High

Central Kansas, extreme southwestern Missouri, and southeastern Colorado south • citations in references section 2 C and west throughout most of Oklahoma and Texas (including coastal barrier islands), Distribution outside R2 eastern and southern New , and southeastern to northeastern Sonora, Chihuahua and Durango east of Sierra Madre Occidental, Coahuila, Nuevo Leon, Tamaulipas, San Luis Potosi, and Zacatecas. Native eastern limit uncertain; Missouri and Arkansas records have been questioned, and possibly the species is not native to Louisiana (Price 1990). Introduced in several areas in the southeastern U.S., including North Carolina (Herpetol. Rev. 20:12), (Jensen, 1994, Herpetol. Rev. 25:165), and elsewhere (see Price 1990 for reference).

Confidence in Rank: High • 3 D Confidence in Rank: High Dispersal Capability

Abundance information is not available, but based on general information and the size • www.natureserve.org 4 C of the range, abundance can be estimated to be over 10,000 individuals and/or 50,000 Abundance in R2 acres. The Colorado Heritage Program estimates the number of individuals to be less than 3,000 in Colorado and a Texas study found nearly three individuals per hectare uncommon in Kansas (Herp Diversity Review 1996). Can be locally abundant in undeveloped areas with appropriate habitat (Carpenter et al. 1993). The species is commonly found on Cimarron and Comanche A National Grasslands (Collins and Collins 1991, MacKessy 1998).

Confidence in Rank: Medium

USDA-Forest Service R2 Sensitive Species Evaluation Form Page 1 of 1 ATTACHMENT SS2

Species: Texas (Phrynosoma cornutum)

Criteria Rank Rationale Literature Citations Apparently declining in eastern portions of the range in Texas, Oklahoma, and • www.natureserve.org 5 A Kansas, but doing well in the remainder of the range. According to Price (1990), has Population Trend in R2 virtually disappeared from Texas east of a line from Fort Worth through Austin and San Antonio to Corpus Cristi (formerly widespread and abundant in that area); also has declined in range and/or abundance in areas where formerly common in parts of north-central Texas, Texas Panhandle, and parts of Oklahoma. Price's observations have been supported by more recent surveys in Texas, Oklahoma, and Kansas. During a 1992 Texas survey the greatest declines were reported from east Texas where no individuals were found with apparent declines in central Texas; appears to be doing well in northern and western Texas (Donaldson et al. 1994). During a 1992 Oklahoma survey, found to be rapidly disappearing in eastern areas of Oklahoma where once known to be abundant (Carpenter et. al. 1993). A 1993 survey of the northern Flint Hills of Kansas suggest populations are possibly declining (Busby and Parmalee 1996) and local collectors report declines in southeastern portions of Kansas (Bill Busby, pers. comm., 1998). In Colorado no trend information is available, but based on a recent survey appears to be locally common and stable (Siemers, pers. comm., 1998). According to Rosen (Herp Diversity Review 1996), thriving and plentiful in extreme southeastern Arizona. Considered common over a moderately wide range in Arizona. New Mexico densities have not changed historically and populations are considered stable (Charles Painter, pers. comm., 1998).Status is unknown in Sonora, Mexico (Andres Villareal Lizarraga, pers. comm., 1998).

Confidence in Rank: Medium • 6 D Habitat Trend in R2 Confidence in Rank: High

USDA-Forest Service R2 Sensitive Species Evaluation Form Page 2 of 2 ATTACHMENT SS2

Species: Texas horned lizard (Phrynosoma cornutum)

Criteria Rank Rationale Literature Citations Declines may be related to the spread of fire ants, use of insecticides to control fire • www.natureserve.org 7 B ants, heavy agricultural use of land and/or other habitat alterations, and over-collecting Habitat Vulnerability (Price 1990, Carpenter et al. 1993, Donaldson et al. 1994). Extremely vulnerable to or changes in habitat, especially the loss of harvester ants (Carpenter et al. 1993). Modification Harvester ants comprise up to 69% of the diet (Pianka and Parker 1975) and fire ants are thought to out-compete native harvester ants for food and space (Henke and Fair 1998). The widespread use of broadcast insecticides is also thought to contribute to declines. Insecticides can be detrimental by directly causing illness or death or indirectly by severely reducing or eliminating harvester ants (Henke and Fair 1998). Intensive agriculture (plowing) could destroy adults and their eggs (Carpenter et al. 1993, Donaldson et al. 1994). In the past collected for the pet trade, by boy scout troops for trading at jamborees, for the curios trade, and by tourists (Donaldson et al. 1994, Henke and Fair 1998). According to Henke and Fair (1998), reports by some researchers of declines due to loss of habitat caused by urbanization, suburban sprawl, and conversion of native rangeland to agricultural crops are unsubstantiated (Henke and Fair 1998).

Road mortality may also contribute to declines, but the effect is unknown (Henke and Fair 1998). Mortality from road traffic is an important local threat in some areas.

The degree of threat apparently ranges from moderate to unthreatened. According to Phil Rosen (Herp Diversity Review 1996) not threatened in Arizona as people tend to leave it alone. Considered moderately threatened by the Colorado and Missouri Heritage Programs (J. Siemers, Janet Sternburg, pers. Comm., 1998). According to Charles Painter (pers. comm., 1998), not threatened Texas populations are not occurring there. Considered moderately threatened in sonora, Mexico (Andres Villareal Lizarraga, pers. comm., 1998). Comments on the degree of threat were not provided by Kansas, Oklahoma, or Texas.

Confidence in Rank: Medium • 8 D Life History and Confidence in Rank: High Demographics

Initial Evaluator(s): John Sidle Date: 07/13/2001

USDA-Forest Service R2 Sensitive Species Evaluation Form Page 3 of 3 ATTACHMENT SS2 National Forests in the Rocky Mountain Region where species is KNOWN (K) or LIKELY(L)1 to occur:

Colorado NF/NG Kansas NF/NG Nebraska NF/NG South Dakota Wyoming NF/NG

NF/NG

y y

y y y nown nown nown Known Known Likel Likel ikel ikel ikel K L K L K L Arapaho-Roosevelt NF Cimmaron NG K Samuel R.McKelvie NF Black Hills NF Shoshone NF White River NF Halsey NF Buffalo Gap NG Bighorn NF Routt NF Nebraska NF Ft. Pierre NG Black Hills NF Grand Mesa, Ogalala NG Medicine Bow NF Uncompahgre, Gunnison NF San Juan NF Thunder Basin NG Rio Grande NF Pike-San Isabel NF Comanche NG K

1 Likely is defined as more likely to occur than not occur on the National Forest or Grassland. This generally can be thought of as having a 50% chance or greater of appearing on NFS lands.

USDA-Forest Service R2 Sensitive Species Evaluation Form Page 4 of 4 ATTACHMENT SS2 References

Behler, J L. and F. W. King. 1979. The Audubon Society field guide to and amphibians. Alfred A. Knopf, New York. 719 pp.

Busby, W. H. and J. R. Parmalee. 1996. Historical changes in a herpetofaunal assemblage in the Flint Hills of Kansas. American Midland Naturalist 135:81-91.

Busby, W. Zoologist/Data Mgr. Kansas Natural History Inventory. Kansas Biological Survey. 2041 Constant Avenue. Lawrence, KS 66047- 2906.

Carpenter, C. C., R. St. Clair, P. Gier, and C. C. Vaughn. 1993. Determination of the distribution and abundance of the Texas horned lizard (Phrynosoma cornutum) in Oklahoma. Final Report to Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation, Federal Aid Project E-18.

Collins, J. T. 1982. Amphibians and reptiles in Kansas. Second edition. Univ. of Kansas Mus. Nat. Hist., Pub. Ed. Ser. 8. xiii + 356 pp.

Collins, J. T. 1990. Standard common and current scientific names for North American amphibians and reptiles. SSAR Herpetol. Circular No. 19. 41 pp. Collins, J.T. and S. L. Collins. 1991. Reptiles and amphibians of the Cimarron National Grasslands, Morton County, Kansas. University of Kansas. Lawrence.

Conant,R. and J. T. Collins. 1991. A field guide to reptiles and amphibians: eastern and central North America. Third edition. Houghton MifflinCo., Boston, Massachusetts. 450 pp.

Donaldson, W. A., A. H. Price, and J. Morse. 1994. The current status and future propects of the Texas horned lizard (Phrynosoma cornutum) in Texas. Texas Journal of Science 46:(7-113).

Fair, W. S., and S. E. Henke. 1997. Efficacy of capture methods for a low density population of Phrynosoma cornutum. Herpetological Review 28:135-137.

Fair, W, S., and S. E. Henke. 1999. Movements, home ranges, and survival of Texas horned (Phrynosoma cornutum). Journal ofHerpetology 33:517-525.

Hammerson, G. A. 1982. Amphibians and reptiles in Colorado. Colorado Division of Wildlife, Denver. vii+ 131 pp.

Hammerson, G. A. 1999. Amphibians and reptiles in Colorado. Second edition. University Press of Colorado, Boulder.

USDA-Forest Service R2 Sensitive Species Evaluation Form Page 5 of 5 ATTACHMENT SS2

Henke, S. E., and W. S. Fair.1998. Managment of Texas horned lizards. Wildlife Management Bulletin of the Caesar Wildlife Research Institute. Texas A & M University-Kingsville, Bull. No. 2. 7 pp.

Herp Diversity Review Board. 1996. Herp Diversity Review Species List Final Rankings. Unpublished report to the Arizona Natural Heritage Program, Arizona Game and Fish Department.

Lomolino, M. Terrestrial Zoologist, Oklahoma Natural Hertage Inventory, Oklahoma Biological Survey, 11 1 East Chesapeake Street, University of Oklahoma, Norman. OK 7301 9-0575. 405-325-1 985.

MacKessy, S. P. 1998. A survey of the herpetofauna of the Comanche National Grasslands in southeastern Colorado. University of Northern Colorado. Report to the USDA Forest Service.

Painter, C.W.Endangered Species Biologist. New Mexico Department of Game and Fish., P.O.Box 251 12, WillagraBuilding, Santa Fe, NM 87504. 512-912-7011.

Pianka, E. R., and W. S. Parker. 1975. Ecology of horned lizards: a review with special reference to Phrynosoma cornutum. Copeia 1975:(1): 141-162.

Price, A. H. 1990. Phrynosoma cornutum. Cat. Am. Amph. Rept. 469.1-469.7.

Schwartz, S. Data Manager, Arizona Hertage Data Management System, Arizona Game and Fish Depatment, WM-H, 2221 W. Greenway Road, Phoenix, AZ 85023. 602-789-361 2.

Stebbins, R. C. 1985. A Field Guide to Western Reptiles and Amphibians. Second Edition. Houghton Mifflin Company, Boston, Massachusetts, xiv + 336 pp.

Sternburg, J. Wildlife Ecologist, Missouri Natural Heritage Program, Missouri Department of Conservation, 2901 West Truman Blvd., P. O. Box 180, Jefferson City, MO 651 02-01 80. 573-751 -41 15.

Villareal Lizarraga, A. Ecology and Zoology Asst. Centro d Datos para la Conservacion de Sonora, lnstituto del Medioambiente y Desarrollo Sostenible de Sonora (IMADES), Reyes y Aguascalientes Esq. Col. San Benito (antes Escuela Carpio), Hermosillo, Sonora, Mexico 83240.

Webb, R. G. 1970. Reptiles of Oklahoma. University of Oklahoma Press, Norman. 370 pp.

USDA-Forest Service R2 Sensitive Species Evaluation Form Page 6 of 6 ATTACHMENT SS2 Whiting, M. J., J. R. Dison, and R. C. Murray. 1993. Spatial distribution of a population of Texas horned lizards (Phrynosoma cornutum: Phrynosomatidea) relative to habitat and prey. Southwestern Naturalist 38:150-153.

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