May, 1978, Vol. Ill, No. 5

ENDANGERED SPECIES TECHNICAL BULLETIN

Department of the Interior • U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service • Endangered Species Program, Washington, D.C. 20240 Furbish Lousewort Among 13 Plant Taxa Newly Listed By Service For Protection Eleven plant taxa—including the statement for the proposed Dickey- Furbish lousewort—have been listed Lincoln School Lakes project. A total as Endangered and two plant taxa as of 880 individual plants in 21 colonies Threatened in a final rulemaking is- were located,with 350 individuals in 13 sued by the Service (F.R. 4/26/78). The colonies found within the project 's ruling becomes effective May 27, 1978. proposed impoundment area. The Service said the action was The Service said that, if the project taken primarily to protect the plants is completed as planned, 40 percent of from threats of habitat destruction. the known individuals of the Furbish They are found in 12 states and lousewort would be extirpated. Only Canada. 160 would remain in the United States. The Furbish lousewort (in Canada The remaining individuals are threat- sometimes called the St. John River ened by dumping, natural landslides, wood-betany) (Pedicularis furbishiae) and construction and lumbering near is a member of the snapdragon family the St. John River, both in Maine and endemic to the St. John river valley in New Brunswick. Until it was found in northern Maine and New Brunswick, 1976 by Dr. Charles D. Richards of the Canada. The plant was rediscovered in University of Maine, the plant had not Photo by Douglas Gruenau surveys performed in 1976 and 1977 for been collected since 1943 and was Furbish lousewort is threatened by develop- the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers in thought to be probably extinct. ment in St. John River Valley support of an environmental impact (continued on page 7)

Improved Service Regulations Planned For Captive Wildlife

The Service has issued advance Need for Improved Regulations consideration. notice of a proposed rulemaking to As the Service has learned from As a result, zoos and wildlife breed- eliminate unnecessary permit require- practice, the detailed permit require- ers have found that the existing regu- ments relating to captive wildlife and ments and other regulations relating to lations stemming from the 1973 act thereby enhance both protection of activities involving captive wildlife, as have interfered with their efforts to wild populations of Endangered and stipulated under the provisions of the propagate both Endangered and Threatened species and propagation Endangered Species Act of 1973, have Threatened species. The need to ob- of captive populations (F.R. 4/14/78). hampered zoos and other breeders in tain permits has delayed transfer of The purpose of the advance notice their efforts to breed rare wildlife in surplus animals or breeding stock is to make public the alternative ap- captivity. among institutions. proaches presently under considera- In June 1977, the Service issued new Alternative Approaches tion and to solicit comments from all rules for treating the captive popula- In considering the most effective interested parties. Such comments tions of certain Endangered species as ways of revising the current regulations should be submitted to the Service on Threatened, thereby making it easier to maintain full protection of wild pop- or before June 13,1978. for zoos and other breeders to engage ulations while encouraging propaga- In publishing this notice, the Service in interstate and foreign commerce in- tion of captive populations, the Serv- emphasized that it does not intend to volving these populations (see June ice has identified three general ap- limit its consideration to the alterna- 1977 BULLETIN). However, these rules proaches: have limited application in that only 11 tives presented in the notice (and out- 1. Redetermination of status. species having captive, self-sustaining lined below); rather, it is prepared to 2. Issuance of special rules. populations (CSSP's) in the United consider any approaches that may help 3. Extended use of the similarity-of- States have been determined to date, make captive wildlife regulations more appearance clause. although others are currently under effective. (continued on page 5) lation. The remainder will be held at the-* Bureau of Land Management, and the zoo for release next spring. National Park Service in Denver to in- Regional Briefs The squawfish {Ptychocheilus lucius) tegrate field data on proposed En- The Endangered Species Program artificial propagation program at Wil- dangered and Threatened plants in the regional staffs report the following re- low Beach National Fish Hatchery in region. The group also provides infor- cent developments in their areas: Arizona has acquired 11 adults of the mation sharing on plant protection. species which were captured in the A memorandum of agreement has Region 1. A first group of cui-ui Colorado River. An additional 10 to 11 been negotiated with the Bureau of (Chasmistes cuius) has successfully squawfish were expected to be cap- Land Management for the Denver Wild- negotiated the fishway built in 1976 tured in May from the Green River, life Research Center to provide black- from Pyramid Lake, Nevada, to spawn Utah, for the program. footed ferret {Mustela nigripes) surveys in the Truckee River. Cui-ui have been A total of eight young have been on extensive coal leasing areas in unable to leave the lake to spawn in hatched from four of the five bald eagle Wyoming. recent years because of a low water nests monitored along the Salt and Alaska Area. Twenty-four Aleutian level, caused by diversion of Truckee Verde rivers in Arizona. This is a rec- Canada geese {Branta canadensis leu- River waters for irrigation. Some larvae ord production for the population. copareia) captured at the Castle Rock, from this year's production will be re- California, wintering grounds have turned to the Pyramid Lake Hatchery Region 4. The Florida Manatee Re- been brought to Amchitka Island. for artificial propagation as part of the covery Team, inactive for the past four These birds will be released on Agattu cui-ui recovery plan. years, has been realigned and the Island this summer with some captive- An additional population of Santa leader position filled by John Oberheu of the Service's Jacksonville area of- reared Aleutian Canada geese from Cruz long-toed salamanders {Ambys- Amchitka. It is hoped they will serve as toma macrodactylum croceum) has fice. Peter Pritchard, vice president for science and research of the Florida "guide" birds during the fall migration been discovered in the Bennett and to California, and that they will return McCluska slough areas south of Santa Audubon Society, has been added as a team member. next year to Agattu and become a nest- Cruz, California. The two sites are ing population there. Buldir Island cur- tributaries to Elkhorn Slough. Region 5. Brian Kinnear has joined rently is the only natural nesting area Region 2. A total of 3,600 Houston the regional staff as a specialist in sec- for the goose. toads (Bufo houstonensis) have been tion 7 consultations. Regional staff hatched at the Houston Zoo. This is members recently have been undergo- New Publications nearly three times the known popula- ing training in section 7 regulations The Colorado Division of Wildlife's tion in the wild. Twenty-five hundred and responsibilities. Nongame Section staff has pub- are being released back into the cap- Region 6. An interagency task force lished a series of four reports that ture site to supplement the wild popu- has been formed by the Service, the are available for distribution. These reports are as follows: Essential Habitat for Threatened U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Region 2, P.O. Box 1306, Albuquerque, or Endangered Wildlife in Colorado, Washington, D.C. 20240 NM 87103 (505-766-2321): W. O. Nel- covering fish, bird, and mammalian son, Regional Director; Robert F. Ste- species. 84 pp; price, $3.00. Lynn A. Greenwalt, Director phen, Assistant Regional Director; (202-343-4717) Jack B. Woody, Endangered Species Colorado Bird Distribution Lati- Keith M. Schreiner, Specialist. long Study, a survey of 405 species. Associate Director ar)d Endangered Region 3, Federal BIdg. Fort Snelling, 62 pp; price, $2.00. Species Program Manager Twin Cities, MN 55111 (612-725-3500): Colorado Mammal Distribution (202-343-4646) Jack Hemphill, Regional Director; Del- Latilong Study. 20 pp; price, $1.00. Harold J. O'Connor, Deputy Associate Director bert H. Rasmussen, Assistant Regional Colorado Reptile & Amphibian (202-343-4646) Director; James M. Engei, Endangered Distribution Latilong Study, cover- John Spinks, Chief, Species Specialist. ing a total of 89 species. 20 pp; Office of Endangered Species Region 4, P.O. Box 95067, Atlanta, GA price, $1.00. 30347 (404-881-4671): Kenneth E. (202-343-5687) The publications are available Black, Regional Director; Harold W. Richard Parsons, Chief, from the Nongame Section, Colora- Benson, Assistant Regional Director; Federaf Wifdiife Permit Office do Division of Wildlife, 6060 Broad- (202-634-1496) Alex B. Montgomery, Endangered way, Denver, Colorado 80216. Clark R. Bavin, Chief, Species Specialist. Division of Law Enforcement Region 5, Suite 700, One Gateway Cen- Checks should be made payable to (202-343-9242) ter, Newton Corner, MA 02158 (617- the Colorado Division of Wildlife 965-5100): Howard Larsen, Regional Fund #5033X. TECHNICAL BULLETIN STAFF Director; James Shaw, Assistant Re- The proceedings of the 1976 and Dona Finnley, Editor gional Director; Paul Nickerson, En- 1977 symposia of the Desert Tor- Clare Seneca!, Assistant Editor dangered Species Specialist. toise Council are now available. (202-343-5687) Region 6, P.O. Box 25486, Denver Fed- They may be ordered at a cost of eral Center, Denver, CO 80225 (303- $5.00 per volume from the Desert Regional Offices 234-2209): Harvey Wllloughby, Re- Tortoise Council, 350 Golden Shore, Region 1, Suite 1692, Lloyd 500 BIdg., gional Director; Charles E. Lane, As- 500 N.E. Mulnomah St., Portland, OR sistant Regional Director; John R. Long Beach, California 90802. 97232 (503-231-6118): R. Kahler Mar- Davis, Endangered Species Specialist. tinson, Regional Director: Edward B. Alaska Area, 1101 E Tudor Rd., Anchor- Correction Chamberlain, Assistant Regional Di- age, AK 99057 (907-265-4864): Gordon In the April 1978 issue of the BULLETIN, rector; David B. Marshall, Endangered W. Watson, Area Drector; Dan Ben- the table on page 7 should have listed the Species Specialist. field, Endangered Species Specialist. minimum breeding population of the river otter In Minnesota as 2,150-7,000. Also, The ENDANGERED SPECIES TECHNICAL BULLETIN is published monthly by the footnote 13 in the table should have read the untrapped, instead of the untagged part U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Department of the Interior, Washington, D.C. 20240. of the New York and Minnesota river otter population. Note: credit for the photograph of St. Croix's Sandy Point Beach on page 10 of the April 1978 issue should have been given to C. Kenneth Dodd. N.C. WILDLIFE RESOURCES' state Report COMMISSION ^orth Carolina Shaping 5-Year ^Endangered Species Program

Major research and management Listed Species geon (Acipenser brevirostrum), and projects are underway in North Caro- Only federally listed Endangered and spotfin chub (Hybopsis monacha). lina to assist the Endangered red- Threatened animal species are now (All other nongame species also re- cockaded woodpecker {Picoides bore- officially designated by the N.C. Wild- ceive State protection, unless special alis),* brown pelican {Pelecanus occi- life Resources Commission. In addition seasons are authorized for harvest or dentalis), and American alligator (Alli- to the red-cockaded woodpecker, other special management purposes.) gator mississippiensis) as part of a American alligator, and brown pelican, Last December, the U.S. Fish and five-year Federal assistance program they include the American peregrine Wildlife Service proposed adding three recently approved under a cooperative falcon (Faico peregrinus anatum), Arc- more fish found only in North Carolina agreement between the State and the tic peregrine falcon {FaIco peregrinus to the Federal Endangered list. They U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. tundrius), Bachman's warbler {Verimi- are the Waccamaw darter (Etheostoma The State's Endangered Species vora bachmannii), bald eagle {Haliae- perlongum), Waccamaw killifish (Fun- Program, which is scheduled to re- etus leucocephalus), eastern cougar dulus waccamensis), and the Wacca- ceive $180,000 in Federal assistance in (Fells concolor cougar), gray bat (My- maw silverside (Menlda extensa). fiscal year 1978, projects a total spend- Otis grisescens), Indiana bat (M. sodal- Candidate Species ing of $1,110,000 over the five-year pe- is), ivory-billed woodpecker (Campe- Many more candidate species of riod. Of this amount, the State will con- philus priricipalis), Kirtland's warbler vertebrates and plants have been iden- tribute $370,000 and the Federal Gov- (Dendroica kirtlandi), leatherback tur- tified by wildlife biologists as in need ernment $740,000. tle (Dermochelys coriacea), manatee of special protection by the State. In Prior to initiation of this program, the (Trichechus manatus), shortnose stur- 1975, a symposium conducted by the North Carolina Wildlife Resources North Carolina Museum of Natural His- Commission had maintained a number tory assessed the status of wildlife and ^f projects to help endangered and plants in the State, and determined _kongame species. These projects re- that a substantial number were in jeop- ceived minimal funding, however, be- ardy. Of the State's 663 species and cause the commission was financed subspecies of vertebrate fauna, 33 taxa almost entirely by revenues from hunt- were considered to be endangered, 28 ing and fishing licenses. Although con- threatened, 84 of special concern, and sideration is being given to requesting 51 of additional concern (but so little State general fund monies to support known that they had to be classed as this program, at the present time the "status undetermined"). State's share continues to come from In the plant category, symposium this licensing revenue, which totals botanists identified 91 species as of about $7 million a year. The commis- "primary concern" and 319 of addition- sion also receives more than $1 mil- al concern. About 12 percent of the lion in Federal aid receipts through the State's nearly 3,400 plant taxa were Pittman-Robertson and Dingell-John- found to be in jeopardy. (At the pres- son programs. ent time, there is no State agency hav- In 1975, the general assembly au- ing clear-cut authority to establish reg- thorized a public contribution program ulations and programs on behalf of en- to help expand the endangered and dangered or threatened plant species.) nongame species projects then in Thus, it is expected that the base of progress. Called the Carolina Conser- the State program will broaden con- vationist, this program has produced siderably when sufficient data are ac- nearly $3,750 through contributions quired to warrant the listing of resident since being implemented in July 1976, species for State protection. and it has generated public support for Program Direction additional nongame and endangered The director of the N.C. Wildlife Re- species conservation measures. The program is administered by the Divi- sources Commission has placed the sion of Information and Education. endangered animal species program under the Interagency Wildlife Coordi-

"In 1976, a committee of the American Drawing by Duane Raver nation Section of his office. This sec- JDrnithologists Union voted to change the tion, headed by Frank B. Barick and sientific name of the red-cockaded wood- North Carolina is coordinating several re- budgeted at $218,000 for the current Secker from Dendrocopos borealis (as orig- search and management projects to con- fiscal year, serves the program admin- inally indicated on the U.S. List of Endan- serve the Endangered red-cockaded wood- gered and Threatened Species) to Picoides pecker. This print was used in Carolina istratively. Program direction is pro- borealis. Conservationist fund drive. (contlnued on next page) vided by an Endangered Species Ad- lustris). The habitat is generally char- study of timber management practices visory Committee, which includes wild- acterized by a thick understory of in this and other habitat areas. life biologists from universities in the turkey oak {Quercus laevis) and wire- While the status of the woodpecker State as well as representatives of con- grass {Aristida striata) ground cover. remains undetermined, earlier studies servation organizations (the Audubon Biologists have noted a correlation be- have indicated that several hundred Society and North Carolina Wildlife tween the frequency of the woodpeck- colonies of birds may exist in eastern Federation). In addition, coordination er and the frequency of burning the and southern portions of North Caro- with other State and Federal agencies understory to remove vegetation that lina. Surveys will be performed to map' is effected through an Endangered obscures nesting cavities in the pines. the location of colonies throughout the Species Interagency Task Force, with Under guidelines being developed State, and researchers also will at- representatives from 9 State agencies for the management plan, nesting trees tempt to determine population trends and 12 Federal agencies. would be identified and protected from while studying the structure and pro- The advisory committee is responsi- timber cutting. In addition, a 200-acre ductivity of nesting populations. ble for developing recommendations pine "support stand" or feeding area Habitat types preferred by red-cock- to the wildlife commission on desig- would be maintained adjacent to col- aded woodpeckers also will be char- nating species as endangered or ony areas. All colony areas will be acterized, in hopes of gathering data threatened, research program ele- burned every three years after all veg- needed to recommend Critical Habitat ments and priorities, and restoration etation has been cut away from around designation for the bird in North Caro- projects, plus the development of poli- the base of each nesting cavity tree. lina. Upon completion of the research, cy, regulations, and appropriate legis- The plan also would preserve num- a final report will be prepared and lation. Recommendations prepared by bers of mature pines (60 years or old- management recommendations formu- the interagency task force regarding er) in the timber rotation program as lated to assist in preparing a final re- elements of the program must be ap- habitat for potential expansion of the covery plan for the woodpecker, which proved by the advisory committee be- woodpecker population. ranges from Virginia to Texas. fore being implemented. At the same time the management By involving all agencies and inter- plan is being put into effect, the com- Brown Pelican ests concerned with the 'environment mission also is launching a number of A colony estimated at 200 brown and wildlife in the administration func- research projects with $95,600 provid- pelicans nests on Shell Island, a small tion, the program is designed to identi- ed under its fiscal year 1978 Endan- sandbar in Pamlico Sound near Ocra- fy potential areas of conflict between gered Species Program grant from the coke, North Carolina—the most north- the actions of individual agencies and Service. These projects include an erly breeding colony of the species in endangered species—and then work evaluation of the effects of controlled the United States. Ornithologists have toward a solution. Some of the Federal burning on woodpecker colonies with- been puzzled as to why the colony assistance funding has been ear- in the Sandhills Game Land and a limits itself to this one island, even marked to support this coordinating though there is suitable habitat be- function of the program. Propagating Loggerheads tween the island and the next breeding Once restoration procedures are de- colony about 300 miles south at Cape veloped by the coordination section, at Camp Lejeune Romain National Wildlife Refuge near Barick says, "they are implemented The U.S. Marine Corps Camp Le- McClellenville, South Carolina. through the commission and other jeune training base on North Caro- With assistance from the Service, concerned agencies. Among the first lina's coast, through the work of the North Carolina's researchers will at- elements in the restoration program is base ecologist, Julian Wooten, is be- tempt to answer this question and de- protection from taking and commer- coming a prime production center termine ways that the bird may be in- cialization in accordance with regula- for the Atlantic loggerhead sea tur- duced to occupy other sites, perhaps tions adopted by the commission and tle {Caretta caretta), which has been similar islands created for this purpose enforced by wildlife enforcement offi- proposed for Threatened status. from sand dredged to maintain coastal cers. Other measures include habitat For the past four summers, Woot- shipping channels. Mortality factors of acquisition, habitat management, live- en has been observing loggerheads the colony, which has remained stable trapping, and transplanting. These as they crawl across Onslow Beach for the past decade, also will be stud- measures would normally be conduct- —long used by Marine recruits to ied as well as food habits and other ed by the commission's Divisions of practice amphibious assaults—to basic life history elements. Game and Inland Fisheries. In addi- lay their eggs. He noted that about tion, other public land-owning agen- 90 percent of the 40 to 50 nests were Alligator Investigations cies would participate in these efforts." being destroyed by such predators Coastal swamplands are being stud- as foxes, raccoons, opossums, and ied to learn the State distribution and Red-cockaded Woodpecker feral cats. population of alligators. While the spe- State program coordination is well In 1975, Wooten began placing cies is known to occur as far north as illustrated in the projects to aid the protective wire cages over every tur- Dare County, North Carolina, the stat- red-cockaded woodpecker. The com- tle nest (each loggerhead lays about us of the species has not been de- mission, through its Division of Game 100 eggs) and has succeeded in scribed in the State. In a preliminary (and partially supported by a U.S. Fish keeping most of them intact. Where investigation last year, Manley Fuller, and Wildlife Service Federal aid grant the nesting site was producing at a North Carolina State University grad- of $70,000), has embarked upon a man- most only a few hundred loggerhead uate student, captured and tagged agement plan for red-cockaded wood- hatchlings, production has jumped about 52 alligators in and around Lake pecker colonies inhabiting the State- to more than 2,000 a year. He now Ellis Simon. His research will continue owned Sandhills Game Land in the estimates that about 80 percent of this summer in an effort to establish southeastern region of North Carolina. all eggs laid on the beach hatch. population indices, investigate habitat preferences, and acquire information) The game land is comprised of 57,- Wooten also assists the newly on the species' growth rates. Fuller's 250 acres of noncontiguous tracts and hatched turtles from the protected past work has been supported by the is believed to contain a woodpecker nests and releases them into the university, the National Wildlife Feder- population of between 160 and 400 surf. Adult turtles are tagged to col- ation, and the North Carolina Museum birds, which nest, for the most part, in lect data on their migration habits. mature longleaf pine trees {Pinus pa- of Natural History. Captive (continued from page 1)

Status redetermination would involve determining whether or not certain captive populations may constitute separate species under the terms of the 1973 act and, if so, whether or not these species could be reclassified to the Threatened category or declassi- fied altogether. The Service believes that reclassi- fication or declassification should be considered only for those species in which wild populations are and will continue to be sufficiently protected. In particular, the Service believes that status changes should not be N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission photo by Ken Taylor made on the assumption that the Con- The Neuse River waterdog, a salamander, may be a candidate for Federal protection. vention on International Trade in En- dangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora will provide compensatory pro- The commission's studies will pro- Educational Programs tection. Although many of the species vide basic information on breeding, Wildlife in North Carolina, the com- listed under the 1973 act are also listed feeding, wintering habitats, limiting mission's monthly magazine, has been in the appendixes to the Convention, factors, and other data applicable to utilized as the agency's primary edu- changes in the appendixes are subject management procedures. cational tool in behalf of rare and en- to international agreement irrespective dangered species. In addition to peri- of U.S. approval or disapproval. In ad- Additional Studies odic articles on the subject which ap- dition, the Service has had cause to pear throughout the year, the July is- in coming months, as arrangements question the validity of some foreign sues of this publication carry a general for studies are completed with univer- documents issued in response to Con- rare and endangered species theme sity contractors, the commission ex- vention requirements. with related program reports, articles, pects to launch research projects on and other information. Issuance of special rules would be the Lake Waccamaw fishes, bobcat, The Carolina Conservationist pro- based on the fact that, if captive popu- river otter, Neuse River waterdog, pere- gram was established to supplement lations of Endangered species are re- grine falcon, bald eagle, eastern cou- educational efforts as well as a vehicle classified as Threatened, it is permis- gar, Indiana bat, gray bat, and Florida for channeling funds through the com- sible under the 1973 act to establish manatee. The latter five are Endan- mission for endangered species re- special rules for those populations. gered species which are extremely search. With the assistance of Carolina Any such rules, in the Service's view, rare in the State, with only a few sight- Conservationist and Federal grant-in- must be compatible with and conducive ings reported in recent years. There aid funds, the State is now embarking to conservation of both wild and cap- has been no confirmed sighting of the on an accelerated public information tive populations. In addition, the Serv- eastern cougar, except for one hair program. Under the direction of A. Sid- ice believes it is essential to make sure sample found on a fence three or four ney Baynes, chief of the wildlife re- that there is a reduction or elimination years ago. The cougar was extirpated sources commission's Division of In- of the current permit requirements for east of the Mississippi in the early part formation and Education, a television many of the normal practices in cap- of this century. But in recent years tive species propagation. spot announcement is being produced there has been an increasing number on State and national conservation ef- In keeping with these goals, the of reports of the cat sighted in eastern forts, with emphasis on the problem of Service has identified several specific seaboard states, which some biolo- environmental degradation. Thus far, types of special rules that warrant con- gists believe may indicate a return of the Carolina Conservationist has pur- sideration. These include: the species to its historic range. chased film strips on endangered spe- • requiring people holding captive individuals to keep records and report Neuse River Waterdog cies from the National Wildlife Federa- tion, prepared posters and prints of transactions to the Service A preliminary study which was re- original paintings of the brown pelican • establishing regulations under cently supplemented with $1,400 in and red-cockaded woodpecker, and which taking (as defined in the 1973 Carolina Conservationist funds con- mailed out numerous fliers on the State act) and other activities that are now cerns the Neuse River waterdog (Wec- program. The agency is preparing a allowed by permit for Threatened spe- turus lewisi), an endemic salamander slide/tape program and a publication cies would be allowed for captive pop- ulations without the need for permits. known to exist in the drainages of on North Carolina's endangered spe- North Carolina's Neuse and Tar Rivers. cies for public distribution. Extended use of the similarity-of- The North Carolina Museum of Natural "We've compared our program to appearance clause of the 1973 act History has proposed a follow-on study those in other states," Baynes says, would involve a determination that a to obtain data on the salamander's "for what we want is a good, sound ed- specific captive population is no longer status to determine if Federal listing of ucational program that appeals to lots Endangered or Threatened biologically the species is warranted. of people. Such programs are not but should still be treated as such to The waterdog has been designated measured by the revenues they gener- protect the wild population. by the museum as a species of "spe- ate, but often in more intangible terms. Although a similarity-of-appearance cial concern" because of habitat de- We have had to spend more money listing carries the same prohibitions as struction, particularly along the Neuse than we've taken in in this program, but do Endangered and Threatened status, River. A portion of its habitat appears it doesn't matter as long as we're help- the application requirements and is- to be imminently threatened by a pro- ing to educate the public about the suance criteria for permits are less de- posed U.S. Army Corps of Engineers plight of our endangered and threat- tailed than those for other permits. dam near Raleigh. ened species." Rulemaking Actions — April 1978 Protection Sought For Bonytail Chub, Razorback Sucker

The Service has issued a proposed exotic shiners prey on larval bonytails closure, the adult population in a res-' rulemaking to determine the bonytail and that bass, sunfish, and catfish prey ervoir persists for about 30 years chub {Gila elegans) as Endangered on young bonytails. (roughly the maximum age of the fish) and the razorback sucker (Xyrauchen In the upper basin, bonytail popula- and then disappears. texanus) as Threatened (F.R. 4/24/78). tions have declined greatly during the At present, razorbacks are abun- Both fishes are recommended for past two decades. For example, on the dant in Lakes Mead, Mohave, and listing under the Endangered Species Green River above Flaming Gorge Havasu; however, although spawning Act of 1973 because their populations Dam, the decline started after the res- has been observed, no juveniles have have been greatly reduced, primarily ervoir became stabilized near its been discovered. Nevertheless, some as a result of habitat alteration and planned capacity in 1966. Since then, individual fishes appear to be young destruction, and because prospective there has been no record of bonytail enough to suggest that at least some habitat modification threatens their reproduction in the reservoir. recruitment has occurred since closure continued existence. of the dams. At issue, therefore, is whether or not such recruitment will The two species are found only in Razorback Sucker prove to be sufficient to maintain the the Colorado river system, and their Once abundant enough to be caught reservoir populations on a long-term known range covers portions of Ari- and sold as food by the early settlers, basis. zona, California, Colorado, Nevada, the razorback sucker is native to the Razorback distribution in the upper New Mexico, and Utah. large rivers of both the upper and basin does not indicate much lessen- The Service has set the following lower basins. Its preferred habitat ap- ing of the fish's original range. How- deadlines for submission of comments pears to be slow-flowing backwater ever, upper basin populations are de- on this proposed ruling: June 26 for areas, where it feeds on bottom det- clining as a result of habitat alteration the public, and July 24 for the Gover- ritus and possibly on plankton. and possibly competition with and nors of the six States involved. In the lower basin, the razorback predation by introduced species. Fur- sucker is missing from the cold tail- thermore, although most experts be- Bonytail Chub waters of the high dams. Consequently, lieve that some recruitment is occur- the species is no longer found in the ring, no juvenile razorbacks have been The historic range of the bonytail Grand Canyon stretch of the Colorado found in recent surveys and the future chub encompasses both the upper and River. of the upper basin populations remains lower basins of the Colorado river Although the razorback does occur uncertain. system. The fish apparently prefers to in the lower basin's reservoirs, it is The proposed rulemaking includes I live in eddies adjacent to the swiftly questionable as to whether these pop- special provisions that would allow the flowing waters of the system's turbid ulations will prove to be self-sustain- taking of razorback suckers in accord- mainstream rivers. ing. Evidence suggests that, after dam ance with State law. The lower basin populations have been almost extirpated by habitat loss stemming from river impoundment and diversion. Much of the lower basin now consists of reservoirs and cold tail- Little Kern Golden Trout Subsequently, the Service received waters. generally supportive comments from In a final rulemaking issued by the the State of California, the U.S. Forest . Although large adult bonytails have Service, the Little Kern golden trout Service, two national conservation been found in such reservoirs as Lake {Salmo aguabonita whitei) has been groups, one local conservation group, Mead and Lake Mohave, and spawning listed as Threatened and its entire one natural history museum, and six has also been observed, no young have range (in Tulare County, California) private citizens. been discovered; consequently, these has been designated as Critical Habi- In addition, the State of California reservoir populations probably will tat (4/13/78). identified several specific types of disappear as the fish grow older and The ruling, effective May 15, recog- threats to water quality in the Little die. nizes that the species is threatened Kern river system, and the Forest The cold tailwaters do not support principally by hybridization with rain- Service suggested a minor change in bonytail populations since this species bow trout. The Service also noted its the Critical Habitat boundary and a does not spawn when the water tem- concern that the quality of water in the correction of the reference to forestry perature is under 65° F. Elsewhere in Little Kern river system could possibly practices. All these suggestions were the lower basin, primarily in the Gila deteriorate as a result of uncontrolled incorporated into the final ruling. river system, water diversion for ir- use of off-road vehicles, improper road rigation projects has caused a loss of construction, careless logging activi- Greenback Cutthroat Trout instream flows and consequently of ties, pollution from mining, and live- bonytail habitat. stock overgrazing in the system's According to a final rulemaking is- Bonytail chub decline in the lower drainage basin. sued by the Service, the greenback basin may also have been hastened by cutthroat trout {Salmo clarki stomias) competition with introduced species of Comments on Proposal has recovered to the point where it^^L fish, which now outnumber native The original proposal was published can be reclassified from Endangered^^ fishes in the Colorado river system as in the Federal Register on September to Threatened (F.R. 4/18778). a whole. Some biologists believe that 1, 1977 (see October 1977 BULLETIN). (continued on next page) Found only in Colorado, the fish Plants (continued from page 1) was originally listed as Endangered The 13 plants listed in the rulemak- shoot, and 21 seedlings have been primarily because of extensive hybrid- ing were among a total of 1,783 pro- found, making the species extremely ization with introduced trout and wide- posed for Endangered status in the vulnerable. Since their rediscovery, spread habitat alteration. In recent June 16, 1976, Federal Register. The two trees have died, several seedlings years, the efforts of the Federal Gov- proposal was a subject of four public- have been removed for scientific pur- .ernment and the State of Colorado hearings conducted by the Service in poses and several more stolen; all but lave resulted in reduction of intro- 1976 (see the September 1976 BUL- two of the remaining seedlings were ''duced trout and successful reintro- LETIN) and elicited 425 comments. damaged by vgindals. Landowners duction of the Endangered subspecies have erected fences around the trees within its historic range. Consequently, to protect them. A propagation pro- the greenback cutthroat trout no longer gram to provide a cultivated source faces imminent extinction. for the species has been started at the The new ruling, effective May 18, National Arboretum, which is located includes a special regulation allowing in Washington, D.C. the fish to be taken by sports fisher- Santa Barbara Island liveforever men in accordance with Colorado {Dudleya traskiae). This member of the State law. There is evidence that such stonecrop family is endemic to the is- a regulated take in certain areas may be beneficial to the subspecies.

Comments on Proposal The Service's original proposal to reclassify the greenback cutthroat trout was published in the Federal Register on September 26, 1977 (see October 1977 BULLETIN). Subsequent- ly, the U.S. Forest Service, the National Park Service, and the Division of Wild- life of the Colorado Department of Nat- ural Resources (responding for the State) all concurred with the proposal. One national conservation organiza- tion submitted comments expressing concern over the special regulation al- Photo by F. G. Meyer, National Arboretum Photo by Reid Moran Virginia round-teal birch Santa Barbara iivetorever lowing a regulated take. However, the Service decided to leave the original Last year four plants in the proposal land, and is under threat from intro- iproposal unchanged, in that it carries —all from San Clemente Island, Cali- duced European hares. The species Psufficient provisions for the State of fornia—were listed as Endangered had not been collected since 1968 Colorado to effectively regulate sport (see the September 1977 BULLETIN). when, in 1975, several plants were fishing of the subspecies. An additional 1,404 native plants re- found regenerating from stubs gnawed main under review; all but four were in- to the ground by the hares. Subse- Regulations Revised On cluded in a Smithsonian Institution re- quently, a few hundred more plants Threatened Species port covering 3,187 vascular plants, were discovered on the face of a cliff, which was published as a notice of re- where they are protected from the The Service has taken final action view in 1975 (F.R. 7/1/75). hares. The Service said, however, that to correct an omission in previously the eventual recovery of the livefor- published regulations, thereby assur- Endangered Plants ever, as well as other endemic plants ing their application to Threatened on the island, will depend upon con- species as well as to Endangered spe- In addition to the Furbish lousewort, the following plants were determined tinued efforts of the National Park cies (F.R. 4/28/78). Service to control the hare population. Promulgation of this special rule was to be Endangered in the current final deemed necessary to correct regula- rulemaking: Eureka evening primrose (Oenoth- tions published in the May 11, 1976, Hairy rattleweed {Baptisia arachni- era avita ssp. eurekensis) and Eureka Federal Register, which should have fera). A member of the pea family, the dune grass (Swallenia alexandrae). included the following wording as part rattleweed is known from southern The populations of these plants are re- of an amendment to § 17.31(a): "all of Wayne County to northern Brantley stricted largely to the base and slopes the provisions in § 17.21 shall apply to County in Georgia—an area where of the Eureka Dunes, a unique forma- threatened wildlife, except § 17.21(c) pines are clear-cut for timber and pulp. tion of sand in California's Inyo County, (5)." Inclusion of the clause was im- The Service said the plant appears to which in recent years has been used portant to clarify a difference in treat- be capable of surviving the clear- for off-road vehicle recreation. The ment between Endangered and Threat- cutting, but subsequent methods for Service said the survival of the two ened species under state cooperative site preparation and replanting of taxa will depend upon strict enforce- agreements with the Service. pines have greatly reduced the distri- ment of a Bureau of Land Management Sixteen comments were received bution of the species. order in late 1976 closing the dunes to from the public on the proposed cor- off-road vehicles (see the March 1977 rective ruling, which was published by Virginia round-leaf birch {Betula BULLETIN). ^the Service on September 16,1977 (see uber). This birch, which had been re- )ctober 1977 BULLETIN). Only one garded as probably extinct since 1914, Antioch Dunes evening primrose 'organization, which interpreted the was rediscovered in 1975 along Cressy {Oenothera deltoides ssp. howellii) and proposal as a new regulation rather Creek, in Smyth County, Virginia. Only Contra Costa wallflower {Erysimum" than a correction, opposed the ruling. 14 mature trees, 1 three-stemmed (continued on next page) capitatum var. angustatum). These two tion of about 100 plants is in the Fish flowers are endemic to the Antioch Lake National Forest of the Tushar Dunes, which formerly covered ap- Mountains (at an altitude of 10,000 proximately 500 acres of the Sacra- feet) and could be affected by tem- mento-San Joaquin River's south bank porary road construction to service in Contra Costa County, California. mineral exploration. Road mainte- Agricultural and industrial activities nance also could jeopardize the seofl^ have reduced the original dunes by 90 ond population on Mount Dutton, whicl^ percent. Only 28 Contra Costa wall- is situated in Dixie National Forest at flowers were found during a February an altitude of 10,600 feet. 1977 visit to the dunes by Dr. Paul Opier of the Service's Office of En- Conflict With Development dangered Species. The Service noted that several pro- posed Federal projects or activities Persistent trillium {Trillium persis- could potentially jeopardize the newly tens). All of the populations of this listed plants. But the Service said it member of the lily family are found believes all of the species can be con- within four miles of each other in the served with only minor modifications in Tallulah-Tugaloo river system in Rabun the use of their habitat, and at little ex- and Habersham Counties, Georgia, and Oconee County, South Carolina. pense, or simply by recognizing their Because of its restricted distribution, existence in management of their habi- the Service believes the species could Photo by Robert Read tats. The Service anticipates that any be adversely affected by development, Northern wild monkshood conflicts can be resolved through con- particularly in Tallulah Gorge and sur- sultations with involved Federal agen- rounding ravines, where most of the Threatened Plants. cies under section 7 of the Endangered plants are found. Silvicultural practices The following plants were deter- Species Act of 1973. at the edge of the gorge also could mined to be Threatened: Comments on the Proposal have an adverse impact on the plant's Northern wild monkshood (Aconitum This final rulemaking also sum- habitat. Efforts are being made to prop- noveboracense). This member of the marized the 425 general comments agate the species, so that an alter- buttercup family is now known in only received on the proposal of June 16, nate source will be available for col- 14 colonies: one in Ulster County, New 1976. The Service said less than one lectors. York; one in Summit County, Ohio: one percent opposed conservation of En- Hawaiian wild broad-bean {Vicia each in Allamakee, Clayton, and Jack- dangered and Threatened plants. Many menziesii). The major threat to this son Counties, Iowa; one in Richland of those favoring conservation sup- plied additional data on the plants in member of the pea family appears to County, two in Sauk County, and six in the proposal as well as on other plant|^ be feral animals which feed on the Vernon County, Wisconsin. The wild- that may be possible candidates fo^^ beans. Tagging may also be a prob- flower's disjunct distribution probably listing. lem. Because only small populations dates from the Ice Age when glaciers of the species have been located on apparently destroyed intervening popu- More than 35 individuals recom- Mauna Loa on the Island of Hawaii, its lations. The surviving colonies gen- mended that the Service propose all of continued existence is regarded as ex- erally are restricted to moist soil pock- the 1,783 plants in the review for in- tremely precarious. The wild broad- ets at the bottom of cliffs and many clusion on the appendixes of the Con- bean is thought to contain L-dopa, a are vulnerable to extirpation. The New vention on International Trade in En- chemical used in the treatment of Park- York colony parallels a road and would dangered Species of Wild Fauna and inson's disease, and also has potential be adversely affected if the road is Flora. The Service is considering pro- as an ornamental. widened. The Ohio colony is in an posing those U.S. plants that meet the urban park where it has been sur- Convention's criteria and would bene- Texas wild-rice (Zizania texana). rounded by construction projects. The fit from such a listing. This aquatic grass is restricted to a Jackson County, Iowa, colony is in a Some concern was expressed in the small section of the upper San Marcos private pasture. Construction of the comments as to whether the Service River in Hays County, Texas. The plant La Farge Dam in Wisconsin would has authority under the law to list plant has been threatened by the suppres- destroy three to five of the colonies in varieties as well as plant subspecies sion of aquatic vegetation in Spring the State, depending upon the level of and full species as Endangered or Lake and parts of the park system of impounded water. Three of the Wis- Threatened. The Service said that Con- the city of San Marcos—activities consin colonies are in protected areas, gress has clearly indicated in section which recently have been halted. (The as is the one in Clayton County, Iowa. 3(11) of the act defining the term debris resulting from the mowing and About 475 individual plants are located "species" that infraspecific taxa ploughing of vegetation floated down- in these four areas. should be included and conserved. As stream and entangled in the inflores- the rank variety has been used by bot- cences of Texas wild-rice, dragging the Rydberg milk-vetch {Astragalus peri- anists as the major infraspecific sub- plants under water and apparently pre- anus). The Smithsonian Institution re- division for many plants, the Service cluding sexual reproduction.) Com- port in 1975 said this member of the said, it appears appropriate to consid- mercial utilization and pollution from pea family was possibly extinct be- er plant varieties for determination as sewage in the river may have an ad- cause it had last been collected near Endangered or Threatened. verse effect on the species' habitat. Marysvale in Piute County, Utah, in Numerous plant varieties were in- The Service said recovery of the grass 1905. But in 1975, the plant was found cluded in the proposal covering 1,7^^ will depend upon conservation of its in Piute and Garfield Counties, Utah, plants and the current rulemaking del^P habitat and research to identify the in areas used for sheep grazing. The ignates one plant variety, the Contra factors pceventing reproduction. Service said the Piute County popula- Costa wallflower, as Endangered.

8 24 Foreign Mammals and 1 Foreign Bird Proposed As Endangered

To help provide protection for 25 foreign species and The Service obtained information on the status of the 24 tubspecies, the Service has issued a proposed rulemaking mammals from the Red Data Book (1972 edition) of the In- recommending that they be listed as Endangered under the ternational Union for the Conservation of Nature and Natural Endangered Species Act of 1973 (F.R. 4/19/78). Resources (lUCN) and from Jane Thornback of the Fauna If formally listed as Endangered, none of the 24 mammals Preservation Society. All 24 mammals were listed in the Red and 1 bird (or parts or products thereof) could be imported Data Book as endangered, and are also so recognized by into the United States other than by permit for scientific or Thornback, who is preparing an updated edition of the other limited purposes. Furthermore, within the United book, fnformation on the bird proposed for listing was re- States, interstate shipment for commerce would be prohib- ceived from Holly A. J. Nichols, an expert on West Indian ited. In addition, the U.S. Government would be permitted parrots, and Warren King of the International Council for to enter into bilateral or multilateral agreements with the Bird Preservation. countries in which the animals are resident to promote con- Comments on this proposal should be submitted to the servation activities. Service by July 18, 1978.

Name/Distribution Comments Ryukyu rabbit {Pentalagus furnesi), Ryukyu Islands Very restricted range, limited habitat; endangered by habitat loss, predation; latest population estimate (1964): 500-900. Simien fox (Simia simensis), Ethiopia Population less than 500; endangered by habitat loss due to human use, shooting due to unearned reputation as sheep killer. Malabar large spotted civet (Viverra megaspila No recent sightings, may already be extinct; decline due to persecution by civettina), southern India man and loss of habitat to agricultural activities. Fea's muntjac {Muntiacus leae), southern Burma, Restricted range; vulnerable to hunting pressure; locally popular as meat northern Thailand animal. Formosan sika {Cervus nippon taiouanus), southern Decline due chiefly to uncontrolled hunting for meat; captive herd of 100-200 Taiwan mountains kept on Lu-tao (island); wild pop. less than 300. Ryukyu sika (Cervus nippon keramae), Ryukyu Islands Decline due mostly to hunting; range now reduced to one islet and possibly three other islands; islet pop. was 30 in 1964. North China sika {Cervus nippon mandarinus), Shansi Range and population have declined greatly owing to uncontrolled hunting Province and possibly Chihii Province, China and habitat loss to agriculture; raised for food on a few farms north of Peking. ^Shansi sika {Cervus nippon grassianus), western Shansi Present status and distribution unknown; has been overhunted for antlers for Province, China medicinal properties; habitat loss to farming. 'South China sika {Cervus nippon kopschi), Yangste Once widespread; currently, a few may survive in Yangste valley; decimated valley, China by overhunting for antlers for medicinal values. Corsican red deer {Cervus elaphus corsicanus), Corsica, Decline due to uncontrolled hunting; poaching occurs on Sardinia, where deer Sardinia is limited to 2 or 3 localities and numbers in low hundreds; may be extinct on Corsica. Barbary deer {Cervus elaphus barbarus), Tunisia, Decline due to habitat loss and continued poaching; now limited to small Algeria, Morocco region on Algerian-Tunisian border; pop. about 400. Yarkand deer {Cervus elaphus yarkandensis), Chinese Decline due to overhunting and habitat loss; once widespread; now greatly Turkestan reduced in range and numbers almost to extinction. Bactrian deer (Cervus elaphus bactrianus), southern Decline due to habitat disruption and (especially in USSR) poaching for meat; USSR, northern Afghanistan now down to a few remnant groups totaling 500. Western giant eland {Taurotragus derbianus derbianus), Poaching is chief cause of decline ; also habitat loss; Senegal has most— Senegal to Ivory Coast under 200; a few in Mali; probably extinct elsewhere. Jentink's duiker {Cephalophus jentinki), Sierra Leone, Endangered by excessive subsistence hunting, habitat disruption; pop. no Liberia, Ivory Coast more than a few hundred; probably limited now to Liberia. Tora hartebeest (Aicelaphus buselaphus tora), Ethiopia, Occurs in much of former range, but depleted by excessive subsistence Sudan, southern Egypt hunting, habitat degradation; Sudan pop. 200-300 (1965). Swayne's hartebeest {Aicelaphus buselaphus swaynei), Endangered by excessive subsistence hunting, habitat disruption; probably Somalia, Ethiopia extinct in Somalia; under 700 left in Ethiopia, where poaching common although legally protected. Zanzibar suni {Nesotragus moschatus moschatus), Decline due to excessive subsistence hunting, habitat destruction; once Zanzibar, nearby islets common, now nearly extinct, but probably survives. Sand gazelle (Gazella subgutturosa marica), Jordan, Endangered chiefly as result of mechanized hunting; overgrazing has Arabian Peninsula degraded habitat; still common in a few desert areas. Saudi Arabian gazelle {Gazella dorcas saudiya), Israel, Population greatly depleted by mechanized hunting. Israel population Iraq, Jordan, Syria, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait estimated to be 500 animals in 1964. Pelzeln's gazelle {Gazella dorcas pelzeini), Somalia Chief decline around 1900 due to uncontrolled hunting; overgrazing since then has destroyed habitat; range now very limited. Arabian gazelle {Gazella gazella arabica), Arabian Endangered by habitat destruction through overgrazing, widespread hunting Peninsula, Israel (including motorized hunting); range greatly reduced. Arabian tahr {Hemitragus jayakari), Oman Endangered by excessive hunting pressure, limited and vulnerable habitat. ed-necked Amazon parrot {Amazona arausiaca), Abundant in 1930's but reduced to about 350 by 1977 by excessive hunting rDominica for food, pets, and as pests (eats fruit and nuts). Iriomote cat (Mayallurus irlomotus), Iriomote Island, in Endangered by habitat destruction caused by extensive farming; caught in Ryukyu Islands traps set for wild pigs; no more than 30-40 cats survive. 65 Foreign Endangered Taxa Under Review By FWS

The status of 65 foreign animal taxa listed as Endangered the Service on June 14, 1976 (see July 1976 BULLETIN). At is being reviewed by the Service to determine whether or that time, the Convention was not yet in force and all 159 not any of them should be reclassified as Threatened or taxa vi/ere considered by their nominating countries to be should be removed entirely from classification under the threatened by unregulated international trade. Endangered Species Act of 1973 (F.R. 4/19/78). Having since been ratified by 44 countries,, the Conven-^L The 65 mammals, birds, reptiles, and amphibians v/ere tion is now considered an effective regulator of trade in^m among the 159 animal taxa listed in Appendix I of the Con- jeopardized wildlife. Accordingly, the Service believes that vention on International Trade in Endangered Species of unregulated trade no longer is a major factor threatening Wild Fauna and Flora, and designated as Endangered by the continued existence of the 159 Endangered taxa.

Common Name Scientific Name Distribution Langur Presbytis entellus Tibet, India, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Pakistan, Kashmir, Sikkim, Bangladesh Langur Presbytis pileatus Assam, India, Burma Siamang Symphalangus syndactylus Malay Peninsula, Sumatra Scaly anteater Manis temmincki Africa Beaver Castor fiber birulaia Mongolia Australian native mouse Zyzomys pedunculatus Australia Australian native mouse Notomys aquilo Australia Spotted linsang Prionodon pardicolor Nepal, Assam, Burma, Indochina Brown bear Ursus arctos pruinosus Tibet Brov\/n bear (Italian population) Ursus arctos Italy Long-tailed otter Lutra longicaudus South America Flat-headed cat Felis planiceps Malay Peninsula, Borneo, Sumatra Black-footed cat Fells nigripes Southern Africa Costa Rican puma Felis concolor costaricensis Nicaragua, Costa Rica, Panama Temminck's cat Felis temmincki Tibet, Sumatra Leopard cat Felis bengalensis bengalensis Eastern Asia Jaguarundi Felis yagouaroundi cacomitii Mexico Jaguarundi Felis yagouaroundi fossata Mexico, Nicaragua Jaguarundi Felis yagouaroundi panamensis Nicaragua, Costa Rica, Panama Jaguarundi Felis yagouaroundi tolteca Mexico Marbled cat Felis marmorata Nepal, Malaya, Burma, Sumatra, Borneo Andean cat Felis jacobita Chile, Peru, Bolivia, Argentina Bobcat Lynx rutus escuinapae Central Mexico Babiroussa Babyrousa babyrussa Indonesia Hog deer Axis porcinus annamltlcus India, Thailand, Indochina Philippine deer Axis calamianensls Calamlan Islands (in Philippines) Saiga antelope Saiga tatarica mongolica Mongolia Goral Naemorhedus goral East Asia Chamois Rupicapra rupicapra ornata Italy Urival Ovis orientaiis ophion Cyprus Argali Ovls ammon hodgsoni Tibet Shapo Ovis vignei Kashmir Lechvire Kobus leche Zambia and Angola to Zaire Bontebok Damaliscus dorcas dorcas South Africa Solitary tinamou Tinamus solitarius Brazil, Paraguay, Argentina Harpy eagle Harpia harpyla Central America, northern South America Greenland white-tailed eagle Haliacetus albicilla groenlandicus Greenland and adjacent islands Black-fronted piping guan Pipile iacutinga Argentina Montezuma quail Cyrtonyx montezumae merriami Mexico Nordmann's greenshank Tringa guttifer Eastern Asia Relict gull Larus relictus USSR, Mongolia, China, Vietnam Mindoro zone-tailed imperial pigeon Ducula mindorensis Philippines Red spectacled parrot Amazona pretrei Brazil, Argentina Bahama parrot Amazona ieucocephaia Western Atlantic Ocean: Bahamas Vinaceous breasted parrot Amazona vinacea Brazil, Paraguay, Argentina Red-capped parrot Pionopsitta pileata Brazil, Paraguay, Argentina Golden parakeet Aratinga guaruba Brazil Helmeted hornbill Rhinoplax vigil Burma, Thailand, Malaysia, Borneo, Sumatra Koch's pitta Pitta kochi Philippines Japanese giant salamander Andrias davidianus japonicus Hanshu and Kyushu islands (Japan) Chinese giant salamander Andrias davidianus davidianus Western China Cameroon toad Bufo superciliaris Equatorial Africa African viviparous toads Nectophrynoides ssp. Equatorial Africa Panamanian golden frog Atelopus varius zeteki Panama Spotted pond turtle Geoclemmys hamiltonii Northern India, Pakistan Three-keeled Asian turtle Geomydas tricarinata Central India to Bangladesh, Burma Indian sawback turtle Kaciiuga tecta tecta India Burmese peacock turtle l^orenia ocellata Southern Burma Indian flap shell tortoise Lissemys punctata punctata India, Pakistan, Bangladesh Indian soft shell turtle Trionyx gangeticus Pakistan, India, Nepal, Bangladesh Peacock soft shell turtle Trionyx hurum India, Bangladesh Yellow monitor Varanus flavescens Pakistan through India to Bangladesh Bengal monitor Varanus bengalensis Iran east through Southeast Asia Desert monitor Varanus griseus North Africa, Middle East to USSR, India, Pakistan Indian python Python molurus molurus Sri Lanka, India 10 Information Needs For the bobcat, lynx, and river otter, ENDANGERED SPECIES SCIENTIFIC AUTHORITY the ESSA is seeking information on population estimates, indices, and trends; habitat conditions; harvest methods, practices, and data—past In addition, there is uncertainty as Notices—May 1978 and present; and management activi- to the repercussions of restricting ex- ties, including state regulations and The Endangered Species Scientific ports. That is, it is not known to what current harvest level objectives. Authority (ESSA) is responsible for the extent the domestic market would be For the American ginseng, the ESSA biological review of applications to im- able to absorb additional pelts and requests details concerning present port or export species listed in Appen- roots previously intended for sale and past abundance, range, and dis- dix I, and to export species listed in abroad. There are indications, though, tribution; life history, including repro- Appendix II, of the Convention on In- that reduced exports would result in ductive biology; and information on ternational Trade in Endangered Spe- reduced harvests. Any more specific state harvest practices and regulations. cies of Wild Fauna and Flora. Notices conclusion, the ESSA says, is probably of the ESSA's findings are published unwarranted. Given that conclusion, Status Review in the Federal Register. Summaries of though, the ESSA recognizes that it these notices are reported in the BUL- must take into account the impact of Rhesus Macaque LETIN by month of publication. harvesting on a state-by-state basis. In Bangladesh The ESSA acknowledges that har- The Service has announced that it Guidelines, Information vest should not depress these species will review the status of the Rhesus below their optimum sustainable pop- macaque (Macaca mulatta) in Bangla- Needs Set for 78-79 Quotas ulation (OSP) levels. However, there is desh to determine whether or not this The ESSA has issued its guidelines uncertainty as to exactly what these population should be listed as Endan- and information requirements for de- levels are for the four species. gered or Threatened (F.R. 4/13/78). terminations on 1978-79 export of four As an alternative approach, the The decision to undertake this re- species listed in Appendix II of the ESSA may rely to some extent on anal- view was based primarly on a petition Convention on International Trade in ysis of population age structure among submitted in September 1977 by Ken Endangered Species of Wild Fauna the individual species. Given several Green of the National Zoological Park, and Flora (F.R. 4/10/78). assumptions, this approach is likely Washington, D.C. Having collected The four species are the bobcat to indicate population trends—that is, data in Bangladesh over a 5-month (Lynx rufus, excluding the Mexican whether a population is decreasing, period in 1976, Green presented sub- bobcat, L. r. escuinapae), river otter increasing, or stable. Such trends can stantial evidence to support his con- (Lutra canadensis), lynx (Lynx cana- then be related to harvest data. This tention that the Bangladesh popula- densis), and American ginseng (Panax technique would be useful if applied tion of Rhesus macaque should be •jinquefolius), all of which are also on an annual basis, and especially if listed as Endangered. _hng considered for possible Endan- it can be coordinated with habitat According to Green, who forwarded gered or Threatened status under the evaluation and a comparison of cur- his evidence to the Service in the form Endangered Species Act of 1973. rent density with density at carrying of a report on the primates of Bangla- Responsible for determining whether capacity. desh, forest destruction and land clear- or not export would be detrimental to Meanwhile, as an interim alternative ing represent the chief threats to the the four species, the ESSA is seeking to use of this method, the ESSA may species. Furthermore, significant num- information within the context of its rely primarily on past reported harvest bers of Rhesus macaques have been guidelines to help prepare its findings data. exported to the United States despite on a state-by-state basis and present For populations of bobcat, lynx, and a prohibition on the export of Bangla- them in the form of a proposed rule- river otter in some states, available desh's endemic primates. making (scheduled for July) to be fol- biological data may allow the ESSA to All comments on this subject should lowed by a final ruling (September). determine that export is permittable reach the Service by June 13,1978. All comments should be submitted to under the guidelines indicated above. the Executive Secretary, Endangered Where there is insufficient biological Species Scientific Authority, 18th and infoi-mation available to make such a Rio Grande Fishes C Streets, NW., Washington, D.C. determination, the ESSA will take into Recovery Team Named consideration the management prac- 20240. The Service has appointed a Rio The ESSA guidelines and informa- tices and initiatives being used to en- Grande Fishes Recovery Team, tion requirements are outlined below. sure conservation of these species. headed by Dr. Clark Hubbs of the Full details are given in the Federal These include controlled harvesting, University of Texas. Register notice, which may be ob- with methods and seasons being set by The other team members are Dr. tained by writing directly to thaESSA. the state; registration and marking of Anthony Echelle of Baylor Universi- all pelts; and determination of harvest ty, Dr. Salvador Contreras-Balderas Guidelines level objectives annually by each state. of Universidad Autonoma de Nuevo The ESSA recognizes that harvest In particular, the ESSA emphasizes Leon, Mexico, Michael Hatch of New may be directly related to export, but that establishment of comprehensive Mexico State University, and Buddy acknowledges that the precise rela- state management programs incorpo- Jensen of the Service's Dexter Na- tionship for the four species, especially rating these principles—as has already tional Fish Hatchery. the bobcat, is not well known. A gen- been done by some states—would The team is responsible for the eral assessment of the situation sug- greatly benefit the ESSA's own plan- Endangered Clear Creek gambusia, ts that nearly all lynx and river ot- ning and review activities. According- Pecos gambusia, and Commanche • pelts and ginseng roots harvested ly, the ESSA recommends that all Springs pupfish. It is the second are subsequently exported, but the states already having such programs team named to cover a river drain- estimate for bobcat pelts ranges be- in effect submit their annual reports age system. tween 50 and 90 percent. directly to the ESSA. GPO 261-620 11 Pending Rulemakings The Service expects to issue rule- makings and notices of review on the BOX SCORE OF SPECIES LISTINGS subjects listed below during the next Number of Number of 90 days. The status or action being Category Endangered Species Threatened Species considered for each final and proposed Total U.S. Foreign Total rulemaking is given in parentheses. U.S. Foreign The decision on each final rulemak- Mammals 33 227 260 3 17 20 ing will depend upon completion of the Birds 68 144 212 3 3 analysis of comments received and/or Reptiles 10 46 56 6 6 new data made available, with the un- Amphibians 5 9 14 2 2 Fishes 29 10 39 12 12 derstanding that such analysis may Snails 1 1 result in modification of the content or Clams 23 2 25 timing of the original proposal, or the Crustaceans 1 1 rendering of a negative decision. Insects 6 6 2 2 Plants 15 15 2 2 Total 190 439 629 30 17 47 Pending Final Rulemakings Number of species currently proposed: 132 animals • 6 butterflies (C.H.) 1,854 (approx.) • Grizzly bear (C.H.) Number of Critical Habitats proposed: 39 • 15 crustaceans (E, T) Number of Critical Habitats listed: 27 • Whooping crane (C.H.) Number of Recovery Teams appointed: 59 • Black toad (T, C.H.) Number of Recovery Plans approved: 16 • New Mexican ridge-nosed rattlesnake Number of Cooperative Agreements signed with States: 21 (T, C.H.) April 30, 197B • 2 zebras (E) • 7 Eastern land snails (E, T) • 12 Western snails (T) • African elephant (T) Unarmored threespined stickleback • Key mud turtle (E, C.H.) • 2 big-eared bats (E) (C.H.) • Plymouth red-bellied turtle (E, C.H.) • 3 Ash Meadow plants (E) Puerto RIcan whip-poor-will (C.H.) • 7 Oregon freshwater fishes (E, T, C.H.) • 5 plants (E) Laysan duck (C.H.) • Light-footed clapper rail and California • 6 San Francisco Bay Area plants (E, T) Whip-scorpion (E, C.H.) least tern (C.H.) Valdina Farms salamander and isopod • Yellow-shouldered blackbird (C.H.) Pending Proposed Rulemakings (E,C.H.) • Santa Cruz long-toed salamander • 10 North American beetles (E, T) Blunt-nosed shiner (E) (C.H.) • 2 harvestmen (E, T) 10 butterflies and moths (E, T, C.H.) • Hawksbill sea turtle (C.H.) • 3 mussels (C.H.) 2 plants (E) and 6 plants (C.H.) • 2 Virginia fishes (T, C.H.) • Rocky Mountain peregrine falcon popu- San Marcos Spring fish and • Maryland darter (C.H.) lation (C.H.) salamander (E, T, C.H.) • 4 Texas/New Mexico fishes (E, T, C.H.) • Colorado squawfish (C.H.) West African manatee (T) • Virgin River chub (E, C.H.) 20 Appendix I spp. Pending Notice of Review • 2 Hawaiian cave Invertebrates (E, T) Cui-ui (C.H.) • Desert tortoise • Desert tortoise (Beaver Dam slope Whooping crane (C.H.—additional Abbreviations: E=Endangered, T=Threatened, population) (E, C.H.) areas) C.H.=Crltical Habitat • Deregulation of Tecopa pupfish Illinois mud turtle (E, C.H.)

ENDANGERED SPECIES TECHNICAL BULLETIN POSTAGE AND FEES PAID U S DEPAflTMENT OF THE INTERIOR Department of the Interior • U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service • Endangered Species Program, Washington, D.C, 20240 Int—423 May, 1978, Vol. Ill, No. 5