Designation of Critical Habitat for the Peck's Cave Amphipod, Comal
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A Biological Inventory of Eight Caves in Northwestern Georgia with Conservation Implications
Kurt A. Buhlmann - A biological inventory of eight caves in northwestern Georgia with conservation implications. Journal of Cave and Karst Studies 63(3): 91-98. A BIOLOGICAL INVENTORY OF EIGHT CAVES IN NORTHWESTERN GEORGIA WITH CONSERVATION IMPLICATIONS KURT A. BUHLMANN1 University of Georgia, Savannah River Ecology Laboratory, Aiken, SC 29802 USA A 1995 biological inventory of 8 northwestern Georgia caves documented or re-confirmed the presence of 46 species of invertebrates, 35 considered troglobites or troglophiles. The study yielded new cave records for amphipods, isopods, diplurans, and carabid beetles. New state records for Georgia included a pselaphid beetle. Ten salamander species were in the 8 caves, including a true troglobite, the Tennessee cave salamander. Two frog, 4 bat, and 1 rodent species were also documented. One cave contained a large colony of gray bats. For carabid beetles, leiodid beetles, and millipeds, the species differed between the caves of Pigeon and Lookout Mountain. Diplurans were absent from Lookout Mountain caves, yet were present in all Pigeon Mountain caves. A comparison between 1967 and 1995 inventories of Pettijohns Cave noted the absence of 2 species of drip pool amphipods from the latter. One cave had been contaminated by a petroleum spill and the expected aquatic fauna was not found. Further inventory work is suggested and the results should be applied to management strategies that provide for both biodiver- sity protection and recreational cave use. Georgia is a cave-rich state, with most caves occurring in 29 July; Nash Waterfall Cave [NW] on 5 August; and Pigeon two distinct physiographic regions, the Cumberland Plateau Cave [PC] on 16 July (a) and 30 July (b). -
Pervasive Gene Flow Across Critical Habitat for Four Narrowly Endemic
Freshwater Biology (2016) doi:10.1111/fwb.12758 Pervasive gene flow across critical habitat for four narrowly endemic, sympatric taxa † † ‡ LAUREN K. LUCAS* , ZACHARIAH GOMPERT ,J.RANDYGIBSON , KATHERINE L. BELL*, § C. ALEX BUERKLE AND CHRIS C. NICE* *Department of Biology, Texas State University, San Marcos, TX, U.S.A. † Department of Biology, Utah State University, Logan, UT, U.S.A. ‡ U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, San Marcos Aquatic Resources Center, San Marcos, TX, U.S.A. § Department of Botany, University of Wyoming, Laramie, WY, U.S.A. SUMMARY 1. We studied genetic variation in four endangered animal taxa in the largest freshwater spring complex in the southwestern U.S.A., Comal Springs (TX): Eurycea salamanders, Heterelmis riffle beetles, Stygobromus amphipods and Stygoparnus dryopid beetles. They inhabit a spring complex with nearly stable conditions, which is threatened by climate change and aquifer withdrawals. The four taxa vary in their habitat affinities and body sizes. 2. We used genotyping-by-sequencing to obtain hundreds to thousands of genetic markers to accurately infer the demographic history of the taxa. We used approximate Bayesian computation to test models of gene flow and compare the results among taxa. We also looked for evidence that would suggest local adaptation within the spring complex. 3. An island model (equal gene flow among all subpopulations) was the most probable of the five models tested, and all four taxa had high migration rate estimates. 4. Small numbers of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in each taxon tested were associated with environmental conditions and provide some evidence for potential local adaptation to slightly variable conditions across habitat patches within Comal Springs. -
Edwards Aquifer Authority Study No. 14-14-697-Hcp
ATTACHMENT 3 DETERMINATION OF LIMITATIONS OF COMAL SPRINGS RIFFLE BEETLE PLASTRON USE DURING LOW-FLOW STUDY EDWARDS AQUIFER AUTHORITY STUDY NO. 14-14-697-HCP FINAL REPORT Prepared by Weston H. Nowlin 601 University Drive Department of Biology Aquatic Station Texas State University San Marcos, TX 78666 (512) 245-8794 [email protected] Benjamin Schwartz 601 University Drive Edwards Aquifer Research and Data Center and Department of Biology Aquatic Station Texas State University San Marcos, TX 78666 (512) 245-7608 [email protected] Thom Hardy 601 University Drive The Meadows Center for Water and the Environment Texas State University San Marcos, TX 78666 (512) 245-6729 [email protected] and Randy Gibson United States Fish and Wildlife Service San Marcos Aquatic Resources Center 500 East McCarty Lane San Marcos, TX 78666 (512) 353-0011, ext. 226 [email protected] Riffle Beetle Plastron Study - 1 ATTACHMENT 3 TABLE OF CONTENTS TITLE PAGE………………………………………………………………………………….……1 TABLE OF CONTENTS…...................................................................................................................................2 LIST OF FIGURES AND TABLES……………………………………………………………….……3 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY………………………………………………………………………….…4 BACKGROUND AND SIGNIFICANCE…………………………………………………………….….5 INTRODUCTION AND LITERATURE REVIEW…………………………………………………….…6 CONCEPTUAL FOUNDATION, EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN, AND METHODS…………………….…….7 Collection and Housing of Beetles……………………………………………….………….…..7 Conceptual Foundation for Experiments………………………………. ………………………8 Short-Term -
Crustacea-Arthropoda) Fauna of Sinop and Samsun and Their Ecology
J. Black Sea/Mediterranean Environment Vol. 15: 47- 60 (2009) Freshwater and brackish water Malacostraca (Crustacea-Arthropoda) fauna of Sinop and Samsun and their ecology Sinop ve Samsun illeri tatlısu ve acısu Malacostraca (Crustacea-Arthropoda) faunası ve ekolojileri Mehmet Akbulut1*, M. Ruşen Ustaoğlu2, Ekrem Şanver Çelik1 1 Çanakkale Onsekiz Mart University, Fisheries Faculty, Çanakkale-Turkey 2 Ege University, Fisheries Faculty, Izmir-Turkey Abstract Malacostraca fauna collected from freshwater and brackishwater in Sinop and Samsun were studied from 181 stations between February 1999 and September 2000. 19 species and 4 subspecies belonging to 15 genuses were found in 134 stations. In total, 23 taxon were found: 11 Amphipoda, 6 Decapoda, 4 Isopoda, and 2 Mysidacea. Limnomysis benedeni is the first time in Turkish Mysidacea fauna. In this work at the first time recorded group are Gammarus pulex pulex, Gammarus aequicauda, Gammarus uludagi, Gammarus komareki, Gammarus longipedis, Gammarus balcanicus, Echinogammarus ischnus, Orchestia stephenseni Paramysis kosswigi, Idotea baltica basteri, Idotea hectica, Sphaeroma serratum, Palaemon adspersus, Crangon crangon, Potamon ibericum tauricum and Carcinus aestuarii in the studied area. Potamon ibericum tauricum is the most encountered and widespread species. Key words: Freshwater, brackish water, Malacostraca, Sinop, Samsun, Turkey Introduction The Malacostraca is the largest subgroup of crustaceans and includes the decapods such as crabs, mole crabs, lobsters, true shrimps and the stomatopods or mantis shrimps. There are more than 22,000 taxa in this group representing two third of all crustacean species and contains all the larger forms. *Corresponding author: [email protected] 47 Malacostracans play an important role in aquatic ecosystems and therefore their conservation is important. -
Report for the Northern Virginia Well Amphipod (Stygobromus Phreaticus) August 2019 Version 1.1
Species Status Assessment (SSA) Report for the Northern Virginia Well Amphipod (Stygobromus phreaticus) August 2019 Version 1.1 Stygobromus phreaticus. Photo provided by: Michelle Brown, National Museum of Natural History, Smithsonian Institution U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Northeast Region ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS The research for this document was prepared by Jacob Osborne (U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS)—North Attleboro Fish Hatchery) with technical assistance from Krishna Gifford (USFWS—Northeast Regional Office). We greatly appreciate the assistance of the following individuals who provided helpful information and/or review of the draft document: • Chris Hobson and William Orndorff (Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation, Natural Heritage Program) • Dorothy Keough, John Pilcicki, Christopher Manikas, and Lindsey David (U.S. Army Garrison Fort Belvoir) • Robert Denton (Geoconcepts Engineering, Inc.) • Cindy Schulz , Sumalee Hoskin, Susan Lingenfelser, and Serena Ciparis (USFWS— Virginia Ecological Services Field Office (VAFO) • Anthony Tur and Jean Brennan (USFWS—Northeast Regional Office) • Meagan Kelhart (formerly, USFWS—Headquarters) We also thank our peer reviewers: • Steve Taylor (Colorado College) • Dave Culver (American University, retired) • Dan Fong (American University) • Olivia DeLee (U.S. Geological Survey, Northeast Climate Adaptation Science Center) Suggested reference: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. 2019. Species status assessment for the Northern Virginia Well Amphipod (Stygobromus phreaticus). Version -
Docket No. FWS-R2-ES-2012-0082]
This document is scheduled to be published in the Federal Register on 10/19/2012 and available online at http://federalregister.gov/a/2012-25578, and on FDsys.gov 1 DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR Fish and Wildlife Service 50 CFR Part 17 [Docket No. FWS-R2-ES-2012-0082] [4500030114] RIN 1018-AY20 Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants; Proposed Revision of Critical Habitat for the Comal Springs Dryopid Beetle, Comal Springs Riffle Beetle, and Peck’s Cave Amphipod AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior. ACTION: Proposed rule. SUMMARY: We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), propose to revise 2 designation of critical habitat for the Comal Springs dryopid beetle (Stygoparnus comalensis), Comal Springs riffle beetle (Heterelmis comalensis), and Peck’s cave amphipod (Stygobromus pecki), under the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended (Act). In total, approximately 169 acres (68 hectares) are being proposed for revised critical habitat. The proposed revision of critical habitat is located in Comal and Hays Counties, Texas. DATES: We will accept comments received or postmarked on or before [INSERT DATE 60 DAYS AFTER DATE OF PUBLICATION IN THE FEDERAL REGISTER]. Comments submitted electronically using the Federal eRulemaking Portal (see ADDRESSES section, below) must be received by 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time on the closing date. We must receive requests for public hearings, in writing, at the address shown in FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT by [INSERT DATE 45 DAYS AFTER DATE OF PUBLICATION IN THE FEDERAL REGISTER]. ADDRESSES: You may submit comments by one of the following methods: (1) Electronically: Go to the Federal eRulemaking Portal: http://www.regulations.gov. -
Habitat and Phenology of the Endangered Riffle Eetle, Heterelmis
Arch. Hydrobiol. 156 3 361-383 Stuttgart, February 2003 Habitat and phenology of the endangered riffle beetle Heterelmis comalensis and a coexisting species, Microcylloepus pusillus, (Coleoptera: Elmidae) at Comal Springs, Texas, USA David E. Bowles1 *, Cheryl B. Barr2 and Ruth Stanford3 Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, University of California, Berkeley, and United States Fish and Wildlife Service With 5 figures and 4 tables Ab tract: Habitat characteristics and seasonal distribution of the riffle beetles Herere/ mis comalensis and Microcylloepu pusillus were studied at Comal Springs, Texas, during 1993-1994, to aid in developing sound reconunendations for sustaining their natural popu1atioas. Comal Springs consists of four major spring cutlers and spring runs. The four spring-runs are dissimilar in size, appearance, canopy and riparian cover, substrate composition, and aquatic macrophyte composition. Habitat conditions associated with the respective popuJatioos of riffle beetles, including physical-chemi cal measurements, water depth, and currenc velocity, were relatively unifom1 and var ied lHUe among sampling dates and spring-runs. However, the locations of the beetles in the respective spri ng-runs were not well correlated to current velocity, water depth, or distance from primary spring orifices. Factors such as substrate size and availability and competition are proposed as possibly influencing lheir respective distributions. Maintaining high-quality spring-flows and protection of Lhe physical habitat of Here· re/mis comalensis presently are the only means by which to ensure the survival of this endemic species. Key words: Conservation, habitat conditions, substrate availability, competition. 1 Authors' addresses: Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, 4200 Smith School Road, Austin, Texas 78744, USA. -
Comal County Regional Habitat Conservation Plan Environmental Impact Statement
Draft Comal County Regional Habitat Conservation Plan Environmental Impact Statement Prepared for: Comal County, Texas Comal County Commissioners Court Prepared by: SWCA Environmental Consultants Smith, Robertson, Elliott, Glen, Klein & Bell, L.L.P. Prime Strategies, Inc. Texas Perspectives, Inc. Capital Market Research, Inc. April 2010 SWCA Project Number 12659-139-AUS DRAFT COMAL COUNTY REGIONAL HABITAT CONSERVATION PLAN ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT STATEMENT April 2010 Type of Action: Administrative Lead Agency: U.S. Department of the Interior Fish and Wildlife Service Responsible Official: Adam Zerrenner Field Supervisor U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service 10711 Burnet Road, Suite 200 Austin, Texas For Information: Bill Seawell Fish and Wildlife Biologist U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service 10711 Burnet Road, Suite 200 Austin, Texas Tele: 512-490-0057 Abstract: Comal County, Texas, is applying for an incidental take permit (Permit) under section 10(a)(1)(B) of the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended 16 U.S.C. § 1531, et seq. (ESA), to authorize the incidental take of two endangered species, the golden-cheeked warbler (Dendroica chrysoparia) and the black-capped vireo (Vireo atricapilla), referred to collectively as the “Covered Species.” In support of the Permit application, the County has prepared a regional habitat conservation plan (Proposed RHCP), covering a 30-year period from 2010 to 2040. The Permit Area for the Proposed RHCP and the area of potential effect for this Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) is Comal County in central Texas. The requested Permit would authorize the following incidental take and mitigation for the golden-cheeked warbler: Take: As conservation credits are created through habitat preservation, authorize up to 5,238 acres (2,120 hectares) of golden-cheeked warbler habitat to be impacted over the 30-year life of the Proposed RHCP. -
Final Comal County Regional Habitat Conservation Plan
FINAL COMAL COUNTY REGIONAL HABITAT CONSERVATION PLAN Prepared for Comal County, Texas Comal County Commissioners Court Danny Scheel, County Judge Donna Eccleston, County Commissioner, Precinct 1 Jay Millikin, County Commissioner, Precinct 2 Gregory Parker, County Commissioner, Precinct 3 Jan Kennady, County Commissioner, Precinct 4 Prepared by SWCA Environmental Consultants 4407 Monterey Oaks Boulevard Building 1, Suite 110 Austin, Texas 78749 www.swca.com Smith, Robertson, Elliott, Glen, Klein & Bell, L.L.P. 221 West 6th Street, Suite 1100 Austin, Texas 78701 Prime Strategies, Inc. 1508 South Lamar Boulevard Austin, Texas 78704 Texas Perspectives, Inc. 1310 South 1st Street, Suite 105 Austin, Texas 78704 Capital Market Research, Inc. 605 Brazos Street #300 Austin, Texas 78701 SWCA Project Number 12659-139-AUS August 1, 2013 [THIS PAGE INTENTIONALLY BLANK] TABLE OF CONTENTS EXECUTIVE SUMMARY ............................................................................................................ v CHAPTER 1 — BACKGROUND, PURPOSE, AND NEED .................................................... 1-1 1.1 Background .................................................................................................................. 1-1 1.1.1 Introduction ......................................................................................................... 1-1 1.1.1.1 Species Included in the RHCP ......................................................................... 1-4 1.1.1.2 Other Listed and Rare Species That May Occur in Comal County -
Redescription of Marstonia Comalensis (Pilsbry & Ferriss, 1906), a Poorly Known and Possibly Threatened Freshwater Gastropod from the Edwards Plateau Region (Texas)
A peer-reviewed open-access journal ZooKeys Redescription77: 1–16 (2011) of Marstonia comalensis (Pilsbry & Ferriss, 1906), a poorly known and... 1 doi: 10.3897/zookeys.77.935 RESEARCH ARTICLE www.zookeys.org Launched to accelerate biodiversity research Redescription of Marstonia comalensis (Pilsbry & Ferriss, 1906), a poorly known and possibly threatened freshwater gastropod from the Edwards Plateau region (Texas) Robert Hershler1, Hsiu-Ping Liu2 1 Department of Invertebrate Zoology, Smithsonian Institution, P.O. Box 37012, Washington, D.C. 20013- 7012, USA 2 Department of Biology, Metropolitan State College of Denver, Denver, CO 80217, USA Corresponding author : Robert Hershler ( [email protected] ) Academic editor: Anatoly Schileyko | Received 2 June 2010 | Accepted 13 January 2011 | Published 26 January 2011 Citation: Hershler R, Liu H-P (2011) Redescription of Marstonia comalensis (Pilsbry & Ferriss, 1906), a poorly known and possibly threatened freshwater gastropod from the Edwards Plateau region (Texas). ZooKeys 77 : 1 – 16 . doi: 10.3897/ zookeys.77.935 Abstract Marstonia comalensis, a poorly known nymphophiline gastropod (originally described from Comal Creek, Texas) that has often been confused with Cincinnatia integra, is re-described and the generic placement of this species, which was recently allocated to Marstonia based on unpublished evidence, is confi rmed by anatomical study. Marstonia comalensis is a large congener having an ovate-conic, openly umbilicate shell and penis having a short fi lament and oblique, squarish lobe bearing a narrow gland along its distal edge. It is well diff erentiated morphologically from congeners having similar shells and penes and is also geneti- cally divergent relative to those congeners that have been sequenced (mtCOI divergence 3.0–8.5%). -
Barton Springs Segment of the Edwards (Balcones Fault Zone) Aquifer, Central Texas
OLD G The Geological Society of America Memoir 215 OPEN ACCESS Barton Springs segment of the Edwards (Balcones Fault Zone) Aquifer, central Texas Brian B. Hunt Brian A. Smith Barton Springs/Edwards Aquifer Conservation District, Austin, Texas 78748, USA Nico M. Hauwert Balcones Canyonland Preserve, City of Austin, Austin Water, Wildland Conservation Division, Austin, Texas 78738, USA ABSTRACT The Barton Springs segment of the Edwards (Balcones Fault Zone) Aquifer is a prolifi c karst aquifer system containing the fourth largest spring in Texas, Barton Springs. The Barton Springs segment of the Edwards Aquifer supplies drinking water for ~60,000 people, provides habitat for federally listed endangered salamanders, and sustains the iconic recreational Barton Springs pool. The aquifer is composed of Lower Cretaceous carbonate strata with porosity and permeability controlled by dep- ositional facies, diagenesis, structure, and karstifi cation creating a triple permeability system (matrix, fractures, and conduits). Groundwater fl ow is rapid within an inte- grated network of conduits discharging at the springs. Upgradient watersheds pro- vide runoff to the recharge zone, and the majority of recharge occurs in the streams crossing the recharge zone. The remainder is direct recharge from precipitation and other minor sources (infl ows from Trinity Group aquifers, the San Antonio segment, the bad-water zone, and anthropogenic sources). The long-term estimated mean water budget is 68 ft3/s (1.93 m3/s). The Barton Springs/Edwards Aquifer Conserva- tion District developed rules to preserve groundwater supplies and maximize spring fl ow rates by preserving at least 6.5 ft3/s (0.18 m3/s) of spring fl ow during extreme drought. -
Draft Environmental Impact Statement
DES #12-29 DRAFT ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT STATEMENT Edwards Aquifer Recovery Implementation Program Habitat Conservation Plan U.S. Department of the Interior Fish and Wildlife Service June 2012 DES #12-29 DRAFT ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT STATEMENT Edwards Aquifer Recovery Implementation Program Habitat Conservation Plan U.S. Department of the Interior U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service June 2012 DES #12-29 Cover Sheet COVER SHEET Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS) for Authorization of Incidental Take and Implementation of the Habitat Conservation Plan Developed by the Edwards Aquifer Recovery Implementation Program Lead Agency: U.S. Department of the Interior United States Fish and Wildlife Service Type of Statement: Draft Environmental Impact Statement Responsible Official: Adam Zerrenner Field Supervisor U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Austin Ecological Services Field Office 10711 Burnet Road, Suite 200 Austin, Texas Tel: 512-490-0057 For Information: Tanya Sommer Branch Chief U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Austin Ecological Services Field Office 10711 Burnet Road, Suite 200 Austin, Texas Tel: 512-490-0057 The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) received an application from the Edwards Aquifer Authority (EAA), San Antonio Water System, City of New Braunfels, City of San Marcos, and Texas State University for a permit to take certain federally protected species incidental to otherwise lawful activities pursuant to Section 10(a)(1)(B) of the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended (ESA). This Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS) addresses the potential environmental consequences that may occur if the application is approved and the HCP is implemented. The Service is the lead agency under the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA).