AN ONLINE COLLECTION OF INFORMATION ON

ENDANGERED SPECIES IN KANSAS

provided by the

Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks and Tourism

2005-2013

• Selection and Ranking Criteria for Species of Greatest Conservation Need (March 24, 2005)

• 2008 Petition for Species Review to Determine Endangered-Threatened-Species in Need of Conservation Status (2008)

• Petition for Species Review: Endangered-Threatened-Species in Need of Conservation Status (2013)

• Kansas Species in Need of Conservation [SINC] (August 2009)

• Kansas Threatened & Endangered Species [T&E] (August 2009) Selection and Ranking Criteria for Species of Greatest Conservation Need

Step 1: Selection of Species of Greatest Conservation Need; a species must meet one or more of the following criteria.

1. Native species, which are, listed as federal candidate under the ESA

2. Native species, which are classified as Kansas threatened, endangered, or Species In Need of Conservation

3. Native species, which have been assigned global ranking scores of G1, G2 or G3 by the Kansas Natural Heritage Program.

4. Native species which have been identified as conservation priorities through a range wide status assessment, or assessment of large taxonomic divisions or which has significant conservation implication, or has major conservation contribution to the state; or are indicative of a diversity and health of the state's wildlife. Examples of these include: assessments of freshwater fish, freshwater mussels and crayfish by the American Fisheries Society, or bird conservation plans, such as the national Partners In Flight Conservations Plan, Playa Lakes Joint Venture, Upper Mississippi and Great Lakes Joint Venture, Waterfowl Conservation Plan and the U.S. Shorebird Conservation Plan.

5. Native reptile, amphibian, fish and mussel species which are subject to commercial harvest in Kansas but are not eligible for funding under PR/DJ or ESA federal aid programs in order to monitor or periodically assess their status.

6. Native species, which are regionally endemic regardless of their conservation status.

Step 2: Ranking of Species of Greatest Conservation Need

Criterion 1 -- Natural Heritage Global Rank: The network of State Natural Heritage Inventory Programs ranks all species on a scale of G1 through G5 with G1 species being the most imperiled and G5 species being the most secure. Each species' Natural Heritage Global Rank is identical across its range in the United States and can be obtained from the NatureServe Website - http://www.natureserve.org. • 3 points - Species has a Global Heritage Rank of G1 or G2 • 2 points - Species has a Global Heritage Rank of G3 or G4 • 1 point - Species has a Global Heritage Rank of G5

Criterion 2 -- Availability of Other Federal Aid Funding Sources: One of the selling points used to develop support for the State Wildlife Grants program in Congress has been that it meets unfunded wildlife conservation needs. As such, state wildlife agencies have been cautioned against using these funds to supplement traditional management program such as - endangered and threatened species recovery, sport fish management or game management. Incorporating this criterion does not eliminate endangered, threatened, game and sport fish species from the list of species of greatest conservation need, but it does lower their ranking relative to other species. • 3 points - Species is not Eligible for Management Funding Under ESA, P-R or D-J Programs (Federal Aid in Sport Fish & Wildlife Restoration Programs) • 2 points - Species is Listed as Federally Endangered or Threatened and is Eligible for Management Funding under the Endangered Species Act • 1 point - Species is Eligible for Management Funding as a Sport Fish, Game Bird or Game Mammal

Criterion 3 -- Percent of Population Size or Geographic Range within Kansas: A species receives a higher score if it is found only in Kansas and/or a few surrounding states and a lower score if Kansas is on the periphery of its range. • 3 points - Kansas encompasses >25% of the species' range or population • 2 points - Kansas encompasses 5-25% of the species range or population • 1 point - Kansas encompasses < 5% of the species range or population

Criterion 4 -- Trend in Population Size or Geographic Range over the Past 40 Years: Forty years is our recommended window of measurement, because 1) the best population estimates and records only go back only 20 to 60 years depending upon the species, 2) the narrow time frame better reflects current trends and habitat conditions. • 3 points - Species has had a Documented Population or Range Decline During the Past 40 Years • 2 points - Species Appears to have been Stable or the Population Trend is Unknown (this applies to most species) • 1 point - Species has had a Documented Population or Range Increase during the Past 40 Years

Criterion 5 -- Availability of Existing Data to Support Inclusion of the Species as a Species of Greatest Conservation Need: A species receives one point for each of the three items listed below (max. of 3 total points). One of the arguments in favor of new federal aid funding for wildlife conservation has been the need to support proactive conservation measures that could head-off population declines and prevent the need for additional Endangered Species Act listings. Federal Candidate species have been identified as those species at greatest risk of endangerment, therefore they receive an additional point above all other species within this criterion. Points are added to the species' score if it has been previously identified as conservation concern through a public process such as a state or federal listing or has been identified as conservation concern in a peer-reviewed publication that evaluates the conservation status of a large taxonomic group or a species throughout its range. Part of the rationale is to acknowledge those species which have been previously identified as a conservation concern through other processes as well as those species which are regionally endemic but appear to have stable or secure populations. It also gives added weight to the species where the data are most robust regarding its conservation status. • 1 point - species has been listed state endangered, threatened, or species in need of conservation • 1 point - species has been identified as a conservation priority in a status assessment or similar peer-reviewed publication • 1 point - species has been identified as federally endangered, threatened, or proposed for listing

Criterion 6 -- Population Status in Kansas: Purpose is to give weight to species that have not been listed federally yet, so as to prevent their listing. • 1 point – state listed OK • 1 point - species identified as a conservation priority BUT NOT FEDERALLY LISTED • 1 point - Federal candidate species) potentially proposed for listing)

KANSAS DEPARTMENT OF WILDLIFE AND PARKS 2008 Petition for Species Review to Determine Endangered/ Threatened/Species-in-Need-of-Conservation Status

Kansas lists rare species as Endangered*, Threatened, or Species-in-Need-of-Conservation (SINC). Every 5 years the list is reviewed as required by statute (K.S.A. 32-960). A Threatened and Endangered Species Task Committee oversees the process and makes listing recommendations to the Secretary of Kansas Department of Wildlife & Parks (KDWP). The recommended changes must then be approved of the KDWP Commission.

At this time, the committee seeks input from other sources regarding listing, delisting, uplisting, or downlisting of Kansas wildlife. This can be accomplished by completing the attached petition form to justify a review. Petitioners are strongly encouraged to provide all substantive biological information with cited references to aid in the review. The information requested herein will be considered to initiate a review.

The Threatened and Endangered Species Task Committee will evaluate all completed petitions and determine if there is adequate data to continue the evaluation process. If the species is accepted for further review, there will be public information meetings conducted in regard to the listing change.

All petitioning documents pertaining to the species will be made available to the public at a local repository or regional office of the Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks. A notice of the proposed action will also be sent to federal and state agencies and local and tribal governments that may be affected by the petitioned species, and to all individuals and organizations that have requested notification. The Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks will issue news releases concerning the proposed species. In addition, individual petitions and substantiating data will be distributed to and evaluated by: 1) academia, 2) wildlife agency personnel, 3) other professionals, 4) other resource agencies (state and federal) and 5) nonprofessionals who have known expertise/experience with the petitioned species.

Questions concerning the petitioning and review process should be directed to Edwin J. Miller, Endangered Species Specialist, KDWP, 5089 CR 2925, Independence, KS 67301 ([email protected]). Completed Petition for Species Review forms should arrive at the same address no later than May 31, 2008.

If there is insufficient space for your reply to any of the informational requests, attach extra sheets. Be sure to reference your attached material to the appropriate numbered questions. Feel free to copy and distribute the attached Petition for Species Review form to other individuals and organizations you think would be interested. The currently listed Kansas species can be found at: http://www/kdwp.state.ks.us/news/other_services/threatened_and_endangered_species

Threatened and Endangered Species Task Committee: Wm. Busby, Mark Eberle, Elmer Finck, Edwin Miller, Tom Mosher, Daniel Mulhern, Bryan Simmons

* Endangered Species: any species of wildlife whose continued existence as a viable component of the state’s wild fauna is determined to be in jeopardy (KSA 32-958c).

Threatened Species: any species of wildlife which appears likely, within the foreseeable future, to become an endangered species (KSA 32-958f).

Species-in-Need-of-Conservation: (SINC) those species which are highly specialized, whose habitat is very limited in Kansas, or show population declines that warrant data collection concerning its status in Kansas. Conservation efforts focused on these species can prevent future listing as threatened or endangered. KANSAS DEPARTMENT OF WILDLIFE, PARKS AND TOURISM Petition for Species Review Endangered/ Threatened/ Species-in-Need-of-Conservation Status

Kansas recognizes rare species by state listing to categories of Endangered*, Threatened**, or Species-in-Need-of-Conservation (SINC)***. Every 5 years these lists are reviewed as required by statute (K.S.A. 32-960). A Threatened and Endangered Species Task Committee oversees the process and makes listing recommendations to the Secretary of Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks & Tourism (KDWPT). The recommended changes must then be approved by the KDWPT Commission.

In addition, the committee reviews input from other sources regarding listing, delisting, uplisting, or downlisting of Kansas wildlife via a petitioning process. To submit a petition for review, please fully complete the requested information attached below. Petitioners are strongly encouraged to provide all substantive biological information with cited references to aid in the review. The information requested herein will be considered to initiate a review.

At the request of the KDWPT Secretary, the Threatened and Endangered Species Task Committee will evaluate all completed petitions and determine if there is sufficient information to justify a review for the petitioned status change. If the species is accepted for further review, there will be public information meetings conducted in regard to the listing change.

All petitioning documents pertaining to the species will be made available to the public at a local repository and regional KDWPT office. A notice of the proposed action will also be sent to federal and state agencies and local and tribal governments that may be affected by the petitioned species, and to all individuals and organizations that have requested notification. The KDWPT will issue news releases concerning the proposed species. In addition, individual petitions and substantiating data will be distributed to and evaluated by: 1) academia, 2) wildlife agency personnel, 3) other professionals, 4) other resource agencies (state and federal) and 5) nonprofessionals who have known expertise/experience with the petitioned species.

Questions concerning the petitioning and review process should be directed to Edwin J. Miller, Endangered Species Specialist, KDWPT, 5089 CR 2925, Independence, KS 67301 ([email protected]).

Completed “Petition for Species Review” forms should be sent to the Office of the Secretary of Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks and Tourism (see below).

Current members of Threatened and Endangered Species Task Committee: Wm. Busby, Mark Eberle, Elmer Finck, Jason Goeckler, David Haukos, Edwin Miller, Daniel Mulhern,

* Endangered Species: any species of wildlife whose continued existence as a viable component of the state’s wild fauna is determined to be in jeopardy (KSA 32-958c).

**Threatened Species: any species of wildlife which appears likely, within the foreseeable future, to become an endangered species (KSA 32- 958f).

***Species-in-Need-of-Conservation: (SINC) any species which are highly specialized, whose habitat is very limited in Kansas, or shows a population decline that warrants data collection concerning its status in Kansas. Conservation efforts focused on this species can prevent future listing as threatened or endangered. This listing is not defined in the Kansas Statutes.

1 Species Common Name: ______

Species Scientific Name: ______

Currently listed as: ___ Endangered ___Threatened ___Species-in-need-of-conservation (SINC) ___ not listed Petitioned to: ___ Endangered ___ Threatened ___SINC ___ not listed

1) a. Provide a map of the species’ current distribution in Kansas and range wide.

b. Is the Kansas population considered connected with the population in an adjoining state? Yes ______No ______Don’t know ______

c. If no, what is the distance to the nearest out-of-state population? ______

d. Is the Kansas population genetically distinct from the core population in other states? Yes _____ No ______Don’t know ______

Cite references: ______

2) How and to what magnitude has the species’ distribution changed within Kansas during the past 35 years? ______Globally? ______Cite references: ______

3) Describe the species’ population (not distribution) trend within Kansas during the past 35 years. ______Globally?______Cite references: ______

4) a. What is the Global Rank of this species from NatureServe? ______b. What proportion of the species’ global population is currently found within Kansas? ______

5) What is the species’ current residency status within Kansas (vagrant, migrant, year-round)? ______

2

6) Describe the species’ current breeding status within Kansas. ______Cite references: ______

7) Describe the species’ habitat requirements: ______Cite references: ______

8) Discuss the species’ degree of specialization with regard to habitat, food, or other life history factors. ______Cite references: ______

9) Discuss the species’ sensitivity to environmental contaminants and disease, if any, including known potential problems: ______Cite references: ______

10) To what degree is this species currently vulnerable to consumptive and/or commercial use in Kansas, and what relationship does that use have on its total population? ______Cite references: ______

11) What are the current and imminent threats to the species in Kansas? Please list in priority order with the highest-ranked threat first. ______Cite references: ______

3 12) a. What is the recovery potential of this species?

Excellent ______Good ______Fair ______Poor _____ Unlikely _____ Explain:______

b. List any conservation actions that are currently addressing the needs of this species. ______c. List any pending conservation actions that might improve the status of this species. ______

13) Summarize your reasons for requesting a review of this species: ______

4 14) Describe your expertise/experience with the species you are petitioning. Feel free to attach any information you may have pertaining to the status or biology of this species that will help in its review. ______

Note on citations: It is not necessary to provide extensive literature citations. However, any pertinent data is helpful in determining species status. If there is insufficient space for your reply to any of the informational requests, attach extra sheets. Be sure to reference your attached material to the appropriate numbered questions.

The currently-listed Kansas species can be found at: http://www.kdwpt.state.ks.us/news/Services/Threatened-and-Endangered-Wildlife/Threatened-and- Endangered-Species/Statewide-List (Threatened and Endangered)

http://www.kdwpt.state.ks.us/news/Services/Threatened-and-Endangered-Wildlife/Species-in-Need-of- Conservation-SINC/Statewide-List (Species in Need of Conservation)

Petitioner(s):

Name: ______Address: ______City: ______State______Zip______Phone: ______e-mail: ______

Send fully completed petition to:

Office of the Secretary Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks & Tourism 1020 S. Kansas Ave, Suite 200 Topeka, KS 66612-1327

5 KANSAS Species In Need of Conservation (SINC)

INVERTEBRATES AMPHIBIANS Creeper Mussel, Strophitus undulatus Crawfish Frog, Rana areolata Cylindrical Papershell Mussel, Anodontoides ferusscianus Red-spotted Toad, Bufo punctatus Deertoe Mussel, Truncilla truncata Fatmucket Mussel, Lampsilis siliquoidea REPTILES Fawnsfoot Mussel, Truncilla donaciformis Alligator Snapping Turtle, Macrochelys temminckii Gray Petaltail Dragonfly, Tachopteryx thoreyi Eastern Hognose Snake, Heterodon platirhinos Neosho Midget Crayfish, Orconectes macrus Glossy Snake, Arizona elegans Ozark Emerald Dragonfly, Somatochlora ozarkensis Night Snake, Hypsiglena torquata Prairie Mole Cricket, Gryllotalpa major Rough Earth Snake, Virginia striatula Round Pigtoe Mussel, Pleurobema sintoxia Timber Rattlesnake, Crotalus horridus Snuffbox Mussel, Epioblasma triquetra Western Hognose Snake, Heterodon nasicus Spike Mussel, Elliptio dilatata Wabash Pigtoe Mussel, Fusconaia flava BIRDS Wartyback Mussel, Quadrula nodulata Black Rail, Laterallus jamaicensis Washboard Mussel, Megalonaias nervosa Black Tern, Chlidonias niger Yellow Sandshell Mussel, Lampsilis teres Bobolink, Dolichonyx oryzivorus Cerulean Warbler, Dendroica cerulea FISH Chihuahuan Raven, Corvus cryptoleucus Banded Darter, Etheostoma zonale Curve-billed Thrasher, Toxostoma curvirostre Banded Sculpin, Cottus carolinae Ferruginous Hawk, Buteo regalis Bigeye Shiner, Notropis boopsi Golden Eagle, Aquila chrysaetos Black Redhorse, Moxostoma duquesnei Henslow's Sparrow, Ammodramus henslowii Blacknose Dace, Rhinichthys atratulus Ladder-backed Woodpecker, Picoides scalaris Blue Sucker, Cycleptus elongatus Long-billed Curlew, Numenius americanus Bluntnose Darter, Etheostoma chlorosoma Mountain Plover, Charadrius montanus Brassy Minnow, Hybognathus hankinsoni Short-eared Owl, Asio flammeus Brindled Madtom, Noturus miurus Whip-poor-will, Camprimulgus vociferus Cardinal Shiner, Luxilus cardinalis Yellow-throated Warbler, Dendroica dominica Common Shiner, Luxilus cornutus Gravel Chub, Erimystax x-punctatus MAMMALS Greenside Darter, Etheostoma blennioides Franklin's Ground Squirrel, Spermophilus franklinii Highfin Carpsucker, Carpiodes velifer Pallid Bat, Antrozous pallidus Johnny Darter, Etheostoma nigrum Southern Bog Lemming, Synaptomys cooperi Lake Sturgeon, Acipenser fulvescens Southern Flying Squirrel, Glaucomys volans Northern Hog Sucker, Hypentelium nigricans Texas Mouse, Peromyscus attwateri Ozark Minnow, Notropis nubilus Townsend's Big-eared Bat, Corynorhinus townsendii Redfin Darter, Etheostoma whipplei River Darter, Percina shumardi River Redhorse, Moxostoma carinatum River Shiner, Notropis blennius Southern Redbelly Dace, Phoxinus erythrogaster Slough Darter, Etheostoma gracile Speckled Darter, Etheostoma stigmaeum Spotfin Shiner, Cyprinella spiloptera Spotted Sucker, Minytrema melanops Stippled Darter, Etheostoma punctulatum Striped Shiner, Luxilus chrysocephalus Tadpole Madtom, Noturus gyrinus

KANSAS DEPARTMENT OF WILDLIFE & PARKS Updated: August 2009 KANSAS Threatened & Endangered Species (T&E) THREATENED: ENDANGERED: INVERTEBRATES INVERTEBRATES Butterfly Mussel, Ellipsaria lineolata American Burying Beetle, Nicrophorus americanus Delta Hydrobe, Probythinella emarginata Ellipse Mussel, Venustaconcha ellipsiformis Flutedshell Mussel, Lasmigona costata Elktoe Mussel, Alasmidonta marginata Ouachita Kidneyshell Mussel, Ptychobranchus occidentalis Flat Floater Mussel, Anodonta suborbiculata Rock Pocketbook Mussel, Arcidens confragosus Mucket Mussel, Actinonaias ligamentina Sharp Hornsnail, Pleurocera acuta Neosho Mucket Mussel, Lampsilis rafinesqueana Optiosevus Riffle Beetle, Optioservus phaeus FISH Rabbitsfoot Mussel, Quadrula cylindrica Arkansas Darter, Etheostoma cragini Slender Walker Snail, Pomatiopsis lapidaria Blackside Darter, Percina maculata Western Fanshell Mussel, Cyprogenia aberti Chestnut Lamprey, Ichthyomyzon castaneus Flathead Chub, Platygobio gracilis FISH Hornyhead Chub, Nocomis biguttatus Arkansas River Shiner, Notropis girardi Neosho Madtom, Noturus placidus Arkansas River Speckled Chub, Macrhybopis tetranema Plains Minnow, Hybognathus placitus Pallid Sturgeon, Scaphirhynchus albus Redspot Chub, Nocomis asper Sicklefin Chub, Macrhybopsis meeki Shoal Chub, Macrhybopsis hyostoma Silver Chub, Macrhybopsis storeriana Silverband Shiner, Notropis shumardi Sturgeon Chub, Macrhybopsis gelida AMPHIBIANS Topeka Shiner, Notropis topeka Cave Salamander, Eurycea lucifuga Western Silvery Minnow, Hybognathus argyritis Many-ribbed Salamander, Eurycea multiplicata AMPHIBIANS Grotto Salamander, Typhlotriton spelaeus Eastern Newt, Notophthalmus viridescens BIRDS Eastern Narrowmouth Toad, Gastrophryne carolinensis Black-capped Vireo, Vireo atricapilla Green Frog, Rana clamitans Eskimo Curlew, Numenius borealis Green Toad, Bufo debilis Least Tern, Sterna antillarum Longtail Salamander, Eurycea longicauda Whooping Crane, Grus americana Spring Peeper, Pseudacris crucifer Strecker's Chorus Frog, Pseudacris streckeri MAMMALS Black-footed Ferret, Mustela nigripes REPTILES Gray Myotis, Myotis grisescens Broadhead Skink, Eumeces laticeps Checkered Garter Snake, Thamnophis marcianus Common Map Turtle, Graptemys geographica Longnose Snake, Rhinocheilus lecontei Redbelly Snake, Storeria occipitomaculata Smooth Earth Snake, Virginia valeriae elegans Texas Blind Snake, Leptotyphlops dulcis BIRDS Piping Plover, Charadrius melodus Snowy Plover, Charadrius alexandrinus MAMMALS Eastern Spotted Skunk, Spilogale putorius

KANSAS DEPARTMENT OF WILDLIFE & PARKS Updated: August, 2009