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Docket No. FWS–R2–ES–2020–0048; FF09E21000 FXES11110900000 201]
This document is scheduled to be published in the Federal Register on 09/15/2020 and available online at federalregister.gov/d/2020-17921, and on govinfo.gov Billing Code 4333–15 DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR Fish and Wildlife Service 50 CFR Part 17 [Docket No. FWS–R2–ES–2020–0048; FF09E21000 FXES11110900000 201] RIN 1018–BE78 Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants; Designation of Critical Habitat for the Georgetown and Salado Salamanders AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior. ACTION: Proposed rule; revisions and reopening of comment period. SUMMARY: We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), are revising our proposed designation of critical habitat for the Georgetown salamander (Eurycea naufragia) and Salado salamander (Eurycea chisholmensis) in Bell and Williamson Counties, Texas. Based on published genetic analyses, we are revising the distribution of the Georgetown and Salado salamanders and are adjusting previously proposed critical habitat units accordingly. We also propose changes to our description of the physical or biological features essential to the conservation of the species. We propose a total of approximately 1,519 acres (ac) (622 hectares (ha)) of critical habitat for the species in Bell and Williamson Counties, Texas. The total amount of critical habitat we are proposing for both salamanders has increased by approximately 116 ac (47 ha). The reasons for this increase are the addition of a new occupied site for the Salado salamander and refined mapping of previously proposed critical habitat units based on more precise spring locations. We also announce the availability of a draft economic analysis (DEA) of the revised proposed designation of critical habitat for the Georgetown and Salado salamanders. -
Fleas (Siphonaptera) Infesting Giant Kangaroo Rats (Dipodomys Ingens) on the Elkhorn and Carrizo Plains, San Luis Obispo County, California
SHORT COMMUNICATION Fleas (Siphonaptera) Infesting Giant Kangaroo Rats (Dipodomys ingens) on the Elkhorn and Carrizo Plains, San Luis Obispo County, California STEPHEN P. TABOR/ DANIEL F. WILLIAMS,2 DAVID}. GERMAN0,2 3 AND REX E. THOMAS J. Med. Entomol. 30(1): 291-294 (1993) ABSTRACT The giant kangaroo rat, Dipodomys ingens (Merriam), has a limited distri bution in the San Joaquin Valley, CA. Because of reductions in its geographic range, largely resulting from humans, the species was listed as an endangered species in 1980 by the California Fish and Game Commission. As part of a study of the community ecology of southern California endangered species, including D. ingens, we were able to make flea collections from the rats when they were trapped and marked for population studies. All but one of the fleas collected from the D. ingens in this study were Hoplopsyllus anomalus, a flea normally associated with ground squirrels (Sciuridae). It has been suggested that giant kangaroo rats fill the ground squirrel niche within their range. Our data indicate that this role includes a normal association with Hoplopsyllus anomalus. KEY WORDS Dipodomys ingens, Hoplopsyllus anomalus, population studies THE GIANT KANGAROO RAT, Dipodomys ingens the only flea known from D. ingens. We found no (Merriam), is the largest of the kangaroo rats and additional information on collection records from the largest North American heteromyid. The his D. ingens. Therefore, we took the opportunity to torical range of the species lies along the western collect and identify fleas from D. ingens as part of side of the San Joaquin Valley, CA from the a larger study on the effects of drought, grazing Tehachapi Mountains on the southern extremity by livestock, and humans on a community of in San Luis Obispo, Kern, and Santa Barbara endangered species that includes populations of counties to the southern tip of Merced County D. -
A Comprehensive Multilocus Assessment of Sparrow (Aves: Passerellidae) Relationships ⇑ John Klicka A, , F
Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution 77 (2014) 177–182 Contents lists available at ScienceDirect Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution journal homepage: www.elsevier.com/locate/ympev Short Communication A comprehensive multilocus assessment of sparrow (Aves: Passerellidae) relationships ⇑ John Klicka a, , F. Keith Barker b,c, Kevin J. Burns d, Scott M. Lanyon b, Irby J. Lovette e, Jaime A. Chaves f,g, Robert W. Bryson Jr. a a Department of Biology and Burke Museum of Natural History and Culture, University of Washington, Box 353010, Seattle, WA 98195-3010, USA b Department of Ecology, Evolution, and Behavior, University of Minnesota, 100 Ecology Building, 1987 Upper Buford Circle, St. Paul, MN 55108, USA c Bell Museum of Natural History, University of Minnesota, 100 Ecology Building, 1987 Upper Buford Circle, St. Paul, MN 55108, USA d Department of Biology, San Diego State University, San Diego, CA 92182, USA e Fuller Evolutionary Biology Program, Cornell Lab of Ornithology, Cornell University, 159 Sapsucker Woods Road, Ithaca, NY 14950, USA f Department of Biology, University of Miami, 1301 Memorial Drive, Coral Gables, FL 33146, USA g Universidad San Francisco de Quito, USFQ, Colegio de Ciencias Biológicas y Ambientales, y Extensión Galápagos, Campus Cumbayá, Casilla Postal 17-1200-841, Quito, Ecuador article info abstract Article history: The New World sparrows (Emberizidae) are among the best known of songbird groups and have long- Received 6 November 2013 been recognized as one of the prominent components of the New World nine-primaried oscine assem- Revised 16 April 2014 blage. Despite receiving much attention from taxonomists over the years, and only recently using molec- Accepted 21 April 2014 ular methods, was a ‘‘core’’ sparrow clade established allowing the reconstruction of a phylogenetic Available online 30 April 2014 hypothesis that includes the full sampling of sparrow species diversity. -
Translocating Endangered Kangaroo Rats in the San Joaquin Valley of California: Recommendations for Future Efforts
90 CALIFORNIA FISH AND GAME Vol. 99, No. 2 California Fish and Game 99(2):90-103; 2013 Translocating endangered kangaroo rats in the San Joaquin Valley of California: recommendations for future efforts ERIN N. TENNANT*, DAVID J. GERMANO, AND BRIAN L. CYPHER Department of Biology, California State University, Bakersfield, CA 93311 USA (ENT, DJG) Endangered Species Recovery Program, California State University – Stanislaus, P.O. Box 9622, Bakersfield, CA 93389 USA (BLC) Present address of ENT: Central Region Lands Unit, California Department of Fish and Wildlife, 1234 E. Shaw Ave. Fresno, CA 93710 USA *Correspondent: [email protected] Since the early 1990s, translocation has been advocated as a means of mitigating impacts to endangered kangaroo rats from development activities in the San Joaquin Valley. The factors affecting translocation are numerous and complex, and failure rates are high. Based on work we have done primarily with Tipton kangaroo rats and on published information on translocations and reintroductions, we provide recommendations for future translocations or reintroductions of kangaroo rats. If the recommended criteria we offer cannot be satisfied, we advocate that translocations not be attempted. Translocation under less than optimal conditions significantly reduces the probability of success and also raises ethical questions. Key words: Dipodomys heermanni, Dipodomys ingens, Dipodomys nitratoides, reintroduction, San Joaquin Valley, Tipton kangaroo rat, translocation ________________________________________________________________________ Largely due to habitat loss, several species or subspecies of kangaroo rats (Dipodomys spp.) endemic to the San Joaquin Valley of California have been listed by the state and federal governments as endangered. These include the giant kangaroo rat (D. ingens), and two subspecies of the San Joaquin kangaroo rat (D. -
Eradication of Feral Goats and Pigs and Consequences for Other Biota on Sarigan Island, Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands
Eradication of feral goats and pigs and consequences for other biota on Sarigan Island, Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands. C. C. Kessler 4815 Saddle Ave., Flagstaff, AZ 86004. USA Abstract Sarigan Island (c.500 ha) is one of the 15 Mariana Islands in the tropical western Pacific Ocean. The native forest on Sarigan was in an advanced state of decline due to the presence of feral goats (Capra hircus) and pigs (Sus scrofa). During January and February 1998, 68 pigs and 904 goats were removed by helicopter shooting, ground shooting, trapping, and tracking with dogs. The goal was to stop and reverse the loss of forest and accompanying erosion and thus improve habitat for the endangered Micronesian megapode (Megapodius laperouse) and other native species. Follow-up control in 1999 and 2000 removed an additional six goats. Sarigan Island is now considered free of feral ungulates. Vegetation monitoring before and after eradication shows an increase in plant species richness, an increase in tree seedlings, and the rapid expansion of the introduced vine Operculina ventricosa. Skinks also increased, but numbers of fruit bats, land birds, and rats have not yet showed change. It is still undetermined as to what effect the vine Operculina ventricosa will have on the regeneration and expansion of the native forest. Keywords Vegetation; megapode; Operculina ventricosa. INTRODUCTION means to improve habitat (through vegetation recovery) Of the 11 islands in the Mariana chain (15 islands total) for endangered Micronesian megapodes. that are uninhabited, the largest five have feral animals. The uncontrolled existence of these populations jeopard- METHODS ises the continued existence of the unique native plant and wildlife species on these islands. -
Overwintering Habitat Selection of Asiatic Toad, Bufo Gargarizans in Southwestern China
Biharean Biologist (2010) Vol. 4, No.1, Pp.: 15-18 P-ISSN: 1843-5637, E-ISSN: 2065-1155 Article No.: 041103 Overwintering habitat selection of Asiatic toad, Bufo gargarizans in southwestern China Tong Lei YU1 and Yan Shu GUO2 1. Department of Zoology, College of Life Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan 430072 Hubei Province, China. E-mail: [email protected] 2. College of Life Sciences, China West Normal University, Sichuan, China. E-mail: [email protected] Abstract. We studied overwintering habitats selection of Bufo gargarizans during 2005-2008 in southwestern China. Our results showed most toads buried themselves in the ground. By comparing hibernation and post-reproductive dormancy sites, we found that the latter was closer to ponds with higher vegetable cover and shallower than hibernation sites. It indirect proves that toads consume large energy in the breeding season and a small quantity remains for the dormancy period. Keywords: Bufo gargarizans; hibernation site; post-reproductive dormancy site. Introduction snout-to-vent length (SVL) of 98.22 ± 1.43 mm (range 73.6 - 137 mm), and the males have 87.32 ± 0.94 mm Anurans are haematocryal animals without body (range 66 - 117 mm). The body mass of females can temperature regulative capability (Pinder et al. 1992), so reach 160.72 ± 18.73 g (range 112 - 315 g), males have they are vulnerable to freezing conditions and must 83.12 ± 4.2 g (range 52.1 - 138.59 g) in the breeding select suitable habitats unlikely to freeze. Some species period (Yu & Lu 2010). B. gargarizans is mainly of toads are known to burrow into loose soils or under- insectivorous and rarely feeds on vegetation (Yu et al. -
Artificial Water Catchments Influence Wildlife Distribution in the Mojave
The Journal of Wildlife Management; DOI: 10.1002/jwmg.21654 Research Article Artificial Water Catchments Influence Wildlife Distribution in the Mojave Desert LINDSEY N. RICH,1,2 Department of Environmental Science, Policy, and Management, University of California- Berkeley, 130 Mulford Hall 3114, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA STEVEN R. BEISSINGER, Department of Environmental Science, Policy, and Management, University of California- Berkeley, 130 Mulford Hall 3114, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA JUSTIN S. BRASHARES, Department of Environmental Science, Policy, and Management, University of California- Berkeley, 130 Mulford Hall 3114, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA BRETT J. FURNAS, Wildlife Investigations Laboratory, California Department of Fish and Wildlife, Rancho Cordova, CA 95670, USA ABSTRACT Water often limits the distribution and productivity of wildlife in arid environments. Consequently, resource managers have constructed artificial water catchments (AWCs) in deserts of the southwestern United States, assuming that additional free water benefits wildlife. We tested this assumption by using data from acoustic and camera trap surveys to determine whether AWCs influenced the distributions of terrestrial mammals (>0.5 kg), birds, and bats in the Mojave Desert, California, USA. We sampled 200 sites in 2016–2017 using camera traps and acoustic recording units, 52 of which had AWCs. We identified detections to the species-level, and modeled occupancy for each of the 44 species of wildlife photographed or recorded. Artificial water catchments explained spatial variation in occupancy for 8 terrestrial mammals, 4 bats, and 18 bird species. Occupancy of 18 species was strongly and positively associated with AWCs, whereas 1 species (i.e., horned lark [Eremophila alpestris]) was negatively associated. Access to an AWC had a larger influence on species’ distributions than precipitation and slope and was nearly as influential as temperature. -
Non-Native Trees Provide Habitat for Native Hawaiian Forest Birds
NON-NATIVE TREES PROVIDE HABITAT FOR NATIVE HAWAIIAN FOREST BIRDS By Peter J. Motyka A Thesis Submitted in Partial Fulfillment Of the Requirements for the Degree of Master of Science In Biology Northern Arizona University December 2016 Approved: Jeffrey T. Foster, Ph.D., Co-chair Tad C. Theimer, Ph. D., Co-chair Carol L. Chambers, Ph. D. ABSTRACT NON-NATIVE TREES PROVIDE HABITAT FOR NATIVE HAWAIIAN FOREST BIRDS PETER J. MOTYKA On the Hawaiian island of Maui, native forest birds occupy an area dominated by non- native plants that offers refuge from climate-limited diseases that threaten the birds’ persistence. This study documented the status of the bird populations and their ecology in this novel habitat. Using point-transect distance sampling, I surveyed for birds over five periods in 2013-2014 at 123 stations across the 20 km² Kula Forest Reserve (KFR). I documented abundance and densities for four native bird species: Maui ‘alauahio (Paroreomyza montana), ʻiʻiwi (Drepanis coccinea), ʻapapane (Himatione sanguinea), and Hawaiʻi ʻamakihi, (Chlorodrepanis virens), and three introduced bird species: Japanese white-eye (Zosterops japonicas), red-billed leiothrix (Leiothrix lutea), and house finch (Haemorhous mexicanus). I found that 1) native forest birds were as abundant as non-natives, 2) densities of native forest birds in the KFR were similar to those found in native forests, 3) native forest birds showed varying dependence on the structure of the habitats, with ʻiʻiwi and ‘alauahio densities 20 and 30 times greater in forest than in scrub, 4) Maui ‘alauahio foraged most often in non-native cape wattle, eucalyptus, and tropical ash, and nested most often in non-native Monterey cypress, Monterey pine, and eucalyptus. -
Comparative Transcriptome Analyses Reveal the Genetic Basis Underlying the Immune Function of Three Amphibians’ Skin
RESEARCH ARTICLE Comparative transcriptome analyses reveal the genetic basis underlying the immune function of three amphibians' skin Wenqiao Fan1,2,3☯, Yusong Jiang1☯, Meixia Zhang1, Donglin Yang1,2,3, Zhongzhu Chen1,2,3, Hanchang Sun1*, Xuelian Lan1,2,3, Fan Yan1, Jingming Xu1, Wanan Yuan1 1 Chongqing Research Center of Conservation and Development on Rare and Endangered Aquatic Resources, Chongqing University of Arts and Sciences, Yongchuan, Chongqing, China, 2 Chongqing Key Laboratory of Kinase Modulators as Innovative Medicine, Yongchuan, Chongqing, China, 3 Chongqing a1111111111 Engineering Laboratory of Targeted and Innovative Therapeutics, Yongchuan, Chongqing, China a1111111111 a1111111111 ☯ These authors contributed equally to this work. a1111111111 * [email protected] a1111111111 Abstract Skin as the first barrier against external invasions plays an essential role for the survival of OPEN ACCESS amphibians on land. Understanding the genetic basis of skin function is significant in reveal- Citation: Fan W, Jiang Y, Zhang M, Yang D, Chen ing the mechanisms underlying immunity of amphibians. In this study, we de novo Z, Sun H, et al. (2017) Comparative transcriptome sequenced and comparatively analyzed skin transcriptomes from three different amphibian analyses reveal the genetic basis underlying the immune function of three amphibians' skin. PLoS species, Andrias davidianus, Bufo gargarizans, and Rana nigromaculata Hallowell. Func- ONE 12(12): e0190023. https://doi.org/10.1371/ tional classification of unigenes in each amphibian showed high accordance, with the most journal.pone.0190023 represented GO terms and KEGG pathways related to basic biological processes, such as Editor: Zhong-Jian Liu, The National Orchid binding and metabolism and immune system. As for the unigenes, GO and KEGG distribu- Conservation Center of China; The Orchid tions of conserved orthologs in each species were similar, with the predominantly enriched Conservation & Research Center of Shenzhen, CHINA pathways including RNA polymerase, nucleotide metabolism, and defense. -
Habitat Use of the Key Largo Woodrat (Neotoma Floridana Smalli) Lauren J
Florida International University FIU Digital Commons FIU Electronic Theses and Dissertations University Graduate School 11-12-2014 Habitat Use of the Key Largo Woodrat (Neotoma floridana smalli) Lauren J. Barth Florida International University, [email protected] DOI: 10.25148/etd.FI14110745 Follow this and additional works at: https://digitalcommons.fiu.edu/etd Part of the Ecology and Evolutionary Biology Commons, Natural Resources and Conservation Commons, and the Zoology Commons Recommended Citation Barth, Lauren J., "Habitat Use of the Key Largo Woodrat (Neotoma floridana smalli)" (2014). FIU Electronic Theses and Dissertations. 1644. https://digitalcommons.fiu.edu/etd/1644 This work is brought to you for free and open access by the University Graduate School at FIU Digital Commons. It has been accepted for inclusion in FIU Electronic Theses and Dissertations by an authorized administrator of FIU Digital Commons. For more information, please contact [email protected]. FLORIDA INTERNATIONAL UNIVERSITY Miami, Florida HABITAT USE OF THE KEY LARGO WOODRAT (NEOTOMA FLORIDANA SMALLI) A thesis submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of MASTER OF SCIENCE in ENVIRONMENTAL STUDIES by Lauren J. Barth 2014 To: Interim Dean Michael R. Heithaus College of Arts and Sciences This thesis, written by Lauren J. Barth, and entitled Habitat Use of the Key Largo Woodrat (Neotoma floridana smalli), having been approved in respect to style and intellectual content, is referred to you for judgment. We have read this thesis and recommend that it be approved. _______________________________________ Michael Gaines _______________________________________ Phillip Hughes _______________________________________ Joel Heinen _______________________________________ Jennifer Rehage, Co-Major Professor _______________________________________ Michael Ross, Co-Major Professor Date of Defense: November 12, 2014 The thesis of Lauren J. -
The Relationships of the Hawaiian Honeycreepers (Drepaninini) As Indicated by Dna-Dna Hybridization
THE RELATIONSHIPS OF THE HAWAIIAN HONEYCREEPERS (DREPANININI) AS INDICATED BY DNA-DNA HYBRIDIZATION CH^RrES G. SIBLEY AND Jo• E. AHLQUIST Departmentof Biologyand PeabodyMuseum of Natural History, Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut 06511 USA ABSTRACT.--Twenty-twospecies of Hawaiian honeycreepers(Fringillidae: Carduelinae: Drepaninini) are known. Their relationshipsto other groups of passefineswere examined by comparing the single-copyDNA sequencesof the Apapane (Himationesanguinea) with those of 5 speciesof carduelinefinches, 1 speciesof Fringilla, 15 speciesof New World nine- primaried oscines(Cardinalini, Emberizini, Thraupini, Parulini, Icterini), and members of 6 other families of oscines(Turdidae, Monarchidae, Dicaeidae, Sylviidae, Vireonidae, Cor- vidae). The DNA-DNA hybridization data support other evidence indicating that the Hawaiian honeycreepersshared a more recent common ancestorwith the cardue!ine finches than with any of the other groupsstudied and indicate that this divergenceoccurred in the mid-Miocene, 15-20 million yr ago. The colonizationof the Hawaiian Islandsby the ancestralspecies that radiated to produce the Hawaiian honeycreeperscould have occurredat any time between 20 and 5 million yr ago. Becausethe honeycreeperscaptured so many ecologicalniches, however, it seemslikely that their ancestor was the first passefine to become established in the islands and that it arrived there at the time of, or soon after, its separationfrom the carduelinelineage. If so, this colonist arrived before the present islands from Hawaii to French Frigate Shoal were formed by the volcanic"hot-spot" now under the island of Hawaii. Therefore,the ancestral drepaninine may have colonizedone or more of the older Hawaiian Islandsand/or Emperor Seamounts,which also were formed over the "hot-spot" and which reachedtheir present positions as the result of tectonic crustal movement. -
Southwest Pacific Islands: Samoa, Fiji, Vanuatu & New Caledonia Trip Report 11Th to 31St July 2015
Southwest Pacific Islands: Samoa, Fiji, Vanuatu & New Caledonia Trip Report 11th to 31st July 2015 Orange Fruit Dove by K. David Bishop Trip Report - RBT Southwest Pacific Islands 2015 2 Tour Leaders: K. David Bishop and David Hoddinott Trip Report compiled by Tour Leader: K. David Bishop Tour Summary Rockjumper’s inaugural tour of the islands of the Southwest Pacific kicked off in style with dinner at the Stamford Airport Hotel in Sydney, Australia. The following morning we were soon winging our way north and eastwards to the ancient Gondwanaland of New Caledonia. Upon arrival we then drove south along a road more reminiscent of Europe, passing through lush farmlands seemingly devoid of indigenous birds. Happily this was soon rectified; after settling into our Noumea hotel and a delicious luncheon, we set off to explore a small nature reserve established around an important patch of scrub and mangroves. Here we quickly cottoned on to our first endemic, the rather underwhelming Grey-eared Honeyeater, together with Nankeen Night Herons, a migrant Sacred Kingfisher, White-bellied Woodswallow, Fantailed Gerygone and the resident form of Rufous Whistler. As we were to discover throughout this tour, in areas of less than pristine habitat we encountered several Grey-eared Honeyeater by David Hoddinott introduced species including Common Waxbill. And so began a series of early starts which were to typify this tour, though today everyone was up with added alacrity as we were heading to the globally important Rivierre Bleu Reserve and the haunt of the incomparable Kagu. We drove 1.3 hours to the reserve, passing through a stark landscape before arriving at the appointed time to meet my friend Jean-Marc, the reserve’s ornithologist and senior ranger.