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Clarif County, Nevada Clarif County, Nevada Herml Hiatt and Jim Boone, edltoTs Department of Comprehensive Planning - November 2003 Clark County, Nevada SPECIES ACCOUNT MANUAL November 2003 Editors Hermi Hiatt, Lead Scientific Editor Jim Boone, Scientific Editor Design and Layout Cindy Gates, Graphic Artist Clark County Comprehensive Planning Project Coordinator Christina Gibson, Clark County Comprehensive Planning For Non-Commercial Use Only Not for Resale Cover photo - Western Burrowing Owl: Aaron Ambos INTRODUCTION This Species Account Manual serves as a companion document to the Clark County Multiple Species Habitat Conservation Plan and Environ­ mental Impact Statement (MSHCP) , which covers a wide variety of species and their habitats in Clark County, Nevada. The Species Account Manual informs about the species of concern covered within the MSHCP. It provides an individual species account describing the appearance of each species, identifying features, the kind of habitat in which a given species might be found, and the range of that species. Additional comments on the sensitivity of the species are also included. While this manual is informative as a companion document and can be carried in the field , it is not intended as a true field guide. It does not contain a key for identification. Species are listed in alphabetical order, and not as presented in the MSHCP. To facilitate finding a species, animal species are grouped alphabetically by common name. However, alphabetical listing of vascular and non -vascular plants is by scientific names since many plants have the same genus name. Also, MSHCP species are grouped as Covered Species, Evaluation Species, and Watch List Species. Covered Species are those for wh ich sufficient information is known and for which adequate management prescriptions exist to help protect them. Evaluation Species are those for which additional informa­ tion is required and management plans need to be developed. Evaluation Species are further prioritized as high, medium , or low priority based upon the degree of threat likely to occur in the future. Watch List Species, not described in this manual, are those with inadequate information to assess population range, status, and conservation potential or risk of extinction. The idea for the Species Account Manual originated with the Public Information Education (PIE) Working Group of the Implementation and Monitoring Committee of the MSHCP which wanted a document that provides descriptive and visual information about the species covered under the MSHCP. This document contains the best available information at the time of printing. However, the overall condition of individual species, individual species names, the status of habitats, and other conditions pertaining to the MSHCP may change over time. As changes occur, they will be listed in the Clark County website at: www.accessclarkcounty.com or www.co.clark.nv.us/comprehensiveplanning/Environmental.htm . i i DISCLAIMER This guide was prepared by the Clark County Desert Conservation Program Public Information and Education subcommittee for use by participants of the program. These participants include federal and state agency representatives, interest group representatives, and members of the public. The completion of this document is a result of contributions from many photographers, biologists, and other specialists. Clark County spent over five years collecting, compiling, and editing information for this document. Clark County and the editors of this book have made every effort to contact and receive input and comments from species specialists prior to finalization of this guide. If you believe any information provided here to be inaccurate, please contact the Clark County Desert Conservation Program at 455-4181 with your comments. This guide will be periodically updated and re-printed. iii ECOSYSTEMS DISTRIBUTION MAP IV Major roads _ LakeMead Ecosystems _ Alpine Blackbrush Bristlecone pine o Mojave desert scrub Desert aquatic _ Mesqui.dCaldaw _ Piayoo-junipec _ M'lXed conifer _ Sa."ocbrush Salt desert scrub N : 31 .51 ';'~ ......+ Distribution of Ecosystems in Plan Area iv ELEVATION MAP N Major roads Elevation (meters) 0-500 50 1 - 900 90 1 - 1300 1301 - 1700 170 1 - 2100 2101 - 2400 240 1 - 2800 280 1 - 3200 3201 - 3600 ~ o 5 10 Miles + P"""'I ~ August 31. 1998 Project Setting v TABLE OF CONTENTS Mammals ................................................................................................................................................ 1 '- Birds ........................................................................................................................................................ 23 Reptiles/Amphibians .................................................................................................................. 41 Fish .......................................................................................................................................................... 69 Invertebrates ..................................................................................................................................... 81 Vascular Plants .............................................................................................................................. 105 Non-Vascular Plants .................................................................................................................. 167 Glossary ............................................................................................................................................. 181 References/Credits ..................................................................................................................... 201 Acknowledgements ................................................................................................................... 203 References ....................................................................................................................................... 204 Important Contacts .................................................................................................................... 211 I m porta nt Websites ................................................................................................................... 212 Scientific Name Index ............................................................................................................. 213 Common Name Index .............................................................................................................. 216 Notes .................................................................................................................................................... 219 vi FRINGED MYOTIS Myotis thysanodes Evaluation Species Mouse-eared Bat Family Description: A medium-sized (wingspread: 26-30 cm [10 - 12 in.]; mass: 5 - 7 g [0.18 - 0.25 oz]), buffy brown bat with relatively long black ears. A fringe of short hairs that project backward from the edge of the tail membrane is a diagnostic feature since this is the only species of bat in Nevada with a fringe of hairs on the tail membrane. Fringed myotis are colonial but male and female do so separately. Nursery colonies exceed several hundred individuals. A single offspring is born during June or July. Diet: Forages in the early evening, flying slowly and feeding on a variety of insects including moths, caddis flies, and flies. Habitat: Desert scrub, pinyon-juniper, and coniferous forest habitats, usually at elevations of 1,200 - 2,100 m (4,000 - 7,000 ft). Roosts in caves, mines, rock crevices, trees, and buildings. Range: This species occurs across the southern half of Canada and southward through most of the United States. In Clark County, Nevada, this species occurs predominantly at higher elevations but is found at low elevations during spring and fall migration. Probably migrates south for the winter. 3 LONG-EARED MYOTIS Myatis evatis Covered Species Mouse-eared Bat Family Description: A medium-sized (wingspread: 27 cm [11 in.]; mass: 5 - 8 g [0.18 - 0.28 oz]), pale brown bat with long, thick glossy fur. Ears dark, usually black, and longer than in any other species of Myotis (if laid forward, ears extend about 5 - 6 mm [0.25 in.] beyond the tip of the nose). Ears with a medium-length, pointed tragus. Compared to the closly related Fringed Myotis (Myotis thysanodes) , this species has measurably longer ears and lacks the fringe of hairs lining the tail membrane. Males of the long-eared myotis are solitary; females form small groups in maternity colonies, with less than 40 individuals. Offspring born in late June and July. Diet: A late-night forager over water (lakes and ponds), also forages among trees in forested areas. Feeds primarily on moths; also eats beetles, flies, flying ants, wasps, and other flying insects. ' Habitat: In Southern Nevada primarily found in mixed conifer habitat with ponderosa pine, or at higher elevations. In Northern Nevada common in pinyon-juniper and above, but also found in sagebrush and salt desert scrub habitats. Forages along rivers and streams, riparian areas, and agricultural areas associated with springs and rivers. Day roosts include dead trees, buildings, mines, caves, crevices, and beneath bark. Night roosts include caves, mines, and under bridges. Range: Occurs throughout western North America. Thought to be fairly common throughout Nevada except in southern Nevada where severe population declines have occurred. 4 LONG-LEGGED MYOTIS Myotis volans Covered Species Mouse-eared Bat Family
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