At-Risk Species Assessment on Southeastern Refuges

Archie Carr NWR | Elizabeth Cowie Mojica At-Risk Species Assessment on Southeastern Refuges

National Wildlife Refuge Association June 2015

1001 Connecticut Avenue NW, Suite 905, Washington, DC 20036 • 202-417-3803 • www.refugeassociation.org At-Risk Species Assessment on Southeastern Refuges

Introduction and Methods

n 2011, the Southeast Region of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) began working with states, federal agencies, and other partners to evaluate nearly 500 fish, wildlife, and plant species for potential listing under the federal Endangered Species Act in response to litigation and numerous petitions. Many of these species Imight occur on the 129 National Wildlife Refuges (NWR) in the Southeast Region, on the few areas proposed for establishment as refuges in the Southeast, or on refuge conservation areas (hereafter collectively referred to as “refuges”). Information is scarce, however, on the status of many or most of these species on these refuges, and these areas potentially could play an important role in their conservation.

In fiscal year 2013, the Southeast Region Refuge Program entered into a cooperative agreement with the National Wildlife Refuge Association (Refuge Association) to evaluate the presence/absence of petitioned and candidate species (hereafter referred to as “at-risk” species) on refuges across the Southeast Region, identify which refuges can play Black Rail | Bob Gress a key role in at-risk species recovery, and make recommendations for addressing information gaps and monitoring and management needs. To meet these objectives, infor- with Regional, Refuge, and Ecological Services (ES) biologists was used to pare down mation from NatureServe, other resource publications, and personal communications the master list of at-risk species to those with the potential to occur on refuges in the Southeast, resulting in an initial list of 250 species. Geographic ranges and habitat needs of these species also were documented.

To facilitate compiling information from local subject matter experts (SMEs) on these species, Southeast refuges were grouped into eight “refuge groups” based on geographic (landscape), hydrologic (water resource), and habitat factors that might contribute to the occurrence of at-risk species on these refuges. Species with the potential to occur on each of these refuge groups and SMEs for each were identified. Workshops were conducted for six of these groups: Florida Keys Refuge Group (15 sp/23 SMEs), West Tennes- see Refuge Group (18 sp/26 SMEs), East Gulf Coast (40sp/22 SMEs), Carolinas and Coastal Georgia (37sp/96 SMEs), Northern Alabama Refuge Group (56sp/44 SMEs), and Peninsular Florida and South Georgia Coastal Plain Refuge Group (73sp/72 SMEs). Information on at-risk species occurrences on refuges in the two remaining groups was gathered by informal meetings and by phone and email; Southern Blue Ridge and Geor- gia Piedmont Refuge Group (31 sp) Lower Mississippi Valley Refuge Group (20sp). Highland Tiger Beetle | Cliff Beaton

2 At-Risk Species Assessment on Southeastern Refuges

Planning teams comprised of Refuge Complex Project Leaders or designees and ES Field Office staffs were created to plan workshops, identify workshop participants, and refine the list of species to be considered. Interviews with refuge biologists and assistant refuge managers, as well as consultations with ES, Inventory and Monitoring, and other staff, were subsequently conducted to identify workshop participants and further develop the list of at-risk species to be considered; SMEs often flagged additional at-risk species that were initially overlooked as well as species believed to potentially be at risk to assess at workshops. Following a series of 2-3 planning team meetings, appropriate representatives from the Refuge Association, Refuges, ES, and SMEs representing the Service, other federal and state agencies, academic institutions, and NGO’s were identified and invited to participate in-person at workshops held within each focal area. Webinar conference calls were made available for those not able to travel. Refuge Association staff worked with the host refuge staff to handle workshop logistics.

During each workshop, conditions concerning at-risk species that might occur in the refuge group were reviewed. Workshop SMEs contributed information and views on: each species’ possible occurrence on, or on areas surrounding, refuges; current threats to the species; potential management actions; and survey plans and needs. The exchange and dialogue at these workshops proved effective in gathering available information on each species. Participation in, and observation of, the workshops by Service staffs from diverse divisions and staffs from other agencies and organizations cultivated new and Tennessee Cave Salamander | Alfred Crabtree improved working relationships and a better understanding of others’ challenges and needs. The 2 remaining refuge groups (Southern Blue Ridge Georgia Piedmont Refuge lations (populations that could play a pivotal role in conserving the species; Table 11). Group and Lower Mississippi Valley Refuge Group), where fewer at-risk species occur, In an additional 435 instances, SMEs suggested that at-risk species potentially occur on were evaluated through direct interviews with SMEs. refuges because the refuge is within the species range and suitable habitat is known to exist (276 instances), or it is unknown if suitable habitat exists and surveys are needed Results and Recommendations (159 instances). The tables (tables 3-10) and map below identify the occurrence or possible occurrence of at-risk species on refuges within geographic groupings. For each group The workshops and individual consultations provided input from almost 300 partici- of refuges, the map delineates the number of taxa indicating where the greatest known pants. SMEs evaluated 376 unique at-risk species (between 20 and 242 species or habitat occurrence and potential occurrence of at-risk species occurs, as well as specific areas occurrences per refuge group). It was concluded that one or more at-risk species may supporting locally occurring species, for which setting high priority for surveys, man- occur on 89 refuges, totaling 794 known species occurrences or potential occurrences agement, and conservation actions may lead to rapid resolution of status assessments. based on species’ habitat requirements and ranges (Table 1-2). Important findings and needs are discussed below for each refuge group for which a Of 367 known species occurrences, 38 on 17 refuges are considered significant popu- workshop was held.

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Table 1 Summary of each refuge groups’ known species occurrences or potential occurrences based on species’ habitat requirements and ranges.

Refuge O+ O P U Total All Refuge Total 38 329 276 159 794 Northern Alabama 11 19 38 35 103 Florida Keys Workshop 11 5 0 4 20 Peninsular Florida and Southern Georgia Coastal Plain Workshop 7 117 86 32 242 West Tennessee Workshop 0 1 14 13 28 East Gulf Coast Workshop 0 38 24 23 85 Carolinas and Coastal Georgia 4 127 28 48 207 Southern Blue Ridge 5 19 11 4 39 Lower Mississippi NWRs 0 3 75 0 78

Northern Alabama Refuge Group Florida Keys Refuge Group

This refuge group hosts 30 species, eleven of which are considered significant popu- The Florida Keys is a high priority area for at-risk species. The National Key Deer Refuge lations for conservation. The Tennessee cave salamander is a locally occurring species alone hosts 15 known at-risk species, ten of which are considered locally occurring sig- that is highly dependent upon cave habitats found on refuges in the group and warrants nificant populations, making conservation efforts particularly important for this refuge. careful monitoring, especially given the potential for chytrid (a fungal disease affecting Most species are either associated with pine rocklands, tropical hardwood hammocks, amphibians) to impact this species. Many species of snails found along the Cahaba River and/or embedded wetlands. Restoring fire to pine rocklands and embedded wetlands are of questionable taxonomic validity, and a genetics study would help clarify if any is the highest priority management need. Another management priority is monitoring are in fact valid and still warrant consideration for listing. A number of at-risk species cactus and coastal barrens within and adjacent to tropical hardwood hammocks to target occur near the proposed Paint Rock NWR, but most are in Alabama just across the where best to stall hardwood encroachment and enhance protection against plant collect- Tennessee state line. These findings may merit consideration of a boundary expansion or ing. Inventory efforts for four significant populations of reptiles will involve collabora- amendment to include riverine areas in Alabama to complement the proposed footprint tion with the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission in 2015. In addition, in Tennessee. As with other refuge groups, the status and occurrence of at-risk plants on surveys to determine the status of the sawgrass skipper, a locally occurring butterfly, were these refuges remains in question. recently approved as a Quick Response Grant.

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Peninsular Florida and Southern Georgia Coastal Plain Refuge Group

This refuge group is known to host 124 at-risk species. An additional 118 species may occur on some refuges, but adequate information on their status is not available. The Ding Darling Complex stands out as the most important for at-risk mammals, and Lower Suwannee NWR has the largest potential number overall of at-risk species. Addi- tional survey efforts are needed for mammals along the Gulf Coast. The middle and lower reaches of the Suwannee River are important to many aquatic species. Water with- drawal for agriculture and development pose a threat. The most recent round of grant awards from the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation, Gulf Environmental Benefit Fund included $12 million for the Suwannee River watershed, including $4 million for easement acquisition, and $2.9 million for water-quality enhancements and conservation Sawgrass skipper, National Key Deer Wildlife Refuge | H.L. Salvato efforts, which should directly address some of these concerns. fish are found on the Mississippi Sandhill Crane NWR and are associated with the same habitat the Mississippi Sandhill Crane depends on. A study is needed to determine how West Tennessee Refuge Group fire management to maintain high quality crane habitat affects these crayfish. Although two of these species were recently considered secure, all should still be surveyed. Also Primary focus was on the Lower Duck River Unit of the Tennessee NWR, but discus- needed are additional crayfish surveys in and around Noxubee NWR. Continued open sions included the entire Duck River as well as refuges in West Tennessee. Of the many pine management at Big Branch Marsh, Bogue Chitto, Noxubee, and Eufaula national species dependent on the Duck River, most are outside the confines of the Refuge proper, wildlife refuges should support many at-risk species. Lastly, there is a need to better and several mussels and other aquatic species should be surveyed on areas surrounding understand the status of the various species of at-risk map turtles found across the East the Refuge. In addition, crayfish surveys at Hatchie NWR and fish surveys at Hatchie Gulf Coastal Plain and which potentially occur on many of the refuges. NWR as well as other West Tennessee refuges should be underway by next year (coor- dinated through Cookeville, Tennessee Field Office, this refuge group was identified to host one significant population. Carolinas and Coastal Georgia Refuge Group

Savannah and Waccamaw NWRs potentially support the greatest known number of East Gulf Coast Refuge Group (covering Southeast locally occurring at-risk species in this group, most of which are aquatic species. A survey Louisiana Refuge Complex, Gulf Coast Refuge focused on Carolina pygmy sunfish at these and other refuges and adjacent state wildlife Complex, Noxubee NWR, and Eufaula NWR) management areas in the Southeast was determined to be the highest priority need. Also, a general lack of knowledge on the status of at-risk plants was identified for the entire The Mississippi Sandhill Crane NWR potentially supports the greatest number of locally group, which is consistent with an emerging survey priority for both wetland and open occurring at-risk species in this refuge group. Four originally petitioned species of cray- pine associated plants across the Coastal Plain.

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Table 2 Detail of each refuge’s known species occurrences or potential occurrences based on species’ habitat requirements and ranges.

KEY: O+ = a significant population occurs on the Refuge; O = the species and its habitat occur on the Refuge; P = the species possibly occurs on the Refuge, i.e., habitat is apparently present and the area is within the species’ range; U = the area is within the species’ range but occurrence of the species and habitat are unknown. Categories O+ O P U Refuge Total REFUGE NAMES Northern Alabama Workshop Wheeler 4 2 5 15 26 Sauta Cave 1 3 4 Fern Cave 5 5 Key Cave 1 1 3 1 6 Cahaba River 5 5 6 9 25 Mountain Longleaf 1 6 4 11 Watercress Darter 4 4 Paint Rock (Proposed) 10 6 6 22 Florida Keys Workshop Key West 1 1 2 National Key Deer 10 2 3 15 Crocodile Lake 2 1 3 Peninsular Florida Southern GA Coastal Plain Workshop Okefenokee 10 2 5 17 Banks Lake 6 1 1 8 St. Marks/St. Vincent 13 4 1 18 Lower Suwannee 1 9 10 3 23 Cedar Keys 1 6 1 3 11 Chassahowitzka 5 4 5 14 Crystal River 5 3 2 10 Egmont Key 4 1 1 6 Ding Darling and satellite refuges 3 6 4 1 14

6 At-Risk Species Assessment on Southeastern Refuges

KEY: O+ = a significant population occurs on the Refuge; O = the species and its habitat occur on the Refuge; P = the species possibly occurs on the Refuge, i.e., habitat is apparently present and the area is within the species’ range; U = the area is within the species’ range but occurrence of the species and habitat are unknown. Categories O+ O P U Refuge Total REFUGE NAMES Florida Panther 2 11 1 14 Ten Thousand Islands 5 8 13 Lake Wales Ridge 1 6 8 1 16 Everglades Headwaters 6 8 2 16 Lake Woodruff 5 11 2 18 St Johns 1 4 4 1 10 Merritt Island 6 1 7 Pelican Island 4 1 5 Archie Carr 5 1 1 7 Hobe Sound 6 2 8 Loxahatchee 4 3 7 West Tennessee Workshop Tennessee NWR 4 4 8 Cross Creeks 2 2 4 Chickasaw 2 2 Lower Hatchie 2 2 Clarks River 1 7 Hatchie 4 4 East Gulf Coast Workshop Mississippi Sandhill Crane 9 6 3 18 Grand Bay 9 5 2 16 Noxubee 4 3 5 12 Big Branch Marsh 2 1 1 4 Bogue Chitto 2 4 3 9 Bon Secour 1 2 2 5

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KEY: O+ = a significant population occurs on the Refuge; O = the species and its habitat occur on the Refuge; P = the species possibly occurs on the Refuge, i.e., habitat is apparently present and the area is within the species’ range; U = the area is within the species’ range but occurrence of the species and habitat are unknown. Categories O+ O P U Refuge Total REFUGE NAMES Choctaw 3 1 4 Bayou Sauvage 1 1 2 Eufaula 6 3 5 14 Tallahatchie 1 1 Carolinas and Coastal Georgia Workshop ACE Basin 7 1 6 14 Roanoke River 1 7 2 2 12 Pee Dee 4 1 5 Tybee 2 2 Swanquarter 7 2 2 11 Alligator River 6 1 3 10 Cedar Island 1 7 1 9 Cape Romain 1 5 2 3 11 Carolina Sandhills 5 3 4 12 MacKay Island 6 1 2 9 Pinckney Island 5 2 2 9 Pea Island 8 1 9 Santee 6 3 9 Waccamaw 1 6 5 5 17 Savannah 10 4 5 19 Currituck 6 1 1 8 Wassaw Island 5 1 1 7 Blackbeard Island 5 1 1 7 Harris Neck 5 1 2 8 Wolf Island 3 1 4 Pocosin Lakes 6 2 8

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All Refuge Total 38 329 276 159 794 Northern Alabama Wheeler 11 19 38 35 103 Keys Workshop 11 5 0 4 20 Peninsular Florida and Southern Georgia Coastal Plain Workshop 7 117 86 32 242 West Tennessee Workshop 0 1 14 13 28 East Gulf Refuges Workshop 0 38 24 23 85 Carolinas and Coastal Georgia Workshop 4 127 28 48 207 Southern Blue Ridge and Georgia Piedmont Refuge Group 5 19 11 4 39 Lower Mississippi Valley Refuge Group 0 3 75 0 78

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Table 3 Species occurrence on each refuge considered in the North Alabama refuge group workshop.

NORTHERN ALABAMA WORKSHOP

Refuge Names

COMMON NAME Scientific Name River Darter Cahaba Cahaba Wheeler (AL side) (AL Longleaf Key Cave Fern Cave Fern Mountain Mountain Paint Rock Paint Watercress Watercress Sauta Cave

Alabama Rainbow Villosa nebulosa U U Alabama Spike Elliptio arca U

Coosa Creekshell Villosa umbrans U Cumberland Moccasinshell Medionidus conradicus U O Longsolid Fusconaia subrotunda U O Purple Lilliput Toxolasma lividus O P O Pyramid Pigtoe Pleurobema rubrum U U Rabbitsfoot Mussel Quadrula cylindrical cylindrica U O Round Hickorynut Obovaria subrotunda U O Tennessee Clubshell Pleurobema oviforme U O Tennessee Heelsplitter Lasmigona holstonia U O Tennessee Pigtoe Pleuronaia barnesiana U O Warrior Pigtoe Pleurobema rubellum U Fluted Kidneyshell Ptychobranchus subtentum (L) U U Slabside pearlymussel Pleuronaia (L) dolabelloides U O Acute Elimia Elimia acuta U Ample Elimia Elimia ampla O+

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NORTHERN ALABAMA WORKSHOP

Refuge Names

COMMON NAME Scientific Name River Darter Cahaba Cahaba Wheeler (AL side) (AL Longleaf Key Cave Fern Cave Fern Mountain Mountain Paint Rock Paint Watercress Watercress Sauta Cave

Cockle Elimia Elimia cochliaris P Compact Elimia Elimia showalteri O+ Domed Ancylid Rhodacme elatior P Engraved Elimia Elimia perstriata P O Lilyshoals Elimia Lilyshoals Elimia O+ Princess Elimia Elimia bellacrenata P Round-Rib Elimia Elimia nassula P Shortspire Hornsnail Pleurocera curta P Skirted Hornsnail Pleurocera pyrenella O+ Smooth Mudalia Leptoxis virgata U Walnut Elimia Elimia bellula P Delicate Spike Elliptio arctata P Alabama Cave Crayfish Cambarus jonesi O P P O P Coal Darter Percina brevicauda O+ Frecklebelly Madtom Noturus munitus Tuscumbia Darter Etheostoma tuscumbia O+ O+ Spring Pygmy Sunfish Elassoma alabamae O+ Appalachian Snaketail Ophiogomphus incurvatus O P P Cherokee Clubtail Gomphus consanguis P P Septima’s Clubtail Gomphus septima O+ Tennessee Forestfly Amphinemura mockfordi P Mountain River Cruiser Macromia margarita U U

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NORTHERN ALABAMA WORKSHOP

Refuge Names

COMMON NAME Scientific Name River Darter Cahaba Cahaba Wheeler (AL side) (AL Longleaf Key Cave Fern Cave Fern Mountain Mountain Paint Rock Paint Watercress Watercress Sauta Cave

Cobblestone Tiger Beetle Cicidela marginpennis U Hellbender (Eastern subspecies) Cryptobranchus alleganiensis alleganiensis U U Tennessee Cave Salamander Gyrinophilus palleucus O+ O+ P P P Green Salamander Aneides aeneus P P Southern Hognose Snake Heterodon simus U Gopher Frog Rana capito U Alabama Map Turtle Graptemys pulchra O Black Knobbed Sawback Turtle Graptemys nigrinoda O Alligator snapping turtle Macrochelys temminckii P Eastern Small-footed Myotis (NS-12 month) Myotis leibii P P P P P P P P Northern Long-eared Bat Myotis septentrionalis P P P P P P P P Rivergrass Calamovilfa arcuata U Southern Meadowrue Thalictrum debile U U U U White Fringeless Orchird Platanthera integrilabia O Georiga Rockcress Arabis georgiana O Georgia Aster Symphyotrium georgianum O Godfry’s Stitchwort Minuartia godfreyi U U U U

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Table 4 Species occurrence on each refuge considered in the Florida Keys refuge group workshop.

FLORIDA KEYS WORKSHOP

REFUGE NAMES COMMON NAME SCIENTIFIC NAME Key West National Key Deer Crocodile Lake

Miami blue butterfly Cyclargus thomasi bethunebakeri O+ U Bartram’s hairstreak butterfly Strymon acis bartrami O+ Florida leafwing butterfly Anaea troglodyta floridalis U Sawgrass (Klots) Skipper Euphyes pilatka klotsi O+ Florida Keys Mole Skink Plestiodon (Eumeces) egregius egregius O+ Striped Mud Turtle Kinosternon baurii pop.1 O+ Eastern Ribbonsnake Thamnophis sauritus pop.1 O+ Rim Rock Crowned Snake Tantilla oolitica O O Key Ring-necked Snake Diadophis puntatus acricus O+ Cape Sable thoroughwort Chromolaena frustrate O U U Consolea corallicola (note in NatureServe refers to Genus as Florida semiphore cactus O+ O Opuntia) Big Pine partridge pea Chamaecrista lieata var. keyensis O+ Blodgett’s silverbush Argythamnia blodgettii O Wedge spurge Chamaesyce deltoidea serpyllum O+ Sand flax Linum arenicola O+

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Table 5 Species occurrence on each refuge considered in the Peninsular Florida and Southern Georgia Coastal Plain refuge group workshop.

PENINSULAR FLORIDA AND SOUTHERN GEORGIA COASTAL PLAIN WORKSHOP

Blue Spring Hydrobe Snail Aphaostracon asthenes Freemouth Hydrobe Snail Aphaostracon chalarogyrus Wekiwa Hydrobe Snail Aphaostracon monas Dense Hydrobe Snail Aphaostracon pycnum (pycnus) Clifton Spring Hydrobe Snail Aphaostracon theiocrenetum Icketucknee (Ichetucknee) Floridobia mica Siltsnail Enterprise Siltsnail Floridobia monroensis Pygmy Siltsnail Floridobia parva Ponderosa (Ponderous) Floridobia ponderosa Siltsnail Wekiwa Siltsnail Floridobia wekiwae Florida Cave Amphipod Crangonyx grandimanus O

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PENINSULAR FLORIDA AND SOUTHERN GEORGIA COASTAL PLAIN WORKSHOP

COMMON NAME SCIENTIFIC NAME refuges St Johns St Cedar Keys Cedar Archie Carr Archie Banks Lake Loxahachee Egmont Key Egmont Okefenokee Hobe Sound Crystal River Crystal Merritt Island Pelican Island Pelican Lake Woodruff Lake Florida Panther Florida Chassahowitzka Lower Suwannee Lower St. Marks/Vincent St. Lake Wales Ridge Wales Lake Ten Thousand Islands Thousand Ten Ding –satellite Darling Everglades Headwaters Everglades Hobb’s Cave Amphipod Crangonyx hobbsi O Orlando Cave Crayfish Procambarus acherontis Silver Glen Springs Crayfish Procambarus attiguus Bigcheek Cave Crayfish Procambarus delicates Santa Fe Cave Crayfish Procambarus erythrops Orange Lake Cave Crayfish Procambarus franzi Coastal Lowland Cave Crayfish Procambarus leitheuseri P Florida (Alachua Light Fleeing) Procambarus lucifugus alachua P Cave Crayfish Florida (Withlacoochee)Cave Procambarus lucifugus U Crayfish lucifugus Putnam County Cave Crayfish Procambarus morrisi Pallid Cave Crayfish Procambarus pallidus Big Blue Spring Cave Crayfish Procambarus horsti P Woodville Karst Cave Crayfish Procambarus orcinus P Spider Cave Crayfish Troglocambarus maclanei P P American eel Anguilla rostrata O O O O O O O O O P O U O O O O O O O Highlands tiger beetle Cicindela highlandensis O+ Duke’s Skipper (Calhoun’s Euphyes dukesi calhouni locally occurring subspp., may O O P P P be full species)

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PENINSULAR FLORIDA AND SOUTHERN GEORGIA COASTAL PLAIN WORKSHOP

COMMON NAME SCIENTIFIC NAME refuges St Johns St Cedar Keys Cedar Archie Carr Archie Banks Lake Loxahachee Egmont Key Egmont Okefenokee Hobe Sound Crystal River Crystal Merritt Island Pelican Island Pelican Lake Woodruff Lake Florida Panther Florida Chassahowitzka Lower Suwannee Lower St. Marks/Vincent St. Lake Wales Ridge Wales Lake Ten Thousand Islands Thousand Ten Ding –satellite Darling Everglades Headwaters Everglades Little Oecetis Longhorn Oecetis parva O P P Caddisfly Purple Skimmer Libellula jesseana P Gopher Frog Lithobates capito O O O U O O U U Striped Newt Notopthalmus perstriatus O O P Gulf Hammock Dwarf Siren Pseudobranchus striatus U U lustricolus Alligator Snapping Turtle Macrochelys suwanniensis (Suwannee pop recently (formerly temminckii) P P O recognized as unique species) Eastern Diamondback Crotalus adamanteus O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O Rattlesnake Gopher tortoise Gopherus polyphemus O O O O O O O O O P O O O O P O O O O P Southern Hog-nosed Snake Heterdon simus O O O O O P P Florida Pine Snake Pituophis melanoleucus O O P O O P O P O P P O P mugitus Cedar Key Mole Skink Plestiodon (Eumeces) insularis O O+ + Florida Scrub Lizard Sceloporus woodsi O P O O O O Short-tailed Snake Stilosoma extenuatum P P P Florida Sandhill Crane Grus canadensis pratensis O O U O P O O O O O O O Black Rail Laterallus jamaicensis O O O O+ O

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PENINSULAR FLORIDA AND SOUTHERN GEORGIA COASTAL PLAIN WORKSHOP

Yellow Anisetree Illicium parviflorum P P P Lowland Loosestrife Lythrum flagellare U U U P P P U U

Narrowleaf Naiad Najas filifolia P Florida Willow Salix floridana P U O P U P P P U

Ocala Vetch Vicia ocalensis P Florida prairie clover Dalea carthagenensis var. floridana P P

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PENINSULAR FLORIDA AND SOUTHERN GEORGIA COASTAL PLAIN WORKSHOP

Big Cypress Epidendrum Epidendrum strobiliferum P P P Clam-shell Orchid Encyclia cochleata var. triandra P P P

Narowleaf Carolina Scalystem Elytraria caroliniensis var. angustifolia P P P P Spotted Turtle Clemmys guttata O O O Godfrey’s Privet Forestiera godfreyi U P P P P P Carolina’s Birds-in-a-nest Macbridea caroliniana U U Purple Honeycombhead Balduina atropurpurea P Ciliate Tick-seed Coreopsis integrifolia U U Raven’s Seedbox Luwigia ravenii U One-toed Amphiuma Amphiuma pholeter P P

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Table 6 Species occurrence on each refuge considered in the West Tennessee refuge group workshop.

WEST TENNESSEE WORKSHOP

REFUGE NAMES

COMMON NAME SCIENTIFIC NAME Tennessee Lower Cross Creek Chickasaw Hatchie Clarks River NWR Hatchie

Helmet Rocksnail Lithasia duttoniana P Hardin Crayfish Orconectes wrighti P Hatchie Burrowing Crayfish Fallicambarus hortoni P Barren’s Topminnow Fundulus julisia U Pyramid Pigtoe Pleurobema rubrum U U Slabside pearlymussel Pleuronaia dolabelloides U Salamander mussel Simpsonaias ambigua P P Shortspire Hornsnail Pleurocera curta U U Northern Long-eared Myotis Myotis septentrionalis P P P P P O Rabbitsfoot Quadrula cylindrica cylindrica P Piebald Madtom Notorus gladiator P P P Round Hickorynut Obovaria subrotunda U Salamander mussel Simpsonaias ambigua U Longsolid, Longsolid Naiad, Long Solid Fusconaia subrotunda U Mussel, Long Solid Naiad Pink Mucket Lampsilis abrupta U Rabbitsfoot Quadrula cylindrica cylindrical U Pyramid Pigtoe Pleurobema rubrum U Short Spiral Hair snail Pleurocera curta U

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Table 7 Species occurrence on each refuge considered in the East Gulf Coast refuge group workshop.

EAST GULF COAST WORKSHOP

REFUGE NAMES

COMMON NAME SCIENTIFIC NAME Marsh Bayou Bayou Eufaula Sauvage Choctaw Noxubee Mississippi Bay Grand Big Branch Bon Secour Bogue Chitto Sandhill Crane One-Toed Amphiuma Amphiuma pholeter O P Least Crayfish Cambarellus diminutus O O Angular Dwarf Crayfish Cambarellus lesliei P P Burrowing Bog Crayfish Fallicambarus burrisi P P Speckled Burrowing Crayfish Fallicambarus danielae O O Tombigbee Riverlet Crayfish Hobbseus petilus U Mississippi Flatwoods Crayfish Procambarus cometes P Spinytail Crayfish Procambarus fitzpatricki O Bearded Red Crayfish Procambarus pogum U Southern Snaketail Ophiogomphus australis P P Bluestripe shiner Cyprinella callitaenia O Saltmarsh topminnow Fundulus jenkinsi O P Broadstripe Shiner Pteronotropis euryzonus O Frecklebelly Madtom Noturus munitus P Southern Elktoe Alasmidonta triangulata U Rayed Creekshell Anodontoides radiatus U Brother Spike Elliptio fraterna U Inflated Spike Elliptio purpurella U Alabama Hickorynut Obovaria unicolor U U U U Barbour’s Map Turtle Graptemys barbouri O

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EAST GULF COAST WORKSHOP

REFUGE NAMES

COMMON NAME SCIENTIFIC NAME Marsh Bayou Bayou Eufaula Sauvage Choctaw Noxubee Mississippi Bay Grand Big Branch Bon Secour Bogue Chitto Sandhill Crane Pascagoula Map Turtle Graptemys gibbonsi P Black-knobbed Map Turtle Graptemys nigrinoda O O Alabama Map Turtle Graptemys pulchra O O Pearl River Map Turtle Graptemys pearlensis P Cylinder Elimia Elimia cylindracea U Impressed-nerved Sedge Carex impressinervia P P P Elliott’s Croton Croton elliottii O O P Yellow-sided Clubtail Stylurus potulentus O O Hairy-peduncled beakrush Rhynchospora crinipes U U U U U U U U U Boykin’s lobelia Lobelia boykinii P O Southern Meadow-rue Thalictrum debile P Bog Spicebush Lindera subcoriacea O O Gopher tortoise Gopherus polyphemus U O Eastern Diamondback Rattlesnake Crotalus adamanteus O O O O O Southern Hog-nosed Snake Heterdon simus P P P P Florida Pine Snake Pituophis melanoleucus mugitus P Crested Rivulet Crayfish Hobbseus cristatus Alligator Snapping Turtle Macrochelys temminickii O O O O O P O O O Black Pine Snake Pituophis melanoleucus U U Apalachicola Floater Anodonta heardi O

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Table 8 Species occurrence on each refuge considered in the Carolinas and Coastal Georgia refuge group workshop.

CAROLINAS AND COASTAL GEORGIA WORKSHOP

REFUGE NAMES

COMMON NAME SCIENTIFIC NAME Tybee Santee Pee Dee Pee Currituck Ace Basin Ace Savannah Pea Island Pea Waccamaw Wolf Island Wolf Harris Neck Cedar Island Cedar Swanquarter McKay Island McKay Cape Romain Cape Pocosin Lakes Pocosin Alligator River Alligator Wassaw Island Wassaw Roanoke River Roanoke Mattamuskeet Pinckney Island Pinckney Blackbeard Island Carolina Snadhills Carolina Tidewater Amphipod Stygobromus indentatus U U Chowanoke Crayfish Orconectes virginiensis O+ Carolina Pygmy Sunfish Elassoma boehlkei O+ P Robust Redhorse Moxostoma robustum O P U U O Blueback herring Alosa aestivalis O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O Alewife Alosa pseudoharengus O O O O O O O O American eel Anguilla rostrata O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O Waccamaw Fatmucket Lampsilis fullerkati Savannah Lilliput Toxolasma pullus O O O O Atlantic Pigtoe Fusconaia masoni P U U U Brook Floater Alasmidonta varicosa O O O O O O O O O O O Green Floater Lasmigona subviridis O Orangefin Madtom Noturus gilberti W MacGillivray’s Seaside Ammodrammus maritimus O O O O O O O O O O Sparrow macgillivraii Black Rail Laterallus jamaicensis P P P P P O+ P O P O P P P P P Red Knot (Western Calidris canutus rufa O O O+ O O O Atlantic populations)

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CAROLINAS AND COASTAL GEORGIA WORKSHOP

REFUGE NAMES

Northern Red-bellied Pseudemys rubriventris O O O O O O O O O Cooter

Spotted Turtle Clemmys guttata O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O

Gopher Frog Lithobates capito U U U U U U Gopher tortoise Gopherus polyphemus O Eastern Diamondback Crotalus adamanteus O O O O O O O O O Rattlesnake Southern Hog-nosed Heterdon simus U Snake Pituophis melanoleucus Florida Pine Snake O mugitus Carolina Birds-in-a-nest Macbridea caroliniana U Purple Balduina (Purpledisk honey Balduina atropurpurea U combhead)

Godfry’s Privet Forestiera godfreyi P O

Ocmulgee Skullcap Scutellaria ocmulgee O

Ciliate-leaf Tickseed Coreopsis integrifolia U U U U

23 At-Risk Species Assessment on Southeastern Refuges

CAROLINAS AND COASTAL GEORGIA WORKSHOP

REFUGE NAMES

Septima’s Clubtail Gomphus septima P Say’s Spiketail Cordulegaster sayi P Ophiogomphus edmundo Edmund’s snaketail P

24 At-Risk Species Assessment on Southeastern Refuges

Table 9 Species occurrence on each refuge considered in the Southern Blue Ridge and Georgia Piedmont Refuge group workshop.

SOUTHERN BLUE RIDGE AND GEORGIA PIEDMONT REFUGE GROUP

REFUGE NAMES

COMMON NAME SCIENTIFIC NAME Conasauga River Mountain Bogs Piedmont Bond Swamp (Proposed) Green salamander Aneides aeneus O A hornwort Megaceros aenigmaticus O A liverwort Plagiochila caduciloba O Seepage salamander (R) Desmognathus aeneus O South Mountain Gray-cheeked Salamander Plethodon meridianus O+ Eastern hellbender Cryptobranchus alleganiensis O U Purple pitcher plant Sarracenia purpurea var. montana O+ Carolina hemlock Tsuga caroliniana O White-fringeless orchid Platanthera integrilabia U Edmund’s Snaketail Ophiogomphus edmundo O Holiday Darter Etheostoma brevirostrum O+ Conasauga Blue Burrower Cambarus cymatilis O Bridled Darter Percina kusha O+ Altamaha Shiner Cyprinella xaenura O O Ocmulgee Skullcap Scutellaria ocmulgee P P Small-headed Pipewort Eriocaulon koernickianum P Northern Long-eared Myotis Myotis septentrionalis O P Savannah Lilliput Toxolasma pullus P Delicate Spike Elliptio arctata O Chamberlain’s Dwarf Salamander Eurycea chamberlaini U U Trispot Darter Etheostoma trisella O+

25 At-Risk Species Assessment on Southeastern Refuges

SOUTHERN BLUE RIDGE AND GEORGIA PIEDMONT REFUGE GROUP

REFUGE NAMES

COMMON NAME SCIENTIFIC NAME Conasauga River Mountain Bogs Piedmont Bond Swamp (Proposed) Coosa Creekshell Villosa umbrans O Alabama Spike Elliptio arca O Eastern Small-footed Myotis (R) Myotis leibii O Cherokee Clubtail Gomphus consanguis P Alabama Rainbow Villosa nebulosa O Frecklebelly Madtom Noturus munitus O Golden-winged Warbler Vermivora chrysoptera O American eel Anguilla rostrata P P P P Weller’s Salamander Plethodon welleri P Chauga crayfish Cambarus chaugaensis O

26 At-Risk Species Assessment on Southeastern Refuges

Table 10 Species occurrence on each refuge considered in the Lower Mississippi Valley refuge group workshop.

LOWER MISSISSIPPI VALLEY REFUGE GROUP

REFUGE NAMES

COMMON NAME SCIENTIFIC NAME Complex Red River Cat Island Cat Coldwater D’Arbonne Pond Creek Pond White River White Tensas River- Tensas Lake Ophelia Lake Bayou Cocodrie Bayou Upper Ouachita- Sabine-Cameron Prairie-Laccasine St. Catherine Creek- Creek- Catherine St. Theodore Roosevelt Roosevelt Theodore Felsenthal/Overflow- Big Lake -Wappanocca Big Lake Atchafalaya-Mandalay Cache River-Bald Knob River-Bald Cache Catahoula-Grand Cote- Catahoula-Grand Dahomey-Tallahatchie- Holla Bend-Logan Cave Bend-Logan Holla

Calcasieu Crayfish Orconectes blacki P Louisiana Eyed Silkmoth Automeris louisiana O Slenderwrist Burrowing Crayfish Fallicambarus petilicarpus P Saline Burrowing Crayfish Fallicambarus strawni P Regal Burrowing Crayfish Procambarus regalis P Western Fanshell Cyprogenia aberti P Purple Lilliput Toxolasma lividus P P P P Pyramid Pigtoe Pleurobema rubrum P P P P P Piebald Madtom Noturus gladiator P P Bluehead Shiner Pteronotropis hubbsi P P P Rocky Shiner Notropis suttkusi P Peppered Shiner Notropis perpallidus P

27 At-Risk Species Assessment on Southeastern Refuges

LOWER MISSISSIPPI VALLEY REFUGE GROUP

REFUGE NAMES

Longnose Darter Percina nasuta O American eel Anguilla rostrata P P P P P P P P P P P P P P P Western Chicken Turtle Deirochelys reticularia miaria P P P P P P P P P P P P P P Alligator Snapping Turtle Macrochelys temminickii P P P P P P P P P P P P P P O Illinois Chorus Frog Pseudacris illinoensis P Northern Long-eared Myotis Myotis septentrionalis O P P P P P P P P P P Eastern Small-footed Myotis Myotis leibii O

28 At-Risk Species Assessment on Southeastern Refuges

Table 11 Species occurrence on each refuge considered to have significant at risk species populations.

Workshop Refuge Speecies Name Scientific Name

Key Cave Tuscumbia Darter Etheostoma tuscumbia

Ample Elimia Elimia ampla

Compact Elimia Elimia showalteri

Cahaba River Lilyshoals Elimia Lilyshoals Elimia

Septima’s Clubtail Gomphus septima Northern Alabama Coal Darter Percina brevicauda Workshop Tuscumbia Darter Etheostoma tuscumbia

Skirted Hornsnail Pleurocera pyrenella Wheeler Spring Pygmy Sunfish Elassoma alabamae

Tennessee Cave Salamander Gyrinophilus palleucus

Sauta Cave Tennessee Cave Salamander Gyrinophilus palleucus

29 At-Risk Species Assessment on Southeastern Refuges

Workshop Refuge Speecies Name Scientific Name

Key West Miami blue butterfly (L) Cyclargus thomasi bethunebakeri

Bartram’s hairstreak butterfly (L) Strymon acis bartrami

Sawgrass (Klots) Skipper Euphyes pilatka klotsi

Florida Keys Mole Skink Plestiodon (Eumeces) egregius egregius

Striped Mud Turtle (R) Kinosternon baurii pop.1

Florida Keys Workshop Eastern Ribbonsnake Thamnophis sauritus pop.1 National Key Deer Key Ringnecked Snake Diadophis puntatus acricus

Florida semiphore cactus (L) Consolea corallicola

Big Pine partridge pea Chamaecrista lieata var. keyensis

Wedge spurge Chamaesyce deltoidea serpyllum

Sand Flax Linum arenicola

Lake Wales Ridge Highlands tiger beetle Cicindela highlandensis

Cedar Keys Cedar Key Mole Skink Plestiodon (Eumeces) insularis

Lower Suwannee Cedar Key Mole Skink Plestiodon (Eumeces) insularis Penisular Florida and Southern Georgia Workshop St. Johns Black Rail Laterallus jamaicensis

Sanibel Island Oryzomys or Marsh Rice Rat Oryzomys palustris pop.2 Ding Darling and satellite refuges Insular Cotton Rat Sigmodon hispidus insulicola

30 At-Risk Species Assessment on Southeastern Refuges

Workshop Refuge Speecies Name Scientific Name

Roanoke River Chowanoke Crayfish Orconectes virginiensis Carolinas and Coastal Cedar Island Black Rail Laterallus jamaicensis Georgia Workshop Cape Romain Red Knot (Western Atlantic populations) Calidris canutus rufa

Purple pitcher plant Sarracenia purpurea var. montana Mountain Bogs

South Mountain Gray-cheeked Salamander Plethodon meridianus Southern Blue Ridge and Georgia Piedmont Refuge Holiday Darter Etheostoma brevirostrum Group Conasauga River (Proposed) Bridled Darter Percina kusha

Trispot Darter Etheostoma trisella

Lake Wales Ridge Highlands tiger beetle Cicindela highlandensis

Cedar Keys Cedar Key Mole Skink Plestiodon (Eumeces) insularis

Lower Suwannee Cedar Key Mole Skink Plestiodon (Eumeces) insularis Penisular Florida and Southern Georgia Workshop St. Johns Black Rail Laterallus jamaicensis

Sanibel Island Oryzomys or Marsh Rice Rat Oryzomys palustris pop.2 Ding Darling and satellite refuges Insular Cotton Rat Sigmodon hispidus insulicola

31 At-Risk Species Assessment on Southeastern Refuges

At Risk Species Map delineates refuge tiers indicating refuges hosting significant at risk species populations (red dots) and the relative occurrence and known species occurrences or potential occurrences based on species’ habitat requirements and ranges in Refuge Groups.

32 At-Risk Species Assessment on Southeastern Refuges

33 Our deepest thanks to all who participated in this project

CORE PROJECT TEAM: Chuck Hunter, Chief, Division of Strategic Resource Management and Southeast Regional Refuge Biologist, National Wildlife Refuge System, USFWS Mike Chouinard, Senior Ecologist, Inventory & Monitoring Program, USFWS Mike Harris, At-Risk Species Coordinator, USFWS Southeast Region Dennis David, Project Manager/FL ECO Consulting, National Wildlife Refuge Association David Houghton, President, National Wildlife Refuge Association Anne Truslow, Vice President, National Wildlife Refuge Association Kayla David, Conservation Intern, National Wildlife Refuge Association Joe Guthrie, Consultant, National Wildlife Refuge Association

For more information, please contact the National Wildlife Refuge Association

1001 Connecticut Avenue NW, Suite 905, Washington, DC 20036 • 202-417-3803 • www.refugeassociation.org