Bulletin Ala an a t seu of at ral istory !' I " <0 1'- ~ ~ ... lQ ~ ~ ~ ,..0 0 --+-J U 0 ....~ " BULLETIN ALABAMA MUSEUM NATURAL HISTORY is published by the Alabama Museum of Natural History, The University of Alabama. The BULLETIN is devoted primarily to the subjects of Anthropology, Archaeology, Botany, Geology and Zoology of the Southeast. The BULLETIN will appear irregularly in consecutively numbered issues. Manuscripts of 100 to 200 pages are desirable, and will be evaluated by the editor and by an editorial committee selected for each paper. Authors are requested to conform with the CBE Style Manual, 3rd edition, 1972, published by the American Insti tute of Biological Science, Washington, D.C. An abstract not exceeding three percent of the original text or four pages must accompany the manuscript. For information and policy on exchanges, write to the Librarian, The University of Alabama, Box S, University, AI. 35486. Numbers may be purchased individually; standing orders are accepted. Re­ mittances should accompany orders and made payable to The University of Alabama. Communication concerning manuscripts, editorial policy, and orders for incli­ vidual numbers should be addressed to the editor: Herbert Boschung Alabama Museum of Natural History The University of Alabama Box 5897 University, Alabama 35486 When citing this publication authors are requested to use the following abbre­ viation: Bull. Alabama Mus. Nat. Hist. Price this number: $5.00 Cover: Cahaba RIver, photo by Patrick O'Neil BULLETIN ALABAMA MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY NUMBER 2 Endangered and Threatened Plants and Anintals of Alabanta The results of a symposium sponsored by Game and Fish Division of the Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources and Alabama Museum of Natural History, The University of Alabama Herbert Boschung, editor THE UNIVERSITY OF ALABAMA UNIVERSITY, ALABAMA 1976 FOREWORD The Department of Conservation and Natural Resources recognizes the need for a current list of plant and animal life that, according to the best sources of information available, are endangered, threatened or of special concern within Alabama. This list provides the public and educational institutions with infor­ mation not previously obtainable on the status of certain species. It will also be of invaluable help in fulfilling the requirements for completing Environmental Impact Statements by various organizations and agencies who are planning projects that may alter the environment. Laws were not passed during the 1975 regular session of the Alabama Legisla­ ture which would allow the State of Alabama to comply with the Endangered Species Act of 1973; therefore, this list of threatened and endangered plants and animals is highly desirable for the purposes mentioned above. The Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources endorses this publication as the list of threatened and endangered species of plants and animals of Alabama. ~~ LA --'.-« • r- Claude D. Kelley, Commissioner May 31, 1976 CONTENTS INTRODUCTION. Herbert Boschung ............... .................................. .......... ... .. HISTORICAL REVIEW AND COMMENTS. Ralph L. Chermock ................ 2 PLANTS. Joab L. Thomas ................ .. ... ... ... ..... ......... .... .... ... .. ................ .. ...... .... ... 5 CRAYFISHES and SHRIM PS . Raymond W. Bouchard .. .. ................................ 13 GASTROPODS. Carol B. Stein .. ..... .. .......................... .21 NAIAD MOLLUSKS. David H. Stanshery ...... ... ... .. .................. .. .... .. .........42 FISHES. John S. Ramsey .. .. ....... .. .... .... .. ......... .. ..... ........................ .......................... 53 AMPHIBIANS and R EPTILES. Raben H. Mount . .. .. .. ....................... .. .. .. ..... 66 BIRDS. James E. Keeler ... .................. ... .. .... ........ .... .. ..... ........ ... ... .... 80 MAMMALS. Julian L. Dusi .. .. ............. .. ............................................. .. ............... 88 NUMBER 2, 1976 Introduction Herbert Boschung Director, Alabama Museum of Natural History The University of Alabama University, Alabama The first symposium, on endangered and threatened continued until the work was completed. Reports by the species in Alabama, was held at Birmingham-Southern chairpersons and open discussions were moderated by College in 1972. The results of the symposium, which Dr. George Folkerts on March 7 in a general assembly. only considered vertebrates, were edited by Mr. James At that time interested persons had the opportunity to Keeler and published by the Alabama Department of contribute additional information on species. Conservation and Natural Resources. Late in 1974, a Chairpersons were given the freedom to present their group of biologists in the State expressed a need to re­ material in the form they thought most appropriate. vise '~he 1972 list of endangered species and a Steering Consequently, as you read through the various sections, Committee was convened to organize a second sympos­ you will notice that the formats differ. Also the require­ ium. The committee consisted of Jack Brown, George ments of an abstract and an evaluation by an editorial Folkerts, Dan Holliman, James Keeler, Joab Thomas committee, as stated in the inside cover, were waived and myself. The duties of the Steering Committee were for this Bulletin of the Alabama Museum of Natural 1) to establish a time and place for the symposium, 2) to History. decide what group or organisms should be covered, 3) I wish to thank the participants in the symposium, .to establish definitions for the categories (see below), especially the chairpersons whose responsibility it was to and 4) to appoint a chairperson for each committee write the reports, for their fine cooperation in all (panel). matters pertaining to this publication. No one was paid The second symposium was held on !\'Iarch 6-7, 1975 at to participate in this endeavor, and in many cases the The University of Alabama, and was sponsored by the participants provided their time and expertise at great Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Re­ personal sacrifice. To these dedicated people we owe sources and The University of Alabama Museum of a debt of gratitude. I also wish to acknowledge the help Natural History. It brought together conservationists, of Dr. Jack Brown, University of North Alabama, for his professional biologists, teachers, students, and interested aid in editing some of the sections; however, I assume laymen for the purpose of establishing a list of en­ the responsibility for any edi torial errors. In addition to dangered and threatened species of plants and animals the Steering Committee, panel chairpersons and partici­ of Alabama for local, state, and federal agencies and pants, we thank Dr. David Mathews, President, The industries. University of Alabama; and Mr. Charles D. Kelley, The Steering Committee recognized the need to ex­ Director, Game and Fish Division, Alabama Department pand the scope of the second symposium to include of Conservation and Natural Resources, for their inter­ plants, mollusks, crayfishes and shrimps, in addition to esting remarks to the general assembly prior to the re­ the vertebrate species. It was necessary for the Steering ports of the panels and open discussions on March 7. Committee to establish precise definitions for the To Dr. George Folkerts, Auburn University, who did following terms: Species include subspecies and varieties. his usual fine job as moderator, we give our heartfelt Endangered species are those species in danger of ex­ thanks. tinction throughout all or a significant portion of their This publication is the result of the symposium and range in Alabama. Endangered species are those whose represents the best thinking and opinion of the various prospects for survival are in immediate jeopardy. An en­ panels regarding endangered and threatened species at dangered species must have help, or extinction and/or that time. A report of this kind is never current. As addi­ extirpation from Alabama will probably follow. Threat­ tional data on the biology and geography of species are ened species are those species which are likely to become available, we must continue to revise our opinions re­ endangered within the foreseeable future throughout all garding the ability of a species to cope with the changing or a significant portion of their range in Alabama. environment. The fortune of some species will improve; SPecial cOl/cern are those species which must be con­ that of others will worsen. As time goes by it is our fond­ tinually monitored because eminent degrading factors, est hope that we will be able to delete species from the their limited distribution in Alabama or other physical list. About eighteen months have elapsed between the or biological characteristics may cause them to become symposium and this publication, and if these same panel threatened or endangered in the foreseeable future. members were in session today, the lists would be dif­ A chairperson for each of the eight subject groups, ferent. \'Ve should not allow too many years to pass be­ i. e., plants, fishes, etc., was -appointed and each in turn fore reconvening for the purpose of updating these re­ organized a panel of experts to participate in the panel ports and for considering expansion of the scope of the discussions and decision making processes. Each "work­ previous work to include geological formations and shop" session convened at 2:00 P.M. on March 6 and scenic areas. 2 BULLETIN