June 1982 vol. vn NO. 6 Department of interior. U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Technical Bulletin Endangered Species Program, Washington, D.C. 20240 Emergency Protection Approved for Two Ash Meadows Fishes An emergency rule listing as Endan- age that has occurred to the fragile area dace as Endangered therefore extends gered two fishes that occur only in Ash in recent years, Ash Meadows is still protection to all three levels of springs. Meadows, Nevada, was published in considered a relatively lush oasis in Protection did not come in time, how- the May 10 Federal Register and took what is now one of the most arid re- ever, for the Ash Meadows killifish effect immediately. The Ash Meadows gions of the world (average annual rain- (Empetrichthys merriami), which is now Amargosa pupfish (Cyprinodon neva- fall 70 mm). Hundreds of plant and ani- extinct. The Ash Meadows killifish was densis mionectes) and Ash Meadows mal species, many of them endemic to restricted to the same lower-elevation speckled dace (Rhinichthys osculus the area, are associated with the wet- springs that contain the two emergency- nevadensis) depend on maintenance of lands and depend on them for survival. listed fishes, but it was eliminated by their fragile spring habitat in the Mohave Both the Ash Meadows speckled predation from exotic species. Other Desert. A large residential and agricul- dace and Ash Meadows Amargosa members of the genus Empetrichthys tural development in the area poses an pupfish are restricted to the area's have also been extirpated from their imminent threat to the species' survival. larger warmwater (24° to 30°C) springs Nevada spring habitats. The Pahrump Under the temporary listing, protection and related outflows. Unfortunately, killifish (Empetrichthys iatos latos), also for the fishes and their habitats will ex- many of the area's aquatic habitats an Endangered species, is the only sur- tend for 240 days (until January 5, have been degraded or lost altogether viving member of the genus. Develop- 1983), giving the Service time to pro- in recent years. Another Ash Meadows ment of Pahrump Valley, which is next ceed with a permanent rulemaking. species, the Devils Hole pupfish (Cypr- to Ash Meadows, caused the failure of inodon diabolis), is endemic to a water- the only spring containing the Pahrump Unique and Diverse Ecosystem filled limestone cavern and was listed killifish and it now exists only in refugia. Ash Meadows, an intermontane val- as Endangered in 1967. Three years The Ash Meadows region also has an ley located about 110 kilometers north- later, the Warm Springs pupfish (Cypr- extraordinarily diverse freshwater mol- west of Las Vegas, is a unique and di- inodon nevadensis pectoralis), which lusk fauna, which is currently being verse desert wetland ecosystem made inhabits the small middle-elevation studied by Dr. Dwight Taylor of Tiburon, up of several dozen springs and seeps springs, joined it on the Endangered list. California. Of special interest are two dotting an irregular north-south contour Listing the Ash Meadows Amargosa species complexes of snails which are line for approximately 16 km. During the pupfish and Ash Meadows speckled Continued on page 3 Pleistocene Epoch, the area was cov- ered by an extensive system of inter- connecting rivers and lakes. As the cli- mate changed and the surface waters House and Senate Pass gradually receded, the fishes and other aquatic species of the region were left Reauthorization Bills stranded in the remaining springs and their associated outflows. These springs Two bills which further amend and • streamline the exemption process; were isolated in three stages. Devil's reauthorize the Endangered Species • establish new criteria for the ex- Hole, located at the highest elevation, Act of 1973 were passed by the U.S. port of Appendix II species under was isolated first, followed by a series House of Representatives and the the Convention on International of small middle-elevation springs. The U.S. Senate on June 8 and 9, 1982, Trade in Endangered Species of larger, lower-elevation springs were iso- respectively. H.R. 6133 and S.2309 Wild Fauna and Flora; and lated last, and it is these springs that will next go to a Congressional Joint provide habitat for the two fishes cov- Committee for resolution of dif- • reauthorize the Act for 3 years. ered by the emergency rule. All of these ferences. A complete analysis of the final wetlands are fed by a local aquifer Both bills contain amendments to: 1982 Amendments of the Endan- consisting of "fossil water" that entered • speed up the listing process, gered Species Act will be given in a the ground-water system more than • allow for "experimental pop- future issue of the BULLETIN. For 10,000 years ago. ulations;" background information on the The organisms of the region evolved • provide for more involvement of amendments listed above, consult in isolated waters, adapting to their indi- permit and license applicants in the January, March, and May 1982 vidual habitats and undergoing a high the consultation process; issues of the BULLETIN. degree of speciation. Despite the dam- Habitat Conservation Plan and Endan- gered Species Section 10(a) Permit, San Mateo County, California (F.R. 4/6/82). The proposed Federal permit would be for taking of Endangered mis- sion blue butterflies (Plebejus incari- does missionensis) incidental to imple- mentation of a conservation plan, which includes construction of residential housing on San Bruno Mountain. The habitat conservation plan is incorpo- rating various commitments from private landowners, local governments, and the Federal Government. It is designed to conserve and enhance as much of the remaining habitat as possible for the mission blue and other species of con- REGIONAL BRIEFS cern in the area, while allowing limited development that would not have signif- Endangered Species Program re- pair, and are optimistic about nesting icant adverse effects on the species. gional staffers have reported the fol- behavior exhibited by a third pair some Key elements of the plan will set aside lowing activities for the month of 45 miles away that indicates the possi- habitat favored by the butterfly, foster May: ble existence of another chick. The nest the growth of the butterfly's host plants, Region 1—The California condor of the third pair is in a cave and cannot reverse the invasion of competing brush (Gymnogyps californianus) is in the be seen well from the observation post, species, alter the initial construction news again. After witnessing the loss of but the biologists hope to be able to plans, and establish research/monitor- two eggs this season fronn one breeding confirm the possible chick in the future. ing programs. pair, biologists with the Condor Re- The Service has published a notice of On April 26th, the Fish and Wildlife search Center have confirmed the pres- intent to prepare an Environmental As- Service and University of California- ence of a chick produced by a second sessment on the San Bruno Mountain Berkeley botanists and pedologists (soil scientists) inspected the China Hat for- U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Region 3, Federal BIdg., Fort Snelling, mation north of Merced in Merced Washington, D.C. 20240 Twin Cities, MN 551 1 1 (612-725- County. This formation contains some Robert A. Jantzen, Director 3500): Harvey Nelson, Regional Di- of the oldest soils in California, nearly 3 (202-343-4717) rector; Daniel H. Bumgarner, Assist- million years in age. Moreover, China Ronald E. Lambertson ant Regional Director; James M. Associate Director and Engel, Endangered Species Hat has a mutlitude of mima mounds Endangered Species Program Manager Specialist. and vernal pools; the latter are season- (202)343-4646) Region 4, Richard B. Russell Federal ally wet depressions that harbor a John L. Spinks, Chief, BIdg., 75 Spring St., S.W., Atlanta, GA unique flora. Approximately 15 pools Office of Endangered Species 30303 (404-221-3583): James W. contained succulent owl's clover (Or- (703-235-2771) Pulliam, Regional Director; John thorcarpus campestris var. succulen- Richard Parsons, Chief, Christian, Assistant Regional Direc- tus), a Federal candidate for listing and Federal Wildlife Permit Office tor; Alex B. Montgomery, Endangered a State-listed endangered plant spe- Species Specialist. (703-235-1937) cies. This discovery significantly in- Clarl< R. Bavin, Chief, Region 5, Suite 700, One Gateway Cen- Division of Law Enforcement ter, Newton Corner, MA 02158 creased the known range of the plant. (202-343-9242) (617-965-5100): Howard Larsen, Re- U.C.-Berkeley researchers are at- TECHNICAL BULLETIN STAFF gional Director; Gordon T. Nightin- tempting to preserve a portion of this Clare Senecal Kearney, Editor gale, Assistant Regional Director; unique area. Michael Bender, Assistant Editor Paul Nickerson, Endangered Species Region 2—For the second time in 2 (703-235-2407) Specialist. years, the captive female Mexican wolf Regional Offices Region 1, Suite 1692, Lloyd 500 BIdg., Region 6, P.O. Box 25486, Denver Fed- (Canis lupus baileyi) at the Wild Canid 500 N.E. Multnomah St., Portland, OR eral Center, Denver, CO 80225 Survival and Research Center at St. 97232 (503-231-61 18): Richard J. (303-234-2209); Galen Buterbaugh, Louis, Missouri, has produced a litter of Myshak, Regional Director; Edward B. Regional Director; Charles E. Lane, pups. This year's litter includes 2 fe- Chamberlain, Assistant Regional Di- Assistant Regional Director; Don males, bringing the total number of rector, Sanford R. Wilbur, Endan- Rodgers, Endangered Species Mexican wolves in captivity to 12, half of Specialist. gered Species Specialist. which are females. Region 2, P.O. Box 1306, Albuquerque, Region 7, 1101 E. Tudor Rd., Anchor- The red wolf (Canis rufus) captive NM 87103 (505-766-2321): Michael J. age, AK 99503 (907-276-3800, ext.