8632 Federal Register / Vol. 77, No. 30 / Tuesday, February 14, 2012 / Rules and Regulations DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR Species Information are swollen, turned forward and inward, and extended above the hingeline Rayed Bean Fish and Wildlife Service (Cummings and Mayer 1992, p. 162). The rayed bean is a small mussel, Beak sculpture consists of three or four 50 CFR Part 17 usually less than 1.5 inches (in) (3.8 faint, double-looped bars (Cummings centimeters (cm)) in length (Cummings and Mayer 1992, p. 162; Parmalee and [Docket No. FWS–R3–ES–2010–0019; and Mayer 1992, p. 142; Parmalee and Bogan 1998, p. 108). The anterior end of 4500030113] Bogan 1998, p. 244; West et al. 2000, p. the shell is rounded, and the posterior 248). The shell outline is elongate or end is truncated, highly so in females. ovate in males and elliptical in females, RIN 1018–AV96 The posterior ridge is prominent, being and moderately inflated in both sexes, high and rounded, while the posterior Endangered and Threatened Wildlife but more so in females (Parmalee and slope is widely flattened. The posterior and Plants; Determination of Bogan 1998, p. 244). The valves are ridge and slope in females is covered Endangered Status for the Rayed Bean thick and solid. The anterior end is with fine ridges and grooves, and the and Snuffbox Mussels Throughout rounded in females and bluntly pointed posterioventral shell edge is finely Their Ranges in males (Cummings and Mayer 1992, p. toothed (Cummings and Mayer 1992, p. 142). Females are generally smaller than 162). When females are viewed from a AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service, males (Parmalee and Bogan 1998, p. dorsal or ventral perspective, the Interior. 244). Dorsally, the shell margin is convergence of the two valves on the ACTION: Final rule. straight, while the ventral margin is posterior slope is nearly straight due to straight to slightly curved (Cummings being highly inflated. This gives the SUMMARY: We, the U.S. Fish and and Mayer 1992, p. 142). The beaks are female snuffbox a unique, broadly Wildlife Service (Service), determine slightly elevated above the hingeline lanceolate or cordate perspective when endangered status for the rayed bean (West et al. 2000, p. 248), with sculpture viewed at the substrate and water (Villosa fabalis) and snuffbox consisting of double loops with some column interface (Ortmann 1919, p. 329; (Epioblasma triquetra) mussels nodules (Parmalee and Bogan 1998, p. van der Schalie 1932, p. 104). The throughout their ranges, under the 244). No posterior ridge is evident. ventral margin is slightly rounded in Endangered Species Act of 1973, as Surface texture is smooth and sub- males and nearly straight in females. amended (Act). shiny, and green, yellowish-green, or Females have recurved denticles DATES: This rule becomes effective on brown in color, with numerous, wavy, (downward curved tooth-like structures) March 15, 2012. dark-green rays of various widths on the posterior shell margin that aid in (sometimes obscure in older, blackened ADDRESSES: This final rule is available holding host fish (Barnhart 2008, p. 1). specimens) (Cummings and Mayer 1992, on the Internet at http:// The periostracum (external shell p. 142; West et al. 2000, p. 248). www.regulations.gov at Docket Number surface) is generally smooth and Internally, the left valve has two FWS–R3–ES–2010–0019. Comments yellowish or yellowish-green in young pseudocardinal teeth (tooth-like and materials received, as well as individuals, becoming darker with age. structures along the hingeline of the supporting documentation used in Green, squarish, triangular, or chevron- internal portion of the shell) that are preparing this final rule are available for shaped marks cover the umbone (the triangular, relatively heavy, and large, public inspection, by appointment, inflated area of the shell along the and two short, heavy lateral teeth dorsal margin), but become poorly during normal business hours, at the (Cummings and Mayer 1992, p. 142). U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, delineated stripes with age. Internally, The right valve has a low, triangular the left valve has two high, thin, Columbus Ecological Services Field pseudocardinal tooth, with possibly Office, 4625 Morse Road, Suite 104, triangular, emarginate pseudocardinal smaller secondary teeth anteriorly and teeth (the front tooth being thinner than Columbus, OH 43230; phone 614–416– posteriorly, and a short, heavy, and 8993; facsimile 614–416–8994. the back tooth) and two short, strong, somewhat elevated lateral tooth slightly curved, and finely striated FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: (Parmalee and Bogan 1998, p. 244). The lateral teeth. The right valve has a high, Angela Boyer, Endangered Species color of the nacre (mother-of-pearl) is triangular pseudocardinal tooth with a Coordinator, Columbus Ecological silvery white or bluish and iridescent single short, erect, and heavy lateral Services Field Office (see ADDRESSES). If posteriorly. Key characters useful for tooth. The interdentum (a flattened area you use a telecommunications devise distinguishing the rayed bean from between the pseudocardinal and lateral for the deaf (TDD), call the Federal other mussels are its small size, thick teeth) is absent, and the beak cavity is Information Relay Service (FIRS) at valves, unusually heavy teeth for a wide and deep. The color of the nacre 800–877–8339. small mussel, and color pattern is white, often with a silvery luster, and SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: (Cummings and Mayer 1992, p. 142). a gray-blue or gray-green tinge in the beak cavity. The soft anatomy was Background Snuffbox described by Oesch (1984, pp. 233–234) This document is a final rule to list as The snuffbox is a small- to medium- and Williams et al. (2008, p. 282). Key endangered the rayed bean (Villosa sized mussel, with males reaching up to characters useful for distinguishing the fabalis) and snuffbox (Epioblasma 2.8 in (7.0 cm) in length (Cummings and snuffbox from other species include its triquetra). Mayer 1992, p. 162; Parmalee and Bogan unique color pattern, shape (especially 1998, p. 108). The maximum length of in females), and high degree of inflation. Previous Federal Action females is about 1.8 in (4.5 cm) Federal actions for these species prior (Parmalee and Bogan 1998, p. 108). The Taxonomy to November 2, 2010, are outlined in our shape of the shell is somewhat The rayed bean is a member of the proposed rule for these actions (75 FR triangular (females), oblong, or ovate freshwater mussel family Unionidae and 67552). Publication of the proposed rule (males), with the valves solid, thick, and was originally described as Unio fabalis opened a 60-day comment period, very inflated. The beaks are located by Lea in 1831 (pp. 86–87). The type which ended on January 3, 2011. somewhat anterior of the middle, and locality (the location of the first VerDate Mar<15>2010 19:11 Feb 13, 2012 Jkt 226001 PO 00000 Frm 00002 Fmt 4701 Sfmt 4700 E:\FR\FM\14FER3.SGM 14FER3 mstockstill on DSK4VPTVN1PROD with RULES3 Federal Register / Vol. 77, No. 30 / Tuesday, February 14, 2012 / Rules and Regulations 8633 identified specimen) is the Ohio River employ foot (pedal) feeding, consuming 2000, p. 30; Sherman Mulcrone 2004, (Parmalee and Bogan 1998, p. 244), settled algae and detritus (Yeager et al. pp. 100–103). probably in the vicinity of Cincinnati, 1994, p. 221). Unionids have an unusual Habitat Characteristics Ohio. Over the years, the rayed bean has mode of reproduction. Their life cycle been placed in the genera Unio, includes a brief, obligatory parasitic The rayed bean is generally known Margarita, Margaron, Eurynia, stage on fish. Eggs develop into from smaller, headwater creeks, but Micromya, and Lemiox. It was microscopic larvae called glochidia occurrence records exist from larger ultimately placed in the genus Villosa within special gill chambers of the rivers (Cummings and Mayer 1992, p. by Stein (1963, p. 19), where it remains female mussel. The female expels the 142; Parmalee and Bogan 1998, p. 244). They are usually found in or near shoal today (Turgeon et al. 1998, p. 33). We mature glochidia, which must attach to or riffle (short, shallow length of stream recognize Unio capillus, U. lapillus, and the gills or the fins of an appropriate where the stream flows more rapidly) U. donacopsis as synonyms of Villosa fish host to complete development. Host areas, and in the shallow, wave-washed fabalis. fish specificity varies among unionids. The snuffbox is a member of the areas of glacial lakes, including Lake Some species appear to use a single freshwater mussel family Unionidae and Erie (West et al. 2000, p. 253). In Lake host, while others can transform on was described as Truncilla triqueter Erie, the species is generally associated several host species. Following (Rafinesque 1820, p. 300). The species with islands in the western portion of name was later changed to triquetra successful infestation, glochidia encyst the lake. Preferred substrates typically (Simpson 1900, p. 517), from the Latin (enclose in a cyst-like structure) and include gravel and sand. The rayed bean triquetrous meaning ‘‘having three acute drop off as newly transformed juveniles. is oftentimes found among vegetation angles,’’ a reference to the general shape For further information on freshwater (water willow (Justicia americana) and of the female. The type locality is the mussels, see Gordon and Layzer (1989, water milfoil (Myriophyllum sp.)) in and Falls of the Ohio (Ohio River, pp. 1–17). adjacent to riffles and shoals (Watters Louisville, Kentucky) (Parmalee and Mussel biologists know relatively 1988b, p. 15; West et al. 2000, p. 253). Bogan 1998, p. 108). The synonymy little about the specific life-history Specimens are typically buried among (scientific names used for the species) of requirements of the rayed bean and the the roots of the vegetation (Parmalee the snuffbox was summarized by snuffbox.