The Santa Cruz long-toed salamander

SANTA CRUZ LONG-TOED SALAMANDER STARTS TO BOUNCE BACK 

(ambystoma macrodactylum croceum)

by: Kathleen Sones

description and ecology

The Santa Cruz long-toed salamander is a four to six inch long salamander that is dark brown or black with dark yellow markings, and is endemic to a few small ponds and pools in Santa Cruz and Monterey counties. It is a member of the Ambystomatidae family and considered a subspecies of ambystoma macrodactylum.  The Santa Cruz long-toed salamander is often found underneath leaves or vegetation, among the roots of plants, in riparian vegetation, or in burrows they dig themselves or take after other animals have abandoned them. The Santa Cruz long-toed salamander likes these dark and damp habitats because they are protected from the sun. They forage for food on the surface of the soil, including slugs, worms, and beetles. Santa Cruz long-toed salamanders have specialized breeding habits, they only lay eggs on submerged plants in ponds. They migrate form their usual woodland habitat to the ponds for breeding during rainy, foggy, or misty times during November or December. 

geographic and population changes

The ponds that the Santa Cruz long-toed salamanders breed in are ephemeral, and don’t always completely fill up, and introduced mosquitofish and crayfish prey on their larvae, making breeding subject to stochasticity.  These are small problems compared to habitat destruction, though. Habitat destruction has significantly lowered the amount of habitats for the Santa Cruz long-toed salamander, as well as changed the migration corridors they use to reach the ponds where they breed, and some subpopulations have become isolated. The expansion of Highway 1 into a freeway destroyed a breeding pond. Currently, the Santa Cruz long-toed salamander exists in three metapopulations: Southern/Moro Cojo, Central/McClusky Slough, and Northern/Santa Cruz County. The northern metapopulation’s breeding sites are widely spread out, so it has four subpopulations Valencia Seascape, Larkins Valley, Ellicott/Buena Vista, and Pleasant Valley/Corralitos. 

listing info/cause and main threats past and present

The Santa Cruz long-toed salamander has been considered endangered since before the Endangered Species Act, it was listed as federally endangered in 1968. Further habitat destruction threatened their population even more. When Highway 1 was converted into freeway in 1969, the Valencia Lagoon breeding pond was destroyed, and Elliott Slough was threatened with development into a mobile home park in the early seventies. At the time, Ellicott Slough was the only other known breeding pond. With this at risk, the Santa Cruz long-toed salamander was listed by the State of California as endangered in 1971. The most current version of its recovery plan is dated July 2,1999, and it is listed as endangered. Habitat destruction continues to be the main problem facing the Santa Cruz long-toed salamander. Urbanization has effected every meta- and subpopulation, with agriculture and exotic plants also being problematic in many areas.

description of recovery plan

 The recovery plan aims to get the Santa Cruz long-toed salamander down-listed to threatened, and then delisted all together. To be delisted, the breeding populations must have an equal sex ratios and be at 2,600 at Valencia Lagoon and 6,500 at Ellicott Slough for at least ten years. The plan calls to keep the breeding ponds intact and functional by restoring the destroyed Valencia pond, maintain current ponds, acquire and protect new ponds, develop agreements with landowners to protect the ponds, and establish conservation easements to prevent people form disturbing the ponds.  The plan also calls to improve the upland habitats where the salamanders live when not breeding, by protecting the land, and improving the current areas and restoring new ones by removing exotic plants and replacing them with native ones, and controlling erosion. The Natural Resources Conservation Service is helping with these efforts. The plan also calls to extend Salamander Protection Zones in Santa Cruz County.  The plan seems to be working well. In 2011, Santa Cruz long-toed salamander populations began to grow in the Elkhorn Slough, and in 2013, two new breeding sites were discovered there.  According to the Recovery Plan Action Status, many ponds have been restored and some new ones have been added. 

Sources:

http://ecos.fws.gov/roar/pub/planImplementationStatus.action?documentId=400012&entityId=188

http://ecos.fws.gov/speciesProfile/profile/speciesProfile?spcode=D000

http://www.santacruzsentinel.com/general-news/20110729/habitat-restoration-improves-chances-for-rare-salamander

http://www.elkhornslough.org/sloughlife/herps/sclts.htm#update130503

Image Sources:

http://www.californiaherps.com/salamanders/pages/a.m.croceum.html

http://sightings.elkhornslough.org/2009/01/24/santa-cruz-long-toed-salamander/

Pygmy Rabbit Recovery Plan Explored: Not Such a Pygmy Problem by Kody Riewthong

Pygmy Rabbit Recovery Plan Explored:

Not Such a Pygmy Problem

by Kody Riewthong

Background:
     The Pygmy Rabbit, also known as Brachylagus idahoensis, was listed as an endangered species in 2003.  Standing at a mere 9.3 to 11.7 inches, the pygmy rabbit hails from the Columbian Basin ecosystem spreading from northern Oregon through eastern Washington.  The pygmy rabbit can be found frolicking (but not so much anymore) within areas of tall and dense sagebrush.  Tall sagebrush is its main source of shelter and diet, with its winter diet booming to 99% of solely sagebrush.  As a k-selected species, these rabbits breed at a very young age.  Breeding is highly dependent on female readiness as each prospective offspring bearer can only reproduce a year after each birth with a yield of 3 litters on average.  Sadly, the short lifespan, ranging from three to five years, is highly credited to predation (Weasels, Coyotes, Red foxes, Long-eared Owl, etc.), which ultimately lead to its endangered state.

Geographic Change:
     The pygmy rabbit has never been distributed continuously in its own range in its history on the North American continent.  However, they can be found wherever there is suitable habitat across the landscape.  Due to much human disturbance (crop production, grazing, fire, etc,) habitable patches often shift making room for more matrices often inhabitable, leaving these small rabbits without any cover or protection from predators.    Prior to human settlement in the Western U.S., dense plains of sagebrush and alluvial fans combined for good travel corridors from habitat to habitat.  Since then, it has been a downward spiral for Pygmy Rabbits looking for habitable environments to settle in.


Endangerment:
        Pygmy Rabbits face a number of factors that lead to the decline of its already small species, but the increasing fragmentation of native shrub habitats due to agricultural expansion is number one on the list.  However, as far as any endangered species becomes endangered, there is a threshold that a species hits, and from that point on, many other factors such as predation, disease, genetic homogeneity, and inbreeding depression exponentially increase the endangerment of the species.


The Pygmy Rabbit was emergency listed as endangered in 2001 in the Columbia Basin.

Recovery Plan: 
        The Department of Fish and Wildlife Services outlines three phrases of its recovery strategy in its attempt to bring this species back :

1. Removal or abatement of imminent threats in order to prevent the extinction of the Columbia Basin pygmy rabbit;
2. reestablishment of an appropriate number and distribution of free-ranging sub-populations; and
3. establishment and protection of a sufficiently resilient, free-ranging population that would be expected to withstand foreseeable long-term threats.  

        At the forefront of endangerment for the Pygmy Rabbit, main threats to the emergency listing were loss of genetic diversity, inbreeding depression, small and declining population size,  and lack of viable habitats.  Due to swift action as a result of this emergency plan, the aforementioned threats to the Pygmy Rabbit have been lessened across the board.  As we have learned time and time again with species that go in and out of endangerment, and as the basis of conservation biology, it is important that we humans understand that it is the environment and the reasons behind habitat degradation in order to fully make a comeback with these Pygmy Rabbits; without suitable environments for this species to thrive in, then there is no way they will have any chance.  Moreover, it is a part of the Recovery Plan to put emphasis on recovery sites where these Pygmy Rabbits can have a long period of breeding in peace hopefully where many more of these mammals can thrive and be restored to its natural state in its natural habitat.  Currently in Washington, most once-suitable habitats have been altered to such states that they can longer provide for populations of Pygmy Rabbits.  Crops have grown in places that once housed burrows for Pygmy Rabbits, and overgrazing occurs where little sagebrush remains.  Unfortunately, there isn't a good outlook for these harmless little rabbits, although with the help of numerous recovery plans covering both short and long term goals, Pygmy Rabbits may once thrive again.


Sources:

• http://ecos.fws.gov/docs/recovery_plan/Columbia%20Basin%20Pygmy%20Rabbit%20Final%20RP.pdfmbia%20Basin%20Pygmy%20Rabbit%20Final%20RP.pdf
• http://www.fws.gov/nevada/nv_species/pygmy_rabbit.html
• http://wdfw.wa.gov/conservation/pygmy_rabbit/
• http://ecos.fws.gov/speciesProfile/profile/speciesProfile.action?spcode=A0GG
• http://wdfw.wa.gov/publications/01523/
• http://www.nwf.org/news-and-magazines/national-wildlife/animals/archives/2013/return-of-the-mighty-pygmy-rabbit.aspx

Casey's June Beetle- Oscar Rodriguez

Casey’s June Beetle (Dinacoma caseyi)

Ecology of Organism

The ecology of Casey’s June beetle starts underground. Beetles emerge from underground burrows between late March and early June, with abundance peaks occurring in April and May. Females don’t fly and only emerge briefly from underground at dusk to mate and after proceed underground to deposit eggs. Males are attracted to females by pheromones. A pheromone is a chemical substance released to the environment by an animal, affecting the behavior or physiology of others of its species (1). Adults can be abundant at high-density sites during good environmental conditions. The larval stage at this point as not been well studied (2).

Geographic and Population Changes

The known distribution of Casey's June beetle included a fan shape deposit of sediment built up by stream and debris flow, as well as, river wash areas within Palm Springs, CA. Most locality information specimens in collections specifies "Palm Springs" or simply Riverside County. Besides "Palm Springs" specimens there were also Palm Desert, Indian Wells, Palm Canyon which were

identified in all the western Coachella Valley east of the San Jacinto mountains. Casey's June beetle current known range is limited to southern portions of Palm Springs. Based on movement by humans in the habitat of the beetle, it has been seen that more likely only one remaining population located in Palm Springs (2).

Listing Date and Type of Listing

Casey's June beetle got listed as an endangered species on September 22, 2011.

Cause of listing and Main threats to its continued existence

Casey's June beetle is listed as an endangered species because of the decline of specimens in southern California. Main threats to Casey's June beetle is the present or threatened destruction, modification, or reducing its habitat or range. Residential and commercial development are the greatest threats to the habitat. Other natural or manmade factors affect its continued existence. Casey's June beetle is threatened by the increase intensity and frequency of catastrophic flood evens, environmental effects resulting from changing climatic patterns, loss of individuals due to foot, vehicle, and horse traffic, as well as soil disturbing activities. Also Casey's June beetle get lost due to attraction to pools and light sources. Males are attracted to light resulting in males getting trapped inside and dying (2).

Description of Recovery Plan

The primary objectives of the recovery plan is to survey and monitor rangewide to accurately document the population distribution, occupied habitat, and local threats. Second, is to protect the existing population in Palm Springs through acquisition and protection of existing occupied habitat. Third, is to implement projects specifically designed to ameliorate threats and inform management actions for recovery of Casey's June beetle. Finally, is to expand the current distribution through habitat restoration and species reintroduction (2).

(1) http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/232635.php

(2) http://ecos.fws.gov/docs/recovery_plan/CJB_Recovery_Outline_FINAL.pdf

Picture

http://war.wikipedia.org/wiki/Polyphylla_decemlineata

Northern Idaho Ground Squirrel: The Foundation of an Ecosystem begins at the Ground - Derek Seaman

Northern Idaho Ground Squirrel: The Foundation of an Ecosystem begins at the Ground - Derek Seaman

Summarize Description and Ecology of Organism

The Northern Idaho Ground Squirrel is among the smallest squirrels in length, at only 9 inches with a tail of one to two inches (Recovery Plan). They can be identified by their dark reddish-gray fur coat. Cold temperatures force this squirrel to consume lots of grass seed and other greens for hibernation periods. These squirrels are commonly found in mostly across Idaho.

This ground squirrel is not abundant in meadows that contain high densities of small trees and rocky areas that reside in dry soils (Sherman and Yensen 1994). Ideal territories for the squirrels are within 3,000 and 4,500 feet elevation (Recovery Plan).  Due to hibernation, they also create burrows in soil that is deeper than one meter. This shelters them from the harsh Idaho winters. Entrances to the burrows are often hidden under logs or rocks for further concealment.  

Geographic and Population Changes 

Similarly to most species on the Endangered Species List, this squirrel’s habitat is threatened by habitat loss caused by forest encroachment and agriculture.  Forests are taking over their meadow habitats. This is a serious issue because ground squirrels require open meadows as a mode of transportation.

These changes have significantly decreased their overall population. Due to the ground squirrels shrinking habitat, its initial population of 5,000 has dropped to an estimated 350 squirrels across Idaho. Thankfully, through improved and well thought out recovery plan, it is estimated that the Northern Idaho Ground Squirrel’s population will continue to increase. 

Listing Date and Type of Listing

The Northern Idaho Ground Squirrel was listed on April 5^th, 2000

It was listed under a threatened status.

The Recovery Plan was listed September 16^th, 2003

Cause of listing and Main threats to its continued existence

In addition to forest encroachment and agriculture expansion, Northern Idaho Ground Squirrels population was decimated because of habitat loss and fragmentation. Recent housing developments and conversion of precious meadows to usable farmland is another factor causing the squirrel’s endangerment. 

Main threats to its population include, “of the 34 extant population sites, 13 are entirely on private property” (Recovery Plan). This makes it difficult for the government to enforce laws and regulations that would help preserve and strengthen the already weak population. Northern Ground Squirrels are the prey of badgers and hawks. Due to their smaller and fragmented populations, over consumption could completely eliminate them.   

Description of Recovery Plan

The main objectives of the Recovery Plan are to delist the species, but only after its metapopulations are able to maintain a population over 500 species for a five year period. Before any other steps are taken, the existing metapopulations must be preserved for future species. Population data is scare for this species, the Recovery Plan asserts that data will be collected so that accurate population estimates will be created. If the Recovery Plan is completed as stated, the Northern Idaho Ground Squirrel could be delisted by 2010 (Recovery Plan).

Citations

Yensen, E. 1991. Taxonomy and distribution of the Idaho ground squirrel, Spermophilus. J. Mammal. 72:583-600 http://imnh.isu.edu/digitalatlas/bio/mammal/Rod/squir/igsq/igsq.htm

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. 2003. Recovery Plan for the Northern Idaho Ground Squirrel (Spermophilus brunneus brunneus). Portland, Oregon. 68 pp.

Pictures (In order of appearance)

http://fc09.deviantart.net/fs70/f/2012/107/d/5/d5c55d49387f0b0dde8b330cb38d5698d4wjjyf.jpg

http://animals.pawnation.com/DMResize/photos.demandstudios.com/getty/article/129/104/87507453.jpg?w=600&h=600&keep_ratio=1&webp=1

http://www.netstate.com/states/symb/trees/images/western_white_pine.jpg

I'm Not a Regular Vine, I'm a Cool Vine by Kara Rutherford

The Great, the Glorious Phyllostegia Hispida  

by Kara Rutherford 

Phyllostegia hispida. Phyllostegia hispida. Phyllostegia hispida. 

Now try saying that three times fast. 

The Phyllostegia hispida or the PH (what I’m calling it for this blog) is a loosely spreading many-branched vine with thin leaves, short stiff hairs, and white flowers. Endemic to Hawaii, it’s mostly found on the island of Moloka’i in wet forests mostly populated with Mestosiderous Polymorphia, a native Hawaiian tree. Part of the mint family, its vines have groups of seven to eight white flowers and have occasionally been seen growing fruit in the May and June months.

Another One Bites the Dust (hopefully not)

The PH population has been unstable since the late 90’s, taking turns increasing and decreasing throughout the years. In 2005 it was believed that the species was removed

Current Population location in Green

from the area completely, until a single individual was found. Since then reintroduction efforts have been attempted by the Nature Conservancy’s Kamakou Preserve. From 2007-2009 150 individuals were introduced at 30 different sites but by 2011 80% had died, with only seven remaining in 2012. Currently only 20-23 individuals are known to exist, with only 10 of those individuals occurring in the wild.

Major Threats to the PH:

The PH has been a candidate for listing since 1997 but was only listed as endangered in

2009. Despite it’s recent listing, the PH is at high risk of extinction. Among the highest threats to the PH is habitat destruction from feral pigs and habitat degradation from competition with invasive plants. Since the population is so small and localized, any destruction of habitat can lead to severe population loss. Invasive species use the valuable resources the PH needs to survive, making basic necessities like reproduction nearly impossible. Other factors such as predation from rats and nonnative slugs, who feed on their seedlings and fruit, stop reproduction completely.

The Road to Recovery

While we don’t know enough about the PH to assess all of its needs, we do know that immediate actions need to be taken to protect it.  In order to downlist the species from endangered to threatened we need to focus on these areas.

1. Population Size

At least 5 stable populations need to be present in the wild, with each population fostering at least 300 individuals.

2. Management and Monitoring Plans

Habitat needs to be maintained and kept in a condition suitable to the long term reproduction of the PH. Monitoring plans need to be put in place in order to keeps threats under control. Populations need to remain stable or increasing.

3. Habitat Quality

All populations from number 1 need to be fenced in to be protected from feral pigs and other predators. This includes the removal of invasive plants from the area and the relocation of rats and slugs in the area.

So What Are They Doing Now?

Currently the the Nature Conservancy of Hawaii has built a 1.5 mile long fence to keep feral pigs out and help maintain the habitat within the preserve. Seedlings and cuttings are being introduced in areas to encourage reproduction, and biologists are observing the species. Not much is known about the PH so research is the most important part of recovery currently. 

With adequate research and a conscious recovery effort, the PH should be down listed by 2029 and delisted by 2034. While a pretty obtainable goal, the total recovery plan is estimated to cost over 6 million dollars and due to lack of information about the species, all recovery attempts could fail.


Sources:
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. 2009. Phyllostegia Hispida Recovery Plan.Addendum to the Molokai Plant Cluster Recovery Plan pages 1-63

Images: 
http://themolokainews.com/2011/06/08/recovery-plan-for-endangered-molokai-plant-released-for-public-review/
http://botany.si.edu/pacificislandbiodiversity/hawaiianflora/speciesdescr.cfm?genus=Phyllostegia&species=hispida
http://www.abcbirds.org/conservationissues/threats/invasives/vertebrates.html

Gulf Coast Jaguarundi - Jenny Smit

The Gulf Coast Jaguarundi is a small cat, slightly larger than the average domestic house cat, with an elongated tail and body, short legs, and a face that resembles a weasel. These adorable creatures are usually a black-brown-gray or red-yellow-chestnut color combination, though different color kittens are often found in the same litter. They usually inhabit forest and bush, though they do not depend on a specific forest habitat. Their habitats usually overlap with ocelot's habitat, though these two species are active at different times of the day and therefore do not usually compete with each other. 

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/2/2e/Jaguarondi_portrait.jpg

Jaguarundis primarily eat rodents, small reptiles, ground feeding birds, and a small amount of vegetation. Sometimes they feed on larger prey such as rabbits, opossums, or fish. They have not been found to be a significant threat to domestic animals. Their territories range from 2.6 to 38.6 square miles, and they are usually solitary creatures, except when mating or raising young.

http://ckenney76.blogspot.com/2013_04_01_archive.html

http://ecos.fws.gov/docs/recovery_plan/FINAL%20Gulf%20Coast%20Jaguarundi%20Recovery%20Plan.pdf
This particular sub-species of Jaguarundi, the Puma yagouaroundi cacomitli, 
originally lived throughout Southern Texas and Eastern Mexico. However, the last confirmed sighting of the Jaguarundi in the US was in 1986. It is now solely found in regions of Mexico, where there is a known population about 130 miles south of the US border. The red color on the map above depicts where these cats are now found. There is little information about population size and trends as no consistent studies have been conducted over the range of this subspecies within Mexico. This particular subspecies of Jaguarundi was listed as an endangered species on July 14th, 1976.

https://wryheat.files.wordpress.com/2014/06/jaguarundi.jpg

The main cause of this species endangerment is habitat loss, destruction, and fragmentation. The Lower Rio Grande Valley in Texan used to be an extensive habitat for the Jaguarundi, but 95% of useful habitat has been converted into agriculture and urban development. There has been no critical habitat designated for this species, and the only habitat that remain is mostly on private land. US border control operations also disturbs the jaguarundi habitat through fragmentation and degradation by building roads, fences, and using vehicles. Because this species is now primarily found in Mexico, there is little the United States can do because they have no authority there. We can only send monetary support and advances in technology to support their efforts to protect this species. 

Recovery Plan

• Summarize what is known about species and populations
• Identify what is not known, and what general actions can be taken to promote long-term conservation
• Application of existing regulations
• Monitor recovery and revise recovery tasks as new information becomes available
• Public education and outreach
• Focus on actions that can be taken in Texas
• Captive breeding if populations become too low
• Restore sufficient habitat and connectivity to support populations and genetic diversity
• Reduce effects of human population growth and development in habitat
• Develop incentives for landowners to preserve habitat

Sources:

http://ecos.fws.gov/speciesProfile/profile/speciesProfile?spcode=A05H

http://ecos.fws.gov/docs/recovery_plan/FINAL%20Gulf%20Coast%20Jaguarundi%20Recovery%20Plan.pdf

Taking a Bite Out of Hawksbill Populations

Taking a Bite Out of Hawksbill Populations

         By: Teghan Shore                                                                  

http://www.bioexpedition.com/hawksbill-sea-turtle/

The Hawksbill Turtle is a small, unique animal that has a special adaptation in its mouth. Their mouth has a bird beak like look that allows them to eat jellyfish, anemones, and especially sponges on reefs. When they eat the sponges they create a healthier environment for the coral reef and also a habitat for fish that live there. Hawksbills are found in the Atlantic, Pacific, and Indian Oceans, especially in the reefs of the Caribbean Sea and western Atlantic Ocean. 

http://images.fineartamerica.com/images-medium-large/
hawksbill-sea-turtle-michael-p-oneill-and-photo-researchers.jpg

Unfortunately in 1998 this amazing species went on the endangered species list and currently it is listed as critically endangered. This is because of people illegally harvesting the turtles. Mainly the native islanders will find eggs or adult turtles and sell their products to tourists or they use the byproducts for claimed medicinal properties. In addition to this, the turles have lost a majority of their nesting sites to urban expansion. With human populations and illegal trade of hawksbill products increasing at an alarming rate, it has decimated their populations substantially. 

http://www.bioexpedition.com/
hawksbill-sea-turtle/

Because they are such an important species to the reef ecosystem, many programs have been dedicated to recovering the hawksbill turtles. The Endangered Species Act has proposed the best way to restore hawksbill populations. They have established protected areas, both terrestrial and marine, in order for the turtles to live and nest unharmed. Unfortunately, there is a lack of enforcement with this rule and harvesting continues to be a major problem. So, the most important way that we can save the hawksbill turtles is through education. Tourists buy turtle shell products and people want the turtle's bodies for medicinal purposes. This is what is driving the decimation of this species. If we inform tourists that these products are made from an endangered species then hopefully they will be less likely to buy them. In addition to that, informing people that any hawksbill byproduct has no medicinal value to it can reduce the demand. Educating the people who are making a living off of illegally harvesting these animals and selling their byproducts can prevent any future poachers. If we tell the locals about how important it is that this species remain alive and give them other ways to make a living, then that will ultimately save the turtles. Many private organizations have taken it into their hands to educate people and create headstart and hatching programs in order to increase the hawksbill populations. 

Sadly, because the hawksbill population got so low over the past 100 years, any recovery program that has been implemented, has not been successful. This is mainly due to the continued demand and lack of enforcement. The one exception to this is the Hawaiian hawksbill population. Management, enforcement, and protection in this area has improved so dramatically in this area and we are starting to see the effects of that. There has been an increase in adults nesting on beaches as well as an increase in the adult population. If this continues, it may be what keeps the species alive. 

What can you do to help? There are many ways that you can get involved and help save the hawksbill turtles. So many volunteer opportunities in the releasing and hatchery programs allow you to get involved and get hands on experiences. If you are unable to give that kind of time commitment, you can also donate to many of those organizations as well. A few of the organizations that are making a difference with the hawksbill population are The World Wildlife Foundation, The Hawaii Wildlife Fund, and The National Parks Service.