Feds to Consider Listing Sonoran Desert Tortoise as Distinct Population
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has announced that they will consider listing the Sonoran desert tortoise as a distinct population.
A 90-day finding on a petition to list the Sonoran desert tortoise (Gopherus agasizzii) as a distinct population (DPS) under the Endangered Species Act has been announced by the USFWS. This announcement has come after the review of filed petitions showed substantial evidence that the Sonoran desert tortoise may meet the criteria of “discreteness and significance” required for distinct population segments.
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“Substantial” supporting information
Based on our review, we find that the petition, supported by information in our files, presents substantial scientific or commercial information to demonstrate that the Sonoran population of desert tortoise may be discrete from the Mojave and Sinaloan populations and that the Sonoran population may be significant to the taxon as a whole. As a result, we have determined that the Sonoran population of desert tortoise may be a DPS. Thus, the Sonoran population of desert tortoise may be a listable entity under the Act.
A “five-factor evaluation” is used by the USFWS to determine the level of threat faced by the species population.
- Present or Threatened Destruction, Modification, or Curtailment of the Species’ Habitat or Range
- Overutilization for Commercial, Recreational, Scientific, or Educational Purposes
- Disease or Predation
- The Inadequacy of Existing Regulatory Mechanisms
- Other Natural or Manmade Factors Affecting the Species’ Continued Existence
Results of the five-factor evaluation:
On the basis of our determination under section 4 of the Act and our evaluation of the five factors, we have determined that the petition presents substantial information indicating that listing the Sonoran population of desert tortoise may be warranted.
If the DPS listing is granted, the USFWS will move forward in addressing the designation of critical habitat for the iconic Sonoran desert tortoise.
Let’s hope these little guys get the protection they deserve!
Image source: http://www.flickr.com // CC BY 2.0
[...] Highlighting the need for increased conservation efforts and a successful translocation are the findings of recent population-genetics studies. Researchers confirmed that desert tortoises in the western Mojave desert are distinctly different from tortoise populations to the north, east, and south. Fort Irwin tortoises are part of the western Mojave population. In fact, the USFWS announced recently that they will consider listing the Sonoran desert tortoise as a distinct population. [...]