| Dwarf wedge mussel (Alasmidonta
heterodon) was listed as endangered in March 1990. This mollusk
inhabits muddy sand and sand or gravel bottoms of rivers and streams. It
once occurred along much of the mainstem of the Connecticut River and many
of its tributaries, but occurs now at only three sites in the watershed.
Damming and channelization of rivers throughout the species' range has
eliminated much formerly occupied habitat. Siltation from adjacent construction,
agricultural, and forestry activities degrade mussel habitat, and pollutants
from industrial and agricultural activities and other sources have substantial
impacts on mussel populations, which are sensitive to pesticides, chlorine,
potassium, zinc, copper, and cadmium.
Northeastern beach
tiger beetle (Cicindela dorsalis dorsalis) was listed as threatened
in August 1990. Northeastern beach tiger beetle once lived on beaches from
Cape Cod south to central New Jersey, and along both shores of Chesapeake
Bay. This predatory, beach-burrowing beetle apparently has been completely
eliminated, or extirpated, from much of its historical range, mainly due
to destruction and disturbance of natural beach habitat from shoreline
development, beach stabilization structures, and high recreational use.
Populations still occur on Martha's Vineyard and a beach on Buzzards Bay
in Massachusetts, and along the Chesapeake Bay shoreline. The U.S. Fish
and Wildlife Service, in cooperation with the National Park Service, is
presently working on experimental reintroduction of this species.
Puritan tiger beetle (Cicindela
puritana), listed as threatened in August 1990, inhabits sandy riverine
beaches along the Connecticut River and sandy bluffs along Chesapeake Bay
within Maryland. Of 11 known historic populations along the Connecticut
River, two remain. The Puritan tiger beetle has declined along the Connecticut
River due to inundation and disturbance of its shoreline habitat from dam
construction, riverbank stabilization, and human recreational activities.
American burying beetle
(Nicrophorus americanus), the largest of the carrion beetles, once
lived in 35 states and three Canadian provinces; it was listed as endangered
in July 1989. Natural populations are known to occur in only four states:
Rhode Island, Oklahoma, Arkansas, and Nebraska. Historical records offer
little insight into what type of habitat was preferred by American burying
beetle; in fact, the species may be able to live in many types of habitat,
with a slight preference for grasslands and open understory oak hickory
forests. The beetles are carrion specialists needing carrion the size of
a dove or chipmunk to reproduce. Carrion availability may be the greatest
factor determining where the species can survive. Changes in land use and
development have reduced the quantity of small- to medium-sized birds and
mammals preferred by the American burying beetle.
Karner blue butterfly (Lycaeides
melissa samuelis) was listed as endangered in December 1992. This small,
bright blue butterfly occurs at the northern end of the Hudson River watershed
at several sites within the Hudson Valley sandplain, including the Albany
Pine Bush Preserve and the Saratoga sandplain. The only known food plant
for the larvae of this species is the wild blue lupine (Lupinus perennis).
Karner blues prefer very dry, sandy, pitch pine-scrub oak barrens and grassy
openings within pine barrens. Some of these grasslands need to be burned
to maintain and increase butterfly habitat. Protecting Karner blues also
requires protecting sites, maintaining wild blue lupine stands, and providing
corridors of habitat for the butterflies to move to other sites. |
