ETWP; Final Rule To List Two Cave Animals From Kauai, Hawaii, as Endangered

We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), determine endangered status pursuant to the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended (Act), for two animals--the Kauai cave wolf spider (Adelocosa anops), and the Kauai cave amphipod (Spelaeorchestia koloana). These two species are found on the Hawaiian island of Kauai. The Kauai cave wolf spider is known from three populations, and the Kauai cave amphipod is known from five populations. These animals and their habitats have been variously affected or are currently threatened by the following--habitat degradation and loss through the removal of perennial vegetation, soil fill, grading, paving, quarrying, and other activities associated with development and agriculture; predation and competition for space, water, and nutrients by introduced, alien animals; biological and chemical pesticide control activities; and an increased likelihood of extinction from naturally occurring events due to the small number of remaining populations and their limited distribution. This final rule implements the Federal protection and recovery provisions provided by the Act for these animal taxa.