ETWP; Proposal to List Nine Bexar County, Texas Invertebrate Species as Endangered

We, the Fish and Wildlife Service, propose to list nine cave- dwelling invertebrates from Bexar County, Texas as endangered species under the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended (Act). Rhadine exilis (no common name) and Rhadine infernalis (no common name) are small, essentially eyeless ground beetles. Batrisodes venyivi (Helotes mold beetle) is a small, eyeless mold beetle. Texella cokendolpheri (Robber Baron Cave harvestman) is a small, eyeless harvestman (daddy- longlegs). Cicurina baronia (Robber Baron cave spider), Cicurina madla (Madla's cave spider), Cicurina venii (no common name), Cicurina vespera (vesper cave spider), and Neoleptoneta microps (Government Canyon cave spider) are all small eyeless, or essentially eyeless, spiders. These species (referred to in this proposed rule as the ``nine invertebrates'' are known from karst features (limestone formations containing caves, sinks, and fissures) in north and northwest Bexar County. Threats to the species and their habitat include destruction and/or deterioration of habitat by construction; filling of caves and karst features and loss of permeable cover; contamination from such things as septic effluent, sewer leaks, run-off, and pesticides; predation by and competition with non-native fire ants; and vandalism. This proposal also constitutes our 12-month finding on a petition to list these nine invertebrates. This proposal, if made final, would implement Federal protection provided by the Act for these species.