Proposed Removal of the Plant Agave arizonica (Arizona agave) From the Federal List of Endangered and Threatened Plants

We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), under the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended (Act), propose to remove the plant Agave arizonica (Arizona agave) from the Federal List of Endangered and Threatened Plants. Agave arizonica was listed as endangered on June 18, 1984, due to threats of habitat modification and collection. Evidence collected subsequent to the listing indicates that plants attributed to Agave arizonica do not constitute a distinct species but rather are individuals that have resulted from recent and sporadic instances of hybridization between two species. Current taxonomic practice is not to recognize such groups of individuals as a species. The term "species," as defined by the Act, only includes species, subspecies, and distinct population segments. Since Agave arizonica is not recognized as a species, it no longer qualifies for protection under the Act.