The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service today announced that a petition to list the Andrews dune scarab beetle under the Endangered Species Act (ESA) does not contain substantial information to warrant an in-depth review of the species status. The negative finding was published in the Federal Register on May 4, 2006.
The petition to list the scarab beetle was submitted to the Service by the Center for Biological Diversity in December 2002. Under the ESA, the Service is required to review the petition and determine whether it contains substantial information to warrant listing in a process known as a 90-day finding.
Andrews dune scarab beetle is known to occur in portions of the Algodones Dunes in Imperial County, California, and northern Mexico. Within the Algodones Dunes, the species occurs in areas with creosote bush scrub and uses troughs of loose, drifting sand between dunes. When inactive, Andrews dune scarab beetles remain buried in the sand at depths ranging from 2 to 11 inches.
The petitioners claimed that Andrews dune scarab beetle is restricted to the Algodones Dunes and is threatened by off-highway vehicle use. The petitioners did not provide substantial scientific information on the effects of OHVs, pesticides or predation on the species. The petition also contained incomplete information regarding the status of the Andrews dune scarab beetle, including its potential distribution in Mexico.
This finding was prepared pursuant to a court order resulting from a lawsuit filed against the Service by the Center for Biological Diversity. A copy of the petition finding is available on the Internet at http://carlsbad.fws.gov or by contacting the Carlsbad Fish and Wildlife Office at 760/431-9440.
