Habitats and Ecological Communities of Indiana: Presettlement to Present

12. Extirpated, Endangered, and Threatened Native Species

211 Extirpated, Endangered, and Threatened Native Species The past 200 years of habitat loss and transformation in Indiana have greatly affected the abundance and distribution of its plant and animal species. Numerous species present at the time of European settlement have been extirpated from the state, and many more are greatly reduced. Others that declined badly have recovered, with or without human assistance. Meanwhile, many exotic organisms from other continents have become established, as the next chapter documents. Here, we will list the species of vascular plants, vertebrate wildlife, and cave invertebrates that have been extirpated (including global extinctions) and those that are presently listed as endangered or threatened at the federal or state levels (see also Whitaker and Gammon 1988). Although most have been mentioned in the habitat-specific histories of chapters 4–11, it is instructive to see them all in one place. Flora Currently, there are just under 2,000 native species of vascular plants known to inhabit Indiana (Table P-1), along with almost 900 adventive (exotic) ones. There are 54 that have been extirpated from the state (Table P-13), 2 that are listed as federally endangered, and 3 that are listed as federally threatened. In addition, 209 are listed as state endangered and 90 are listed as state threatened (Table P-13). An additional 130 are on the state “watch list,” meaning that they were once on one of the other lists. We know of no Indiana plant species that is now extinct. The state-determined categories are defined as follows . State-endangered species (SE) are known from 1–5 extant occurrences statewide, threatened species (ST) from 6–10 extant occurrences statewide, and state-rare species (SR) from 11–20 extant occurrences statewide. Extirpated species (SX) are those formerly documented for Indiana, but extant occurrences are unknown. These numbers are guidelines; some deviations may occur. For example, if a species has 12 occurrences (and thus should be placed in the rare category ), but has serious threats to its existence, its status might be upgraded. More specifically, there are a sufficient number of occurrences of Canada yew that it should be categorized as state-rare, but because of the intense browsing pressure on it by white-tailed deer, the species has been placed in the state-endangered category. Fish There are 200 species of fish currently inhabiting Indiana (Table F-1). Eleven species (and 1 form) have been extirpated from the state; the harelip sucker and shortnose cisco are now considered extinct throughout their ranges, and the blackfin cisco may be extinct. No fish species from Indiana are currently listed federally; however, 10 are state endangered, including the redside dace (Fig 12.1), and 14 (and 1 form) are listed as species of special concern. Amphibians and Reptiles Forty species of amphibians and 56 species of reptiles currently inhabit Indiana (Table H-1). Five amphibians —crawfish frog (Figure 12.2), hellbender (Figure 12.3), four-toed salamander, green salamander, and red salamander—are listed as state endangered. Sixteen reptile species (10 snakes and 6 turtles) are state endangered. One reptile, the mud snake, appears to have been extirpated, and another, the alligator snapping turtle, may be as well. The northern populations of the copperbelly water snake (Figure 12.4), federally listed as threatened in 1997, are all but extirpated in northern Indiana, though the state-listed southern populations are more robust. The eastern massasauga is listed as a federal candidate species. The remaining state-listed endangered species are Butler’s garter snake, Kirtland’s snake, copperbelly water snake, scarlet snake, smooth green snake, southeastern crowned snake, timber rattlesnake, Blanding’s turtle, eastern mud turtle, hieroglyphic river cooter, ornate box turtle, and spotted turtle. Ephemeral wetland habitats are rich in species, but currently no state or federal regulations protect them from conversion to other uses. Given their freFigure 12.2. Crawfish frog, listed as state endangered. Photo by IDNR–Outdoor Indiana magazine. 12 212 Species Concerns Figure 12.3. Hellbender, listed as state endangered. Photo by IDNR–Outdoor Indiana magazine. Figure 12.4. Copperbelly water snake, listed as state endangered. Photo by Bruce Kingsbury. 213 Extirpated, Endangered, and Threatened Native Species quently small size and the ease with which they can be drained, most are already gone. Current federal law is inadequate to protect these wetlands because of their isolated, “non-navigable” nature, and states are grappling with how to fill the gap. The...