Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants; Gymnoderma Lineare (Rock Gnome Lichen) Determined To Be Endangered

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Fish and Wildlife Service

50 CFR Part 17

RIN 1018-AC23

Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants; Gymnoderma Lineare

(Rock Gnome Lichen) Determined To Be Endangered

AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) determines the

lichen Gymnoderma lineare (rock gnome lichen) to be an endangered

species under the authority of the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as

amended (Act). This lichen, which is limited to 25 populations in North

Carolina and 7 populations in Tennessee, is threatened by collection,

logging, and habitat disturbance due to heavy use by hikers and

climbers. It is also indirectly threatened by exotic insect pests and

possibly air pollution, which are contributing to the demise of the

Fraser fir forests at higher elevations in the [[Page 3558]] Southern

Appalachians. This action implements for Gymnoderma lineare the Federal

protection and recovery provisions provided by the Act.

EFFECTIVE DATE: February 17, 1995.

ADDRESSES: The complete file for this rule is available for inspection,

by appointment, during normal business hours at the Asheville Field

Office, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, 330 Ridgefield Court,

Asheville, North Carolina 28806.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ms. Nora Murdock at the above address

(Telephone 704/665-1195, Ext. 231).

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Background

Gymnoderma lineare (Evans) Yoshimura and Sharp, first described by

Evans (1947) as Cladonia linearis from material collected in Tennessee,

is a squamulose lichen in the reindeer moss family. This species is the

only member of its genus occurring in North America (Yoshimura and

Sharp 1968). Gymnoderma lineare occurs in rather dense colonies of

narrow straps (squamules). The only similar lichens are the squamulose

species of the genus Cladonia. Gymnoderma lineare has terminal portions

of the straplike individual lobes that are blue-grey on the upper

surface and generally shiny-white on the lower surface; near the base

they grade to black (unlike squamulose Cladonia, which are never

blackened toward the base) (Weakley 1988, Hale 1979). Hale's (1979)

description of the species reads, ``Squamules dark greenish mineral

grey; lower surface white to brownish toward the tips, weakly

corticated; podetia lacking but small clustered apothecia common on low

tips.'' Weakley further describes the species as having squamules about

1 millimeter (.04 inches (in.)) across near the tip, tapering to the

blackened base, sparingly and subdichotomously branched, and generally

about 1 to 2 centimeters (.39 to .79 in.) long (though they can be

longer or shorter, depending upon environmental factors). The squamules

are nearly parallel to the rock surface, but the tips curl away from

the rock, approaching or reaching a perpendicular orientation to the

rock surface. The fruiting bodies (apothecia) are borne at the tips of

the squamules and are black (contrasting to the brown or red apothecia

of Cladonia spp.) (Weakley 1988). The apothecia are borne singly or in

clusters, usually at the tips of the squamules but occasionally along

the sides; these have been found from July through September (Evans

1947, North Carolina Natural Heritage Program records 1991). The

apothecia are either sessile or borne on short podetia 1 to 2

millimeters (.04 to .08 in.) in height; the largest of these have a

diameter of about 1 millimeter (.04 in.), with most being much smaller.

The apothecia are cylindrical in shape and radial in symmetry (Evans

1947). The primary means of propagation of this lichen appears to be

asexual, with colonies spreading clonally.

Gymnoderma was considered a monotypic genus for over a century,

until its revision by Yoshimura and Sharp (1968). These authors

reclassified Evans' (1947) Cladonia linearis as Gymnoderma lineare on

the basis of its short and solid podetia that lack symbiotic algae.

Gymnoderma lineare is endemic to North Carolina and Tennessee and

occurs only in areas of high humidity, either at high elevations, where

it is frequently bathed in fog, or in deep gorges at lower elevations.

It is primarily limited to vertical rock faces where seepage water from

forest soils above flows at (and only at) very wet times. It is almost

always found growing with the moss Andreaea in these vertical

intermittent seeps. This association makes it rather easy to search

for, due to the distinctive reddish brown color of Andreaea that can be

observed from a considerable distance (Weakley 1988). Most populations

occur above an elevation of 1,524 meters (5,000 feet). In Tennessee, it

is apparently limited to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Other

species often found growing with G. lineare include Huperzia selago,

Stereocaulon sp., Scirpus cespitosus, Carex misera, Rhododendron spp.,

Saxifraga michauxii, Krigia montana, Heuchera villosa, Geum radiatum,

and sometimes Juncus trifidus. The high-elevation coniferous forests

adjacent to the rock outcrops and cliffs most often occupied by the

species are dominated by red spruce (Picea rubens) and another Federal

candidate species, Fraser fir (Abies fraseri).

Thirty-seven populations of Gymnoderma lineare have been reported

historically; thirty-two remain in existence. Seven of these

populations are in Sevier County, Tennessee. In North Carolina, two

populations remain in Mitchell County, five in Jackson County, four in

Yancey County, one in Swain County, three in Transylvania County, four

in Buncombe county, two in Avery County, two in Ashe County, one in

Rutherford County, and one in Haywood County. Historically, five

additional populations were known for this species. The reasons for the

disappearance of the species at most of these sites are undocumented;

however, one is believed to have been destroyed by highway

construction. Many of the formerly occupied sites are subjected to

heavy recreational use by hikers, climbers, and sightseers. In

addition, the coniferous forests, particularly those dominated by

Fraser fir at the high-elevation sites, are being decimated by the

balsam wooly adelgid, an exotic insect pest, and possibly by air

pollution. The death of the forests adjacent to the habitat occupied by

this lichen has resulted in locally drastic changes in microclimate,

including desiccation and increased temperatures.

The continued existence of this species is threatened by trampling

and associated soil erosion and compaction, other forms of habitat

disturbance due to heavy recreational use of the habitat by hikers,

climbers, and sightseers, as well as by development for commercial

recreational facilities and residential purposes. It is also

potentially threatened by logging, collectors, and air pollution

(either directly or indirectly).

Only 7 of the remaining 32 populations cover an area larger than 2

square meters (2.4 square yards). Most are 1 meter (3.3 feet) or less

in size. It is not known what constitutes a genetic individual in this

species, and it is possible that each of these small colonies or

patches consists of only a single clone (Weakley 1988). Over the past

decade several of the currently extant populations have undergone

significant declines (Paula DePriest, Smithsonian Institution, personal

communication, 1992; Karin Heiman, Environmental Consultant, personal

communication, 1992), some within as little as 1 year (Alan Smith,

Environmental Consultant, personal communication, 1992). Although all

but five of the remaining populations are in public ownership, many

continue to be impacted by collectors, recreational use, and

environmental factors. Although no populations are known to have been

lost as a result of logging operations, this is a potential threat.

Previous Federal Action

Federal government actions on Gymnoderma lineare began with the

1990 publication in the Federal Register of a revised notice of review

of plant taxa for listing as endangered or threatened species (55 FR

6184); Gymnoderma lineare was included in that notice as a category 2

species. Category 2 species are those for which listing as endangered

or threatened may be warranted but for which substantial data on

biological vulnerability and threats is not currently known or on file

to support proposed rules. [[Page 3559]]

Subsequent to this notice, the Service received additional

information from the North Carolina Natural Heritage Program (Alan

Weakley, North Carolina Natural Heritage Program, personal

communication, 1991) and the Smithsonian Institution (DePriest,

personal communication, 1992); this information and additional field

data gathered by the North Carolina Natural Heritage Program, the

Service, and the National Park Service (Keith Langdon and Janet Rock,

Great Smoky Mountains National Park, personal communication, 1992;

Bambi Teague, Blue Ridge Parkway, personal communication, 1991)

indicated that the addition of Gymnoderma lineare to the Federal List

of endangered or threatened plants is warranted. The Service approved

this species for elevation to category 1 on August 30, 1993, and

proposed it for listing as endangered on December 28, 1993 (58 FR

68623).

Summary of Comments and Recommendations

In the December 28, 1993, proposed rule and associated

notifications, all interested parties were requested to submit factual

reports or information that might contribute to the development of a

final rule. Appropriate State agencies, county governments, Federal

agencies, scientific organizations, and other interested parties were

contacted and requested to comment. Newspaper notices inviting public

comment were published in the ``Asheville Citizen-Times'' (Asheville,

North Carolina) on January 14, 1994, and the ``Mountain Press''

(Sevierville, Tennessee) on January 17, 1994.

Fifteen comments were received. Eleven of these expressed support

for the proposal, and one presented additional information without

stating a position. One additional respondent took no position on the

proposal but expressed a negative view toward the potential designation

of critical habitat. Two respondents opposed the proposal; one stated

no reason for opposition, the other expressed the opinion that logging

was not a potential threat to the lichen and that extinction is a

natural process. In the proposed rule the Service stated that no

populations of this species were known to have been destroyed as a

result of logging operations but that this was a potential threat. This

is particularly true where the lichen grows on boulder faces along

stream edges in hardwood forests. Although there is no direct evidence

of destruction of populations by silvicultural activities, monitoring

of this species has only recently begun. Other populations have

undoubtedly been lost without their extirpation having been documented.

In addition, there is a strong association of this species with

watersheds where intensive logging has not occurred (Langdon, personal

communication, 1993; Weakley, personal communication, 1993). Based upon

this evidence, the Service believes that intensive logging is a

potential threat to some of the remaining populations of this species.

Summary of Factors Affecting the Species

After a thorough review and consideration of all information

available, the Service has determined that Gymnoderma lineare should be

classified as an endangered species. Procedures found at section

4(a)(1) of the Act and regulations (50 CFR part 424) implementing the

listing provisions of the Act were followed. A species may be

determined to be an endangered or threatened species due to one or more

of the five factors described in section 4(a)(1). These factors and

their application to Gymnoderma lineare (Evans) Yoshimura and Sharp are

as follows:

A. The present or threatened destruction, modification, or

curtailment of its habitat or range. Gymnoderma lineare is a narrow

endemic, restricted to high-elevation mountaintops and cliff faces and

the lower-elevation gorges in the Southern Appalachians of western

North Carolina and eastern Tennessee (see ``Background'' section for

specific distributions). Although populations are declining and

vanishing for reasons that are, in many cases, not clearly understood,

destruction and adverse modification of habitat pose a major threat to

the remaining populations of this species. Fourteen percent of the

historically known populations have been completely extirpated, and

many others have been severely reduced in size. Only 32 populations

remain, most covering an area less than 1 square meter (1.2 square

yards) in size.

Five of these populations are on privately owned lands, with one

slated for residential development within the near future. Although the

majority of the remaining populations are on publicly owned lands, most

of these are subject to heavy recreational use, and many have been

damaged as a result. Four populations contain 75 percent of the

remaining plants. Three of these are located on lands administered by

the National Park Service and the U.S. Forest Service, at sites where

they are subjected to intense use by hikers, climbers, and sightseers.

The only other relatively large population is located on a privately

owned site that has been developed as a commercial recreational

facility. All the known populations combined cover a total area of

approximately 142 square meters (170 square yards). All five privately

owned sites are unprotected and are located in an area that is rapidly

developing as a center for resorts and tourism.

B. Overutilization for commercial, recreational, scientific, or

educational purposes. Gymnoderma lineare is not currently a significant

component of the commercial trade in native plants. Hale (1979) stated,

``This is one of the most unusual endemic lichens in North America and

should not be collected by individuals.'' Nevertheless, many

populations have been decimated by scientific collectors. Paula

DePriest (personal communication, 1992) observed that at least one

population in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park was virtually

wiped out by lichenologists who collected them during a field trip.

Given the very small size of most colonies and the slow growth rate of

this species, extirpation by collecting or by natural accident (such as

slides or floods) is a distinct possibility (Weakley 1988). Many of the

populations are easily accessible, being close to trails or roads.

Publicity could generate an increased demand and intensify collecting

pressure (see ``Critical Habitat'' section for reasons why critical

habitat is not being designated).

C. Disease or predation. This taxon is not known to be threatened

by disease or predation.

D. The inadequacy of existing regulatory mechanisms. Gymnoderma

lineare is afforded legal protection in North Carolina by North

Carolina General Statute, article 20, chapter 106, sections 202.1-

202.8, that prohibits intrastate trade and taking of State-listed

plants without a State permit and written permission of the landowner.

Gymnoderma lineare is listed in North Carolina as threatened; it is not

currently listed in Tennessee. State prohibitions against taking are

difficult to enforce and do not cover adverse alterations of habitat or

unintentional damage from recreational use. The Act will provide

additional protection and encouragement of active management for

Gymnoderma lineare, particularly on Federal lands.

E. Other natural or manmade factors affecting its continued

existence. This taxon is rare and vulnerable due to its specialized

habitat requirements for bare rock faces with a precise amount of

moisture and light. As mentioned in the previous sections of this rule,

most of the remaining populations are small in [[Page 3560]] numbers of

individuals and in terms of area covered by the plants. Therefore,

there is probably little genetic variability in this species, making it

more important to maintain as much habitat and as many of the remaining

colonies as possible. Rock slides, severe storms or droughts, or other

natural events could easily eliminate populations of this lichen.

In recent years the spruce-fir forests adjacent to the high-

elevation cliffs and rock outcrops occupied by this rare lichen have

suffered dramatic declines due, at least in part, to airborne pollution

and the impacts of an exotic insect, the balsam wooly adelgid. The

impacts of this forest decline on Gymnoderma lineare cannot be

accurately assessed at this time. Even though rock gnome lichen often

grows in exposed places, the drastic decline of adjacent high-elevation

forests may result in excessive desiccation of the moist sites required

by the species. This theory would seem to be supported by the fact that

Geum radiatum (spreading avens), already federally listed as

endangered, is showing drastic declines at many of the same sites. With

all but seven of the remaining populations of Gymnoderma lineare being

less than 2 square meters (2.4 square yards) in size, and with this

species' very slow growth rate, even relatively small declines could

pose a significant threat to the long-term survival and recovery of the

species.

In addition to the indirect effects of air pollution on this

species' habitat, lichens are known to effectively accumulate a wide

variety of pollutants washed from the atmosphere by precipitation (St.

Clair 1987). Photosynthetic rates, respiration rates, and the membrane

integrity of lichens have all been found to be very sensitive to a wide

range of common air pollutants, including sulfur dioxide. St. Clair

(1987) states, ``Indeed lichen physiological processes appear to

provide an indication of pollution damage long before any visible

thallus necrosis or changes in community structure can be detected.'' A

field study conducted by Pearson and Rodgers (1982) showed that

membrane integrity in lichens is severely impacted following exposure

to sulfur dioxide. Lawrey (1987) found that increasing levels of sulfur

dioxide pollution had resulted in the elimination of some species of

lichens in an area just north of the range of Gymnoderma lineare. Heavy

metals and ozone also have been found to negatively affect lichens'

potassium efflux, chlorophyll content, and photosynthetic rates

(Puckett 1976, Nash and Sigal 1979, Sigal and Taylor 1979). Several

observers have already noted declines in populations of Gymnoderma

lineare that cannot be directly attributed to physical disturbance of

the habitat (Weakley, personal communication, 1992; DePriest, personal

communication, 1992; Shawn Oakley, The Nature Conservancy, North

Carolina Field Office, personal communication, 1992). Given the

extremely small size of most of the remaining populations, declines of

just a few centimeters a year could result in the imminent extirpation

of all but three of the remaining populations of this species.

The Service has carefully assessed the best scientific and

commercial information available regarding the past, present, and

future threats faced by this species in determining to make this rule

final. Based on this evaluation, the preferred action is to list

Gymnoderma lineare as endangered. With 14 percent of the known

populations having been completely extirpated and all the remaining

populations subject to some form of threat, this species warrants

protection under the Act. With the small number of individuals and area

covered by the remaining populations, and with significant declines

having been documented in many of these, this species is in danger of

extinction throughout all or a significant portion of its range and

therefore qualifies as an endangered species under the Act. Critical

habitat is not being designated for the reasons discussed below.

Critical Habitat

Section 4(a)(3) of the Act, as amended, requires that, to the

maximum extent prudent and determinable, the Secretary propose critical

habitat at the time the species is proposed to be endangered or

threatened. The Service finds that designation of critical habitat is

not presently prudent for Gymnoderma lineare. Publication of critical

habitat descriptions and maps would increase public interest and

possibly lead to additional threats for this species from collecting

and vandalism (see threat factor ``B'' above). The species has already

been subjected to excessive collecting by scientific collectors at

several sites. Increased publicity and a provision of specific location

information associated with critical habitat designation could result

in increased collection from the remaining wild populations. Although

taking of endangered plants from lands under Federal jurisdiction (and

from privately owned lands under certain circumstances--see ``Available

Conservation Measures'' section) and reduction to possession is

prohibited by the Act, taking provisions are difficult to enforce.

Publication of critical habitat descriptions would make Gymnoderma

lineare more vulnerable and would increase enforcement problems for the

U.S. Forest Service and the National Park Service. Also, the

populations on private lands would be more vulnerable to taking.

Increased visits to population locations stimulated by critical habitat

designation, even without collection of plants, could adversely affect

the species due to the associated increase in trampling of the fragile

habitat occupied by this lichen. The lichen is easily scraped off its

rocky substrate, and denuded habitat is not quickly recolonized. The

Federal and State agencies and landowners involved in managing the

habitat of this species have been informed of the plant's locations and

of the importance of protection; therefore, it would not be prudent and

no additional benefit would result from a determination of critical

habitat.

Available Conservation Measures

Conservation measures provided to species listed as endangered or

threatened under the Act include recognition, recovery actions,

requirements for Federal protection, and prohibitions against certain

practices. Recognition through listing encourages and results in

conservation actions by Federal, State, and private agencies, groups,

and individuals. The Act provides for possible land acquisition and

cooperation with the States and requires that recovery actions be

carried out for all listed species. Such actions are initiated by the

Service following listing. The protection required of Federal agencies

and the prohibitions against taking are discussed, in part, below.

Section 7(a) of the Act, as amended, requires Federal agencies to

evaluate their actions with respect to any species that is proposed or

listed as endangered or threatened and with respect to its critical

habitat, if any is being designated. Regulations implementing this

interagency cooperation provision of the Act are codified at 50 CFR

part 402. Section 7(a)(4) requires Federal agencies to ensure that

activities they authorize, fund, or carry out are not likely to

jeopardize the continued existence of a listed species or to destroy or

adversely modify its critical habitat. If a Federal action may affect a

listed species or its critical habitat, the responsible Federal agency

must enter into formal consultation with the Service.

The U.S. Forest Service and the National Park Service have

jurisdiction [[Page 3561]] over portions of the species' habitat.

Federal activities that could impact Gymnoderma lineare and its habitat

in the future include, but are not limited to, the following--

construction of recreational facilities (including trails, buildings,

or maintenance of these facilities), use of aerially applied retardants

in fire-fighting efforts, road and utility line construction, certain

forest management activities, permits for mineral exploration and

mining, regulation of air pollution, and any other activities that do

not include planning for the species' continued existence. The Service

will work with the involved agencies to secure protection and proper

management of Gymnoderma lineare while accommodating agency activities

to the extent possible.

The Act and its implementing regulations found at 50 CFR 17.61,

17.62, and 17.63 set forth a series of general prohibitions and

exceptions that apply to all endangered plants. All prohibitions at

section 9(a)(2) of the Act, implemented by 50 CFR 17.61, apply. These

prohibitions, in part, make it illegal for any person subject to the

jurisdiction of the United States to import or export any endangered

plant, transport it in interstate or foreign commerce in the course of

a commercial activity, sell or offer it for sale in interstate or

foreign commerce, or remove it from areas under Federal jurisdiction

and reduce it to possession. In addition, the 1988 amendments (P.L.

100-478) to the Act protect endangered plants from malicious damage or

destruction on Federal lands, and the removal, cutting, digging up, or

damaging or destroying in knowing violation of any State law or

regulation, including State criminal trespass law. Certain exceptions

apply to agents of the Service and State conservation agencies.

It is the policy of the Service, published in the Federal Register

on July 1, 1994 (59 FR 34272), to identify to the maximum extent

practicable at the time a species is listed those activities that would

or would not constitute a violation of section 9 of the Act. The intent

of this policy is to increase public awareness of the effect of the

listing on proposed and ongoing activities within a species' range. Of

the thirty-two remaining populations of Gymnoderma lineare all but five

are located on public lands. Collection, damage or destruction of this

species on public lands is prohibited, although in appropriate cases a

Federal endangered species permit may be issued to allow collection.

Removal, cutting, digging up, damaging or destroying endangered plants

on non-Federal lands would constitute a violation of section 9 if

conducted in knowing violation of State law or regulations or in

violation of State criminal trespass law. North Carolina prohibits

intrastate trade and take of G. lineare without a State permit and

written permission from the landowner. G. lineare is not legally

protected under Tennessee State law, since the State's list does not

include nonvascular plants. The only known populations in Tennessee are

found on public lands. The Service is not aware of any otherwise

conducted or proposed by the public that will be affected by this

listing and result in a violation of section 9.

The Act and 50 CFR 17.62 and 17.63 also provide for the issuance of

permits to carry out otherwise prohibited activities involving

endangered species under certain circumstances. It is anticipated that

few permits would ever be sought or issued since Gymnoderma lineare is

not common in the wild and is not commercially cultivated. Questions

regarding whether specific activities will constitute a violation of

section 9 should be directed to the Field Supervisor of the Service's

Asheville Office (see ADDRESSES section). Requests for copies of the

regulations on listed plants and inquiries regarding prohibitions

should be addressed to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Southeast

Regional Office, Ecological Services Division, Threatened and

Endangered Species, 1875 Century Boulevard, Atlanta, Georgia 30345-3301

(Telephone 404/679-7099, Facsimile 404/679-7081).

National Environmental Policy Act

The Service has determined that an Environmental Assessment, as

defined under the authority of the National Environmental Policy Act of

1969, need not be prepared in connection with regulations adopted

pursuant to section 4(a) of the Act. A notice outlining the Service's

reasons for this determination was published in the Federal Register on

October 25, 1983 (48 FR 49244).

References Cited

Evans, A.W. 1947. A study of certain North American Cladoniae.

Bryologist 50:14-51.

Hale, M. 1979. How to know the lichens, second edition. William C.

Brown Company, Dubuque, IA. P. 231.

Lawrey, J.D. 1987. Lichens as indicators of atmospheric quality in

the northern district of Shenandoah National Park, Virginia. Final

report to the U.S. National Park Service, Denver, CO. Contract

number CX-0001-4-0059.

Nash, T., III, and L. Sigal. 1979. Gross photosynthetic response of

lichens to short-term ozone fumigations. The Bryologist 82(2):280-

285.

Pearson, L., and G. Rodgers. 1982. Air pollution damage to cell

membranes in lichens. III. Field experiments. Phyton 22(2):329-327.

Puckett, K. 1976. The effects of heavy metals on some aspects of

lichen physiology. Canadian Journal of Botany 54(23):2695-2703.

St. Clair, L. 1987. Final report concerning the establishment of an

air quality biomonitoring program using various lichen parameters in

the James River Face Wilderness Area, Jefferson National Forest,

Virginia. U.S. Forest Service, Jefferson National Forest, Roanoke,

VA. 16 pp.

Sigal, L., and O. Taylor. 1979. Preliminary studies on the gross

photosynthetic response of lichens to peroxyacetylnitrate

fumigations. The Bryologist 82(4):564-575.

Weakley, A. S. 1988. Species account for Gymnoderma lineare. North

Carolina Plant Conservation Program, Raleigh, NC. 3 pp.

Yoshimura, I., and A. J. Sharp. 1968. A revision of the genus

Gymnoderma. American Journal of Botany 55(5):635-640.

Authority: The primary author of this final rule is Ms. Nora

Murdock (see Addresses section).

List of Subjects in 50 CFR Part 17

Endangered and threatened species, Exports, Imports, Reporting and

recordkeeping requirements, Transportation.

Regulation Promulgation

Accordingly, part 17, subchapter B of chapter I, title 50 of the

Code of Federal Regulations, is amended as set forth below:

PART 17--[AMENDED]

1. The authority citation for part 17 continues to read as follows:

Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1361-1407; 16 U.S.C. 1531-1544; 16 U.S.C.

4201-4245; Pub. L. 99-625, 100 Stat. 3500; unless otherwise noted.

2. Section 17.12(h) is amended by adding the following, in

alphabetical order under lichens, to the List of Endangered and

Threatened Plants to read as follows:

Sec. 17.12 Endangered and threatened plants.

* * * * *

(h) * * *

[[Page 3562]]

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Species

--------------------------------------------------- Historic range Family name Status When listed Critical Special

Scientific name Common name habitat rules

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* * * * * * *

Lichens

* * * * * * *

Gymnoderma lineare...... Rock gnome lichen....... U.S.A. (NC, TN)......... Cladoniaceae........... E 572 NA NA

* * * * * * *

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Dated: December 6, 1994.

Mollie H. Beattie,

Director, Fish and Wildlife Service.

[FR Doc. 95-1174 Filed 1-17-95; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 4310-55-P