Invasive, Keystone, Indicator, Extinct, Endangered, and Threatened Species

1. Invasive, Keystone, Indicator, Extinct, Endangered, and Threatened Species By Anna Blake

2. Invasive: European Starling (Sturnus vulgaris Linnaeus) • Native to Europe, introduced to the United States in 1890 in an effort to bring all birds mentioned in Shakespeare’s works to the U.S. • Identifying characteristics include an iridescent gloss on black feathers and cream-colored tips on feathers. • Because they are generalists, the starlings were able to thrive wherever they were introduced. They can eat a variety of organisms and have are able to drive out any competition. • Courses of action for removal include habitat modification to remove possible nesting sites, poisoning, shooting, and trapping.

3. Keystone: Coyote (Canislatrans) • Opportunists who are able to survive in a variety of habitats in the United States including grasslands, deserts, mountainous areas, farmlands, and metropolitan areas. • Resembles a German shepherd dog, have long, bushy tails that drag to the ground, and long, narrow muzzles. • The coyote regulates small predator populations by preying on them. As a result, the prey of these small predators are able to survive, thus maintaining a balance in the food web. • Coyote populations are threatened by humans who fear their proximity to developments. Most are killed by humans after attacking a human. Coyote attacks can be prevented by not feeding the coyote and building fences that coyotes cannot jump or climb.

4. Indicator: Spotted Owl (Strixoccidentalis) • Live primarily in old-growth forests in the Pacific Northwest, including California. • Large, have a round head with no ear tufts, and dark eyes. • These species indicate the existence of an old-growth forest. As old-growth forests are removed due to human development and timber harvesting, the spotted owl population has declined. • The identification of old-growth forests should be employed by timber and developing companies. Laws to protect these forests should be enacted to prevent their removal.

5. Extinct: TecopaPupfish (Cyprinodonnevadensiscalidae) • Native and exclusive to hot springs of Mojave Desert. Declared extinct in 2010. • Dorsal fin is closer to the tail than the head, and can either have very small for no fins at all. • Extinct after natural habitat was destroyed by developers.

6. Endangered: Large-flowered Fiddleneck (Amsinckiagrandiflora) • Plant that is native to California. It produces very few seeds and has a low tolerance to environmental changes. Only three populations still exist. • Has bright orange flowers. • Reasons for status include agriculture, invasive species, human development, and grazing. • Reserve established to protect species.

7. Threatened: Eastern Prairie Fringed Orchid (Platantheraleucophaea) • Grows in open prairies in Ohio, Illinois, Iowa, Wisconsin, Maine, Michigan, and Virginia. • Leafy stem with a creamy white three-fringed flower cluster. • Status due to land cleared for agriculture. • Courses of action for protection include habitat protection and careful monitoring of populations.

8. Bibliography • Coyote • http://keystoneconservation.us/keystone_conservation/coyotes.html • http://wdfw.wa.gov/living/coyotes.html • http://www.predatordefense.org/docs/ecological_role_species.pdf • Spotted Owl • http://www.eoearth.org/article/Indicator_species • http://www.defenders.org/wildlife_and_habitat/wildlife/spotted_owl,_northern.php • http://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Spotted_Owl/id/ac • Tecopa Pupfish • http://www.thedailygreen.com/environmental-news/latest/recently-extinct-animals-list-470209 • http://www.petermaas.nl/extinct/speciesinfo/tecopapupfish.htm • Large-flowered Fiddleneck • http://ecos.fws.gov/speciesProfile/profile/speciesProfile.action?spcode=Q1SU • http://www.centerforplantconservation.org/collection/cpc_viewprofile.asp?CPCNum=114 • Eastern Prairie Fringed Orchid • http://www.ncrs.fs.fed.us/gla/tesweb/plants/plants_main.htm • http://www.fws.gov/midwest/endangered/plants/epfo.html • European Starling: • http://www.invasivespeciesinfo.gov/animals/eurostarling.shtml • http://www.columbia.edu/itc/cerc/danoff-burg/invasion_bio/inv_spp_summ/Sturnus_vulgaris.html