[Federal Register Volume 60, Number 11 (Wednesday, January 18, 1995)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 3557-3562]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 95-1174]



=======================================================================
-----------------------------------------------------------------------

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.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------
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]]                                                           
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                      Species                                                                                                                           
---------------------------------------------------      Historic range             Family name           Status     When listed    Critical    Special 
     Scientific name             Common name                                                                                        habitat      rules  
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                                                                                        
                   *                  *                  *                  *                  *                  *                 *                   
         Lichens                                                                                                                                        
                                                                                                                                                        
                   *                  *                  *                  *                  *                  *                 *                   
Gymnoderma lineare......  Rock gnome lichen.......  U.S.A. (NC, TN).........  Cladoniaceae...........  E                     572           NA         NA
                                                                                                                                                        
                   *                  *                  *                  *                  *                  *                 *                   
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    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