(DRAFT) - Taxonomy
                               Species VOLE, AMARGOSA
                                Species Id ESIS051010
                                   Date 14 MAR 96



TAXONOMY

NAME - VOLE, AMARGOSA OTHER COMMON NAMES - VOLE, AMARGOSA; VOLE, DESERT; MOUSE, MEADOW and AMARGOSA ELEMENT CODE - CATEGORY - Mammals PHYLUM AND SUBPHYLUM - CHORDATA, CLASS AND SUBCLASS - MAMMALIA, ORDER AND SUBORDER - RODENTIA, FAMILY AND SUBFAMILY - MURIDAE, GENUS AND SUBGENUS - MICROTUS, SPECIES AND SSP - CALIFORNICUS, SCIRPENSIS SCIENTIFIC NAME - MICROTUS CALIFORNICUS SCIRPENSIS AUTHORITY - TAXONOMY REFERENCES - COMMENTS ON TAXONOMY - Amargosa Vole Microtus californicus scirpensis V. Bailey, 1900 KINGDOM: Animal GROUP: Mammal PHYLUM: Chordata CLASS: Mammalia ORDER: Rodentia FAMILY: Muridae The Amargosa vole (Microtus californicus scirpensis) was originally described as Microtus scirpensis (01), and has been previously referred to as the Amargosa meadow mouse and as the Desert vole (01,02). This is a relatively large Microtus (02), with dorsal coloration ranging from dark buffy gray to pallid neutral gray (01, 02,03). The underside is smokey gray (01). The feet are described as brownish gray (01), and the tail is distinctly bicolored (01,02). This subspecies is morphologically similar to other Microtus californicus spp., and its identity is most certainly determined by its capture locality. M. c. scirpensis is restricted to a small geographic area along the Amargosa River in southern Inyo County, California (03). The average total length, tail length, and hind foot length of 6 adults specimens were 203 mm, 65 mm, and 25.1 mm, respectively (01). The type specimen of M. c. scirpensis is deposited in the U.S. Taxonomy - 1 (DRAFT) - Taxonomy Species VOLE, AMARGOSA Species Id ESIS051010 Date 14 MAR 96 National Museum, Bureau of Biological Survey Collection (25979/33385, adult female) along with at least six other topotypes from the Amargosa River (a spring near Shoshone, near the Nevada State line, Inyo County, California (01,02)). Four specimens are deposited in the collection of the Los Angeles County Museum (LACM 5480-5483); all were collected at Tecopa and Tecopa Hot Springs, Inyo Co. (04). Five specimens from Tecopa and Tecopa Hot Springs are deposited in the Bird and Mammal Museum, California State University, Long Beach (04). It is possible that additional specimens are in the Museum of Vertebrate Zoology, University of California, Berkeley. A collection of photographs of both live and dead M. c. scirpensis is owned by V.C. Bleich; also included in that collection are numerous photographs depicting the macro- and micro-habitats of the subspecies (06). Both Bailey (01) and Kellogg (02) provide detailed morphological descriptions of M. c. scirpensis; Kellogg (02) provides detailed cranial descriptions. The information provided by these authors is of little practical value, however, unless skeletal material is available for study. Taxonomy - 2
                                  (DRAFT) - Status
                               Species VOLE, AMARGOSA
                                Species Id ESIS051010
                                   Date 14 MAR 96



STATUS

Coded Status E: Federal Endangered COMMENTS ON STATUS - U.S. STATUSES AND LAWS: The Amargosa vole (Microtus californicus scirpensis) has been designated aS Endangered pursuant to the Endangered Species Act of 1973 (50 CFR 17.11; P.L. 93-205, 87 Stat. 884; 16 U.S.C. 1531-1540), as amended. The subspecies has this status wherever found including the State of California. Critical Habitat has been designated along the Amargosa River in all portions of Sec. 4,5,9,10, 15,16, and 22 of T20N, R7E and Sec. 28,29,32, and 33, T21N, R7E, in Inyo County, California (50 CFR 17.95(a)). Major constituent elements of designated Critical Habitat include marsh vegetation (primarily bulrushes - Genus Scirpus), springs and some open water which provide escape cover and adequate food supply or Sec. N-OCCUR. This subspecies is protected by the Lacey Act (P.L. 97-79, as amended; 16 U.S.C. 3371 et seq.) which makes it unlawful to import, export, transport, sell, receive, acquire, or purchase any wild animal (alive or dead including parts, products, eggs, or offspring): (1) in interstate or foreign commerce if taken, possessed, transported or sold in violation of any State law or regulation; or (2) if taken or possessed in violation of any U.S. law, treaty, or regulation or in violation of Indian tribal law. It is also unlawful to possess any wild animal (alive or dead including parts, products, eggs, and offspring) within the U.S. territorial or special maritime jurisdiction (as defined in 18 U.S.C. 7) that is taken, possessed, transported, or sold in violation of any State law or regulation, foreign law, or Indian tribal law. RESPONSIBLE FEDERAL AGENCIES: USFWS -Responsible for the management/recovery, listing, and law enforcement/protection of this species. BLM -Responsible for the law enforcement/protection of this species with applicable State and Federal laws on public land under their control (43 CFR 4140). Also responsible for management/recovery on Bureau of Land Management lands. All Federal agencies have responsibility to ensure that any action authorized, funded, or carried out by that agency is not likely to jeopardize the continued existence of the species or result in the destruction or adverse modification of Critical Habitat (50 CFR 402), and to utilize their authorities to carry out programs for the Status - 1 (DRAFT) - Status Species VOLE, AMARGOSA Species Id ESIS051010 Date 14 MAR 96 conservation of the species. STATE STATUSES AND LAWS: STATE: California DESIGNATED STATUS: Endangered ADMINISTRATIVE AGENCY: Calif. Dept. of Fish and Game STATE STATUTE: Calif. Endangered Species Act; Fish and Game Code Chapt. 1.5, Art. 1, Sec. 2050. INTERNATIONAL STATUSES, TREATIES, AND AGREEMENTS: None. ECONOMIC STATUSES: None. 80/06/18:45 FR 41172/41173 - Petitioned for listing 82/12/30:47 FR 58454/58460 - Listed as a Category 1 species 83/08/29:48 FR 39090/39093 - Proposed listing as Endangered 84/11/15:49 FR 45163/ - Listed Endangered with Critical Habitat Status - 2
     

HABITAT ASSOCIATIONS

HABITAT - TERRESTRIAL INLAND AQUATIC LAND USE - Cropland and Pasture Streams and Canals Nonforested Wetland NATIONAL WETLAND INVENTORY CODES NWI NWICLS NWIMOD NWISPEC Riverine, lower perennial OW0 Palustrine OW0 Palustrine FL3 Palustrine EM5 COMMENTS ON HABITAT ASSOCIATIONS - The Amargosa vole is restricted in distribution to those riparian areas along the Amargosa River near Tecopa Hot Springs and Tecopa, Inyo County, California. Typically, these areas are characterized by freshwater marsh vegetation, dominated by Scirpus spp., Carex spp., and Juncus spp. (01,03,04,05,07,08,09,10). Plant density ranges from open to dense, topographic relief ranges from 0 to 20 % slope, and water distribution varies from absent to incised streams, pools, that spread out beneath the plant canopy (04, 05,07,08,09,10). The earliest description (01) of the habitat of Amargosa voles was, "Wet ground under tall tules (Scirpus olneyi), where the runways extend through mud and water...". Recent work (04,05,09) has substantiated this earlier habitat description and provided additional information. Voles have sometimes been captured in areas devoid of water, but with vegetation similar to that described above (05,10). Their habitat has been described as, "... mud and water in a little marsh ..." (01). During a recent study released voles were always observed to scramble into matted Scirpus olneyi (05), suggesting the potential importance of that material as a cover requirement. During extensive fieldwork (05,10), no nests of this subspecies were discovered (06). Limited information is available on the plant species composition of marsh areas in which Amargosa voles have been documented. Rado and Rowlands (09) estimated that plant cover was dense in two areas which they investigated, and that Scirpus olneyi, and Carex spp. formed the dominant plant overstory, while Distichlis spicata, Juncas spp., and Anemopsis californica were important understory components. Other investigatiors (05,10) noted that the density of Scirpus olneyi was moderate to high in areas from which voles were trapped; some areas having moderate to high Scirpus densities yielded no voles, however. In no instance did these investigators find voles in areas they described as having "low" densities of Scirpus. Based on ocular inventories, Bleich (05) noted that the descriptions supplied by other investigators (12,13) for vegetation at nearby Saratoga Springs, Death Valley National Monument, was similar to that in areas inhabited by M. c. scirpensis along the Amargosa River. Habitat Associations - 1
                                (DRAFT) - Food Habits
                               Species VOLE, AMARGOSA
                                Species Id ESIS051010
                                   Date 14 MAR 96



FOOD HABITS

TROPHIC LEVEL - HERBIVORE LIFESTAGE FOOD FOOD PART General Arthropods General Carrion General Vascular Plants-Emergent Nonwoody General Roots/Tubers/Rhizomes-Herbaceous General Poaceae General General Forb Leaves/Stems General Forb Flowers/Fruit/Seed Food Habits - 1
                         (DRAFT) - Environment Associations
                               Species VOLE, AMARGOSA
                                Species Id ESIS051010
                                   Date 14 MAR 96



ENVIRONMENTAL ASSOCIATIONS

G = General A = Adult LIM = Limiting RA = Resting Adult J = Juvenile FA = Feeding Adult RJ = Resting Juvenile BA = Breeding Adult FJ = Feeding Juvenile P = Pupae L = Larvae E = Egg RL = Resting Larvae FL = Feeding Larvae
LIFESTAGE ENVIRONMENTAL ASSOCIATIONS G G Aquatic Features: Pool areas G Aquatic Features: Springs [flowing] Environment Associations - 1
                               (DRAFT) - Life History
                               Species VOLE, AMARGOSA
                                Species Id ESIS051010
                                   Date 14 MAR 96



LIFE HISTORY

FOOD HABITS: No information exists with respects to the food habits of the Amargosa vole. The abundance of "chewed off" stems of Scirpus olneyi suggests that S. olneyi may be a food source (06). The Amargosa vole probably subsists primarily on vegetation (grasses, leaves, and stems in winter; grasses, seeds and forbs in summer) as do other subspecies of M. californicus (22,25). That diet probably is supplemented occasionally with animal matter (insects and carrion), as are the diets of other species of Microtus (14,15). Five intestinal tracts, preserved in alcohol, are deposited in the Bird and Mammal Museum, California State University, Long Beach; no analysis of these materials have been undertaken. HOME RANGE/TERRITORY: It is unlikely that the Amargosa vole exhibits true territorial behavior; however, intraspecific agonistic behavior has been documented in Microtus (16,17). Fourteen different Amargosa voles were captured within an area measuring 20 x 30 meters, suggesting that overlap of home ranges does occur. Eleven of the 14 individuals were juveniles (05). Two juvenile Amargosa voles demonstrated movements of approximately 25 meters between recaptures (05). Microtus californicus typically has a small home range (18), and the best estimate of the average maximum distance between captures of individuals was 60 feet in another study (19). The limited information available (05) for Amargosa voles appears to be consistent with findings for the species in general. Lidicker (35) has provided a detailed discussion of the social biology of Microtus californicus in general. PERIODICITY: Amargosa voles have been captured during December, February, March, and April (01,05,09,10). They probably are active year round, and the absence of summer captures probably reflects a lack of trapping effort (06). Twenty of 38 captures reported by Bleich occurred during daylight hours, suggesting approximately equal levels of diurnal and nocturnal activity (05). MIGRATION PATTERNS: The Amargosa vole is not thought to be migratory (06). COVER/SHELTER REQUIREMENTS: Nothing is known of the cover and shelter requirements of this subspecies. Their habitat has been described as, "... mud and water in a little marsh ..." (01). During a recent study released voles were always observed to scramble into matted Scirpus olneyi (05), suggesting the potential importance of that material as a cover requirement. During extensive fieldwork (05,10), no nests of this subspecies were discovered (06). Life History - 1 (DRAFT) - Life History Species VOLE, AMARGOSA Species Id ESIS051010 Date 14 MAR 96 REPRODUCTIVE SITE REQUIREMENTS: Previous field investigations (01,05,09,10) have yielded no information on reproductive site requirements of the Amargosa vole. REPRODUCTIVE CHARACTERISTICS: The gestation period in Microtus californicus is approximately three weeks, and litter size ranges from 1 to 9, with a mean of about 4 (20). The female may ovulate and breed within 15 hours after parturition; weaning of the young occurs at about two weeks of age (20). Reproduction occurs from September through June, with peaks in November and April (19,25). Photoperiod length has been shown to affect the testicular cycle in male M. californicus (21). The Amargosa vole probably exhibits reproductive characteristics similar to those of the species as a whole (06). Juveniles have been captured during April, December (05,10), and February (01). The large number of juveniles reported captured in December would be consistent with peak reproduction during November (05,19,25). PARENTAL CARE: No data is available on parental care by M. c. scirpensis. In M. californicus, between 1 and 9 are born, and avergae litter size is about 4; the young are weaned at two weeks of age (20). It is likely that M. c. scirpensis exhibits characteristics similar to those found in other subspecies of M. californicus (06). Lidicker (36) has provided detailed information on the social biology of Microtus californicus in general. POPULATION BIOLOGY: Microtine rodents characteristically undergo radical population fluctuations (23). Population cycles occuring every three to four years have been documented for M. californicus in general (24). Litter size averages about 4 (20), and females may produce 4-6 litters per breeding season (29). Krebs (37) has provided detailed demographic data for M. californicus in general; it is possible that his findings may be applicable to M. c. scirpensis, but that is speculative. Selective pressures resulting from the radically different environmental conditions under which M. c. scirpensis lives (02) may have resulted in different life history strategies (06). Predators inhabiting areas occupied include coyotes (Canis latrans), kit fox (Vulpes macrotis), and bobcat (Lynx rufus) (30). Several species of hawks and owls also occur in the area, and the remains of microtines have been recovered from the castings of these birds (06,31). For M. c. scirpensis, the importance of bulrush-dominated habitat located on higher ground not susceptible to flooding has been recognized (09). Such sites could serve as points from which reestablishemnt of populations in low lying areas occurs after flooding (09). The role of natural catastrophes, including flooding, with respect to population dynamics is not known; however, it is likely that a negative correlation between flood conditions and Microtus abundance exists (09). It is unknown what role, if any, flood waters may play in transporting Amargosa voles from inhabited to uninhabited areas, and Life History - 2 (DRAFT) - Life History Species VOLE, AMARGOSA Species Id ESIS051010 Date 14 MAR 96 in the subsequent reestablishment of subpopulations. It is possible, however, that such events are important (06). SPECIES INTERRELATIONSHIPS: It has been suggested that the introduced house mouse (Mus musculus) competes with Microtus californicus (26,27,28). The potential role of competition and its impacts on M. c. scirpensis is purely speculative, but there is some evidence suggesting that competition may limit numbers of M. c. scirpensis. Gould and Bleich (10) noted large numbers of house mice in habitat apparently suitable for Amargosa voles, but failed to capture any of the latter species. Other investigators did, however, capture M. c. scirpensis and M. musculus in same areas (09). Competition studies have investigated the potential for interactions between Microtus californicus and Reithrodontomys megalotis (Western harvest mouse) (32). While it has been shown (32) that Microtus does negatively affect Western harvest mice, the reciprocal negative effect is probably very small or absent. Hence, the term "amensalism" would more accurately describe the relationship between these species (33). OTHER LIFE HISTORY DESCRIPTORS: Gould and Bleich (10), and Bleich (05) concluded that both snap traps and live traps could be used to capture M. c. scirpensis. Although proportionately more voles were captured in Sherman live traps than in Museum Special Snap Traps, a significant difference in trap effectiveness could not be demonstrated (05). Both traps were baited with rolled oats (05,10). Other investigators (09) captured M. c. californicus in Sherman live traps using a mixture of different grains as bait. It is clear from the above that live trapping of this subspecies is possible and in fact, desirable given the Endangered status of this subspecies (34, 35). Future investigators should utilize live-trapping only. Life History - 3
                           (DRAFT) - Management Practices
                               Species VOLE, AMARGOSA
                                Species Id ESIS051010
                                   Date 14 MAR 96



MANAGEMENT PRACTICES

RESULT MANAGEMENT PRACTICE Beneficial Suppressing wildfire Beneficial Controlling/Restricting Off-Road Vehicles Beneficial Restricting/regulating human disturbance of populations Beneficial Maintaining/Controlling Water Flow Beneficial Developing/maintaining/protecting wetlands Beneficial Controlling water levels Beneficial Controlling/Restricting Mining Beneficial Maintaining undisturbed/undeveloped areas Beneficial Land Acquisition Beneficial Controlling/Restricting Pesticide Use Beneficial Controlling/Restricting Herbicide Use Beneficial Controlling/Restricting Agricultural Practice Beneficial Reforestation Beneficial Controlling/Removing Nonnative Vegetation Beneficial Transplanting wild animals Beneficial Controlling/Removing Exotic Vertebrates Adverse Off Road Vehicles Existing Off Road Vehicles Adverse Highway/Railroads Existing Highway/Railroads Adverse Soil compaction by heavy equipment in mine areas Existing Soil compaction by heavy equipment in mine areas Adverse Draining wetlands, marshes, ponds, lakes Existing Draining wetlands, marshes, ponds, lakes Adverse Flooding Existing Flooding Adverse Groundwater drawdown Existing Groundwater drawdown Adverse Irrigating Existing Irrigating Adverse Dredging Existing Dredging Adverse Competition Existing Competition Adverse Exotic/Feral/Introducted Species Existing Exotic/Feral/Introducted Species Adverse Grazing Existing Grazing Adverse Vegetation Composition Changes Existing Vegetation Composition Changes Adverse Fire Existing Fire COMMENTS ON MANAGEMENT PRACTICES - The Amargosa vole occurs only in a restricted area of the eastern Mojave Desert, along the Amargosa River in southern Inyo County, California. The Amargosa River presents the unique situation of comparatively abundant perennial surface water deep in the Mojave Management Practices - 1 (DRAFT) - Management Practices Species VOLE, AMARGOSA Species Id ESIS051010 Date 14 MAR 96 Desert, enabling a thriving marsh community to exist in one of the most arid regions of the United States (05). It is because of the availability of this, surface water that man has been attracted to the area, and that mans activities have impacted the habitat of the Amargosa vole (03). It is thought that this subspecies no longer occurs at the type locality because of habitat destruction associated with the past intentional burning of that area, and its subsequent use as a hog pasture (02). It is not known to what extent the Amargosa vole originally was distributed in the vicinity of the type locality, but it is likely that it's present distribution is less than what it had been historically. Several types of human activities, including the removal of marsh vegetation (by fire to open these areas for pasture development), grazing, groundwater pumping, diversion of springs and the Amargosa River itself, road repair work, road construction, and the introduction of exotic animals are all known to have occurred, or presently are occurring. These activities have been recognized as potential or real threats to the habitat (03). Wetlands have been filled, and springs as well as the Amargosa River have been diverted for construction purposes and for the development of hot mineral baths, particulary near Tecopa Hot Springs. Road repair activities occasionally alter marsh habitat, and grazing currently occurs on lands within the restricted historic range of the Amargosa vole (06). ORV enthusiasts occasionally use marshy areas at the southern end of Amargosa Canyon (06), despite an effort on behalf of the Bureau of Land Management to eliminate such activities (07,08). Currently, house mice are found in limited areas known to be occupied by the Amargosa vole (09), but have not been captured in the majority of sites occupied by that species (05,10). House mice were found to be extremely abundant in areas which otherwise appeared to be suitable habitat (site 7, described by Bleich; 05). The potential role of these exotic animals in limiting vole numbers is speculative, but worthy of further consideration based on the findings of other investigators (26,27,28). Another factor, which probably affects vole numbers and distribution is the periodic flooding (09) which occurs, most often as a result of summer thundershowers. In the past, areas which supported populations of voles (05) have been drastically altered by heavy flooding, and it is likely that vole populations were eliminated from them (11). Indeed, trapping after a flood yielded no captures of voles in one area which previously had been inhabited (09). Periodic flooding will continue, and can be considered a natural phenomenon; it is possible that such flooding may be a factor in recolonization of suitable habitat, by transporting animals to points downstream. Survivors of such floods could form the founders of "new" subpopulations (06). However, Allen (38), in an astute observation, noted "On account of its living in such very localized swamps...the race (M. c. scirpensis) is in a precarious state much like that of an animal living on a few small islands where the environment may become unsuitable through slight changes." Future threats to the Amargosa vole include the continued development of private land, despite recommendations that such lands supporting vole populations be acquired (05,07,08). Additionally, Management Practices - 2 (DRAFT) - Management Practices Species VOLE, AMARGOSA Species Id ESIS051010 Date 14 MAR 96 geothermal leasing activities must be considered a possible threat, despite BLM contention that three current leases are not active and are not expected to become a threat to the critical habitat, and that four pending lease applications contain stipulations to avoid disturbance of the habitat (03). Despite the statement that, "Neither the Critical Habitat zone nor immediately adjacent surrounding lands are now known to contain geothermal resources" (03), it is believed that the number of hotsprings in the immediate area dictates a cautionary approach, and that the potential for geothermal development cannot be ignored. UNAPPROVED PLAN: At present, no recovery plan for the Amargosa vole exists. Development of a Technical Draft is targeted for fiscal year 1987. Aspects of recovery are being handled by the Sacramento field office of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, project biologist Ted Rado. Areas of proposed concentration for recovery may include: 1. Maintain and enhance Amargosa vole populations: A. Inventory wetland distribution to establish species range and habitat preferences. B. Investigate ecological and behavioral relationships of Amargosa voles. (1) Dispersal behavior and new habitat reoccupation rates. (2) Establish reproductive requirements, characteristics, and parental care behavior. (3) Food preferences and relationships to plant and seed production and reproduction. (4) Competitive interactions, both interspecific and intraspecific. (Of main concern is the interrelationship of Amargosa voles and the exotic Mus musculus (House mouse). Establish any existence of a detrimental relationship between these species, and implement an exotic control program if a negative relationship exists.) 2. Protect, secure, and enhance Amargosa vole habitat: A. Land acquisition - of areas containing populations of the Amargosa vole (total known range is around 500 acres). B. Establishment of protective fencing around "core areas". This is intended to stabilize those areas (around 50 acres) that are known centers of Amargosa vole activity. This will also aid in limiting human access and disturbance. C. Rehabilitation of habitat; (1) Maintain habitat at prime level for stability of population (i.e. maintain wetlands integrity and hydrology (water flow) of area) (this will require controlling and/or restricting further development of irrigation projects) and control of noxious invasive plant species such as tamarisk. (2) Maintain past diversity of vegetation (i.e., vegetative rehabilitation and exotic plant control) to stabilize Management Practices - 3 (DRAFT) - Management Practices Species VOLE, AMARGOSA Species Id ESIS051010 Date 14 MAR 96 vole habitat. Of concern is the exotic plant Tamarisk (a native of the Mediterranean) that is detrimental to vole existence. Salt crystals produced and discarded by this species produces soil conditions unsuitable for native vegetation such as; Scirpus spp., Carex spp., and Juncus spp.. Invasion by this species produces a monotypic vegetation unsuitable for the Amargosa vole. D. Restrict use of herbicides detrimental to native flora. E. Restrict use of ORV's (off road vehicles) in and around the habitat of this subspecies. F. Restrict any possible geothermal development detrimental to the species. G. Restrict use of pesticides detrimental to the Amargosa vole. H. Implement a fire control management plan. 3. Translocate wild Amargosa voles to selected habitats. At present, Amargosa Canyon is under consideration as a possible relocation site. 4. Foster interest in and support for, preservation of the Amargosa vole and its ecosystem. 5. Enforce laws and regulations protecting the Amargosa vole and its habitat. Management Practices - 4
                                   (DRAFT) - References
                                  Species VOLE, AMARGOSA
                                  Species Id ESIS051010
                                      Date 14 MAR 96



     

References

***** REFERENCES FOR ALL NARRATIVES EXCEPT N-OCCURRENCE ***** 01 Bailey, V. 1900. Revision of American voles of the genus Microtus. N. Am. Fauna, 17:1-88. 02 Kellogg, R. 1918. A revision of the Microtus californicus group of meadow mice. Univ. Calf. Publ. Zool. 21:1-42. 03 U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. 1984. Endangered and threatened wildlife and plants; determination of endangered status and critical habitat for the Amargosa vole. Fed. Reg. 49:45160-45164. 04 Bleich, V.C. 1979. Microtus californicus scirpensis not extinct. J. Mammal. 60:851-852. 05 Bleich, V.C. 1980. Amargosa vole study. Calif. Dept. of Fish and Game, Nongame Wildl. Invest. Final Rept., W-54-R-10. 8 pp. 06 Bleich, V.C. [n.d.] Unpubl. observ. P.O. Box 1573, Bishop, CA 07 Bureau of Land Management. 1983. Management plan for: Grimshaw Lake Natural Area. Barstow Res. Area, Calf. Desert Dist., BLM, Barstow, CA. 42 pp. 08 Bureau of Land Management. 1983. Management plan for: Amargosa Canyon Natural Area. Barstow Res. Area, Calf. Desert Dist., BLM, Barstow, CA. 56 pp. 09 Rado, T. and P. Rowlands. 1984. Unpubl. admin. rept. A small mammal survey and plant inventory of wetland habitas in Amargosa Canyon and Grimshaw Lake areas of critical environmental concern. USDI BLM, Barstow Res. Area. 12 pp + appendices. 10 Gould, G.I. and V.C. Bleich. 1977. Amargosa vole study. Calif. Dept. of Fish and Game, Nongame Wildl. Invest. Prog. Rept., W-54-R-9. 4 pp. 11 Bleich, V.C. [n.d.] Unpubl. data. P.O. Box 1573, Bishop, CA 12 Bradley, W.G. 1970. The vegetation of Saratoga Springs, Death Valley National Monument, California. Natur. 15:111-129. 13 Bradley, W.G. and J.E. Deacon. 1970. The ecology of small mammals at Saratoga Springs, Death Valley National Monument, California. J. AZ. Acad. Sci. 6:206-215. 14 Reich, L.M. 1981. Microtus pennsylvanicus. Mam. Sp. 159:1-8. 15 Kirkland, G.L., Jr. and, F.J. Jannett, Jr. 1982. Microtus chrotorrhinus. Mammal. Species 180:1-5. 16 Krebs, C.J. 1970. Microtus population biology: behavioral changes associated with the population cycle in M. ochrogaster and M. pennsylvanicus. Ecology 51:34-52. 17 Turner, B.N. and S.L. Iverson. 1973. The annual cycle of aggresion in male Microtus pennsylvanicus and its relation to population parameters. Ecology 54:967-981. 18 Pearson, O.P. 1960. Habits of Microtus californicus revealed by automatic photographic recorders. Ecol. Monogr. 30:231-249. 19 Brant, D.H. 1962. Measures of the movement and population densities of small rodents. Univ. Calf. Publ. Zool. 62:105-184. 20 Ingles, L.G. 1965. Mammals of the Pacific states. Stanford Univ. Press, Stanford, CA. 506 pp. 21 Nelson, R.J., J. Dark, and I. Zucker. 1983. Influence of photoperiod, nutrition and water availability on reproduction of male California voles (Microtus californicus). J. Reprod. Fert. References - 1 (DRAFT) - References Species VOLE, AMARGOSA Species Id ESIS051010 Date 14 MAR 96 69:473-477. 22 Gill, A.E. 1977. Food preferences of the California vole, Microtus californicus. J. Mammal. 58:229-233. 23 Elton, C. 1942. Voles, mice and lemmings: problems in population dynamics. Oxford Univ. Press, Oxford. 496 pp. 24 Batzli, G.O. 1968. Dispersion patterns of mice in California annual grassland. J. Mammal. 49:239-250. 25 Batzli, G.O. and F.A. Pitelka. 1971. Condition and diet of cycling populations of the California vole, Microtus californicus. J. Mammal. 52:141-163. 26 DeLong, K.T. 1966. Population ecology of feral house mice: interference by Microtus. Ecology 47:481-484. 27 Lidicker, W.Z. 1966. Ecological observations on a feral house mouse population declining to extinction. Ecol. Monogr. 36:27-50. 28 Blaustein, A.R. 1980. Behavioral aspects of competition in a three-species rodent guild of coastal southern California. Behav. Ecol. Sociobio. 6:247-255. 29 Greenwald, G.S. 1957. Reproduction in a coastal California population of the field mouse, Microtu californicus. Univ. Calif. Publ. Zool. 54:421-446. 30 Bleich, V.C. 1972. Checklist of the mammals occurring in the Tecopa-Dumont Sand Dunes study area. Pp. 75-77 + Appendix, In: Amargosa Canyon-Dumont Dunes proposed natural area (M.A. Romero, ed.). House of Impressions, Sun Valley, CA. Various paging. 31 Romero, M.A. (ed.) 1972. Amargosa Canyon-Dumont Dunes proposed natural area. House of Impressions, Sun Valley, CA. Various paging. 32 Heske, E.J., R.S. Ostfeld, and W.Z. Lidicker, Jr. 1984. Competitive interactions between Microtus californicus and Reithrodontomys megalotis during two peaks of Microtus abundance. J. Mammal. 65:271-280. 33 Lidicker, W.Z., Jr. 1979. A clarification of interactions in ecological systems. Biosci. 29:475-477. 34 Anonymous. 1984. Two animals and one plant added to list of threatened and endangered species. Endan. Spec. Tech. Bull. 9(12): 5-6. 35 California Department of Fish and Game. 1980. At the crossroads: A report on the status of California's endangered and rare fish and wildlife. Calfi. Dept. of Fish and Game, Sacramento. 147 pp. 36 Lidicker, W.Z., Jr. 1980. The social biology of the California vole. The Biologist 62:46-55. 37 Krebs, C.J. 1966. Demographic changes in fluctuating populations of Microtus californicus. Ecol. Monogr. 36:239-273. 38 Allen, G.M. 1942. Extinct and vanishing mammals of the western hemisphere. Spec. Publ. Am. Comm. Int. Wildl. Prot., 11:1-620. ***** REFERENCES FOR N-OCCURRENCE NARRATIVE ONLY ***** 01 Bailey, V. 1900. Revision of American voles of the genus Microtus. N. Am. Fauna, 17:1-88. 02 Kellogg, R. 1918. A revision of the Microtus californicus group of meadow mice. Univ. Calf. Publ. Zool. 21:1-42. References - 2 (DRAFT) - References Species VOLE, AMARGOSA Species Id ESIS051010 Date 14 MAR 96 03 Bleich, V.C. 1979. Microtus californicus scirpensis not extinct. J. Mammal. 60:851-852. 04 Gould, G.I. and V.C. Bleich. 1977. Amargosa vole study. Calif. Dept. of Fish and Game, Nongame Wildl. Invest. Prog. Rept., W-54-R-9. 4 pp. 05 Bleich, V.C. 1980. Amargosa vole study. Calif. Dept. of Fish and Game, Nongame Wildl. Invest. Final Rept., W-54-R-10. 8 pp. 06 Rado, T. and P. Rowlands. 1984. Unpubl. admin. rept. A small mammal survey and plant inventory of wetland habitas in Amargosa Canyon and Grimshaw Lake areas of critical environmental concern. USDI BLM, Barstow Res. Area. 12 pp + appendices. 07 U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. 1984. Endangered and threatened wildlife and plants: determination of endangered status and critical habitat for the Amargosa vole. Fed. Reg. 49 (222): 45160-45164. 08 Allen, G.M. 1942. Extinct and vanishing mammals of the western hemisphere. Spec. Publ. Am. Comm. Int. Wildl. Prot., 11:1-620. References - 3