(DRAFT) - Taxonomy
                          Species SNAIL, PLEISTOCENE, IOWA
                                Species Id ESIS353001
                                   Date 13 MAR 96



TAXONOMY

NAME - SNAIL, PLEISTOCENE, IOWA OTHER COMMON NAMES - SNAIL, PLEISTOCENE and IOWA ELEMENT CODE - CATEGORY - Aquatic Molluscs PHYLUM AND SUBPHYLUM - MOLLUSCA, CLASS AND SUBCLASS - GASTROPODA, ORDER AND SUBORDER - STYLOMMATOPHORA, FAMILY AND SUBFAMILY - DISCIDAE, GENUS AND SUBGENUS - DISCUS, SPECIES AND SSP - MACCLINTOCKI, SCIENTIFIC NAME - DISCUS MACCLINTOCKI AUTHORITY - TAXONOMY REFERENCES - COMMENTS ON TAXONOMY - Iowa Pleistocene Snail Discus macclintocki (Baker, 1928) KINGDOM: Animal GROUP: Snail PHYLUM: Mollusca CLASS: Gastropoda ORDER: Stylommatophora FAMILY: Discidae The Iowa Pleistocene snail (Discus macclintocki (Baker)) is an average-sized Discus and adults are 6-8 mm wide. The moderately high-spired shell is tightly coiled and adults typically have six whorls. Shell color is either brown or greenish-white and the ribs are relatively fine and confined to the upper half of each whorl. The species has a moderate-sized umbilicus and lacks a parietal callus (01). Photographs are included in the Recovery Plan (01). The first description of the species is of two forms (02), the nominate subspecies and D.m. angulatus. Both were named from fossils so the distinguishing features are conchological only. D.m. angulatus is said to be more depressed and more widely umbilicate and to have a subangular periphery. Both subspecies were accepted by Pilsbry (03) and in living populations are present equally as frequent (01). Taxonomy - 1
                                  (DRAFT) - Status
                          Species SNAIL, PLEISTOCENE, IOWA
                                Species Id ESIS353001
                                   Date 13 MAR 96



STATUS

Coded Status E: Federal Endangered COMMENTS ON STATUS - U.S. STATUSES AND LAWS: The Iowa Pleistocene snail (Discus macclintocki) has been designated an Endangered species 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 species has this status wherever found including the States of Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, Ohio, and Wisconsin. This species 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. Status - 1 (DRAFT) - Status Species SNAIL, PLEISTOCENE, IOWA Species Id ESIS353001 Date 13 MAR 96 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 conservation of the species. STATE STATUSES AND LAWS: STATE: Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, Ohio, and Wisconsin. DESIGNATED STATUS: Recognized Endangered ADMINISTRATIVE AGENCY: (IL) Endangered Species Protection Board, Illinois Department of Conservation; (IA) Conservation Commission, Iowa Division of Fish and Game; (IN) Department of Natural Resources; (KS) Fish and Game Commission; (MN) Department of Natural Resources; Division of Game and Fish; (MO) Conservation Commission, Missouri Department of Conservation; (NE) Game and Parks Commission; (OH) Department of Natural Resources; (WI) Department of Natural Resources. STATE STATUTES: (IL) Administrative Code 1010.30, Smith-Hurd IL Annotated Statutes, Chapter 8, Sec. 331 to 340; (IN) Statutes Annotated 14-2-8-8.5-1, 310 IN Administrative Code 3-3-6; (IA) Administrative Code, Chapter 109A.1, and 109A.5; (KS) Statutes Annotated 32-502(d), (j), 504; (MN) Code of Agency Rules 1.5600 to 1.5601, MN Statutes Annotated 97.40, 97.43, 97.488 and 98.45; (MO) Revised Statutes 252.240, 3 Wildlife Code of MO 10-4.111; (NE) Rev. Stat. 37-430 to 438, Neb. Admin. Rules and Regs. Vol. 13, 6-(1)(d), 6-(10), 1981; (OH) Revised Code Annotated 1531.25, Ohio Administrative Code 1501:31-23-01; (WI) NR 27.03 WI Administrative Code. INTERNATIONAL STATUSES, TREATIES, AND AGREEMENTS: None. ECONOMIC STATUSES: None. 77/07/14:42 FR 36420/36431 - Republication of Endg. & Thr. Spec. list 78/07/03:43 FR 28932/28935 - Listing as Endangered Status - 2 (DRAFT) - Status Species SNAIL, PLEISTOCENE, IOWA Species Id ESIS353001 Date 13 MAR 96 80/05/20:45 FR 33768/33781 - Republication of list with corrections 83/12/08:48 FR 55100/55101 - Five year review Status - 3
     

HABITAT ASSOCIATIONS

HABITAT - TERRESTRIAL TERRESTRIAL SOCIETY OF AMERICAN FORESTRY TYPES SAF TYPE STAGE CLOSURE young tree mature tree Old Growth Aspen-paper birch young tree Aspen-paper birch mature tree Aspen-paper birch Old Growth LAND USE - Cropland and Pasture Deciduous Forest Land COMMENTS ON HABITAT ASSOCIATIONS - At present the only suitable habitat for D. macclintocki is on certain portions of algific (cold-producing) talus slopes, a term coined by Frest (04), to describe a type of habitat in the Driftless Area of Iowa, Minnesota, Wisconsin, and Illinois. Algific slopes are developed over the entrances to small fissures and caves. Air circulation and groundwater infiltration from the surface produces more or less permanent underground ice whose incomplete melting produces a constant stream of moist cool air which filters through a thin plant and litter cover over an extensive rock talus. Algific slopes are most likely to occur in large porous carbonate rock units that cap eroded slopes and are underlain by a geologic unit relatively impervious to ground water flow. Such cliff-forming units as the limestones of the Ordovician Prairie du Chien Formation and Galena Group and the dolomites of the Silurian Hopkinton Formation are ideal. Mechanical karst terrain does not develop well in the sandstone cliffs of the St. Peter or Trempleau Formations. Dolomitized or mineralized portions of the Galena Group (e.g., the Upper Mississippi Valley lead-zinc mining district of Iowa, Illinois, and especially Wisconsin) are apparently unsuitable. Periglacial effects are most pronounced in the Driftless Area on steep, north-facing slopes along the escarpments, and nearly all algific slopes meet these criteria. They function as refugia because the talus is left permanently cool and moist. Even in hot summers, ground temperature seldom exceeds 10 degrees C or in winter, falls much below minus 10 degrees C (04,05); average humidity often exceeds 60 percent. Algific slopes are believed to provide a buffered microclimate that is analogous to that prevalent in the glacial range of the Iowa Pleistocene snail. These slopes are most often covered with hardwood deciduous trees (01). Iowa Pleistocene snails prefer white and yellow birch (Betula papyrifera and B. allegheniensis) leaves and also those of hard maples, trees with limited distribution in Iowa and Illinois (01). As per casual observation, it is believed that individuals prefer leaf litter with a high proportion of certain types of deciduous leaves and typically avoid areas with moss ground cover or coniferous needle litter (01). Eggs are laid under logs and bark in protected moist rock crevices and in the soil a short distance beneath the surface (01). Land use in the surrounding area for pasture is very common in these agriculture oriented States. At some of the known sites there are single line utility poles traversing the habitat and Habitat Associations - 1 at one site there is a access trail for four-wheel drive vehicles leading to a logging area. In general, it must be noted that any surface or subsurface modification to the slope itself or to the related fissures, sinks, and caves on the slope above, could adversely impact a colony or result in extinction of a colony. Habitat Associations - 2
                                (DRAFT) - Food Habits
                          Species SNAIL, PLEISTOCENE, IOWA
                                Species Id ESIS353001
                                   Date 13 MAR 96



FOOD HABITS

TROPHIC LEVEL - HERBIVORE LIFESTAGE FOOD FOOD PART General Deciduous Shrubs-Leaves/Twigs General Deciduous Trees-Leaves/Twigs Food Habits - 1
                         (DRAFT) - Environment Associations
                          Species SNAIL, PLEISTOCENE, IOWA
                                Species Id ESIS353001
                                   Date 13 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 Terrestrial Features: Depressions G Terrestrial Features: Talus G Terrestrial Features: Cliffs/ledges G Terrestrial Features: Rock outcrops G Terrestrial Features: Downed logs G Environment Associations - 1
                               (DRAFT) - Life History
                          Species SNAIL, PLEISTOCENE, IOWA
                                Species Id ESIS353001
                                   Date 13 MAR 96



LIFE HISTORY

FOOD HABITS: Iowa Pleistocene snails prefer white and yellow birch (Betula papyrifera and B. allegheniensis) leaves and also those of hard maples, trees with limited distribution in Iowa and Illinois (01). They will also eat dogwood and willow leaves but refuse a wide variety of food sources commonly used by other land snails (04). HOME RANGE/TERRITORY: The species is non-territorial and occurs in small groups or larger colonies (01). PERIODICITY: Iowa Pleistocene snails remain active all year long but have a period of greater activity from January to October (01). Individuals semi-hibernate in October as they retreat into the soil for the winter season (01). MIGRATION PATTERNS: Because of the snails' limiting temperature and moisture requirements, successful migration is nil and such normal avenues as stream transport and hoarding or collection by small animals are ineffective (01). COVER/SHELTER REQUIREMENTS: The snails need well developed leaf litter for cover, food and protection from dessication (01). REPRODUCTIVE SITE REQUIREMENTS: As per casual observation, it is believed that individuals prefer leaf litter with a high proportion of certain types of deciduous leaves and typically avoid areas with moss ground cover or coniferous needle litter (01). Eggs are laid under logs and bark in protected moist rock crevices and in the soil a short distance beneath the surface (01). Sites chosen are cool and the temperature is fairly stable with relative humidity about 60% (01). REPRODUCTIVE CHARACTERISTICS: Iowa Pleistocene snails reach sexual maturity at 2-2.5 years and breed until death (01). The breeding season is late March to April through August in wild populations (01). The receptive period of the female-male is variable and multiple broods from one individual per year are common (01). The species is hermaphroditic but not self-fertilizing and all adults can lay eggs and fertilize others (01). Hatching of eggs occurs about 28 days after they are laid. Average number of eggs laid varies from 2-6 with 3 being typical. About 90% of these commonly hatch (01). POPULATION BIOLOGY: Habitat availability, suitability, and destruction are the major current limiting factors of the snail. Presently the species occurs Life History - 1 (DRAFT) - Life History Species SNAIL, PLEISTOCENE, IOWA Species Id ESIS353001 Date 13 MAR 96 in only about 22 small areas in northeast Iowa and northwest Illinois, and 50% of the individuals are in 4 colonies. Only about 40,000 individuals remain and this density varies from year to year (01). Individual snails live an average of 5 years although 6 or 7 years is possible (01). Mortality rates are undocumented but major causes are dessication of juveniles and shrew predation of adults (01). A typical proportion of juveniles to adults in a colony is 6:1 (01). It is estimated that the critical recruitment number is 50-150 individuals (01). SPECIES INTERRELATIONSHIPS: Predation by shrews (Blarina brevicauda) is a major cause of adult mortality (01). OTHER LIFE HISTORY DESCRIPTORS: Iowa Pleistocene snails are associated with the threatened northern wild monkshood (Aconitum noveboracense) (01). Life History - 2
                           (DRAFT) - Management Practices
                          Species SNAIL, PLEISTOCENE, IOWA
                                Species Id ESIS353001
                                   Date 13 MAR 96



MANAGEMENT PRACTICES

RESULT MANAGEMENT PRACTICE Beneficial Controlling/Restricting Off-Road Vehicles Beneficial Restricting/regulating human disturbance of populations Beneficial Maintaining/Controlling Water Flow Beneficial Controlling/Restricting Mining Beneficial Maintaining undisturbed/undeveloped areas Beneficial Land Acquisition Beneficial Controlling pollution [thermal, chemical, physical] Beneficial Controlling/Restricting Pesticide Use Beneficial Controlling/Restricting Herbicide Use Beneficial Reforestation Beneficial Restricting Timber Harvest Beneficial Stocking captive-reared wild-strain animals Beneficial Transplanting wild animals Beneficial Controlling/Removing Domestic Animals Adverse Incidental Capturing/Killing Existing Incidental Capturing/Killing Adverse Rock Climbing Existing Rock Climbing Adverse Hiking/Camping Existing Hiking/Camping Adverse Predation Existing Predation Adverse Surface Mines Existing Surface Mines Adverse Rural Residential/Industrial Areas Existing Rural Residential/Industrial Areas Adverse Highway/Railroads Existing Highway/Railroads Adverse Transmission Lines/Towers Existing Transmission Lines/Towers Adverse Soil compaction by heavy equipment in mine areas Existing Soil compaction by heavy equipment in mine areas Adverse Climate Alteration Existing Climate Alteration Adverse Existing Adverse Erosion Existing Erosion Adverse Grazing Existing Grazing Adverse Existing Adverse Forest Alteration Existing Forest Alteration Adverse Harvesting Existing Harvesting Management Practices - 1 (DRAFT) - Management Practices Species SNAIL, PLEISTOCENE, IOWA Species Id ESIS353001 Date 13 MAR 96 COMMENTS ON MANAGEMENT PRACTICES - The major long-term cause of decline of the Iowa Pleistocene snail is cyclic climatic changes. If glacial conditions were to return it would likely recolonize a major part of the upper Midwest (01). Presently, human disturbance is the most important cause of decline. Loss of habitat due to slope clearing, removal of trees for pasturing and lumber, road building, and powerline construction have been detrimental to the population. Pasturing leads to trampling of snails and erosion, and human traffic (hiking and rock climbing) causes compaction of litter and crushing of snails (01). Subsurface modification such as quarrying and house construction have also eliminated important habitat of the species (01). Natural calamities have also caused the species to decline. Rockfalls, stream under-cutting, and treefalls can cause major habitat change or destruction (01). Biotic factors that are restricting the population include predation by shrews, which is a major cause of adult mortality. Unusually severe winters or summers also prove detrimental to the population (01). Interglacial populations of the Iowa Pleistocene snail represent only a small fraction of glacial numbers. The species is a normal component, sometimes a dominant one, of the Pleistocene glacial Midwest Biome. In single fossil sites, especially in the Peoria Loess, millions of individuals are preserved. In interglacial periods, algific slopes provide the most analogous climate (01). Thus the major long-term cause of decline is cyclic climatic change. The species has survived several such cycles in the past, however. With a return to glacial conditions it could be resuscitated over a major part of the upper Midwest, provided its relictual areas are preserved and maintained. Once the necessary algific talus slope terrain develops near the close of a glacial epoch, geologic factors become comparatively unimportant. Interglacials are short enough, and erosion slow enough, that degradation and loss of habitat due to large-scale geologic processes is probably minor (01). The most important causes of decline of Iowa Pleistocene snail interglacial habitat is human disturbance. It is estimated that about a 75 percent loss of habitat has occurred in the last 150 years (01). Slope clearing is a major factor. Removal of trees, even without concommitant effects, destroys the major food sources, lessens litter accumulation, and leaves the slopes more exposed to seasonal temperature extremes. Clearing is conducted for pasturing, to obtain lumber, and to facilitate road building. In a few cases, powerline construction was the motivation (01). Pasturing of domestic animals, particularly cows, has obliterated a number of suitable slopes. They are fragile and subject to trampling damage. Because algific slopes are often too steep and rocky for tillage, and not ideal locales for economically valuable tree species, many have been used as pastures. Much of the potentially suitable habitat in Wisconsin has been pastured. The overall effect, aside from obliterating the unique biota, is to increase soil erosion. Most slopes are overgrazed and unstable under current weather conditions if vegetation is removed (01). Management Practices - 2 (DRAFT) - Management Practices Species SNAIL, PLEISTOCENE, IOWA Species Id ESIS353001 Date 13 MAR 96 Human traffic is also a major cause of damage to many algific slopes. The damage is due to denudation of inhabited stretches due to rock falls, but also to compaction of litter and crushing of snails by trampling. At least seventy of the known slopes show some damage attributed to foot traffic. Among the instances observed were hunters, casual hikers, plant and mushroom collectors, and researchers on algific slope biota. Scientific or amateur collecting and field study must be included and causes appreciable damage. Road building, either for vehicular travel or to allow easy access to hilltop fields, has also caused considerable attrition of slopes. Aside from damage to the litter cover, any disruption of the air circulatory system is potentially disastrous (01). Subsurface modifications such as quarrying also eliminate habitat by a combination of physical destruction of the surface and disruption of the subsurface ice cave or fissures. Other examples in this category include house construction, installation of sewer lines or other underground pipelines, mining and drainage excavations (01). In general, it must be noted that any surface or subsurface modification to the slope itself or to the related fissures, sinks, and caves on the slope above, could adversely impact a colony or result in extinction of a colony. Some observed activities (although difficult to assess) include: 1) waste disposal (solid or liquid) on talus slopes or sinks in adjoining fields; 2) herbicide damage; and 3) pesticide damage. No major instances of deliberate vandalism have yet been observed, but are a possibility to be considered (01). Several natural factors have been observed to damage algific slopes. In no instance has destruction of an entire slope occurred and damage is usually limited in areal extent. Most are also not readily preventable, but because some colonies are small, attempts to repair such damage to D. macclintocki sites are warranted and feasible (01). Small-scale geologic processes such as rockfalls and stream undercutting have damaged algific slopes by burying critical portions or physically removing small areas (01). Predation by shrews is a major cause of adult mortality. The same factor operates on most land snails above a certain size, and should not normally be a major (limiting factor) cause for concern. Trampling by deer and other traffic causes minor damage, but the tendency for animal trails to be narrow and rather constant in location on the slopes limits possible damage. Tree falls in critical areas likewise can cause severe but highly localized damage. Predation by cychrine beetles as a cause of mortality at one colony has been noted. This contribution to juvenile mortality remains unassessed (01). Unusually severe winters or summers undoubtedly cause major damage from time to time. The influence of cold air drainage can be counteracted by these severe events. Such are unlikely to cause complete extinction, however; the Iowa Pleistocene snail survived the so-called Altithermal or Hypsithermal, a period of unusually warm and dry weather which occurred at about 6,000 years before present. Tornadoes or lightening strikes also cause damage to individual colonies. Forest fires may be a problem, if severe, but the cool and moist slopes are reasonably insulated from direct fire damage. Management Practices - 3 (DRAFT) - Management Practices Species SNAIL, PLEISTOCENE, IOWA Species Id ESIS353001 Date 13 MAR 96 Changes to vegetation and soil chemistry of surrounding areas could have a major impact (01). APPROVED PLAN: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. 1984. National Recovery Plan for the Iowa Pleistocene Snail (Discus macclintocki (Baker)). U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Twin Cities, MN. 26 pp. The primary objective of the Recovery Plan is to remove the Iowa Pleistocene snail from Endangered status. The most important feature of the plan is the protection of existing colonies by: 1) Gaining control of relevant algific talus slopes; and 2) Protecting these slopes from human disturbances. Existing talus slope areas and adjacent upland mechanical karst must be restored to their original state, maintained, and stringently protected. Secondly, to establish a sizeable and dispersed biologically viable population, reintroduction efforts should be made. Finally, in order to ensure the success of both recovery efforts, a monitoring program should be set up to document positive response to protection efforts. Specific recovery actions include: 1) Habitat Protection. a) Potential habitat should be surveyed for new colony sites. b) Requirements for upland buffers should be determined to reduce protection costs. Upland areas requiring protection include sinks, sinkholes, fissures and subsurface components. Deforestation, pesticide/herbicide use, filling and blocking of sinkholes by waste or garbage disposal are potential hazards (i.e., any increase or decrease in water and air flow or deterioration of groundwater input to the algific (talus) slopes is a hazard). c) Interagency agreements for habitat protection should be established for colony sites. d) Evaluate and implement land protection strategies for colony sites including limiting human and cattle disturbance, limiting development and/or mining, land acquisition (fee title, easement, lease, cooperative agreement, etc.), restricting timber harvesting activities, and fencing and signing of areas to limit access (including off-road vehicles). 2) Population Management and Protection. a) Monitor population trends through regular censuses. b) Study life history aspects including temperature/humidity tolerances, breeding, diseases, life span, minimum viable population size, and foraging preferences. c) Determine effects of environmental contaminants using surrogate species and monitoring of forage plants, soil, ground-water, and if necessary bioassay of snails if unusual mortality occurs. d) Reestablish snail colonies at identified and protected suitable sites using laboratory breeding colony or wild individuals. 3) Provide law enforcement protection to colony sites. 4) Study geologic history and past distribution of this species. Management Practices - 4 (DRAFT) - Management Practices Species SNAIL, PLEISTOCENE, IOWA Species Id ESIS353001 Date 13 MAR 96 5) Conduct information and education programs. Management Practices - 5
                                   (DRAFT) - References
                             Species SNAIL, PLEISTOCENE, IOWA
                                  Species Id ESIS353001
                                      Date 13 MAR 96



     

References

*****REFERENCES FOR ALL NARRATIVES EXCEPT N-OCCURRENCE***** 01 Frest, T.J. 1984. National Recovery Plan for the Iowa Pleistocene Snail (Discus macclintocki (Baker)). U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Twin Cities, MN. 26 pp. 02 Baker, F.C. 1928. Description of new varieties of land and freshwater mollusks from Pleistocene deposits in Illinois. The Nautilus 41:132-137. 03 Pilsbry, H.A. 1948. Land Mollusca of North America (North of Mexico). Vol. 2, part 2. Acad. Nat. Sci. Phil., Monogr. 3. 04 Frest, T.J. 1981. Final report, project SE 1-4, Iowa Pleistocene snail. Iowa St. Cons. Comm. Des Moines, IA. 162 pp. 05 Solem, A. 1976. Final reports, Contract No. 14-16-0008-965. On file at: U.S. Dept. of Interior, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Office of Endangered Species, Washington, D.C. 6 pp. *****REFERENCES FOR N-OCCURRENCE NARRATIVE ONLY***** 01 Frest, T.J. 1984. National Recovery Plan for the Iowa Pleistocene Snail (Discus macclintocki (Baker)). U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Twin Cities, MN. 26 pp. References - 1