(DRAFT) - Taxonomy
Species CACTUS, FISHHOOK, TOBUSCH
Species Id ESIS702006
Date 13 MAR 96
TAXONOMY
NAME - CACTUS, FISHHOOK, TOBUSCH
OTHER COMMON NAMES - CACTUS, FISHHOOK, TOBUSCH; ANCISTROCACTUS and BANDERA COUNTY
ELEMENT CODE -
CATEGORY - Angiosperm
PHYLUM AND SUBPHYLUM - MAGNOLIOPHYTA,
CLASS AND SUBCLASS - MAGNOLIOPSIDA,
ORDER AND SUBORDER - CARYOPHYLLALES,
FAMILY AND SUBFAMILY - CACTACEAE,
GENUS AND SUBGENUS - ANCISTROCACTUS,
SPECIES AND SSP - TOBUSCHII,
SCIENTIFIC NAME - ANCISTROCACTUS TOBUSCHII
AUTHORITY -
TAXONOMY REFERENCES -
COMMENTS ON TAXONOMY -
Tobusch Fishhook Cactus
Ancistrocactus tobuschii (W.T. Marsh.) W.T. Marsh. ex Backeberg
KINGDOM: Plant GROUP: Angiosperm
DIVISION: Magnoliophyta CLASS: Magnoliopsida
ORDER: Caryophyllales FAMILY: Cactaceae
The Tobusch fishook cactus has fibrous roots and short taproots,
(01). The stems are normally solitary, sometimes branching due to
injury, dark green, obconical or turbinate, 5 to 8 cm long, and 2.5 to
8.5 cm in diameter. The ribs are usually 8 in number but poorly
defined, consisting of slightly confluent tubercles 6 to 9 (10 to 12)
mm long (02), 6 mm broad, and protruding 5 to 12 mm. The areoles are
elliptical to linear, the spine-clusters are about 4.5 mm in basal
diameter and 9 to 12 mm apart. The spines are rather sparse, finely
scaberulous-canescent. The central spines number 3 to 5, are light
yellow with red tips fading to gray, the upper 2 to 3 are straight,
erect or ascending; the lower one is hooked and spreading, the upper
ones are longer, 2.2 to 3.75 cm long and somewhat flattened. The
radial spines number 7 to 12, are slender and spreading irregularly,
12 to 19 mm long and are articular. The flowers are 3 to 4 cm long
and wide. The outer floral bracts show brownish-red midribs and pale
Taxonomy - 1 (DRAFT) - Taxonomy
Species CACTUS, FISHHOOK, TOBUSCH
Species Id ESIS702006
Date 13 MAR 96
yellow margins, they are elliptic-oblong, 12 to 15 mm long, about 6 mm
broad, apically rounded and entire. The inner floral bracts are
yellow to cream, nearly spatulate, about 15 mm long, and about 4.5 mm
broad, entire or irregularly dentate. The filaments are cream to
yellowish, 6 mm long. The anthers are a golden-yellow, about 0.7 mm
long. The style is green, about 17 mm long. Stigmas are yellowish, 5
to 9 lobed and the lobes are about 1 mm long. The fruit is green,
flushing pink or a pinkish brown when ripe, ovid or ellipsoid, 25 to
30 mm long, and about 9 to 15 mm wide, with small scales on the fruit,
these broad, membranous, and irregularly lobed. The seeds are
blackish, finely papillate, 1.5 mm long, 1.5 mm or more broad and 1 mm
thick (01,02,03,04,05,06).
Ancistrocactus tobuschii is closely releated to A. brevihamatus,
which replaces tobuschii farther south and west; these two taxa
intergrade in Kinney County, TX (09). The westernmost population of
tobuschii slightly approaches A. brevihamatus in spine morphology, but
has typical tobuschii flowers (09).
The typical differences between A. tobuschii and A. brevihamatus
are: 1) flower color (petaloid bracts dull golden-yellow, or golden-
tan, or greenish-cream-colored in tobuschii, as opposed to pinkish
brown or pink and green in brevihamatus) and 2) flower shape
(funnelform-salverform in tobuschii, but funnelform-cylindroid in A.
brevihamatus) (08). However, tobuschii flowers go through a
funnelform-cylindroid period as they open and close, so their
characteristic shape pertains only to fully open flowers (09).
The vegetative differences supposedly characteristic of tobuschii
(relatively small size of all parts, and greener stem surface) are not
useful (09). Most tobuschii plants in the vicinity of the type
locality are indeed very small relative to the average A. brevihamatus
that one sees farther west, but this is due only to population
structure (09). The tobuschii populations near the City of
Vanderpool, TX, consist predominantly of seedlings with a few
individuals living to old age; most brevihamatus populations, in
contrast, are reproducing very poorly and consist of widely separated
old adults (09). The few immatures seen in brevihamatus populations
appear almost identical to typical plants of tobuschii but sometimes
have gray-green (instead of dark green) stem surfaces (09). The color
of the stem surface depends on the environment in which the plant is
growing; i.e., increasingly gray with increasing isolation and
decreasing moisture (09). The tobuschii all grow in a relatively
humid region, and so they are relatively green; in cultivation, the
differences in stem color are much weaker than they are in the wild
(09).
In the original description, Marshall published the name as
Mammillaria (Ancistrocactus) tobuschii (02). Although the inclusion
of Ancistrocactus in parentheses would indicate a subgenus, Marshall
intended the names to be alternative (03). Backeberg (07) later
published the species in Ancistrocactus.
Weniger placed the species in the genus Echinocactus (03);
however, this combination is invalid.
A report by Wauer from the Dead Horse Mountains in Brewster
County, TX (08), is a misidentification according to Weniger (01),
Warnock (01), and Zimmerman (09).
Taxonomy - 2 (DRAFT) - Taxonomy
Species CACTUS, FISHHOOK, TOBUSCH
Species Id ESIS702006
Date 13 MAR 96
The holotype (Marshall B1501) is on deposit at the Desert
Botanical Garden in Tucson, AZ. Isotypes are at DES and TEX. Other
specimens may be found at DES and UNM.
Several references contain descriptions, photographs, and/or
drawings; (01,02,03,04,05,06,10).
The IUCN Red Data Book uses the common name "Bandera County
Ancistrocactus" for the Tobusch fishhook cactus.
Taxonomy - 3 (DRAFT) - Status
Species CACTUS, FISHHOOK, TOBUSCH
Species Id ESIS702006
Date 13 MAR 96
STATUS
Coded Status
E: Federal Endangered
Commercial
Non-consumptive recreational
Ornamental
COMMENTS ON STATUS -
U.S. STATUSES AND LAWS:
The Tobusch fishhook cactus (Ancistrocactus tobushii) has been
designated an Endangered species pursuant to the Endangered Species
Act of 1973 (50 CFR 17.12; P.L. 93-205, 87 Stat. 884; 16 U.S.C.
1531-1540), as amended. The species has this status wherever found
including the State of Texas.
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 possess
any wild plant (including roots, seeds, and other parts) within U.S.
territorial or special maritime jurisdiction (as defined in 18 U.S.C.
7); or to import, export, transport, sell, receive, acquire, or
purchase in interstate or foreign commerce any wild plant (including
roots, seeds, and other parts) taken, possessed, transported, or sold
in violation of any State law or regulation. It is also unlawful to
import, export, transport, sell, receive, acquire, or purchase any
wild plant (including roots, seeds, and other parts) taken or
possessed in violation of any U.S. law, treaty, or regulation or in
violation of Indian tribal law.
RESPONSIBLE FEDERAL AGENCIES:
USFWS -Responsible for the management/recovery, listing, and
law enforcement/protection of this species.
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: Texas
DESIGNATED STATUS: Endangered
ADMINISTRATIVE AGENCY: Texas Parks and Wildlife Department
STATE STATUTE: Chapter 88 of the Texas Parks and Wildlife Code,
Texas Parks and Wildlife Rules for Protected,
Status - 1 (DRAFT) - Status
Species CACTUS, FISHHOOK, TOBUSCH
Species Id ESIS702006
Date 13 MAR 96
Threatened and Endangered Native Plant Species,
Sec 57.401-57.413
INTERNATIONAL STATUSES, TREATIES, AND AGREEMENTS:
This species is listed in Appendix I of CITES and as Endangered
under the common name Bandera County Ancistrocactus in the IUCN Red
Data Book (1978).
ECONOMIC STATUSES:
This species has horticultural value and is commercially
available from cactus and succulent dealers. It's rarity makes it
particularly desirable to collectors. It has value as a component of
Texas's natural heritage of biotic diversity.
75/07/01:40 FR 27823/27924 - Notice of review
76/06/16:41 FR 24523/24572 - Proposed Endangered
79/11/07:44 FR 64736/64738 - Listing as Endangered
85/07/22:50 FR 29901/29909 - Five year review
Status - 2 HABITAT ASSOCIATIONS
HABITAT - TERRESTRIAL
TERRESTRIAL
INLAND AQUATIC
LAND USE -
Mixed Rangeland
Streams and Canals
Bare Exposed Rock
NATIONAL WETLAND INVENTORY CODES
NWI NWICLS NWIMOD NWISPEC
Riverine, intermittent SB1
Riverine, intermittent BB1
COMMENTS ON HABITAT ASSOCIATIONS -
Ancistrocactus tobuschii occurs in sunlit rocky sites such as
gravel bars or adjacent low limestone ledges and ridges in or near
rocky, intermittent streams (01); and on open rocky hilltops and mesa-
tops (09). The habitat is entirely within the Juniper-Oak
Association of the Edwards Plateau, a mixed rangeland within the Texas
Savanna. Platanus occidentalis and Juglans microcarpa are found in
or near the streambed, while Juniperus ashei, Berberis trifoliolata,
and Quercus fusiformis occur in association with Ancistrocactus
tobuschii at all of the non-riparian sites (09). The cactus is
usually found in full sun, although it will tolerate light shade
(01). Although Weniger states that there is little grass in the
immediate vicinity (01), this is true only of a fraction of the
populations (09). Marshall, in the type description, said that it was
usually growing in clumps of Aristida (02). Other cacti found in
association with Ancistrocactus tobuschii are; Coryphantha sulcata,
Coryphantha vivipara, Echinocereus enneacanthus, and Epithelantha
micromeris (09,10).
The topographic elevation varies between 400 and 500 meters (01,
02). The mean annual total precipitation is about 22 to 30 inches and
the mean annual temperature is about 65 to 69 degrees F (11).
Habitat Associations - 1 (DRAFT) - Food Habits
Species CACTUS, FISHHOOK, TOBUSCH
Species Id ESIS702006
Date 13 MAR 96
FOOD HABITS
TROPHIC LEVEL -
AUTOTROPH
Food Habits - 1 (DRAFT) - Environment Associations
Species CACTUS, FISHHOOK, TOBUSCH
Species Id ESIS702006
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: Cliffs/ledges
G Terrestrial Features: Rock outcrops
G
G
G
G
G
G
G
G
G
G
Environment Associations - 1 (DRAFT) - Life History
Species CACTUS, FISHHOOK, TOBUSCH
Species Id ESIS702006
Date 13 MAR 96
LIFE HISTORY
HABIT:
Succulent (01,02,03,05,06,07,08).
LIFE CYCLE:
Perennial (01,02,05,06,09). Ancistrocactus tobuschii has a
relatively short life-cycle (09). In cultivation they reach sexual
maturity in as little as 3 years, and they give the appearance of
perhaps equally rapid maturation in the field (as evidenced by adult
plants having very soft underground parts, with very few
nodes/internodes; in contrast to wild adults of most other species of
cacti) (09). The life expectancy of wild Ancistrocactus tobuschii
plants, beyond attainment of sexual maturity, probably is less than
ten years (09).
TYPE OF REPRODUCTION:
Sexual (01,09). These plants are obligate outcrossers,
reproducing exclusively by seeds (09).
Although the plants branch when injured (01), the branches are
sessile and are not a mechanism for disperal or establishment of new
plants (09).
REPRODUCTIVE PHENOLOGY:
Germination and leafing dates are unknown. Budding and anthesis
occur in February to early April (09). Fruiting occurs in late spring
to early summer (09). Timing of Seed/fruit dispersal is unknown (09).
According to Weniger (01), Ancistrocactus tobuschii flowers from
late April until early June and produces ripe fruits by late summer.
However, field research by Zimmerman (12) indicates that blooming
starts in mid-February (early March if the weather is cold) and is
over by mid-March, rarely as late as early April. The fruits ripen in
late spring or early summer, although sometimes they persist until
late summer (12).
SEX OR SPORE STATUS:
Monoclinous (03,04,05,06,07).
POLLINATION, SPORE AND SEED DISSEMINATION:
Pollen dissemination agents are small native bees, including
Dialictus sp. (09). The seed dissemination agents are possibly birds
or rodents.
Concentrations of seedlings close to the adults suggest that seed
dispersal often is passive (09). However, a few of the fruits
disappear from the plants shortly after ripening, strongly indicative
of fruit consumption (and possibly seed dispersal) by either birds or
rodents (09).
SEED BIOLOGY:
In cultivation, the percentage of germination is high (02).
POPULATION BIOLOGY:
In June 1952, Marshall observed seedlings immediately around
Life History - 1 (DRAFT) - Life History
Species CACTUS, FISHHOOK, TOBUSCH
Species Id ESIS702006
Date 13 MAR 96
established plants and scattered throughout the area (02). Weniger
(01) stated that seedlings have not been found in nature since then.
However, the populations seen by Zimmerman (09) range from those in
which seedlings are very few to those in which the majority of the
plants are immatures, representing every possible age-class. In 1963,
about 100 individuals were observed along the Sabinal River near
Vanderpool, at a density of up to 3 individuals per hundred square
feet (01). But in 1979 Weniger found no Ancistrocactus tobuschii
there (01). One or two dozen plants were observed along a ten mile
strip in western Kerr County, TX, and a couple of dozen individuals
were found on a few acres in northern Bandera County, TX, on the Upper
Medina River (01). The known population has greatly declined over the
past 15 years (01).
The life expectancy of wild Ancistrocactus tobuschii plants,
beyond attainment of sexual maturity, probably is less than ten years
(09). This means that a population consisting largely of adult
plants, with little evidence of recent reproduction, could completely
disappear as a result of natural die-off in the few years following
its discovery (09). This tendency for Ancistrocactus tobuschii
populations to be ephemeral might render this taxon very difficult to
manage on a single-population basis (09). At least near Vanderpool,
Ancistrocactus tobuschii seems to simultaneously experience both
castastrophic die-off and/or destruction of some populations, and very
rapid growth of other populations (09). If Ancistrocactus tobuschii
is indeed a fugitive species then very large tracts of habitat
containing many emphemeral Ancistrocactus tobuschii populations would
be necessary for the long-term survival of Ancistrocactus tobuschii at
a given site (09).
ECOLOGICAL/EDAPHIC FACTORS:
Ancistrocactus tobuschii grows in open, sunny, rocky sites,
although it will tolerate some shade (01,09). It can be found on
gravel bars or low ledges and ridges in or near intermittent streams
(01) as well as on rocky hilltops and mesa-tops (09). When on open
mesa-tops, the cactus is usually in the most stable available
microhabitats, such as mats of Selaginella among rock outcrops on
relatively level sites where over-all drainage is good (09). The soil
texture varies from very cobbly and gravelly to deep clays and loams
(14,15,16,17). Most of the sites are xeric, but the sites in the
intermittent streams could be considered mesic at some times.
The topographic elevation varies between 400 and 500 meters (01,
02). The mean annual total precipitation is about 22 to 30 inches and
the mean annual temperature is about 65 to 69 degrees F (11).
Geologic formations in the area of the cactus' occurrence are the
Glen Rose Formation, the Edwards Limestone, the Salmon Peak Limestone,
and the Hensell Sand, all are lower Cretaceous (13). Also within the
Ancistrocactus tobuschii range are the following upper Cretaceous
Formations; the Del Rio Clay, the Buda Limestone, and the Cretaceous
Igneous Rocks (13). Pleistocene Formations in the habitat are the
Leona Formation, the Quaternary Deposits, and the Fluviatile Terrace
Deposits (13). Holocene Formations found in the area of
Ancistrocactus tobuschii are Low Terrace Deposits and Alluvium (13).
Soil orders within the range of Ancistrocactus tobuschii are
Life History - 2 (DRAFT) - Life History
Species CACTUS, FISHHOOK, TOBUSCH
Species Id ESIS702006
Date 13 MAR 96
primarily mollisols, with some vertisols and entisols (14,15,16,17).
The soil series are; Anhalt, Denton, Dev, Ector, Frio, Knippa,
Montell, Nuvalde, Olmos, Orif, Tarrant, and Uvalde (14,15,16,17).
TROPHIC STATUS:
Phototrophic (03,04,05,06).
CHARACTERISTIC DOMINANCE:
Component (09).
COMMUNITY ECOLOGY:
Ancistrocactus tobuschii occurs in the Ash Juniper-Live Oak
Savannah. Most of this vegetation consists of woodland or scrub to
dense to allow the build-up of extensive dense populations of
Ancistrocactus tobuschii (09). Either Ancistrocactus tobuschii has
always managed to survive under these conditions, implying that it has
always gotten by with small scattered populations (half of which are
in rocky flood-plains kept clear of trees only by catastrophic
disturbance); or the dense scrub cover of the southern Edwards Plateau
is a new phenomenon (09).
SPECIES INTERRELATIONSHIPS:
Ancistrocactus tobuschii is cross-pollinated by Dialictus (09).
The cactus is utilized by larval Gerstaeckeria sp., a cactus-
specialist weevil, which usually causes the death of the plant (09).
Ancistrocactus tobuschii is also utilized by Chelinidea sp., a cactus-
specialist bug whose feeding-punctures leave yellow scars on the plant
but seem to cause no serious damage (09).
OTHER LIFE HISTORY DESCRIPTORS:
None.
Life History - 3 (DRAFT) - Management Practices
Species CACTUS, FISHHOOK, TOBUSCH
Species Id ESIS702006
Date 13 MAR 96
MANAGEMENT PRACTICES
RESULT MANAGEMENT PRACTICE
Beneficial Restricting/regulating human disturbance of populations
Beneficial Maintaining/Controlling Water Flow
Beneficial Maintaining undisturbed/undeveloped areas
Beneficial Land Acquisition
Beneficial Maintaining Sperm/Seed Banks
Beneficial Stocking captive-reared wild-strain animals
Beneficial Restricting Poaching
Beneficial Controlling/Restricting Noncommercial Harvest
Beneficial Regulating commercial harvest levels
Beneficial Controlling/Removing Feral Animals
Beneficial Controlling/Removing Domestic Animals
Adverse Collecting
Existing Collecting
Adverse Commercial Exploitation
Existing Commercial Exploitation
Adverse Inherent Reproductive Characteristics
Existing Inherent Reproductive Characteristics
Adverse Low Gene Pool
Existing Low Gene Pool
Adverse Hybridization
Existing Hybridization
Adverse Parasites
Existing Parasites
Adverse Predation
Existing Predation
Adverse Rural Residential/Industrial Areas
Existing Rural Residential/Industrial Areas
Adverse Soil compaction by heavy equipment in mine areas
Existing Soil compaction by heavy equipment in mine areas
Adverse Flooding
Existing Flooding
Adverse Reservoirs
Existing Reservoirs
Adverse Dredging
Existing Dredging
Adverse Developing/maintaining stream bank vegetation
Existing Developing/maintaining stream bank vegetation
Adverse Applying herbicides
Existing Applying herbicides
Adverse Exotic/Feral/Introducted Species
Existing Exotic/Feral/Introducted Species
Adverse Erosion
Existing Erosion
Adverse Grazing
Existing Grazing
Adverse Vegetation Composition Changes
Existing Vegetation Composition Changes
Management Practices - 1 (DRAFT) - Management Practices
Species CACTUS, FISHHOOK, TOBUSCH
Species Id ESIS702006
Date 13 MAR 96
COMMENTS ON MANAGEMENT PRACTICES -
Because many of Ancistrocactus tobuschii populations occur in
areas prone to yearly flooding, these populations often undergo a
great deal of stress (01,09). Such flooding also contributes to
erosion along the stream and further modifying of the habitat of the
cactus. Feral goats abound in central TX, and it is thought that
their trampling of the cacti causes damage to the apical meristem
(01). The greatest threat to the species is from goats (some are
feral), sheep (domestic), and land development (i.e., housing) (09).
Most of the otherwise suitable mesa-tops on the Edwards Plateau are
nearly devoid of all species of dwarf cacti due to extreme alteration
of the soil surface and a non-arborescent plant community. This
situation is due to utilization of the plants by livestock, which eat
the nurse plants (01) and mostly grasses and perennial herbs on which
cactus seedlings depend for shelter, and livestock possibly eat
Ancistrocactus tobuschii itself.
Another threat is the destruction of habitat for land development
(09). The best sites for housing are natural openings on bluffs and
alluvial terraces, and these sites are the sites most often occupied
by new houses (09). A large house, with the associated habitat
disturbance, was placed within 100 meters or so of a dense
Ancistrocactus tobuschii population, a short distance north of the
City of Vanderpool, TX (09).
Ancistrocactus tobuschii is cross-pollinated by Dialictus (09).
The cactus is utilized by larval Gerstaeckeria sp., a cactus-
specialist weevil, which usually causes the death of the plant (09).
Ancistrocactus tobuschii is also utilized by Chelinidea sp., a cactus-
specialist bug whose feeding-punctures leave yellow scars on the plant
but seem to cause no serious damage (09).
Ancistrocactus tobuschii is closely related to A. brevihamatus,
which replaces tobuschii farther south and west; these two taxa
intergrade in Kinney County, TX (09). The westernmost population of
tobuschii slightly approaches A. brevihamatus in spine morphology, but
has typical tobuschii flowers (09).
The life expectancy of wild Ancistrocactus tobuschii plants,
beyond attainment of sexual maturity, probably is less than ten years
(09). This means that a population consisting largely of adult
plants, with little evidence of recent reproduction, could completely
disappear as a result of natural die-off in the few years following
its discovery (09). This tendency for Ancistrocactus tobuschii
populations to be ephemeral might render this taxon very difficult to
manage on a single-population basis (09). At least near Vanderpool,
Ancistrocactus tobuschii seems to simultaneously experience both
castastrophic die-off and/or destruction of some populations, and very
rapid growth of other populations (09). If Ancistrocactus tobuschii
is indeed a fugitive species then very large tracts of habitat
containing many emphemeral Ancistrocactus tobuschii populations would
be necessary for the long-term survival of Ancistrocactus tobuschii at
a given site (09).
Private and commercial collectors are a very serious threat to
any Ancistrocactus tobuschii population that becomes known to cactus
collectors (09). The plant is a rare show specimen (01). Seeds were
offered for sale in mid-1979 by the New Mexico Cactus Research
Management Practices - 2 (DRAFT) - Management Practices
Species CACTUS, FISHHOOK, TOBUSCH
Species Id ESIS702006
Date 13 MAR 96
Foundation (01), alleviating the demand for field-collected plants,
but collecting continues (09). Perhaps an equally important concern
is the low gene pool. According to Weniger (01), less than 200
individuals are currently known; even if this is a great underestimate
of the numbers, the fact remains that most Ancistrocactus tobuschii
populations are small and widely separated (09).
Other present threats to the plant include dams of any size (this
means flooding because of a dam or reservoir), brush control by
clearing or herbicides, and channelization or bank modification of any
sort.
UNAPPROVED PLAN:
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. 1985. Technical Draft: Recovery
Plan for the Tobusch Fishhook Cactus. U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service,
Albuquerque, New Mexico. 30 pp.
The prime objective of the Recovery Plan is to remove immediate
human threats to presently known populations of Tobusch fishhook
cactus and its essential habitat. The four known populations all
occur on private land in widely separated areas of the Edwards Plateau
and are threatened by real estate development and collecting. Removal
of threats to Tobusch fishhook cactus populations are recommened
through:
1) Enforcement of existing collecting and trade regulations under
the Endangered Species Act, CITES, the Lacey Act and Texas
State Law.
2) Establishment of safe sites at each known population site on
private lands utilizing cooperative agreements, easements
and/or purchases.
3) Development and implementation of habitat management plans for
each safe site.
4) Efforts to ensure that the safe sites, once they are
estabilished, are secure from possible impacts from the
surrounding area (such as impacts from grazing and trampling
by sheep and feral goats, development, etc.) by;
a) maintaining the drainage systems at the four sites,
b) controlling human access, and
c) establishing buffer zones around each population for
protection from foreseable threats.
Ecological and population biology studies of Tobusch fishhook
cactus are needed. Information required for better management include
the determination of;
1) pollination vectors,
2) seed dormancy and longevity,
3) seed germination requirements and percentage of germination,
4) microhabitat factors involved in population establishment
(i.e., periodic flooding),
5) the relationship between Tobusch fishhook cactus and
associated flora, and
6) the role of animals in seed dispersal.
The plan also calls for a long term survey program in Sabinal and
Management Practices - 3 (DRAFT) - Management Practices
Species CACTUS, FISHHOOK, TOBUSCH
Species Id ESIS702006
Date 13 MAR 96
Frio Canyons, Texas, to locate new habitat sites and determine the
number of mature plants and seedlings at each site.
Other management needs addressed by the Recovery Plan include:
1) Development of a comprehensive trade management plan for all
cacti.
2) Development of propagation techniques to provide nursery
stocks and seeds to reduce collecting pressure and possibily
developing a seed bank.
3) Development of public awareness, appreciation and support for
the preservation of Tobusch fishhook cactus.
Management Practices - 4 (DRAFT) - References
Species CACTUS, FISHHOOK, TOBUSCH
Species Id ESIS702006
Date 13 MAR 96
References
***** REFERENCES FOR ALL NARRATIVES EXCEPT N-OCCURRENCE *****
01 Weniger, D. 1979. Status report on Ancistrocactus tobuschii. On
file at: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Albuquerque, NM.
02 Marshall, W.T. 1952. A new and interesting cactus from Texas.
Saguaroland Bull. 6:78-81.
03 Benson, L. 1982. The cacti of the United States and Canada.
Stanford Univ. Press, Stanford.
04 Weniger, D. 1970. Cacti of the southwest. Univ. of TX Press,
Austin.
05 Benson, L. 1969. "Cactaceae" In: Flora of Texas, Vol. II. TX
Res. Fond., Renner, TX.
06 Correll, D.S. and M.C. Johnston. 1970. Manual of the vascular
plants of Texas. Texas Research Foundation. Renner, TX.
07 Backeberg, C. 1961. Die Cactaceae 5:2967.
08 Wauer, R. 1973. Naturalist's Big Bend. Peregrine Prodctions,
Santa Fe, NM.
09 Zimmerman, A.D. 1985. Pers. comm. Department of Biology,
University of Texas, Austin, TX 78712.
10 Sabo, K. 1978. Assignment: Ancistrocactus tobuschii. Cact. and
Succ. J. (US) 50:214-215.
11 Hunt, D.R. 1978. More on Escobaria. Cact. Succ. J. (Great
Britan) 40:30.
12 Zimmerman, A.D. 1981. The floral biology of Ancistrocactus
tobuschii. Unpubl. manus.
13 Bureau of Economic Geology. 1965-1983. Geologic atlas of Texas.
Univ. of TX, Austin.
14 Brand, R. 1985. Pers. comm.
15 Hensell, J.L., G.W. Dittmar, and F. Taylor. 1977. Soil survey of
Bandera County, TX. USDA/SCS.
16 Stevens, J.W. and D.L. Richmond. 1970. Soil survey of Uvalde
County, TX. USDA/SCS.
17 Blum, E.L. 1982. Soil survey of Kimble County, TX. USDA/SCS.
***** REFERENCES FOR N-OCCURRENCE NARRATIVE ONLY *****
01 Zimmerman, A.D. 1985. Pers. comm. Department of Biology,
University of Texas, Austin, TX 78712.
02 Weniger, D. 1979. Status report on Ancistrocactus tobuschii. On
file at: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Albuquerque, NM.
03 Brack, S. 1983. Field trip report on Endangered cacti to the U.S.
Fish and Wildlife Service. On file at: U.S. Fish and Wildlife
Service, Albuquerque, NM.
References - 1