(DRAFT) - Taxonomy
Species CACTUS, PINCUSHION, SNEED
Species Id ESIS702023
Date 13 MAR 96
TAXONOMY
NAME - CACTUS, PINCUSHION, SNEED
OTHER COMMON NAMES - CACTUS, PINCUSHION, SNEED; CACTUS, PINCUSHION and SNEED'S
ELEMENT CODE -
CATEGORY - Angiosperm
PHYLUM AND SUBPHYLUM - MAGNOLIOPHYTA,
CLASS AND SUBCLASS - MAGNOLIOPSIDA,
ORDER AND SUBORDER - CARYOPHYLLALES,
FAMILY AND SUBFAMILY - CACTACEAE,
GENUS AND SUBGENUS - CORYPHANTHA,
SPECIES AND SSP - SNEEDII, VAR.
SCIENTIFIC NAME - CORYPHANTHA SNEEDII VAR.
AUTHORITY -
TAXONOMY REFERENCES -
COMMENTS ON TAXONOMY -
Sneed Pincushion Cactus
Coryphantha sneedii (Britton & Rose) Berger var. sneedii
KINGDOM: Plant GROUP: Angiosperm
DIVISION: Magnoliophyta CLASS: Magnoliopsida
ORDER: Caryophyllales FAMILY: Cactaceae
Sneed (Sneed's) Pincushion cactis grows in clusters forming
clumps. Each stem is 5-12.5 cm tall and 1-4 cm wide. The spines are
numerous, spreading and whitish in color. The flowers are
rose-magenta in color. The fruits are small and green to
reddish-green in color. The seeds are black and approximately 0.75 mm
in length (04,06,07,08). This species is closely related to
Coryphantha sneedii var. leei (Lee pincushion cactus). It differs in
having spreading rather than deflexed spines and seeds approximately
0.75 mm long rather than 1.0 mm long (08,09,10).
Sneed's pincushion cactus was first collected by J.R. Sneed in
1921 in the Franklin Mountains of El Paso County, Texas (09). This
species was first described by N.L. Britton and J.N. Rose in 1923 in
their monumental work "The Cactacea" (04). In 1929, a botonist named
Fric published this species under the name of Corphantha pygmaeae
(09). However, Britton and Rose's name of Escobaria sneedii predates
Taxonomy - 1 (DRAFT) - Taxonomy
Species CACTUS, PINCUSHION, SNEED
Species Id ESIS702023
Date 13 MAR 96
Fric's description and therefore takes presidence. In 1929, A. Berger
transfered this species from the Britton and Rose treatment of
Escobaria and placed in the Genus Coryphantha (09). There is
currently disagreement as to the proper generic placement of this
species. Del Weniger, a contemporary botanist in Texas places this
species in the genus Mammillaria (12). V.L. Cory in 1936 also placed
this species in the genus Mammillaria (09). Although both of these
botanists support this placement it is not widely accepted in the
taxonomic community (03,10). At present, placement in the genus
Coryphantha is the most widely accepted treatment (03,10).
The type specimen for Sneed's pincushion cactus is at the U.S.
National Herbarium. A letter with the specimen states the following:
"McKelligan Canyon, Mt. Franklin and on west side of limestone cliffs
about 8 miles north of El Paso, and only on one cliff". There is
also a duplicate of this specimen stored at the New York Botanical
Gardens in Bronx, New York (02). There are photographs and
excellent drawings of this species available to the public at the New
Mexico Department of Natural Resources, Santa Fe, New Mexico (11).
Taxonomy - 2 (DRAFT) - Status
Species CACTUS, PINCUSHION, SNEED
Species Id ESIS702023
Date 13 MAR 96
STATUS
Coded Status
E: Federal Endangered
Commercial
Ornamental
COMMENTS ON STATUS -
U.S. STATUSES AND LAWS:
The Sneed pincushion cactus (Coryphantha sneedii var. sneedii)
has been designated an Endangered variety 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 variety has this status
wherever found including the States of New Mexico and Texas.
Removal and reduction to posession of any Federally listed plant
from an area under Federal jurisdiction is unlawful (50 CFR 17.61 and
17.71).
This variety 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.
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.
DOD -Responsible for the law enforcement/protection of this
species with applicable State and Federal laws on
public land under their control. Also responsible for
management/recovery on Department of Defense lands.
NPS -Responsible for the law enforcement/protection of this
species with applicable State and Federal laws on
public lands under their control. Also responsible
Status - 1 (DRAFT) - Status
Species CACTUS, PINCUSHION, SNEED
Species Id ESIS702023
Date 13 MAR 96
for conservation (Nat. Park System Organic Act - 16
U.S.C. 1, 2-3)/management/recovery on National Park
Service lands. Taking, possessing, or disturbing of
federally listed species is prohibited on NPS lands
(36 CFR 2.1, 2.2, and 2.3).
USFS -Responsible for the law enforcement/protection of this
species with applicable State and Federal laws on
public lands under their control. Also responsible
for management/recovery on Forest Service lands. The
Forest Service is responsible for integrating
management, protection, and conservation of federally
listed species into the Forest Planning process
(36 CFR 219.19 and 219.20).
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: New Mexico
DESIGNATED STATUS: Endangered
ADMINISTRATIVE AGENCY: NM Dept. of Natural Resources
STATE STATUTE: NM Executive Order 83-85, and NMSA 1978, 9-10-10
STATE: Texas
DESIGNATED STATUS: Endangered
ADMINISTRATIVE AGENCY: Texas Parks and Wildlife Department
STATE STATUTE: TX Parks & Wildl. Code, Chpt. 88, Sect.
57.401 - 57.413.
INTERNATIONAL STATUSES, TREATIES, AND AGREEMENTS:
Listed in Appendix I of CITES.
ECONOMIC STATUSES:
This species has horticultural value and is commercially
available from cactus and succulent dealers. It's rarity makes it
particularly desirable. It may be of value for some of its yet
undetermined phytochemical products and it has value as a component of
Texas and New Mexico's natural heritage.
75/07/01:40 FR 27823/27824 - Notice of review
76/06/16:41 FR 24523/24572 - Proposed listing as Endangered
79/11/07:44 FR 64741/64743 - Final rule - listed as Endangered
85/07/22:50 FR 29901/29909 - Five year review
Status - 2 HABITAT ASSOCIATIONS
HABITAT - TERRESTRIAL
TERRESTRIAL
LAND USE -
Shrub and Brush Rangeland
COMMENTS ON HABITAT ASSOCIATIONS -
Sneed pincushion cactus is restricted to limestone substrates on
terraces, ridgetops, hillsides, and ledges in the high Chihuahuan
Desert of the Franklin Mountains of Texas and New Mexico, Bishops Cap
in New Mexico and the Guadalupe Mountains of Texas and New Mexico
(01,02,09,10,11). It occurs primarily on cracks in the limestone
substrate or on shallow pockets of loamy soil on the hillsides and
ridgetops between 3900-7700 feet in elevation (09). It occurs in
areas where the average precipitation varies from 19.7-40-0 cm a year
(09). It is found on a variety of limestones that were deposited
during the Mississippian and Pennsylvanian eras (09,10,11). It
typically occurs in a semi-desert grasslands or woodland association
(09,10). In the Guadalupe Mountains of New Mexico it extends upward
in elevation to the lower Pinyon-juniper woodland. However, it is
normally found in an Agave-juniper association. Associates include:
Agave leuchuguilla, Bouteloua curtipendula, Coryphantha
strobiliformes, Dasylirion wheeleri, Ephedra trifurca, Fallugia
paradoxa, Juniperus pinchotii, Nolina texana, Oputia phaecantha,
Quercus ssp., Pinus edulis (09,10,11). It is rarely under cover, and
usually occurs on a rather sparsely vegetated spot in association
with shrubby species (03,09,10).
Habitat Associations - 1 (DRAFT) - Food Habits
Species CACTUS, PINCUSHION, SNEED
Species Id ESIS702023
Date 13 MAR 96
FOOD HABITS
TROPHIC LEVEL -
AUTOTROPH
Food Habits - 1 (DRAFT) - Environment Associations
Species CACTUS, PINCUSHION, SNEED
Species Id ESIS702023
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 Terrestrial Features: Cliffs/ledges
G Terrestrial Features: Rock outcrops
G
G
Environment Associations - 1 (DRAFT) - Life History
Species CACTUS, PINCUSHION, SNEED
Species Id ESIS702023
Date 13 MAR 96
LIFE HISTORY
HABIT:
Th Sneed pincushion cactus is a succulent (02).
LIFE CYCLE:
This species is a long lived perennial, as are all cacti (02).
This particular species forms large multi-headed clumps that are
actually somewhat woody at the base (04,05).
TYPE OF REPRODUCTION:
Sexual (02). This species produces flowers which are pollinated,
producing fruit (02,03,09). Although many cacti can be propogated
vegetatively through cuttings, the Sneed pincushion cactus has no
natural mechanism for such an action (03).
REPRODUCTIVE PHENOLOGY:
Germination probably occurs from late May to early June. Sneed's
pincushion cactus blooms after 3-4 years of age. The plants bud
in March and April and flower in mid - to late April. The flowers
open mid-day, between 10:00 am and 4:00 pm. The fruits form from
August to November. The percentage of fruit set is approximately 90
percent (03,09). The plants average 18 seeds per fruit, and 11 fruits
per plant. The best seedling survival rate is in those under rocks or
deep in cracks of rocks (03,09).
SEX OR SPORE STATUS:
Monoclinous.
POLLINATION, SPORE AND SEED DISSEMINATION:
Little to nothing is known about its pollination requirements,
but most species of Coryphanta appear to be pollinated by small
metalic colored bees in the Halictrae Family (03). The fruits have a
prune-like odor when ripe and this attracts rodents which are the
likely dispersal agent of seeds. Other fruits crumble with age and
disperse the seed by dropping them on the ground.
SEED BIOLOGY:
Fruit formation for the Sneed's pincushion cactus is in mid - to
late summer. An average of 90% of the fruits mature. Studies have
found that each fruit contains an average of 15 seeds. The seeds
are highly viable and appear to remain so for at least 10 years.
The seeds seem to germinate best under rocks or in deep cracks in the
bedrock. Nothing else is known about dormancy requirements,
sacrification, temperature, soil type, moisture or light (03,09).
POPULATION BIOLOGY:
Little is known about the population dynamics of this species.
It can vary from a handful of plants to several thousands in a
population. It appears to be vary tough and resistent to a variety
of insects and fungal diseases that often effect cacti. Its recovery
potential appears to be high, and several investigators have noted
increasing population sizes in recent years (03,09).
Life History - 1 (DRAFT) - Life History
Species CACTUS, PINCUSHION, SNEED
Species Id ESIS702023
Date 13 MAR 96
ECOLOGICAL/EDAPHIC FACTORS:
This species occurs primarily on rocky outcrops in fissures of
the bedrock or adjacent to large rocks with its roots affixed in
calcareous loams derived from the breakdown of the limestone bedrock
(03,10). It is somewhat a generalist on mesozoic limestone substrates
being found on the Magdalena group of Pennsylvanian limestone, the
Montoya formation of Ordovician limestone and the Castile and Saldo
groups of Permian limestone (13). The plants seem to have
greatest success in rocky areas with fissured bedrock substrate (09).
These microhabitats probably afford an anchoring point for the roots
as well as an area of lower evaporation and more constant moisture
supply (10). Little else is known about the edaphic factors for this
species. It has a wide elevational range, occurring between 3,900
to 7,700 feet. It exists in areas of rainfall as low as 19.7 cm and
as high as 40 cm per year (09), and it seems to prefer hillsides
and bedrock terraces rather than ridgetops (01).
TROPHIC STATUS:
Phototrophic (01,02). There is no known variation in trophic
status, nor are there any known host or symbiotic relationships with
this species (02,03,10).
CHARACTERISTIC DOMINANCE:
The species is a minor component of the semi-desert grassland
and Chihuahuan upland communities (09,10). Specifically, it is
usually found in an Agave-juniper subunit of this community (09,10).
It is at best a minor component of this community, often occurring
in intermittant and sparsely populated pockets of plants on near bare
rock (10). It has no known or apparent effect on the composition of
the surrounding community (10).
COMMUNITY ECOLOGY:
This species is a component of the Chihuahuan desert
Agave-juniper community (09,10). This is a stable arid land
association which is slightly effected by grazing, but mostly
impacted by long term regional weather changes (10). At present there
is no indication of changes in the ecological balance of this
community that would have an adverse impact on the Sneed pincushion
cactus (03,10).
SPECIES INTERRELATIONSHIPS:
None known.
OTHER LIFE HISTORY DESCRIPTORS:
All pertinent information has been treated in the previous
sections.
Life History - 2 (DRAFT) - Management Practices
Species CACTUS, PINCUSHION, SNEED
Species Id ESIS702023
Date 13 MAR 96
MANAGEMENT PRACTICES
RESULT MANAGEMENT PRACTICE
Beneficial Restricting/regulating human disturbance of populations
Beneficial Restricting Poaching
Beneficial Controlling/Restricting Noncommercial Harvest
Beneficial Regulating commercial harvest levels
Adverse Collecting
Existing Collecting
Adverse Commercial Exploitation
Existing Commercial Exploitation
COMMENTS ON MANAGEMENT PRACTICES -
Both historically and presently there has been only one threat
to the Sneed pincushion cactus (10). This threat is pernicous
overcollecting by cactus enthusiasts (03,09,10). The Anthony Gap
population in Dona Ana County, New Mexico has been heavily hit by
collectors, and areas near the roadside are virtually devoid of cactus
(13,10). In an attempt to curtail such collecting, this species was
recently placed on the New Mexico Endangered Plant List (10). As such
there will be active surveilance of sites in he hope of apprehension
and prosecution of offenders illegally collecting plants (10,11). The
populations which occur in Carlsbad Caverns and Guadalupe Mountain
National Park should be adequately protected to ensure the survival of
the species (03,10,11).
APPROVED PLAN:
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. 1986. Sneed and Lee Pincushion Cacti
Recovery Plan. U.S. Fish and Wildl. Serv., Albuquerque, NM 53 pp.
Recent discoveries have increased the known range and population
size of Coryphantha var. sneedii (Sneed pincushion cactus)
considerably. The downlisting goal in the recovery plan is:
1. six or more secure populations with three each in the eastern
(Guadalupe Mountains) and western (Franklin and Organ Mtns.)
portions of the species range, and
2. a known total of 20,000 plants.
The plan calls for the removal of threats of collecting by enforcement
of existing regulations (Endangered Species Act, CITES, the Lacy Act,
and New Mexico and Texas Law) and determination of the extent and
impacts of collecting by implementing a monitoring program for Sneed's
pincushion cactus. It recommends development and implementation of
a law enforcement strategy that will:
1. provide protection to impacted populations;
2. monitor cactus and succulent trade shows;
3. monitor commercial nurseries;
4. monitor interstate and international trade; and
Management Practices - 1 (DRAFT) - Management Practices
Species CACTUS, PINCUSHION, SNEED
Species Id ESIS702023
Date 13 MAR 96
5. publicize successful law enforcement actions.
It also calls for comprehensive trade management plan for all cacti.
Existing habitat should be managed for protection of Sneed's
pincushion cactus using the following steps:
1. agencies should keep informed on the location and status of the
populations,
2. agencies should develop and implement habitat management plans
for all populations on public lands which include;
a. means of alleviating present and potential threats;
b. methods for accurately determining population sizes;
c. methods of monitoring population changes; and
3. cooperation of landowners should be sought to protect and maintain
populations on private land.
Population biology and ecology data, such as; (1) mechanisms of
seed dispersal, (2) microhabitat factors involved in seedling
establishment, (3) pollination mechanisms and vectors, and (4) fire
ecology needs to be gathered. Inventories and maps of all populations
in the Franklin and Guadalupe Mountains need to be made. This
information is needed for sound management decisions and could lead to
downlisting/delisting of the species. Finally, public awareness,
appreciation and support for the preservation of Sneed pincushion
catus is essential to the survival of the species.
There is no current recovery activities under-way at this time.
Management Practices - 2 (DRAFT) - References
Species CACTUS, PINCUSHION, SNEED
Species Id ESIS702023
Date 13 MAR 96
References
***** REFERENCES FOR ALL NARRATIVES EXCEPT N-OCCURRENCE *****
01 Benson, L. 1969. Cactus and Succulant Journal. Vol. 41:189.
02 Benson, L. 1982. The Cactus of the United States and Canada.
Standford Univ. Press., Stanford, CA. pp.
03 Brack, S. 1985. Pers. comm. Mesa Gardens, Belene, NM.
04 Britton, N.L. and J.N. Rose. 1923. The Cactaceae. 4 vols.
Carnagie Inst. Washington. Publ. #248. Vol 4:56.
05 Castetter, E.F., Pierce, P. and Karl Schwerin. 1975. A
reassessment of the Genus Escobaria. Cactus and Succulent Journ.
Vol. XLVIII, Pp. 60-70.
06 Cory, V.L. 1936. Mammillaria sneedii. Rhodora 38:407.
07 Champie, C. 1960. Escobaria sneedii further described. Cactus
and Succulent Journ. 32:138-140.
08 Fletcher, R. et. al. 1984. A handbook of rare and endemic plants
of New Mexico. Univ. of NM Press., Albuquerque. 291 pp.
09 U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. 1985. Sneed and Lee Pincushion
Cacti Recovery Plan. U.S. Fish and Wildl. Serv., Albuquerque, NM.
58 pp.
10 Knight, P.J. 1985. Pers. comm. Corrales, NM.
11 Natural Resources Information System. 1985. New Mexico Dept. of
Nat. Res., Santa Fe.
12 Weniger, D. 1984. A field guide to the cactus of Texas and
neighboring States. Univ. of Tx Press, Austin. 356 pp.
13 New Mexico Geological Society. 1984. New Mexico highway
geological map., NM Bureau of Mines and Mineral Resources, Socorro.
***** REFERENCES FOR N-OCCURRENCE NARRATIVE ONLY *****
01 Benson, L. 1982. The Cacti of the United States and Canada.
Stanford Univ. Press, Stanford, CA. pp.
02 Brack, S. 1985. Pers. comm. Mesa Gardens, Belene, NM.
03 Britton, N.L. and J.N. Rose. 1923. The Cactaceae. 4 vols.
Carnagie Inst. Washington. Publ. #248. Vol 4:56.
04 Cory, V.L. 1936. Mammillaria sneedii. Rhodora 38:407.
05 U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. 1985. Sneed and Lee Pincushion
Cacti Recovery Plan. U.S. Fish and Wildl. Serv., Albuquerque, NM.
58 pp.
06 Knight, P.J. 1985. Pers. comm. Corrales, NM.
07 Natural Resources Information System. 1985. New Mexico Dept. of
Nat. Res., Santa Fe.
08 Poole, J. 1985. Pers. comm. Botanist, Texas State Heritage
Program., Austin.
References - 1