(DRAFT) - Taxonomy
Species AMPHIANTHUS, LITTLE
Species Id ESIS704051
Date 13 MAR 96
TAXONOMY
NAME - AMPHIANTHUS, LITTLE
OTHER COMMON NAMES - AMPHIANTHUS, LITTLE;SPRITE, POOL; AMPHIANTHUS and DIMINUTIVE
ELEMENT CODE -
CATEGORY - Angiosperm
PHYLUM AND SUBPHYLUM - MAGNOLIOPHYTA,
CLASS AND SUBCLASS - MAGNOLIOPSIDA,
ORDER AND SUBORDER - SCROPHULARIALES,
FAMILY AND SUBFAMILY - SCROPHULARIACEAE,
GENUS AND SUBGENUS - AMPHIANTHUS,
SPECIES AND SSP - PUSILLUS,
SCIENTIFIC NAME - AMPHIANTHUS PUSILLUS
AUTHORITY -
TAXONOMY REFERENCES -
COMMENTS ON TAXONOMY -
Little Amphianthus
Amphianthus pusillus Torrey
KINGDOM: Plant GROUP: Angiosperm
DIVISION: Magnoliophyta CLASS: Magnoliopsida
ORDER: Scrophulariales FAMILY: Scrophulariaceae
Amphianthus pusillus is a diminutive fibrous-rooted annual. It
has both floating and submerged leaves. The submerged leaves are
lanceolate, less than 1 centimeter (cm) (0.4 inches) in length and
appear to be arranged in a basal rosette. The floating leaves are
ovate, 4-8 millimeters (mm) (0.16-0.342 inches) long, 3-5 mm (0.12-0.2
inches) wide, opositely arranged, and attached to the stem near the
submerged leaves by long, delicate stems. Its flowers are white,
4-5 mm (0.16-0.2 inches) in length, and are borne in the axils of both
types of leaves. Floating flowers are chasmogamous (open) and
submerged flowers are cleistogamous (closed) except when exposed to
air (09,16).
This species was first collected by M.C. Leavenworth in 1836 in
Newton County, Georgia (present-day Rockdale County) and later
described by John Torrey in 1839 (14). Amphianthus pusillus is
thought to be a relict species, representing a monotypic genus of
Taxonomy - 1 (DRAFT) - Taxonomy
Species AMPHIANTHUS, LITTLE
Species Id ESIS704051
Date 13 MAR 96
doubtful placement in the family Scrophulariaceae (10,13,14). It is
most similar in flower morphology to Gratiola and Bacopa but differs
from all other southeastern Scrophulariaceae by its dimorphic leaves
and flowers (06,14). Amphianthus produces a capsule, 2-3 mm (0.08-
0.12 inches) broad and 1 mm (0.04 inch) long. To date no
controversial taxonomic problems exist.
The holotype is located in the New York Botanical Garden
Herbarium. Descriptions and/or illustrations of Amphianthus can be
found in Bridges (03), Kral (06), Lunsford (09), Pennell (14), and
Rayner (16). Other common names used in literature are: pool sprite,
and diminutive amphianthus.
Taxonomy - 2 (DRAFT) - Status
Species AMPHIANTHUS, LITTLE
Species Id ESIS704051
Date 13 MAR 96
STATUS
Coded Status
Alabama; Federal Threatened
Alabama; Unofficially Listed
Georgia; Federal Threatened
Georgia; State Listed
South Carolina; Unofficially Listed
T: Federal Threatened
COMMENTS ON STATUS -
U.S. STATUSES AND LAWS:
The little amphianthus (Amphianthus pusillus) has been designated
a threatened 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
States of Alabama, Georgia, and South Carolina.
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: Georgia
DESIGNATED STATUS: Endangered
ADMINISTRATIVE AGENCY: Georgia Dept. of Natural Resources
STATE STATUTE: Wildflower Presrevation Act of 1973
STATE: Alabama, South Carolina
Status - 1 (DRAFT) - Status
Species AMPHIANTHUS, LITTLE
Species Id ESIS704051
Date 13 MAR 96
UNOFFICIAL LIST: AL - Endangered, Vascular Plant Species
Critical to Maintenance of Floristic
Diversity in Alabama
SC - National Concern-Endangered, Native
Vascular Plants Rare, Threatened or
Endangered in South Carolina
INTERNATIONAL STATUSES, TREATIES, AND AGREEMENTS:
None.
ECONOMIC STATUSES:
None.
75/08/01:40 FR 27823/ - Smithsonian rule
76/06/16:41 FR 24523/ - Proposed rule
80/12/15:45 FR 82479/ - Notice of review
85/09/27:50 FR 39526/ - Notice of review
87/02/09:52 FR 05150/ - Proposed rule
88/02/05:53 FR 03560/03565 - Final rule - Endangered
Status - 2 HABITAT ASSOCIATIONS
HABITAT - AQUATIC
TERRESTRIAL
TERRESTRIAL
LAND USE -
Bare Exposed Rock
Strip Mines, Quarries, and Gravel Pits
NATIONAL WETLAND INVENTORY CODES
NWI NWICLS NWIMOD NWISPEC
Palustrine EM
COMMENTS ON HABITAT ASSOCIATIONS -
Amphianthus pusillus (little amphianthus) typically occurs in
shallow flat-bottomed pools found on the crest and flattened slopes of
porphyritic granite outcrops (05,08,16). Such pools have been
referred to as vernal pools (06,16), weather pits (01), depression
pits (13) and solution pits (08,10).
Few species occur directly with Amphianthus pusillus due to the
aquatic nature of the microhabitat (10). Isoetes melanospora and
I. tegetiformans are the most common associates. Other plants which
occur in and around the pools include lichens (Cladonia sp.),
Diamorpha smallii, Arenaria uniflora, A. glabra, Polytrichum commune,
Isoetes piedmontana, Juncas georgians, Agrostis sp., Lindernia
monticola, Cypress granitophilus, Selaginella tortipila and Andropogon
scoparius (05,06,16). Surrounding vegetation where a sufficient soil
depth exists is oak-yellow pine forest (06).
Outcrops supporting Amphianthus pusillus populations range in
topography from dom-shaped to flat. Pools containing Amphianthus
pusillus are several meters in diameter and are circular or
irregularly shaped due to the coalescence of adjacent pools (09,10).
They are surrounded by a rock rim several centimeters in height
and retain water for several weeks following heavy rains and
completely dry out with summer droughts (05,09,10,12,16). Most
populations occur in such typical pools; however, Garris (05) and
Rayner (16) have reported several populations from atypical habits.
Most of these atypical pools lacked an intact rim, others were in
ecotonal zones or seepage areas.
Soils in these pools are formed from sandy-silty wash which are
2-5 cm (0.8-2.0 inches) in depth (16)., low in organic matter
(0.3-0.6 percent), nitrogen, phosphorous, potassium and mineral salts
(07,09); a subsoil is lacking (08).
Amphianthus pusillus has adapted to the extreme environmental
conditions on granite outcrops including high light intensities,
extreme temperatures and wet/dry periods (07,10). The water depth in
the pools ranges from 0.5 cm to 10 cm (0.2 - 4 inches) (02,03).
Habitat Associations - 1 (DRAFT) - Food Habits
Species AMPHIANTHUS, LITTLE
Species Id ESIS704051
Date 13 MAR 96
FOOD HABITS
TROPHIC LEVEL -
AUTOTROPH
Food Habits - 1 (DRAFT) - Environment Associations
Species AMPHIANTHUS, LITTLE
Species Id ESIS704051
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: Rock outcrops
G
G
Environment Associations - 1 (DRAFT) - Life History
Species AMPHIANTHUS, LITTLE
Species Id ESIS704051
Date 13 MAR 96
LIFE HISTORY
HABIT:
Amphianthus pusillus (little amphianthus) is an emergent (17).
LIFE CYCLE:
Amphianthus is ephemeral, usually completing its life cycle in
a 3 to 4 week period (05,06); however, individual plants can probably
live a maximum of three months (16). Amphianthus is a winter annual
(09).
TYPE OF REPRODUCTION:
There are two types of flowers: floating flowers are chasmogamous
(open) and cross pollinated; submerged flowers are cleistogamous
(closed) and self-pollinated. Cleistogamous flowers will open when
exposed to air (09,16). Preliminary research by Randell (15) suggests
that the principle mode of reproduction is agamospermy.
REPRODUCTIVE PHENOLOGY:
Leafing occurs in December to January, budding in February,
anthesis in mid-late February to April, fruiting in April-May, and
seed dispersal in May-June (03,05,09,11,16). Germination seems to be
dependent only upon presence of light and of sufficient standing
water or soil saturation in its habitat (03). According to Lunsford
(09) germination occurs within 3 to 4 days following establishment
of suitable conditions (sufficient rainfall) and an unknown dormancy
period. Amphianthus will germinate and flower after heavy summer
rains (09).
SEX OR SPORE STATUS:
Monoclinous (09).
POLLINATION, SPORE AND SEED DISSEMINATION:
Pollem dissemination agents are unknown (03,09,16). Seed
dispersal by outwash from heavy rains may be a short-distance
dispersal mechanism. Other dispersal agents may be by animal use of
the pools (i.e., seeds or whole plants may adhere to their feet and
be transported to suitable habitat (03,09,16).
SEED BIOLOGY:
Germination of Amphianthus seems to be dependent only on presence
of light and sufficient standing water or soil saturation in its
habitat (03). Exact dormancy period of seeds is unknown, however, it
appears seeds can remain dormant for several years (09,14,16).
Capsules contain numerous seeds (16).
POPULATION BIOLOGY:
Population levels fluctuate depending upon local weather
conditions (sufficient moisture). Drought-induced mortality is the
most important, of natural cause of mortality (16). This occurs when
adequate rainfall induces seed germination but rainfall thereafter is
insufficient to allow completion of development. Amphianthus is not
a vigorous competitor and could be eliminated by overcrowding and
Life History - 1 (DRAFT) - Life History
Species AMPHIANTHUS, LITTLE
Species Id ESIS704051
Date 13 MAR 96
Life History - 2 (DRAFT) - Life History
Species AMPHIANTHUS, LITTLE
Species Id ESIS704051
Date 13 MAR 96
shading (06,07,16). Seed production and seed dormancy under normal
conditions are sufficient to maintain existing populations (16).
Recovery potential is less related to poulation biology than
preventing habitat destruction or modification.
ECOLOGICAL/EDAPHIC FACTORS:
Outcrops supporting Amphianthus pusillus populations range in
topography from dom-shaped to flat. These outcrops are located in the
Piedmont physiographic region, and contain materials of precambrian
metamorphic rock and differ geologically as igneous, quartzitic,
gneissic or porphyritic granite (08,10). They are ordinarily found
on uplands between river valleys (10). Pools containing Amphianthus
pusillus are several meters in diameter and are circular or
irregularly shaped due to the coalescence of adjacent pools (09,10).
They are surrounded by a rock rim several centimeters in height
and retain water for several weeks following heavy rains and
completely dry out with summer droughts (05,09,10,12,16). Most
populations occur in such typical pools; however, Garris (05) and
Rayner (16) have reported several populations from atypical habits.
Most of these atypical pools lacked an intact rim, others were in
ecotonal zones or seepage areas.
Soils in these pools are formed from sandy-silty wash which are
2-5 cm (0.8-2.0 inches) in depth (some pools have greater soil depths)
(16)., low in organic matter (0.3-0.6 percent), nitrogen, phosphorous,
potassium and mineral salts (07,09); a subsoil is lacking (08).
Amphianthus pusillus has adapted to the extreme environmental
conditions on granite outcrops including high light intensities,
extreme temperatures and wet/dry periods (07,10). The water depth in
the pools ranges from 0.5 cm to 10 cm (0.2 - 4 inches) (02,03).
TROPHIC STATUS:
Phototrophic.
CHARACTERISTIC DOMINANCE:
Dominant/codominant (09,16). Abundance of Amphianthus varies
with local weather conditions. It is an annual which is abundant
when suitable environmental conditions exists (sufficient moisture);
however, it occurs in low numbers, if at all, during drought (09,16).
COMMUNITY ECOLOGY:
Amphianthus is one of the first species to establish innewly
formed soil in poolson granite outcrops (09). This species lives in
areas of high light intensities with soils of low salt content
which precludes succession for a time (07). However, this species is
forced out as soil depth increases and water holding capacity
increases allowing more competitive species to establish. However,
this process is slow and new habitat is constantly being created (04).
SPECIES INTERRELATIONSHIPS:
None known.
OTHER LIFE HISTORY DESCRIPTORS:
None.
Life History - 3 (DRAFT) - Life History
Species AMPHIANTHUS, LITTLE
Species Id ESIS704051
Date 13 MAR 96
Life History - 4 (DRAFT) - Management Practices
Species AMPHIANTHUS, LITTLE
Species Id ESIS704051
Date 13 MAR 96
MANAGEMENT PRACTICES
RESULT MANAGEMENT PRACTICE
Beneficial Controlling/Restricting Off-Road Vehicles
Beneficial Restricting/regulating human disturbance of populations
Beneficial Controlling/Restricting Mining
Beneficial Land Acquisition
Beneficial Controlling/Removing Domestic Animals
Adverse Harassment/Vandalism/Indiscriminate Killing
Existing Harassment/Vandalism/Indiscriminate Killing
Adverse Off Road Vehicles
Existing Off Road Vehicles
Adverse Hiking/Camping
Existing Hiking/Camping
Adverse Inherent Reproductive Characteristics
Existing Inherent Reproductive Characteristics
Adverse Low Gene Pool
Existing Low Gene Pool
Adverse Surface Mines
Existing Surface Mines
Adverse Recreational development
Existing Recreational development
Adverse Competition
Existing Competition
Adverse Grazing
Existing Grazing
COMMENTS ON MANAGEMENT PRACTICES -
Amphianthus is restricted to granite outcrops in the Piedmont
physiographic region. The major threat to this species is the
destruction and adverse modification of its habitat. Populations
have been lost through quarrying and the fate of several extant
populations is tenuous since several areas are active quarry sites
(17).
Granit outcrops are popular recreation sites and unfortunately
such attention and overuse have resulted in damage to the geologic
structures and vegetation (05). Many of the pools supporting
populations have been directly damaged by vehicular traffic.
Vehicular traffic during this species' growing season poses a seriuos
threat by uprooting/crushing live plants, hastening the erosion of the
pools' rims and displacing soil from the pools (02,16). ORV's have
decreased the vigor of all of the South Carolina Amphinathus
populations (16) and destroyed one Alabama population (12). Pools
have been further impacted by such activities as fire building and
littering (05,16). Rearrangement of stones in two pools has caused
a decline in two populations of Amphianthus.
Granite outcrops are often enclosed in pasture. A concentration
of grazing animals on these areas has caused damage to vernal pool
vegetation through trampling and has added nutrients to the water,
which favors the growth of more competitive aquatics (03,05). Such
eutrophication of vernal pools has eliminated Amphianthus from
Management Practices - 1 (DRAFT) - Management Practices
Species AMPHIANTHUS, LITTLE
Species Id ESIS704051
Date 13 MAR 96
several pools at one site and caused the decline of Amphianthus at a
second area.
Many of the smaller outcrops are used as local dumps or for
storing equipment, and such land use has destroyed two populations of
Amphianthus in Georgia (05,17).
Amphianthus is vulnerable due to its requirements for special
environmental conditions (moisture,light) for germination and growth
and an unknown dormancy period for the seeds (05,09,16). One factor
beleived to contribute to the rarity of Amphianthus is the lack of
adaptation for seed dispersal (09). Preliminary research by Randall
(15) suggests that the principal mode of reproduction is agamospermy
(production of seeds by asexual means) and this asexual reproduction
threatens its adaptive potential.
Flatrocks in the Southeast are being considered as possible
repositories for nuclear waste, and this poses a potential future
threat to Amphianthus and its habitat (16). Many of the populations
consists of small numbers of individuals confined to only one ot two
pools so local extinction through natural causes is possible.
UNAPPROVED PLAN:
No recovery plan has been developed for little amphianthus
(Amphianthus pusillus), but one should be initiated by FY90.
There is no approved recovery plan for Amphianthus pusillus at
the present time. Actions recommended for recovery of this species
include:
1. Inventory and determine the size and stability of
populations.
2. Protect habitat and existing populations through land
acquisition and the use of Cooperative Agreements.
Priority sites are those supporting large populations and
those at the periphery of the range.
3. Eliminate grazing of domestic animals near pools with
populations by fencing that portion of the outcrop.
4. Prohibit vehicular traffic on outcrops by blocking access
points with gates or boulders.
5. Monitor recreational use of protected outcrops and limit to
small or well-supervised groups.
6. Educate quarry company personnel about populations in
active quarries and restrict those areas from quarrying
activity.
7. Monitor and collect baseline data on existing populations
(population size, associated species, microhabitat),
emphasizing research on poulation fluctuations as related
to weather factors and disturbance.
8. Conduct research on reproductive biology and autecology.
Management Practices - 2 (DRAFT) - References
Species AMPHIANTHUS, LITTLE
Species Id ESIS704051
Date 13 MAR 96
References
***** REFERENCES FOR ALL NARRATIVES EXCEPT N-OCCURRENCE *****
01 Bake, W.A. Jr. 1970. Georgia granite. Nat. Hist. 79:32-39.
02 Bridges, E.L. 1986. Population inventory and mapping and the
establishment of a monitoring system for rare plant species at
Heggie's Rock Perserve, Columbia County, Georgia. Unpubl. rpt. to:
Nature Conservancy, Chapel Hill, NC. 62 pp.
03 Bridges, F.L. 1986. Stewardship abstract for Amphianthus
pusillus. Prepared for: The Nature Conservancy, Chapel Hill, NC.
7 pp.
04 Burbanck, M.P., and R.B. Platt. 1964. Granite outcrop communities
of the Piedmont Plateau in Georgia. Ecology 45:292-306.
05 Garris, R.S. 1980. The endangered endemic, Amphianthus pusillus:
a study of distribution and density. GA Dept. of Nat. Res.,
Protected Pllants/Natural Areas Program. Unpubl. rpt. 20 pp.
06 Kral, R. 1983. A report on some rare, threatened, or endangered
forest-related vascular plants of the south. USDA, Forest Service,
Tech. Publ. R8-TP2. 1305 pp.
07 Lammers, W.T. 1958. A study of certain environmental and
physiological factors influencing the adaptation of three granite
outcrop endemics: Amphianthus pusillus Torr., Isoetes melanospora
Engelm., and Diamorpha cymosa (Nutt.) Briiton, Ph.D. Diss., Emory
Univ., Atlanta, GA. 85 pp.
08 Lester, J.C. 1938. Geology of region around Stone Mountain,
Georgia. Univ. of Calif. Studies 26:88-91.
09 Lunsford, D.E. 1938. Studies in the life cycle of Amphianthus
pusillus Torr. A.A. Thesis, Emory Univ., Atlanta, GA. 88 pp.
10 McVaugh, R. 1943. The vegetation of the granite flatrocks of the
Southeastern U.S. Ecol. Monog. 13:120-166.
11 McVaugh, R. and J.H. Pyron. 1937. The distribution of Amphianthus
in Georgia. Castanea 2:104-105.
12 Miller, D.L. 1935. Report on a survey of Amphianthus pusillus
(little amphianthus) in Albama. Provided under contract to:
USFWS, Atlanta, GA. 33 pp.
13 Murdy, W.H. 1968. Plant speciation associated with granite
outcrop communities of the Southeastern Piedmont.
Rhodora 70:394-407.
14 Pennell, F.W. 1935. The Scrophulariaceae of Eastern Temperate
North America. Acad. Nat. Sci. of Physiology Mong. No. 1,
Philadelphia. 635 pp.
15 Randell, R.R. 1986. Electrophoectic study of the genetic
variation in Amphianthus pusillus Torr. Unpubl. undergrad.
research rpt., Emory Univ., Atlanta, GA. 20 pp.
16 Rayner, D.A. 1986. Report on the status of Amphianthus pusillus
in South Carolina. Provided under contract to: USFWS, Southeast
Region, Atlanta, GA. 33 pp.
17 U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. 1986. Jackson Field Office
Records. On file at: U.S. Fish and Wildl. Serv., 300 Woodrow
Wilson Ave., Suite 316, Jackson, MS 39213.
References - 1 (DRAFT) - References
Species AMPHIANTHUS, LITTLE
Species Id ESIS704051
Date 13 MAR 96
***** REFERENCES FOR N-OCCURRENCE NARRATIVE ONLY *****
01 Burbanck, M.P., and R.B. Platt. 1964. Granite outcrop communities
of the Piedmont Plateau in Georgia. Ecology 45:292-306.
02 Garris, R.S. 1980. The endangered endemic, Amphianthus pusillus:
a study of distribution and density. GA Dept. of Nat. Res.,
Protected Plants/Natural Areas Program. Unpubl. rept. 20 pp.
03 Harper, R.M. 1939. Granite outcrop vegetation in Alabama.
Torreya 39:153-159.
04 Lunsford, D.E. 1938. Studies in the life cycle of Amphianthus
pusillus Torr. A.A. Thesis, Emory Univ., Atlanta, GA. 88 pp.
05 McVaugh, R. 1943. The vegetation of the granite flatrocks of the
Southeastern U.S. Ecol. Monog. 13:120-166.
06 McVaugh, R. and J.H. Pyron. 1937. The distribution of Amphianthus
in Georgia. Castanea 2:104-105.
07 Miller, D.L. 1935. Report on a survey of Amphianthus pusillus
(little amphianthus) in Albama. Provided under contract to:
USFWS, Atlanta, GA. 33 pp.
08 Rayner, D.A. 1981. Granite flatrock outcrops in South Carolina.
Bull. S.C. Acad. Sci. 43:106-107.
09 Rayner, D.A. 1986. Report on the status of Amphianthus pusillus
in South Carolina. Provided under contract to: USFWS, Southeast
Region, Atlanta, GA. 33 pp.
10 U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. 1986. Jackson Field Office
Records. On file at: U.S. Fish and Wildl. Serv., 300 Woodrow
Wilson Ave., Suite 316, Jackson, MS 39213.
References - 2