Susan Combs - Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts
Texas Ahead - Economic Resources for Growing and Governing Texas

Current Watch Species

The table below provides information on more than 100 species found in Texas that have received or are slated for federal review within the next five years — action that could, in some cases, have significant economic impacts on Texas landowners, businesses and communities.

This list includes:

Download the latest list — last updated: May 14, 2012. (XLS,96K) | (CSV, 30K)

Note: Every effort is made to keep the information on this site as current as possible. This roster will continue to evolve, as new species can be petitioned or proposed for listing at any time. Unfortunately, there is no single, definitive list of all species in Texas petitioned or proposed for Endangered Species Act (ESA) listing.

See Definitions for more detailed descriptions of the terms used in the tables below.

Public Comments Due Now

Public comments can be solicited at various stages in the listing process.

Public Comments Due Now
(These species are also included in the tables below according to their status in the review process.) 3 Species
Common Name Species Type Federal Listing Status Next Expected Action Opportunity to Provide Input on Regulations.gov
Dwarf Seahorse Fish Petitioned (under review) 12-month finding Public Comments Due: July 3, 2012
Sharpnose Shiner Fish Candidate (5) - 2002 Proposed listing and proposed critical habitat or candidate withdrawal FWS is seeking input on this species as it reviews whether to propose listing and designation of critical habitat. FWS requests that any pertinent information be submitted by July 23, 2012.
Smalleye Shiner Fish Candidate (5) - 2002 Proposed listing and proposed critical habitat or candidate withdrawal FWS is seeking input on this species as it reviews whether to propose listing and designation of critical habitat. FWS requests that any pertinent information be submitted by July 23, 2012.

Species Under Review for Possible Listing

Candidate Species and Species Proposed for Listing 30 Species
Common Name Taxonomy Federal Listing Status Next Expected Action
Austin Blind Salamander Amphibian Candidate (2) - 2002 Proposed listing and proposed critical habitat or candidate withdrawal
Bracted twistflower Plant Candidate (8) - 2011 Proposed listing and proposed critical habitat or candidate withdrawal
Diamond Y Spring Snail Snail Candidate (2) - 1989 Proposed listing and proposed critical habitat or candidate withdrawal
Diminutive Amphipod Crustacean Candidate (2) - 2005 Proposed listing and proposed critical habitat or candidate withdrawal
Dunes Sagebrush Lizard* Reptile Candidate (2); Proposed Endangered Final listing decision
Georgetown Salamander Amphibian Candidate (8) - 2001 Proposed listing and proposed critical habitat or candidate withdrawal
Golden Orb* Mussel Candidate (8) - 2011 Proposed listing and proposed critical habitat or candidate withdrawal
Gonzales Springsnail Snail Candidate (2) - 1989 Proposed listing and proposed critical habitat or candidate withdrawal
Guadalupe Fescue Plant Candidate (11) - 1975 Proposed listing and proposed critical habitat or candidate withdrawal
Jollyville Plateau Salamander Amphibian Candidate (8) - 2007 Proposed listing and proposed critical habitat or candidate withdrawal
Lesser Prairie-Chicken* Bird Candidate (2) - 1998 Proposed listing and proposed critical habitat or candidate withdrawal
Louisiana Pine Snake Reptile Candidate (5) - 1999 Proposed listing and proposed critical habitat or candidate withdrawal
Neches River Rose-mallow Plant Candidate (2) - 1997 Proposed listing and proposed critical habitat or not warranted finding
Pecos Amphipod Crustacean Under review Proposed listing and proposed critical habitat or candidate withdrawal
Phantom Cave Snail Snail Candidate (2) - 2001 Proposed listing and proposed critical habitat or candidate withdrawal
Phantom Springsnail Snail Candidate (2) - 2001 Proposed listing and proposed critical habitat or candidate withdrawal
Red Knot Bird Candidate (3) - 2006 Proposed listing and proposed critical habitat or candidate withdrawal
Red-crowned parrot Bird Candidate (2) - 2011 Proposed listing and proposed critical habitat or candidate withdrawal
Salado Salamander Amphibian Candidate (2) - 2002 Proposed listing and proposed critical habitat or candidate withdrawal
Sharpnose Shiner Fish Candidate (5) - 2002 Proposed listing and proposed critical habitat or candidate withdrawal
Smalleye Shiner Fish Candidate (5) -2002 Proposed listing and proposed critical habitat or candidate withdrawal
Smooth Pimpleback* Mussel Candidate (8) - 2011 Proposed listing and proposed critical habitat or candidate withdrawal
Sprague’s Pipit Bird Candidate (8) – 2010 Proposed listing and proposed critical habitat or candidate withdrawal
Texas Fatmucket* Mussel Candidate (2) - 2011 Proposed listing and proposed critical habitat or candidate withdrawal
Texas Fawnsfoot* Mussel Candidate (2) - 2011 Proposed listing and proposed critical habitat or candidate withdrawal
Texas Golden Gladecress Plant Candidate (2) - 1997 Proposed listing and proposed critical habitat or candidate withdrawal
Texas Hornshell* Mussel Candidate (8) -2001 Proposed listing and proposed critical habitat or candidate withdrawal
Texas Pimpleback* Mussel Candidate (2) - 2011 Proposed listing and proposed critical habitat or candidate withdrawal
Warton's Cave Meshweaver Arachnid Candidate (8) -1994 Proposed listing and proposed critical habitat or candidate withdrawal
Yellow-billed Cuckoo Bird Candidate (3) - 2001 Proposed listing and proposed critical habitat or candidate withdrawal
Species Under Review for Twelve-month Finding 52 Species
Common Name Taxonomy Federal Listing Status Next Expected Action
American Eel Fish Petitioned (under review) 12-month finding
Arkansas River Speckled Chub Fish Petitioned (under review) 12-month finding
Bay Skipper Butterfly* Insect Petitioned (under review) 12-month finding
Big Red Sage Plant Petitioned (under review) 12-month finding
Black Rail Bird Petitioned (under review) 12-month finding
Black-spotted Newt Amphibian Petitioned (under review) 12-month finding
Blanco Blind Salamander Amphibian Petitioned (under review) 12-month finding
Bluehead Shiner Fish Petitioned (under review) 12-month finding
Brush-pea Plant Petitioned (under review) 12-month finding
Bushy Whitlow-wort Plant Petitioned (under review) 12-month finding
Chihuahua Catfish Fish Petitioned (under review) 12-month finding
Chihuahua Scurfpea Plant Petitioned (under review) 12-month finding
Chisos Coralroot Plant Petitioned (under review) 12-month finding
Comal Blind Salamander Amphibian Petitioned (under review) 12-month finding
Comal Springs Salamander Amphibian Petitioned (under review) 12-month finding
Correll's False Dragon-head Plant Petitioned (under review) 12-month finding
Donrichardsonia Macroneuron Moss Plant Petitioned (under review) 12-month finding
Dwarf Seahorse Fish Petitioned (under review) 12-month finding
Edwards Aquifer Diving Beetle Insect Petitioned (under review) 12-month finding
False Spike* Mussel Petitioned (under review) 12-month finding
Golden-winged Warbler Bird Petitioned (under review) 12-month finding
Hall's Pocket Moss Plant Petitioned (under review) 12-month finding
Kisatchie Painted Crayfish Crustacean Petitioned (under review) 12-month finding
Louisiana Eyed Silkmoth Insect Petitioned (under review) 12-month finding
Louisiana Pigtoe* Mussel Petitioned (under review) 12-month finding
Mexican Fawnsfoot* Mussel Petitioned (under review) 12-month finding
Mimic Cavesnail Snail Petitioned (under review) 12-month finding
Morse's Little Plain Brown Sedge Insect Petitioned (under review) 12-month finding
Navasota False Foxglove Plant Petitioned (under review) 12-month finding
Pecos Pupfish Fish Petitioned (under review) 12-month finding
Prairie Chub Fish Petitioned (under review) 12-month finding
Prostrate Milkweed Plant Petitioned (under review) 12-month finding
Rough-stemmed Aster Plant Petitioned (under review) 12-month finding
Salina Mucket* Mussel Petitioned (under review) 12-month finding
Saltmarsh Topminnow Fish Petitioned (under review) 12-month finding
San Felipe Gambusia Fish Petitioned (under review) 12-month finding
Scalloped Hammerhead Fish Petitioned (under review) 12-month finding
Shinner's Sunflower Plant Petitioned (under review) 12-month finding
Small-headed Pipewort Plant Petitioned (under review) 12-month finding
Spot-tailed Earless Lizard Reptile Petitioned (under review) 12-month finding
Texas Emerald Insect Petitioned (under review) 12-month finding
Texas Heelsplitter* Mussel Petitioned (under review) 12-month finding
Texas Kangaroo Rat Mammal Petitioned (under review) 12-month finding
Texas Salamander Amphibian Petitioned (under review) 12-month finding
Texas Screwstem Plant Petitioned (under review) 12-month finding
Texas Trillium Plant Petitioned (under review) 12-month finding
Texas Troglobitic Water Slater Crustacean Petitioned (under review) 12-month finding
Tharp's Blue-star Plant Petitioned (under review) 12-month finding
Toothless Blindcat Fish Petitioned (under review) 12-month finding
Triangle Pigtoe* Mussel Petitioned (under review) 12-month finding
Western Chicken Turtle Reptile Petitioned (under review) 12-month finding
Widemouth Blindcat Fish Petitioned (under review) 12-month finding
Species Under Review for Ninety-day Finding 1 Species
Common Name Taxonomy Federal Listing Status Next Expected Action
Desert Massasauga Reptile Petitioned (under review) 90-day finding

Currently Listed Species Under Review for Changes

Species with Potential Changes to Their Federally Designated Habitat 5 Species
Common Name Taxonomy Federal Listing Status Next Expected Action
Comal Springs Dryopid Beetle Insect Endangered - 1997 Proposed revision of critical habitat
Comal Springs Riffle Beetle Insect Endangered - 1997 Proposed revision of critical habitat
Loggerhead Sea Turtle Reptile Threatened - 1978 Proposal to designate critical habitat in future rulemaking
Peck's Cave Amphipod Insect Endangered - 1997 Proposed revision of critical habitat
Southwestern Willow Flycatcher Bird Endangered - 1995; Under review for revision of critical habitat Final revision of critical habitat
Species That May Be Delisted (Removed from the Endangered Species List) 1 Species
Common Name Taxonomy Federal Listing Status Next Expected Action
Johnston's Frankenia Plant Endangered - 1984; Proposed for delisting Final delisting determination

Species that received final ruling on Designation / Revision of Critical Habitat

Species that received final ruling on Designation / Revision of Critical Habitat 9 Species
Common Name Taxonomy Federal Listing Status Next Expected Action
Braken Bat Cave Meshweaver Arachnid Endangered - 2000; Final decision on designation of critical habitat made on Feb. 14, 2012.  
Cokendolpher Cave Harvestman Arachnid Endangered - 2000; Final decision on designation of critical habitat made on Feb. 14, 2012.  
Government Canyon Bat Cave Meshweaver Arachnid Endangered - 2000; Final decision on designation of critical habitat made on Feb. 14, 2012.  
Government Canyon Bat Cave Spider Arachnid Endangered - 2000; Final decision on designation of critical habitat made on Feb. 14, 2012.  
Ground Beetle
(Rhadine exilis)
Insect Endangered - 2000; Final decision on designation of critical habitat made on Feb. 14, 2012.  
Ground Beetle
(Rhadine infernalis)
Insect Endangered - 2000; Final decision on designation of critical habitat made on Feb. 14, 2012.  
Helotes Mold Beetle Insect Endangered - 2000; Final decision on designation of critical habitat made on Feb. 14, 2012.  
Madla Cave Meshweaver Arachnid Endangered - 2000; Final decision on designation of critical habitat made on Feb. 14, 2012.  
Robber Baron Cave Meshweaver Arachnid Endangered - 2000; Final decision on designation of critical habitat made on Feb. 14, 2012.  

Species Reviewed, but No Further Action Expected at This Time

Species Reviewed, but No Further Action Expected at This Time 15 Species
Common Name Taxonomy Federal Listing Status
Cactus Ferruginous Pygmy-owl Bird Petitioned - 12-month finding determined not warranted for listing at this time
Goliath Grouper Fish Petitioned - 90-day finding determined listing not warranted
Mountain Plover Bird Proposed rule for listing withdrawn
Northern leopard frog Amphibian Petitioned - 12-month finding determined not warranted for listing at this time
Nueces River Shiner Fish Petitioned - 12-month finding determined not warranted for listing at this time
Oklahoma Grass Pink Plant Petitioned - 12 month finding determined not warranted for listing at this time
Pecos Assiminea Snail Endangered - 2005; Final decision on designation of critical habitat made June 7, 2011.
Piping Plover Plant Endangered and Threatened  - 1985; 90-Day finding determined reclassifying the wintering population is not warranted based on determination that the petition did not identify listable entities.
Plateau Shiner Fish Petitioned - 12-month finding determined not warranted for listing at this time
Speckled Hind Fish Petitioned - 90-day finding determined listing not warranted
Sphingicampa blanchardi Insect Petitioned - 12-month finding determined not warranted for listing at this time
Tamaulipan Agapema Insect Petitioned - 12-month finding determined not warranted for listing at this time
Texas Pipefish Fish Petitioned - 90-day finding determined listing not warranted
Ursia Furtiva Insect Petitioned - 12-month finding determined not warranted for listing at this time
Warsaw Grouper Fish Petitioned - 90-day finding determined listing not warranted

Delisted Species (Removed from the Endangered Species List)

Delisted Species (Removed from the Endangered Species List)1 Species
Common Name Taxonomy Federal Listing Status
Concho Water Snake Reptile Final delisting determination effective Nov. 28, 2011

Total Number of Species

Total Number of Species 114

* This is a high interest species. These species are currently of interest because of the potential economic impact or because they spotlight key issues concerning the listing process. This list of species will be revised as additional information becomes available and as species move through the listing process.

Disclaimer for Spreadsheet of Current Watch Species

Source: Compiled by the Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts based on information from U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and National Marine Fisheries Service. This list is subject to change as more is learned about the range of species in Texas, species are reviewed for listing or additional species are petitioned for listing. As there is no single definitive list of all species in Texas petitioned or proposed for Endangered Species Act (ESA) listing, the Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts will continue to review numerous sources for information to compile this list of potential species of concern in Texas.

More information can be found at the following locations:

Information on species reviewed and determined not warranted for listing at this time is provided as reference to identify species which may be of concern. Additional information on other species of concern in Texas can be found through the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department.

Definitions

Federal Listing Status

Endangered – Year: This species is currently listed as endangered in Texas. The year refers to the year the species was listed.
Candidate (#) – Year: This species is currently listed as a candidate in Texas. The number represents the listing priority number established by U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS). The year refers to the year the species was designated as a candidate.
Candidate species: A plant or animal species for which FWS or National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) has sufficient information to support a proposal to list as endangered or threatened, but listing is currently precluded by higher priorities. Candidate species receive no statutory protection under the Endangered Species Act.
Listing priority: A number ranging from one to 12 assigned to each candidate indicating the relative urgency for listing as threatened or endangered.
Petitioned (under review): This species has been petitioned for listing as threatened or endangered and is being reviewed by FWS or NMFS. Read more about the listing process.

Next Expected Action

90-day finding: This is the first step in the review process for a petitioned species. Once FWS or NMFS receives a petition, the agency must determine within 90 days whether the petition contains enough “substantial” information to indicate that listing may be warranted.
12-month finding: If the FWS or NMFS determines in its 90-day finding that the petition provides “substantial” information, the agency conducts a more in depth review of the species. Within 12 months of receiving the petition, the agency must determine if the species:
  • does not warrant listing,
  • warrants listing, or
  • warrants listing, but is precluded by higher priority actions. (The species is then placed on the candidate species list.)
Proposed listing and proposed critical habitat or candidate withdrawal: FWS must review the candidate species and either issue a proposed rule for listing and propose critical habitat or withdraw the species from the candidate list.