From Deseret News archives:

Single cactus now 3 protected cacti

DNA testing shows they are separate species, official says

Published: Monday, Sept. 24, 2007 12:09 a.m. MDT
 |  E-MAIL | PRINT | FONT + - 
What was considered a single threatened cactus species in northeastern Utah and western Colorado is now officially three cacti species, all threatened, according to a ruling Tuesday by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

Threats are posed by the oil and gas development that is burgeoning in the area, according to the service. But advocates say illegal collecting and off-highway vehicle abuse also contribute to the threats.

Wildlife service officials said that one of the three species, the Pariette cactus, warrants listing as endangered — a designation that affords a slightly higher level of protection than threatened. But the agency added that listing the cactus species as endangered is "precluded by the need to complete other listing actions of a higher priority."

In other words, the agency considers other cases more pressing and won't complete the paperwork needed to designate the Pariette cactus as endangered at this time.

The three species were once thought of as one type of plant, but DNA work shows they are separate species, says Tony Frates, rare plant coordinator for the Utah Native Plant Society in Salt Lake City. Besides the Pariette cactus, the other species designated as threatened are the Colorado hookless cactus and Uinta Basin hookless cactus. The cacti have brilliant pink, purple, yellow or white flowers.

Story continues below
"By separating them into three (species), that means all three are even rarer than they were when they were listed as one," Frates said in an interview.

Within the last year or so, he added, someone went to the region "and dug up a lot of plants." That amounts to a huge disruption, he said.

Protecting the plants could mean more careful work is needed in citing oil rigs or monitoring roads, he added, but he does not know of any rare plant designation that has ever stopped a project. Instead, more care will be required in project work, Frates believes.

"With the huge amount of energy development in the Uintah Basin, obviously the situation has become grave for these species."


E-mail: bau@desnews.com

Comments

You can be the first to comment on this story.

Image
Dorde Woodruff

Pariette cactus, which grows only in the vicinity of the Green River in northeastern Utah, is listed as threatened by wildlife officials.

previousnext

Latest comments

Utes won't respond to Hall

Mark my words, Whittingham will have something to say. It may take one year...

Max Hall issues apology

First off Max they dont sell beer at RES but as a Ute fan I know there are...

Hard to believe Max ends such a prolific career with comments that is not...

Does anyone remember the ute fans jumping on Derek Stevenson dad at an game?...

For what it's worth, I think Corroon would make an outstanding governor of...

Dear Cherie and Leon and Family, We love you and appreciate your strength...

Cougars beat Utes in overtime

What ever happened to the love of the game? This is one of the best rivalries...

Cougars beat Utes in overtime

Thanks big brother???? ha ha ha. You weren't even competitive for 30 years.

Well said, Amy, and spot on. Hall has shown his true colors. It's what a...

I find it interesting that many of the same people who say that we can't...

Advertisements