Featured Species Archive: 2010
- Episode
- 39
- Spotlight Species
Coral Pink Sand Dunes Tiger Beetle (03:22)
Host: Sarah Leon with Katherine Richardson
Status: Candidate/ Conservation to preclude ESA listing
Scientific Name: Mustela nigripes
Description: This rare beetle is only found within the dune system from where it gets its common name, the Coral Pink Sand Dunes, in southern Utah.
- Episode
- 38
Vandenberg Monkeyflower (06:49)
Host: Sarah Leon with Connie Rutherford
Status: Candidate/ Conservation to preclude ESA listing
Scientific Name: Mimulus fremontii var. vandenbergensis
Description: The Vandenberg monkeyflower is found only in Western Santa Barbara county in California, and its current distribution is a fairly small area —only about 7 miles long and about 2 miles wide.
- Episode
- 37
- Spotlight Species
- Recovery Champion
Attwater's Prairie Chicken (08:56)
Host: Sarah Leon with Mike Morrow
Status: Endangered/ Listed on March 11, 1967
Scientific Name: Tympanuchus cupido attwateri
Description: Over a century ago, one million Attwater's prairie-chickens graced the Texas and Louisiana gulf coastal prairie. Today, less than one percent of coastal prairies remain. With so little of its home left, the Attwater's prairie-chicken has come dangerously close to following the passenger pigeon to extinction.
- Episode
- 36
Kentucky Arrow Darter (05:49)
Host: Sarah Leon with Mike Floyd
Status: Candidate/ Conservation to preclude ESA listing
Scientific Name: Etheostoma sagitta spilotum
Description: The Kentucky arrow darter now has a limited range in the upper Kentucky River drainage in Kentucky. A recent status survey of the species has shown that populations have declined considerably during the past two decades.
- Episode
- 35
- Spotlight Species
Southern Sea Otter (06:18)
Host: Sarah Leon with Lillian Carswell
Status: Threatened/ Listed on January 14, 1977
Scientific Name: Enhydra lutris nereis
Description: As a consequence of their threatened status, southern sea otters are also recognized as depleted under the Marine Mammal Protection Act. Reduced range and population size, vulnerability to oil spills, and oil spill risk from coastal tanker traffic were the primary reasons for listing.
- Episode
- 34
- Spotlight Species
Ocelot (05:26)
Host: Sarah Leon with Jody Mays
Status: Endangered/ Listed on March 28, 1972
Scientific Name: Leopardus pardalis
Description: The ocelot once ranged throughout Texas, and could even be found in Arizona, Louisiana, and Arkansas. This beautiful cat has been reduced to just two populations the United States–both occuring in the southern most part Texas. Biologists estimate only 50 individuals remain in the wild.
- Episode
- 33
- Spotlight Species
Least Bell's Vireo (07:01)
Host: Sarah Leon with Gjon Hazard and Peter Beck
Status: Endangered/ Listed on May 2, 1986
Scientific Name: Verio bellii pusillus
Description: By the time the species was listed in 1986, it had been extirpated from most of its historic range, and numbered just 300 pairs statewide. Populations were confined to eight counties south of Santa Barbara, with the majority of birds occurring in San Diego County. Since listing, least Bell's vireo numbers have increased, and the species is expanding into its historic range.
- Episode
- 32
- Spotlight Species
- Recovery Champion
Yreka Phlox (05:39)
Host: Sarah Leon with Nadine Kanim
Status: Endangered/ Listed on February 3, 2000
Scientific Name: Phlox hirsuta
Description: Yreka phlox is a small flowering plant that grows in the serpentine soils of Siskiyou County, California and is the official city flower of Yreka, California, after which it is named. It is endangered by land use patterns as well as other factors related to the increased urbanization of the Yreka area, such as off-road vehicle use and the encroachment of non-native species.
- Episode
- 31
- Spotlight Species
Louisiana Black Bear (08:42)
Host: Sarah Leon with Debbie Fuller
Status: Threatened/ Listed on January 7, 1992
Scientific Name: Ursus americanus luteolus
Description: The Louisiana black bear was once a common inhabitant of forested regions of eastern Texas, Louisiana and Mississippi. Decline of this species, throughout its range, was due to depletion of populations through over harvest by humans, and to loss and fragmentation of suitable forested habitats.
- Episode
- 30
- Spotlight Species
Polar Bear (05:35)
Host: Sarah Leon with Susanne Miller
Status: Threatened/ Listed on May 15, 2008
Scientific Name: Ursus maritimus
Description: Polar bears are the largest carnivores and a unique symbol of the Arctic.
- Episode
- 29
- Spotlight Species
Key Largo Woodrat (04:57)
Host: Sarah Leon with Sandra Sneckenberger
Status: Endangered/ Listed on August 31, 1984
Scientific Name: Neotoma floridana smalli
Description: The Key Largo woodrat resides in tropical hardwood hammocks on Key Largo. This small endemic rodent once ranged throughout all of Key Largo, but today is limited to the northernmost portions.
- Episode
- 28
Winged Mapleleaf (08:18)
Host: Sarah Leon with Phil Delphey
Status: Endangered/ Listed on July 22, 1991
Scientific Name: Quadrula fragosa
Description: The range of the winged mapleleaf once included 13 states where it was found in nearly all rivers and streams feeding into the Mississippi River and in one river flowing into the Missouri River. Today however, the mussel is found only in limited areas of five rivers in the Midwestern United States.
- Episode
- 27
- Spotlight Species
Scrub Lupine (04:30)
Host: Sarah Leon with Mike Jennings
Status: Endangered/ Listed on April 7, 1987
Scientific Name: Lupinus aridorum
Description: Only 10 populations of scrub lupine remain. This plant is vulnerable to destruction by off-roadvehicles, grazing and trampling, and development.
- Episode
- 26
- Spotlight Species
Apache Trout (04:49)
Host: Sarah Leon with Jeremy Voeltz
Status: Threatened/ Listed on March 11, 1967
Scientific Name: Oncorhynchus apache
Description: The Apache trout is the state fish of Arizona, and is one of only two species of trout native to that state (the other being the Gila trout).
- Episode
- 25
- Spotlight Species
- Recovery Champion
Steller's Eider (05:09)
Host: Sarah Leon with Karen Laing
Status: Threatened/ Listed on June 11, 1997
Scientific Name: Polysticta stelleri
Description: Steller's eiders are the least abundant of the eider species. The global population is estimated to have declined approximately 50 percent (400,000 to 220,000) since the 1960s.
- Episode
- 24
- Spotlight Species
Ozark Hellbender (06:09)
Host: Sarah Leon with Tricia Crabill
Status: Candidate/ Conservation to preclude ESA listing
Scientific Name: Cryptobranchus alleganiensis bishopi
Description: The Ozark hellbender is the largest North American amphibian and is found in rivers and streams in northern Arkansas and southern Missouri.
- Episode
- 23
- Spotlight Species
Pallid Sturgeon (10:15)
Host: Sarah Leon with George Jordan
Status: Endanagered/ Listed on September 6, 1990
Scientific Name: Scaphirhynchus albus
Description: Pallid sturgeon are slow growing fish that feed primarily on small fish and immature aquatic insects. This species of sturgeon is seldom seen and is one of the least understood fish in the Missouri and Mississippi River drainages.
- Episode
- 22
- Spotlight Species
Purple Bean (07:43)
Host: Sarah Leon with Shane Hanlon
Status: Endangered/ Listed on January 10, 1997
Scientific Name: Villosa perpurpurea
Description: The purple bean and rough rabbitsfoot currently surviving in only a few river reaches in the upper Tennessee River system in Tennessee and Virginia.
- Episode
- 21
- Spotlight Species
New England Cottontail (05:34)
Host: Sarah Leon with Anthony Tur
Status: Candidate/ Conservation to preclude ESA listing
Scientific Name: Sylvilagus transitionalis
Description: The New England cottontail population has plummeted over the last several decades, disappearing from 86 percent of its historical range.
- Episode
- 20
- Spotlight Species
Kittlitz's Murrelet (07:03)
Host: Sarah Leon with Greg Balogh
Status: Candidate/ Conservation to preclude ESA listing
Scientific Name: Brachyramphus brevirostris
Description: A small diving bird related to puffins and murres, the Kittlitz's murrelet is one of the rarest and least known seabirds in North America. The species has undergone steep population declines in several of its core population areas.
- Episode
- 19
- Spotlight Species
- Recovery Champion
Karner Blue Butterfly (07:11)
Host: Sarah Leon with Cathy Carnes
Status: Endangered/ Listed on December 16, 1992
Scientific Name: Lycaeides melissa samuelis
Description: The Karner blue is a small blue insects with a wingspan of about one inch.
- Episode
- 18
- Spotlight Species
Devils Hole Pupfish (08:52)
Host: Sarah Leon with Paul Barrett
Status: Endangered/ Listed on March 11, 1967
Scientific Name: Cyprinodon diabolis
Description: This iridescent blue inch-long fish's only natural habitat is in the 93 degree waters of Devils Hole, located near the California/Nevada border.
- Episode
- 17
- Spotlight Species
Chiricahua Leopard Frog (04:35)
Host: Sarah Leon with Jim Rorabaugh
Status: Endangered/ Listed on June 13, 2002
Scientific Name: Rana chiricahuensis
Description: The most serious threats to this species include predation by non-native organisms, especially bullfrogs, fishes, and crayfish; and an apparently introduced fungal skin disease (chytridomycosis or "Bd") that is killing frogs and toads around the globe.
- Episode
- 16
- Spotlight Species
Rio Grande Silvery Minnow (09:29)
Host: Sarah Leon with Aimee Roberson
Status: Endangered/ Listed on July 20, 1994
Scientific Name: Hybognathus amarus
Description: The Rio Grande silvery minnow was historically one of the most abundant and widespread fishes in the Rio Grande Basin, occurring from Española, New Mexico to the Gulf of Mexico, but now only survives in a 170-mile stretch in New Mexico.
- Episode
- 15
Palos Verdes Blue Butterfly (07:06)
Host: Sarah Leon with Lieutenant Colonel Jon Ramer
Status: Endangered/ Listed on July 2, 1980
Scientific Name: Glaucopsyche lygdamus palosverdesensis
Description: For years, California's Palos Verdes blue butterfly was thought to be extinct, until a small population of these beautiful little butterflies was discovered on a Defense Fuel Support Point near Los Angeles. With the site being the last remaining habitat for the rare species, the Department of Defense has stepped up to make sure we don't lose this species again.
- Episode
- 14
Palos Verdes Blue Butterfly (08:28)
Host: Sarah Leon with Jana Johnson
Status: Endangered/ Listed on July 2, 1980
Scientific Name: Glaucopsyche lygdamus palosverdesensis
Description: It's an amazing story about second chances! For years, California's Palos Verdes blue butterfly was thought to be extinct, until a small population of these beautiful little butterflies was found on a Defense Fuel Support Point near Los Angeles. Now, one college professor and her students are seizing this extraordinary opportunity to help this rare species towards recovery.
- Episode
- 13
Palos Verdes Blue Butterfly (07:58)
Host: Sarah Leon with Eric Porter
Status: Endangered/ Listed on July 2, 1980
Scientific Name: Glaucopsyche lygdamus palosverdesensis
Description: The Palos Verdes blue butterfly was thought to be driven to extinction in 1983 by development of its habitat. Then, in 1994, the butterfly was rediscovered at the Defense Fuel Support Point in San Pedro, California.
- Episode
- 12
ESA Overview Section 11: Penalties and Enforcement (0:35)
Host: Narrated by Dave Harrelson
Part 11 of a series of 11 short overview presentations about the Endangered Species Act. This segment describes civil and criminal penalties for violations of the Endangered Species Act.
- Episode
- 11
ESA Overview Section 10: Permits and Exceptions (02:39)
Host: Narrated by Dave Harrelson
Part 10 of a series of 11 short overview presentations about the Endangered Species Act. This presentation describes how the Services can issue permits that allow limited take of listed species for scientific purposes, or to enhance the propagation or survival of a species.
- Episode
- 10
ESA Overview Section 9: Prohibitions (01:46)
Host: Narrated by Dave Harrelson
Part 9 of a series of 11 short overview presentations about the Endangered Species Act. This segment describes activities that are prohibited in order to protect listed species.
- Episode
- 09
ESA Overview Section 7: Consultation (02:38)
Host: Narrated by Dave Harrelson
Part 8 of a series of 11 short overview presentations about the Endangered Species Act. This segment provides a brief summary of how Federal agencies are required to consult with the Services when their actions my impact listed species.
- Episode
- 08
ESA Overview Section 6: Assistance to States (02:08)
Host: Narrated by Dave Harrelson
Part 7 of a series of 11 short overview presentations about the Endangered Species Act. This presentation provides a brief summary of how financial assistance is provided for implementation of the ESA by States.
- Episode
- 07
ESA Overview Section 4: Recovery and Delisting (03:49)
Host: Narrated by Dave Harrelson
Part 6 of a series of 11 short overview presentations about the Endangered Species Act. This presentation provides a brief summary of the recovery process.
- Episode
- 06
ESA Overview Section 4: Critical Habitat (02:47)
Host: Narrated by Dave Harrelson
Part 5 of a series of 11 short overview presentations about the Endangered Species Act. This presentation provides a brief overview of critical habitat.
- Episode
- 05
ESA Overview Section 4: Listing (06:50)
Host: Narrated by Dave Harrelson
Part 4 of a series of 11 short overview presentations about the Endangered Species Act. This presentation provides a brief overview of the listing process.
- Episode
- 04
ESA Overview Section 3: Definitions (01:05)
Host: Narrated by Dave Harrelson
Part 3 of a series of 11 short overview presentations about the Endangered Species Act. This presentation provides definitions of the terms "endangered," "threatened," and "conservation".
- Episode
- 03
ESA Overview Section 2: Findings and Purpose (01:17)
Host: Narrated by Dave Harrelson
Part 2 of a series of 11 short overview presentations about the Endangered Species Act. This presentation explains the reasons why the ESA was needed.
- Episode
- 02
ESA Overview Introduction (02:33)
Host: Narrated by Dave Harrelson
Part 1 of a series of 11 short overview presentations about the Endangered Species Act.
- Episode
- 01
Why Save Species? (04:30)
Host: Narrated by Dave Harrelson
This short video discusses why we should care about preventing the extinction of species.
