Pygmy Short-horned Lizard (Phrynosoma douglasii): COSEWIC status appraisal summary 2018

Official title: COSEWIC Status Appraisal Summary on the Pygmy Short-horned Lizard (Phrynosoma douglasii) in Canada 2018

Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada (COSEWIC)
Extirpated 2018

COSEWIC assessment summary

Assessment summary – November 2018

Common name: Pygmy Short-horned Lizard

Scientific name: Phrynosoma douglasii

Status: Extirpated

Reason for designation: In Canada, this species is known only from historical records. Since the last assessment, more anecdotal observations have come to light, but there are no confirmed records for over 50 years. The historical records are from a populated area in the Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, and new sightings would be expected if the species still existed in Canada.

Occurrence: British Columbia

Status history: Last reported in 1957. Designated Extirpated in April 1992. Status re–examined and confirmed in May 2000, April 2007, and November 2018.

COSEWIC status appraisal summary

Scientific name: Phrynosoma douglasii

English name: Pygmy Short-horned Lizard

French name: Lézard à petites cornes mineur

Range of occurrence in Canada (province/territory/ocean): British Columbia

COSEWIC Status History

Last reported in 1957. Designated Extirpated in April 1992. Status re–examined and confirmed in May 2000, April 2007, and November 2018.

Wildlife species

Change in eligibility, taxonomy or designatable units:

no

Explanation:

No additional confirmed records since the previous assessment. The eligibility, taxonomy, and designatable units of the species have not changed.

Range

Change in extent of occurrence (EOO):

no

Change in index of area of occupancy (IAO) :

no

Change in number of known or inferred current locations^*:

no

Significant new survey information

no

Explanation:

No additional confirmed records exist since last assessment. The known range of the species in Canada has not changed since the previous assessment.

Population information

Change in number of mature individuals:

no

Change in population trend:

no

Change in severity of population fragmentation:

no

Change in trend in area and/or quality of habitat:

no

Significant new survey information

no

^*Use the IUCN definition of “location”

Explanation:

Population information on the species in Canada has never been available. However, the species remains known only from historical records, so population information has not changed.

Threats

Change in nature and/or severity of threats:

yes

Explanation:

Threats that would affect the species’ recovery continue within the historical Canadian range of the species and have been assessed as part of the recovery strategy (Environment and Climate Change Canada 2017). Applicable IUCN threat categories include the following: 1.0 Residential and Commercial Development: 1.1 Housing and urban areas (development and habitat loss); 1.2 commercial and industrial areas (development and habitat loss); 1.3 Tourism and Recreation Areas (habitat disturbance and degradation). 2.0 Agriculture and Aquiculture: 2.1 annual and perennial non-timber crops (deforestation and habitat loss and disturbance); 2.3 livestock farming and ranching (habitat loss and disturbance). Additionally, threats that affect ant populations, the species’ primary prey, are identified as a potential problem within the US range of the species.

Protection

Change in effective protection:

no

Explanation:

There has been no change in federal or provincial legal protection. However, the number of protected areas surrounding the historical occurrences have expanded, including the provincial White Lake Grasslands and the Okanagan Grassland Protected Areas and the Sage and Sparrow Conservation Area owned by the Nature Conservancy.

Rescue effect

Change in evidence of rescue effect:

no

Explanation:

No change; rescue remains possible but unlikely due to low dispersal capability of the lizards coupled with habitat fragmentation.

Quantitative analysis

Change in estimated probability of extirpation:

no

Details:

Not relevant for extirpated species.

Summary and additional considerations [e.g., recovery efforts]

No significant new information that would contribute to a change in the status has been obtained since the previous COSEWIC status report. A specimen in Trail (Sunningdale), British Columbia, photographed in a schoolroom in 1958, has come to light. The locality is outside the known historical distribution of the species in Canada, but no information exists to explain if this individual was captured from a natural occurrence in British Columbia. As such, the record should be treated as anecdotal. In spring 2016, the report writer conducted an outreach campaign in the Trail area, which included contacting representatives from over 40 organizations. This campaign elicited no new information (Appendix 1).

The recovery strategy (Environment and Climate Change Canada 2017) concluded that the recovery of the species is not feasible at this time, and there are currently no plans for recovery efforts.

Acknowledgements and authorities contacted

The following individuals and organizations freely provided their knowledge about Pygmy Short-horned Lizard and/or their habitats:

Benso, Sarah. 2017. Director, Trail Museum & Archives. Trail Historical Society. PO Box 405, Trail, BC V1R 4L7

Dulisse, Jakob. RPBio. 2017. 410 Second St., Nelson, BC V1L 2L3

Dyer, Orville. 2017. Acting Small Mammal and Herpetofauna Specialist 
Conservation Science Section, Ministry of Environment and Climate Change Strategy. 102 Industrial Place, Penticton, BC V2A 7C8

Guilderson, Mitch. Penticton, BC.

Harrison, Megan. 2017. Species at Risk Biologist. Environment and Climate Change Canada. 5421 Robertson Rd., Delta, BC V4K 3N2

Machmer, Marlene. Pandion Ecological Research Ltd. 532 Park Street, Nelson, BC V1L 2G9

Manley, Irene. Wildlife Biologist. Fish and Wildlife Compensation Program – Section Kootenay-Boundary Region. Ministry of Forests Lands and Natural Resource Operations. #401-333 Victoria St., Nelson, BC V1L 4K3

Okanagan Similkameen Stewardship Society. 203 - 304 Martin Street, Penticton, BC V2A 5K4

Okanogan Borderlands Historical Society. Oroville Visitor’s Center. 1210 Ironwood Street in Oroville, WA 98844

 

Information sources

Environment and Climate Change Canada. 2017. Recovery Strategy for the Pygmy Short-horned Lizard (Phrynosoma douglasii) in Canada. Species at Risk Act Recovery Strategy Series. Environment and Climate Change Canada, Ottawa. vi + 14 pp.

Hallock, L.A., and K.R. McAlliste. 2005. Pygmy Short-horned Lizard. Washington Herp Atlas. Website: http://wdfw.wa.gov/conservation/herp_atlas/ [accessed September 2018, presently not an active link ].

Author of SAS

Sara L. Ashpole, PhD

Technical summary

Scientific name: Phrynosoma douglasii

English name: Pygmy Short-horned Lizard

French name: Lézard à petites cornes mineur

Range of occurrence in Canada (province/territory/ocean): British Columbia

Demographic information

Generation time (usually average age of parents in the population; indicate if another method of estimating generation time indicated in the IUCN guidelines (2011) is being used):

5 years

Is there an [observed, inferred, or projected] continuing decline in number of mature individuals?

No

Estimated percent of continuing decline in total number of mature individuals within [5 years or 2 generations]:

Not applicable, it is assumed that the decline in individuals occurred beyond the past 5 years or 2 generations.

[Observed, estimated, inferred, or suspected] percent [reduction or increase] in total number of mature individuals over the last [10 years, or 3 generations]:

Not applicable, it is assumed that the decline in individuals occurred beyond the past 10 years or 3 generations.

[Projected or suspected] percent [reduction or increase] in total number of mature individuals over the next [10 years, or 3 generations]:

Not applicable, no change in individuals is projected or suspected over the next 10 years or 3 generations because the species is considered to be extirpated and there are no plans for re-introduction.

[Observed, estimated, inferred, or suspected] percent [reduction or increase] in total number of mature individuals over any [10 years, or 3 generations] period, over a time period including both the past and the future:

Not applicable, no change in individuals has been observed, estimated, inferred, or suspected over a time period including both the past and future.

Are the causes of the decline a) clearly reversible and b) understood and c) ceased?

a. No
b. Poorly understood
c. Unknown

Are there extreme fluctuations in number of mature individuals?

Not applicable, no individuals in Canada.

Extent and occupancy information

Estimated extent of occurrence (EOO):

0 km²

Index of area of occupancy (IAO) (Always report 2x2 grid value):

0 km²

Is the population “severely fragmented” i.e., is >50% of its total area of occupancy is in habitat patches that are (a) smaller than would be required to support a viable population, and (b) separated from other habitat patches by a distance larger than the species can be expected to disperse?

a. Not applicable; current area of occupancy is 0
b. Not applicable

Number of “locations”^* (use plausible range to reflect uncertainty if appropriate):

None confirmed

Is there an [observed, inferred, or projected] decline in extent of occurrence?

No

Is there an [observed, inferred, or projected] decline in index of area of occupancy?

No

Is there an [observed, inferred, or projected] decline in number of subpopulations?

No

Is there an [observed, inferred, or projected] decline in number of “locations”*?

No

Is there an [observed, inferred, or projected] decline in [area, extent and/or quality] of habitat?

Unknown

Are there extreme fluctuations in number of subpopulations?

Not applicable; the species remains known only from historical records.

Are there extreme fluctuations in number of “locations”?

Not applicable; the species remains known only from historical records.

Are there extreme fluctuations in extent of occurrence?

Not applicable; the species remains known only from historical records.

Are there extreme fluctuations in index of area of occupancy?

Not applicable; the species remains known only from historical records.

^* See Definitions and Abbreviations on COSEWIC website and International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) (Feb 2014) for more information on this term.

Quantitative analysis

Probability of extinction in the wild is at least [20% within 20 years or 5 generations, or 10% within 100 years]: Not applicable

Threats (direct, from highest impact to least, as per the IUCN Threats Calculator)

Was a threats calculator completed for this species? No, but threats have been assessed in the recovery strategy (Environment and Climate Change Canada 2017). A threats calculator analysis was deemed unnecessary because the species is known from historical records only.

Threats:
Habitat loss and degradation from Residential & Commercial Development and from Agriculture

What additional limiting factors are relevant? Lack of rescue effect

Rescue effect (immigration from outside Canada)

Status of outside population(s) most likely to provide immigrants to Canada?

Washington State: Vulnerable S3; Nationally secure N5 in the United States; Globally secure G5

Is immigration known or possible?

Unknown; possible but unlikely

Would immigrants be adapted to survive in Canada?

Probably

Is there sufficient habitat for immigrants in Canada?

Unknown

Are conditions deteriorating in Canada?⁺

Possibly

Are conditions for the source population deteriorating?⁺

Unknown

Is the Canadian population considered to be a sink?⁺

No

Is rescue from outside populations likely?

Unlikely

⁺ See Table 3 (Guidelines for modifying status assessment based on rescue effect).

Data-sensitive species

Is this a data sensitive species? No

Status and reasons for designation:

Status: Status history

Alpha-numeric codes: Not applicable

Reasons for designation: In Canada, this species is known only from historical records. Since the last assessment, more anecdotal observations have come to light, but there are no confirmed records for over 50 years. The historical records are from a populated area in the Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, and new sightings would be expected if the species still existed in Canada.

Applicability of criteria

Criterion A (Decline in Total Number of Mature Individuals): Not applicable. The decline is historical, and there have been no records for well over the 3-generation period.

Criterion B (Small Distribution Range and Decline or Fluctuation): Not applicable. There are no recent records.

Criterion C (Small and Declining Number of Mature Individuals): Not applicable. There are no recent records.

Criterion D (Very Small or Restricted Population): Not applicable. There are no recent records.

Criterion E (Quantitative Analysis): There are no recent records.

Appendix 1. Pygmy Short-horned Lizard record from Trail and outreach activities.

Record from Trail (Sunningdale), BC, in 1958:

Robert Frew reported a Pygmy Short-horned Lizard specimen captured by his father Gordon Frew in 1958, Trail (Sunningdale) (archived correspondence, April 2016). The exact location of capture is unknown. At the time, the identity of the live specimen was validated by Mr. Harrison (Megan Harris pers. comm. 2017), and the identification photos were confirmed in 2016 by Irene Manley (Kootenay - Boundary Region Ministry of Forests Lands and Natural Resource Operations) and David Fraser (BC Ministry of Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations). Regional surveys in the Trail area targeting this species or its habitat have not occurred. The specimen is the only report of the species from the Trail area and would represent either a disjunct population or an unnatural occurrence.

Outreach campaign:

In March-May 2016, an outreach campaign, facilitated by the Okanagan Similkameen Stewardship Society and the report writer, solicited observations and local ecological knowledge from naturalists and the public within the species’ known historical range in the Okanagan region and in the Trail area. Interpretive posters (~100 distributed), local news announcements, social media, and targeted emails to local experts, historians, and representatives from three First Nations (Osoyoos, Penticton, Colville) resulted in no specific new information.

Information sources

Harris, M., pers. comm. 2017. Email correspondence with Sara Ashpole. 14 March 2017. Species at Risk Biologist. Environment and Climate Change Canada. Delta, British Columbia.

List of organizations contacted:

BC Parks

BC Nature Federation

Canadian Herpetological Society

Central Okanagan Naturalist Club

Colville Indian Tribe

Ducks Unlimited

Elks – Osoyoos

Environment and Climate Change Canada – British Columbia

En’owkin Centre

Ecoscape Environmental Consultants, Kelowna

Fish and Wildlife Compensation Program – Section Kootenay-Boundary Region

Kamloops Naturalist Club

Kamloops Thompson Trail Alliance

Kootenay Columbia Educational Heritage Society

Lillooet Naturalists Society

Ministry of Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations

Nature Conservancy Canada

Nicola Naturalist Club

Nk’Mip Desert Cultural Centre

North Okanagan Naturalist Club

North Shuswap Naturalist Club

Oliver-Osoyoos Naturalist Club

Okanogan Borderlands Historical Society

Okanagan College

Okanagan Similkameen Conservation Alliance

Ophiucon Consulting

Osoyoos Desert Society

Osoyoos Indian Band

Osoyoos Times

Penticton Indian Band

Penticton Museum

Shuswap Naturalist Club

South Okanagan Naturalist Club

South Okanagan Similkameen Conservation Program

Sunningdale High School

The Nature Trust of BC

Thompson Rivers University

Trail Daily Times

Trail Historical Society

University of British Columbia Okanagan

Vermilion Forks Field Naturalists

West Kootenay Naturalist Association

While Lake Radio Observatory

COSEWIC history

The Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada (COSEWIC) was created in 1977 as a result of a recommendation at the Federal-Provincial Wildlife Conference held in 1976. It arose from the need for a single, official, scientifically sound, national listing of wildlife species at risk. In 1978, COSEWIC designated its first species and produced its first list of Canadian species at risk. Species designated at meetings of the full committee are added to the list. On June 5, 2003, the Species at Risk Act (SARA) was proclaimed. SARA establishes COSEWIC as an advisory body ensuring that species will continue to be assessed under a rigorous and independent scientific process.

COSEWIC mandate

The Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada (COSEWIC) assesses the national status of wild species, subspecies, varieties, or other designatable units that are considered to be at risk in Canada. Designations are made on native species for the following taxonomic groups: mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians, fishes, arthropods, molluscs, vascular plants, mosses, and lichens.

COSEWIC membership

COSEWIC comprises members from each provincial and territorial government wildlife agency, four federal entities (Canadian Wildlife Service, Parks Canada Agency, Department of Fisheries and Oceans, and the Federal Biodiversity Information Partnership, chaired by the Canadian Museum of Nature), three non-government science members and the co-chairs of the species specialist subcommittees and the Aboriginal Traditional Knowledge subcommittee. The Committee meets to consider status reports on candidate species.

Definitions (2018)

Wildlife species

A species, subspecies, variety, or geographically or genetically distinct population of animal, plant or other organism, other than a bacterium or virus, that is wild by nature and is either native to Canada or has extended its range into Canada without human intervention and has been present in Canada for at least 50 years.

Extinct (X)

A wildlife species that no longer exists.

Extirpated (XT)

A wildlife species no longer existing in the wild in Canada, but occurring elsewhere.

Endangered (E)

A wildlife species facing imminent extirpation or extinction.

Threatened (T)

A wildlife species likely to become endangered if limiting factors are not reversed.

Special concern (SC)
(Note: Formerly described as “Vulnerable” from 1990 to 1999, or “Rare” prior to 1990.)

A wildlife species that may become a threatened or an endangered species because of a combination of biological characteristics and identified threats.

Not at risk (NAR)
(Note: Formerly described as “Not in any category”, or “No designation required.”)

A wildlife species that has been evaluated and found to be not at risk of extinction given the current circumstances.

Data deficient (DD)
(Note: Formerly described as “Indeterminate” from 1994 to 1999 or “ISIBD” [insufficient scientific information on which to base a designation] prior to 1994. Definition of the [DD] category revised in 2006.)

A category that applies when the available information is insufficient (a) to resolve a species’ eligibility for assessment or (b) to permit an assessment of the species’ risk of extinction.

The Canadian Wildlife Service, Environment and Climate Change Canada, provides full administrative and financial support to the COSEWIC Secretariat.