WSP09867 - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

Arizona Game and Fish Department Biological Evaluation: Kanab Ambersnail July 1998 Page 10 maintain refrigeration. Air temperature can be regulated by adding or removing these insulating materials as required. A fine-mist spray bottle with VP water will be used to maintain moisture and humidity conditions. We recommend the transport of immature KASs not exceed seven days in duration, while under environmentally maintained conditions. During the 1996 BHBF, relocated KASs were held in refrigerated containers for this duration without any mortality (Stevens et al. 1997b). Upon arrival to establishment sites, translocated KASs will be released within specific areas to facilitate future mating success and monitoring activities. Specific release areas are isolated patches of primary vegetation that are outside normal recreation use and are protected from possible natural disturbance. KASs will be placed within a 1 to 4-m2 area of primary habitat at establishment sites. Using entomological-grade forceps and/or camel-hair brushes, KASs will be gently removed from the transport containers and carefully placed on host vegetation at the new site. The KASs collected for the TPZ refugium will remain in transport containers (within ice chests) until delivery to TPZ. Upon arrival at TPZ, KASs will be transferred from transport containers to one of two habitat enclosures which have been developed at TPZ. AGFD will monitor the KAS refugium population; information gathered will include quantity of KASs, KAS behavior, presence of egg masses (clutch size and appearance), presence of other invertebrates, and condition of host vegetation. In addition, water quality (i.e., pH and conductivity), discharge, air temperature and relative humidity will also be measured within habitat enclosures and recorded in a field logbook. This information will be used to assist in the maintenance of the refugium habitat and provide data on refugium population dynamics for interim and final reports to CUPCA, USBR, USFWS, TPZ, and the KAWG in 1999. Supplemental stocking of KASs at establishment sites and at TPZ will occur in 1999 as needed to augment population density and preserve genetic variability. AGFD recommends annually stocking a minimum of 10 KASs (at least half will contribute reproductively) up to maximum of 150 individuals if overwintering mortality is higher than expected. Monitoring trips in September-October 1998 and March-April 1999 will begin to evaluate initial establishment success and need for further population augmentation.