Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants; Reclassification of Erigeron maguirei (Maguire daisy) From Endangered to Threatened

The plant Erigeron maguirei (Maguire daisy), endemic to sandstone canyons and mesas, is found in the San Rafael Swell in Emery County, Utah, and Capitol Reef in Wayne County, Utah. In 1985, the Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) listed Erigeron maguirei var. maguirei as endangered under the Endangered Species Act of 1973 (Act) as amended. Recent taxonomic studies document that populations formerly recognized as E. maguirei var. maguirei and E. maguirei var. harrisonii do not merit recognition as separate varieties, so that E. maguirei should be recognized as a species without infra-specific taxa. The studies concluded that the morphological differences previously used to distinguish the two varieties were ecotypic and not genetically based. The Service agreed with this taxonomic revision and on September 7, 1994 (59 FR 46219), published notice of its acceptance of this change in taxonomic understanding. When the status of the entire species is considered, a larger number of individuals is involved than had been previously considered to comprise var. maguirei. The Service, however, believes that E. maguirei's long-term survival is tenuous, since a significant portion of its habitat is threatened by ongoing and potential habitat alteration from mineral development, recreational activities, and livestock trampling. The species exists in small, reproductively isolated populations that are vulnerable to inbreeding and the loss of genetic viability. Therefore, the Service finds that E. maguirei is a threatened species as defined by the Act.