Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants; Final Rule To Remove the Plant ``Echinocereus lloydii'' (Lloyd's Hedgehog Cactus) From the Federal List of Endangered and Threatened Plants

We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, are removing the plant Echinocereus lloydii (Lloyd's hedgehog cactus), from the Federal List of Endangered and Threatened Species under the authority of the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended (Act). Lloyd's hedgehog cactus was listed as endangered on October 26, 1979, as a result of threats presented by collection and highway projects. Recent evidence indicates that Lloyd's hedgehog cactus is not a distinct species but rather a hybrid or cross which is not evolving independently of its parental species. Therefore, E. lloydii no longer qualifies for protection under the Act. Removing Lloyd's hedgehog cactus from the list constitutes our recognition of its hybrid status and removes Federal protection under the Endangered Species Act.