Biology Reference
In-Depth Information
MINI GUIDE: SPECIES IN PERIL
Bay Area species on state and federal threatened and endangered lists.
Not all species of concern can be covered here, and the list changes with
political and environmental conditions. Other sensitive bay-delta species
currently include the Sacramento Spittail, Longfin Smelt, the Suisun thistle,
and the San Francisco Garter Snake, to name a few.
California Black Rail ( Laterallus jamai-
censis coturniculus ) A diminutive black
bird with a round, red eye and cinna-
mon back dotted with white speckles,
the California Black Rail is on Califor-
nia's list of threatened species. In the
estuary, it is primarily found in San
Pablo and Suisun bays in large marshes
closer to water a good distance from
urban areas. Fragmentation and degra-
dation of its salt marsh habitat have
substantially reduced its original range. YEAR STATE LISTED : 1971 SIZE : 6 inches POPULA-
TION IN SF BAY, 1988 : 600 CURRENT POPULATION IN SF BAY : 600
Black Rail. (Danika Tsao)
California Clapper Rail ( Rallus longi-
rostris obsoletus ) This stocky shore-
bird picks its way through stands of
cordgrass, gum plant, and pickleweed
in search of snails, mussels, and
other invertebrates. Both individuals
and groups may emit bursts of the
clattering calls for which it is named.
Sturdy dun-colored legs and rust-red
cheek plumage distinguish this spe-
cies from its smaller relative, the Vir-
ginia Rail. The elimination of much of
its marsh habitat has drastically re-
duced the rail's populations. YEAR LISTED : 1970 SIZE : 14.5 inches POPULATION AT LIST-
ING : 500 POPULATION TODAY : 500-1400
California Clapper Rail. (Max Eissler)
California Freshwater Shrimp ( Syncaris pacifica ) The only 10-legged shrimp in
California that occurs in nonsaline waters, this shrimp camouflages its translucent
body with chromatophores that help it blend into the streambed environment. It
appears to frequent areas with undercut stream banks, exposed roots, or over-
hanging woody debris or vegetation. Currently found in 17 perennial stream seg-
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