Subspecies and protection

[James J Kruse]

Ah ha! I found the definition problem with help from Ken Philip:

The old (1984) version says this:

(15) The term "species" includes any subspecies of fish or wildlife or
plants, and any distinct population segment of any species or
vertebrate fish or wildlife which interbreeds when mature.

The new (1993) version says this:

(15) The term "species" includes any subspecies of fish or wildlife or
plants, and any distinct population segment of any species of
vertebrate fish or wildlife which interbreeds when mature.

Notice the 'of' in the second definition in place of the 'or' in the
earlier version which totally changes the meaning. This was apparently a
strategic type-o.

So, the moral of the story is that all of this is driven by politics.

James J. Kruse, Ph.D.
Curator of Entomology
University of Alaska Museum
907 Yukon Drive, PO Box 756960
Fairbanks, AK  99775-6960
Phone: 907.474.5579
Fax: 907.474.1987/5469
http://www.uaf.edu/museum/

On Thu, 8 Feb 2001, James J Kruse wrote:

> On Thu, 8 Feb 2001, Neil Jones wrote:
> >
> > Under the US Endangered Species Act, "distinct population segments" of
> > VERTEBRATES may be listed, but NOT populations of invertebrates or
> > plants.  Plants and invertebrates must have a scientific name to be
> > protected under the Endangered Species Act.
>
> That distinction is not made in the 'definitions' section of the Act.
> Where is this information located?
>
> Thanks,
> James J. Kruse, Ph.D.
> Curator of Entomology
> University of Alaska Museum
> 907 Yukon Drive, PO Box 756960
> Fairbanks, AK  99775-6960
> Phone: 907.474.5579
> Fax: 907.474.1987/5469
> http://www.uaf.edu/museum/
>
>


 
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