I would argue that the following species probably ought to come off the state T&E list



Tantilla cucullata (huge range, no threat, no demand)



Trimorphodon vilkinsoni (huge range, no threat, limited demand)



Drymarchon corais (huge range, mostly protected habitat = huge ranches, limited demand)



Syrrophus guttilatus (range much larger than previously though, no threat, no demand)



I would argue (but probably loose) that Coleonyx reticulatus ought not be protected - over 95% of its known range in TX is protected by state or federal land, tiny fraction is road-accessible and although it is a relatively "high demand" species, just don't put it on the "white list" so it can't be commercialized.



A few other species on the "list" that seem to be doing well



Coniophanes imperialis - supposedly common in flower beds and vacant lots in cities of LRGV



Ambystoma talpoideum - lots of new locales for this species have been discovered in past few years as we gain a better understanding of its natural history in Texas





Some stuff that ought to go on the list



Ambystoma maculatum - very difficult to find outside of a few well known localities



Ambystoma t. tigrinum (Eastern Tiger) - extremely difficult to find outside of a few well known localities



Thamnophis sirtalis, all races found in Texas - extremely rare, habitat for annectans mostly gone



Holbrookia lacerata (both races) absent from most historic locales



Holbrookia maculata perspicua (Eastern Lesser Earless) absent from most historic locales - hasn't been seen in Texas since the '70s



Those are off the top of my head . . . kind of a consensus list from my own observations and anecdotal information passed around amongst herpetologists. For example, the Holbrookia stuff is well documented (Axtell, museum records, etc)



Troy

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