Fla. Admin. Code Ann. R. 68A-27.003 - [Effective 4/3/2025] Florida Endangered and Threatened Species List; Prohibitions

(1) Federally-designated Endangered and Threatened species:

(a) No person shall take, possess, or sell any of the endangered or threatened species included in this subsection, or parts thereof or their nests or eggs except as allowed by specific federal or state permit or authorization.

(b) The following Federally-designated Endangered and Threatened species shall be afforded the protection afforded under Commission rules and Florida Statutes and under the Federal Endangered Species Act, 16 U.S.C. §1531 et seq. and its implementing regulations. Species classified as endangered are identified below by (E) and threatened as (T).

(c) Fish:

1. Atlantic sturgeon (Acipenser oxyrinchus oxyrinchus)(E); South Atlantic distinct population segment (consistent with 77 Fed. Reg. 5914-5982),

2. Okaloosa darter (Etheostoma okaloosae)(T) (consistent with 76 Fed. Reg. 18087-18103),

3. Smalltooth sawfish (Pristis pectinata)(E) (consistent with 70 Fed. Reg. 69464-69466).

4. Nassau grouper (Epinephelus striatus)(T) (consistent with 81 Fed. Reg. 42268-42285),

5. Giant manta ray (Manta birostris)(T) (consistent with 83 Fed. Reg. 2916-2931).

(d) Amphibians:

1. Frosted flatwoods salamander (Ambystoma cingulatum)(T),

2. Reticulated flatwoods salamander (Ambystoma bishopi)(E).

(e) Reptiles:

1. American alligator (Alligator mississippiensis)(T[S/A]);Listed only because of similarity of appearance to the American crocodile,

2. American crocodile (Crocodylus acutus)(T),

3. Atlantic salt marsh snake (Nerodia clarkii taeniata)(T),

4. Bluetail mole skink (Plestiodon egregius lividus)(T),

5. Eastern indigo snake (Drymarchon couperi)(T),

6. Sand skink (Plestiodon reynoldsi)(T).

(f) Birds:

1. Audubon's crested caracara (Polyborus plancus audubonii (T),

2. Bachman's wood warbler (Vermivora bachmanii)(E),

3. Cape Sable seaside sparrow (Ammodramus maritimus mirabilis)(E),

4. Eastern black rail (Laterallus jamaicensis jamaicensis)(T) (consistent with 85 Fed. Reg. 63764-63803),

5. Everglade snail kite (Rostrhamus sociabilis plumbeus)(E),

6. Eskimo curlew (Numenius borealis)(E),

7. Florida grasshopper sparrow (Ammodramus savannarum floridanus)(E),

8. Florida scrub-jay (Aphelocoma coerulescens)(T),

9. Ivory-billed woodpecker (Campephilus principalis)(E),

10. Kirtland's wood warbler (Dendroica kirtlandii)(E),

11. Piping plover (Charadrius melodus)(T),

12. Red-cockaded woodpecker (Picoides borealis)(E),

13. Roseate tern (Sterna dougallii dougallii)(T),

14. Whooping crane (Grus americana)(XN); Listed as experimental population in Florida,

15. Wood stork (Mycteria americana)(T),

16. Rufa red knot (Calidris canutus rufa)(T) (consistent with 79 Fed Reg. 73706-73748).

(g) Mammals:

1. Anastasia Island beach mouse (Peromyscus polionotus phasma)(E),

2. Bryde's Whale (Balaenoptera edeni [unnamed subspecies])(E); Gulf of Mexico subspecies

3. Choctawhatchee beach mouse (Peromyscus polionotus allophrys)(E),

4. Florida panther (Puma (=Felis) concolor coryi)(E),

5. Florida salt marsh vole (Microtus pennsylvanicus dukecampbelli)(E),

6. Gray bat (Myotis grisescens)(E),

7. Gray wolf (Canis lupus)(E),

8. Indiana bat (Myotis sodalis)(E),

9. Key deer (Odocoileus virginianus clavium)(E). No person shall feed Key deer by hand or by placing any food that serves to attract such species,

10. Key Largo cotton mouse (Peromyscus gossypinus allapaticola)(E),

11. Key Largo woodrat (Neotoma floridana smalli)(E),

12. Lower Keys rabbit (Sylvilagus palustris hefneri)(E),

13. Perdido Key beach mouse (Peromyscus polionotus trissyllepsis)(E),

14. Red wolf (Canis rufus)(E),

15. Rice rat (Oryzomys palustris natator (E); Lower Keys population west of 7-mile bridge,

16. Southeastern beach mouse (Peromyscus polionotus niveiventris)(T),

17. St. Andrew beach mouse (Peromyscus polionotus peninsularis)(E).

18. Florida bonneted bat (Eumops floridanus)(E) (consistent with 78 Fed. Reg. 61004-61043).

(h) Crustaceans:

1. Panama City crayfish (Procambarus econfinae)(T),

2. Squirrel Chimney Cave shrimp (Palaemonetes cummingi)(T).

(i) Insects:

1. American burying beetle (Nicrophorus americanus)(T), (consistent with 85 Fed. Reg. 65241-65261),

2. Cassius blue butterfly (Leptotes cassius theonus)(T[S/A]), ceraunus blue butterfly (Hemiargus ceraunus antibubastus) (T[S/A]), and nickerbean blue butterfly (Cyclargus ammon)(T[S/A]) are listed due to similarity of appearance to Miami blue butterfly (consistent with 77 Fed. Reg. 20948-20986) and as such only the following prohibitions apply to these three species:

a. Incidental take, that is, take that results from, but is not a purpose of, carrying out an otherwise lawful activity will not apply to cassius blue butterfly, ceraunus blue butterfly, and nickerbean blue butterfly.

b. Collection of the cassius blue butterfly, ceraunus blue butterfly, and nickerbean blue butterfly is prohibited in coastal counties south of Interstate 4 and extending to the boundaries of the State of Florida at the endpoints of Interstate 4 at Tampa and Daytona Beach. Specifically, such activities are prohibited in the following counties: Brevard, Broward, Charlotte, Collier, De Soto, Hillsborough, Indian River, Lee, Manatee, Pinellas, Sarasota, St. Lucie, Martin, Miami-Dade, Monroe, Palm Beach, and Volusia.

3. Miami blue butterfly (Cyclargus thomasi bethunebakeri)(E) (consistent with 77 Fed. Reg. 20948-20986),

4. Schaus swallowtail butterfly (Heraclides aristodemus ponceanus)(E).

5. Bartram's scrub-hairstreak (Strymon acis bartrami)(E) (consistent with 79 Fed. Reg. 47222-47244),

6. Florida leafwing (Anaea troglodyte floridalis)(E) (consistent with 79 Fed. Reg. 47222-47244).

7. Miami tiger beetle (Cicindelidia floridana)(E) (consistent with 81 Fed. Reg. 68985-69007).

(j) Mollusks:

1. Chipola slabshell (mussel) (Elliptio chiplolaensis)(T),

2. Fat threeridge (mussel) (Amblema neislerii)(E),

3. Gulf moccasinshell (mussel) (Medionidus penicillatus)(E),

4. Ochlockonee moccasinshell (mussel) (Medionidus simpsonianus)(E),

5. Oval pigtoe (mussel) (Pleurobema pyriforme)(E),

6. Purple bankclimber (mussel) (Elliptoideus sloatianus)(T),

7. Shinyrayed pocketbook (mussel) (Hamiotal subangulata)(E),

8. Stock Island tree snail (Orthalicus reses [not incl. nesodryas])(T).

9. Choctaw bean (Obovaria choctawensis)(E) (consistent with 77 Fed. Reg. 61664-61719),

10. Round ebonyshell (Reginaia rotulata)(E) (consistent with 77 Fed. Reg. 61664-61719),

11. Southern kidneyshell (Ptychobranchus jonesi)(E) (consistent with 77 Fed. Reg. 61664-61719),

12. Fuzzy pigtoe (Pleurobema strodeanum)(T) (consistent with 77 Fed. Reg. 61664-61719),

13. Narrow pigtoe (Fusconaia escambia)(T) (consistent with 77 Fed. Reg. 61664-61719),

14. Tapered pigtoe (Fusconaia burki)(T) (consistent with 77 Fed. Reg. 61664-61719),

15. Southern sandshell (Hamiota australis)(T) (consistent with 77 Fed. Reg. 61664-61719).

16. Suwannee moccasinshell (Medionidus walkeri)(T) (consistent with 81 Fed. Reg. 69417-69425).

(k) Corals:

1. Elkhorn coral (Acropora palmata)(T) (consistent with 72 Fed. Reg. 16284-16286).

2. Staghorn coral (Acropora cervicornis)(T) (consistent with 72 Fed. Reg. 16284-16286).

3. Pillar coral (Dendrogyra cylindricus)(T) (consistent with 79 Fed. Reg. 53852-54123),

4. Lobed star coral (Orbicella annularis) (T) (consistent with 79 Fed. Reg. 53852-54123),

5. Moutainous star coral (Orbicella faveolata) (T) (consistent with 79 Fed. Reg. 53852-54123),

6. Boulder star coral (Orbicella franksi) (T) (consistent with 79 Fed. Reg. 53852-54123),

7. Rough cactus coral (Mycetophyllia ferox) (T) (consistent with 79 Fed. Reg. 53852-54123).

(2) State-designated Threatened species:

(a) No person shall take, possess, or sell any threatened species included in this subsection or parts thereof or their nests or eggs except as authorized by Commission rule or by permit from the Commission or when such conduct is authorized in a management plan as defined in this chapter and approved by the Commission, or as authorized in Commission-approved guidelines.

(b) The following Species Conservation Measures and Permitting Guidelines from the Commission are hereby incorporated by reference and can be found online at the following links:

1. Alligator snapping turtles, Macrochelys suwanniensis, M. apalachicolae, and M. temminckii, effective September 2018

(https://www.flrules.org/Gateway/reference.asp?No=Ref-10418);

2. Barbour's map turtle, Graptemys barbouri,effective February 2018

(https://www.flrules.org/Gateway/reference.asp?No=Ref-10417);

3. Black creek crayfish, Procambarus pictus, effective February 2018

(https://www.flrules.org/Gateway/reference.asp?No=Ref-10415);

4. Blackmouth shiner, Notropis melanostomus, effective February 2018

(https://www.flrules.org/Gateway/reference.asp?No=Ref-10414);

5. Big Cypress fox squirrel, Sciurus niger avicennia, effective February 2018

(https://www.flrules.org/Gateway/reference.asp?No=Ref-10416);

6. Bluenose shiner, Pteronotropis welaka, effective December 2019

(https://www.flrules.org/Gateway/reference.asp?No=Ref-11501);

7. Crystal darter, Crystallaria asprella, effective December 2018

(https://www.flrules.org/Gateway/reference.asp?No=Ref-10413);

8. Everglades mink, Neovison vison evergladensis, effective November 2016

(https://www.flrules.org/Gateway/reference.asp?No=Ref-10412);

9. Florida bog frog, Lithobates okaloosae, effective December 2018

(https://www.flrules.org/Gateway/reference.asp?No=Ref-10411);

10. Florida brown snake of the Lower Keys, Storeria victa, effective November 2016

(https://www.flrules.org/Gateway/reference.asp?No=Ref-10410);

11. Florida burrowing owl, Athene cunicularia floridana, effective February 2018

(https://www.flrules.org/Gateway/reference.asp?No=Ref-10405);

12. Florida Keys mole skink, Plestiodon egregius egregius, effective November 2016

(https://www.flrules.org/Gateway/reference.asp?No=Ref-10409);

13. Florida pine snake, Pituophis melanoleucus mugitus, effective July 2020

(https://www.flrules.org/Gateway/reference.asp?No=Ref-12167);

14. Florida sandhill crane, Antigone canadensis pratensis, effective November 2016

(https://www.flrules.org/Gateway/reference.asp?No=Ref-10407);

15. Georgia blind salamander, Eurycea wallacei, effective December 2018

(https://www.flrules.org/Gateway/reference.asp?No=Ref-10406);

16. Key ringneck snake, Diadophis punctatus acricus, effective November 2016

(https://www.flrules.org/Gateway/reference.asp?No=Ref-10423);

17. Rim rock crowned snake, Tantilla oolicta, effective November 2016

(https://www.flrules.org/Gateway/reference.asp?No=Ref-10424);

18. Santa Fe cave crayfish, Procambarus erythops, effective February 2018

(https://www.flrules.org/Gateway/reference.asp?No=Ref-10426);

19. Saltmarsh topminnow, Fundulus jenkinsi, effective February 2018

(https://www.flrules.org/Gateway/reference.asp?No=Ref-10425);

20. Sanibel Island rice rat, Oryzomys palustris sanibeli, effective December 2019

(https://www.flrules.org/Gateway/reference.asp?No=Ref-11505);

21. Sherman's short-tailed shrew, Blarina shermani, effective December 2018

(https://www.flrules.org/Gateway/reference.asp?No=Ref-10427);

22. Short-tailed snake, Lampropeltis extenuate, effective December 2019

(https://www.flrules.org/Gateway/reference.asp?No=Ref-11502;

23. Southeastern American kestrel, Falco sparverius paulus, effective December 2020

(https://www.flrules.org/Gateway/reference.asp?No=Ref-12602);

24. Southern tessellated darter, Etheostoma olmstedi maculaticeps, effective December 2018

(https://www.flrules.org/Gateway/reference.asp?No=Ref-10428);

25. Striped newt, Notophthalmus perstriatus, effective December 2022.

(https://www.flrules.org/Gateway/reference.asp?No=Ref-14989);

26. Threatened beach-nesting birds (American oystercatcher, snowy plover, black skimmer, least tern,) Haematopus palliatus, Charadrius nivosus, Rynchops niger, and Sternula antillarum, effective September 2023

(https://www.flrules.org/Gateway/reference.asp?No=Ref-14600);

27. Threatened wading birds (little blue heron, reddish egret, roseate spoonbill, and tricolored heron), Egretta caerulea, E. rufescens, Platalea ajaja, and E. tricolor, effective December 2018

(https://www.flrules.org/Gateway/reference.asp?No=Ref-10429);

28. White-crowned pigeon, Patagioenas leucocephala, effective November 2016

(https://www.flrules.org/Gateway/reference.asp?No=Ref-10430).

(c) The species in this subsection are hereby declared to be State-designated Threatened Species, and shall be afforded the protective provisions specified.

(d) Fish:

1. Blackmouth shiner (Notropis melanostomus),

2. Bluenose shiner (Pteronotropis welaka),

3. Crystal darter (Crystallaria asprella),

4. Key silverside (Menidia conchorum),

5. Saltmarsh topminnow (Fundulus jenkinsi),

6. Southern tessellated darter (Etheostoma olmstedi maculaticeps).

(e) Amphibians:

1. Florida bog frog (Lithobates okaloosae),

2. Georgia blind salamander (Eurycea wallacei).

3. Striped newt (Notophthalmus perstriatus).

(f) Reptiles:

1. Barbour's map turtle (Graptemys barbouri),

2. Florida brownsnake (Storeria victa); lower Keys population only,

3. Florida Keys mole skink (Plestiodon egregius egregius),

4. Florida pine snake (Pituophis melanoleucus mugitus),

5. Gopher tortoise (Gopherus polyphemus). The gopher tortoise shall be afforded the protective provisions specified in this subparagraph. No person shall take, attempt to take, pursue, hunt, harass, capture, possess, sell or transport any gopher tortoise or parts thereof or their eggs, or molest, damage, or destroy gopher tortoise burrows, except as authorized by Commission permit or when complying with the Gopher Tortoise Management Plan effective December 2024 herein incorporated by reference (http://www.flrules.org/Gateway/reference.asp?No=Ref-17732). A gopher tortoise burrow is a tunnel with a cross-section that closely approximates the shape of a gopher tortoise. Permits will be issued based upon whether issuance would further goals and objectives of the Management Plan and the Gopher Tortoise Permitting Guidelines effective April 2023, herein incorporated by reference (http://www.flrules.org/Gateway/reference.asp?No=Ref-15273).

6. Key ringneck snake (Diadophis punctatus acricus),

7. Rim rock crowned snake (Tantilla oolitica),

8. Short-tailed snake (Lampropeltis extenuate),

9. Suwannee alligator snapping turtle (Marcochelys suwanniensis)

(g) Birds:

1. American oystercatcher (Haematopus palliatus),

2. Black skimmer (Rynchops niger),

3. Florida burrowing owl (Athene cunicularia floridana),

4. Florida sandhill crane (Antigone canadensis pratensis),

5. Least tern (Sternula antillarum),

6. Little blue heron (Egretta caerulea),

7. Marian's marsh wren (Cistothorus palustris marianae),

8. Reddish egret (Egretta rufescens),

9. Roseate spoonbill (Platalea ajaja),

10. Scott's seaside sparrow (Ammodramus maritimus peninsulae),

11. Snowy plover (Charadrius nivosus),

12. Southeastern American kestrel (Falco sparverius paulus),

13. Tricolored heron (Egretta tricolor),

14. Wakulla seaside sparrow (Ammodramus maritimus juncicola),

15. White-crowned pigeon (Patagioenas leucocephala),

16. Worthington's marsh wren (Cistothorus palustris griseus).

(h) Mammals:

1. Big Cypress fox squirrel (Sciurus niger avicennia),

2. Everglades mink (Neovison vison evergladensis).

3. Sanibel Island rice rat (Oryzomys palustris sanibeli),

4. Sherman's short-tailed shrew (Blarina shermani),

(i) Crustaceans:

1. Black Creek crayfish (Procambarus pictus),

2. Santa Fe cave crayfish (Procambarus erythrops).

Notes

Fla. Admin. Code Ann. R. 68A-27.003

Rulemaking Authority Art. IV, Sec. 9, Fla. Const. Law Implemented Art. IV, Sec. 9, Fla. Const.

New 8-1-79, Amended 6-22-80, 7-1-83, 7-1-84, 7-1-85, Formerly 39-27.03, Amended 6-1-86, 5-10-87, 4-27-89, 9-14-93, 6-23-99, Formerly 39-27.003. Amended 12-16-03, 7-20-09, 11-8-10, 11-14-11, 8-23-12, 9-19-12, Amended by Florida Register Volume 41, Number 116, June 16, 2015 effective 6/10/2015, Amended by Florida Register Volume 42, Number 250, December 28, 2016 effective 1/11/2017, Amended by Florida Register Volume 43, Number 109, June 6, 2017 effective 6/2/2017, Amended by Florida Register Volume 44, Number 143, July 24, 2018 effective 7/20/2018, Amended by Florida Register Volume 44, Number 239, December 11, 2018 effective 12/23/2018, Amended by Florida Register Volume 45, Number 113, June 11, 2019 effective 6/25/2019, Amended by Florida Register Volume 46, Number 023, February 4, 2020 effective 2/17/2020, Amended by Florida Register Volume 46, Number 205, October 20, 2020 effective 11/2/2020, Amended by Florida Register Volume 47, Number 016, January 26, 2021 effective 2/9/2021, Amended by Florida Register Volume 47, Number 091, May 11, 2021 effective 5/27/2021, Amended by Florida Register Volume 48, Number 164, August 23, 2022 effective 9/4/2022, Amended by Florida Register Volume 49, Number 011, January 18, 2023 effective 1/30/2023, Amended by Florida Register Volume 49, Number 090, May 9, 2023 effective 5/24/2023, Amended by Florida Register Volume 51, Number 053, March 18, 2025 effective 4/3/2025.

New 8-1-79, Amended 6-22-80, 7-1-83, 7-1-84, 7-1-85, Formerly 39-27.03, Amended 6-1-86, 5-10-87, 4-27-89, 9-14-93, 6-23-99, Formerly 39-27.003. Amended 12-16-03, 7-20-09, 11-8-10, 11-14-11, 8-23-12, 9-19-12, 6-10-15, 1-11-17, 6-2-17, 7-20-18, 12-23-18, 6-25-19, 2-17-20, 11-2-20, 2-9-21, 5-27-21, 9-4-22, 1-30-23, 5-24-23.