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= Uinta Basin hookless cactus (Sclerocactus wetlandicus) =

Sclerocactus wetlandicus, more commonly known as the Uinta Basin hookless cactus, is well-recognized for its attractive funnel-shaped flowers and rarity. The cactus ranges from 4 to 18 centimeters tall (1. 5 to 7 inches) and has areoles with spines branching off in clusters. Radial spines are found around the areoles and central spines come from the center of the areoles. The flowers range in color from pink to violet and have yellow stamens. The fruit is a reddish color and is barrel-shaped with black seeds. The blooming period spans from April to late May. The Uinta Basin hookless cactus benefits from the presence of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi.

The Uinta Basin hookless cactus was first listed under the Endangered Species Act in 1979 under the species name Sclerocactus glaucus. In 2009, it became recognized as its own species, referred to as Sclerocactus wetlandicus. The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) conservation status is currently listed as lower risk - least concern. However, it is only found in a very small portion of Utah spanning one specific area that is about 97 km (60 miles) long and 40 km (25 miles) wide. This native species currently has an estimated population size that could be as high as 30,000 individuals, which is based on the approximate 6,500 recorded cactus locations that could represent one or multiple cacti.

The general population is found along rivers and trails, growing in coarser soils. A majority of the habitat for the Uinta Basin hookless cactus has been utilized for oil and gas fields or will be leased for energy production in the future.

Reproduction
The typical blooming period for the Uinta Basin hookless cactus lasts from April to late May. The flowers located on the cactus open and close to become exposed to pollinators. They have a typical rhythm that they follow, opening between 11:00AM and 1:00PM and closing at night between 6:00PM and 8:00PM. Research shows that they may remain open longer when it is cold outside.

The main manner in which pollination occurs is through bees. Specifically, pollinators for the Uinta Basin hookless cactus are a species of ground-nesting bees in the subfamily Halictinae. These bees are not solely pollinators for the Uinta Basin hookless cactus, but also collect and transfer pollen from other plants and Sclerocactus species. This is essential, because the Uinta Basin hookless cactus has a low reproductive rate if forced to self-pollinate. Therefore, the Uinta Basin hookless cactus must have interactions with other members of the population in order to increase genetic diversity and form seeds. Once pollinated, seeds are dispersed through torrential rains. This washes the seed far enough away from the parent cacti so it can grow on its own.

Habitat destruction and other threats to the environment can increase fragmentation of Uinta Basin hookless cactus populations. This is a threat because an increased distance between populations increases the chance of isolation. This would decrease genetic diversity. Pollinators are very important to the future of the species.

Physical Characteristics
The Uinta Basin hookless cactus is a stem succulent with distinctive features. The cactus itself is a leafless, barrel-like shape, and can be anywhere from 4-18 cm (1. 5 to 7 inches) long. Its stem consists of 12-15 ribs from top to bottom with areoles (hooked spines) found along the ribs. The spines are found in clusters and can be categorized into radial and central. Radial spines are in clusters of 6-14 and central spines are in clusters of 1-5, with 3 being the most prevalent. Radial spines are light in color and found around the areole, ranging from 6-20 mm (0.2-0.8 inches) long and less than 0.6 mm (0.02 inches) in diameter. Central spines come off the areole’s center and are about 15-30 mm (0.6-1.2 inches) long and 0.5-1.8 mm (0. 02-0.7 inches) thick. They can be further categorized into abaxial and lateral. There is often only one abaxial spine, pointed upwards at an angle, and two straight, lateral spines on either side of the abaxial spine.

The flowers of the Uinta Basin hookless cactus have yellow stamens and the tepals vary from pink to violet. The fragrant flowers have a funnel-like shape and are smaller, being 2-5 cm (0.8-2 inches) in both length and diameter. The tepals have two whorls. The outer part has 20-30 tepals located on the floral tube and has a brown/lavender stripe down the middle. They are 4-30 mm (0.2-1.2 inches) long and 4-6 mm (0. 16-0.23 inches) wide. The inner part consists of 12-20 tepals at the rim of the floral tube that are 17-30 mm (0. 7-1.2 inches) long and 3-6 mm (0. 11-0.24 inches) wide.

The fruit of the cactus is also barrel-shaped and is a reddish-color when ripe. It ranges from 7-12 mm (0. 28-0.47 inches) wide and 9-25 mm (0. 4-1 inches) long. The elongated seeds (1.5 mm wide and 2.5 mm long; 0.06-0.1 inches) are black and asymmetrical. The ovary consists of one style and a 12-lobe stigma. The style ranges in color from pink to yellow.

Endangered Species Act Listing History
The Uinta Basin hookless cactus was originally recognized as part of the umbrella Sclerocactus glaucus species. The Sclerocactus glaucus species was listed under the Endangered Species Act in 1979. On September 15, 2009, the Uinta Basin hookless cactus was recognized as its own species. The Sclerocactus glaucus species was split into three distinct species known as the Sclerocactus brevispinus, Sclerocactus glaucus, and Sclerocactus wetlandicus. Since then, the recovery needs of the Uinta Basin hookless cactus are considered separately from the other species. This ruling, by the US Fish and Wildlife Services interior, was due to genetic testing and garden experiments that compared the physical characteristics in each species.

Range
The historical range of Sclerocactus glaucus includes Colorado and Utah. The Uinta Basin hookless cactus was not historically documented due to not being recognized as a distinct species until 2009. In the Uinta Basin, the major population centers are near rivers. Some of these rivers include the Green, White, and Duchesne River s, along the base of Badlands Cliffs in southeastern Duchesne County, and in the Pariette Draw drainage.

The present range has changed little over time. However, the Sclerocactus wetlandicus species had been separated from its previously umbrella species of Sclerocactus glaucus, which is primarily located in Colorado. The main habitat of the Uinta Basin hookless cactus is about 60 miles long and 25 miles wide, through Carbon, Duchesne, and Uintah counties in Utah.

Population Size
A population survey from 1990 recorded that the population size of Sclerocactus glaucus in the Uinta Basin was estimated to consist of 10,000 - 25,000 individuals.

As of 2007, there are 6,500 reported cactus locations, which could indicate a population of up to 30,000 individuals considering there are multiple individuals per site.

Human Impact
The Uinta Basin hookless cactus was listed under the Endangered Species Act because of human impacts. The cacti is impacted by gas, oil, and oil-shale developments, vehicle off-roading, over-cultivation for gardening purposes, herbicides, pesticides, and land development.

Oil and Gas Development
A majority of the Uinta Basin hookless cactus range is impacted by oil and gas fields, or areas that have pending oil and gas leases. In 2007, 115 new gas and oil wells were constructed within the species habitat range. Before 2007, there were at least 2,000 previously existing wells in the species habitat range. 63% of the limited habitat range for the Uinta Basin hookless cactus is impacted by approved energy development projects. An additional 10% of the habitat range has historically been disturbed by development projects. In total more than 4,300 wells have been drilled in traditional habitat ranges and more than 2,700 are currently active. Future development is expected to increase by 964 more wells.

Each individual well disturbs 0.6 hectares (1.5 acres) of surface area. Wells also require roads, pipelines, and other constructed infrastructure that impacts the natural habitat. These wells and associated infrastructure fragment the cacti’s habitat, preventing interactions between individuals, possibly changing the genetic composition of the population as a whole.

Oil and gas development can also increase the presence of weed invasions due to the higher level of traffic in the area, transporting invasive species.

Surface Disturbance
Surface disturbance can be caused by a number of both human and environmental factors. Off-roading vehicles and construction are human caused factors that can disturb the surface. Animal grazing and heavy rains also cause surface disturbances. These surface disturbances can cause airborne dust due to the dry ecosystem, which in turn can decrease photosynthesis effectiveness.

Collection
The Uinta Basin hookless cactus is prized among collectors, and therefore puts the species at risk. Mature cacti are the most aesthetically pleasing, so collectors prefer these cacti. This impacts the future of the species further because those cacti now cannot reproduce in their habitats.

Livestock
There are at least 28 grazing allotments that are present in traditional Uinta Basin hookless cactus habitats. Cattle and sheep can trample the cacti, which threatens the future of the species. Continuous overgrazing can decrease the population size which can make it easier for foreign species to invade.

Predation
Several species prey on the Uinta Basin hookless cactus. The cactus-borer beetle (Moneilema semipunctatum) endangers several Sclerocactus species. The beetle acts as a parasite and targets larger and more mature individuals, typically at their reproductive peak. Rodents, lagomorphs, and desert cottontail rabbits (Sylvilagus audubonii) are reported to browse and occasionally remove the cacti.

Climate Change
Climate change has impacted the habitat of the Uinta Basin hookless cactus by exacerbating droughts. There was a severe drought and heatwave from 1976 to 1977 in the Uinta Basin. Many cacti died as a result. It is predicted that future droughts and heatwaves brought on by climate change could have the same drastic effects on the species.

Current Conservation Efforts
The US Fish and Wildlife Service has currently initiated a conservation plan with several priorities. The first priority is to conduct an accurate survey of populations and habitat spread. The second priority is to protect the habitat of the cactus and other species necessary to the success of the cactus, such as the pollinators. The third priority is to protect the Uinta Basin hookless cactus from many direct and indirect threats.

Currently, there are no federal, state, or local laws that specifically outline protections for the Uinta Basin hookless cactus habitats. Certain initiatives that are necessary to implement include preventing humans from collecting the species, preventing livestock from grazing on the species, preventing oil and gas leasing in the area, and ensuring proper connectivity corridors for pollinators to reach the species.