Rusty cord-moss (Entosthodon rubiginosus) COSEWIC assessment and status report: chapter 1

Assessment Summary – November 2004

Common name: Rusty Cord-moss

Scientific name: Entosthodon rubiginosus

Status: Endangered

Reason for designation: This species is endemic to western North America where it occurs in southern British Columbia, and has been reported from Montana, Arizona, and New Mexico. This moss has a highly restricted distribution in south-central British Columbia where only four populations have been found. Of these, three populations are extant, and one was not relocated; the species is not abundant at any known site. The species' habitat is a narrow band of shoreline dominated by grasses and other mosses in seasonally wet, alkaline habitats. Two populations have been affected by trampling by horses or cattle, and all sites examined have been impacted to varying degrees by domestic animals. At least a portion of one population has been lost as a result of trampling by domestic animals.

Occurrence: British Columbia

Status history: Designated Endangered in November 2004. Assessment based on a new status report.