Pacific gopher snake (Pituophis catenifer catenifer): COSEWIC status appraisal summary 2012

Extirpated
2012

COSEWIC status appraisal summaries are working documents used in assigning the status of wildlife species suspected of being at risk in Canada. This document may be cited as follows:

COSEWIC. 2012. COSEWIC status appraisal summary on the Pacific Gopher Snake Pituophis catenifer catenifer, in Canada. Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada. Ottawa. xii pp.

Production note: 
COSEWIC would like to acknowledge Scott Gillingwater for writing the status appraisal summary on the Pacific Gopher Snake, Pituophis catenifer catenifer, in Canada, prepared under contract with Environment Canada. This status appraisal summary was overseen and edited by Ronald J. Brooks, Co-chair of the COSEWIC Amphibians and Reptiles Specialist Subcommittee.

For additional copies contact:

COSEWIC Secretariat
c/o Canadian Wildlife Service
Environment Canada
Ottawa, ON
K1A 0H3

Tel.: 819-953-3215
Fax: 819-994-3684
Email: COSEWIC/COSEPAC@ec.gc.ca
Website: www.cosewic.gc.ca

Également disponible en français sous le titre Sommaire du statut de l’espèce du COSEPAC sur la Couleuvre à nez mince du Pacifique (Pituophis catenifer catenifer) au Canada.

© Her Majesty the Queen in Right of Canada, 2012.
Catalogue No. CW69-14/2-28-2012E-PDF
ISBN 978-1-100-20736-2

COSEWIC Assessment Summary

Assessment Summary – May 2012

Common name
Pacific Gopher Snake

Scientific name
Pituophis catenifer catenifer

Status
Extirpated

Reason for designation
This large snake, found in extreme southwestern British Columbia, has not been observed in the Canadian wild in more than 50 years.

Occurrence
British Columbia

Status history
Designated Extirpated in May 2002. Status re-examined and confirmed in May 2012.

COSEWIC Status Appraisal Summary

Pituophis catenifer catenifer

Pacific Gopher Snake Couleuvre à nez mince du Pacifique

Jurisdictions: British Columbia

Current COSEWIC Assessment:

Status category:

Date of last assessment: May 2002

Reason for designation at last assessment: There have been no sightings of this subspecies in almost 50 years.

Criteria applied at last assessment: Not applicable.

If earlier version of criteria was applied¹, provide correspondence to current criteria:

Reason:

  sufficient information to conclude there has been no change in status category
  not enough additional information available to warrant a fully updated status report

Evidence (indicate as applicable): No confirmed sightings have been received since 1957, despite ongoing related wildlife surveys and public awareness efforts (Govindarajulu pers. comm. 2011; Ramsay pers. comm. 2011; Welstead pers. comm. 2011).

Wildlife species: 

Change in eligibility, taxonomy or designatable units:  

Explanation:

No changes in eligibility, taxonomy or designatable units have occurred since the 2002 update.
Debate continues over the number of species in the genus Pituophis (Rodriguez-Robles and de Jesus-Escobar 2000) with molecular evidence indicating the existence of an eastern clade and a western clade (which contains all Canadian Gopher Snakes). Most recent literature retains the species P. catenifer and subspecies P. c. catenifer (Ernst and Ernst 2003; Matsuda et al. 2006; Crother et al. 2011).

Range:

Change in Extent of Occurrence (EO):

Change in Area of Occupancy (AO):

Change in number of known or inferred current locations:

Significant new survey information

Explanation:

EO, AO, and the number of known or inferred current locations remain at zero. No significant new survey information is available (but see Population Information).

Population Information:

Change in number of mature individuals:

Change in total population trend: 

Change in severity of population fragmentation:

Change in trend in area and/or quality of habitat: 

Significant new survey information:

Explanation:

No targeted surveys have been conducted for the subspecies in its historical range (Govindarajulu pers. comm. 2011; Welstead, pers. comm. 2011), though surveys for other species in the general vicinity where Pacific Gopher Snakes were previously recorded have been conducted with no confirmed observations (Ramsay pers. comm. 2011; Welstead pers. comm. 2011). These surveys include those for the Sharp-tailed Snake (Contia tenuis) on a number of the Gulf Islands, including Galiano, by Engelstoft and Ovaska from 1997 through 2008 (Engelstoft 2005, 2006a, 2006b, 2007a, 2007b; Engelstoft and Ovaska 1997, 1998, 1999, 2008). Occasional anecdotal sightings are reported but they either remain unconfirmed or are suspected to be escaped pets (Welstead pers. comm. 2011).

Threats: 

Change in nature and/or severity of threats:

Explanation:

No new changes in the nature and/or severity of threats different from those already described in the 2002 assessment.

Protection: 

Change in effective protection:

Explanation:

No changes in effective protection for the subspecies. It remains listed as extirpated federally and provincially in British Columbia.

Rescue Effect:

Evidence of rescue effect:  

Explanation:

No evidence of rescue effect is available. Habitat may not be suitable for reintroduced animals (COSEWIC 2002), and a large geographical gap between the species’ putative range in BC and the next closest extant population in northwest Oregon (Rodriguez-Robles and de Jesus-Escobar 2000) would greatly impede natural immigration to Canada.

Quantitative Analysis:

Change in estimated probability of extirpation:

Details:  No quantitative analysis is available

Summary and Additional Considerations:  In Canada, the Pacific Gopher Snake is known from a 1957 record on Galiano Island (Wright and Wright 1957). Additionally, a specimen was reported from along the Canada/U.S. border in Sumas, Washington, in the 1800s (Matsuda et al. 2006). Although Matsuda et al. (2006) considered the historical presence of the Pacific Gopher Snake in B.C. debatable, the subspecies no longer occurs in Washington (Washington Herp Atlas 2011) suggesting that the current lack of Canadian specimens reflects extirpation from the species’ northern range. Recovery efforts for the subspecies Pituophis catenifer deserticola are ongoing in the southern interior of British Columbia, providing some framework for possible recovery of the Pacific subspecies (Southern Interior Reptile and Amphibian Recovery Team 2008). However, lack of data on the population biology of Pacific Gopher Snakes in Canada and declining habitat quality in the historical range make it unlikely that reintroduction would be attempted in the near future.

¹ An earlier version of the quantitative criteria was used by COSEWIC from October 1999 to May 2001 and is available on the COSEWIC website.

Author of Status Appraisal Summary: Scott Gillingwater

Consultations:

The following individuals were contacted via email.

* Denotes that information was provided by authority contacted.

Bishop, Christine. August 2011. Conservation Scientist. Environment Canada. Delta, B.C. (no response)

Gelling, Lea. August 2011. Zoologist. B.C. Conservation Data Centre, Ministry of Environment Victoria, B.C. (no response)

*Govindarajulu, Purnima. August 2011. Species At Risk Biologist. B.C. Ministry of Environment, Victoria, B.C.

Gregory, Patrick. August 2011. Professor, Department of Biology, University of Victoria, Victoria, B.C.

Low, Dave. August 2011. Ministry of Environment. B.C. (no response)

*Ramsay, Leah. August 2011. Program Zoologist. Conservation Data Centre, Ministry of Environment Victoria, B.C.

Stacey, Joanne. August 2011. Ecologist. Conservation Data Centre, Ministry of Environment Victoria, B.C. (no response)

Surgenor, John. August 2011. Ministry of Environment. B.C.

Waye, Heather. August 2011. Assistant Professor of Biology, University of Minnesota, Morris, MN, USA.

Webb, Debbie. August 2011. Conservation Data Specialist. Conservation Data Centre, Ministry of Environment Victoria, B.C. (no response)

*Welstead, Kym. August 2011. Species At Risk Biologist. Ministry of Environment. Surrey, B.C.

Sources of information:

COSEWIC 2002. COSEWIC assessment and status report on the Gophersnake Pituophis catenifer in Canada. Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada. Ottawa. vii + 33 pp.

Crother, B.I., J. Boundy, F.T. Burbrink, J.A. Campbell, and R.A. Pyron. 2011. Scientific and Standard English Names of Amphibians and Reptiles of North America North of Mexico, pp. 1-84 Edition 6.1. Society for the Study of Amphibians and Reptiles Herpetological Circular 37. Updated May 24 2011. [Accessed 31 December 2011].

Engelstoft, C. 2005. Sharp-tailed Snake habitat assessment and survey on Coast Guard, Department of National Defence, and Parks Canada, Capital Region, British Columbia, and in Mount Work Regional Park and Gowlland Tod Provincial Park. Unpublished report prepared for D. Smith, Department of National Defence, Victoria, BC. 49p.

Engelstoft, C. 2006a. Sharp-tailed Snake inventory and habitat use assessment on federal lands on southern Vancouver Island and Southern Gulf Islands. Unpublished report prepared for Natural Resources Canada and the Department of National Defense, Victoria, BC. Project # 23145-06-0060076, 50p.

Engelstoft ,C. 2006b. Sharp-tailed Snake habitat assessment and detection in selected CRD Parks, 2006. Unpublished report prepared for Capital Regional District Parks, Victoria BC. 25p.

Engelstoft ,C. 2007a. Sharp-tailed Snake inventory and populations monitoring on DND, NRC, and Parks Canada properties on southern Vancouver Island and southern Gulf Islands. Unpublished report prepared for Pacific Forestry Centre, Victoria, BC.68p.

Engelstoft, C. 2007b. Sharp-tailed Snake surveys in Brooks Point, Mount Work, Mill Hill and Lone Tree Hill Regional Parks, 2007. Unpublished report prepared by Alula Biological Consulting for Capital Regional District Parks, Victoria, BC. 26p.

Engelstoft, C., and K. Ovaska. 1997. Sharp-tailed Snake inventory within the Coastal Douglas Fir Biogeoclimatic Zone, June-November 1996. Unpublished report prepared by Alula Biological Consulting for the BC Ministry of Environment, Lands and Parks (now Ministry of Environment), Vancouver Island Regional Office, Nanaimo, B.C. Project # PA-96-242-IN. 57p.

Engelstoft, C., and K. Ovaska. 1998. Sharp-tailed Snake study on the Gulf Islands and southeastern Vancouver Island, March-November 1997. Unpublished report prepared by Alula Biological Consulting for the BC Ministry of Environment, Lands and Parks (now Ministry of Environment), Vancouver Island Regional Office, Nanaimo, B.C. Project # 1070-20/98-20. 70p.

Engelstoft, C., and K. Ovaska. 1999. Sharp-tailed Snake study on the Gulf Islands and southeastern Vancouver Island, March-November 1998. Unpublished report prepared by Alula Biological Consulting for the BC Ministry of Environment, Lands and Parks (now Ministry of Environment), Vancouver Island Regional Office, Nanaimo, B.C. Project # PA-96-242-IN. 53p.

Engelstoft, C., and K. Ovaska. 2008. Sharp-tailed Snake inventory and population monitoring on DND, NRC, and Parks Canada properties on southern Vancouver Island and Gulf Islands, 2007-2008. Unpublished report prepared for Natural Resources Canada and the Department of National Defence (Andrea Schiller), Victoria, BC. Contract Serial/File No. 231458082008005. 45p.

Ernst, C. H., and E. M. Ernst. 2003. Snakes of the United States and Canada. Smithsonian Institution Press, Washington, D. C.

Govindarajulu, Purnima, pers. comm. 2011. Email correspondence to S. Gillingwater. August 2011. Species At Risk Biologist, B.C. Ministry of Environment, Victoria, B.C.

Matsuda, B. M., D. M. Green, and P. T. Gregory. 2006. Amphibians and Reptiles of British Columbia. Royal BC Museum Handbook. Royal BC Museum, Victoria, BC.

NatureServe. 2011. NatureServe Explorer: An online encyclopedia of life [web application]. Version 7.1. NatureServe, Arlington, Virginia. [Accessed December 31 2011].

Ovaska K., and L. Sopuck. 2004. Indicators and Methods for Monitoring the Effectiveness of Gopher Snake Wildlife Habitat Areas. Final Report to BC Ministry of Land, Water, and Air Protection. Victoria, BC. 57pp.

Ramsay, Leah, pers. comm. 2011. Email correspondence to S. Gillingwater. August 2011. Program Zoologist, Conservation Data Centre, Ministry of Environment Victoria, B.C.

Rodriguez-Robles, J. A., and J. De Jesus-Escobar. 2000. Molecular systematics of New World gopher, bull, and pine snakes (Pituophis:Colubridae), a transcontinenatal species complex. Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution 14:35-50.

Southern Interior Reptile and Amphibian Recovery Team. 2008. Recovery strategy for the Gopher Snake, deserticola subspecies (Pituophis catenifer deserticola) in British Columbia. Prepared for the B.C. Ministry of Environment, Victoria, BC. 20 pp.

Washington Herp Atlas. 2011. [Accessed December 31, 2011].

Welstead, Kym, pers. comm. 2011. Email correspondence to S. Gillingwater. August 2011. Species At Risk Biologist, Ministry of Environment, Surrey, B.C.

Wright, A.H., and A.A. Wright. 1957. Handbook of Snakes of the United States and Canada. Cornell University Press, Ithaca, N.Y.

Technical Summary

Pituophis catenifer catenifer

Pacific Gopher Snake | Couleuvre à nez mince du Pacifique

Range of occurrence in Canada: British Columbia

Demographic Information

Extent and Occupancy Information

^* See Definitions and Abbreviations on COSEWIC website and IUCN 2010 (PDF; 492 KB) for more information on this term.

Number of Mature Individuals (in each population)

Quantitative Analysis

Threats (actual or imminent, to populations or habitats)

Not applicable.

Rescue Effect (immigration from outside Canada)

Current Status

COSEWIC: Designated Extirpated in May 2002, status re-examined in 2012 as extirpated.

Status and Reasons for Designation

Applicability of Criteria

Criterion A (Decline in Total Number of Mature Individuals): Not applicable.

Criterion B (Small Distribution Range and Decline or Fluctuation): Not applicable.

Criterion C (Small and Declining Number of Mature Individuals): Not applicable.

Criterion D (Very Small or Restricted Total Population): Not applicable.

Criterion E (Quantitative Analysis): Not applicable.

COSEWIC History

The Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada (COSEWIC) was created in 1977 as sa result of a recommendation at the Federal-Provincial Wildlife Conference held in 1976. It arose from the need for a single, official, scientifically sound, national listing of wildlife species at risk. In 1978, COSEWIC designated its first species and produced its first list of Canadian species at risk. Species designated at meetings of the full committee are added to the list. On June 5, 2003, the Species at Risk Act (SARA) was proclaimed. SARA establishes COSEWIC as an advisory body ensuring that species will continue to be assessed under a rigorous and independent scientific process.

COSEWIC Mandate

The Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada (COSEWIC) assesses the national status of wild species, subspecies, varieties, or other designatable units that are considered to be at risk in Canada. Designations are made on native species for the following taxonomic groups: mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians, fishes, arthropods, molluscs, vascular plants, mosses, and lichens.

COSEWIC Membership

COSEWIC comprises members from each provincial and territorial government wildlife agency, four federal entities (Canadian Wildlife Service, Parks Canada Agency, Department of Fisheries and Oceans, and the Federal Biodiversity Information Partnership, chaired by the Canadian Museum of Nature), three non-government science members and the co-chairs of the species specialist subcommittees and the Aboriginal Traditional Knowledge subcommittee. The Committee meets to consider status reports on candidate species.

Definitions
(2012)

Wildlife Species
A species, subspecies, variety, or geographically or genetically distinct population of animal, plant or other organism, other than a bacterium or virus, that is wild by nature and is either native to Canada or has extended its range into Canada without human intervention and has been present in Canada for at least 50 years.

Extinct (X)
A wildlife species that no longer exists.

Extirpated (XT)
A wildlife species no longer existing in the wild in Canada, but occurring elsewhere.

Endangered (E)
A wildlife species facing imminent extirpation or extinction.

Threatened (T)
A wildlife species likely to become endangered if limiting factors are not reversed.

Special Concern (SC)*
A wildlife species that may become a threatened or an endangered species because of a combination of biological characteristics and identified threats.

Not at Risk (NAR)**
A wildlife species that has been evaluated and found to be not at risk of extinction given the current circumstances.

Data Deficient (DD)***
A category that applies when the available information is insufficient (a) to resolve a species’ eligibility for assessment or (b) to permit an assessment of the species’ risk of extinction.

* Formerly described as “Vulnerable” from 1990 to 1999, or “Rare” prior to 1990.
** Formerly described as “Not In Any Category”, or “No Designation Required.”
*** Formerly described as “Indeterminate” from 1994 to 1999 or “ISIBD” (insufficient scientific information on which to base a designation) prior to 1994. Definition of the (DD) category revised in 2006.

The Canadian Wildlife Service, Environment Canada, provides full administrative and financial support to the COSEWIC Secretariat.