The United States Fish and Wildlife Service confirmed the de-listing of the Adiantum vivesii, a fern, in an Aug. 23 news release.
The Adiantum vivesii is native to northwestern Puerto Rico. The USFWS conducted a review and concluded the fern was listed under the Endangered Species Act in error, according to the release.
“The Service’s work is grounded in thorough, objective science with a goal of conserving natural resources for future generations" USFWS Southeast Regional Director, Leopoldo Miranda-Castro, said in the release. "An integral part of our statutory framework is to make delisting decisions when appropriate and to revise accordingly. Delisting species that do not qualify for ESA protections allows the Service to responsibly allocate resources for species needing protection under the ESA.”
A recent study found the plant is not a unique species of fern, but a hybrid of two common species of fern, the release stated.
Although there are just 1,000 stems at the only known place to find it, all the stems were connected underground, the USFWS said. The delisting will be official Sept. 23, which is 30 days after publication of the notice in the Federal Register.
