Plants and Animals
Rhynchospora nitens Short-beak beak-rush
Key Characteristics
Small beak-rush (20-40 cm) of coastal plain marshes; stems leafy, rounded; inflorescence open with numerous clusters of dark brown spikelets; achene globose and transversely wrinkled with a small depressed-triangular cap that is much wider than long.
Status and Rank
US Status: No Status/Not Listed
State Status: E - Endangered (legally protected)
Global Rank: G4 - Apparently secure
State Rank: S1 - Critically imperiled
Occurrences
| County | Number of Occurrences | Year Last Observed |
|---|---|---|
| Allegan | 2 | 2002 |
| Barry | 1 | 1997 |
| Berrien | 1 | 2023 |
| Branch | 1 | 2024 |
| Calhoun | 1 | 2024 |
| Eaton | 1 | 2022 |
| Genesee | 1 | 2000 |
| Gladwin | 1 | 1997 |
| Hillsdale | 1 | 2022 |
| Ingham | 4 | 2022 |
| Jackson | 3 | 2022 |
| Kalamazoo | 2 | 1997 |
| Kent | 1 | 2023 |
| Lapeer | 1 | 2024 |
| Lenawee | 1 | 2023 |
| Livingston | 5 | 2022 |
| Macomb | 2 | 2018 |
| Mecosta | 2 | 2022 |
| Monroe | 2 | 2022 |
| Montcalm | 1 | 2023 |
| Oakland | 1 | 2016 |
| Ogemaw | 1 | 1997 |
| Shiawassee | 2 | 2022 |
| St. Joseph | 1 | 2016 |
| Washtenaw | 4 | 2022 |
| Wayne | 2 | 2015 |
Information is summarized from MNFI's database of rare species and community occurrences. Data may not reflect true distribution since much of the state has not been thoroughly surveyed.
Habitat
Recently discovered in Allegan County, otherwise thought to be extirpated in the Great Lakes region.
Specific Habitat Needs
Sandy substrate needed in: Headwater stream (1st-2nd order), run.
Natural Community Types
- Headwater stream (1st-2nd order), riffle
- Headwater stream (1st-2nd order), run
- Mainstem stream (3rd-4th order), run
- Mainstem stream (3rd-4th order), riffle
For each species, lists of natural communities were derived from review of the nearly 6,500 element occurrences in the MNFI database, in addition to herbarium label data for some taxa. In most cases, at least one specimen record exists for each listed natural community. For certain taxa, especially poorly collected or extirpated species of prairie and savanna habitats, natural community lists were derived from inferences from collection sites and habitat preferences in immediately adjacent states (particularly Indiana and Illinois). Natural communities are not listed for those species documented only from altered or ruderal habitats in Michigan, especially for taxa that occur in a variety of habitats outside of the state.
Natural communities are not listed in order of frequency of occurrence, but are rather derived from the full set of natural communities, organized by Ecological Group. In many cases, the general habitat descriptions should provide greater clarity and direction to the surveyor. In future versions of the Rare Species Explorer, we hope to incorporate natural community fidelity ranks for each taxon.
Associated Plants
Management Recommendations
This species requires conservation of habitat and protection of the hydrology, including the maintenance of cyclical drawdown regime and water table. Maintain moist, open habitat. It may also be vulnerable to ORV impact and dredging and filling activities.
Survey Methods
Random meander search covers areas that appear likely to have rare taxa, based on habitat and the judgement of the investigator.
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Aerial net, visual survey
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Survey Period: From fourth week of May to first week of October
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D-frame net, Dip net
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Survey Period: From first week of January to first week of December
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Exuvia survey
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Survey Period: From first week of June to first week of October
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References
Survey References
- Foster, S.E. and D.A. Soluk. 2004. Evaluating exuvia collection as a management tool for the federally endangered Hine's emerald dragonfly, Somatochlora hineana Williamson (Odonata: Cordulidae). Biological Conservation 118: 15-20.
- Martin, J.E.H. 1977. The Insects and Arachnids of Canada (Part 1): Collecting, preparing, and preserving insects, mites, and spiders. Publication 1643. Biosystematics Research Institute, Ottawa.
Technical References
- Dunkle, S.W. 2000. Dragonflies through Binoculars. Oxford University Press, Oxford. 266pp.
- Louton, J.A. 1982. Lotic dragonfly (Anisoptera: Odonoata) nymphs of the Southeastern United States: identification, distribution, and historical biogeography. A Dissertation, The University of Tennessee, Knoxville. 357pp.
- Merritt, R.W. and K.W. Cummins. 1996. An introduction to the aquatic insects of North America, 3rd ed. Kendall/Hunt Publishing Company, Dubuque. 862pp.
- NatureServe. 2005. NatureServe Explorer: An online encyclopedia of life [web application]. Version 4.5. NatureServe, Arlington, Virginia. Available http://www.natureserve.org/explorer