introduction - Pennsylvania Natural Heritage Program

small numbers throughout their range that they may become endangered if theirenvironment worsens and appear on the Pennsylvania Threatened Species List publishedin the Pennsylvania Bulletin.{N = No current legal status, but is considered to be of special concern in Pennsylvania, or isunder review for such consideration, by conservation biologists. Contact the PennsylvaniaNatural Heritage Program for more information.}Internal Fish and Boat Commission Status Category:PC =Pennsylvania Candidate - Species that exhibit the potential to become Endangered orThreatened in the future. Pennsylvania populations of these taxa are: 1) "rare" due totheir decline, distribution, restricted habitat, etc.; 2) are "at risk" due to aspects of theirbiology, certain types of human exploitation, or environmental modification; or, 3) areconsidered "undetermined" because adequate data is not available to assign an accuratestatus.This category is unofficial and has no basis in any law (i. e., Chapter 75, Fish and BoatCode), as do the Endangered and Threatened categories.Invertebrates - Pennsylvania Status: No state agency is assigned to develop regulations toprotect terrestrial invertebrates, although a federal status may exist for some species. Aquaticinvertebrates are regulated by the Pennsylvania Fish And Boat Commission, but have not beenlisted to date.Although no invertebrate species are presently state listed, conservation biologists unofficiallyassign numerous state status and/or state rank designations. NOTE: Invertebrate species areregularly considered under the U.S. Endangered Species Act for federal status assignments.165