Algodones Dunes - Endemic Species

Endemic Species

As they are the largest dune ecosystem in the United States, there are many species which are endemic to the Algodones system, so the region overall is biologically unique on a global scale. The Algodones were once part of an even greater dune system that now resides primarily in the Mexican state of Sonora, with a few extensions also in southwestern Arizona, especially in the vicinity of Yuma. Accordingly, it is likely that many of the species presently known only from the Algodones also occur in the Gran Desierto de Altar in Mexico, but this is difficult to ascertain without biological surveys of the latter area.

• The perennial plant Peirson's Milkvetch aka the "Milk Weed" (Astragalus magdalenae var. peirsonii) is found in the Algodones and is listed as a threatened species under the U.S. Endangered Species Act and as an endangered species under the California Endangered Species Act. The plant germinates only during years of sufficient rainfall. During one such year, over 71,000 plants were found in the open areas of the dunes, and it is suspected at least that many more in the closed areas.

Among insects, there are dozens of species found only in Algodones or its neighboring areas, including:

• Pseudocotalpa andrewsi - (a scarab beetle)
• Pseudocotalpa sonorica - (a scarab beetle)
• Anomala hardyorum - (a scarab beetle)
• Megasoma sleeperi - (a scarab beetle)
• Trigonoscuta rothi rothi - (a weevil)
• Trigonoscuta rothi algodones - (a weevil)
• Trigonoscuta rothi imperialis - (a weevil)
• Trigonoscuta rothi punctata - (a weevil)
• Lepismadora algodones - (a buprestid beetle, the only member of its genus)
• Agrilus harenus - (a buprestid beetle)
• Prasinalia imperialis - (a buprestid beetle)
• Microbembex elegans - (a Sand wasp)
• Stictiella villegasi - (a Sand wasp)
• Plenoculus n. sp. - (a crabronid wasp)
• Perdita glamis - (an andrenid bee)
• Perdita algodones - (an andrenid bee)
• Perdita frontalis - (an andrenid bee)
• Euparagia n. sp. - (a vespid wasp)
• Dasymutilla nocturna - (a velvet ant)
• Efferia macroxipha - (a robber fly)

In August 2006, Federal wildlife officials decided not to list these species under the Endangered Species Act, due primarily to insufficient documentation of their distribution and phenology; biological survey work is planned to address this.