Species Updates

The Pennsylvania Natural Heritage Program regularly updates species occurrences in the Conservation Explorer. These updates ensure the Explorer is using the most current data available for conservation information.  Some reasons for changes include:

  • A species being newly listed by an agency or newly proposed for listing
  • An occurrence of a currently-listed species that previously did not have any confirmed populations 
  • A species being newly delisted, no longer proposed for listing, or proposed for delisting by an agency 

 The tables below provide a summary of changes as of October 30, 2023.  Additional information on species status definitions can be found here. Please email RA-HeritageGIS@pa.gov if you have further questions.

October 30, 2023 Updates

Species Added to Environmental Review

Scientific Name Common Name Agency Explanation Status
Cakile lacustris Great Lakes Searocket DCNR   Species of Special Concern; Proposed Threatened
Lygodium palmatum Hartford Fern DCNR Species status re-evaluated Pennsylvania Rare
Glaucomys sabrinus macrotis Northern Flying Squirrel PGC Update to Glaucomys sabrinus. Subspecies macrotis is currently the only subspecies known in PA. Species of Special Concern

Species Removed from Environmental Review

Scientific Name Common Name Agency
Ilex opaca American Holly DCNR
Lactuca hirsuta Downy Lettuce DCNR
Quercus phellos Willow Oak DCNR
Monarda punctata Spotted Bee-balm DCNR
Pycnanthemum clinopodioides Mountain-mint DCNR
Rosa virginiana Virginia Rose DCNR
Penstemon canescens Beard-tongue DCNR
Penstemon laevigatus Beard-tongue DCNR
Sagittaria calycina var. calycina Long-lobe Arrowhead DCNR
Bromus nottowayanus Nottoway Valley Brome DCNR
Elymus trachycaulus Slender Wheatgrass DCNR

Status Changes

  • Note the classified and reclassified species listed below were already present in the Conservation Explorer.
Scientific Name Common Name Agency Change
Actaea podocarpa Mountain Bugbane DCNR Reclassified as Pennsylvania Rare under the Conservation of Pennsylvania Native Wild Plants
Ageratina aromatica Small-Leaved White-Snakeroot DCNR Classified as Pennsylvania Threatened under the Conservation of Pennsylvania Native Wild Plants
Aletris farinosa Colic-Root DCNR Reclassified as Pennsylvania Endangered under the Conservation of Pennsylvania Native Wild Plants
Andropogon gyrans Elliott’s Beardgrass DCNR Classified as Pennsylvania Rare under the Conservation of Pennsylvania Native Wild Plants
Arabis patens Spreading Rockcress DCNR Classified as Pennsylvania Threatened under the Conservation of Pennsylvania Native Wild Plants
Arnoglossum reniforme Great Indian Plantain DCNR Classified as Pennsylvania Endangered under the Conservation of Pennsylvania Native Wild Plants
Asclepias verticillata Whorled Milkweed DCNR Classified as Pennsylvania Threatened under the Conservation of Pennsylvania Native Wild Plants
Asplenium bradleyi Bradley’s Spleenwort DCNR Reclassified as Pennsylvania Threatened to Pennsylvania Endangered under the Conservation of Pennsylvania Native Wild Plants
Asplenium pinnatifidum Lobed Spleenwort DCNR Classified as Pennsylvania Rare under the Conservation of Pennsylvania Native Wild Plants
Astragalus canadensis Canadian Milk-vetch DCNR Classified as Pennsylvania Endangered under the Conservation of Pennsylvania Native Wild Plants
Bartonia paniculata Screw-Stem DCNR Classified as Pennsylvania Rare
Bidens bidentoides Swamp Beggar-Ticks DCNR Reclassified as Pennsylvania Endangered under the Conservation of Pennsylvania Native Wild Plants
Bromus kalmii Kalm's Brome DCNR Classified as Pennsylvania Threatened under the Conservation of Pennsylvania Native Wild Plants
Camassia scilloides Wild Hyacinth DCNR Reclassified as Pennsylvania Endangered under the Conservation of Pennsylvania Native Wild Plants
Carex buxbaumii Brown Sedge DCNR Reclassified as Pennsylvania Rare under the Conservation of Pennsylvania Native Wild Plants
Carex collinsii Collins’ Sedge DCNR Reclassified as Pennsylvania Threatened under the Conservation of Pennsylvania Native Wild Plants
Carex longii Long’s Sedge DCNR Reclassified as Pennsylvania Threatened under the Conservation of Pennsylvania Native Wild Plants
Carex lupuliformis False Hop Sedge DCNR Reclassified as Pennsylvania Endangered under the Conservation of Pennsylvania Native Wild Plants
Carex paupercula Bog Sedge DCNR Reclassified as Pennsylvania Rare under the Conservation of Pennsylvania Native Wild Plants
Carex roanensis Roan Mountain Sedge DCNR Classified as Pennsylvania Endangered under the Conservation of Pennsylvania Native Wild Plants
Carex schweinitzii Schweinitz’s Sedge DCNR Reclassified as Pennsylvania Endangered under the Conservation of Pennsylvania Native Wild Plants
Carex sterilis Sterile Sedge DCNR Reclassified as Pennsylvania Endangered under the Conservation of Pennsylvania Native Wild Plants
Castilleja coccinea Eastern Paintbrush DCNR Reclassified as Pennsylvania Threatened under the Conservation of Pennsylvania Native Wild Plants
Corallorhiza wisteriana Spring Coral-Root DCNR Reclassified as Pennsylvania Endangered under the Conservation of Pennsylvania Native Wild Plants
Cypripedium reginae Show Lady’s-Slipper DCNR Reclassified as Pennsylvania Endangered under the Conservation of Pennsylvania Native Wild Plants
Erythronium albidum White Trout-Lily DCNR Classified as Pennsylvania Rare under the Conservation of Pennsylvania Native Wild Plants
Fraxinus quadrangulata Blue Ash DCNR Classified as Pennsylvania Endangered under the Conservation of Pennsylvania Native Wild Plants
Galium latifolium Purple Bedstraw DCNR Classified as Pennsylvania Threatened under the Conservation of Pennsylvania Native Wild Plants
Gaylussacia brachycera Box Huckleberry DCNR Reclassified as Pennsylvania Endangered under the Conservation of Pennsylvania Native Wild Plants
Gratiola aurea Golden Hedge-Hyssop DCNR Reclassified as Pennsylvania Endangered under the Conservation of Pennsylvania Native Wild Plants
Hierochloe hirta Common Northern Sweet Grass DCNR Classified as Pennsylvania Endangered under the Conservation of Pennsylvania Native Wild Plants
Hypericum gymnanthum Clasping-Leaved St. John’s-Wort DCNR Reclassified as Pennsylvania Endangered under the Conservation of Pennsylvania Native Wild Plants
Juncus biflorus Grass-Leaved Rush DCNR Reclassified as Pennsylvania Rare under the Conservation of Pennsylvania Native Wild Plants
Lorinseria areolata Netted Chain Fern DCNR Classified as Pennsylvania Rare under the Conservation of Pennsylvania Native Wild Plants
Lysimachia hybrida Lance-Leaved Loosestrife DCNR Classified as Pennsylvania Endangered under the Conservation of Pennsylvania Native Wild Plants
Lythrum alatum Winged Loosestrife DCNR Reclassified as Pennsylvania Endangered under the Conservation of Pennsylvania Native Wild Plants
Marshallia pulchra Beautiful Barbara's buttons DCNR Classified as Pennsylvania Endangered under the Conservation of Pennsylvania Native Wild Plants
Passiflora lutea Passion-Flower DCNR Reclassified as Pennsylvania Endangered to Pennsylvania Threatened
Platanthera ciliaris Yellow Fringed-orchid DCNR Reclassified as Pennsylvania Threatened under the Conservation of Pennsylvania Native Wild Plants
Ranunculus ambigens Water-Plantain Spearwort DCNR Classified as Pennsylvania Threatened under the Conservation of Pennsylvania Native Wild Plants
Salix candida Hoary Willow DCNR Reclassified as Pennsylvania Endangered under the Conservation of Pennsylvania Native Wild Plants
Solidago roanensis Mountain Goldenrod DCNR Reclassified as Pennsylvania Threatened under the Conservation of Pennsylvania Native Wild Plants
Spiraea corymbosa Dwarf Spiraea DCNR Classified as Pennsylvania Endangered under the Conservation of Pennsylvania Native Wild Plants
Stellaria borealis Northern Stitchwort DCNR Classified as Pennsylvania Threatened under the Conservation of Pennsylvania Native Wild Plants
Thalictrum coriaceum Thick-Leaved Meadow-Rue DCNR Reclassified as Pennsylvania Threatened under the Conservation of Pennsylvania Native Wild Plants
Trifolium stoloniferum Running Buffalo Clover DCNR Classified as Pennsylvania Endangered under the Conservation of Pennsylvania Native Wild Plants
Viola glaberrima Wedge-leaved violet DCNR Classified as Pennsylvania Endangered under the Conservation of Pennsylvania Native Wild Plants

Species Name Changes

Old Scientific Name Common Name Agency New Name
Circus cyaneus Northern Harrier PGC Circus hudsonius
Cistothorus platensis Sedge Wren PGC Cistothorus stellaris
Bottomland Oak - Hardwood Palustrine Forest Oak - Mixed Hardwood Palustrine Forest DCNR Oak - Mixed Hardwood Palustrine Forest
Villosa iris Rainbow PFBC Cambarunio iris

March 31, 2023 Updates

Status Changes

Scientific Name Common Name Agency Change
Myotis septentrionalis Northern long-eared bat USFWS Reclassified as Endangered under the Endangered Species Act
Fusconaia subrotunda Longsolid USFWS Listed as Threatened under the Endangered Species Act
Obovaria subrotunda Round hickorynut USFWS Listed as Threatened under the Endangered Species Act

February 12, 2023 Updates

Species Added to Environmental Review

Scientific Name Common Name Agency Explanation Status
Arabis adpressipilis Hairy Rockcress DCNR Taxonomic Update from Arabis hirsuta Species of Special Concern; Proposed Endangered
Arabis pycnocarpa Cream-flower Rockcress DCNR Taxonomic Update from Arabis hirsuta Species of Special Concern

Species Removed from Environmental Review

Scientific Name Common Name Agency Explanation
Euchloe olympia Olympia Marble DCNR Possibly Extirpated
Arabis hirsuta Western Hairy Rock-cress DCNR Taxonomic Update/Split to Arabis adpressipilis and Arabis pycnocarpa
Pycnanthemum torreyi Torrey's Mountain-mint DCNR Record was re-determined to Pycnanthemum verticillatum

Species Name Changes

Old Scientific Name Common Name Agency New Name
Lithospermum caroliniense Hisped Gromwell DCNR Lithospermum croceum
Iris verna Dwarf Iris DCNR Iris verna var. smalliana
Juncus alpinoarticulatus ssp. nodulosus Richardson's Rush DCNR Juncus alpinoarticulatus ssp. americanus
Uvularia pudica Mountain Bellwort DCNR Uvularia puberula
Panicum longifolium Long-leaf Panic-grass DCNR Coleataenia longifolia ssp. longifolia
Heteranthera multiflora Multiflowered Mud-plantain DCNR Heteranthera pauciflora

August 29, 2022 Updates

Species Added to Environmental Review

Scientific Name Common Name Agency Explanation Status
Monarda punctata Spotted Bee-balm DCNR New occurrence of species found Endangered

Species Name Changes

Old Scientific Name Common Name Agency New Name
Alnus viridis Mountain Alder DCNR Alnus crispa
Dichanthelium oligosanthes Scribner's Panicgrass DCNR Dichanthelium oligosanthes var. scribnerianum
Listera australis Southern Twayblade DCNR Neottia bifolia
Listera cordata Heart-leaved Twayblade DCNR Neottia cordata
Listera smallii Kidney-leaved Twayblade DCNR Neottia smallii

April 18, 2022 Updates

Species Added to Environmental Review

Scientific Name Common Name Agency Explanation Status
Galactia regularis Eastern Milk-pea DCNR New occurrence of extirpated species found Extirpated; Proposed Endangered
Viola glaberrima (Viola tripartita) Wedge-leaved Violet DCNR Populations of Viola glaberrima were previously attributed to Viola tripartita Species of Special Concern; Proposed Endangered
Ophioglossum pusillum Northern Adder's-tongue DCNR Populations of Ophioglossum pusillum were previously attributed to another species Species of Special Concern; Proposed Endangered

Status Changes

Scientific Name Common Name Agency Change
Trifolium stoloniferum Running Buffalo Clover USFWS Delisted

Species Name Changes

Old Scientific Name Common Name Agency New Name
Woodwardia areolata Netted Chainfern DCNR Lorinseria areolata

Species Removed from Environmental Review

Scientific Name Common Name Agency Explanation
Gaultheria hispidula Creeping Snowberry DCNR State rank upgraded to S4
Senna marilandica Wild Senna DCNR  
Ribes missouriense Missouri Gooseberry DCNR Now considered exotic in PA.
Carex crawfordii Crawford's Sedge DCNR PA nativity uncertain.
Carex shortiana Sedge DCNR State rank upgraded to S4

November 21, 2021 Updates

Status Changes

Scientific Name Common Name Agency Change
Falco peregrinus Peregrine Falcon PGC Removed from the PGC list of Pennsylvania Threatened species
Accipiter gentilis Northern Goshawk PGC Status Changed to Pennsylvania Endangered

Species Name Changes

Old Scientific Name Common Name Agency New Name
Chaetaglaea tremula Trembling Sallow Moth DCNR Chaetaglaea rhonda

August 17, 2021 Updates

Species Removed from Environmental Review

Scientific Name Common Name Agency Explanation
Arnica acaulis Leopard's Bane DCNR Occurrence is more than 50 years old

Species Name Changes

Old Scientific Name Common Name Agency New Name
Carex magellanica (Carex paupercula) Bog Sedge DCNR Carex paupercula
Dichanthelium commonsianum var. euchlamydeum Cloaked Panic Grass DCNR Dichanthelium commonsianum

 

April 1, 2021 Updates

Species Added to Environmental Review

Scientific Name Common Name Agency Explanation Status
Bartonia paniculata ssp. paniculata Screw-stem DCNR Reattributed as new subspecies from existing Bartonia paniculata records Species of Special Concern; Proposed Rare
Hierochloe hirta Common Northern Sweet Grass DCNR Reattributed as new species from existing Hierochloe hirta ssp. arctica records Species of Special Concern; Proposed Endangered

Species Name Changes

Old Scientific Name Common Name Agency New Name
Spiraea betulifolia var. corymbosa Dwarf Spiraea DCNR Spiraea corymbosa

 

November 16, 2020 Updates

Species Added to Environmental Review

Scientific Name Common Name Agency Explanation Status
Marshallia pulchra Beautiful Barbara’s Buttons DCNR Reattributed as new species from existing Marshallia grandiflora records Species of Special Concern; Proposed Endangered

Species Removed from Environmental Review

Scientific Name Common Name Agency Explanation
Marshallia grandiflora Large-flowered Marshallia DCNR Records reattributed as Marshallia pulchra
Polites mystic Long Dash DCNR Moved to Species of Interest
Celastrina neglectamajor Appalachian Azure DCNR Moved to Species of Interest

June 15, 2020 Updates

Species Added to Environmental Review

Scientific Name Common Name Agency Explanation Status
Ethmia zelleriella Zeller's Glass Miner Moth DCNR New record for this species Species of Special Concern
Nemoria tuscarora Tuscarora Emerald Moth DCNR New record for this species Species of Special Concern
Papaipema eupatorii Joe-Pye Weed Borer Moth DCNR Species added to Tracked list Species of Special Concern
Papaipema nepheleptena Turtle Head Borer Moth DCNR Species added to Tracked list Species of Special Concern
Papaipema rutila Mayapple Borer Moth DCNR Species added to Tracked list Species of Special Concern
Zizania palustris Indian Wild Rice DCNR Erie County records were determined to be Z. palustris (not Z. aquatica). Proposed Pennsylvania Endangered, Species of Special Concern

Species Removed from Environmental Review

Scientific Name Common Name Agency Explanation
Coregonus artedi Cisco PFBC Extirpated from native range in PA
Chenopodium capitatum Strawberry Goosefoot DCNR Occurrence is more than 50 years old
Hypagyrtis esther Esther Moth DCNR Moved to Species of Interest
Artace cribraria Dot-lined White Moth DCNR Moved to Species of Interest
Sphinx gordius Apple Sphinx Moth DCNR Moved to Species of Interest
Aplectoides condita Quivering Dart Moth DCNR Moved to Species of Interest

Species Name Changes

Old Scientific Name Common Name Agency New Name
Itame sp. 1 nr. inextricata Barrens Itame Moth DCNR Macaria exonerata
Apharetra dentata Toothed Apharetra Moth DCNR Sympistis dentata
Richia acclivis Switchgrass Dart Moth DCNR Dichagyris acclivis

January 20, 2020 Updates

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has updated the screening analysis for Indiana bat (Myotis sodalis) and bog turtle (Clemmys muhlenbergii) in the Conservation Explorer. For more information, check the USFWS Pennsylvania Field Office website.

Species Added to Environmental Review

Scientific Name Common Name Agency Explanation Status
Cicindela marginipennis cobblestone tiger beetle DCNR   Species of Special Concern
Dryopteris filix-mas ssp. brittonii Male Fern DCNR Name updated from Dryopteris filix-mas Under Review, Species of Special Concern
Sagittaria calycina var. calycina   DCNR Record re-determined from Sagittaria calycina var. spongiosa Under Review, Species of Special Concern
Scleria triglomerata Whip Nutrush DCNR New extant record found in 2018 Proposed Pennsylvania Endangered, Species of Special Concern

Species Name Changes

Old Scientific Name Common Name Agency New Name
Lota lota Burbot - Allegheny River population PFBC Lota lota pop. 4
Opheodrys aestivus Northern Rough Greensnake PFBC Opheodrys aestivus aestivus
Habroscelimorpha dorsalis dorsalis Northeastern Beach Tiger Beetle USFWS, DCNR Cicindela dorsalis dorsalis
Quadrula cylindrica cylindrica Rabbitsfoot USFWS, PFBC Theliderma cylindrica

August 11, 2019 Updates

Species Added to Environmental Review

Scientific Name Common Name Agency Explanation Status
Myotis lucifugus Little brown bat PGC New record of listed species Pennsylvania Endangered
Perimyotis subflavus Tri-colored bat PGC New record of listed species Pennsylvania Endangered

Species Removed from Environmental Review

Scientific Name Common Name Agency Explanation
Baccharis halimifolia Eastern Baccharis DCNR Proposed for delisting; possibly not native

April 26, 2019 Updates

Species Status Change

Scientific Name Common Name Agency Change
Falco peregrinus Peregrine Falcon PGC Status Changed from Pennsylvania Endangered to Pennsylvania Threatened
Charadus melodus Pipping Plover PGC Status Changed to Pennsylvania Endangered
Calidris canutus rufa Red Knot PGC Status Changed to Pennsylvania Endangered, No records in Environmental Review
Myotis septentrionalis Northern long-eared bat PGC Status Changed to Pennsylvania Endangered
Myotis lucifugus Little brown bat PGC Status Changed to Pennsylvania Endangered, No records in Environmental Review
Perimyotis subflavus Tri-colored bat PGC Status Changed to Pennsylvania Endangered, No records in Environmental Review
Opsopoedus emiliae Pugnose Minnow PFBC Status Changed to Pennsylvania Endangered, No records in Environmental Review
Notropis heterolepis Blacknose Shiner PFBC Status Changed to Pennsylvania Endangered
Enneacanthus obesus Banded Sunfish PFBC Delisted, removed from Environmental Review
Erimystax x-punctatus Gravel Chub PFBC Delisted, removed from Environmental Review
Umbra limi Central Mudminnow PFBC Delisted, removed from Environmental Review
Umbra pygmaea Eastern Mudminnow PFBC Delisted, removed from Environmental Review

Relevant PA Bulletins: Fish and Boat Commission March 16, 2019 and Pennsylvania Game Commission March 23, 2019

Species Name Change

Old Scientific Name Common Name Agency New Name
Dichanthelium villosissimum var. villosissimum White-hair Witchgrass DCNR Dichanthelium villosissimum
Cypripedium parviflorum Southern Small Yellow Lady's-slipper DCNR Cypripedium parviflorum var. parviflorum

Species Added to Environmental Review

Scientific Name Common Name Agency Explanation Status
Asclepias verticillata Whorled Milkweed DCNR Under consideration for listing Proposed Pennsylvania Threatened, Species of Special Concern
Morus rubra Red Mulberry DCNR Under consideration for listing Proposed Pennsylvania Threatened, Species of Special Concern
Polygala incarnata Pink Milkwort DCNR New record of a listed species Pennsylvania Endangered
Polygala senega Seneca Snakeroot DCNR Under consideration for listing Proposed Pennsylvania Threatened, Species of Special Concern
Actaea rubra Red Baneberry DCNR Under consideration for listing Proposed Pennsylvania Rare, Species of Special Concern
Clematis occidentalis Purple Clematis DCNR Under consideration for listing Proposed Pennsylvania Threatened, Species of Special Concern
Houstonia canadensis Fringed Bluets DCNR Under consideration for listing Proposed Pennsylvania Endangered, Species of Special Concern
Lycopodiella alopecuroides Foxtail Clubmoss DCNR New record of a listed species Pennsylvania Endangered
Northern appalachian spruce rocky summit   DCNR New record of a community of concern Special Concern Resource
Sparsely Vegetated Vernal Pool Community   DCNR Observed declines Special Concern Resource

Species Removed from Environmental Review

Scientific Name Common Name Agency Explanation
Crataegus pennsylvanica Red-fruited Hawthorn DCNR No extant populations
Dichanthelium boreale Panic-grass DCNR Prioritized for taxonomic research
Enneacanthus obesus Banded Sunfish PFBC Delisted by PFBC
Epilobium palustre Marsh Willow-herb DCNR Prioritized for research
Erimystax x-punctatus Gravel Chub PFBC Delisted by PFBC
Eupatorium rotundifolium A Eupatorium DCNR Prioritized for taxonomic research
Filipendula rubra Queen-of-the-prairie DCNR Prioritized for research
Hieracium umbellatum Umbellate Hawkweed DCNR Prioritized for taxonomic research
Isoetes valida Quillwort DCNR Prioritized for taxonomic research
Isoetes x brittonii Quillwort DCNR Prioritized for taxonomic research
Pluchea odorata Shrubby Camphor-weed DCNR Prioritized for research
Rosa blanda Meadow Rose DCNR Prioritized for taxonomic research
Rubus setosus Small Bristleberry DCNR Prioritized for taxonomic research
Salix pedicellaris Bog Willow DCNR Prioritized for taxonomic research
Smallanthus uvedalia Leaf-cup DCNR Not in need of conservation
Tripsacum dactyloides Eastern Gamma-grass DCNR Under consideration for delisting
Umbra limi Central Mudminnow PFBC Delisted by PFBC
Umbra pygmaea Eastern Mudminnow PFBC Delisted by PFBC
Utricularia radiata Small Swollen Bladderwort DCNR Record redetermined to another species