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decline as well. All recent sightings of this species have been marked 

 on base maps and considered in the selection of natural areas on the 

 eastern shore. 



Two other endangered species are recorded from the Bay region: 

 the Maryland 'darter , Etheostoma sellare , and the bog turtle, Clemmys 

 muhlenbergi . The fish, small and rather nondescript, is found in only 

 two streams, Deer Creek and the east branch of Swan Creek, both tributaries 

 of the Susquehanna in Harford Co s , Maryland. While the population size 

 is unknown, it is assumed because of the very limited habitat to be 

 rather small; Since the species appears to be an endemic at the periphery 

 of the range of its closest relatives, it has not been abundant for rather 

 a long time, historically speaking. 



The bog turtle as its name suggests is limited to wetland areas in 

 the northeast and the southern Appalachians. Because of its rather 

 secretive behavior its numbers are difficult to determine. Its decline 

 can be inferred both from the destruction of its rather limited habitat 

 and the high value placed on it by pet shops because of its scarcity. It 

 has been protected in Maryland, the only state in the Bay region where it 

 occurs, since 1972. 



Other uncommon species whose presence has been noted when information 

 was available are beaver, mink, otter, terrapin, and various rails. 



RARE AND ENDANGERED PLANT SPECIES 

 It comes as a surprise to many that plants as well as animals may be 

 rare or even endangered. There have, of course, always been both endemic 

 plants and animals representing those species either coming or going 



