Text Table 4.1

Text Table 4.1 Global Significance of Selected U.S. Native Plant and Animal Species

Taxonomic group Number of U.S. species Number of species worldwide Percent of global species in the United States U.S. ranking worldwide

Freshwater snails 661 4,000 17% 1

Freshwater mussels 292 1,000 29% 1

Crayfishes 322 525 61% 1

Gymnosperms 114 760 15% 2

Mammals 416 4,600 9% 6

Freshwater fishes 799 8,400 10% 7

Tiger beetles 114 2,000 6% 7

Flowering plants 15,320 235,000 7% >10

Amphibians 231 4,400 5% 12

Reptiles 283 6,600 4% 14

Ferns 556 12,000 5% >15

Birds 768 9,700 8% 27

Dragonflies/damselflies 456 5,800 8% ?

Butterflies/skippers 620 17,500 4% ?

Source: The Nature Conservancy and Association for Biodiversity Information, Precious Heritage: The Status of Biodiversity in the United States (Oxford University Press, New York, 2000).

Last Updated on 2/9/01

Taxonomic group	Number of U.S. species	Number of species worldwide	Percent of global species in the United States	U.S. ranking worldwide

Freshwater snails	661	4,000	17%	1
Freshwater mussels	292	1,000	29%	1
Crayfishes	322	525	61%	1
Gymnosperms	114	760	15%	2
Mammals	416	4,600	9%	6
Freshwater fishes	799	8,400	10%	7
Tiger beetles	114	2,000	6%	7
Flowering plants	15,320	235,000	7%	>10
Amphibians	231	4,400	5%	12
Reptiles	283	6,600	4%	14
Ferns	556	12,000	5%	>15
Birds	768	9,700	8%	27
Dragonflies/damselflies	456	5,800	8%	?
Butterflies/skippers	620	17,500	4%	?