The State Rank reflects the conservation status of a species from a local perspective, characterizing the relative rarity or imperilment of the species within the state of New Mexico. The status of an element is indicated on a scale of one to five; the score is based on the estimated number of extant occurrences of the element and other factors such as trends, threats and abundance.

Note: This is a list of the most commonly encountered ranks. For additional ranks, print or view our Adobe PDF list of rank and status codes.      

BASIC STATE RANKS

Rank definitions are determined by NatureServe.

SX = Presumed Extirpated
Believed to be extirpated. Not located despite intensive searches and virtually no likelihood that it will be rediscovered.

SH = Possibly Extirpated
Known only from historical occurrences. Still some hope of rediscovery.

S1 = Critically Imperiled
Critically imperiled in the state because of extreme rarity or because of some factor(s) making it especially vulnerable to extirpation. Typically 5 or fewer occurrences or very few remaining individuals (<1,000).

S2 = Imperiled
Imperiled in the state because of extreme rarity or because of some factor(s) making it especially vulnerable to extirpation. Typically 6 to 20 occurrences or few remaining individuals (1,000 to 3,000).

S3 = Vulnerable
Vulnerable in the state either because very rare and local throughout its range, found only in a restricted range (even if abundant at some locations) , or because of other factors making it vulnerable to extirpation. Typically 21 to 100 occurrences or between 3,000 and 10,000 individuals

S4 = Apparently Secure
Uncommon but not rare, and usually widespread. Possibly cause for long­term concern. Typically more than 100 occurrences in the state or more than 10,000 individuals.

S5 = Secure
Common, typically widespread and abundant.

VARIANT STATE RANKS

S#S# = Range Rank
A numeric range rank (e.g., S2S3) is used to indicate uncertainty about the exact status of a taxon.

SA = Accidental
Accidental or casual in NM. In other words, infrequent and outside usual range. Includes species (usually birds or butterflies) recorded once or only a few times at a location.

SE = Exotic
An exotic established in state; may be native elsewhere in North America; includes fish native to NM but introduced into watersheds where the species is non-native. An exotic established in NM may be assigned a numeric rank (e.g. SE2) to indicate its status, as defined for S1 through S5.

SU = Unrankable
Currently unrankable due to lack of available information about status or trends.

HYB = Hybrid

SRF = False Report
Element reported in NM but the report is known to be invalid.

SNR = Not Ranked
State conservation status not yet assessed.

S? = Unranked
Rank not yet assessed.

RANK QUALIFIERS

? = Inexact numeric rank
Denotes inexact numeric rank.

Q = Questionable taxonomy
Taxonomic status is questionable; numeric rank may change with taxonomy.

C = Captive or cultivated only
Taxon at present is extant only in captivity or cultivation, or as a reintroduced population not yet established.

B = Breeding
The associated rank refers to breeding occurrences of mobile animals.

N = Non-breeding
The associated rank refers to non-breeding occurrences of mobile animals.

Z = Moving
Occurs in the state, but as a diffuse, usually moving population; difficult or impossible to map static occurrences.

INFRASPECIFIC TAXON RANKS

T = Infraspecific Taxon (trinomial) The status of infraspecific taxa (subspecies or varieties) are indicated by a "T-rank" following the species' state rank. Rules for assigning T ranks follow the same principles outlined above. For example, the state rank of a critically imperiled subspecies of an otherwise widespread and common species would be S5T1.