Print

Species of Special Concern...One of the key features of a restored Everglades ecosystem will be its populations of native wetland species.  Although occasionally observed in other states, the Limpkin (Aramus guarauna) in the United States is generally restricted to Florida's wetlands.  Anecdotal evidence also suggests that a large segment of the Florida population winters in the central and southern wetlands (e.g., the Everglades); thus, its persistence in the U.S. may be dramatically influenced by the success of central and south Florida wetland restoration efforts.  In contrast to other wading birds of the Everglades, the Limpkin's diet is almost exclusively mollusks, the vast majority of which is apple snails.  Thus, it can be an important indicator of this component of Everglades aquatic food webs.