The following words shall have the following meanings unless the context clearly requires otherwise:-- “Animal”, any member of the animal kingdom including, but not limited to, any mammal, bird, reptile, amphibian, fish, mollusk, crustacean, arthropod or other invertebrate or any part, product, egg or offspring or the dead body or any part thereof. “Director”, the director of the division of fisheries and wildlife within the department of fisheries, wildlife and environmental law enforcement, who shall have all powers hereunder that exist for purposes of chapter one hundred and thirty-one. “Endangered species”, any species of plant or animal in danger of extinction throughout all or a significant portion of its range including, but not limited to, species listed from time to time as “endangered” under the provisions of the Federal Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended, and species of plants or animals in danger of extirpation, as documented by biological research and inventory. “Plant”, a member of the plant kingdom including seeds, roots, or other parts. “Significant habitat”, specific areas of the commonwealth, designated in accordance with section four, in which are found the physical or biological features important to the conservation of a threatened or endangered species population and which may require special management considerations or protection. “Species”, any subspecies or variety of plant or animal and any distinct plant or animal population which interbreeds or cross pollinates when mature. “Species of special concern”, any species of plant or animal which has been documented by biological research and inventory to have suffered a decline that could threaten the species if allowed to continue unchecked or that occurs in such small numbers or with such a restricted distribution or specialized habitat requirements that it could easily become threatened within the commonwealth. “Threatened species”, any species of plant or animal likely to become an endangered species within the foreseeable future throughout all or a significant portion of its range including, but not limited to, species listed from time to time as “threatened” under the provisions of the Federal Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended, and any species declining or rare as determined by biological research and inventory and likely to become endangered in the foreseeable future; provided, however, that the inclusion of any species on the Federal Threatened Species list shall not limit the discretion of the director to list said species as “endangered”.;
Citation: M.G.L.A. 131A § 1;