Pollution threatens TX kangaroo rat

DALLAS (AP) - An environmental group is seeking federal protection for the Texas kangaroo rat and four other Great Plains species threatened by development and pollution.

The group wants protection for the rat as well as the spot-tailed earless lizard, the prairie chub, Platte River caddisfly and the Scott's Riffle beetle.

Denver-based WildEarth Guardians is filing petitions and lawsuits this week to list them under the Endangered Species Act. The group on Monday planned to file a petition to protect the rat, which has lost habitat to agriculture and development.

Lauren McCain with WildEarth Guardians told The Associated Press that these species illustrate the dangers of shrinking open spaces and vanishing water supplies.