Download Queensland Brigalow Belt Reptile Recovery Plan

Queensland Brigalow
Belt Reptile Recovery
Plan
DRAFT January 2008
Prepared by Rebecca Richardson, WWF-Australia in collaboration with
the Queensland Brigalow Belt Reptile Recovery Team
Golden-tailed Gecko (Strophurus taenicauda)
© Environmental Protection Agency
Yakka Skink (Egernia rugosa)
© H. Cogger
Woma (Aspidites ramsayi)
© Queensland Museum
Queensland Brigalow Belt Reptile Recovery Plan
DRAFT
Prepared by:
Rebecca Richardson, WWF-Australia for the Queensland Brigalow Belt Reptile Recovery Team.
Funding for this project was provided by the Queensland Murray-Darling Committee.
© WWF-Australia and the Queensland Murray Darling Committee
Copyright protects this publication. Except for purposes permitted by the Copyright Act,
reproduction by whatever means is prohibited without the prior written knowledge of WWFAustralia.
Copies may be obtained from:
WWF-Australia
PO Box 15404
City East QLD 4002
Tel: (07) 3003 1480
Disclaimer:
The Australian Government, in partnership with the Environmental Protection Agency, facilitates
the publication of recovery plans to detail the actions needed for the conservation of threatened
native wildlife.
The attainment of objectives and the provision of funds may be subject to budgetary and other
constraints affecting the parties involved, and may also be constrained by the need to address
other conservation priorities. Approved recovery actions may be subject to modification due to
changes in knowledge and changes in conservation status.
Publication reference:
Richardson, R. (2006). Queensland Brigalow Belt Reptile Recovery Plan 2008 – 2012. Report to
the Department of the Environment, Water, Heritage and the Arts, Canberra. WWF-Australia,
Brisbane.
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CONTENTS
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY .................................................................................5
1.0 GENERAL INFORMATION .......................................................................6
1.1 Introduction ....................................................................................................................................6
1.2 Area covered by the plan ................................................................................................................6
1.3 Species covered by the plan and their conservation status .............................................................6
1.4 International obligations .................................................................................................................8
1.5 Affected interests............................................................................................................................8
1.8 Consultation with Indigenous people ...........................................................................................10
1.9 Benefits to other species or communities .....................................................................................10
1.10 Social and economic impact .......................................................................................................11
2.0 BIOLOGICAL INFORMATION ................................................................12
2.1 Distribution...................................................................................................................................12
2.2 Habitat critical to the survival of the species ................................................................................13
2.3 Important populations...................................................................................................................15
3.0 THREATS ................................................................................................17
3.1 Loss of habitat due to clearing and thinning.................................................................................17
3.2 Urban development.......................................................................................................................17
3.3 Pasture improvement ....................................................................................................................17
3.4 Grazing effects..............................................................................................................................18
3.5 Inappropriate roadside management.............................................................................................18
3.6 Inappropriate fire regimes ............................................................................................................18
3.7 Hydrological changes ...................................................................................................................18
3.8 Removal of woody debris and rocks ............................................................................................18
3.9 Feral animals ................................................................................................................................19
3.10 Weed invasion ............................................................................................................................19
3.11 Illegal trade.................................................................................................................................19
3.12 Impediments to recovery ............................................................................................................19
4.0 RECOVERY OBJECTIVES .....................................................................22
4.1 Overall objective ..........................................................................................................................22
4.2 Specific objectives........................................................................................................................22
5.0 RECOVERY OBJECTIVES, PERFORMANCE CRITERIA AND
ACTIONS.......................................................................................................23
6.0 MANAGEMENT PRACTICES .................................................................37
7.0 COST OF RECOVERY ............................................................................38
8.0 EVALUATION OF RECOVERY PLAN ....................................................39
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS .............................................................................40
REFERENCES ..............................................................................................41
APPENDIX 1 - RECOVERY TEAM MEMBERS ............................................44
APPENDIX 2 - MAPS ....................................................................................45
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APPENDIX 3 – SPECIES PROFILES ...........................................................48
APPENDIX 4 – SPECIES DISTRIBUTION....................................................81
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Executive Summary
Species and conservation status
Sixteen threatened reptile species are covered by this plan. Their current
conservation status under Australian Government and State legislation ranges from
‘Rare’ through to ‘Endangered’.
Habitat and distribution summary
Of the 16 species three are confined to the Queensland Brigalow Belt (QBB): Retro
slider, Sadlier’s skink, golden-tailed gecko. For a further nine species the Brigalow
Belt bioregion is a significant part of their range in Queensland: short-necked wormskink, five-clawed worm-skink, striped-tailed delma, collared delma, ornamental
snake, Dunmall’s snake, Mount Cooper striped lerista, brigalow scaly foot, grey
snake. Of the sixteen species eleven are restricted to Queensland: short-necked
worm-skink, striped-tailed delma, collared delma, ornamental snake, yakka skink,
Dunmall’s snake, Retro slider, Mount Cooper striped lerista, Sadlier’s skink, brigalow
scaly foot, golden-tailed gecko.
Threats summary
For all 16 species habitat loss due to clearing has been identified as one of the major
threats. The other key threats that impact on reptiles in the QBB include
inappropriate roadside management, the removal of woody debris and rocks,
unsustainable grazing practices, pasture improvement, the proliferation of exotic
species, inappropriate fire regimes, and weed invasion. In some cases urban
development has been identified as a potential threat.
Recovery plan primary objective
This plan aims to secure and improve the long term survival of the species and their
key habitat, and to raise awareness of reptile conservation issues within the
community.
A further five objectives relating to the abatement of each threatening process,
identifying and protecting key habitat and populations, increasing knowledge of
species ecology and increasing community participation in reptile conservation are
outlined further in the plan (Section 5.0).
Twenty-three management actions have been identified and prioritised to help best
manage the species. These are outlined in the plan (Section 5.0).
Evaluation and review
Implementation of the management actions will be assessed against the
performance criteria and amended where required to accommodate new information.
A full review of the recovery plan will be carried out by the Recovery Team in the
second half of 2012.
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1.0 General Information
1.1 Introduction
The Queensland Brigalow Belt (QBB) supports a high reptile diversity and endemism.
Unfortunately this region has been subject to extensive habitat loss and alteration.
Many of the region’s species are facing threats from the impacts of inappropriate fire
regimes, improper roadside management, heavy grazing and feral animal impacts.
Potentially these threats influence the ability in which the species recover from
environmental changes such as prolonged droughts, floods and fires.
The aims of this plan are to secure and improve the long term survival of the 16
species and to raise awareness of reptile conservation issues generally within the
community.
1.2 Area covered by the plan
This recovery plan covers the Queensland (Qld) part of Australia’s Brigalow Belt
bioregion recognised by the Interim Biogeographic Regionalisation for Australia
(IBRA) (refer to Maps in Appendix 3). The region is recognised by the Australian
Government as a national biodiversity hotspot.
The Brigalow Belt bioregion covers more than 36,400,000ha and extends from
Townsville in northern Qld south to Narrabri in New South Wales (NSW). This
bioregion has been split into two bioregions, north and south Brigalow Belt to reflect
the significant geological and climatic variations between the northern and southern
parts (Sattler & Williams 1999).
Approximately 32 protected areas greater than 1000ha have been established in the
region, examples include: Blackdown Tableland National Park (NP), Expedition
Range NP, Lake Broadwater Conservation Park, Magnetic Island NP, Nuga Nuga
NP, Townsville Town Common Conservation Park.
The Brigalow Belt is principally characterised by brigalow Acacia harpophylla which
forms forest and woodlands on clay soils. However large areas of the bioregion also
include other ecosystems including eucalypt forest and woodland, grassland, dry
rainforest, cypress pine woodland and riparian communities. Extensive clearing for
mining, grazing or agriculture has left a poor representation of the native vegetation.
Only approximately 2.2 percent of the bioregion is reserved in protected areas. The
estimated percentage breakdown of land tenure is 55.4 percent freehold, 34.6
percent leasehold, 2.2 percent national park, 0.15 percent forest reserve, 6.4 percent
state forest and 1.3 percent other (Queensland Herbarium 2003).
1.3 Species covered by the plan and their conservation status
This recovery plan refers to 16 species of threatened reptiles from the QBB. Eight of
the 16 species are listed nationally as ‘Vulnerable’ and two are listed as ‘Endangered’
under the Environment Protection Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (EPBC). One
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‘Endangered’ species, the Retro slider, is considered to be extinct by experts as it
has not been recorded since its last sighting in 1960 in Clermont. All 16 species are
listed under Qld’s Nature Conservation Act 1992 (NCA). Four are ‘Endangered’,
seven are ‘Vulnerable’ and five are ’Rare’ (see Table 1). Nine species are listed
internationally by the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN) and
one species, the woma is listed under the Convention on International Trade in
Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES).
Reptiles qualify for inclusion in this plan if they are listed under Qld and/or
Commonwealth (threatened species) legislation and have all or part of their
distribution in the QBB bioregion. While all nationally listed species present in the
QBB are included, State listed species were considered for inclusion by a panel of
planning and scientific experts from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA),
Queensland Murray Darling Committee (QMDC) and WWF-Australia. The panel took
into consideration the State’s intention to review Qld’s list of ‘Rare’ species under the
NCA.
Some additional species not listed were identified by the team as having regional
significance and as such are discussed under ‘Benefits to other species and
ecological communities’ under Section 1.9.
The grassland earless dragon Tympanocryptis pinguicolla is listed as ‘Endangered’
under the EPBC Act. A population of Tympanocryptis has recently been found near
Bongeen in the southern Brigalow Belt, Qld and has initially been described as T.
pinguicolla. However, there is speculation within the herpetological community that
this species is different to T. pinguicolla found in the Australian Capital Territory
(ACT). Taxonomists are currently working on this species and may be able to advise
the Recovery Team of its taxonomic status in the near future. At this stage the
species will be referred to in this document as the Darling Downs earless dragon T.
pinguicolla.
Table 1 lists the 16 threatened reptile species covered by this plan and their listing
under Australian Government and State legislation, the IUCN’s Red List, and CITES.
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Table 1: Current status of species considered in this recovery plan
CrE = Critically endangered
E = Endangered
V = Vulnerable
R = Rare
II = Appendix II under CITES
EPBC 1999
Qld NCA
1992
Scientific Name
Common Name
IUCN
Strophurus taenicauda
golden-tailed gecko
Delma labialis
striped-tailed delma
V
V
V
Delma torquata
collared delma
V
V
V
Paradelma orientalis
brigalow scaly-foot
V
V
V
Anomalopus brevicollis
short-necked worm-skink
Anomalopus mackayi
five-clawed worm-skink
V
E
Egernia rugosa
yakka skink
V
V
Lerista allanae
Retro slider
E
E
CrE
Lerista vittata
Mount Cooper striped lerista
V
V
E
Menetia sadlieri
Sadlier’s skink
Tympanocryptis
pinguicolla
Darling Downs earless
dragon
Aspidites ramsayi
woma
R
Acanthophis antarcticus
common death adder
R
Denisonia maculata
ornamental snake
V
V
V
Furina dunmalli
Dunmall’s snake
V
V
V
Hemiaspis damelii
grey snake
CITES
R
R
V
R
E
E
E
II
E
1.4 International obligations
Of the 16 species in this recovery plan only the woma is listed under CITES.
1.5 Affected interests
Current and potential stakeholders who may be involved in the management of
threatened reptiles in the QBB include:
Sector
Potential Key Stakeholders
Natural Resource Management Regional
Bodies
Burdekin Dry Tropics NRM (BDT)
Burnett Mary Regional Group NRM Inc (BMRG)
Condamine Alliance NRM (CA)
Desert Channels Queensland Inc (DCQld)
Fitzroy Basin Association NRM (FBA)
Queensland Murray-Darling Committee NRM (QMDC)
South West NRM Ltd (SW)
Government organisations
QBB Local Governments (refer to Appendix 2 Figure 2)
Local Government Association of Queensland (LGAQ)
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
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Department of Natural Resources, Mines and Water
(DNRM&W)
Queensland Museum (QM)
Department of Local Government, Sport and Recreation
Department of Main Roads (DMR)
Department of Primary Industries and Fisheries (DPI&F)
Department of Environment and Water Resources (DEW)
Tertiary and research institutions
University of Queensland (UQ)
James Cook University (JCU)
Industries
Non-government organisations
Central Queensland University (CQU)
CSIRO
Mining industries
Cotton Australia
Grazing and Cropping industries
Queensland Rail (QR)
Ergon Energy
Origin Energy
Tourism industry
Telstra
WWF-Australia
Threatened Species Network (TSN)
Greening Australia (GA)
Australia Zoo
Billabong Zoo
Rockhampton Zoo
Queensland Conservation Council (QCC)
Wildlife Preservation Society of Queensland (WPSQ)
Bush Heritage Australia
Regional community stakeholders
Community representatives
Indigenous communities and councils
Community conservation action groups
Private landowners and lessees
Herpetologists
Naturalist groups
Rural Fire Service
Community workshops were held in seven different regions of the QBB (Townsville,
Dalby, Goondiwindi, Roma, Emerald, Taroom, Theodore). Stakeholder consultation
and participation included: NRM regional bodies, EPA, DPI & F, local government,
LGAQ, JCU, UQ, Telstra, QR, Ergon Energy, Cotton Australia, mining industries,
DMR, QCC, local environment groups, and landholders. All those who actively
participated in the consultation process contributed to the actions outlined in this
plan.
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1.8 Consultation with Indigenous people
Seven community workshops were held throughout the QBB bioregion during the
development of this plan. These workshops aimed to raise the profile of threatened
reptiles, their habitat and threats to the species in the region. The workshops were
also an opportunity to receive community feedback on the draft plan, in particular the
management actions.
Indigenous representation was sought and encouraged at these workshops to add
value from Indigenous knowledge and management of species, and to raise an
awareness of threatened species management within the Indigenous community.
Indigenous facilitators from relevant NRM regional bodies were invited to attend the
community workshops and encouraged to extend the invitation within the wider
Indigenous community network. Consultation was held with Indigenous land
management facilitators and the EPA - Indigenous Engagement Unit to discuss
delivery methods of Indigenous consultation in regard to recovery planning.
Consultation was also held with the Fitzroy Basin Elders Committee where feedback
was provided into ways in which Indigenous people could become involved in
management actions.
Included in the recovery plan are actions for on-going contact with Indigenous
communities and ways to encourage continued participation in further developing
management actions as required.
1.9 Benefits to other species or communities
The actions in this plan will benefit the protection and management of non-remnant
and remnant vegetation in the Brigalow Belt bioregion. Management actions under
this plan will complement those actions delivered under the semi-evergreen vine
thicket recovery plan, brigalow Acacia harpophylla recovery plan, and the national
recovery plan for bluegrass Dichanthium spp.
By focussing on a threat abatement approach this plan will inherently provide
benefits to other threatened flora and fauna in the region, particularly those who’s
range falls within key habitat and populations for the species identified in this plan.
The recovery plan will also provide benefits to other species within the Brigalow Belt.
A number of reptile species which are not the focus of this plan and some of which
are currently listed under Australian Government or State legislation have been
recognised as important by the recovery team and herpetological experts. These are:
ƒ
leaden delma Delma plebia
ƒ
inornate delma Delma inornata
ƒ
frilled lizard Chlamydosaurus kingii
ƒ
shingleback Tiliqua rugosa
ƒ
pale-headed snake Hoplocephalus bitorquatus
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This plan provides a framework for gathering existing information and encouraging
more targeted research on essential baseline reptile ecology and biology.
1.10 Social and economic impact
Much of the distribution of threatened reptile species occurs across a range of land
tenures and land uses. The implementation of this plan is unlikely to result in any
significant adverse social and economic impacts. Actions that may affect land
managers include the following:
ƒ
Changes required in land use practices by land managers/landholders engaged
in pasture improvement, fire management and grazing may be restrictive
ƒ
Threat abatement recovery actions e.g. feral animal control, fire management or
grazing management may affect some stakeholders including local government,
landowners/lessees and industry
ƒ
Provision of ecosystem services e.g. pest control may be a benefit for some
landholders e.g. agriculture
ƒ
Opportunities for nature based tourism in local government regions could arise
from implementation, potentially providing a beneficial business niche
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2.0 Biological information
A species profile for each species is provided at the end of this plan (Appendix 3).
The profiles outline the description, habitat, biology, threats and distribution of each
of the 16 reptile species.
2.1 Distribution
The distribution of the species within local government regions, NRM regional body
areas, and subregions within the QBB are summarised in Appendix 4. The figures
refer to the number of sightings recorded in the relevant geographic area. The
distribution maps can be found with the individual species profiles in Appendix 3.
Distribution records have been divided into two periods, prior to 1975, and 1975 to
the present.
Of the 16 species three are confined to the QBB: the Retro slider, Sadlier’s skink and
golden-tailed gecko. For a further nine species (the short-necked worm-skink, fiveclawed worm-skink, striped-tailed delma, collared delma, ornamental snake,
Dunmall’s snake, Mount Cooper striped lerista, brigalow scaly foot and grey snake)
the Brigalow Belt bioregion is a significant part of their range in Qld. Of the 16
species 11 are restricted to Qld (the short-necked worm-skink, striped-tailed delma,
collared delma, ornamental snake, yakka skink, Dunmall’s snake, Retro slider,
MountCooper striped lerista, Sadlier’s skink, brigalow scaly foot and golden-tailed
gecko).
The geographic ranges of a number of species appear to be contracting. In the QBB
Tympanocryptis appears to have an extremely restricted range. It has been recorded
only near the south-eastern boundary of the QBB in the Oakey district. T. pinguicolla
has two disjunct populations, southern NSW/ACT and the Oakey area in southeast
Qld. In Victoria (Vic) the species was once considered reasonably common on basalt
plains north and west of Melbourne (Wilson & Knowles 1988), however many of its
habitats have been destroyed by urban development (Osborne et al 1993).
The total range of the five-clawed worm-skink appears to have contracted eastwards,
as the species formerly ranged west from the north-western slopes near Wallangra to
near Goodooga in the western division of NSW. Based on recent museum records
the northern limit of collared delma may have also contracted. Currently less than 20
localities are known for this species. The yakka skink appears to be in decline.
Across its entire range few records have been recorded and forest or woodland
habitat clearance has occurred throughout its range. The distribution of the goldentailed gecko has also contracted, possibly due to land clearing for agriculture and
grazing.
General consensus at community workshops suggested that the common death
adder’s range has contracted. Anecdotally the number of common death adder
sightings has reduced dramatically over the past years.
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2.2 Habitat critical to the survival of the species
This document represents a regionally based recovery plan and therefore habitat
critical to the survival to and potential habitat for the species that also occur outside
the QBB is not addressed in this plan.
With the current limited information available on the individual species it is not
possible to map habitat critical to the species’ survival. However, it is an action of this
plan to identify, map and appropriately manage the key habitat areas with significant
populations of the species.
Habitat and soil structure are potentially more important for the maintenance of
terrestrial reptile species than floristics. For example, reptiles require specific
microhabitat characteristics within their preferred broad habitat type. Generally
microhabitats provide shelter, breeding/nesting sites, camouflage and/or foraging
sites. Table 2 lists some of the common microhabitat variables utilised by some
species.
Table 2: Microhabitat components utilised by some of the reptile species
Microhabitat requirement
Species
Ground cover (leaf litter, rocks, fallen timber,
fallen bark, other e.g. galvanised iron sheets)
ƒ
Tympanocryptis pinguicolla
ƒ
Strophurus taenicauda
ƒ
Delma torquata
ƒ
Paradelma orientalis
ƒ
Anomalopus brevicollis
ƒ
Anomalopus mackayi
ƒ
Egernia rugosa
ƒ
Aspidites ramsayi
ƒ
Acanthophis antarcticus
ƒ
Denisonia maculata
ƒ
Furina dunmalli
ƒ
Hemiaspis damelii
ƒ
Tympanocryptis pinguicolla
ƒ
Delma torquata
ƒ
Anomalopus mackayi
ƒ
Denisonia maculata
ƒ
Furina dunmalli
ƒ
Hemiaspis damelii
ƒ
Delma torquata
ƒ
Paradelma orientalis
ƒ
Anomalopus brevicollis
ƒ
Egernia rugosa
ƒ
Aspidites ramsayi
Loose soil
ƒ
Anomalopus brevicollis
Low-lying shrubs and tussocks
ƒ
Paradelma orientalis
ƒ
Acanthophis antarcticus
ƒ
Strophurus taenicauda
Soil cracks
Rock outcrops
Loose or peeling bark of standing trees
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Microhabitat requirement
Species
Small hollow limbs of standing trees
ƒ
Strophurus taenicauda
Spider holes
ƒ
Tympanocryptis pinguicolla
Hollow logs
ƒ
Egernia rugosa
ƒ
Aspidites ramsayi
ƒ
Aspidites ramsayi
ƒ
Egernia rugosa
Animal burrows
Habitat considered important to the larger, more mobile reptile species include:
ƒ
Sites for breeding or nesting
ƒ
Sites rich in food resources, water, shelter, fire and refuges used at times of
environmental stress e.g. floods
ƒ
Essential travel routes between sites e.g. migratory routes, foraging routes
ƒ
Sites necessary to maintain populations of prey species essential to the
threatened species e.g. riparian zones essential to maintain frog populations
ƒ
Areas that are not occupied by the species but are essential for maintenance of
habitat e.g. the catchment of a wetland community
For smaller less mobile species important habitat could include sites of food sources,
water, shelter, fire and refuges used at times of environmental stress e.g. floods.
Both key habitat and important populations of Darling Downs earless dragon and
five-clawed worm-skink have been identified due, in part, to their limited areas of
distribution.
Identification and protection of key habitat and populations of the remaining reptiles is
one objective of this plan.
The Darling Downs earless dragon Tympanocryptis pinguicolla
In Qld the Darling Downs earless dragon has been recorded, to date, from the
Bongeen, Mt Tyson, Bowenville and the Brookstead area on the Darling Downs. The
habitat occupied by this species area may be less than 100sq.km in extent. Prior to
European settlement the Darling Downs supported natural grasslands on cracking
black clay soils. Today less than one percent of these grasslands remain, with most
having been converted to permanent cropping e.g. cotton, sorghum, wheat and
sunflower.
Insufficient scientific evidence exists to indicate how well the Darling Downs earless
dragon has survived under such intensive changes in land use and whether its
distribution and population demographics in the Darling Downs have changed.
However the essential microhabitat component required for the survival of the
species has apparently been retained in parts of the region. The readily cracking
nature of the soil structure, even after ploughing, is likely to be responsible for the
continued survival of the species in parts of the Darling Downs. Despite soil retention
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of some soil structure, species presence may be influenced by the timing of
agricultural practices such as ploughing and harvesting and the crop type itself. In the
absence of scientific data/verification the entire Bongeen/Mt Tyson area, including
agricultural farming land, is assumed to be key habitat for Tympanocryptis pinguicolla
populations in the Darling Downs.
Five-clawed worm-skink Anomalopus mackayi
In Qld, the five-clawed worm-skink is known only from the Bowenville/Oakey,
Pittsworth and Jimbour areas on the Darling Downs. This skink naturally occurs in
open grassy woodlands on deep cracking clay loams with scattered eucalypts.
However on the Darling Downs these ecosystems have largely been converted to
agricultural cropping and improved pastures.
The species is a burrowing skink. Microhabitat requirements essential to the survival
of the species include fallen logs, rocks and soil cracks. Today, eucalypt species e.g.
Eucalyptus populnea and E. tereticornis only occur naturally as relict clusters or
isolated individuals on the margins of agricultural crops. It is likely that a significant
microhabitat component (i.e. woody debris) has been locally removed or significantly
reduced. However it appears that the readily cracking nature of the soil structure may
provide an essential microhabitat component for the species in the absence of woody
debris.
The Bowenville sites contain some ground debris, including discarded railway
sleepers, sheet metal and hay bales. Such artificial microhabitat components appear
to be an important alternative microhabitat for maintaining populations of five-clawed
worm-skink. In the absence of scientific data/verification the entire Bowenville/Oakey,
Pittsworth and Jimbour area, including agricultural farming land, is considered to be
key habitat for five-clawed worm-skink populations in the Darling Downs.
2.3 Important populations
Table 3 lists some areas that contain important populations of threatened reptile
species as identified by researchers and scientists.
Table 3: Areas where important populations of threatened reptiles are known to occur
Species
Important populations/areas
Strophurus taenicauda
Barakula, Alice Creek populations
Delma labialis
Mount Abbot and Magnetic Island populations
Delma torquata
Many stock route areas especially the Donnie Brook region
Paradelma orientalis
Inglewood, Central Qld sandstone regions and Boyne Island
Anomalopus brevicollis
Carnarvon National Park scrub population
Anomalopus mackayi
Bowenville/Oakey, Pittsworth and Jimbour area
Menetia sadlieri
Magnetic Island
Tympanocryptis pinguicolla
Bongeen, Bowenville, Brookstead and Mt Tyson region
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Species
Important populations/areas
Aspidites ramsayi
Olbar – south, Mt Morgan, Maranoa River around Mitchell,
Glenmorgan, Tara, Mendarra area. Important refuge sites
include State Forest 328 (Yuleba) and State Forest 75, 41, 60
and 48 (St George area)
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3.0 Threats
While the direct threats to these species are outlined below, Table 4 shows that a
combination of threats can impact on any individual species. These threats impact
individual populations and species habitat to varying degrees. The ability of species
to recover from catastrophic events such as long droughts is affected by these
threats. A combination of threat interactions and possible impediments to recovery
may in turn hasten or initiate the further decline of a species.
3.1 Loss of habitat due to clearing and thinning
For all 16 species habitat loss due to clearing has been identified as one of the major
threats. The focus of vegetation clearing in the Brigalow Belt is shifting from the
essentially cleared brigalow ecosystems on fertile soils to the eucalypt woodlands on
poorer soils. Consequently the survival of dry woodland/open forest species with
limited geographic ranges and/or specialised habitat requirements remain uncertain
unless conservation action is undertaken.
3.2 Urban development
The striped-tailed delma is likely to be threatened in areas where tourism and
associated land clearing for development occur e.g. on the mainland and off-shore
from Townsville on Magnetic Island. Similarly, it is suspected that Sadlier’s skink is
threatened by growing coastal developments which are encroaching on its low lying
habitat on Magnetic Island.
Island species such as Sadlier’s skink may possibly have suffered more than species
in any other habitat. Having evolved in isolation, often in response to specialised
conditions, and lacking reservoirs for re-colonisation, these species display the
characteristics of small populations, including sensitivity to changes in their
environment.
3.3 Pasture improvement
The replacement of natural habitats by agricultural lands has potentially threatened
many reptiles. Native grasses on the flatter, fertile lands, have been cleared for
cultivation, so grassy ecosystems are now highly fragmented. In some areas,
including the Darling Downs, almost 99 percent of the original native grasslands have
been cleared and are under serious threat of disappearing (Goodland 2005).
Pasture development typically includes use of fertilizer enhancers and growing
monocultures of introduced grass species. Some non-native pasture species can out
compete or dominate other native grass species, invading grasslands or native
pastures, and potentially threatening the habitat of many reptile species.
Cultivation disrupts soil structure in cracking clay soils, and potentially makes a
species that use soil cracks as shelter sites more vulnerable to predation.
Additionally the type of agriculture practice used will also alter the potential impact to
Queensland Brigalow Belt Reptile Recovery Plan
- 17 -
the species i.e. strip cropping may mitigate the affects of tillage on Tympanocryptis
pinguicolla (Starr & Leung 2006).
3.4 Grazing effects
Overgrazing by introduced and native herbivores results in habitat degradation
through soil compaction, reduced water infiltration, erosion, and alteration of the
vegetation structure and community. Small remnants and unconnected strips of
vegetation are often used as areas of shade for stock, as well as feral and native
herbivores. The isolation of remnants combined with heavy and continual grazing
pressure may result in significant changes to remnant vegetation condition such as
loss of plant material and ground cover or a dominance of a species.
3.5 Inappropriate roadside management
Roadsides and road reserves often provide suitable reptile habitat. These areas are
often islands of native vegetation in a fragmented landscape providing important
refuge sites. Often pest plants and animals thrive in neglected reserves.
Management practices of these remnants should reflect the multi-use nature of these
areas.
3.6 Inappropriate fire regimes
Fire is a natural element of ecosystem processes. Fire frequency, intensity, season,
type and extent of fires over time, influence biodiversity and ecosystem processes.
Certain vegetation communities and resident native species rely on fire to maintain
the ecosystem. Aside from the immediate impacts of fire, inappropriate fire regimes
can potentially alter ecosystem structure and impact on the species habitat
requirements i.e. by removing food sources and shelter.
3.7 Hydrological changes
Changes in hydrological regimes such as damming of watercourses, may impact
species reliant on wetlands, waterways or waterbodies. For example the grey snake
which occurs in low lying areas and are usually found on floodplains and near inland
watercourses.
3.8 Removal of woody debris and rocks
In addition to habitat alteration and clearance, some reptile species such as yakka
skink are also threatened by microhabitat removal. Species that shelter in burrow
systems under and between partly buried rocks, logs or root systems and are
affected by the removal and loss of refuge sites, particularly fallen logs, leaf litter and
rocks.
The removal of dead wood is often viewed as keeping the farm tidy, and a part of
good land management. Records show that 52% of the firewood collected is
collected by people off their own land, while 32% is collected from someone else's
land. The combination of a high proportion of firewood collected from private land
Queensland Brigalow Belt Reptile Recovery Plan
- 18 -
and the high proportion being taken by individuals and small time operators makes
the firewood industry difficult to regulate (DEWH&A 2007).
3.9 Feral animals
Many of the smaller terrestrial reptiles and juvenile snakes are probably preyed on by
foxes and feral cats. Habitat degradation by feral pigs probably also has an impact.
Poisoning through ingestion of cane toads Bufo marinus has been recorded for the
common death adder and is a recognised threat to other frog-eating snakes such as
ornamental snake and grey snake.
3.10 Weed invasion
Often the combination and interaction between weed invasion and other threats such
as fire and grazing pressure has an impact on the species survival. Many exotic
grasses displace the species preferred habitat causing changes to their habitat
structure and composition. The proliferation of weeds also provides fuel for more
frequent and hotter fires.
3.11 Illegal trade
A potential threat to localised populations from the illegal trade in reptiles is
recognised although no information on population effects is available. Any potential
threats to individuals will be determined by current markets trends and demands.
3.12 Impediments to recovery
Aside from key threatening processes that impact directly upon these species, there
are two other factors which impede effective management of the species
conservation in this region:
ƒ
Inadequate knowledge of species distribution and habitat – Insufficient
knowledge about species distribution and habitat that is critical to the survival of
the species has limited implementation of management actions for individual
species. This is thought to be a key impediment to the future recovery of the
species.
ƒ
Inadequate knowledge of species biology and ecology – The lack of information
available on the ecology and biology of the species will limit the ability of
mangers to continue to adequately identify and appropriately manage the
recovery of these species.
ƒ
Community perception and stakeholder involvement – In many cases reptiles are
not as popular among the public as other vertebrate groups. Having strong
community support is important in successful species recovery and building
stakeholder involvement. It is important to the species recovery that community
perceptions are addressed and that those managing the recovery process
develop and foster stakeholder support, understanding and involvement in reptile
conservation.
ƒ
Climate change – The direct impacts of climate change on these species are
unknown, however it is believed that change in climatic conditions will impact on
Queensland Brigalow Belt Reptile Recovery Plan
- 19 -
the species. As climate change is a world wide problem it has not been
addressed in this recovery plan. However it is noted that the issue may require to
be addressed in future versions of this recovery plan.
ƒ
Availability of resources – Failure to obtain adequate resources to deliver on the
actions of this recovery plan and maintain future management of sites will limit
the recovery process of these species.
Table 4 describes the major threats impacting on the species in the QBB region. Two
types of threats are shown.
Queensland Brigalow Belt Reptile Recovery Plan
- 20 -
Table 4: The key threats impacting on the 16 threatened species
Represent threats that are known to be impacting on the species
Represent threats which are believed to be impacting on the species, as yet unconfirmed
Species
Strophurus taenicauda
Delma labialis
Delma torquata
Paradelma orientalis
Anomalopus brevicollis
Anomalopus mackayi
Egernia rugosa
Lerista allanae
Lerista vittata
Menetia sadlieri
Tympanocryptis pinguicolla
Aspidities ramsayi
Acanthophis antarcticus
Densisonia maculata
Furina dunmalli
Hemiaspis damelii
Queensland Brigalow Belt Reptile Recovery Plan
- 21 -
Weed invasion
Feral animals
Removal of woody
debris and rocks
Hydrological
changes
Inappropriate fire
regimes
Inappropriate
roadside
management
Grazing effects
Pasture
improvement
Urban
development
Loss of habitat
due to clearing
and thinning
Threatening Process
4.0 Recovery objectives
4.1 Overall objective
This plan aims to secure and improve the long term survival of the species and their
key habitat, and to raise awareness of reptile conservation issues within the
community.
4.2 Specific objectives
To achieve this, specific objectives within the period of this plan are:
1.
Identify and protect key habitat and important populations on private and state
controlled lands through the development of partnerships between relevant
stakeholders.
2.
Reduce and manage the major threatening processes affecting threatened
reptiles in the Queensland Brigalow Belt.
3.
Ensure reptile conservation is incorporated into appropriate land management
decisions within all levels of government, industry and community.
4.
Increase community participation, awareness and understanding in the
conservation and management issues of threatened reptiles.
5.
Increase knowledge and understanding of the species and their ecology
necessary to effect their conservation and management.
Queensland Brigalow Belt Reptile Recovery Plan
- 22 -
5.0 Recovery Objectives, Performance Criteria and
Actions
Objective 1
Identify and protect key habitat and important populations on private and state
controlled lands through the development of partnerships between relevant
stakeholders.
Performance Criteria
1a) Key habitat and important populations for threatened reptiles in the QBB is
identified and mapped by Year 3.
1b) Appropriate guidelines are developed and implemented to reduce the effects of
threatening processes in key habitat and important population areas within the
QBB.
1c) Number of landowners with improved management practices and/or negotiated
voluntary conservation agreements in the QBB by Year 5.
Action 1.1
Inspect and identify key habitat and important populations for each species and
prioritise for management and for local government and community engagement.
Timeframe: Year 1 - Year 2
Achieved where possible in a two step process, firstly through a desktop analysis
followed by a ground-truthing activity where feasible.
Prioritise key habitat and important population sites for local government and
community engagement actions. Ongoing public education and extension programs
will support this action by encouraging the reporting of new species information as
outlined under Objective 4.
Identify priority management areas based on a criterion that includes species
abundance, areas with little or no reserve areas present, presence of key habitat,
and level of threat. Initial focus will be on the following 3 subregions:
ƒ
Eastern Darling Downs
ƒ
Tara Downs
ƒ
Basalt Downs
Prioritise these areas for local government, landholder and community engagement
and for Actions 1.2 and 1.3.
Queensland Brigalow Belt Reptile Recovery Plan
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After completion of these three subregions conduct research to identify and prioritise
subsequent subregions.
Potential contributors:
NRM regional bodies (BTB, BMRG, CA, DCQld, FBA, QMDC, SW NRM), EPA, Local
Government Association of Queensland, Queensland Museum, Technical Working
Group, naturalist groups, community members, tertiary and research institutions (UQ,
JCU, CQU).
Action 1.2
Identify key threats and develop reptile habitat management guidelines for key
habitat.
Time frame: Year 1 - Year 2
Develop management guidelines for key habitat as identified in Action 1.1 ensuring
that the key threats are addressed. Review and update management guidelines as
further information becomes available from research and the reptile recovery
program. Distribute the revised guidelines to relevant stakeholders e.g. land
managers, land owners, industry, Local and State Government.
Potential contributors:
NRM regional bodies (BTB, BMRG, CA, DCQld, FBA, QMDC, SW NRM), Technical
Working Group, industry bodies.
Action 1.3
Negotiate management agreements and voluntary conservation agreements for the
protection of priority management areas, key habitat areas and important populations
in line with the recommended management guidelines.
Timeframe: Year 1 - Year 5
Using management guidelines from Action 1.2, negotiate management agreements
and voluntary conservation agreements to protect important populations of species,
species in key habitat areas and identified priority management areas. Negotiate cooperative management arrangements with land owners, land managers and industry
where possible.
Potential contributors:
NRM regional bodies (BTB, BMRG, CA, DCQld, FBA, QMDC, SW NRM), EPA, Bush
Heritage Australia, Greening Australia, land owners, cotton industry, mining industry.
Objective 2
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Reduce and manage the major threatening processes affecting threatened reptiles in
the Queensland Brigalow Belt.
Performance Criteria
2a) Percentage of key reptile habitat improved through on-ground works or agreed
conservation management practices within the QBB
2b) Threatening processes impacting on populations in key habitat areas identified
and managed more effectively by Year 4.
Action 2.1
Provide incentive mechanisms and facilitate community on-ground projects for the
protection of threatened reptiles and their habitat across a suite of land tenures.
Timeframe: Year 1 - Year 5
Discuss and facilitate the undertaking of on-ground works aimed at conserving and
protecting species on non-reserve areas with stakeholders such as local government,
conservation groups, schools, industries and land owners. On-ground works may
include fencing of remnants to reduce the impacts of grazing, weed management
and/or feral predator control.
Promote the use of incentive mechanisms for on-ground implementation in key
reptile habitat areas through regional biodiversity action plans/strategies. Encourage
the use of incentive mechanisms including the Environmental Protection Agency’s
Nature Refuge program for facilitating the up-take of on-ground works that protect
key reptile habitat and reduce threats to threatened reptile species in the QBB. Use
relevant regional plans and strategies, for example NRM Regional Investment
Strategies to promote their use.
Work with local governments to provide incentives for the protection of reptile
habitats in urban and peri-urban and rural areas in years two to five. Work with local
governments, land developers, urban planners, consultants, landscape architects
and regional bodies to encourage protection of important reptile habitats in periurban areas.
Provide some form of recognition for those companies that demonstrate initiative in
protecting important reptile habitat. Encourage a co-operative approach through
working partnerships.
Potential contributors:
Threatened Species Network, NRM regional bodies (BTB, BMRG, CA, DCQld, FBA,
QMDC, SW NRM), Greening Australia, EPA, QBB local governments, Local
Government Association of Queensland, environmental consultancies, Department of
Queensland Brigalow Belt Reptile Recovery Plan
- 25 -
Natural Resources, Mines and Water, Department of Main Roads, Department of
Primary Industries and Fisheries.
Action 2.2
Provide incentive mechanisms through resources and/or technical advice and
facilitate the up-take of appropriate management of key habitat and threatening
processes for QBB reptile species by industry stakeholders.
Timeframe: Year 1 - Year 5
Encourage industry stakeholders to undertake and implement appropriate
management guidelines to enhance and conserve key habitat and reduce
threatening process impacting on reptiles within the QBB on off-reserve areas.
Industry stakeholders may include Department of Main Roads, Ergon Energy, Origin
Energy, Telstra, Cotton Australia, Queensland Rail, mining and grazing industry.
Potential contributors:
NRM regional bodies (BTB, BMRG, CA, DCQld, FBA, QMDC, SW NRM),
Threatened Species Network, EPA, , Department of Natural Resources, Mines and
Water, Department of Primary Industries and Fisheries.
Action 2.3
Work with local governments to protect reptile habitat on the stock route network and
shire roadsides and reserves.
Timeframe: Year 1
Encourage local governments to incorporate relevant information from the Reptile
Recovery Plan into Shire Stock Route Management Plans. Work closely with
participating local government bodies to deliver appropriate information. Work with
local governments to help deliver on appropriate reptile conservation management
actions in stock routes where identified.
Potential contributors:
NRM regional bodies (BTB, BMRG, CA, DCQld, FBA, QMDC, SW NRM), QBB local
governments, Local Government Association of Queensland, Department of Natural
Resources, Mines and Water, Telstra, Ergon Energy, Queensland Rail, Department
of Main Roads, mining industries.
Action 2.4
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- 26 -
Incorporate EPA ecological fire management guidelines into property and reserve
planning for key habitat areas.
Timeframe: Year 1 - Year 5
Undertake a literature review on summary and analysis of information on the
relationship between fire and reptiles. Use this information to further develop
ecological fire management guidelines.
Potential contributors:
EPA, Fire and Biodiversity Consortium, NRM regional bodies (BTB, BMRG, CA,
DCQld, FBA, QMDC, SW NRM).
Action 2.5
Encourage higher participation in integrated pest management activities.
Timeframe: Year 1 - Year 5
Focus on the species with known key threats including feral pigs, feral cats, foxes
and cane toads. Implement a cane toad communication strategy. Deliver a cane toad
awareness program in localised areas with known distributions of common death
adder, ornamental snake, grey snake and high cane toad populations. This may be in
the form of educational pamphlets, posters, and media or by tapping into existing
communication mediums.
Coordinate with local governments and NRM regional bodies to ensure that their pest
management plans, strategies and targets take into consideration, and where
appropriate, incorporate reptile conservation management requirements.
Potential contributors:
NRM regional bodies (BTB, BMRG, CA, DCQld, FBA, QMDC, SW NRM), QBB local
governments, EPA, local schools, Department of Natural Resources Mines and
Water, tertiary institutions (UQ, JCU, CQU).
Objective 3
Ensure reptile conservation is incorporated into appropriate land management
decisions within all levels of government, industry and community.
Performance Criteria
Queensland Brigalow Belt Reptile Recovery Plan
- 27 -
3a) Incorporation of relevant information from the reptile recovery plan, including key
habitat areas into appropriate local government, State government and industry
management plans/strategies.
3b) Relevant local government, State government and industry bodies are actively
involved in the management of threats by Year 4.
Action 3.1
Work with key stakeholders to incorporate relevant information from the Queensland
Brigalow Belt Reptile Recovery Plan into relevant management policies, strategies
and plans.
Timeframe: Year 1 - Year 5
Ensure that environmental values of reptiles and their habitat requirements are
incorporated into relevant management plans including industry operational plans
and water resource plans (particularly for the grey snake). Work closely with
representatives from key stakeholder industries and local governments to provide
relevant information for example, information kits, workshops, and training days. Key
stakeholders include: local government, NRM regional bodies, Queensland
Department of Natural Resources, Mines and Water, Queensland Rail, Department
of Main Roads, Ergon Energy, Origin Energy, Telstra, Cotton Australia, Department
of Primary Industry and & Fisheries, mining and grazing industry.
Tailor information to meet stakeholder audience i.e. the Department of Main Roads
may require species distribution mapping and identification posters supported by a
training day delivered to on-ground workers.
Potential contributors:
NRM regional bodies (BTB, BMRG, CA, DCQld, FBA, QMDC, SW NRM), QBB local
governments, Queensland Rail, Department of Main Roads, Ergon Energy, Telstra,
Cotton Australia, Department of Primary Industries, grazing industry, Department of
Natural Resources, Mines and Water, Department of Primary Industries and
Fisheries, mining industries.
Action 3.2
Work with NRM regional bodies to deliver region specific information necessary for
the implementation of on-ground reptile recovery actions.
Timeframe: Year 1
Provide NRM bodies with a summary of region specific information e.g. species
distribution mapping, key habitat areas within region, important populations, priority
Queensland Brigalow Belt Reptile Recovery Plan
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management areas within region, identification of major threats to help guide the
delivery of management actions in the region.
Potential contributors:
Threatened Species Network, WWF-Australia, NRM regional bodies (BTB, BMRG,
CA, DCQld, FBA, QMDC, SW NRM).
Action 3.3
Maintain the Recovery Team to represent broad stakeholder support.
Timeframe: Year 1 - Year 5
The Recovery Team will manage the delivery of the recovery program and provide
direction and advice for key stakeholders involved. The team will also oversee the
monitoring and evaluation of the Plans implementation. The Recovery Team will
contain representatives from Queensland Murray Darling Committee NRM regional
body, Threatened Species Network, James Cook University, Condamine Alliance.
Seek funds for team members to meet annually to review progress of the recovery
plan. Review recovery team and increase representation when necessary.
Potential contributors:
Threatened Species Network, Queensland Murray Darling Committee, James Cook
University, Condamine Alliance.
Objective 4
Increase community participation, awareness and understanding in the conservation
and management issues of threatened reptiles.
Performance Criteria
4a) A minimum of two industry stakeholders and six local government regions
participating in the recovery program
4b) As developed, information is disseminated and made accessible to the public
through appropriate media
4c) Increased involvement of Indigenous community in recovery program by Year 3
Action 4.1
Prepare education material and undertake community extension.
Timeframe: Year 1 - Year 5
Queensland Brigalow Belt Reptile Recovery Plan
- 29 -
Undertake reptile conservation initiatives within the context of sustainable production
through direct liaison, field days and the production and dissemination of information
fact sheets and posters.
Encourage schools participating in reptile educational programs to adopt a local
reptile species as their school icon. Encourage local governments participating in
recovery actions to adopt a local reptile species as the shire icon. Engage local
artists to help develop reptile logos for this task.
Produce educational material for circulation to industry partners and local
governments. Deliver information to stakeholders through training and workshops.
Industry partners include Queensland Rail, Department of Main Roads, Ergon
Energy, Origin Energy, Telstra, Cotton Australia and mining industries. Tailor
information to suit individual local government and industry needs. Focus information
on the benefits of species conservation and raising awareness of the 16 threatened
reptile species and their known distribution. Encourage participation in conducting
surveys and reporting any data on these species.
Develop media releases for key events and outputs of the recovery program. Media
releases will generate articles in local and regional newspapers, television and radio
programs. Place articles in national print media, including WWF-Australia newsletter,
Land for Wildlife newsletter. Seek news articles in local newspapers and magazines.
Potential contributors:
NRM regional bodies (BTB, BMRG, CA, DCQld, FBA, QMDC, SW NRM), Local
Government Association of Queensland, Threatened Species Network, WWFAustralia, local schools, EPA, Greening Australia, community groups, Australia Zoo,
Billabong Zoo, Rockhampton Zoo, Queensland Conservation Council, local media
and newspaper corporations, Wildlife Preservation Society of Queensland, tertiary
institutions (UQ, CQU, JCU), existing reptile organisations and clubs.
Action 4.2
Incorporate reptile conservation in Indigenous cultural education activities.
Timeframe: Year 1 - Year 5
Work with local Indigenous communities to incorporate aspects of reptile
conservation into cultural education programs where appropriate. Where reptiles
represent the totem of an Indigenous group incorporate field activities and reptile
displays to show both the cultural and biodiversity significance of reptiles.
Potential contributors:
Queensland Brigalow Belt Reptile Recovery Plan
- 30 -
Indigenous community, local schools, Indigenous Land Management Facilitators,
Indigenous cultural centres, NRM Regional Bodies Indigenous Facilitators.
Action 4.3
Maintain a working relationship with the Indigenous community to progress
Indigenous involvement in the recovery program.
Timeframe: Year 1 - Year 5
The recovery team will encourage increased participation of Indigenous people in
species recovery programs. Seek involvement of Indigenous people in actions that
focus on reptile species significant to Indigenous people or where key habitat occurs
in areas significant to Indigenous people. Funding will be sought for Indigenous
participants in the delivery of these actions. Where appropriate assist development
of property management plans with Indigenous communities in key reptile habitats.
Potential contributors:
Indigenous Land Facilitators, NRM Regional Bodies Indigenous Facilitators,
Threatened Species Network, EPA - Indigenous Engagement Unit.
Objective 5
Increase knowledge and understanding of the species and their ecology to effect
their conservation and management.
Performance Criteria
5a) Identification in Year 1 of priority research needs through technical workshops
with researchers and managers
5b) Co-ordinated information database established by Year 1
Action 5.1
Work with landholders and key stakeholders to undertake monitoring programs on
selected sites.
Timeframe: Year 2 - Year 5
Implement a monitoring program that can be used as a communication tool for reptile
information in the local region. Use the monitoring program to demonstrate to
community that simple manageable tools exist to protect basic habitat requirements
for these reptiles, and the benefits this can have in protecting numerous other
species as a result. Use the program to promote the concept that reptiles can serve
Queensland Brigalow Belt Reptile Recovery Plan
- 31 -
as indicators for environmental health. Encourage local groups or individuals to reinvestigate sites with known historical records of the species.
Selected sites for monitoring program may include, but not limited to, sites of key
habitat, important populations, potential habitat, areas highly impacted by threats,
site with historical records. These sites and monitoring approach will be determined
by the Recovery Team with additional advice from outside partners as required.
Potential contributors:
NRM regional bodies (BTB, BMRG, CA, DCQld, FBA, QMDC, SW NRM), EPA,
tertiary institutions (UQ, CQU, JCU), research institutions, Technical Working Group,
Reptile Recovery Team, Threatened Species Network, landholders, industry bodies.
Action 5.2
Identify gaps in species research, develop research priorities, provide research
projects to tertiary and research institutions, and help support their implementation.
Timeframe: Year 1 - Year 5
Hold a forum in year one with reptile conservation researchers and managers to
identify research gaps that focus on assisting management and recovery of species.
Develop a priority list of research projects and determine a strategic approach for
research effort in the QBB bioregion.
In year two to five distribute a list of research projects to tertiary institutions.
Encourage project uptake, provide technical support, resources and/or funding for
on-ground works. Ensure that project delivery contributes to the management and
recovery of the species, establishes a greater database of knowledge on reptile
distribution and that recovery plan revisions include the new information.
Potential contributors:
Reptile Recovery Team, EPA, Threatened Species Network, tertiary institutions (UQ,
CQU, JCU) Technical Working Group, Queensland Museum.
Action 5.3
Incorporate information on the species listed in this recovery plan into the Wildnet
database.
Timeframe: Year 1 – on-going
Establish a database to co-ordinate records of all known occurrences of this recovery
plan’s listed species. Advertise the existence of the database among Indigenous
Queensland Brigalow Belt Reptile Recovery Plan
- 32 -
communities, ecotourism industry, landholders and industries. Encourage the
reporting of sightings. Remap distribution data at five year review period.
Allow access to unclassified distributional and habitat data for co-ordination of
information, communication, and management purposes.
Potential contributors:
EPA.
Action 5.4
Establish the taxonomic status of the Darling Downs population of the lizard presently
known as Tympanocryptis pinguicolla.
Timeframe: Year 1 - Year 2
Establish taxonomic status of Tympanocryptis pinguicolla. If results show the species
found near Bongeen is distinct from other Tympanocryptis, name, described and
seek recognition of the new species. If appropriate nominate for listing under State
and Commonwealth legislation.
Potential contributors:
Queensland Museum, University of Queensland, EPA, Threatened Species Network,
Technical Working Group.
Action 5.5
Monitor and evaluate the plan applying an adaptive management approach.
Timeframe: Year 1 - Year 5
Members of the recovery team will review and update the recovery plan as
information becomes available. Include where necessary, individual participants from
the wider recovery networks (including policy and planning, communication and
scientific) as part of the review process. The Plans performance will be measured
against the performance criteria. Updates will be distributed to the Australian
Government Department of the Environment, Water, Heritage and the Arts and the
EPA as required.
Potential contributors:
Reptile Recovery Team.
Queensland Brigalow Belt Reptile Recovery Plan
- 33 -
Table 5: Summary of recovery plan objectives and management actions
Objective
Performance Criteria
Actions
1. Identify and protect key habitat
and important populations on
private and state controlled
lands through the development
of partnerships between
relevant stakeholders
1a) Key habitat and important populations
for threatened reptiles in the QBB is
identified and mapped by Year 2
1.1 Inspect and identify key habitat and important
populations for each species and prioritise for
management and for local government and community
engagement
1
1.2 Identify key threats and develop reptile habitat
management guidelines for key habitat
1
1.3 Negotiate management agreements and voluntary
conservation agreements for the protection of priority
management areas and key habitat areas, and
important populations in line with the recommended
management guidelines
1
2.1 Provide incentive mechanisms and facilitate community
on-ground projects for the protection of threatened
reptiles and their habitat across a suite of land tenures
1
2.2 Provide incentive mechanisms through resources and/or
technical advice and facilitate the up-take of appropriate
management of key habitat and threatening processes
for QBB reptile species by industry stakeholders
1
2.3 Work with local governments to protect reptile habitat on
the stock route network and shire roadsides and
reserves
2
2.4 Incorporate EPA ecological fire management guidelines
into property and reserve planning for key habitat areas
3
2.5 Encourage higher participation in integrated pest
management activities
2
1b) Appropriate guidelines are developed
and implemented to reduce the
effects of threatening processes in
key habitat and important population
areas within the QBB
1c) Number of landowners with improved
management practices and/or
negotiated voluntary conservation
agreements in the the QBB by Year 5
2. Reduce and manage the
major threatening processes
affecting threatened reptiles in
the Queensland Brigalow Belt
2a) Percentage of key reptile habitat
improved through on-ground works
or agreed conservation management
practices within the QBB
2b) Threatening processes impacting on
populations in key habitat areas
identified and managed more
effectively by Year 4
Queensland Brigalow Belt Reptile Recovery Plan
Priority
- 34 -
Objective
Performance Criteria
Actions
3. Ensure reptile conservation is
incorporated into appropriate
land management decisions
within all levels of government,
industry and community
3a) Incorporation of relevant information
from the reptile recovery plan
including key habitat areas into
appropriate local government, State
government and industry
management plans/strategies
3.1 Work with key stakeholders to incorporate relevant
information from the Queensland Brigalow Belt Reptile
Recovery Plan into relevant management policies,
strategies and plans
2
3.2 Work with NRM regional bodies to deliver region specific
information necessary for the implementation of onground reptile recovery actions
1
3.3 Maintain the Recovery Team to represent broad
stakeholder support
1
4.1 Prepare education material and undertake community
extension
1
4.2 Incorporate reptile conservation in Indigenous cultural
education activities
3
4.3 Maintain a working relationship with the Indigenous
community to progress Indigenous involvement in the
recovery program
2
5.1 Work with landholders and key stakeholders to
undertake monitoring programs on selected sites
3
5.2 Identify gaps in species research, develop research
priorities, provide research projects to tertiary and
research institutions, and help support their
implementation
1
5.3 Incorporate information on the species listed in this
recovery plan into the Wildnet database
2
3b) Relevant local government, State
government and industry bodies are
actively involved in the management
of threats by Year 4
4. Increase community
participation, awareness and
understanding in the
conservation and management
issues of threatened reptiles
4a) A minimum of two industry
stakeholders and six local government
regions participating in the recovery
program
4b) As developed, information is
disseminated and made accessible to
the public through appropriate media
Priority
4c) Increased involvement of Indigenous
community in recovery program by
Year 3
5. Increase knowledge and
understanding of the species
and their ecology necessary to
effect their conservation and
management
5a) Identification in Year 1 of priority
research needs through technical
workshops with researchers and
managers
5b) Co-ordinated information database
established by Year 1
Queensland Brigalow Belt Reptile Recovery Plan
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Objective
Performance Criteria
Queensland Brigalow Belt Reptile Recovery Plan
Actions
Priority
5.4 Establish the taxonomic status of the Darling Downs
population of the lizard presently known as
Tympancryptis pinguicolla
3
5.5 Monitor and evaluate the plan applying an adaptive
management approach
1
- 36 -
6.0 Management practices
The following management practices are recommended for the continued survival of
the 16 reptile species. These guidelines for habitat management are based on the
current knowledge of the biology of the species. As a general guide any management
practices undertaken in or adjacent to key reptile or potential reptile habitat within
QBB should be considered carefully. In particular activities increasing the impact of
one or more of the 12 threatening processes identified in this plan should be avoided
where possible. The list is by no means exhaustive and should be used as a guide
only.
• Landholder agreements for conservation
Where applicable habitat security and protection should be sought for key reptile
habitat through informal and landholder agreements, securing land under more
formal voluntary conservation agreements and through the purchase of land for
conservation protection purposes. Provision of on-going resources is required to
enable continued management of these sites.
• Managing the impact of feral animals
Grazing by stock and pigs is contributing to a loss of and destruction to reptile
habitat and needs to be managed by restricting stock access and erecting and/or
managing fences at key reptile habitat sites.
• Adaptive fire management
An adaptive approach is needed to fire management in areas of key reptile
habitat.
• Clearing of habitat in the vicinity of significant populations
Halt clearing and fragmentation of habitat in the vicinity of important reptile
populations and/or the presence of identified key reptile habitat.
• Monitoring and data collection
Habitat condition and species numbers should be monitored to ensure threats to
their key habitats are properly managed. Additionally research into information
gaps on species ecology and biology must continue to feed into on-ground
management.
• Roadside and stock route management
Appropriately manage roadsides and stock routes where potential and known
reptile habitat occurs.
Queensland Brigalow Belt Reptile Recovery Plan
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7.0 Cost of recovery
The cost of this plan will be met through various direct and indirect funding. The cost
of this recovery plan over the five years is estimated to be in the order of $1,613,424
as shown in Table 6.
Table 6: Summary of estimated costs for implementation of actions each year.
Action
1.1
1.2
1.3
2.1
2.2
2.3
2.4
2.6
3.1
3.2
3.3
4.1
4.2
4.3
5.1
5.2
5.3
5.4
5.5
Grand
Total
Year
2008
2009
54,150
13,770
98,081
60,950
19,759
11,720
6,620
15,894
1,462
7,884
8,640
19,600
6,080
9,342
0
82,071
418
TBA
7,370
423,811
9,310
13,770
98,081
60,950
19,759
0
2,300
11,708
1,462
0
8,640
13,326
6,080
9,342
31,051
0
418
TBA
7,370
293,567
20010
0
0
98,081
60,950
19,759
0
2,300
11,708
1,462
0
8,640
13,326
6,080
9,342
31,051
0
418
0
7,370
270,487
Queensland Brigalow Belt Reptile Recovery Plan
Total cost
2011
0
0
98,081
60,950
19,759
0
2,300
11,708
1,462
0
8,640
17,300
6,080
9,342
31,051
59,071
418
0
7,370
333,532
2012
0
0
98,081
60,950
19,759
0
2,300
11,708
1,462
0
8,640
13,326
6,080
9,342
31,051
0
18,818
0
10,510
292,027
63,460
27,540
490,405
304,750
98,795
11,720
15,820
62,726
7,310
7,884
43,200
76,878
30,400
46,710
124,204
141,142
20,490
TBA
39,990
1,613,424
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8.0 Evaluation of recovery plan
The Recovery Team is responsible for preparing, implementing, monitoring and
evaluating the recovery plan and will continue to monitor the progress and delivery of
the plan throughout the life of the plan. An evaluation report on the plan’s progress
will be provided annually. In addition to the Recovery Team, representatives from
associated networks i.e. scientific, planning and policy, and communications, may be
identified within the first year and asked to monitor and review the plan.
Implementation of the management actions will be assessed against the
performance criteria and amended where required to accommodate new information.
A full review of the recovery plan will be carried out by the Recovery Team in the
second half of 2012.
Queensland Brigalow Belt Reptile Recovery Plan
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Acknowledgements
Acknowledgement is made of the input of members of the current Queensland
Brigalow Belt Reptile Recovery Team (Alison Goodland, Geoff Lundie-Jenkins, Lin
Schwarzkopf, Melanie Venz, Michael Mathieson and Rod Hobson) as is the input
from past team members (Paul Donatiu, Lyn Pullen, Keryn Hyslop and Wendy Drury)
whose past work has contributed to the development of this plan. Members of the
Queensland Brigalow Belt Reptile Recovery Team wish to thank all those who
contributed to the community workshops and those involved in the Technical Working
Group. Thanks also to those involved in past and present recovery efforts for these
species.
Queensland Brigalow Belt Reptile Recovery Plan
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References
Cogger, H.G. 2000. Reptiles and amphibians of Australia (sixth edition). Reed New
Holland, Sydney
Cogger, H.G., Cameron, E.E., Sadlier, R.A. & Eggler, P. 1993. The action plan for
Australian reptiles. Australian Nature Conservation Agency, Canberra.
Covacevich, J.A. & Couper, P.J. 1996. Aspidites ramsayi (Boidae) in the Brigalow
Biogeographic Region of Queensland: occurrence, conservation status and possible
bilby associations. Memoirs of the Queensland Museum 39, pp. 243-246.
Covacevich, J.A., Couper, P.J. & McDonald, K.R. 1998. Reptile diversity at risk in the
Brigalow Belt, Queensland. Memoirs of the Queensland Museum 42(2), pp. 475-486.
Davidson, C. 1993. Recovery plan for the collared legless lizard (Delma torquata).
Australian Nature Conservation Agency, Brisbane.
DEWH&A (Department of Environment, Water, Heritage and the Arts). Firewood
consumption in Australia [online] Available from
http://www.environment.gov.au/land/pressures/firewood/facts.html
Eddie, C. 2002. Pers comm. Herpetologist, Environmental Protection Agency.
Ehmann, H. 1992. Encyclopedia of Australian animals: reptiles. Angus & Robertson.
Pymble, New South Wales.
Fitzgerald, M. 1996. Draft species management profile: Delma torquata. Species
management manual (vol 1). Department of Natural Resources, Brisbane.
Fitzgerald, M. 1996a. Draft species management profile: Egerina rugosa. Species
management manual (vol 1). Department of Natural Resources, Brisbane.
Goodland, A. 2005. Fact sheet: The importance of Grassy Ecosystems. Queensland
Murray Darling Committee Inc, Toowoomba.
Gow, G.F. 1976. Snakes of Australia. Angus and Robertson Publishers, Fortitude
Valley, Brisbane.
Greer, A.E., McDonald, K.R. & Lawrie, B.C. 1983. Three new species of Lerista
(Scincidae) from northern Queensland with a diagnosis of the wilkinsi species group.
Journal of herpetology 17(3), pp. 247-255.
Queensland Brigalow Belt Reptile Recovery Plan
- 41 -
Greer, A.E. & Cogger, H.G. 1985. Systematics of the reduce-limbed and limbless
skinks currently assigned to the genus Anomalopus (Lacertilia: Sincidae). Records of
the Australian Museum 37(1), pp. 11-54.
Low, T. 1978 The reptiles of Magnetic Island, Nth Queensland. Herpetofauna 9(2),
pp. 10-14.
McDonald, K.R., Covacevich, J.A., Ingram, G.J. & Couper, P.J. 1991. The status of
frogs and reptiles. Ingram G.J & Raven, R.J. (Eds.) An atlas of Queensland’s frogs,
reptiles, birds and mammals. Queensland Museum, Brisbane, pp. 338-345.
McFarland, D., Venz, M. & Reis, T. 1999. Priority species summaries. An attachment
to the report Terrestrial Vertebrate fauna of the Brigalow Belt south bioregion:
assessment and analysis for conservation planning. Biodiversity planning,
Environmental Protection Agency, Brisbane.
Osborne, W.S., Kukolic, K. & Williams, K.D. 1993. Conservation of reptiles in lowland
native grasslands in the Southern Tablelands of New South Wales and the Australian
Capital territory. Lunney, D. & Ayers, D. (Eds.) Herpetology in Australia: a diverse
discipline. Transactions of the Royal Zoological Society of New South Wales,
Mossman, New South Wales, pp. 151-158.
Osborne, W.S., Kukolic, K., Davis, M.S. & Blackburn, R. 1993a. Recent records of
the Earless Dragon Tympanocryptis lineata pinguicolla in the Canberra region and a
description of its habitat. Herpetofauna 23(1), pp. 16-25.
QDNRM (Queensland Department of Natural Resources and Mines). 2000. Land
cover change in Queensland 1997-1999. Department of Natural Resources and
Mines, Brisbane.
Queensland Herbarium. 2003. Remnant vegetation in Queensland: Analysis of
remnant vegetation 1997 – 1999 – 2000 – 2001, including regional ecosystem
information. Environmental Protection Agency, Brisbane.
Sattler, P.S. & Williams, R.D. (Eds) 1999. The conservation status of Queensland’s
bioregional ecosystems. Environmental Protection Agency, Brisbane.
Shine, R. 1980. Ecology of the death adder Acanthophis antarcticus (Elapidae):
Evidence for convergence with the viperidae. Herpetological 36(4), pp. 281-289.
Smith, W.J.S., Osborne, W.S., Donnellan, S.C. & Cooper, P.D. 1999. The systematic
status of earless dragon lizards, Tympanocrytpis (Reptilia: Agamidae), in southeastern Australia. Australian Journal of Zoology 47, pp. 551-564.
Queensland Brigalow Belt Reptile Recovery Plan
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Starr, C.R. and Leung, L.K.-P. 2006. Habitat use by the Darling Downs population of
the grassland earless dragon: implications for conservation. Journal of Wildlife
Management. 70, pp 897-903.
Swan, G. 1990. A field guide to the snakes and lizards of New South Wales. Three
Sisters Productions, New South Wales.
Tremul, P.R. 2000 Breeding, feeding and arboreality in Paradelma orientalis: a poorly
known, vulnerable pygopodid from Queensland, Australia. Memoirs of the
Queensland Museum 45(2), pp. 599-609.
Wilson, S. 2000. Pers Comm. Herpetologist, Queensland Museum
Wilson, S. 2005. A field guide to reptiles of Queensland. Reed New Holland,
Sydney.
Wilson, S.K & Knowles, D.G. 1988. Australia’s reptiles: a photographic reference to
the terrestrial reptiles of Australia. Collins Publishers, Sydney.
Wilson, S., & Swan, G. 2003. A complete guide to reptiles of Australia. Reed New
Holland, Sydney.
Vanderduys, E. 2006. Magnetic Island dwarf skink, Menitia sadlieri. Magnetic Island
News, 19 April 2006, Magnetic Island, Queensland [online] Available from
http://www.magnetictimes.com/index.php?d=45&ID=1700
Queensland Brigalow Belt Reptile Recovery Plan
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Appendix 1 - Recovery Team members
The Qld Brigalow Belt Reptile Recovery Team currently comprises of representatives
from Queensland Murray Darling Committee, James Cook University, Environmental
Protection Agency, and the Threatened Species Network.
In addition to the Recovery Team, a Recovery Network has been established
comprising of a policy and planning network, a scientific network and a
communications network. These networks include a range of stakeholders including:
Broadwater Natural History Association, Wildlife Preservation Society (Dalby),
Australia Zoo, Central Queensland University, University of Queensland, James
Cook University, Greening Australia and Landcare coordinators, NRM regional
bodies, Local Government Association of Queensland, Environmental Protection
Agency, Queensland Museum, local herpetologists and naturalists, the Australian
Government Department of the Environment and Heritage and Indigenous Land
Management Coordinators.
Current Recovery Team members
Name
Position
Organisation
Alison Goodland
Regional Biodiversity Officer
Queensland Murray Darling
Committee
Geoff LundieJenkins
Team leader Wildlife Conservation
Unit
Environmental Protection Agency
Rod Hobson
Ranger
Environmental Protection Agency
Melanie Venz
Zoologist
Environmental Protection Agency
Michael Mathieson
Senior zoologist
Environmental Protection Agency
Lin Schwarzkopf
Senior lecturer
James Cook University
Rebecca
Richardson
Threatened Species Network Coordinator Queensland
Threatened Species Network
Queensland Brigalow Belt Reptile Recovery Plan
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Appendix 2 - Maps
Figure 1: Natural Resource Management regional group boundaries within the Queensland
Brigalow Belt bioregion.
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Figure 2: Local government boundaries within the Queensland Brigalow Belt bioregion.
Figure 2: Local government boundaries within the Queensland Brigalow Belt Bioregion.
Queensland Brigalow Belt Reptile Recovery Plan
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Figure 3: Subregion boundaries within the Queensland Brigalow Belt bioregion.
Queensland Brigalow Belt Reptile Recovery Plan
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Appendix 3 – Species profiles
1.
Golden-tailed gecko Strophurus taenicauda
2.
Striped-tailed delma Delma labialis
3.
Collared delma Delma torquata
4.
Brigalow scaly-foot Paradelma orientalis
5.
Short-necked worm-skink Anomalopus brevicollis
6.
Five-clawed worm-skink Anomalopus mackayi
7.
Yakka skink Egernia rugosa
8.
Retro slider Lerista allanae
9.
Mount Cooper striped lerista Lerista vittata
10. Sadlier’s skink Menetia sadlieri
11. Darling Downs earless dragon Tympanocryptis pinguicolla
12. Woma Aspidites ramsayi
13. Common death adder Acanthophis antarcticus
14. Ornamental snake Denisonia maculata
15. Dunmall’s snake Furina dunmalli
16. Grey snake Hemiaspis damelii
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Golden-tailed gecko Strophurus taenicauda
Conservation status
ƒ
Qld – Rare.
Description
Reaches an average total length of about 15.5cm with a rather long, slender tail. The
background colour of the species is entirely grey to almost white, and marked on the
head, body and limbs with black patches. These black patches occur more densely
towards the tail. A distinctive bright orange to brown stripe on its tail, extending on to
the hind part of the body. Eyes are bright orange to red with beautifully intricate
markings (Wilson & Knowles 1988; Ehmann 1992; Cogger 2000).
Distribution
Endemic to Queensland, with its range virtually confined to the southern half of the
Brigalow Belt bioregion. Occurs from the Darling Downs, north to Rockhampton, and
north-west to Alpha (Covacevich et al 1998). The distribution of this species has
contracted due to land clearing for agriculture and grazing.
Habitat
Warm, temperate dry sclerophyll forests and woodlands and Callitris woodlands in
the south-east interior of Queensland. Shelter sites include hollow limbs and loose
bark on standing trees (Cogger et al 1993; Wilson & Knowles 1988).
Life history/ecology
An arboreal gecko. Its natural climbing movements are slow, precise and deliberate.
Usually encountered resting its head downwards on saplings or tree trunks (Wilson &
Knowles 1988). Members of this genus are capable of producing a viscous fluid from
the tail (Ehmann 1992). Lays two parchment shelled eggs per clutch (Cogger et al
1993; Wilson & Knowles 1988). Feeds on arthropods including insects (Cogger et al
1993).
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Queensland Brigalow Belt Reptile Recovery Plan
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Striped-tailed delma Delma labialis
Conservation Status
ƒ
EPBC - Vulnerable
ƒ
Qld - Vulnerable
ƒ
IUCN - Vulnerable
Description
Reddish brown or grey brown reptile reaching approximately 10cm. Yellower on head
and greyer on tail. Tail about four times the length of the body. Very distinctive
pattern; a lateral row of cream and pale yellowish brown vertical bars between lips
and forebody and a narrow dark dorsolateral stripe from posterior body onto tail.
Snout long, midbody scales in 16 rows (Wilson & Swan 2003).
Distribution
Endemic to Queensland. Found in the Central Queensland Coast south to Keswick
Island off Mackay. Also recorded in the far northern Brigalow Belt from Magnetic
Island and a few localities on the mainland near Townsville, to the foothills below
Paluma (Wilson 2005).
Habitat
On the mainland the species prefers low open coastal forest with grassy understorey.
It has also been recorded in wet sclerophyll forest and open woodland near beaches.
The species has been recorded sheltering beneath sheets of iron (Low 1978).
Life history/ecology
Diurnal, extremely wary, usually seen fleetingly. Usually lays a clutch of two eggs.
Feeds on a variety of arthropods.
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Queensland Brigalow Belt Reptile Recovery Plan
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Collared delma Delma torquata
Conservation status
ƒ
EPBC – Vulnerable
ƒ
Qld – Vulnerable
ƒ
IUCN - Vulnerable
Description
A small, slender legless lizard which grows to a total length of 15cm. Well-developed
hind limb flaps and conspicuous external ear-openings. Brownish grey above, paler
below. The head and neck is strongly banded with broad black and narrow yellow/red
bands. Scales in 16 rows at mid-body. Snout relatively short and blunt (Cogger
2000).
Distribution
Endemic to Queensland, only known from south-eastern Queensland. Ulam (near
Rockhampton) in the north to Kenmore in the south, inland to Bunya Mountains and
Millmerran. The Ulam record may have represented an isolated population some
distance north of the range of the main population. Based on recent museum
records, the northern limit of range may have contracted to Gympie. Currently less
than 20 localities are known. The best known population occurs in the Moggill/Mt
Crosby area (Cogger et al 1993).
Habitat
Recorded from rocky areas associated with dry open forests. Occurs in open
eucalypt and acacia woodland with an understorey of native grasses and loose
rocks. Also recorded from eucalypt woodland adjacent to semi-evergreen vine
thicket. Shelters under rocks, fallen timber, leaf litter and in soil cracks (Wilson &
Swan 2005).
Life history/ecology
A secretive, burrowing skink which is active during the day. Presumed to be
solitary and long-lived (>5 years) (McFarland et al 1999). Delmas produce a
defensive display interpreted as mimicking snake species. All delmas are
egg laying species, most laying two eggs in a clutch (Fitzgerald 1996).
Feeds on small arthropods including native cockroaches (Davidson 1993).
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Queensland Brigalow Belt Reptile Recovery Plan
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Brigalow scaly-foot Paradelma orientalis
Conservation Status
ƒ
EPBC – Vulnerable
ƒ
Qld – Vulnerable
ƒ
IUCN - Vulnerable
Description
Legless lizard with a lead grey to greyish brown colour. Grows to approximately
16cm with tail about twice the length of the body. Base of head cream to pale brown,
darkening towards snout and contrasting sharply with black bar on nape. Robust with
round snout and moderately large limb-flaps. Scales smooth and glossy in 18
(occasionally 20) rows (Wilson & Swan 2003).
Distribution
Endemic to Queensland. Mostly occurs in the Brigalow Belt from Inglewood, north to
Emerald and east to Gladstone (Cogger et al 1993).
Habitat
Found on sandstone ridges, woodlands and vine thickets, including Brigalow.
Shelters beneath sandstone slabs, logs dense leaf litter and in grass tussocks, also
known to climb small trees (Wilson & Swan 2003). Found in open forests and
woodlands, especially ironbark, cypress pine, brigalow, bull oak, spotted gum, vine
scrubs and Acacia falciformis woodlands. On Boyne Islands species were recorded
in Acacia falciformis trees. Species appeared to only use the trunk and main
branches, and climb to heights in excess of 2m (Tremul 2000).
Life history/ecology
Nocturnal. When alarmed rears its head and fore body and flickers its tongue,
possibly to mimic venomous snakes. Primarily terrestrial, however has been
recorded climbing the rough bark of wattles, possibly to lick exuding sap. On Boyne
Island, sap from Acacia falciformis forms a major portion of the diet of both adults
and juveniles. Studies on a captured female species from Boyne Island recorded the
species laying two eggs in captivity in early November with the eggs hatching in late
January (Tremul 2000).
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Queensland Brigalow Belt Reptile Recovery Plan
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Short-necked worm-skink Anomalopus brevicollis
Conservation status
ƒ
Qld - Rare
Description
A small, limbless, burrowing skink. Head and body length about 11-16cm. Body light
tan to buff colour, darker bluish-brown colour on the head and tail. A dark speckle on
each scale creates a pattern of dotted lines along the length of the animal. Belly
whitish or flesh coloured. Chin and throat spotted with dark brown. (Ehmann 1992;
Cogger 2000; Wilson & Knowles 1988). Snout rounded. Ear-opening hidden. Limbs
entirely absent (Cogger 2000).
Distribution
Endemic to Queensland, found in central-eastern Queensland. Restricted to the
northern half of the Mackenzie/Fitzroy/Dawson catchment, from Eungella in the north
to Clermont in the west and south to Theodore (Greer & Cogger 1985). Much of this
species range is threatened by habitat clearance.
Habitat
A habitat generalist, vegetation types including dry sclerophyll forest, monsoon
rainforest, and permanently moist rainforest (Greer & Cogger 1985). Also recorded
from vine scrub on rock outcrops. Found in leaf litter and under rocks and fallen
timber on well-draining soils.
Life history/ecology
A burrowing species. When disturbed, the species burrows deeper into soft
substrates or into rock crevices. (Wilson & Knowles 1988). Produces clutches of one
or two eggs, however gestation time has not been recorded (Greer & Cogger 1985).
Feeds on invertebrates, possibly crawling insects and insect larvae.
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Queensland Brigalow Belt Reptile Recovery Plan
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Five-clawed worm-skink Anomalopus mackayi
Conservation status
ƒ
EPBC – Vulnerable
ƒ
Qld – Endangered
ƒ
IUCN - Vulnerable
Description
A medium-sized, reduced-limbed skink, with three fingers and two toes. Grows to a
total length of 27cm. Dark brown to greyish-brown above, pale yellow-green below.
Individual scales have a dark spot in the centre, which is more conspicuous in
northern populations (Cogger 2000).
Distribution
Distributed throughout a relatively small area in sub-humid regions along the western
slopes of the Great Dividing Range, in north-eastern New South Wales and southeastern Queensland. Records in the last 20 years have only come from Oakey in the
Dalby region of Queensland and Wallangra, Mungindi and Wee Waa regions of New
South Wales. The total range of the species appears to have contracted eastwards
(Cogger et al 1993). Largely confined to relict roadside verges (Wilson 2005).
Habitat
The species is found in open woodland areas with low closely spaced tussock
grasses and scattered eucalypts. This type of woodland is generally supported by
deep cracking inundation-prone dark clay loams adjacent to or on the lower slopes of
slight rises (usually of reddish soil). Individuals also occur in open grassy paddocks
with scattered eucalypts and moist black soil (Ehmann 1992; Swan 1990).
Life history/ecology
Lives in permanent tunnel-like burrows under well-embedded logs and deep in
cracks when the near-surface soil dries. Also found under rocks. The few known
adults collected in spring were reproductively active, with females carrying one or two
eggs. In captivity, A. mackayi readily eats crawling insects and insect larvae
(Ehmann 1992).
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Queensland Brigalow Belt Reptile Recovery Plan
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Yakka skink Egernia rugosa
Conservation status
ƒ
EPBC – Vulnerable
ƒ
Qld - Vulnerable
Description
A large, robustly built skink with a notably thick tail. Grows to a total length of about
40cm with short legs and claws. A broad, dark brown to black stripe extends along
the back from the nape to the tail. Individual scales within this stripe can be
variegated with dark and medium brown. This dark stripe is bordered on either side
by a narrow, pale fawn stripe. The upper lips are whitish to reddish brown,
contrasting with darker adjacent scales. Belly and ventral surfaces are cream to
yellowish orange. Throat often with blackish flecks. Scales in 26-30 rows at mid-body
(Cogger 2000).
Distribution
Isolated populations throughout subhumid to semi-arid areas in the interior of
Queensland from St George in the south to Coen and Cape York Peninsula in the
north. In the southern half of the Brigalow Belt it occurs near Rockhampton, south to
St George and west to Chesterton Range National Park. Populations have recently
been discovered at Thurshton National Park and Culgoa Floodplain National Park
(Eddie pers comm.. 2002).
Habitat
Among dense ground vegetation, fallen timber or rock outcrops in open dry
sclerophyll forest (ironbark) or woodland, brigalow forest, open shrub land, and
lancewood forest on coarse gritty soils in the vicinity of low ranges, foothills and
undulating terrain with good drainage (Cogger 2000; Ehmann 1992; Fitzgerald
1996a).
Life history/ecology
Mostly diurnal. Occurs in small colonies within its range. Individuals dig a deep
burrow system under and between partly buried rocks or logs, or into old root tracts
at the base of remnant stumps. An extremely secretive species, its presence often
indicated by a frequently used defecation site near the burrow entrance (Wilson &
Swan 2003). Produces live young, rarely bears more than 6 per litter. (Wilson &
Knowles 1988). Omnivorous, consumes a wide variety of invertebrates and
arthropods that venture into or near the burrow entrance. During the day and on
warm nights, the species makes short ventures for soft plant material and fruits
(Ehmann 1992).
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Queensland Brigalow Belt Reptile Recovery Plan
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Retro slider Lerista allanae
Conservation status
ƒ
EPBC – Endangered
ƒ
IUCN - Critically Endangered
Description
Moderately robust, with no forelimb and one digit on hindlimb. Lower eyelid
moveable. Brown to greyish brown with a dark spot on each dorsal and lateral scale
and dark-edged ventral scales, particularly under tail (Wilson & Swan 2003).
Distribution
Endemic to the Brigalow Belt bioregion. Only known from undulating black soil plains
at Clermont, Logan Downs Station and Retro Station. Feared extinct, extensive
searches by herpetologists over recent years have failed to locate specimens (Wilson
& Swan 2003).
Habitat
The region has undergone extensive agricultural modification that the original habitat
requirements are largely unknown (Wilson 2005). Found under rocks, one specimen
recorded under a grass tussock in heavy clay-based soil.
Life history/ecology
Very little is known about the life history and ecology of this species due to its status
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Queensland Brigalow Belt Reptile Recovery Plan
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Mount Cooper Striped Lerista Lerista vittata
Conservation Status
ƒ
EPBC – Vulnerable
ƒ
Qld – Vulnerable
ƒ
IUCN - Endangered
Description
Slender, appearing vitually limbless; no trace of forelimb, hindlimb minute with one
digit. Lower eyelid moveable. Prefrontal scales absent. Silvery grey to silvery brown
with four narrow dark dorsal lines and dark brown lateral stripe. Tails of juvenile and
subadults flushed with orange (Wilson & Swan 2003).
Distribution
Endemic to Queensland, restricted to a small area around Mt Cooper Station near
Charter Towers (Wilson 2005).
Habitat
Only known from vine thickets on soft sandy soils (Wilson & Swan 2003). Found
burrowed in leaf litter and loose soil under logs in deciduous vine thicket growing on
yellowish-red deep sandy soils (Greer et al 1983). Also found in open patches of low
vegetation, extending into heavier soils supporting woodlands (Wilson & Knowles
1988).
Life history/ecology
Very little is known about the life history and ecology of this species.
Queensland Brigalow Belt Reptile Recovery Plan
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Queensland Brigalow Belt Reptile Recovery Plan
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Sadlier’s Skink Menetia sadlieri
Conservation Status
ƒ
Qld - Rare
Description
Drably marked, shades of brown with some gold flecking and an oily bluish sheen
over some of the scales and no pale midlateral stripe. Pale brown with narrow paler
dorsolateral stripe and dark brown flanks (Wilson 2003). Approximately 63 mm fully
grown (Vanderduys 2006).
Distribution
Endemic to Queensland, only known from Magnetic Island (Wilson & Swan 2003). It
is unknown whether it occurs on the granite boulder hills that dominate the island.
Within the lowlands, it seems to prefer seasonally dry Melaleuca swamps and areas
with thick leaf litter. M. sadlieri may occur on parts of the nearby mainland, but no
targeted surveys have been conducted to clarify this (Vanderduys 2006).
Habitat
Basic habitat requirements are poorly understood. Most surveyed species have been
from the low lying areas on Magnetic Island.
Life history/ecology
Very little is known about the ecology of this species. Studies have shown that one
female laid two eggs, each about 7 X 3.1mm and weighing just 0.05g, but these
failed to hatch in captivity. They tend to warm up underneath sun-warmed leaf litter,
in this way reducing their exposure to potential predators. When they are disturbed
they are quick to vanish under leaf litter and even into friable soil (Vanderduys 2006).
Queensland Brigalow Belt Reptile Recovery Plan
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Queensland Brigalow Belt Reptile Recovery Plan
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Darling Downs earless dragon Tympanocryptis pinguicolla
Conservation status
ƒ
EPBC - Endangered
ƒ
Qld - Endangered
Description
A small, plump, spiny earless dragon lizard. Well camouflaged, with prominent pale
stripes. The chin and throat may be yellow, marbled with black. Average size is 12cm
(Wilson pers. comm. 2000).
Distribution
In Queensland this species has been recorded from the Oakey area including the
Bongeen, Bowenville, Brookstead and Mt Tyson region in the Darling Downs (Smith
et al 1999). T. pinguicolla is known from parts of southern and central Victoria and
from the Southern Tablelands of New South Wales and the Australian Capital
Territory (Osborne et al 1993a).
Habitat
The Queensland population seems to survive in an intensely cropped area in the
Darling Downs. Prior to cropping, this area was natural treeless grassland. The soil is
cracking black clay, which seems to provide the lizards with ample holes to disappear
in. This species has been found sheltering under surface rocks or in rocky outcrops.
Life history/ecology
Disappears into soil cracks when disturbed. Reproduction unknown, however three
females of T. lineata from the Barkly Tableland carried 9-11 eggs when taken at the
end of January. Diet also largely unknown, however gut contents of three specimens
of T. lineata from the Barkly Tableland included ants, beetles, small cockroaches and
a silverfish (Ehmann 1992).
Queensland Brigalow Belt Reptile Recovery Plan
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Queensland Brigalow Belt Reptile Recovery Plan
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Woma Aspidites ramsayi
Conservation Status
ƒ
Qld - Rare
ƒ
IUCN - Endangered
ƒ
CITES - Appendix II
Description
A large python with an average length of 1.5m and a maximum about 2.7m. The
background colour of this python is a glossy yellowish or reddish brown to a pale
greenish brown, with numerous dark transverse bands on the body and tail. Belly is
cream to yellow, with numerous pink or brown blotches. Juveniles bear a
conspicuous dark patch over each eye, which may be retained to adulthood
especially in populations from the south-eastern interior of Queensland (Wilson &
Knowles 1988; Ehmann 1992; Cogger 2000).
Distribution
Widespread throughout arid and semi-arid Australia. In Queensland, A. ramsayi
occurs in the dry subtropics from the Northern Territory border to the Yuleba/Surat/St
George area in the western margins of the Brigalow Belt. These populations appear
to be isolated from those in the far west of the state, presumably as a result of
European land use in the Mitchell Grasslands and Mulga Lands. The species no
longer occurs in the 500km stretch from the Betoota area in the west, to the
Charleville/Morven/Augathella area in the east (Covacevich & Couper 1996).
Habitat
In the Brigalow Belt, occurs on black soils and in stony ridge country in brigalow
Acacia harpophylla woodland and grasslands. Populations in the Brigalow Belt are
not protected in national parks, although State Forests 328 (Yuleba) and 75, 41, 60
and 48 (in the St George area) are important potential refuges for the species, should
habitat clearance continue to expand agriculture in the region (Covacevich & Couper
1996).
Life history/ecology
It is generally nocturnal but may be encountered basking in the sun during suitable
conditions. It shelters in hollow logs, animal burrows or thick herbage during the day
(Cogger 2000; Wilson & Knowles 1988; Ehmann 1992). An egg layer, laying up to 22
eggs (Wilson & Knowles 1988). It incubates and protects its eggs by coiling its body
around the clutch almost continually until they hatch (Cogger 2000). Forages in the
evening and at night, taking reptiles, ground birds and small mammals, including the
introduced hare and rabbit (Covacevich & Couper 1996).
Queensland Brigalow Belt Reptile Recovery Plan
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Queensland Brigalow Belt Reptile Recovery Plan
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Common death adder Acanthophis antarcticus
Conservation status
ƒ
Qld - Rare
Description
A short, stout bodied snake with a large, triangular head and a thin rat-like tail ending
in a curved soft spine. The tail tip is cream or black, the body is either grey to rich
reddish-brown. The body is striated by irregular dark-edged cross-bands. The belly is
whitish and flecked with black or brown. Eye small and inconspicuous. Grows to a
length of 70cm – 100cm, although the average size is 40cm (Cogger 2000).
Distribution
Occurs from the Gulf region of the Northern Territory across to central and eastern
Queensland and New South Wales then through southern parts of South Australia
and Western Australia (Cogger 2000). The species occurs sporadically across the
southern half of the Brigalow Belt bioregion. Formally abundant in many areas,
however has undergone a dramatic reduction in numbers
Habitat
Occur in a wide variety of habitats, including rainforests, wet sclerophyll, woodland,
grasslands, chenopod dominated shrublands and coastal heathlands (Wilson &
Knowles 1988). They are particularly associated with deep leaf litter (Ehmann 1992).
Life history/ecology
A secretive snake, diurnal and nocturnal. Unlike other Australian elapids members of
this genus tend to rely on cryptic coloration to avoid detection. Ambushes its prey
while half-buried in sand, soil or litter, often at the bases of trees or shrubs (Wilson &
Knowles 1988). Sexual maturity is attained at 24 months for males and 42 months for
females. Females reproduce only every second year, with mating usually occurring in
spring (Shine 1980). Litter size varies from 2 to 32 (Ehmann 1992), young are born
live, usually in autumn and are about 12cm long. Feeds mainly on lizards and small
mammals, and to a lesser extent, birds and frogs. Young individuals usually feed on
reptiles and frogs, whereas adults feed on a greater percentage of mammals and
birds. They are slow growing and have a lower food intake compared with other
snakes (Shine 1980).
Queensland Brigalow Belt Reptile Recovery Plan
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Queensland Brigalow Belt Reptile Recovery Plan
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Ornamental snake Denisonia maculata
Conservation status
ƒ
EPBC - Vulnerable
ƒ
Qld - Vulnerable
ƒ
IUCN -Vulnerable
Description
A stout bodied snake which grows to a total length of about 50cm. The overall body
colour is brown, greyish brown or almost black, undersurfaces are cream, often with
darker streaks or flecks on the outer edges of the belly. The skin between the scales
is black. The entire head, and at least the forebody, is very finely peppered with dark
brown or black. Lips distinctly barred. Scales smooth, in 17 rows at mid-body
(Ehmann 1992; Wilson & Knowles 1988: Cogger 2000).
Distribution
Restricted to the Dawson and Fitzroy River drainage of central coastal Queensland.
The geographic range of this species is not known to have declined, although
considering the extent of habitat clearance in the region, it is highly likely to be at risk
of extinction. The species is sparsely distributed within its range (Ehmann 1992;
McDonald et.al 1991).
Habitat
Lower-lying subtropical areas with deep-cracking clay soils and adjacent slightly
elevated ground of clayey and sandy loams. Vegetation of woodland and shrub land,
including some briglaow Acacia harpophylla, and also riverside woodland and open
forest, especially on natural levees (Ehmann 1992).
Life history/ecology
A nocturnal snake, shelters under fallen timber and bark and in deep soil cracks.
Capable of flattening its body when aroused or when squeezing through a narrow
space. This mechanism is also used as a defence posture in which the body is
greatly depressed and held in a series of stiff curves, from which it will thrash about
and bite savagely if approached. A live-bearing species. Average 6-8 young per litter
(Cogger 2000). Feeds almost exclusively on frogs (Ehmann 1992).
Queensland Brigalow Belt Reptile Recovery Plan
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Queensland Brigalow Belt Reptile Recovery Plan
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Dunmall’s snake Furina dunmalli
Conservation status
ƒ
EPBC - Vulnerable
ƒ
Qld - Vulnerable
ƒ
IUCN - Vulnerable
Description
Uniform dark grey-brown colour above, fading to white on lower flanks. The scales of
the body are smooth and light-edged. Most of the upper lip scales have pale blotches
in the centre or on the posterior edge. This species reaches a total length of about
60cm. Mid-body scales in 21 rows (Ehmann 1992; Cogger 2000).
Distribution
South-eastern interior of Queensland, especially the Darling Downs. Almost entirely
restricted to the southern half of the Brigalow Belt bioregion. The range extends from
Yeppoon and the Expedition Range in the north, to Oakey, Glenmorgan and
Inglewood in the south. Most locality records are between 200 and 500 metres in
altitude (Cogger et al 1993).
Habitat
Open forest and woodland, particularly brigalow Acacia harpophylla forest and
woodland, growing on floodplains of deep-cracking black clay and clay loam soils
(Cogger et al 1993). Utilises fallen timber and possibly also leaf litter and earth
cracks (Ehmann 1992). Most of the habitat of this species has been extensively
modified for agriculture and grazing (Cogger et al 1993).
Life history/ecology
Captive specimens indicate that F. dunmalli is a docile, terrestrial, nocturnal snake. It
appears to be a cryptozoic species (lives in hidden or dark places) and shelters
under fallen timber which is embedded in deep-cracking clay soils. It is active on the
surface at night. Although venomous it is disinclined to bite when molested (Ehmann
1992; Gow 1976). An egg layer, although breeding season and clutch size has not
been recorded. Feeds on small skinks and geckos (Gow 1976).
Queensland Brigalow Belt Reptile Recovery Plan
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Queensland Brigalow Belt Reptile Recovery Plan
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Grey snake Hemiaspis damelii
Conservation status
ƒ
Qld - Endangered
Description
Uniform greyish brown or grey above, the sides usually grade to a uniform pale
shade of grey. Belly white or cream with a few darker flecks. The iris is mostly black
with a fine silvery brown rim around the pupil. Scales smooth, in 17 rows at mid-body.
Reaches a total length of about 71cm (Cogger 2000; Ehmann 1992).
Distribution
Occurs from the Fitzroy River drainage near Rockhampton in central Queensland, to
the southern interior of New South Wales. Most records for the species in the
Brigalow Belt occur south of the Great Dividing Range west to Roma.
Habitat
Temperate to subtropical inland flood plains. Under logs, bark and soil cracks, in
vegetation of open forest, open woodland and their riverine equivalents. Usually
associated with deep, cracking, clayey and loamy soils (Ehmann 1992). Shelters
under fallen and embedded timber, usually stranded after floating into place on
floodwaters. When forced from shelter sites by floods, it takes refuge amongst
emergent bushes.
Life history/ecology
Nocturnal and terrestrial. Forages actively on the surface in the evening and on
warm, wet nights. Bears 4-16 young (average 10) each year from January to March.
Females mature in 12 months and males take the same time or slightly less. Feeds
mainly on terrestrial frogs, and occasionally on lizards (Ehmann 1992).
Queensland Brigalow Belt Reptile Recovery Plan
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Queensland Brigalow Belt Reptile Recovery Plan
- 80 -
APPENDIX 4 – Species distribution
Table 1, 2 and 3 summarise the distribution of the species within subregions, local government regions and NRM regions of the QBB. The figures refer to the
number of individual sightings.
Anakie Inlier
Arcadia
1
3
6
5
Balonne - Culgoa Fan, Culgoa-Bokhara
4
Hemiaspis
damelii
Furina dunmalli
Denisonia
maculata
Acanthophis
antarcticus
Aspidites ramsayi
Tympanocryptis
pinguicolla
Menetia sadlieri
Lerista vittata
Lerista allanae
Egernia rugosa
Anomalopus
mackayi
Anomalopus
brevicollis
Paradelma
orientalis
Delma torquata
Delma labialis
Subregion
Strophurus
taenicauda
Table 1: Species distribution in subregions
1
2
2
20
1
Banana - Auburn Ranges
33
22
Barakula
40
14
Basalt Downs
3
7
Belyando Downs
Bogie River Hills
1
1
8
1
1
13
3
1
5
3
8
3
2
Callide Creek Downs
1
Claude River Downs
Dawson River Downs
1
29
1
5
3
17
1
10
8
Queensland Brigalow Belt Reptile Recovery Plan
65
1
60
3
46
8
3
2
87
19
1
11
1
Cape River Hills
Carnarvon Ranges
6
1
2
Buckland Basalts
1
5
6
Boomer Range
Grand Total
2
4
1
6
8
3
91
2
3
60
25
3
4
- 81 -
4
30
Dulacca Downs
1
Eastern Darling Downs
16
Inglewood Sandstones
11
Isaac - Comet Downs
12
13
2
33
17
2
3
5
1
1
Moonie - Barwon Interfluve, Collarenebri
Interfluve
1
Moonie R. - Commoron Creek Floodout
2
Mount Morgan Ranges
1
5
54
1
4
Northern Bowen Basin
1
1
5
1
1
3
Southern Downs
9
Tara Downs
5
Taroom Downs
3
Townsville Plains
1
Weribone High
9
Woorabinda
3
183
Hemiaspis
damelii
Furina dunmalli
Denisonia
maculata
26
77
7
72
16
1
56
2
1
7
10
8
45
26
146
5
23
2
7
12
3
1
12
1
68
73
7
16
9
5
3
25
8
3
5
2
5
1
2
3
2
1
8
10
13
11
Queensland Brigalow Belt Reptile Recovery Plan
15
177
130
64
8
87
- 82 -
5
5
47
72
15
34
1
6
25
4
3
2
13
3
2
10
Wyarra Hills
Grand Total
1
6
10
Warrambool-Moonie
5
2
3
1
Grand Total
6
5
4
South Drummond Basin
10
10
5
2
4
3
Macintyre - Weir Fan, Castlereagh-Barwon
Marlborough Plains
Acanthophis
antarcticus
Aspidites ramsayi
Tympanocryptis
pinguicolla
Menetia sadlieri
Lerista vittata
Lerista allanae
Egernia rugosa
Anomalopus
mackayi
Anomalopus
brevicollis
Paradelma
orientalis
Delma torquata
Delma labialis
Strophurus
taenicauda
Subregion
96
2
8
41
6
29
1
1
169
22
102
1134
1
Booringa shire
3
Bowen shire
1
22
8
2
18
21
7
4
6
2
6
2
Chinchilla shire
26
2
1
Dalby town
2
3
2
Eidsvold shire
18
Emerald shire
11
14
15
Hemiaspis damelii
Denisonia maculata
Furina dunmalli
57
5
65
1
67
3
19
1
17
3
2
9
1
5
12
1
15
3
3
9
44
2
2
7
1
2
3
1
6
1
3
91
2
8
53
5
23
2
1
Inglewood shire
Queensland Brigalow Belt Reptile Recovery Plan
4
18
3
87
9
Grand Total
2
Dalrymple shire
Duaringa shire
11
54
5
5
Acanthophis antarcticus
Aspidites ramsayi
Tympanocryptis
pinguicolla
Menetia sadlieri
1
2
6
6
7
3
14
Calliope shire
Fitzroy shire
5
1
Broadsound shire
Bungil shire
Lerista vittata
4
Belyando shire
Bendemere shire
Lerista allanae
13
Egernia rugosa
Bauhinia shire
Anomalopus mackayi
10
Anomalopus brevicollis
Banana shire
Paradelma orientalis
2
Delma torquata
Balonne shire
Delma labialis
Shire
Strophurus taenicauda
Table 2: Species distribution in local government regions
3
9
3
10
1
36
1
2
2
2
15
24
8
- 83 -
1
33
5
Millmerran shire
2
Monto shire
Mundubbera shire
2
Hemiaspis damelii
Furina dunmalli
Grand Total
2
6
Livingston shire
1
16
5
2
3
11
1
29
5
1
10
16
8
3
27
9
2
1
12
Murilla shire
9
1
Murweh shire
2
12
Nebo shire
4
1
2
5
6
2
8
Peak Downs shire
4
8
Pittsworth shire
6
3
Rockhampton city
38
4
23
1
20
2
3
29
3
3
42
1
16
Taroom shire
18
Townsville city
4
2
26
107
1
2
3
1
2
12
3
9
1
Queensland Brigalow Belt Reptile Recovery Plan
5
3
4
1
4
6
26
23
1
Tara shire
27
7
1
Tambo shire
2
4
Roma town
Waggamba shire
Denisonia maculata
1
Jondaryan shire
Rosalie shire
Acanthophis antarcticus
Aspidites ramsayi
Tympanocryptis
pinguicolla
Menetia sadlieri
Lerista vittata
Lerista allanae
Egernia rugosa
Anomalopus mackayi
Anomalopus brevicollis
Paradelma orientalis
1
Delma torquata
Strophurus taenicauda
Jericho shire
Delma labialis
Shire
1
5
2
5
26
7
82
62
8
3
- 84 -
15
22
1
3
19
Strophurus taenicauda
Wambo shire
7
Grand Total
183
11
15
Queensland Brigalow Belt Reptile Recovery Plan
177
2
Warwick shire
130
Warroo shire
13
64
8
87
- 85 -
5
4
5
2
3
1
47
2
96
2
169
5
Wondai shire
22
Hemiaspis damelii
Furina dunmalli
Denisonia maculata
Acanthophis antarcticus
Aspidites ramsayi
Tympanocryptis
pinguicolla
Menetia sadlieri
Lerista vittata
Lerista allanae
Egernia rugosa
Anomalopus mackayi
Anomalopus brevicollis
Paradelma orientalis
Delma torquata
Delma labialis
Shire
10
1
1
Grand Total
28
8
4
4
4
102
1134
41
South West NRM Ltd
2
Grand Total
183
Queensland Brigalow Belt Reptile Recovery Plan
15
13
122
15
1
177
130
4
32
13
5
7
1
6
27
102
105
8
30
508
1
8
41
236
43
4
6
2
47
96
- 86 -
87
5
5
65
25
41
8
4
10
17
64
Grand Total
193
4
5
11
62
Hemiaspis damelii
9
15
12
Furina dunmalli
35
5
Denisonia maculata
Qld Murray Darling Committee Inc
87
Acanthophis antarcticus
101
1
Aspidites ramsayi
6
7
Tympanocryptis pinguicolla
72
Menetia sadlieri
31
Fitzroy Basin Association
Lerista vittata
Condamine Alliance
Lerista allanae
42
7
Egernia rugosa
Burnett Mary Reg Group NRM Inc
Anomalopus mackayi
11
Anomalopus brevicollis
1
Paradelma orientalis
Delma labialis
Burdekin Dry Tropics Board
Delma torquata
NRM Regional Body
Strophurus taenicauda
Table 3: Species distribution in NRM regions
30
169
22
102
1134