Refugia for biological diversity in arid and semi-arid Australia
Biodiversity Series, Paper No. 4
S.R. Morton, J. Short and R.D. Barker, with an Appendix by G.F. Griffin and G. Pearce
Biodiversity Unit
Department of the Environment, Sport and Territories, 1995
10. Refugia in Western Australia (continued)
10.5. Reference number WA5
Refuge area: Islands of Exmouth Gulf
Biogeographic region: Carnarvon
Type of refuge: Islands
Lat./Long. 22°25’S / 114°11’E; 22°08’S / 114°10’E
Quality of refuge: Significant (3)
Area (km²): <100
Chief refuge value
Islands free of foxes and cats and of human influence.
General description
Includes Roberts, Simpson and Doole Islands; Doole Island is 350 ha, and Simpson Island is 60 ha.
ANZECC-listed species
The Shark Bay mouse Pseudomys fieldi (E) was reintroduced to Doole Island (22° 28' S / 114° 10' E) in 19932.
Regional endemics
None identified.
Relict species
Tunney's Rat Rattus tunneyi present on Simpson and Roberts Islands – retreated from southern coastal areas from Geraldton to Karratha1, 3.
Other significant species
Macropus robustus on Simpson Island4.
Key threats
Introduced species, particularly predators such as the fox and cat.
Land tenure
Doole Island recently became a Nature Reserve; status of other islands is unknown.
Key references
1. Start and McKenzie (1992/3)
2. Speldewinde et al. (1994)
3. Kitchener and Vicker (1981)
4. Burbidge (1989)
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