Publications
S.R. Morton, J. Short and R.D. Barker
with an Appendix by G.F. Griffin and G. Pearce
Refuge area Lake Eyre mound springs
Biogeographic region Stony Plains
Type of refuge Mound springs
Lat./Long. ca. 28o 00’ - 29o 31’ S / 136o 00’ - 138o 00’E
Quality of refuge Highly significant (6)
Area (km2) <100 but scattered
Chief refuge value
Highly restricted habitat for species confined for long periods of time to tiny and isolated pockets.
General description
Artesian springs of the Great Artesian Basin scattered over an area between Marree and Oodnadatta1.
ANZECC-listed species
The plant Eriocaulon carsonii (E)1.
Regional endemics
Endemics include the isopod Phreatomerus latipes, the ostracod Ngarawa dirga, further undescribed ostracods, a phreatic amphipod Phreatochiltonia anophthalma, further species of the amphipod genus Austrochiltonia, possibly endemic copepods, and a macrostomid flatworm. More than 20 taxa of snails (Hydrobiidae) have recently been found in artesian springs associated with the Great Artesian Basin in South Australia and parts of Queensland. Ten taxa are recognised in two endemic genera - Fonscochlea and Trochidrobia - from springs between Marree and Oodnadatta2,3,5.
Relict species
The species noted above are evolutionary relicts.
Other significant species
A suite of spring-associated flora4.
Key threats
Water drawdown, pressure from visitors, and trampling by stock and feral animals.
Land tenure
Mostly pastoral leases.
Key references
1. Harris (1992)
2. Ponder (1986) 3. Zeidler and Ponder (1989)
4. Lange and Fatchen (1990)
5. Ponder et al. (1989)
