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
12. Refugia in the Northern Territory (continued)
12.7. Reference number NT7
Refuge area: Davenport and Murchison Ranges
Biogeographic region: Tanami
Type of refuge: Gorges/mountain ranges
Lat./Long. 20°30’S / 134°30’E
Quality of refuge: Highly significant (6)
Area (km²): <10,000
Chief refuge value
The Ranges possess an extensive network of waterholes containing a rich fish fauna, a high plant diversity, and some endemic and rare plant species.
General description
The Davenport and Murchison Ranges comprise an isolated series of rocky outcrops within the north-eastern expanse of the Tanami sandplains. The presence of permanent waterholes together with the isolated nature of the Ranges has allowed the persistence of a biogeographically significant fish fauna, and has resulted in the development of a notable flora and at least one near-endemic mammal.
ANZECC-listed species
The black-footed rock-wallaby Petrogale lateralis (V), and the water-plant Rhamphicarpa australiaensis (V)1.
Regional endemics
Five plants are restricted to the Davenport and Murchison Ranges: Fimbristylis sp., Acacia sp., Acacia aff. hemsleyi, Tephrosia sp., and Wedelia aff stirlingii1. Johnson’s mouse Pseudomys johnsoni, a pebble-mound species, is primarily found in the Ranges, but it does occur in other parts of the Tanami Region2.
Relict species
None identified, although at least some plants are likely to be relictual1.
Other significant species
Seven species of fish occur in the catchments of Whistleduck Creek and the Frew River: Leiopotherapon unicolor, Ambassis agrammus, Nematolosa erebi, Mogurnda mogurnda, Melanotaenia splendida tatei, Amniataba percoides. High plant diversity springs from an overlap of central Australian and Barkly Tableland floras. The most important rare species are Trachymene inflata, Psoralea walkingtonii, Brachyachne prostrata, Elacholoma hornii, Glycine aff. tomentella, Hedyotis sp., Phyllanthus aff. simplex, Triumfetta plumigera, and Vernonia cinerea. Nevertheless, the Murchison and Davenport Ranges contain fewer rare, relict or endemic plants than the MacDonnell Ranges and George Gill Ranges further south1.
Key threats
Degradation resulting from donkeys and cattle; wildfires.
Land tenure
Pastoral leases.
Key references
1. Johnson et al. (1984)
2. Kitchener (1985)
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