Threatened species & ecological communities

The Action Plan for Australian freshwater fishes

R. Wager and P. Jackson
Environment Australia, June 1993
ISBN 0 6421 6818 0

Recovery outlines (continued)

Species recovery outline: Non-parasitic Lamprey

Family: Mordaciidae

Scientific name: Mordacia praecox

English name: Non-parasitic Lamprey

Species taxonomic status: Formally described by Potter, 1968.

Species survival status: Although not proven, it is assumed that small populations occur in limited habitats in three river systems. The habitat may be being degraded.

  1. Action plan status: Poorly Known.
  2. Australian Society for Fish Biology status: Potentially Threatened.
  3. Proposed new IUCN criteria status: Insufficient information to allow classification with this scheme.

Former distribution: Only known from the Moruya and Tuross Rivers in south east New South Wales and possibly from the LaTrobe River in Victoria, although positive identification of the specimen is yet to be confirmed.

Current distribution: Assumed to be as above.

Habitat: Fresh water.

Reasons for decline: Not known if species has declined.

Conservation reserves on which species occurs: None.

Other public lands on which species occurs: None.

Other land on which species occurs: Private land.

Is knowledge about species adequate for objectives and actions to be defined accurately? (If not provide list of additional studies required): No.

  1. Need information on distribution, abundance and basic biology.
  2. Need information on threatening processes.

Recovery objectives:

  1. Determine extent of current distribution and abundance in New South Wales and Victoria, and instigate long term monitoring programs to determine if populations are declining.
  2. Investigate basic biology and ecology.
  3. Determine threats to habitat.

Management actions already initiated: None.

Management actions required: Not yet possible to make any recommendations. Basic research required.

  1. Declaration of additional conservation reserves: Not known.
  2. Habitat management: Not known.
  3. Feral animal control: Not known.
  4. Translocation: Not known.
  5. Captive breeding: Not known.
  6. Other: No.

Organisations responsible for conservation of species:

Other organisations or individuals involved: None.

Can recovery plan be carried out with existing resources?: No.

  1. Study to determine the distribution and abundance and to elucidate basic biology and potential threatening processes. One biologist and one technician for three years – $220 500, operating expenses – $30 000 per year.

Total: $310 500

Remarks: