The Action Plan for Australian Rodents
Environment Australia, April 1995
Recovery Outlines for Critical, Endangered and Vulnerable Australian Rodents
Recovery Outline - Bramble Cay Melomys
1 Family Muridae
2 Scientific Name Melomys rubicola Thomas, 1924
3 English Name Bramble Cay Melomys
4 Intra-specific Taxa None.
5 Species Survival Status
IUCN Endangered: occurs on a single sand cay that is eroding due to natural processes. The sand cay is approximately 700m in circumference.
Mace and Lande Critical: single population on small cay which is likely to disappear by natural processes.
6 Former Distribution
Thomas (1924) suggested the occurrence of this species on another island but this has never been substantiated. Extensive surveys by Limpus (Qld Department of Environment and Heritage), Miller (Qld Department of Environment and Heritage), and Heatwole (Australian Museum) in the Torres Strait and the Northern Great Barrier Reef have failed to locate this species anywhere but Bramble Cay, Torres Strait. The Bramble Cay Melomys has not been identified among the New Guinea fauna.
7 Current Distribution
Bramble Cay, Torres Strait.
8 Habitat
Grass and herb cover of predominantly Hepturur sp. and Tribulis sp. This herbivorous species uses crab burrows, logs and debris as refuges (Limpus 1983).
9 Reason for decline
Bramble Cay is eroding due to natural processes, as evidenced by the position of the lighthouse structure erected on the cay. The cay is located at the edge of the reef and it is still migrating. At this time a major storm could eliminate all suitable habitat.
10 Conservation Reserves in which species occurs None.
11 Other public lands on which species occurs:
Lighthouse and Aboriginal Reserve.
12 Other land on which species occurs: None.
13 Is knowledge about species adequate for objectives and actions to be defined accurately?
Generally yes. Based on what is known of the habitat of the species, actions can be initiated. Diet and reproductive biology are not known.
14 Recovery objectives
14.1 Ascertain size of population on Bramble Cay and define natural history.
14.2 Establish captive breeding colony to produce stock for establishing additional populations and to ascertain reproductive biology.
14.3 Establish a population on Number 2 Sandbank through several introductions.
14.4 Monitor to success of the population introduced to Number 2 Sandbank.
15 Management actions completed or underway
Distribution and status of the species ascertained.
16 Management actions required
16.1 Educate authorities responsible for the management of Bramble Cay and those who visit the cay of the significance of the melomys population.
16.2 Investigate feasibility of stabilizing Bramble Cay.
16.3 Establish additional populations and a cognitive captive breeding program.
17 Organisation(s) responsible for conservation of species
Qld Department of Environment and Heritage; Australian Nature Conservation Agency.
18 Other organisation(s)/individuals involved
Qld Department of Transport; Torres Strait Islander community.
19 Conservation reserves affected by recovery
None.
20 Other land affected by recovery
Number 2 Sandbank.
21 Can recovery be carried out with existing resources?
No. Funding required to undertake management and research actions identified in item 14 above over a period of two years.
$150,000
Assistance from the Qld Department of Transport with boating will reduce funding to $100 000, but this does not include the cost of the recovery team.
Recovery Outline - Thevenard Island Short-tailed Mouse
1 Family Muridae
2 Scientific Name Leggadina lakedownensis Watts, 1976 (Thevenard Island form)
3 English Name Thevenard Island Short-tailed Mouse
4 Intra-specific Taxa
This form is almost twice the size of the mainland form, and may be a distinct taxon. It was originally referred to L. forresti, but electrophoretic study suggests that it is closer to L. lakedownensis. J.H. Calaby (pers. comm.) considers all populations of L. lakedownensis should be referred to L. forresti.
5 Species Survival Status
IUCN Endangered: single population facing threat of loss of habitat and competition from Mus musculus.
Mace and Lande Endangered: N probably <2500 individuals; Mus musculus was introduced to island in 1985/6 and may pose a threat. Although a nature reserve, there is also a resort and an oil base on the island.
6 Former Distribution
Thevenard Island, Pilbara coast, Western Australia.
7 Current Distribution
There has been a loss of approximately 10% of its former range on the island due to construction of the oil base in 1987/8.
8 Habitat
Acacia shrublands and low shrublands on deep sandy soil.
9 Reason for decline
Loss of habitat resulting from construction of oil base, and possible competition with Mus musculus.
10 Conservation Reserves in which species occurs: Thevenard Island Nature Reserve.
11 Other public lands on which species occurs
Crown land on Thevenard Island (site of resort).
12 Other land on which species occurs None.
13 Is knowledge about species adequate for objectives and actions to be defined accurately?
Yes.
14 Recovery objectives
14.1 Establish the taxonomic relationship of the Thevenard Island form in relation to mainland populations.
14.2 Assess the current status of L. lakedownensis and Mus musculus populations on Thevenard Island.
14.3 Translocate L. lakedownensis to a suitable island.
14.4 Develop a technique to eradicate or control Mus musculus on Thevenard Island.
15 Management actions completed or underway
15.1 Some electrophoretic analyses have been completed but additional analyses are required to determine taxonomic relationships.
15.2 Preliminary biological data on the Thevenard Island population has been obtained.
15.3 Some monitoring of the population has been undertaken by the oil company but this did not cover the entire island and needs to be extended.
15.4 Some planning for a translocation has occurred. Delambre Island in the Dampier Archipelago is very similar to Thevenard Island and appears to be suitable.
16 Management actions required
16.1 Additional conservation reserves are not required at this stage.
16.2 Habitat restoration required at oil base site.
16.3 Design and undertake a Mus musculus eradication program.
16.4 Translocation to a suitable island is required.
16.5 A captive breeding program is not necessary at this stage.
17 Organisation(s) responsible for conservation of species
WA Department of Conservation and Land Management (Keith Morris).
18 Other organisation(s)/individuals involved
West Australian Petroleum Pty Ltd (WAPET), University of Western Australia.
19 Conservation reserves affected by recovery
Thevenard Island Nature Reserve, Delambre Island - part of Dampier Archipelago National Park.
20 Other land affected by recovery
Crown land on Thevenard Island.
21 Can recovery be carried out with existing resources?
No. The following additional funds are required to implement the recovery plan over a three year period.
21.1 Contract biologist (Ph.D. student) scholarship
21.2 Equipment (traps, consumables) $13,500
21.3 Travel $18,000
21.4 Plant and boat costs $8,000
21.5 Taxonomic analyses $7,500
21.5 Administration costs $3,000
$50,000
Remarks The Thevenard Island Short-tailed Mouse is not listed as an endangered species under the Wildlife Conservation Act of Western Australia because it is currently referred to as a species which is neither vulnerable nor endangered on the mainland. However, its status as a unique form warrants special consideration.
Recovery Outline - Greater Stick-nest Rat
1 Family Muridae
2 Scientific Name Leporillus conditor (Sturt, 1848)
3 English Name Greater Stick-nest Rat
4 Intra-specific Taxa None.
5 Species Survival Status
IUCN Vulnerable: taxon with populations that have been seriously depleted and whose ultimate security is not yet assured.
Mace and Lande Endangered: N<2500 individuals; <5 subpopulations of N<500 with immigration rates <1 per generation.
CITES listing I.
6 Former Distribution
Southern, semi-arid Australia, from the west coast of Western Australia (Shark Bay) to western New South Wales, including the Nullarbor Plain, the Flinders Ranges, the southern margins of Lake Eyre and the Murray-Darling Plains.
7 Current Distribution
South Australia
· Franklin Islands, Nuyts Archipelago Conservation Park: West Franklin Is. (247 ha) ca. 500 individuals, East Franklin Is. (225 ha) ca. 500 individuals.
· St Peter Island (3439 ha), Nuyts Archipelago Conservation Park: 48 captive-bred animals released by August 1993.
· Reevesby Island (344 ha), Sir Joseph Banks Group Conservation Park: 102 captive-bred animals released (1990-91).
Western Australia
· Salutation Island (163 ha), The Small Islands, Shark Bay Nature Reserve No. 26004: 40 captive-bred animals released in 1990 (ca 400 individuals present in 1993).
8 Habitat
Perennial shrublands, especially of succulent and semi-succulent plant species including the chenopod genera Atriplex, Rhagodia, Maireana, Chenopodium, Enchylaena, Sclerolaena, Threlkeldia, and pig-face genera including Disphyma and Carpobrotus.
On the Franklin Islands the rats use the dense shrubs, numerous Short-tailed Shearwater nesting burrows and crevices among rocks for shelter.
9 Reason for decline
Habitat destruction by introduced herbivores, initially by sheep in several areas, and later exacerbated by rabbits in these and other areas. The effects of habitat destruction were further aggravated by the effects of severe droughts. Predation by both native and introduced predators probably contributed significantly to local extinctions in the presence of one or more of these threatening processes.
10 Conservation Reserves in which species occurs
South Australia
· Franklin Islands, Nuyts Archipelago Conservation Park.
· St Peter Island, Nuyts Archipelago Conservation Park.
· Reevesby Island, Sir Joseph Banks Group Conservation Park.
Western Australia
· Salutation Island, The Small Islands, Shark Bay, Nature Reserve No. 26004.
11 Other public lands on which species occurs
None.
12 Other land on which species occurs: None.
13 Is knowledge about species adequate for objectives and actions to be defined accurately? Yes.
14 Recovery objectives
14.1 Alter conservation status from Endangered to Vulnerable by 1998.
14.2 Continue captive breeding program.
14.3 Increase geographic range of species by establishing additional populations on other appropriate offshore islands and possibly in appropriate areas within the species' former mainland range.
14.4 Monitor all populations on a regular basis: Franklin Islands every three years; newly-established populations regularly during the first year then yearly until the populations are fully established.
14.5 Publish results of all phases of the recovery program as a model for other programs.
15 Management actions completed or underway
15.1 Searches for extant mainland population undertaken.
15.2 Franklin Islands population studies completed: habitat use, reproduction and social behaviour documented, diet determined and population estimates derived.
15.3 Franklin Islands population monitoring program established.
15.4 Captive breeding program established and currently up to sixth generation in some lines in captivity (September 1993).
15.5 Selection of release sites for captive-bred animals completed for medium-term plans.
15.6 Feral cats eradicated from one of the selected release sites (Reevesby Island, SA).
15.7 Captive-bred Leporillus were released onto three off-shore islands in 1990-1 and 1993: Salutation Island, Shark Bay (WA) (July 1990); Reevesby Island, Sir Joseph Banks Group (SA) (September and November 1990, June and September 1991); St Peter Island, Nuyts Archipelago (SA) (June and August 1993).
15.8 Monitoring of these populations is proceeding.
16 Management actions required
16.1 Additional conservation reserves are not required at this stage.
16.2 Habitat management is not required at this time, although the spread of the introduced weed Mesembryanthemum crystallinum and its effects on the distribution and abundance of the rats' preferred food plants will need to be monitored on each of the South Australian islands.
16.3 With the limited funds available, it is unrealistic to attempt to re-introduce Leporillus to the mainland, except where control of introduced predators and competitors is already an integral part of existing recovery programs for other species. To this end two trial releases have been made at Yookamurra Sanctuary in the Murray Mallee of South Australia in October 1991 and November 1992. This sanctuary is a 1113ha vermin-proof enclosure on the southern margins of this species' former range. Unfortunately, the small release groups (14 and 10 individuals respectively) fell prey on both occasions to a fox that breached the perimeter fence, and to owls.
16.4 Translocation is required to broaden the geographic range and therefore reduce the probability of extinction. In South Australia, a further trial re-introduction is planned for Venus Bay peninsula (part of Venus Bay Conservation Park) in association with a re-introduction program for Brush-tailed Bettongs (Bettongia penicillata). Vegetation on this peninsula provides thicker cover than at Yookamurra Sanctuary and should offer better protection from birds of prey and possibly other predators. In addition, a 1080-baiting program is in place over the peninsula and on an adjoining property of mixed open pasture and bush, which will serve as a buffer area.
In Western Australia a further trial re-introduction is planned for Heirisson Prong on the mainland adjacent to Shark Bay. This will be associated with a re-introduction program for Burrowing Bettongs (Bettongia leseuer), and will occur within a vermin-proof enclosure, and be associated with a 1080-baiting program
16.5 A captive breeding program was established in 1985 and six generations have been produced in some lines. This program should be continued to provide stock for translocations to new sites.
16.6 Translocation to new island sites and subsequent monitoring require a reliable means of transport to the islands.
16.7 Releases at new sites (islands or on the mainland) need to be carefully monitored.
17 Organisation(s) responsible for conservation of species
Department of Environment and Natural Resources, SA (Peter Copley), WA Department of Conservation and Land Management (Keith Morris).
18 Other organisation(s)/individuals involved
Funding: World Wide Fund for Nature Australia; Australian Nature Conservation Agency, Endangered Species Program; Australian Heritage Commission, National Estate Grants Program; SA Wildlife Conservation Fund; Earth Sanctuaries Pty Ltd (Yookamurra Sanctuary).
Equipment and other resource support: SA Museum.
Maintenance of captive breeding records, participation in captive breeding program and other resource support: Adelaide Zoo.
19 Conservation reserves affected by recovery
South Australia
· Franklin Islands, Nuyts Archipelago Conservation Park.
· Reevesby Island, Sir Joseph Banks Group Conservation Park.
· St Peter Island, Nuyts Archipelago Conservation Park.
· Venus Bay peninsula (1500ha), Venus Bay Conservation Park.
Western Australia
· Salutation Island, The Small Islands, Shark Bay, Nature Reserve No. 26004.
20 Other land affected by recovery
Yookamurra Sanctuary (1113ha), Murray Mallee of South Australia.
21 Can recovery be carried out with existing resources?
No. The following additional funds are required to implement the recovery plan.
21.1 Monitor and report; populations on Franklin Islands,
Reevesby Island, Salutation Island, Yookamurra Sanctuary 1995-97 $39,900
21.2 Captive breeding $25,000
21.3 Display and education $1,000
21.4 Release, monitor and report; St Peter Island 1995-97 $8,100
21.5 Genetic assessment of populations $4,000
21.6 Exotic predator control SA and WA $40,000
21.7 Release, monitor and report SA and WA 1995-1997 $188,760
$306,760
Remarks
21.6 Part of request for funds for eradication of feral animals on Heirisson Prong and Peron Peninsula 1995-99 ($257,600).
21.7 Contingent upon CSIRO/CALM proceeding with Shark Bay releases.
Recovery Outline - Dusky Hopping-mouse
1 Family Muridae
2 Scientific Name Notomys fuscus (Wood Jones, 1925)
3 English Name Dusky Hopping-mouse
4 Intra-specific Taxa None.
5 Species Survival Status
IUCN Vulnerable: taxon with populations that have been seriously depleted and whose ultimate security is not yet assured.
Mace and Lande Vulnerable: recent capture rates suggests N<10 000. Like other arid zone rodents, subject to periodic population fluctuations.
CITES listing I.
6 Former Distribution
South Australian and Western Australian margins of the Nullarbor Plain, Lake Eyre Basin of northern South Australia, southern Northern Territory and south-western Queensland.
7 Current Distribution
North-eastern South Australia (southern Strzeleki Desert and the Cobblers Desert) and south-western Queensland. Since 1985, specimens have been collected from Carraweena, Montecollina Bore and Quinyambie Station, South Australia, and from Pelican Waterhole, south-western Queensland.
8 Habitat
Sand ridge habitats, which alternate with gibber flats and clay pans, in the Pelican Waterhole area. Sympatric with Notomys cervinus; N. fuscus burrows only on the sand dunes while N. cervinus burrows in clay soils.
9 Reason for decline Not known.
10 Conservation Reserves in which species occurs
Not recorded in existing reserves. Similar habitats to those in which the species has been recorded occur in the adjacent Strzelecki Regional Reserve, which is likely to be extended to include Montecollina Bore.
11 Other public lands on which species occurs
Pastoral leases in north-eastern South Australia and south-western Queensland.
12 Other land on which species occurs
None known.
13 Is knowledge about species adequate for objectives and actions to be defined accurately?
No. Information is needed on distribution, habitat and threats.
14 Recovery objectives
14.1 Undertake survey to determine the species' current distribution, population size, habitat requirements and use, reproductive behaviour, social organisation and potential threats and limiting factors.
14.2 Monitor known populations regularly as required.
15 Management actions completed or underway
Survey of distribution, abundance and habitat underway.
16 Management actions required
16.1 Additional conservation reserves may be required.
16.2 Management of rabbits and domestic stock may be required to prevent further destruction of perennial plant cover and maintain dune stability.
16.3 The threat posed by high rabbit populations should be investigated using exclosures.
16.4 Captive display/public awareness programs at Adelaide, Monarto and Melbourne Zoos.
17 Organisation(s) responsible for conservation of species
Department of Environment and Natural Resources, SA; Qld Department of Environment and Heritage; Conservation Commission of the Northern Territory.
18 Other organisation(s)/individuals involved
None.
19 Conservation reserves affected by recovery
Strzelecki Regional Reserve. In South Australia, the species may also occur in the Innamincka and Simpson Desert Regional Reserves, Simpson Desert Conservation Park and Lake Eyre National Park.
20 Other land affected by recovery
Some pastoral leases in north-eastern South Australia and south-western Queensland.
21 Can recovery be carried out with existing resources?
Initial study to be completed in February 1995. Additional funds are needed to maintain monitoring through to 1997.
$10,000
1 Family Muridae
2 Scientific Name Pseudomys australis Gray, 1832
3 English Name Plains Rat
4 Intra-specific Taxa
Probably part of a species complex embracing P. minnie, P. rawlinnae and P. auritus.
5 Species Survival Status
IUCN Vulnerable: taxon with populations that have been seriously depleted and whose ultimate security is not yet assured.
Mace and Lande Vulnerable: recent capture rates suggests N<10 000. Like other arid zone rodents, subject to periodic population fluctuations.
CITES listing II.
6 Former Distribution
Patchy distribution over northern South Australia, southern Northern Territory, central and south-western Queensland, south-eastern Western Australia, southern Eyre Peninsula and Lake Albert (SA), northern New South Wales and southern Victoria.
7 Current Distribution
Patchy distribution in the western Lake Eyre Basin from Billa Kalina Station, south-east of Coober Pedy, to Charlotte Waters, Northern Territory.
8 Habitat
Gibber plains with cracking clay depressions supporting perennial Atriplex/Maireana open shrubland (Todmorden and Macumba Stations; Witjira National Park), and cracking clay plains dominated by low Sclerolaena sub-shrubs (Billa Kalina Station; Moon Plain north of Coober Pedy).
9 Reason for decline
Probably due to the impacts of introduced stock and rabbits on vegetation.
10 Conservation Reserves in which species occurs Witjira National Park, South Australia.
11 Other public lands on which species occurs
None known.
12 Other land on which species occurs
Whole specimens collected at Macumba, Mt Barry, Billa Kalina, Hamilton and Copper Hills Pastoral Leases since 1990. Remains in recent owl pellets have been recorded from Eringa Waterhole (Eringa Pastoral Lease), Abminga Rail Siding (Tieyon Pastoral Lease), Pedirka Rail Siding (Hamilton Pastoral Lease), Old Peake Telegraph Station (The Peake Pastoral Lease).
13 Is knowledge about species adequate for objectives and actions to be defined accurately?
No. Information is needed on precise distribution, habitat and threats.
14 Recovery objectives
14.1 Undertake survey and population studies to determine the species' distribution, habitat requirements, reproductive biology, social organisation and potential threats and limiting factors.
14.2 Monitor populations regularly as required.
15 Management actions completed or underway
Survey of distribution, abundance and habitat underway.
16 Management actions required
16.1 Additional conservation reserves may be required.
16.2 Management of domestic stock may be required as these can seriously disrupt the rat's habitat.
17 Organisation(s) responsible for conservation of species
Department of Environment and Natural Resources, SA.
18 Other organisation(s)/individuals involved
Earth Sanctuaries Pty Ltd have released several groups (in excess of 200 individuals) of P. australis at their 1113ha Yookamurra Sanctuary in the Murray Mallee of South Australia. The status of the released population is unknown; however, individuals have been trapped and sighted by Sanctuary staff since the releases.
Captive colonies are held by: Adelaide Zoo, SA National Parks and Wildlife Service (Monarto), Warrawong Sanctuary and Yookamurra Sanctuary (Earth Sanctuaries Pty Ltd), Roseworthy Campus (Adelaide University), and Nature Education Centre (Adelaide), Berry Springs Wildlife Park (NT), Healesville Sanctuary (Vic.) and CSIRO Division of Wildlife and Ecology (ACT).
19 Conservation reserves affected by recovery
Witjira National Park, South Australia.
20 Other land affected by recovery
Macumba and Billa Kalina Stations, South Australia.
21 Can recovery be carried out with existing resources?
Initial study to be completed in February 1995. Additional funds are needed to maintain
monitoring through to 1997.
(see Dusky Hopping-mouse)
Recovery Outline - Shark Bay Mouse
1 Family Muridae
2 Scientific Name Pseudomys fieldi (Waite, 1896)
Baynes (1990) synonymised this species with
P. praeconis, however data supporting this have not
been presented.
3 English Name Shark Bay Mouse
4 Intra-specific Taxa None.
5 Species Survival Status
IUCN Endangered: taxon with populations that have been seriously depleted and whose ultimate security is not yet assured.
Mace and Lande Endangered: single population, estimated at 5000-9000 individuals on Bernier Island. Translocated to Doole Island in June 1993.
CITES listing I.
6 Former Distribution
Probably within a crescent located in the south-west quadrant of Australia, from Exmouth Gulf to the south coast of Western Australia, through the Murchison District, across to Alice Springs and south to the Nullabor Plain. Also Dirk Hartog Island in Shark Bay.
7 Current Distribution
Bernier Island, Shark Bay (WA). The last mainland record of this species was from near Alice Springs in 1895. The last specimen collected in the Shark Bay mainland was from Peron Peninsula in 1858. A survey of this area and other Shark Bay mainland sites in 1989 failed to detect this species. Translocated to Doole Island in June 1993.
8 Habitat
Among Spinifex longifolius and Olearia axillaris shrubs on coastal sand dunes at base of cliffs which surround Bernier Island. Occasionally found in the Triodia/Acacia heath in the centre of the island. Occupies mangrove hollows on Doole Island.
9 Reasons for decline
Possibly declining prior to European settlement. Grazing and trampling of vegetation by stock and predation by introduced predators, especially by feral cats, have probably contributed to extinction of this species on the mainland.
10 Conservation reserves in which species occurs
Bernier Island in the Bernier and Dorre Islands Nature Reserve; Doole Island Nature Reserve.
11 Other public land on which species occurs
None.
12 Other land on which species occurs None.
13 Is the knowledge of the species adequate for the objectives and actions to be defined accurately?
Yes, a Shark Bay Mouse Recovery Plan has been written (Speldewinde et al. 1993) and is now being implemented.
14 Recovery objectives
14.1 Achieve downlisting in conservation status from Endangered to Vulnerable by 2003.
14.2 Retain current distribution and abundance on Bernier Island.
14.3 Establish another self-sustaining island population.
14.4 Establish two self-sustaining Shark Bay mainland populations.
15 Management actions completed or planned
15.1 A survey for the Shark Bay Mouse on the mainland was undertaken in 1989, with negative results.
15.2 Goats were eradicated from Bernier Island in 1984. Public access is limited to day visits only on this nature reserve.
15.3 A Recovery Plan has been prepared and funded and a Recovery Team has beenestablished.
16 Management actions required
16.1 Research into abundance and distribution on Bernier Island.
16.2 Translocate to suitable offshore island.
16.3 Experimental translocation to Heirisson Prong.
16.4 Eradication of introduced foxes, cats, rabbits and goats on Peron Peninsula.
16.5 Translocate to Peron Peninsula.
17 Organisation(s) responsible for conservation of species
WA Department of Conservation and Land Management.
18 Other organisation(s), individual(s) involved
CSIRO Division of Wildlife and Ecology; Agricultural Protection Board of Western Australia; Useless Loop Salt community.
19 Conservation reserves affected by recovery
Bernier and Dorre Island Nature Reserve, Doole Island Nature Reserve, Peron Peninsula National Park.
20 Other land affected by recovery
Mining Lease on Heirisson Prong (Useless Loop Salt).
21 Can recovery be carried out with existing resources?
No. The following additional funds are required to implement the recovery plan.
21.1 Research and monitoring on Bernier Island 1992-1999 $78,600
21.2 Translocation to offshore island 1993-1999 $105,900
21.3 Experimental translocation to Heirisson Prong 1995-1999 $102,800
21.4 Eradication of feral animals 1995-1999 $86,000
21.5 Translocation to Peron Peninsula 1997-1999 $153,100
$526,400
Remarks
21.1 $12,100 requested from Biodiversity Group, Environment Australia 1995-99.
21.2 $11,100 requested from Biodiversity Group, Environment Australia 1995-99.