The Action Plan for Australian Rodents
Environment Australia, April 1995
Recommendations and Priorities for Action to Conserve Australian Rodents
The following actions are recommended to conserve Australian rodents. These actions are assembled in a time frame. Each action has a proposed starting date and this reflects the urgency of the action and takes into account the research schedule of the management authority. Where projects are scheduled to begin in the same year, priority should be given to projects with priority rating 1.
Priority ratings
1. Projects to secure the recovery of Critical or Endangered species.
2. Projects to secure the recovery of Vulnerable species.
3. Projects to identify the status of Insufficiently known species.
4. Projects which monitor the status of species which are neither Critical, Endangered or Vulnerable, but are nevertheless of concern.
5. Other projects.
Authorities
ACTPCS - ACT Parks and Conservation Service
VDCNR - Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, Victoria
WA CALM - Department of Conservation and Land Management, Western Australia
CCNT - Conservation Commission of the Northern Territory
NSW NPWS - NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service
SA DENR - Department of Environment and Natural Resources, South Australia
QDEH - Queensland Department of Environment and Heritage
All costs in 1995 dollars.
Title Priority Authority Duration Estimated Cost
1 Investigation of ecology of Zyzomys palatalis. Further surveys of distribution; preparation and implementation of recovery plan. 1 CCNT 1995-97 $117 000
2 Monitoring and management of Leggadina lakedownensis population on Thevenard Island and translocation to a suitable island. 1 WA CALM 1994-97 $50 000
3 Population study of Pseudomys oralis. Microhabitat modelling and mapping; study of associated vegetation; analysis of diet and preparation of recovery plan. 1 NSW NPWS 1994-96 $281 000
4 Implement the Pseudomys fieldi Recovery Plan including monitoring of existing populations and translocations to Heirisson Prong and Peron Peninsula. 1 WA CALM 1995-99 $526 400
5 Ascertain population size of Melomys rubicola. Establish captive breeding program and second natural population. 1 QDEH 1995-97 $150 000
6 Monitor (including genetic assessment) and report on existing Leporillus conditor populations in South Australia and Western Australia, and identify and manage further releases. 2 SA DENR and WA CALM 1995-97 $306 760
7 Preparation and implementation of recovery plan for Pseudomys occidentalis. 2 WA CALM 1995-99 $99 200
8 Taxonomic revision of the Pseudomys novaehollandiae-pilligaensis-delicatulus-hermannsburgensis species group. Investigate habitat of P. pilligaensis and monitor known populations. 2 NSW NPWS 18 months $70 000
9 Monitoring of selected populations of Pseudomys australis and Notomys fuscus. 2 SA DENR 1995-97 $10 000
10 Initiate research into the conservation biology of Pseudomys shortridgei in the south-west of Western Australia, and prepare and implement recovery program. 2 WA CALM 1995-97 $132 500
11 Initiate research into conservation biology of Pseudomys chapmani and prepare and implement recovery plan. 3 WA CALM 1995-2005 $184 000
12 Survey of the distribution and abundance of Notomys aquilo and an investigation of biology. 3 CCNT 2 years $60 000
13 Survey of distribution and abundance of Pseudomys johnsoni. 3 CCNT 1 year $45 000
14 Survey of coastal regions of Northern Territory and Queensland for Xeromys myoides. 3 CCNT and QDEH 2 years $120 000
15 Assessment of distribution and status of Mesembriomys macrurus in the Kimberley. 3 CCNT and CALM 1 year $50 000
16 Survey of the distribution and abundance of Uromys hadrourus. 3 QDEH 6 months $30 000
17 Prepare recovery outline for Pogonomys sp. 3 QDEH
18 Prepare recovery outline for Pseudomys desertor. 3 CCNT and SA DENR
19 Monitor the status of known populations of Pseudomys fumeus. 4 VDCNR and ACTPCS 10 months $65 000
20 Assess the potential distribution and undertake field surveys of Mesembriomys gouldii in Western Australia and Queensland. 4 WA CALM and QDEH 1 year $101 000
Table 8. Summary of expenditure required to secure the status of Australian rodents.
Species Expenditure (1995 dollars)
Zyzomys palatalis $117,000
Leggadina lakedownensis (Thevenard Is. form) $50,000
Pseudomys oralis $281,000
Leporillus conditor $307,000
Pseudomys occidentalis $99,000
Pseudomys fieldi $526,000
Melomys rubicola $150,000
Pseudomys pilligaensis $70,000
Notomys fuscus and Pseudomys australis $10,000
Pseudomys chapmani $184,000
Notomys aquilo $60,000
Pseudomys johnsoni $45,000
Xeromys myoides $120,000
Pseudomys shortridgei $133,000
Mesembryiomys macrurus $50,000
Uromys hadrourus $30,000
Pseudomys fumeus $65,000
Mesembriomys gouldii $101,000
Total $2,398,000