National recovery plan for Twelve Threatened Spider-Orchid Caladenia R. Br. Taxa of Victoria and South Australia 2000 - 2004

James A. Todd
Department of Natural Resources and Environment, Victoria
Flora and Fauna Statewide Programs, March 2000

Action 6: Investigate the biology and ecology of threatened Caladenia taxa

Very little is known of the biology and ecology of most of the threatened Caladenia taxa of southeast Australia, and for many endangered taxa, low population numbers in the wild present little opportunity to implement any meaningful research on these taxa. However, for a number of the more 'common' taxa, there is an opportunity to investigate their biology and ecology and to better understand their life histories.

Much of the focus of this work will be on the conservation of plants in the wild but some aspects will also be important for ex situ conservation measures (see Action 7) and for establishing new populations in the wild (see Action 8). Actions 6.1 - 6.3 below relate specifically to the 'unknowns' associated with the population biology and reproduction of the twelve threatened Caladenia taxa. Life history data will be collected as part of Action 5.1 while mycorrhizal investigations are included under Action 7.1.

The major focus will be on taxa with populations of greater than 100 plants (C. formosa, C. rosella, C. tensa, C. versicolor and C. xanthochila) but other taxa with smaller populations will be researched as opportunities arise. Some population and reproduction research is already being conducted on C. lowanensis and this information will be incorporated into the recovery plan for this species where appropriate.

6.1 Identify the pollinator and determine natural pollination levels

Natural pollination levels and the identity of the pollinator will be determined to assist in recovery management of wild populations and as an aid in establishing new populations of some taxa (eg. C. xanthochila). The project will have important management implications, such as determining the number of flowers in a group required to attract the pollinator and effect pollination, the synchronicity between pollinator appearance and flower opening/receptivity, the visitation/pollination rates by the pollinator and the habitat requirements of the pollinator.

The work will be managed under contract to NRE and will require expert input from pollination researchers and wasp taxonomists to enable identification of the pollinator(s) associated with the each taxon. The techniques adopted will be based on similar work undertaken elsewhere in Australia (Bower 1996). Funds are required in years 2 and 3 to enable the appointment of a specialist contractor to conduct wasp-baiting trials in the field and to provide training to departmental staff and volunteers on assessing pollination rates and pollinator capture techniques. Funds are also required in years 2 and 3 to contract the Department of Primary Industries and Fisheries, Northern Territory (PIF) to undertake the taxonomic work. Laboratory facilities and consumables will be provided in kind by PIF.

C. amoena

C. audasii

C. formosa

C. fragrantissima ssp. orientalis

C. hastata

C. lowanensis

C. robinsonii

C. rosella

C. tensa

C. thysanochila

C. versicolor

C. xanthochila

Action 6.1

Responsibility

NRE - PFF/ SW, PIF

NRE - PFF/ PP, PIF, FOWH

NRE - PFF/ NW, PIF, FOKR

NRE _ PFF/ NW, PIF, FOKR

NRE - PFF/ NW, PIF

NRE - PFF/ NW, PIF, COM

Source	2000	2001	2002	2003	2004	Total
Total	$0	$8,500	$8,500	$0	$0	$17,000

6.2 Determine genetic relationships of disjunct populations.

Many threatened Caladenia taxa are known from a small number of disjunct populations that may be many hundreds of kilometres apart. Determining the genetic differences or similarities between and within these populations will be important when trying to determine the former ranges and magnitude of decline of these taxa, when cultivating ex situ collections of plants for re-introduction and when implementing re-introduction plans (see Action 8.2). Some genetic research may also help resolve some of taxonomic uncertainties surrounding a number of closely related taxa.

Several widespread taxa with disjunct populations will be targeted for genetic analysis including C. formosa, C. rosella, C. tensa, C. versicolor and C. xanthochila. The work will be undertaken by a specialist geneticist based at the Royal Botanic Gardens, Melbourne under contract to NRE. The genetic analysis will use the ALFP technique (Amplified Fragment Length Polymorphism). This technique has been used successfully for the analysis of genetic diversity in a number of rare species. The contractor will provide laboratory facilities, equipment and research-management salaries in kind.

Funds are required in years 2 and 3 of recovery to contract an expert geneticist to undertake the work and to cover the cost of consumables (eg. chemicals). Costs are based on the analysis of up to 6 populations and 15 plants per population. Plant material will be collected by the project officer, regional staff, land management agency staff, volunteers and contractors as part of annual censusing (see Action 5.1) and forwarded to the geneticist for analysis.

C. amoena

C. audasii

C. formosa

C. fragrantissima ssp. orientalis

C. hastata

C. lowanensis

C. robinsonii

C. rosella

C. tensa

C. thysanochila

C. versicolor

C. xanthochila

Action 6.2

Responsibility

NRE - PFF/ SW, EH, RBG

NRE - PFF/ PP/NW, RBG

NRE _ PFF/ NW, EH, RBG, FOKR

NRE - PFF/ NW, EH, RBG

NRE - PFF/ NW, RBG, COM

Source	2000	2001	2002	2003	2004	Total
Total	$0	$26,215	$26,215	$0	$0	$52,430

6.3 Investigate germination and seedling establishment.

Rates of seed germination will be assessed under a range of conditions and factors affecting seedling establishment will be investigated to determine preferred methodologies for establishment of different threatened taxa. Propagation techniques will be further investigated as part of Action 7.2.

This work will be important in developing actions designed to optimise recruitment of existing populations and establishing new populations of endangered taxa. Target taxa will initially include C. amoena, C. audasii, C. fragrantissima ssp. orientalis, C. hastata, C. lowanensis, C. robinsonii, C. rosella, C. thysanochila, C. versicolor and C. xanthochila.

The work will be conducted by contractors and coordinated by NRE. Funds are sought in years 2 and 3 to enable the appointment of the University of Melbourne, Institute of Land and Food Resources to undertake the project and to cover the costs of laboratory consumables. Laboratory facilities will be provided in kind by the contractor as will project supervision in conjunction with the Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology and RBG. Capsules/seeds will be collected by the project officer, state department regional staff, land management agency staff, volunteers and contractors as part of Action 4.2 - Harvest and store seed.

C. amoena

C. audasii

C. formosa

C. fragrantissima ssp. orientalis

C. hastata

C. lowanensis

C. robinsonii

C. rosella

C. tensa

C. thysanochila

C. versicolor

C. xanthochila

Action 6.3

Responsibility

NRE - PFF, UMILFR, , RBG, RMIT

Source	2000	2001	2002	2003	2004	Total
Total	$0	$11,500	$11,500	$0	$0	$23,000

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Threatened species & ecological communities

National recovery plan for Twelve Threatened Spider-Orchid Caladenia R. Br. Taxa of Victoria and South Australia 2000 - 2004

Action 6: Investigate the biology and ecology of threatened Caladenia taxa

6.1 Identify the pollinator and determine natural pollination levels

6.2 Determine genetic relationships of disjunct populations.

6.3 Investigate germination and seedling establishment.