Latham’s Snipe. Photo Jason Girvan | CC BY 3.0

Latham’s snipe

Gallinago hardwickii
Marine and Migratory: Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999

Latham’s snipe is a shy, well-camouflaged, wetland bird that breeds in Japan and on the East Asian coastline, before migrating to East Australia to feed during the Northern Hemisphere winter.

They forage and shelter in dense vegetation around wetlands, in sedges, grasses, lignum, reeds, rushes and creek edges. A major threat to Latham’s snipe is habitat loss caused by wetland drainage, modification and clearing for agriculture and development. As shy creatures, they are also known to be sensitive to intrusion into their habitat by grazing cattle.

Wetlands and bogs in Kosciuszko National Park are a sanctuary for migratory birds such as Latham’s snipe that are affected by habitat loss around the world. Feral horses moving into their remaining space not only directly disturb these shy birds, but also trample and graze their food sources and habitat.

Australia’s native vegetation did not evolve to cope with hooved animals, only soft-footed macropods such as kangaroos. Our native plants struggle to cope with or recover from the damage caused by feral ungulates. While feral horses remain, there is little opportunity for recovery of the Latham’s snipe or its habitat.

References

• Del Hoyo, J., A. Elliott & J. Sargatal, eds. (1996). Handbook of the Birds of the World. Volume 3, Hoatzin to Auks. Barcelona: Lynx Edicions.
• Naarding, J.A. (1983). Latham’s Snipe (Gallinago hardwickii) in Southern Australia. Wildlife Division Technical Report. 83/01. Tasmania: National Parks and Wildlife Service.
• Weston, M.A. (1998). Report of the Birds Australia/ AWSG preliminary Latham’s Snipe expedition to Japan: results and recommendations. Stilt. 32:47-49.
• Weston, M.A. (1995b). Snipers band together in the suburbs. Geo. 17:18-19.

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Broad-toothed mouse. Photo: Catching the Eye | Museum Victoria | CC BY 2.0

Broad-toothed mouse

Mastacomys fuscus
Vulnerable: Biodiversity Conservation Act 2016
Near Threatened: IUCN RedList (IUCN 2018)
Vulnerable: Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999

The broad-toothed mouse is a native, chubby-cheeked mammal with long dense fur. They only exist in alpine and sub-alpine regions of south eastern Australia. They have a ringed tail and a gentle demeanor when handled.

Their distribution is highly fragmented due to clearing for roads, ski runs and building developments. These mammals rely on high rainfall, cool summers, cold winters, and a dense ground cover of grasses, sedges and shrubs. They live in a complex of runways through dense wet grass, sedge or heath habitat, usually within 15m of a water-course.

Feral horses occupying their small and specific habitat have the potential to out-compete the broad-toothed mouse for food (native grasses) and trample remaining nesting areas.

Broad-toothed mouse habitat is being impacted from browsing and trampling associated with the expansion of feral horse populations. The presence of feral horses is directly related to the decline of broad-toothed mouse populations. In broad-toothed mouse habitat sites severely impacted by feral horse impacts, no evidence of this species was found at all.

References

• Green, K. and Osborne, W.S. (2003) The distribution and status of the Broad-toothed Rat Mastacomys fuscus (Rodentia: Muridae) in NSW and the ACT. Australian Zoologist 32: 229-237.
• Schulz, M.. Green M., Worboys, G. L., Driscoll, D. and Crabb, P. (2018) Fish: impacts of feral horses —Stocky Galaxias, Feral Horse Impacts: The Kosciuszko Science Conference – Conference Abstracts, Australian Academy of Science, The Australian National University, Deakin University, Institute for Applied Ecology University of Canberra.

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Mountain pygmy possum. Photo: Australian Alps collection – Parks Australia

Mountain pygmy-possum

Burramys parvus
Endangered: Biodiversity Conservation Act 2016, Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999
Critically Endangered: IUCN RedList (IUCN 2018)

The mountain pygmy-possum is a small, ground-dwelling possum. They live in boulder-fields and adjacent heathland in sub-alpine and alpine areas above 1200m. The possums hibernate during winter then wake in spring to feed on Bogong moths that also occupy the boulders.

Boulder fields with deep streams running through them are preferred habitat. Heathland provides shelter from predators and additional food in insects, nectar, fruits and seeds. The total population is tiny and at risk, estimated at around 3050 adults only.

Several threats have caused this species to be listed as critically endangered:
– Predation by feral species including cats and foxes.
– Climate change resulting in drought, degraded habitat and reduced snowfall (necessary for hibernation).
– Habitat fragmentation due to development.
– Feral horses have also been identified as a threat as they muddy streams and trample heathland resulting in loss of food and water sources, shelter from predators, and subsequently the lives of the mountain pygmy-possum.

References

• Bates, H., Worboys, G. L., Driscoll, D. and Crabb, P. (2018) Indirect impacts of the Feral Horse on The Mountain Pygmy Possum, Feral Horse Impacts: The Kosciuszko Science Conference – Conference Abstracts, Australian Academy of Science, The Australian National University, Deakin University.
• Broome, L., Archer, M., Bates, H., Shi, H., Geiser, F., McAllan, B., Heinze, D., Hand, S., Evans, T. and Jackson, S. (2012) A Brief Review of the Life History of, and Threats to, Burramys parvus with a Pre-history Based Proposal for Ensuring that it has a Future. In D. Lunney and P. Hutchings (eds), Wildlife and Climate Change: Towards Robust Conservation Strategies for Australian Fauna, pp. 114–126. Royal Zoological Society of NSW, Mosman, NSW.
• Gibson, R. K., Broome, L. and Hutchison, M. F. (2018) Susceptibility to Climate Change via Effects on Food Resources: The Feeding Ecology of the Endangered Mountain Pygmy-possum (Burramys parvus). Wildlife Research 45(6): 539–550. https://doi.org/10.1071/WR17186.

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Alpine she-oak skink. Photo GeoffRobertson, NatureMapr | CC BY 3.0 AU

Alpine she-oak skink

Cyclodomorphus praealtus
Endangered: Biodiversity Conservation Act 2016, IUCN RedList (IUCN 2018), Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999

The alpine she-oak skink only exists in a very small, unique part of Australia, and its habitat is being seriously degraded.

In 2018 it was found that feral horses are driving vegetation changes that negatively affect skinks living in sub-alpine habitat. Current impacts from grazing and trampling have led to the direct loss of individuals and further fragmentation of populations. Degradation of habitat can eliminate the species from an area, and can divide formerly connected populations, inhibiting the critical flow of genetic diversity.

As a result of exclusively occupying a narrow altitudinal range and specific habitat requirements, alpine she-oak skinks are limited to a highly restricted range and have a reduced capacity to escape once their habitat has fragmented.

The removal of feral horses that graze and trample habitat is essential to the survival of the alpine she-oak skink.

References

• NSW Threatened Species Scientific Committee (2011) Alpine She-oak Skink Cyclodomorphus praealtus: endangered species listing NSW Scientific Committee final determination
• Koumoundouros T, Sumner J, Clemann N, Stuart-Fox D (2009) Current genetic isolation and fragmentation contrasts with historical connectivity in an alpine lizard (Cyclodomorphus praealtus) threatened by climate change. Biological Conservation 142, 992-1002.
• Rebecca C. Cherubin, Dr Susanna E. Venn, Dr Tim S. Doherty, Professor Don Driscoll and Dr Euan G. Ritchie (2018) Feral horse impacts on a threatened lizard and nationally endangered ecological community in Victorias sub alpine region, Feral Horse Impacts: The Kosciuszko Science Conference – Conference Abstracts, Australian Academy of Science, The Australian National University and Deakin University, Canberra.

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Guthega skink. Photo K Short, NatureMapr | CC BY 3.0 AU

Species at risk: Guthega skink

Liopholis guthega
Endangered: Biodiversity Conservation Act 2016, IUCN RedList (IUCN 2018), Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999

The Guthega skink is a small (9-11cm), long-lived (10+ years) and fascinating lizard. It lives in the coldest and one of the wettest regions on mainland Australia and is one of our highest dwelling lizard species, only occurring above an altitude of 1600m.

Adults give birth to three or four live young during the warmer months after reaching sexual maturity at about four years of age – this is considered unusual, as almost all reptiles lay eggs. The Guthega skink prefers to live in rocky or thickly vegetated habitats, which provide important shelter. They gather together in warren systems, which they are loyal to, and have favourite basking locations. Home ranges are small and they prefer to stay near their burrows.

Major threats to the Guthega skink are habitat loss and fragmentation, predation from feral animals, changes in vegetation structure, and grazing and trampling by feral pigs, deer and horses. Heavy hooved feral horses trample the warrens of these skinks and their shelter is lost to grazing. The remaining populations of this intriguing lizard depend on the conservation of their habitat. With feral horses trampling and grazing the delicate alpine areas of Kosciuszko National Park, the Guthega skink will struggle to persist.

References

• Donnellan, S.C., Hutchinson, M.N., Dempsey, P. and Osborne, W. (2002) Systematics of the Egernia whitii species group (Lacertilia: Scincidae) in south-eastern Australia. Australian Journal of Zoology 50(5): 439–459.
• Chapple, D.G. (2003) Ecology, life-history, and behaviour in the Australian Scincid genus Egernia, with comments on the evolution of complex sociality in lizards. Herpetological Monographs 17: 145–180.
• Michael, D. & D. Lindenmeyer (2010). Reptiles of the NSW Murray Catchment. A guide to their identification, ecology & conservation. Collingwood, Victoria: CSIRO Publishing.

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Alpine tree frog. Photo Wombey, NatureMapr | CC BY 3.0 AU

Alpine tree frog

Littoria verreauxii alpine
Endangered: Biodiversity Conservation Act 2016
Vulnerable: Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999

The alpine tree frog is small (about 3cm), green-brown, and makes a trilled whistling song during spring and summer. They only occur in alpine and sub-alpine areas, usually above 1100m. Most known occurrences are within alpine national parks in NSW and Victoria.

The frog’s name is somewhat misleading – alpine tree frogs are poor climbers and spend most of their lives on the ground. For breeding, they depend on wetlands, ponds, bogs, fens (low, marshy lands), streamside pools, dams and still or slow flowing drainage channels. The males call from the water at the edges of pools, and eggs are attached to submerged vegetation.

Habitat loss and modification by feral horses has been identified as a major threat to this species. Grazing habits of horses, and ground compaction from their large, heavy, sharp hooves changes vegetation structure and type, as well as creating erosion and causing degradation of water quality and changes to stream morphology.

The NSW Scientific Committee (2002) determined that all breeding locations of these frogs are vulnerable to trampling by feral horses.

References

• Barker J., Grigg G. and Tyler M.J. (1995) A Field Guide to Australian frogs. (Surrey Beatty and Sons, Sydney)
• NSW Scientific Committee (2002) Alpine tree frog – Endangered species determination – final. DEC (NSW), Sydney

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Northern corroboree frog. Photo copyright ACT Government

Northern corroboree frog

Pseudophryne pengilleyi
Critically Endangered: Biodiversity Conservation Act 2016, Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999, IUCN RedList (IUCN 2018)

The Northern corroboree frog has a highly restricted distribution in alpine and subalpine regions of NSW and adjacent ACT. Populations of this striking frog species have declined significantly, predominantly due to the amphibian disease chytridiomycosis. Adults breed in bogs during January to mid-March, building nests in the dense vegetation and litter that surrounds small pools.. This habitat is integral for courtship and juvenile frog survival.

In 2018 it was found that feral horse trampling significantly impacts the quality of breeding sites for the Northern corroborree frog by reducing the depth of litter and vegetation in bogs. Damaged habitat exposes eggs and renders them prone to desiccation and death. Horse damage also reduces nesting habitat.

These tiny ground-dwelling frogs are also at risk of death by direct trampling. While the decline of the Northern corroboree frog is due primarily to the disease chytridiomycosis, preventing degradation of its breeding habitat is critical to the long-term future of the species.

References

Hunter, D., Osborne, W., Smith, M. J. and McDougall, K. (2009) Breeding Habitat Use and the Future Management of the Critically Endangered Southern Corroboree Frog. Ecological Management & Restoration 10(S1): S103–S109.

Osborne, W. (1990) The Conservation Biology of Pseudophryne Corroboree Moore (Anura: Myobatrachidae):A Study of Insular Populations. PhD thesis, The Australian National University, Canberra.

Pengilley, R. (1973) Breeding Biology of Some Species of Pseudophryne. Australian Zoology 18: 15–30.

Sheele, B., Foster, C., M., Worboys, G. L., Driscoll, D. and Crabb, P. (2018) Feral Horse impacts on Corroboree Frog habitat, Feral Horse Impacts: The Kosciuszko Science Conference – Conference Abstracts, Australian Academy of Science, The Australian National University, Deakin University.

Scheele, B. C., Hunter, D. A., Brannelly, L. A., Skerratt, L. F. and Driscoll, D. A. (2017) Reservoir-host Amplification of Disease Impact in an Endangered Amphibian. Conservation Biology 31: 592–600.

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Reiks freshwater crayfish. Photo by Mark Jekabsons | CC BY 3.0 AU

Reiks freshwater crayfish

Euastacus reiki
Endangered: IUCN RedList (IUCN 2018)

The Euastacus (spiny crayfish) genus of freshwater crayfish is found only in permanent watercourses, usually restricted to mid to high altitudes in the Murray-Darling Basin and southeast Australian coastal river systems. Of the 50 species in this genus, 80% are considered threatened by the International Union for Conservation of Nature.

Reiks freshwater crayfish are small (less than 9cm) shy and shiny crustaceans, which only live in freshwater alpine wetlands in Kosciuszko National Park. They are the highest altitude species of crayfish in Australia and an important food source for other native animals including invertebrates, frogs, fish and platypus. They also help maintain river health.

Habitat loss and modification is listed as the major threat to this species. They are highly dependent on constant, clear, good quality water flows, with reliable dissolved oxygen levels.

The inland wetlands that Reiks freshwater crayfish depend on are being trampled and degraded by feral horses in Kosciuszko National Park. The horses’ sharp, heavy hooves cut into riverbanks, silting the water, eroding and slumping creek sides, degrading structural integrity, and rendering the watercourses and crayfish habitat highly vulnerable to desiccation.

Reiks freshwater crayfish only exists in Kosciuszko National Park and feral horses are destroying the clear, clean, reliable water source they need to survive.

References

• Department of Primary Industries (2013), Spiny Crayfish, Sourced 18th January 2019: https://www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/fishing/fish-species/species-list/spiny-crayfish
• Coughran, J., McCormack R. B., (2011). “Euastacus morgani sp. n., a new spiny crayfish (Crustacea, Decapoda, Parastacidae) from the highland rainforests of eastern New South Wales, Australia”. ZooKeys. 85: 17–26.
• Coughran, J., Furse, J. & Lawler, S. 2010. Euastacus rieki. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2010: e.T153706A4534633. http://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2010-3.RLTS.T153706A4534633.en. Downloaded on 18th January 2019.

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Photo: NatureMapr | CC BY 3.0 AU

Southern corroboree frog

Pseudophryne corroboree
Critically Endangered: Biodiversity Conservation Act 2016; Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999; IUCN RedList (IUCN 2018)

The southern corroboree frog is a tiny (2-3cm), distinctive frog with bright yellow and black stripes running along its back. On its belly, it has black, yellow and white blotches. Its call is a short “squelch”.

This species only exists within Kosciuszko National Park and depends on small, still ponds and sphagnum bogs to breed and lay eggs. Males call for a mate from covered depressions or mossy chambers at pool edges. Tadpoles overwinter in the pools where they feed and grow to emerge in early summer. They do not reach sexual maturity until they are about four years old.

Feral horse damage to breeding sites has been identified as a major threat to the survival of the southern corroboree frog. An examination of 78 sphagnum bogs found that bogs in the most degraded conditions were those occupied by horses.

This species is at very high risk of extinction because of their tiny population and the damage being done to their breeding habitat. Each individual takes four years to reach sexual maturity, making population resilience very low following severe disturbance.

Active management of feral horses is necessary to reduce negative impacts on this critically endangered frog, and to allow native habitat to recover. Only then will the southern corroboree frog have the opportunity for recover.

References

• NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service (2001) Approved Recovery Plan for the Southern Corroboree Frog (Pseudomys corroboree). NSW NPWS, Hurstville NSW.
• Wright,J., Brown, D., Yuen, K., Tongway, D., Worboys, G. L., Driscoll, D. and Crabb, P. (2018) Impacts of Feral Horses on Treeless Drainage Lines in Naional Parks and State Forests of The Australian Alps, Feral Horse Impacts: The Kosciuszko Science Conference – Conference Abstracts, Australian Academy of Science, The Australian National University, Deakin University.

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Alpine spiny crayfish | Mark Jekobson | NatureMapr | CC BY 3.0 AU

Alpine spiny crayfish

Euastacus crassus
Endangered: Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999

Habitat loss, trampling and grazing of creek-side vegetation pose serious threats to the alpine spiny crayfish, resulting in a reduction of water quality and impacting on their food sources and habitat.

Sharp, hard, heavy hooves cause streambed and bank degradation, increases in sedimentation and murkiness, as well as increased nutrient concentrations in water, which can result in algal blooms, that further smother aquatic habitat.

Sediment deposits are considered harmful to young crayfish as they coat creek beds and fill spaces used for shelter, which would otherwise protect juvenile crayfish from predators. A survey of Gippsland spiny crayfish habitat found that populations of the South Gippsland spiny crayfish fell as the level of in-stream silt increased. This demonstrates that any increase in in-stream silt is highly likely to impact spiny crayfish populations.

Increased murkiness can have negative physical, physiological and behavioural effects on stream-dwelling animals and plants. The alpine spiny crayfish is particularly threatened – their slow growth rate and low fecundity renders them extremely vulnerable to drops in population numbers caused by habitat destruction.

As horses damage wetland and bog areas, habitat becomes compacted, incised and unable to retain water. Alpine spiny crayfish are highly dependant on reliable water flows and unable to survive desiccation of their habitat.

References

• Koster, W.M., Raadik, T.A. & Kefford, B.J., 1999, Observations on the distribution, habitat requirements, and aspects of the biology of the Central Highlands Spiny Crayfish, Southern Victorian Spiny Crayfish and South Gippsland Spiny Crayfish. An Unpublished Report. Freshwater Ecology, NRE Heidelberg, Victoria.
• Van Praagh, B., 2003. Action Statement: Alpine Spiny Crayfish. Flora and Fauna Guarantee Act 1988 No. 136. The State of Victoria, Department of Sustainablity and Environment.

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