The Threatened Species Scientific Committee agreed that this species was eligible to be retained as vulnerable on 26 August 2010

Advice from the Threatened Species Scientific Committee (the Committee) on the list of Threatened Species under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (EPBC Act)

1. Reason for Conservation Assessment by the Committee

This advice follows assessment of new information provided through the Species Information Partnership with Western Australia on: Minuria tridens (minnie daisy)

2. Summary of Species Details

Taxonomy Conventionally accepted as Minuria tridens (D.A.Cooke) Lander State Listing Status Minuria tridens is listed as vulnerable under the Northern Territory Territory Parks and Wildlife Conservation Act 2000. Minuria tridens is not listed as threatened under Western Australian legislation. It is however on the Department of Environment and Conservation’s Priority Flora List as Priority 1 (poorly known). Description A perennial dwarf shrub that grows between 25–50 cm high. It produces flower heads with mauve or white ray florets and the disc florets are yellow (Kerrigan and Albrecht, 2006; WAH, 2009). Distribution Extends from 200 km west to 100 km east of Alice Springs, in the Northern Territory (Nano and Pavey, 2007). Occurs in the MacDonald Ranges Bioregion and the Simpson-Strzelecki Dunefields Bioregion in the Northern Territory. This species is known from a single specimen in the WA Herbarium, collected on a roadside in 1986 within the Murchison Bioregion of Western Australia (Nano and Pavey, 2007), 22 km south of Cue. A subsequent search in this location in 2008, failed to relocate the original collection. Relevant Biology/Ecology Typically found on south side of ranges and rises in low shrubland habitat. Associated species include Acacia kempeana (Witchetty Bush), Senna artemisioides and Indigofera leucortricha (Kerrigan and Albrecht, 2006; Nano and Pavey, 2007). Occurs on south-facing slopes of dolomite, limestone and calcrete-impregnated sandstone hills and ranges (Nano and Pavey, 2007). This species has a low seed set limiting recruitment rates (Nano and Pavey, 2007). Threats Known This species is currently threatened by invasion of the introduced perennial Cenchrus ciliaris (Buffel Grass) (Nano and Pavey, 2007). Potential Potential threats to this species include inappropriate fire regimes, climate change which may disrupt output and germination, habitat degradation by urban and rural development and predation (Nano and Pavey, 2007).

3. Public Consultation

Notice of the proposed amendment was made available for public comment for 30 business days. Any comments received that are relevant to the survival of the species have been considered by the Committee.

Minuria tridens (minnie daisy) Listing Advice Page 1 of 4 The Threatened Species Scientific Committee agreed that this species was eligible to be retained as vulnerable on 26 August 2010

4. How judged by the Committee in relation to the EPBC Act criteria and Regulations

Criterion 1: It has undergone, is suspected to have undergone or is likely to undergo in the immediate future a very severe, severe or substantial reduction in numbers Not eligible

Criterion element Evidence Reduction in numbers Insufficient data – A future reduction in numbers is anticipated due to the ongoing threat of weed invasion (DEC, 2009). However, there are insufficient data to indicate whether the reduction would be substantial.

Criterion 2: Its geographic distribution is precarious for the survival of the species and is very restricted, restricted or limited Not eligible

Criterion element Evidence Geographic distribution Insufficient data – Extent of occurrence in Northern Territory is 22 000 km2 and the area of occupancy in Northern Territory is AND estimated to be 2000 km2 (Nano and Pavey, 2007; Kerrigan and Albrecht, 2006). The extent of occurrence, including the Western Australian record, is 130 000 km2. Geographic distribution Yes – Known from 20 locations within the Northern Territory, and precarious found within 3 national parks. It is estimated that 1000 individuals occur within conservation reserves (Albrecht et al., 1997). However, populations are small and considered to be highly fragmented (DEC, 2009) and future declines are expected due to current ongoing threats.

Criterion 3: The estimated total number of mature individuals is very low, low or limited; and either (a) evidence suggests that the number will continue to decline at a very high, high or substantial rate; or (b) the number is likely to continue to decline and its geographic distribution is precarious for its survival Eligible for listing as vulnerable

Criterion element Evidence Total no. of mature Limited – The total population size in the Northern Territory has individuals been estimated at fewer than 3000 (TSN, 1999), therefore the number of mature individuals is likely to be limited. AND Continued rate of decline Yes – A future reduction in numbers is anticipated due directly to the ongoing threat of weed invasion and consequential change in fire regime (DEC, 2009).

Minuria tridens (minnie daisy) Listing Advice Page 2 of 4 The Threatened Species Scientific Committee agreed that this species was eligible to be retained as vulnerable on 26 August 2010

OR Total no. of mature Limited – The total population size in the Northern Territory has individuals been estimated at fewer than 3000 plants (TSN, 1999), therefore the number of mature individuals is likely to be limited. AND Continued decline likely Yes – See Criterion 1 AND Geographic distribution Yes – See Criterion 2 precarious

Criterion 4: The estimated total number of mature individuals is extremely low, very low or low Not eligible

Criterion element Evidence Total no. of mature Not low – The estimated number of individuals is <3000, for the individuals Northern Territory.

Criterion 5: Probability of extinction in the wild that is at least (a) 50% in the immediate future; or (b) 20% in the near future; or (c) 10% in the medium-term future Not eligible

Criterion element Evidence Probability of extinction in No data the wild

5. Recommendations

The Committee recommends no amendment to the list referred to in section 178 of the EPBC Act and that Minuria tridens remains eligible for inclusion in the vulnerable category of the list. This species has a limited number of mature individuals, is subject to ongoing threats and a continuing decline.

Threatened Species Scientific Committee 26 August 2010

Minuria tridens (minnie daisy) Listing Advice Page 3 of 4 The Threatened Species Scientific Committee agreed that this species was eligible to be retained as vulnerable on 26 August 2010

6. References cited in the advice

Albrecht D E, Duguid AW, Latz PK., Coulson H and Barritt MJ (1997). Vascular checklist for the southern bioregions of the Northern Territory: nomenclature, distribution and conservation status. Parks and Wildlife Commission of the Northern Territory, Alice Springs. Cooke DA (1986). Two new species of Olearia Moench (Compositae: ) from central Australia. Muelleria 6: 182. Department of Environment and Conservation (DEC) (2009). Records held in DEC’s Declared Flora Database and rare flora files. Department of Environment and Conservation, Western Australia. Kerrigan R and Albrecht D (2006). Threatened Species of the Northern Territory Minuria tridens. Department of Natural Resources, Environment and the Arts. Available on the Internet at: http://www.nt.gov.au/nreta/wildlife/animals/threatened/pdf/plants/Minuria_tridens_V U.pdf Lander NS (1987). New combinations in Minuria DC. (: Astereae). Nuytsia 6: 64. Nano C and Pavey C (2007). National Recovery Plan for Olearia macdonnellensis, Minuria tridens (Minnie Daisy) and Actinotus schwarzii (Desert Flannel Flower). Department of Natural Resources, Environment and the Arts, Northern Territory. Threatened Species Network (TSN) (1999). Lime Minuria Species Profile Sheet. Western Australian Herbarium (WAH) (2009). FloraBase – The Western Australian Flora. Western Australian Department of Environment and Conservation. Available on the Internet at: http://florabase.calm.wa.gov.au/

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