Action Statement Flora and Fauna Guarantee Act 1988 No. 173

Strzelecki Burrowing Engaeus rostrogaleatus

Description and distribution The Strzelecki Burrowing Crayfish Engaeus rostrogaleatus Horwitz is in the family (). The genus Engaeus to which this species belongs is restricted to south-eastern . In common with most other burrowing crayfish, the species is cryptic and small, with adults having a carapace length of around 24-29 mm and a total length of around 60 mm. The species can be distinguished from other Engaeus species by its distinctive rostrum (‘beak’), which is tuberculate, conspicuously blunt and projected downwards. Eyes are moderately large, extending to the anterior half of the rostrum, and chelae (claws) are dimorphic. The species is ‘intersexed’ (individuals carry both male and female sexual Distribution in organs but only one type is functional). Therefore [source: Atlas of Victorian Wildlife, DSE 2004] sexing specimens is difficult without dissection although reproductive females may be distinguished by secondary sexual characters. Other localities include the headwaters of Billy The Strzelecki Burrowing Crayfish has a very Creek, Jumbuck, River, O’Gradys Creek, restricted distribution and occurs along a 30 km Boolarra, and the headwaters of Macks Creek near section of the Eastern Strzelecki Ranges in South Balook and within Tarra-Bulga National Park. at high altitudes generally above 400 m Habitat (Horwitz 1990a, 1990b). The type locality is Rhyton The burrows of the Strzelecki burrowing crayfish Junction on the Midland Highway, about 30 km occur in soils with a heavy clay component in wet south of Morwell. This locality was described by or seepage areas. When located in the flood-bed, Horwitz (1990b) as a small creek which originated burrows are very shallow and almost without a as a spring in wet sclerophyll forest dominated by descending or vertical component. In contrast, Mountain Ash and abundant burrows located in banks adjacent to a flood-bed, tree ferns. The local topography of the site are vertical and often descend to the flood-bed consisted of a flood-bed approximately 2-4 m wide, level (Horwitz 1990b). These are described as across which water from the spring trickled. The ‘type 2’ burrows by Horwitz and Richardson flood bed banks were steep and led to the hill- (1986) which refers to burrows that are slopes. connected to the water table and the water is ecological requirements of the Strzelecki derived from ground water and surface run-off. Burrowing Crayfish. Horwitz (1990b) comments that the crayfish can be Crayfish that are restricted to high altitudes are easily located by peeling back the root matting of generally thought to be more sensitive to changes tree ferns to expose the horizontal tunnels of the water quality due to their occurrence within cooler burrows. temperature regimes and clear water, compared to The Strzelecki burrowing crayfish is sympatric more opportunistic lowland crayfish. All with the burrowing crayfish, E. hemicirratulus, a freshwater crayfish appear to be highly susceptible larger common and more widespread species of to chemical pollutants such as herbicides and burrowing crayfish. It can be distinguished from insecticides (Horwitz pers. comm.). The species the Strzelecki burrowing crayfish by the presence has not been found in areas cleared of native of a distinct tuft of long bristle setae on the dorso- vegetation (Horwitz pers. comm.). anterior region of the rostrum and bright orange claws. Both species exhibit a distinct microhabitat Habitat modification separation with burrows of E. hemicirratulus The key threats to Strzelecki Burrowing Crayfish restricted to yellow-orange clay dominated soils of are those activities which cause or accelerate the hill top slopes above the level of the flood-bed degradation of the stream bed and banks where the soil is less saturated (Horwitz 1990b). (Gippsland Regional Forest Agreement Steering This is termed a ‘type 3’ burrow system by Horwitz Committee 1999). These activities include roading, and Richardson (1986) which describe burrows clearing of vegetation, grazing by domestic stock that do not connect to the water table. and recreation.

Life history and ecology Private Land At present, the known distributional range of the Very little is known about the life history and Strzelecki Burrowing Crayfish encompasses only a ecology of the Strzelecki Burrowing Crayfish. small proportion of privately-owned land. Privately owned land in this region is primarily Conservation status used for agriculture including cattle grazing and National conservation status dairy production. Creek frontages are generally unfenced, allowing stock access to the streambed. The Strzelecki Burrowing Crayfish has not been Due to the clayey nature of the soil and the nature listed under the Commonwealth Environment of the floodplains in which the Strzelecki Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act Burrowing Crayfish burrow, the soil of this riparian 1999. habitat is particularly sensitive to pugging and compaction by cattle. Indigenous vegetation has Victorian conservation status been removed from some private land, although The Strzelecki Burrowing Crayfish has been listed scattered remnants are present along stream as threatened under the Flora and Fauna banks. The Strzelecki Burrowing Crayfish is most Guarantee Act 1988. likely to occur in association with remnant vegetation. Removal of riparian vegetation Decline and threats combined with the impacts of stock grazing The Strzelecki Burrowing Crayfish is restricted to contribute to soil erosion, stream bank damage, an area of habitat occurring along streams over a siltation of streams and possible damage to the linear distance of approximately 30 km, crayfish burrows. While the exact role of native encompassing Tarra-Bulga National Park, public vegetation in the survival of the species is not land leased for private forestry and some privately- known, its importance is indicated by the fact that owned land. Virtually nothing is known about the it has not been found in cleared land and that the biology and habitat requirements of this species or Narracan Burrowing Crayfish Engaeus phyllocercus, the impacts of forestry and agricultural practices a neighbouring species, also occurs predominantly on its habitat. The species has been largely in areas where remnant riparian vegetation recorded from the very high, steep parts of the remains (Horwitz 1990a). Eastern Strzelecki Ranges, in wetter gullies where Forest and plantation management there is no clear demarcation between the gully and the hillside. Burrows have also been located in The extent of the distribution of the Strzelecki head water regions. These regions are particularly Burrowing Crayfish within land used for timber susceptible to degradation by forestry practices if production at this stage is unknown. However, a the prescriptions in the ‘Code of Forest Practices substantial amount of land within the range of the for Timber Production’ (NRE 1996) are not strictly species distribution is used for plantations. The followed or developed in accordance with the species has been recorded from above Grand Ridge

2 Road (Rhyton Junction) on Crown land is leased to Responsibility: DSE (Biodiversity & Natural Grand Ridge Plantations, a subsidiary of Hancock Resources Division), Parks Victoria Victorian Plantations Pty Ltd. This area contains 2. Monitor key populations represented within both hardwood and softwood plantations. National Park, Crown land plantation areas Forestry activities may pose direct and indirect and any occurring on private land. threats to the Strzelecki Burrowing Crayfish from Responsibility: DSE (Biodiversity & Natural construction, use and maintenance of logging Resources Division), DPI (Gippsland Region), roads, snig tracks, and removal of vegetation. Parks Victoria Potential threats include habitat destruction and crushing of burrows, deposits of sediment into Habitat protection burrows and alteration of water table levels General (Horwitz 1990a). Any activity which may lead to 3. Incorporate actions to protect, enhance and an alteration in the nature of the stream-side water restore Strzelecki Burrowing Crayfish habitat table or drainage patterns could impact on the into relevant Regional Catchment Strategies or species’ survival locally. Guidelines for forestry their subordinate strategies via Biodiversity operations have been developed in the Code of Action Plans. Implement these actions, Forest Practices for Timber Production (NRE 1996) according to priority, as resources become to minimise any impacts from these activities. available, in conjunction with other agencies, community groups and landholders. Existing conservation measures Responsibility: DPI (Gippsland Region), West • Surveys and conservation recommendations for Gippsland Catchment Management Authority the species were made by Horwitz (1990a). 4. Provide information and advice, including • Surveys were undertaken for this species as maps of habitat, to local government part of the Regional Forest Agreement process authorities for inclusion in environmental for the Gippsland Region. significance overlays as part of the local planning schemes Conservation objectives Responsibility: DPI (Gippsland Region) Long term objective Tarra Bulga National Park To ensure that the Strzelecki Burrowing Crayfish can survive, flourish and retain its potential for 5. Protect Strzelecki Burrowing Crayfish habitat evolutionary development in the wild. within the Tarra-Bulga National Park by minimising or eliminating the impacts of Objectives of this Action Statement recreation and park management activities 1. To improve knowledge of the distribution, which might pose a threat to this species or its abundance and biology of the Strzelecki habitat. Burrowing Crayfish. Responsibility: Parks Victoria 2. To protect habitat and manage potential Grand Ridge Plantations threats. 6. Liaise with Grand Ridge Plantations to protect 3. To increase awareness of the Strzelecki habitat of Strzelecki Burrowing Crayfish within Burrowing Crayfish among land managers and plantations, including zoning such habitat and the community. appropriate buffer zones to manage timber harvesting, roading and other activities or to Intended management actions minimise any adverse impacts. The intended management actions listed below are Responsibility: DPI (Gippsland Region) further elaborated in DSE’s Actions for Biodiversity Private land Conservation database. Detailed information about the actions and locations, including 7. Provide landholders with information and priorities, is held in this system and will be advice regarding measures to protect provided annually to land managers and other Strzelecki Burrowing Crayfish if surveys authorities. confirm the presence of this species on or near private land. Surveys and Monitoring Responsibility: DPI (Gippsland Region) 1. Conduct surveys to establish the distribution 8. Pursue funding under the Natural Heritage of the species within the 30km stretch of Trust and /or provide incentives to support riparian habitat and search likely habitat fencing of habitat on private land to exclude outside this area. stock.

3 Responsibility: DPI (Gippsland Region), West Australian National Parks and Wildlife Service, Gippsland Catchment Management Authority, Report Series No. 14. pp. 96-98. local government authorities Horwitz, P. (1990b) A Taxonomic Revision of Research Species in the Freshwater Crayfish Genus Engaeus Erichson (Decapoda: Parastacidae). 9. Encourage research into the biology and Invertebrate Taxonomy 4: 427-614. ecology of the Strzelecki Burrowing Crayfish Horwitz, P. (1995) The conservation status of (possibly in conjunction with the Narracan Australian Fresh Water Crayfish: a review and Burrowing Crayfish Engaeus phyllocercus and update. Freshwater Crayfish 10: 70-80. the South Gippsland Spiny Crayfish Euastacus Horwitz, P. H. J. & Richardson A. M. M. (1986) An neodiversus, both of which are listed species) ecological classification of the burrows of over a three year period and identify the Australian freshwater crayfish. Australian effects of forest management practices using Journal of Marine and Freshwater Research 37: the population found in Tarra-Bulga National 237-42. Park as a control. Priorities for research NRE (1996) Code of Forest Practices for Timber include: Production. Rev. No. 2. November 1996. Department of Natural Resources and • Determining the number, size and geographic Environment, Melbourne. distribution of Strzelecki Burrowing Crayfish SAC (2000) Final Recommendation on a populations. nomination for listing: Strzelecki Burrowing • The long term life history, biology and Crayfish Engaeus rostrogaleatus (Nomination ecological requirements for the species. No. 504). Scientific Advisory Committee, Flora and Fauna Guarantee. Department of Natural • Identification of critical habitat including soil Resources and Environment: Melbourne. types, vegetation requirements, hydrological Victorian RFA Steering Committee (1998) North parameters and catchment -based East Victoria Comprehensive Regional characteristics. Assessment report. Joint Commonwealth and • Determining the impact of various disturbances Victorian Regional Forest Agreement Steering upon aspects of the Strzelecki Burrowing Committee, Commonwealth of Australia. Crayfish ecology, habitat use and population size. Compiled by Dr Beverley Van Praagh, Museum of • Determine and monitor the effects of forestry Victoria. activities including altered hydrology, prescription burns and removal of vegetation. Further information can be obtained from • Monitoring the effectiveness of buffer strips in Department of Sustainability and Environment Customer Service Centre on 136 186. protecting the crayfish.

Responsibility: DSE (Biodiversity & Natural Flora and Fauna Guarantee Action Statements are Resources Division), Parks Victoria available from the Department of Sustainability and Environment website: http://www.dse.vic.gov.au References CNR (1995) Threatened Fauna in Victoria – 1995: A This Action Statement has been prepared under systematic list of fauna considered extinct, at section 19 of the Flora and Fauna Guarantee Act risk of extinction or in major decline in 1988 under delegation from Professor Lyndsay Neilson, Secretary, Department of Sustainability and Victoria. Department of Conservation and Environment, September 2003. Natural Resources: Melbourne.

DSE (2003) “Advisory List of Rare or Threatened © The State of Victoria, Department of Vascular Plants in Victoria – 2003”. Department Sustainability and Environment, 2003 of Sustainability and Environment, Victoria, Australia. Published by the Department of Sustainability and DSE (2004) Atlas of Victorian Wildlife (electronic Environment, Victoria. 8 Nicholson Street, East fauna database). Department of Sustainability Melbourne, Victoria 3002 Australia and Environment: Melbourne. Gaffney, R. F. & Horwitz, P. (1992) The Scottsdale This publication may be of assistance to you but the Burrowing Crayfish Recovery Plan: Management State of Victoria and its employees do not guarantee Phase. Prepared for Australian National Parks that the publication is without flaw of any kind or is and Wildlife Service wholly appropriate for your particular purposes and Program. Project No. 240. therefore disclaims all liability for any error, loss or other consequence which may arise from you Horwitz, P. (1990a) The Conservation Status of relying on any information in this publication. Australian Freshwater Crustacea. With a provisional list of threatened species, habitats ISSN 1448-9902 and potentially threatening processes.

4