Distribution and Status of the Swamp Antechinus Antechinus Minimus Maritimus (Marsupialia : Dasyuridae) in South Australia

Distribution and Status of the Swamp Antechinus Antechinus minimus maritimus (Marsupialia : Dasyuridae) in South Australia

by Mark Bachmann and Jason van Weenen

for

The Nature Conservation Society of South Australia Inc

and Distribution and Status of the Swamp Antechinus in South Australia

Distribution and Status of the Swamp Antechinus Antechinus minimus maritimus (Marsupialia : Dasyuridae) in South Australia

by Mark Bachmann and Jason van Weenen

for

The Nature Conservation Society of South Australia Inc

and

Biodiversity Monitoring and Evaluation Program

October 2001

This project was funded by the Wildlife Conservation Fund, Adelaide and Conservation Strategies Section, South East Region - through the South Australian Department for Environment and Heritage

Page i Distribution and Status of the Swamp Antechinus in South Australia

This report may be cited as:

Bachmann, M.R. & van Weenen, J. (2001) The Distribution and Status of the Swamp Antechinus Antechinus minimus maritimus (Marsupialia : Dasyuridae) in South Australia. Nature Conservation Society of South Australia, Adelaide.

Authors:

Mark Bachmann South East Ecologist Conservation Strategies South East National Parks and Wildlife SA Department for Environment and Heritage

Jason van Weenen Scientific Officer - Threatened Fauna Operations Support National Parks and Wildlife SA Department for Environment and Heritage

c Nature Conservation Society of South Australia Inc. 2001 ISBN 0957736908

Cover Pictures: Swamp Antechinus (Antechinus minimus maritimus) Photograph: Jason van Weenen Silky Tea-tree habitat Photograph: Mark Bachmann

Page ii Distribution and Status of the Swamp Antechinus in South Australia

Abstract

The Swamp Antechinus (Antechinus minimus) is a small carnivorous marsupial that primarily occurs in dense heath and sedgeland habitats of south-eastern Australia and Tasmania. In South Australia, the species is found in isolated, near coastal localities between Robe and the Victorian border. Dense wet heaths and sedgelands are naturally uncommon in South Australia. The past broad-scale loss of these habitats to agricultural development, as well as continued degradation through grazing, provided the impetus for a comprehensive investigation into the current distribution and status of this species. Two surveys were conducted, in 1997 and from 1999 to 2001, and are discussed in this report.

In the first survey, a total of 19 sites were sampled between the 24/5/97 and the 15/8/97. This survey targeted a range of near coastal habitats and from a total of 4840 trap nights, only five male animals were captured from a single location. Attempts to relocate previously recorded populations failed, and it appeared that the species had become extinct at some sites due to habitat loss or degradation. As a result of this survey the Swamp Antechinus was listed as Endangered in South Australia in the year 2000.

The second survey was conducted between 18/4/1999 and 16/6/2001, with 9510 traps checked across 36 sites. Mostly covering different sites to the 1997 survey, it was deliberately targeted towards areas of Silky Tea-tree wet heath, with 33 sites located in this habitat. There were 107 Swamp Antechinus captures of 61 different individuals from 18 of the 36 sites surveyed. The Swamp Antechinus was the most restricted and least abundant native mammal captured in the study. Although the species is predominantly utilising small, isolated areas of Silky Tea-tree habitat in South Australia, two alternate habitats surveyed also produced captures of the species. A single female Swamp Antechinus was captured in dry coastal heath at Bucks Lake Game Reserve near Carpenters Rocks, while in Lower Glenelg River Conservation Park, four captures of two male individuals were recorded in damp heathy woodland habitat.

The extent of wetland drainage and vegetation clearance in the South East region, has led to the trend of isolation that Silky Tea-tree habitats in South Australia currently suffer. There are very few examples, particularly on private property, where ecotones still exist between Silky Tea-tree wet heath and drier adjacent habitats such as woodlands or coastal heaths. This has impacted on the distribution of the Swamp Antechinus in South Australia by preventing the type of broader habitat use often recorded in Victoria. The only exceptions to this general trend were found in large remnant areas, such as in Lower Glenelg River Conservation Park and the remnant vegetation in the Carpenter Rocks area.

The Swamp Antechinus remains one of the most restricted and threatened small mammals in South Australia, so this report recommends that the species remain listed as Endangered in this state. Additionally, it is likely that at a national level the mainland Swamp Antechinus would satisfy the criteria to be listed as a threatened species under federal legislation. Therefore it is also recommended that a joint assessment of the sub-species’ national status on mainland Australia be conducted between Victorian and South Australian environment authorities.

Page iii Distribution and Status of the Swamp Antechinus in South Australia

About the Nature Conservation Society

The Nature Conservation Society of South Australia is a voluntary body with members drawn from all parts of the State and all walks of life. The Society’s primary objective is to “foster the conservation of the State’s wildlife and natural habitats”. This has involved the Society in taking action on many varied environmental issues since its formation in 1963. Land use and resource use interact to such an extent that neither can be considered in isolation.

A major concern during the Society’s early years was the need for South Australia to have an extensive Parks system to ensure that the State’s many plants and animals can be conserved in their natural environment. The Society has sought the addition of new reserves and opposed the resumption of existing reserves when necessary. It has always been Society policy to put its case objectively, based on the facts available. In many cases it has been necessary to carry out field studies in the areas in question, and since 1966, in most years there has been a major biological survey carried out by members and other volunteers. The Society also seeks grant funding to contract research related to environmental management and education. Studies done by or on behalf of the Society are published and made available to the public through sales of reports and distribution to libraries and government institutions.

Over the last two decades the Society played a strong role in the formation and development of the Native Vegetation Management Act and more recently biodiversity planning and education. It is now obvious that conservation reserves alone will not ensure the survival of all of the State’s plants and animals, and that as much native habitat as remains is needed to conserve the biological diversity of South Australia.

The Society is also active in public education through activities such as Sunday “Walks with Nature” which attract as many as 500 people on a day, general meetings and its journal Xanthopus.

An elected Committee handles the Society’s affairs. However it is not necessary to be a Committee member to play an active role on behalf of the Society in pursuing particular issues or topics of research.

The Society has an office on the first floor of the Conservation Centre at 120 Wakefield Street, Adelaide, 5000. The Society is financed by subscriptions, sales of its publications, private donations and State and Federal Government grants. This enables it to employ an Office Manager and a Scientific Officer, though much of the work is voluntary. Donations are always welcome and fully tax deductible. For more information please contact the Society’s Office by phone (08) 8223 6301, fax (08) 8232 4290, or email [email protected] and attend our informative general meetings in the Royal Society of South Australia’s rooms (off Kintore Ave, behind the State Library) at 8pm on the first Thursday of every month except January.

Page iv Distribution and Status of the Swamp Antechinus in South Australia

ForEwOrd

The funding for the distribution and status of the Swamp Antechinus project resulted from a successful application to the Reserves Advisory Committee under the Wildlife Conservation Fund grant program. The Reserves Advisory Committee suggested that the NCSSA project proposal be merged with a similar distribution and status project of the Eastern Pygmy Possum Cercartetus nanus, proposed by Tim Croft on behalf of the Native Vegetation Conservation Management Section of the Department for Environment. This condition was accepted and Tim Croft and Robert Brandle formed a project steering committee to manage the combined project with a budget of $15 000. In 1997, Jason van Weenen was contracted to undertake the studies and write a report.

The results from the distributional survey work indicated that the situation for the Swamp Antechinus and other wetland dependent species was tenuous, and contributed significantly to its current rating of Endangered in South Australia (National Parks and Wildlife Act schedules). It also prompted the Steering Committee to apply for funding from the Natural Heritage Trust to protect and rehabilitate Silky Tea-tree and Cutting Grass swamps in the South East of South Australia. Jason joined this Steering Committee and Mark Bachmann was employed part-time to raise awareness about the issue and encourage local landholders to protect their remnants from further degradation. Mark’s other interests, such as an Honours project on the Swamp Antechinus, and subsequent employment as a Regional Ecologist with the Department for Environment and Heritage enabled him to follow up on some of the recommendations put forward in Jason’s Draft Report. The publication of this report was delayed to include Mark’s more recent findings. The report is now a comprehensive account of the distribution of this species in South Australia and outlines what needs to be done to prevent its extinction in this State.

Apart from the volume of information detailing the habitat requirements and distribution of the Swamp Antechinus in South Australia, the report is also a revelation to those who thought native vegetation clearance was no longer a concern since the Native Vegetation Management Act (1985) was introduced. The aerial photographs in the discussion section show that significant areas of rarer habitat can be whittled away despite clearance controls. Recommendations to secure the future of the Swamp Antechinus in South Australia indicate that all remaining Silky Tea-tree habitat needs to be protected and where possible expanded.

Robert Brandle – President of the Nature Conservation Society

October 2001

Page v Distribution and Status of the Swamp Antechinus in South Australia

Contents

ABSTRACT iii

About the Nature Conservation Society iv

ForEwOrd v

Contents vi

LIST OF TABLES AND FIGURES ix

Acknowledgments xi

SECTION A: BACKGROUND INFORMATION

1.0 INTRODUCTION 1

1.1 THE SWAMP ANTECHINUS 1

1.2 DISTRIBUTION AND STATUS 4 1.2.1 Tasmania 4 1.2.2 Victoria 4 1.2.3 South Australia 4

1.3 HABITAT 5 1.3.1 Vegetation communities 5 1.3.2 Vegetation structure 5 1.3.3 Past habitat distribution 5 1.3.4 Present habitat distribution 6

1.4 THREATS TO THE SPECIES 6 1.4.1 Recognised threats in Victoria 6 1.4.2 Perceived threats in South Australia 6 1.4.3 Global climate change 6

1.5 SWAMP ANTECHINUS HISTORIC RECORDS AND RESEARCH IN SOUTH AUSTRALIA 7

SECTION B: 1997 SURVEY

2.0 OBJECTIVES 9

3.0 MATERIALS AND METHODS 9

3.1 FIELD SURVEY 9

3.2 SITE SELECTION 9

3.3 TRAPPING TO DETERMINE DISTRIBUTION 10

3.4 TRAPPING TO DETERMINE ABUNDANCE 10

3.5 vEGETATION AND SITE DESCRIPTION 11

Page vi Distribution and Status of the Swamp Antechinus in South Australia

4.0 rESULTS 11

4.1 DISTRIBUTION 11

4.2 ABUNDANCE 12

4.3 vEGETATION AND SITE CHARACTERISTICS 14

4.4 SWAMP ANTECHINUS CAPTURE SITE CHARACTERISTICS 17

SECTION C: 1999-2001 SURVEY

5.0 rATIONALE FOR SURVEY 19

6.0 AIM AND OBJECTIVES 19

7.0 MATERIALS AND METHODS 19

7.1 FIELD SURVEY 19

7.2 SITE SELECTION 19

7.3 TRAPPING TO DETERMINE DISTRIBUTION 20

8.0 RESULTS 21

8.1 DISTRIBUTION 21 8.1.1 Small mammal results summary 21 8.1.2 Swamp Antechinus capture location summary 23 8.1.3 Summary of Swamp Antechinus capture characteristics 24

8.2 vEGETATION AND SITE CHARACTERISTICS 28 8.2.1 Silky Tea-tree wet heath or tall, wet shrublands 28 8.2.2 Dryland Tea-tree low woodland and/or dry coastal heath 28 8.2.3 Brown Stringybark woodland with damp heath understorey 30

8.3 SWAMP ANTECHINUS CAPTURE SITE CHARACTERISTICS 31

SECTION d: distribution maps

9.0 hABITAT, SURVEY SITE AND SWAMP ANTECHINUS DISTRIBUTION MAPS 33

Page vii Distribution and Status of the Swamp Antechinus in South Australia

SECTION E: DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION

10.0 DISCUSSION 47

10.1 HABITAT 47 10.1.1 General habitat description 47 10.1.2 Capture habitat characteristics 47 10.1.3 Past habitat distribution 51 10.1.4 Present habitat distribution 51 10.1.5 Past and continuing threats to Swamp Antechinus distribution 52

10.2 DISTRIBUTION 58

10.3 SWAMP ANTECHINUS CAPTURE CHARACTERISTICS 61

10.4 STATUS REVIEW 62 10.4.1 The Swamp Antechinus in reserves 62 10.4.2 The Swamp Antechinus on private land 63 10.4.3 Recommended status 66

10.5 CURRENT DIRECTIONS IN SWAMP ANTECHINUS CONSERVATION 68

10.6 FUTURE RESEARCH / RECOMMENDATIONS 69 10.6.1 Further refine knowledge of the distribution of the SwampAntechinus in South Australia 69 10.6.2 Monitoring of existing populations 69 10.6.3 Study of genetic material collected in the 1997 and 1999-2001 surveys 70 10.6.4 Assess sites for a trial re-introduction of the Swamp Antechinus 70 10.6.5 Investigate the feasibility of strategic corridors to link significant SilkyTea-tree habitat remnants 70 10.6.6 Continue and expand Silky Tea-tree habitat protection / rehabilitation works 71 10.6.7 Conduct an assessment of the national status of the mainland Swamp Antechinus 71 10.6.8 Summary of recommended actions in priority order 71

11.0 CONCLUSION 72

SECTION F

12.0 rEFERENCES 73

13.0 PERSONAL COMMUNICATIONS 76

14.0 APPENDICES 77

14.1 CONFIRMED SWAMP ANTECHINUS RECORDS IN SOUTH AUSTRALIA: 1938 - 2001 77

14.2 1997 SURVEY SITE DETAILS 80

14.3 1999 - 2001 SURVEY SITE DETAILS 81

14.4 SILKY TEA-TREE AND CUTTING GRASS WETLAND REHABILITATION PROJECT BROCHURE 83

Page viii Distribution and Status of the Swamp Antechinus in South Australia

List of Tables and Figures

Figure 1.1 The Swamp Antechinus (Antechinus minimus maritimus) 1

Figure 1.2 Swamp Antechinus dentition 1

Figure 1.3 Swamp Antechinus fore-claws 1

Figure 1.4 A female Swamp Antechinus with pouch young 2

Figure 1.5 Example of the timing of life history events of the Swamp Antechinus 3

Figure 1.6 Entrance to a Swamp Antechinus burrow at the base of a Cutting Grass tussock 3

Figure 4.1 Capture points for Swamp Antechinus at site ROB01001 11

Figure 4.2 Mammal captures recorded at the 19 sites trapped at during the 1997 survey 12

Figure 4.3 Trapping grid design used at site ROB01001 13

Figure 4.4 Vegetation Group 1: Silky Tea-tree heath 14

Figure 4.5 Vegetation Group 2: Degraded Silky Tea-tree heath 15

Figure 4.6 Vegetation Group 3: Open scrub over tussock grassland 15

Figure 4.7 Vegetation Group 4: Coast Spear-grass tussock grassland 15

Figure 4.9 Vegetation Group 6: Cutting Grass sedgeland 16

Figure 4.8 Vegetation Group 5: Coastal sedgeland 16

Figure 4.10 Swamp Antechinus capture point in dense cover 17

Figure 4.11 Swamp Antechinus capture point with an open understorey 17

Table 8.1 Summary of small mammal captures from the 1999-2001 survey 21

Figure 8.1 Mammal captures recorded at the 36 sites surveyed during the 1999-2001 survey 22

Figure 8.2 Swamp Antechinus capture location data 23

Figure 8.3 Sex/age ratio of Swamp Antechinus individuals captured 24

Figure 8.4 Sex/age ratio of Swamp Antechinus captures 25

Figure 8.5 Average weight of each Swamp Antechinus sex/age class by site 25

Figure 8.6 Average weight of Swamp Antechinus captures by sex/age class over the five month period of each year of the survey: 1999-2001 26

Figure 8.7 Average weight of Swamp Antechinus records in South Australia by sex/age class and grouped according to month of capture 27

Figure 8.8 Number of Swamp Antechinus captures recorded for each site at the time of day when traps were checked 27

Figure 8.9 Typical structure of intact Silky Tea-tree wetland habitat 28

Figure 8.10 The dry heath site surveyed at Bucks Lake Game Reserve 29

Page ix Distribution and Status of the Swamp Antechinus in South Australia

Figure 8.11 Silky Tea-tree wet heath soak in Bucks Lake Game Reserve 29

Figure 8.12 The dry coastal heath site surveyed at Carpenter Rocks Conservation Park 30

Figure 8.13 The damp heathy woodland site surveyed in Lower Glenelg River Conservation Park 30

Figure 8.14 A Typical capture point in Silky Tea-tree wet heath vegetation 31

Figure 9.1 Fauna survey sites in the South East of South Australia 35

Figure 9.2 Swamp Antechinus distribution in South Australia 37

Figure 9.3 Swamp Antechinus distribution: Robe - Beachport 39

Figure 9.4 Swamp Antechinus distribution: Southend - Blackfellows Cave 41

Figure 9.5 Swamp Antechinus distribution: Nene Valley - Victorian Border 43

Figure 9.6 Swamp Antechinus records in relation to the pre-European vegetation of the South East 45

Figure 10.1 Death and weed infestation of Silky Tea-tree habitat in Bucks Lake Game Reserve 48

Figure 10.2 Swamp Antechinus capture habitat on the property south-east of Bucks Lake Game Reserve 48

Figure 10.3 Silky Tea-tree habitat clearance adjacent to Little Dip Conservation Park 50

Figure 10.4 Vegetation clearance near Blackfellows Cave 51

Figure 10.5 Silky Tea-tree habitat clearance at Pick’s Swamp: adjacent to the western end of Piccaninnie Ponds Conservation Park 52

Figure 10.6 Wetland drainage and vegetation clearance inland from Cape Douglas 53

Figure 10.7 Drainage and clearance of Nene Valley wetland 54

Figure 10.8 A Silky Tea-tree swamp as it appeared in 1983 and the same, now denuded swamp in 2001 60

Figure 10.9 The Swamp Greenhood 62

Figure 10.10 The Swamp Skink 62

Figure 10.11 Rare formation of Silky Tea-tree habitat, with a fern dominated understorey 63

Figure 10.12 Clearance at Site BC04 near Blackfellows Cave, opening up the heart of the wetland habitat to grazing 63

Page x Distribution and Status of the Swamp Antechinus in South Australia

Acknowledgments

The level of trap intensity in the 1997 survey could not have been attained if not for the assistance of numerous volunteers, especially Gavin Kluske, Jason Cody, Brett Haythorpe, and the friends of both Little Dip and Butchers Gap Conservation Parks.

South Australian Department for Environment and Heritage staff from within the study region, especially Don Mount, Roger Davidson, Glen Jackway, Peter Cooke, Tim Collins, Chris (CJ) Wilson and Chris Thompson are thanked for their advice on site location, assistance with field work and use of regional resources.

As many of the survey sites were located on private property, the following landowners are thanked for their co-operation; Bob Donovan, Ken and Lyn Jones, Ben and Jenny Tilley, Grant Belchev and Gina Ploenges, Rhonda Jess, District Council of Grant, Bray Milstead, Tom and Carol McGaw, Veronica and Wally Jenkins, Richard and Gay Telford, Karl and Fiona Unger, Tom Cockburn, Tim Watts, Andy and Fred Ellis, Wattle Range District Council, John Mullins, Michael and Helen McCourt, John and Joyce Enwright, Peter Faulkner, Ian and Fran McGuiness, and, Tom and Pat Brinkworth.

Many questions about trapping techniques for this species were answered by researchers in Victoria, in particular John Aberton, Susan Ward, Barbara Wilson and Tim Reichl. For their help and useful information we are thankful.

Map layers, used to depict the species distribution and survey site localities, and Swamp Antechinus records from past surveys were obtained from the Biodiversity Branch of the South Australian Department for Environment and Heritage. Planning SA provided the South East Floristic Vegetation Mapping Data. Cath Kemper and Martine Long provided information on Swamp Antechinus specimens held at the South Australian Museum. Roman Urban is thanked for his valuable support in the production of distribution maps.

The authors also thank the project steering committee, Robert Brandle and Tim Croft, as well as Bob Sharrad, Barbara Wilson, and David Paull, who assisted with the editing of this document.

Page xi Distribution and Status of the Swamp Antechinus in South Australia

Research Permits

Research was conducted throughout the Lower South East of South Australia under the following National Parks and Wildlife permits: A23904-01 W23903-01 S24209-01

Project Ethics Approval

1997 Survey: Department for Environment and Heritage Wildlife Ethics Committee Approval Application number - 4/97

1999-2001 Survey: Institute of Medical and Veterinary Science Animal Ethics Committee Approval Application number - 29/99

Department for Environment and Heritage Wildlife Ethics Committee Approval Application number - 9/2000

Page xii Distribution and Status of the Swamp Antechinus in South Australia

SECTION A: BACKGROUND INFORMATION

1.0 INTRODUCTION

1.1 THE SWAMP ANTECHINUS The Swamp Antechinus (Antechinus minimus) is one of nine carnivorous marsupial species belonging to the Antechinus genus (Family: Dasyuridae). Antechinus literally means ‘hedgehog-equivalent’ and minimus suggests that it is the smallest antechinus when in fact it is one of the largest. The specific name was applied in 1803, when it was regarded as a member of the genus Dasyurus, making it the smallest of the quolls (Wainer et al. 1995). Two distinct sub-species of the Swamp Antechinus are recognised; A. minimus minimus that is restricted to Tasmania and A. minimus maritimus that occupies the south-eastern corner of mainland Australia.

The Swamp Antechinus can be active both day and night, and is about the size of a small rat, see Figure 1.1. Its appearance is characterised by a short tail, small ears and eyes, and a pointed face. Coat colour is typically a grizzled dark brown above, often grading into a rich yellowish-brown on the rump and flanks, with light colouration below (Waineret al. 1995). The Swamp Antechinus is sexually dimorphic with adult males (average weight 65g) attaining a greater mass than adult females (average weight 42g) (Wainer et al. 1995). The small, sharp teeth the species uses to grind its prey, shown in Figure 1.2, distinguish the Swamp Antechinus from other, similar sized small mammals, e.g. rat (Rattus) species. Using its long fore-claws, shown in Figure 1.3, the Swamp Antechinus forages like a bandicoot, digging mostly for insects and other small invertebrates in leaf litter and soil (Wainer et al. 1995).

Figure 1.1 The Swamp Antechinus (Antechinus minimus maritimus) Photograph: Mark Bachmann

Figure 1.2 Swamp Antechinus dentition Figure 1.3 Swamp Antechinus fore-claws Photograph: Mark Bachmann Photograph: Mark Bachmann

Page 1 Distribution and Status of the Swamp Antechinus in South Australia

Work on the reproductive biology of the mainland Swamp Antechinus by Wilson (1986), Wilson & Bourne (1984) and Wilson et al. (1986) has shown that synchronised mating occurs in winter with females giving birth in mid-late winter and lactating for a further two-three months while rearing a single litter of young. Females lack what is usually a distinctive feature in Australian marsupials and do not have a true pouch. Instead they develop a ‘pseudo-pouch’ or marginal fold of skin around the mammary area early in the breeding season (Wainer 1976). This skin fold envelops the tiny young from birth, see Figure 1.4, and gradually retracts as they are weaned.

Mainland Swamp Antechinus possess eight nipples, whereas females of the Tasmanian sub-species have only six (Wakefield and Warneke 1963). The maximum litter size in each sub-species is therefore determined by the number of available nipples with female mainland Swamp Antechinus usually successful in rearing five-eight young. Some females survive to breed in their second year and in rare instances a third (Wainer 1983) and, consistent with other Antechinus species, all males die-off after the mating period (Lee et al. 1982). A time-line depicting these life history events has been provided in Figure 1.5.

Adult females build a grass-lined nest to rear their young and usually locate it at the base of a grass tussock (Wainer 1983), beneath thick leaf litter (Menkhorst 1995), or within a multi-entrance shallow burrow in the topsoil or litter (Aberton et al. 1994), see Figure 1.6. At around six weeks old the Swamp Antechinus young, with body lengths approximately 35mm, are left in the nest but continue to be suckled for a further six-eight weeks (Wallis and Baxter 1980). Juvenile Swamp Antechinus have small home ranges and return to their nests for shelter. This may continue for a few months after weaning and into sub-adulthood (Wainer 1983).

Female Swamp Antechinus appear to retain this more sedentary behaviour through to adulthood, maintaining a small home range and preferentially utilising the most favourable habitats (Aberton 1996). In contrast, adult male Swamp Antechinus, like other species of antechinus, become more mobile prior to ‘die-off’ (Wainer 1983; Aberton et al. 1994). Searching for new populations of the species and general trapping results have been most successful during this period (Wainer 1976; Aberton pers comm 1997).

On mainland Australia, trapping rates for the Swamp Antechinus appear relatively low and have ranged from two percent up to six percent (Menkhorst 1995). Wilson et al. (1986) recorded a maximum density of 14 animals per hectare near Anglesea in the Otways (Victoria).

Figure 1.4 A female Swamp Antechinus with pouch young Photograph: Mark Bachmann

Page 2 Distribution and Status of the Swamp Antechinus in South Australia

Male ‘die-off’

Young suckled in nest

Young in pouch

Partuition

Gestation

Mating

Pre-reproductive animals

Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec

Figure 1.5 Example of the timing of life history events of the Swamp Antechinus From: Wainer (1976)

Figure 1.6 Entrance to a Swamp Antechinus burrow at the base of a Cutting Grass tussock Photograph: Mark Bachmann

Page 3 Distribution and Status of the Swamp Antechinus in South Australia

1.2 DISTRIBUTION AND STATUS

1.2.1 Tasmania In Tasmania, the Swamp Antechinus is reasonably common in the swamps of western Tasmania and Maatsuyker Island (Aitken 1977). It is also known from both Flinders and King Islands in Bass Straight (Green 1973). Wilson et al. (1995) describe this sub-species as having wide but sparse distribution.

1.2.2 Victoria In Victoria the mainland Swamp Antechinus is limited to number of scattered coastal localities from the South Australian border eastward to Wilson’s Promontory. Inland populations occur in the Wannon region of south-western Victoria approximately 60km from the coast near Casterton, and are somewhat atypical for the otherwise near coastal mainland sub-species. Several populations also occur on islands off the Victorian coast, including Snake, Sunday, Rabbit and Great Glennie Islands.

Although well catered for by the conservation reserve system in Victoria, the Swamp Antechinus is considered rare in the state (CNR 1993).

1.2.3 South Australia In South Australia the Swamp Antechinus occurs in scattered coastal localities from the Victorian border westward to Robe. Prior to the surveys described in this report, the capture localities could be broadly grouped into four general areas, those being:

1) Near Robe- Little Dip Conservation Park / Lake Eliza area;

2) Between Southend and the Carpenter Rocks area- Canunda Conservation Reserve, Canunda National Park, Bucks Lake Game Reserve and adjacent private properties;

3) Near Blackfellows Cave to the Port MacDonnell area (all private properties); and,

4) Piccaninnie Ponds Conservation Park.

Kemper et al. (1990) listed the Swamp Antechinus as Rare in South Australia. The species was reclassified from Rare to Endangered under Schedule 9 of the National Parks & Wildlife Act 1972 in the year 2000. This followed findings from research contributing to this report.

The 1996 Action Plan for Australian Marsupials and Monotremes (Maxwell et al. 1996) lists the national status of the mainland Swamp Antechinus as Lower Risk (near threatened), with Wainer and Wilson (1995) regarding the sub-species as having a rare and limited status.

Page 4 Distribution and Status of the Swamp Antechinus in South Australia

1.3 HABITAT

1.3.1 Vegetation communities The habitat utilised by the Swamp Antechinus appears to vary across its range. Hocking et al. (1983) found that when trapping in a region of south-western Tasmania, Swamp Antechinus captures were distributed evenly between closed hummock sedgeland, closed scrub and open scrub, with the latter having a hummock forming sedge as a ground cover. Wainer et al. (1995) suggests that in Tasmania the Swamp Antechinus mostly occupies button grass sedgeland up to an elevation of 1000m.

On Great Glennie Island, the habitat utilised by the mainland Swamp Antechinus includes closed heath, which consists of a diversity of shrubs with usually an understorey of grass tussocks, and areas of tussock grassland (Poa poaformis) interspersed with small shrubs (Wainer 1976).

The habitat of the Swamp Antechinus on mainland Australia is described as dense, wet, coastal heath, tussock grassland or sedgeland (Wallis and Baxter 1980; Hampton et al. 1982; Wainer 1988). In the Wannon region of Victoria animals have been captured in both Brown Stringybark (Eucalyptus baxteri) forest with wet heath understorey, and treeless Silver Banksia (Banksia marginata) heath (Menkhorst and Beardsell 1982). At Airey’s Inlet (Victoria) the Swamp Antechinus has been captured in exposed coastal cliff top vegetation (Reichl pers comm 1997). This consisted of scattered clumps of tussock grasses interspersed with low wind pruned shrubs. No animals were found in adjacent tall dense heath (Reichl pers comm 1997).

In South Australia the Swamp Antechinus has been captured in wet heath habitat dominated by dense Silky Tea-tree (Leptospermum lanigerum) and Cutting Grass (Gahnia spp.) (Armstrong pers comm 1997). Aitken (1977) also captured individuals in wet heath habitat near the north-western end of Canunda National Park. This vegetation was characterised by the tallest plants, Silky Tea-tree, Tree Everlasting (Ozothamnus ferrugineus) and Scented Paper-bark (Melaleuca squarrosa), having a projected foliage cover varying from 40-70%, and a lower shrub layer dominated by Twiggy Daisy- bush (Olearia ramulosa). Interspersed within the open-scrub were patches of closed sedgeland composed of clumps of Cutting Grass (Gahnia trifida) and Knobby Club-rush (Baumea juncea).

1.3.2 Vegetation structure Vegetation structure is also a key indicator of habitat suitability for the Swamp Antechinus. Work carried out in heath habitats at Blanket Bay (Otway National Park, Victoria) revealed that Swamp Antechinus captures were positively correlated with the density of vegetation one metre above the ground, and negatively correlated with the presence of logs and tree canopy (Moro 1991). Aberton (1996) found that, in his study area, radio tracked individuals generally showed a preference for short wet heath habitats. In particular, the Swamp Antechinus showed a significant preference for areas with dense shrubs 40-60cm above the ground, taller herbs, and close proximity to a litter source (Aberton 1996). At Airey’s Inlet however, the Swamp Antechinus appeared to utilise much more open vegetation, where individuals moved through open areas with isolated clumps of tussock grasses providing shelter (Reichl pers comm 1997). In the Eastern Otway Ranges the species has been recorded from habitats with varying vegetative structure, including open forest, low woodland, tall shrubland, low shrubland and hummock grassland (Wilson et al. in press).

1.3.3 Past habitat distribution The dense heaths, tussock grasslands and sedgelands favoured by the Swamp Antechinus typically occur in areas where there is an abundance of fresh water. Such locations include near coastal springs, drainage lines, creeks, freshwater seepage areas and swamps. In the past, such vegetated permanent and seasonal wetlands were likely to have been semi-continuous around the coastal districts from near Kingston to the Victorian border, naturally separated in places by coastal scrub, woodlands or other wetland habitats, see Figure 9.6.

Page 5 Distribution and Status of the Swamp Antechinus in South Australia

1.3.4 Present habitat distribution Since European settlement in the South East, many Silky Tea-tree and Cutting Grass wetlands have been lost through broad scale drainage and clearance for agriculture. The Biodiversity Plan for the South East (Croft et al. 1999) suggests that less than ten percent of such wetlands remain, and a large proportion of these are actively being degraded or lost through grazing by domestic livestock. Silky Tea-tree and Cutting Grass wetland remnants today are typically isolated from each other and rarely buffered by other vegetation, creating isolated habitat ‘islands’, see Figure 9.2.

1.4 THREATS TO THE SPECIES

1.4.1 Recognised threats in Victoria In Victoria, Swamp Antechinus populations are known to be small and isolated, making them vulnerable to localised extinctions (Menkhorst 1995; Wilson et al. in press). Extinctions may be caused by threats such as habitat clearance, drainage, grazing, fire and feral predators (Menkhorst 1995; Wilsonet al. 1986). The species’ decline, possibly to extinction, in the Angahook-Lorne State Park followed the devastating 1983 ‘Ash Wednesday’ bushfires (Aberton 1996; Wilsonet al. 1986; Moloney and Wilson 1985), and is an example of one of these threats in action.

However, even with extremely fragmented habitat, the ability of the Swamp Antechinus to survive and reproduce in small, isolated areas has been observed. This was highlighted by a population at Airey’s Inlet, which apparently managed to survive in a patch of unburnt coastal scrub one-two hectares in area (Reichl 1997; Wilson et al. 1999; Wilson et al. in press). This population was confined to a narrow strip of vegetation between the cliff edge and the great ocean road, only 30m wide and 400m long (Wilson et al. in press). The longer-term prospects of survival for such a population are not known.

1.4.2 Perceived threats in South Australia South Australia’s populations face similar threats to those in Victoria. However, there is little present evidence to indicate how well this species is catered for by the South Australian Reserve System. As mentioned by Aitken (1977), wet heath habitats have never been abundant in the South East of South Australia, and intact examples of such habitats have become extremely rare. The history of habitat drainage, clearance and continued alteration through grazing, as well as introduced predators, must continue to have a significant impact on Swamp Antechinus populations and largely contribute to the chances of local populations of the Swamp Antechinus becoming extinct.

1.4.3 Global climate change Brereton et al. (1995) used BIOCLIM, a bioclimate analysis and prediction system, to simulate the effects of predicted climate change on the distribution of many threatened species. The Swamp Antechinus was considered in the study as a specialised species with narrow habitat requirements. They reported that future enhanced greenhouse climate change will adversely impact upon the Swamp Antechinus through the loss of, or significant change to its required habitat. A two degree Celsius rise in temperature is predicted to reduce the mainland range of the species by 90-100%. Burgman and Lindenmeyer (1998) further speculate that even a single degree rise in temperature is likely to cause a massive contraction in the species range, resulting in the extinction of the Swamp Antechinus from South Australia.

Page 6 Distribution and Status of the Swamp Antechinus in South Australia

1.5 SWAMP ANTECHINUS HISTORIC RECORDS AND RESEARCH IN SOUTH AUSTRALIA Little specific research work has been done in South Australia to determine the abundance or habitat preferences of the Swamp Antechinus in the western part of its mainland range. Most records of the species have either been opportunistic specimen collections or incidental captures during general fauna survey work. Detailed locations for the following records are displayed on the maps in Section 9.0 (Figures 9.3, 9.4 and 9.5), with further specific information provided in Appendix Section 14.1.

Port MacDonnell Area: 1938-1939 Local farmer G.H. Tilley collected the South Australian holotype for the mainland Swamp Antechinus from his property near Port MacDonnell on 10th June 1939. He also earlier lodged another two Swamp Antechinus specimens with the South Australian Museum. These were collected from his property near Port MacDonnell in December 1938 and 18th February 1939 respectively (Aitken 1977). After the last of these three specimens was collected in June 1939, no further Swamp Antechinus were collected in the South East of the state for 37 years.

Bevalaqua Ford, Canunda National Park / swamp north of the Canunda causeway: 1976-1977 In April 1976, Mr D. Wanke, the ranger in charge of Canunda National Park, picked up a dead male Swamp Antechinus near Bevalaqua Ford, on a track at the north-eastern edge of the park. This find instigated the first targeted search for the species in South Australia, carried out by Peter Aitken of the South Australian Museum in November 1976. After extensive trapping in the area where the specimen was collected, Aitken managed to capture two juvenile individuals, one male and one female. These animals were caught within 20 metres of each other, in Silky Tea-tree wet heath.

In the same general area Tim Ellis, of a local farming family, found a dead male Swamp Antechinus on his father’s property, approximately 7.5 km south-east from Bevalaqua Ford. This animal was found on the 5th of May 1977, in an area that retains pockets of Silky Tea-tree wet heath, after the majority of a formerly extensive area of this habitat was cleared from the property over the preceding few decades.

Carpenter Rocks area: 1977-1998 Work by the Field Naturalists’ Society of South Australia (FNSSA) mammal club and the South Australian Museum also discovered the Swamp Antechinus in habitats near Carpenter Rocks. From December 1977 to January 1978 they captured 10 animals on the FNSSA Heritage Agreement property, immediately south-east of Bucks Lake Game Reserve. Further survey work in April 1978 resulted in the capture of 12 individuals in a variety of habitats across both the Society’s property and neighbouring Bucks Lake Game Reserve. This general area has continued to produce occasional records of the species. Specimens have been found at different times by Carpenter Rocks residents such as: Lindsay Bignell in 1983; Keith and Betty Nesbitt in 1982, 1983, 1984, 1986 and 1993; and, Maureen Christie found a dead male on a track near the Bucks Lake outlet drain in 1998.

North-east side of Lake Eliza: 1979-1982 On the 28th of May 1979, landowner Mick Quinlan-Watson found a dead male Swamp Antechinus on his property near Lake Eliza. A later visit and trapping by Craig Whisson of the South Australian Department for Environment and Heritage in December 1982, was successful in capturing one male animal in a narrow strip of Silky Tea-tree habitat on the same property.

Little Dip Conservation Park area: 1983-1984 The Nature Conservation Society of South Australia conducted a 10-day survey in Little Dip Conservation Park in October 1983 (DEP 1985). During this intensive survey, one female Swamp Antechinus was captured on a stabilised coastal dune near the south-western corner of Freshwater Lake. In November 1983, subsequent trapping nearby, in a privately

Page 7 Distribution and Status of the Swamp Antechinus in South Australia owned Silky Tea-tree swamp adjacent to both the Park and Lake Eliza, led to the capture of a further three female Swamp Antechinus. This site was revisited by student Mark Revell in January 1984, and led to the capture of ten animals (Bird pers comm 2001).

There are only two other South Australian Museum records of the species in the Little Dip area, see Figure 9.3. In March 1985, local ranger Tom Flynn collected a Swamp Antechinus that was dropped by a cat as his vehicle drove past on the Long Gully Track. John and Dawn Cato collected the last specimen from the area while on holiday in January 1987. They found a juvenile individual while walking on the track between Big Dip Lake and Lake Eliza in Little Dip Conservation Park.

Near Southend- Lake Frome basin: 1986-1989 The FNSSA mammal club was also involved in survey work near Southend in the March and April of 1986 with Cath Kemper of the South Australian Museum. This survey involved trapping across a number of habitats on a local government reserve adjacent to both the Canunda Conservation Reserve and Canunda National Park. It led to the capture of four male Swamp Antechinus in two distinct habitats. One of these was a Cutting Grass (Gahnia trifida) sedgeland by the Lake Frome outlet drain and the other a Dryland Tea-tree (Melaleuca lanceolata) closed scrub. In 1989, local ranger Drew Laslett also identified a dead Swamp Antechinus in Cutting Grass sedgeland habitat. The badly desiccated animal was found near the centre of the Lake Frome Basin.

Central Canunda National Park: 1994-1998 In 1994 two female Swamp Antechinus were collected in the Oil Rig Square area of Canunda National Park. The first was passed to South Australian National Parks and Wildlife senior ranger Ken Heyne in August 1994, while local student Adrian Boyle found a dead Swamp Antechinus on the Oil Rig Square track in October of the same year. The coastal scrub habitat in this area is dominated by Coastal Wattle (Acacia sophorae) and Coastal Bearded-heath (Leucopogon parviflorus), interspersed with pockets of damp sedge habitat.

Further south in May 1998, local farmer Rob Hammat was driving along the track to Coola Outstation when a Goshawk dropped a male Swamp Antechinus near his moving vehicle. This occurred near an extensive area of Silky Tea-tree habitat, close to the north-western corner of Lake Bonney.

Department for Environment and Heritage General Survey Work: 1982-1999 South Australian Department for Environment and Heritage South East regional staff conducted opportunistic surveys in 1987 and 1999 that resulted in captures of two reproductive female Swamp Antechinus from the eastern end of Piccaninnie Ponds Conservation Park (Collins pers comm 2001). One animal was captured in dense coastal scrub and the other in mixed woodland habitat, with wet Silky Tea-tree heath nearby in each case.

As part of the South Australian Department for Environment and Heritage aim to obtain an inventory of the flora and fauna of the state, several biological surveys have also been carried out in the South East of South Australia. Those that have covered potential habitat of the Swamp Antechinus include the South East Coast Survey, conducted during late 1982, early 1983 and the Autumn of 1986, and the South East Fauna Survey, held during late summer 1997. Figure 9.1 shows the location of past survey sites in the South East coastal zone. Such work has been successful in locating Swamp Antechinus populations. For example, captures were made near Blackfellows Cave in 1982, at Piccaninnie Ponds and inland from Cape Douglas in 1983, and the persistence of the species at the site near Blackfellows Cave was confirmed in the 1997 survey (see Figure 9.4 and Figure 9.5).

The two surveys outlined in this document are the first co-ordinated attempts to locate Swamp Antechinus populations across the known range and habitat of the species in South Australia.

Page 8 Distribution and Status of the Swamp Antechinus in South Australia

SECTION B: 1997 SURVEY

2.0 OBJECTIVES

The objectives of this survey were to:

- determine the distribution, abundance, and habitat preference of the Swamp Antechinus in South Australia

- estimate the amount of suitable habitat that occurs in South Australia

- use findings to assess the status of the species in the state

To meet these objectives, data was collected on the distribution of past captures in order to direct search efforts during this survey.

3.0 MATERIALS AND METHODS

3.1 FIELD SURVEY This survey was timed to follow the 1997 South East Fauna Survey conducted by the South Australian Department for Environment and Heritage. It meant the survey could follow up any recent Swamp Antechinus discoveries.

The field survey targeted coastal areas from around Robe through to the Victorian border. Field work was carried out between the 24/5/97 and the 15/8/97. Attempts were made to conduct the bulk of the trapping prior to male ‘die-off’, an event that is likely to have occurred by mid July. In all, 19 sites were surveyed for the Swamp Antechinus (see Figure 9.1). The exceptionally dry year experienced during the study period meant that access to several of the survey sites, in areas usually prone to inundation, was still possible.

If animals were trapped in an area during the survey, a trapping grid system was implemented to determine abundance and habitat preference at that location.

3.2 SITE SELECTION Site selection during this survey for the Swamp Antechinus in South Australia used three main approaches that are described below.

1. Revisit past capture sites Key areas where animals had been captured in the past were surveyed in order to obtain some information on the persistence of the species in different parts of its range. This approach typically resulted in the arrival at a site that was characterised by the presence of Silky Tea-tree wet heath. Sites were usually isolated due to land clearance and/or degraded by sheep and cattle grazing. Sites that had since been cleared of natural vegetation were avoided, as were sites that had been severely degraded by sheep and cattle grazing.

Page 9 Distribution and Status of the Swamp Antechinus in South Australia

2. Trapping in habitats that looked similar to past capture sites By visiting sites where the Swamp Antechinus had been captured in the past, an appreciation for the types of habitats utilised by the species was obtained. From these observations, habitats that appeared similar to past capture sites were selected for survey. These sites also varied in the degree of degradation caused by grazing livestock and isolation due to land clearance.

3. Trapping in alternative habitats The third approach taken in the search for the Swamp Antechinus was to sample habitats that were in some way similar to those used by the species in Victoria and Tasmania. For example, open cliff-top vegetation interspersed with patches of tussock grass and dense Coast Tussock-grass (Poa poiformis) grasslands have supported populations in other parts of the species range. However, there are no records of Swamp Antechinus captures in such habitats in South Australia.

A further consideration when selecting a site was whether or not it had been surveyed during the 1997 South Australian Department for Environment and Heritage, South East Fauna Survey. If it was considered that an area had been adequately trapped for the Swamp Antechinus, the site was not surveyed again.

3.3 TRAPPING TO DETERMINE DISTRIBUTION To sample each habitat, a total of 60 small aluminium folding box traps (Elliott Scientific – 9cm x 10cm x 33cm) were placed at each site and left for a period of four nights. Traps were placed in pairs along a transect that best dissected the habitat being sampled. A 10-20 metre interval between trap pairs was used and traps baited with rolled oats and peanut butter.

In some situations, excess traps were placed in alternative habitats that, due to time limitations, may have not received the desired number of trap nights. Similarly, some sites were extremely fragmented and the use of 60 Elliott traps was considered excessive given the size of the remnant. However this information has been included, as in many cases the number of trap nights attained at such sites was still sufficient to expect the capture of the Swamp Antechinus if they were present within the habitat. Appendix Section 14.2 provides a list of all the 1997 survey sites with details of trapping intensity.

All Swamp Antechinus captured were sexed, weighed, marked by toe clipping and released at the point of capture. A voucher specimen was taken from any new locality for the South Australian Museum. All toes that were removed to mark individuals were collected and stored in 70% alcohol and saline solution to enable genetic studies to be carried out in the future. These tissue samples were lodged with the Evolutionary Biology Unit of the South Australian Museum.

From the trapping exercise and opportunistic observations, records of other species found at each survey site were also obtained. Such information was collected to determine if Swamp Antechinus captures corresponded with the capture or observation of other species. For example, in Victoria, one species predominantly found only in areas inhabited by the Swamp Antechinus is the Rufous Bristlebird (Dasyornis broadbenti) (Wilson pers comm 1997).

3.4 TRAPPING TO DETERMINE ABUNDANCE To determine the abundance of the Swamp Antechinus at a site, a trapping grid was used. The grid system comprised of paired aluminium box traps (Elliott Scientific – 9cm x 10cm x 33cm), which were laid out with a 10 x 20 metre spacing. In total, 300 box traps were incorporated into the grid. Transects running further into the habitats being sampled were included with the aim of dissecting an individual’s home range.

Page 10 Distribution and Status of the Swamp Antechinus in South Australia

3.5 VEGETATION AND SITE DESCRIPTION At each survey site, data was collected on the vegetation structure and basic composition. Photographs of the habitats were taken to provide a visual reference of the habitats sampled. From this information, the search for habitats to be surveyed in the future could be more directed. No permanent photopoints were established during the survey.

4.0 RESULTS

4.1 DISTRIBUTION Only five adult male Swamp Antechinus were captured at one site (ROB01001) despite a trap effort of 4840 Elliott trap nights covering 19 sites. The trapping layout and capture points for Swamp Antechinus are provided in Figure 4.1. All animals were captured between the 22nd and 25th of June 1997. The survey of several previous capture sites failed to relocate other populations.

Each male Swamp Antechinus captured appeared in good condition, with weights ranging between 71 and 85 grams (average 77.6 grams). None of the individuals showed obvious signs of breeding induced stress.

Scale (metres) = Swamp Antechinus capture point 0 20 40 60 80 100 x

x 3 2 Dra i n x

x Cleared l and woodland Swamp paperbark x 4 Lake St Clair

x Fence line x

x tree everl asting heath x Sil ky tea-tree and

x 5 x 1

x N x tree everl asting heath Sil ky tea-tree and x

x Cleared l and x silky tea-tree shrubland x Golden wattle and Figure 4.1 Capture points for Swamp Antechinus at site ROB01001. Capture points (open circles) and smaller closed circles indicate the location of trap pairs during the initial survey of this site. Habitat boundaries are indicated by dashed lines.

Page 11 Distribution and Status of the Swamp Antechinus in South Australia

The Swamp Antechinus was the least trapped mammal during the survey. The House Mouse (Mus musculus) was by far the most common species captured, however its abundance varied considerably between sites (Figure 4.2). Few House Mice were detected at Site ROB01001 when Swamp Antechinus individuals were captured. Both the Bush Rat (Rattus fuscipes) and Swamp Rat (Rattus lutreolus) were common at the majority of sites. However in general, Bush Rat captures were greater than those of the Swamp Rat. Black Rat (Rattus rattus) captures became more common in the southern portion of the sample area (i.e. south of Beachport).

4.2 ABUNDANCE As the Swamp Antechinus could only be located at site ROB01001, only this site was intensively sampled to obtain abundance and habitat preference information. A total of 1200 trap nights failed to locate any Swamp Antechinus (where males had been caught six weeks prior). This was despite the grid trapping system covering several of the habitats in the area. The trapping grid system used has been presented in Figure 4.3.

Three other mammal species were captured during the period of intensive trapping. These included Bush Rat, Swamp Rat, and House Mouse, with 76, 27, and 24 captures of each species respectively from the total 1200 Elliott trap nights.

Bush Rat Sw amp Rat Black Rat House Mouse Sw amp Antechinus

120

100

40 Number captures of

0 MU0102 TSM00301 TSM00601 TSM01001 TSM01101 TSM01201 TSM01301 TSM01401 TSM01501 TSM01601 TSM01701 TSM01801 TSM01901 TSM02001 TSM02101 TSM02201 TSM02301 TSM02401 ROB01001 Survey site

Figure 4.2 Mammal captures recorded at the 19 sites trapped at during the 1997 survey

Page 12 Distribution and Status of the Swamp Antechinus in South Australia

Scale (metres)

0 10080604020 x

x Drain x Lak e St Clair x Cleared l and x woodland Swamp paperbark x Fence line x

x N tree ev er lasting heat h Silk y tea-tree and x

x tree ev er lasting heat h Silk y tea-tree and x

x Cleared l and x

x silk y tea-tree s hrubland Golden wattle and

Figure 4.3 Trapping grid design used at site ROB01001. The small circles represent trap locations within the habitat types. Habitat boundaries are indicated by dashed lines.

Page 13 Distribution and Status of the Swamp Antechinus in South Australia

4.3 VEGETATION AND SITE CHARACTERISTICS Survey sites were broadly grouped into six different vegetation classes. These groupings were based upon the vegetation type and structure. These six classes are described below.

Vegetation Group 1: Silky Tea-tree heath The sites characterised by Silky Tea-tree and Cutting Grass included TSM00301, TSM01001, ROB01001, TSM01201, TSM01701, TSM02301, and TSM02401. These sites were not grazed by livestock and maintained a good degree of vegetation cover near ground level, as shown in Figure 4.4. Typically such sites occurred in National Parks reserves, privately owned reserves or heritage agreement areas. Sites TSM01001, TSM01201, TSM01701 and TSM02401 were the only sites from group 1 that did not have artificial drainage systems in the area.

Vegetation Group 2: Degraded Silky Tea-tree heath These sites consisted primarily of Silky Tea-tree and Cutting Grass that were degraded by the grazing of cattle and to a lesser extent sheep, see Figure 4.5. The sites included in this category were TSM00601, TSM01401, MU0102, TSM02101, and TSM02201. The main impact of livestock grazing was the alteration of the vegetation structure. All sites tended to have little vegetation cover to approximately 1.5 metres above the ground. In the majority of cases the soil had become pugged by cattle. All sites except TSM00601 were situated in areas where the natural drainage had been altered.

Vegetation Group 3: Open scrub over tussock grassland This group contained sites that were characterised by open scrub or shrubland with an understorey of tussock grasses (primarily of Coast Tussock-grass), see Figure 4.6. Sites that were included in this category were TSM01101, TSM01301, TSM1501, and TSM1601. Of these sites, there were none being grazed by livestock and only site TSM01501 was within close proximity to artificial drainage. All sites, except TSM01101, contained numerous burrows and runways through the tussocks. Site TSM01101 provided only sparse tussock clumps.

Vegetation Group 4: Coast Spear-grass tussock grassland Only site TSM01801 was included in this group. This site is a wind swept coastal cliff-top, not affected by artificial drains, see Figure 4.7. Being located in Canunda National Park, this site is not grazed by domestic livestock. Low wind-pruned shrubs interspersed with Coast Spear-grass (Stipa stipoides) characterised this site.

Figure 4.4 Vegetation Group 1: Silky Tea-tree heath Photograph: Jason van Weenen

Page 14 Distribution and Status of the Swamp Antechinus in South Australia

Figure 4.5 Vegetation Group 2: Degraded Silky Tea-tree heath Photograph: Jason van Weenen

Figure 4.6 Vegetation Group 3: Open scrub over tussock grassland Photograph: Jason van Weenen

Figure 4.7 Vegetation Group 4: Coast Spear-grass tussock grassland Photograph: Jason van Weenen

Page 15 Distribution and Status of the Swamp Antechinus in South Australia

Vegetation Group 5: Coastal sedgeland This group also contained only one site, TSM02001. It was located right on the foreshore, directly above the high tide mark, as shown in Figure 4.8. The vegetation consisted primarily of sedges and Sea-berry Salt-bush (Rhagodia candolleana). Scattered Coastal Daisy (Olearia axillaris) were also present. Numerous tunnels and runways though the sedges were visible at this site.

Vegetation Group 6: Cutting Grass sedgeland This group included only site TSM01901. This site was characterised by tussocks of Cutting Grass (Gahnia trifida) that provided dense cover at approximately 0.5-1 metre above the ground, see Figure 4.9. The area around the base of the tussocks however was quite open. Being within an area of unallocated Crown Land south of Canunda National Park, the site was not grazed by domestic livestock and no artificial drainage systems were observed in the immediate area.

Figure 4.8 Vegetation Group 5: Coastal sedgeland Photograph: Jason van Weenen

Figure 4.9 Vegetation Group 6: Cutting Grass sedgeland Photograph: Jason van Weenen

Page 16 Distribution and Status of the Swamp Antechinus in South Australia

4.4 SWAMP ANTECHINUS CAPTURE SITE CHARACTERISTICS At site ROB01001, photographs were taken of Swamp Antechinus capture points to provide a visual representation of the habitat frequented by individuals. Capture points were found to vary in both the amount and type of cover present (Figure 4.10 & 4.11). For example, the vegetation in Figure 4.10 (taken at capture point 1, Figure 4.1) consisted of a thick overstorey of predominantly Silky Tea-tree and an understorey of Black-anther Flax-lily (Dianella revoluta) tussocks, spindly (shaded) Cutting Grass tussocks, and fallen tea-tree branches. The dense vegetation at this point made it too difficult to obtain an accurate photograph of the vegetation structure. Alternatively, Figure 4.11 (taken at capture point 2, Figure 4.1) shows a capture point that was characterised by tall (to 4m) Swamp Paper-bark (Melaleuca halmatuorum) with more open structure and an understorey of sparse sedges. One individual was also captured in open grazing land at the edge of a patch of Silky Tea-tree heath.

Figure 4.10 Swamp Antechinus capture point in dense cover Photograph: Jason van Weenen

Figure 4.11 Swamp Antechinus capture point with an open understorey Photograph: Jason van Weenen

Page 17 Distribution and Status of the Swamp Antechinus in South Australia

Page 18 Distribution and Status of the Swamp Antechinus in South Australia

SECTION C: 1999-2001 SURVEY

5.0 RATIONALE FOR SURVEY

The 1997 survey results clearly indicate that large information gaps still exist in essential knowledge of the Swamp Antechinus in South Australia and must be addressed if adequate conservation of the species is to be achieved.

This survey commenced in April 1999, as part of an Honours project with the University of South Australia, and was initially intended as an investigation into the distribution and habitat use of the Swamp Antechinus near the western limits of the species’ range in South Australia. In 2000 and through to 2001, the survey was extended to include sites across the entire known and predicted range of the Swamp Antechinus in South Australia.

6.0 AIM AND OBJECTIVES

Aim: - To improve understanding of the distribution, abundance, habitat use and status of the mainland Swamp Antechinus in the South East of South Australia

Objectives: - To define in particular, the extent of occurrence of the Swamp Antechinus within remnant Silky Tea-tree wet heath in near coastal areas between Kingston and the Victorian border

- To collect tissue samples that will form the basis of a future genetic study of South Australian populations of the Swamp Antechinus

7.0 MATERIALS AND METHODS

7.1 FIELD SURVEY The field work for this survey was conducted between 18/4/1999 and 16/6/2001. In total, 36 sites were surveyed for the Swamp Antechinus throughout the species known and predicted range in the South East. Trapping was timed each year to commence in late summer to autumn when the majority of Swamp Antechinus individuals in a population (first year females and males) become most active. This period, including the time in the lead up to mating and male ‘die-off’ in early winter, was considered the best opportunity to survey for new populations as the frenetic behaviour of males in particular, makes them more likely to be detected. The survey was not continued after male ‘die-off’ because this sudden loss of a large, active portion of a Swamp Antechinus population, coupled with more sedentary behaviour of reproductive females, makes detection of new populations more difficult after this time. This seasonal restriction and the large number of sites to be surveyed led to the extended time frame for this particular survey.

7.2 SITE SELECTION Almost all past Swamp Antechinus records in South Australia are limited to areas where Silky Tea-tree wet heath occurs or is in close proximity. It was therefore decided to focus this project on an extensive survey of remnant Silky Tea-tree habitat. As only around five percent of this restricted wetland habitat remains in the South East, the task of finding survey sites was somewhat limited from the outset. However, by referring to a combination of aerial photography, pre and post European settlement vegetation mapping (Croft et al. 1999), and drive-by assessment, 36 sites were progressively chosen for survey, as shown in Figure 9.1.

Page 19 Distribution and Status of the Swamp Antechinus in South Australia

A large proportion of sites chosen, namely 24 out of 36, were located on private property. A further nine of the sites were in South Australian National Parks and Wildlife managed reserves and three were located in reserves owned by local councils. The condition of the wetland vegetation varied most considerably on private land where the majority of habitat remnants exist, and ranged from near pristine to completely degraded. A deliberate attempt was made to locate previously known (but not recently confirmed) populations of Swamp Antechinus and new populations in any likely areas that had not been surveyed in the past.

7.3 TRAPPING TO DETERMINE DISTRIBUTION To survey each site, folding aluminium box traps (Elliott Scientific – 9cm x 10cm x 33 cm) were placed in pairs along flagged transects. Each trap pair was spaced around 10-15m apart and individual traps were baited with a mixture of rolled oats, peanut butter and honey. Transects were mostly located at the edges of habitat remnants or where access into the Silky Tea-tree heath was not difficult, with pairs of traps placed a short distance off into the thick understorey. This method was chosen to reduce disturbance to otherwise intact habitat and relied on the assumption that if Swamp Antechinus were present at a site, males in that population would be active throughout the habitat remnant.

The numbers of traps placed on transects varied according to the particular characteristics of the site, namely habitat size and quality, and ranged from 25 to 80 traps per transect. The most frequently used numbers were 30 and 60 traps per transect. Closed traps were placed in situ two or three days prior to opening and baiting, to enable the small mammals at sites to become accustomed to the traps in their environment and reduce the likelihood of a disturbance response after opening. The traps at all sites were checked at dawn and dusk, and were set for at least three days, with some sites being surveyed for longer periods. Because small mammals were cleared from traps twice daily, the term ‘traps checked’ will appear in this section of the report instead of ‘trap nights’. The capture result data therefore reflects the number of times that traps were actually checked for small mammal captures throughout the survey.

Captured animals were given a unique mark by toe-clip or ear biopsy, providing individual identification and enabling recapture data to be collected. Toe-clips were taken using sharp, sterile scissors and ear biopsies (around 1.5mm in diameter) were taken using a sterile poultry toe-punch device. Immediately after removal, the tissue samples were placed in small vials, preserved in a saline/alcohol solution, and later lodged with the Evolutionary Biology Unit of the South Australian Museum.

A large amount of data on other, non-target species of small mammals from each site was gathered. This information was not only considered important for understanding the distribution of other small mammals, but also for enabling further analysis of the interactions that may exist between other species of small mammal and the Swamp Antechinus.

Page 20 Distribution and Status of the Swamp Antechinus in South Australia

8.0 RESULTS

8.1 DISTRIBUTION

8.1.1 Small mammal results summary During this survey for the Swamp Antechinus a number of other small mammal species were trapped. Capture data is summarised in Table 8.1 and details are displayed for each species across the 36 survey sites in Figure 8.1.

The Swamp Antechinus was recorded from half of all sites surveyed, but was the least abundant native species. The most widespread mammal trapped was the House Mouse. However it was not as abundant as the Bush Rat, which was captured on 66 more occasions during the survey. The Bush Rat and Swamp Rat were almost equally widespread however the Swamp Rat was consistently trapped in much lower numbers. The Black Rat was the least trapped mammal.

Table 8.1 Summary of small mammal captures from the 1999-2001 survey

# of captures # of sites Common Name % of survey in survey Average # per where (*= introduced Scientific Name sites where (/9510 traps 100 traps present species) present checked) (/36)

Bush Rat Rattus fuscipes 782 8.22 28 77.8

Swamp Rat Rattus lutreolus 322 3.38 27 75.0

*Black Rat *Rattus rattus 13 0.14 8 22.2

*House Mouse *Mus musculus 716 7.53 34 94.4

Swamp Antechinus Antechinus minimus 107 1.13 18 50.0

Page 21

Distribution and Status of the Swamp Antechinus in South Australia

Lower Glenelg River CP (LG 01) (LG CP River Glenelg Lower

Piccaninnie Ponds CP (PP 03) (PP CP Ponds Piccaninnie

Piccaninnie Ponds CP (PP 02) (PP CP Ponds Piccaninnie

Pick's Swamp (PP 01) (PP Swamp Pick's

E of Pt. MacDonnell (PM 03) (PM MacDonnell Pt. of E

E of Pt. MacDonnell (PM 02) (PM MacDonnell Pt. of E

E of Pt. MacDonnell (PM 01) (PM MacDonnell Pt. of E

Germein Reserve (GR 02) (GR Reserve Germein

Germein Reserve (GR 01) (GR Reserve Germein

Cape Douglas (CD 01) (CD Douglas Cape Nene Valley (NV 02) (NV Valley Nene

Swamp AntechinusSwamp

Nene Valley (NV 01) (NV Valley Nene

Blac k fellow s C av e (BC 04) (BC e av C s fellow k Blac

Blac k fellow s C av e (BC 03) (BC e av C s fellow k Blac

Blac k fellow s C av e (BC 02) (BC e av C s fellow k Blac Blac k fellow s C av e (BC 01) (BC e av C s fellow k Blac

House Mouse Carpenter Rocks CP (CR 01) (CR CP Rocks Carpenter

Bucks Lake GR (BL 01) (BL GR Lake Bucks

near Canunda (CA 02) (CA Canunda near

near Canunda (CA 01) (CA Canunda near

Black Rat 02) (LF Frome Lake

Lake Frome (LF 01) (LF Frome Lake

Lake George (GE 01) (GE George Lake Lake St. Clair (SC 04) (SC Clair St. Lake

Survey Sites (from WestSurvey East) to Lake St. Clair (SC 03) (SC Clair St. Lake

Swamp Rat Swamp

Lake St. Clair (SC 02) (SC Clair St. Lake

Lake St. Clair (SC 01) (SC Clair St. Lake

Lake Eliza (LE 04) (LE Eliza Lake Lake Eliza (LE 03) (LE Eliza Lake

Bush Rat Lake Eliza (LE 02) (LE Eliza Lake

Lake Eliza (LE 01) (LE Eliza Lake

Little Dip C P (LD 03) (LD P C Dip Little

Little Dip C P (LD 02) (LD P C Dip Little

Little Dip C P (LD 01) (LD P C Dip Little

Guichen Bay (GB 01) (GB Bay Guichen Lake Hawdon North (LH 01) (LH North Hawdon Lake 0

20 40 60 80

100 120 Number of Captures of Number

Figure 8.1 Mammal captures recorded at the 36 sites surveyed during the 1999-2001 survey

Page 22 Distribution and Status of the Swamp Antechinus in South Australia

8.1.2 Swamp Antechinus capture location summary Sixty-one Swamp Antechinus individuals were captured across 18 of the 36 sites surveyed. With re-capture data included, there were 107 Swamp Antechinus captures of 61 individuals from the 9510 traps checked between 18/4/1999 and 16/6/2001, as shown in Figure 8.2. This represents an overall average of 1.1 Swamp Antechinus captures per 100 traps checked.

The majority of Swamp Antechinus captures were from the southern portion of the distribution of Silky Tea-tree habitat in the region, between Lake Frome (Southend) and the Victorian border. Within this range, 14 of the 22 sites surveyed were found to support the Swamp Antechinus. To the north-west of Lake Frome, the number of Swamp Antechinus captures fell away significantly, with only four of the 14 sites surveyed inhabited by the species.

The four sites surveyed across two private properties near Blackfellows Cave represent the most significant Swamp Antechinus population sampled in the survey. Even though these sites represented only 18% of the total survey effort, over 54% or 33 of 61 individuals captured, and 60% or 65 of 107 total captures, were recorded from this one population area.

At other sites where the Swamp Antechinus was detected, the general trend was for very low abundance of the species, with between one and three animals captured. The only other exception, where six animals were captured, was at Lake St Clair (SC 02), where van Weenen discovered the species in 1997. It should be noted however, that this location was trapped for a more extended period than most other sites in the survey, refer to Appendix Section 14.3.

61 Individuals 107 Captures 30

15 Number 10

0 Lake Eliza (LE 01) (LE Eliza Lake 03) (LE Eliza Lake Lake Frome (LF 02) Nene Valley (NV 01) Lake St. Clair (SC 02) Lake St. Clair (SC 04) Pick's Swamp (PP 01) Cape Douglas (CD 01) Bucks Lake GR (BL 01) (BL GR Lake Bucks Blackfellows Cave (BC 01) Blackfellows Cave (BC 02) Blackfellows Cave (BC 03) Blackfellows Cave (BC 04) E of Pt.of MacDonnellE (PM 01) Pt.of MacDonnellE (PM 02) Piccaninnie Ponds CP (PP 02) Piccaninnie Ponds CP (PP 03)

Swamp Antechinus capture sites (from West to East) Lower Glenelg River CP (LG 01)

Figure 8.2 Swamp Antechinus capture location data

Page 23 Distribution and Status of the Swamp Antechinus in South Australia

8.1.3 Summary of Swamp Antechinus capture characteristics Of 61 Swamp Antechinus individuals captured in the survey, 34 were males and 27 females. Of the females, nine showed evidence of prior breeding (nipple development in the mammary area) and were considered adults. The other 18 were first year females and had not yet reproduced. The sex/age ratio of individuals captured across the 18 sites where the species was recorded is displayed in Figure 8.3.

Of the 18 sites where the species was recorded, both sexes were captured at nine sites. Females alone were captured at three sites and males were only detected at six sites.

Figure 8.3 indicates a fairly even sex ratio of individuals captured. However, when only total captures are analysed, see Figure 8.4, this ratio is distorted in favour of males, as they proved more likely to be recaptured. Comparison of Figures 8.3 and 8.4 indicates that males were recaptured 33 times, as opposed to 13 female recaptures.

The weight of males captured during the survey ranged from 40 to 108 grams (average 72 grams), first year females 36 to 52 grams (average 42 grams), and adult females 41 to 68 grams (average 51 grams). The averages at each capture site for each of these sex/age classes are displayed in Figure 8.5.

34 Males 18 First Year Females 9 Adult Females

6 Number

Figure 8.3 Sex/age ratio of Swamp Antechinus individuals captured

Page 24 Distribution and Status of the Swamp Antechinus in South Australia

67 Male Captures 27 First Year Female Captures 13 Adult Female Captures

15 Number 10

Figure 8.4 Sex/age ratio of Swamp Antechinus captures

34 Males 18 First Year Females 9 Adult Females

120.0

1 1 2 1 100.0 7 1 1 3

80.0 1 1 1 1 2 2 2 60.0 1 2 6 1 1 1 4 4 2 4 1 2 2 2 1 40.0

Average Average weight (grams) 20.0

0.0 Lake Eliza (LE 01) (LE Eliza Lake 03) (LE Eliza Lake Lake Frome (LF 02) Nene Valley (NV 01) Lake St. Clair (SC 02) Lake St. Clair (SC 04) Pick's Swamp (PP 01) Cape Douglas (CD 01) Bucks Lake GR (BL 01) (BL GR Lake Bucks Blackfellows Cave (BC 01) Blackfellows Cave (BC 02) Blackfellows Cave (BC 03) Blackfellows Cave (BC 04) E of Pt.of MacDonnellE (PM 01) Pt.of MacDonnellE (PM 02)

Swamp Antechinus capture sites Piccaninnie Ponds CP (PP 02) Piccaninnie Ponds CP (PP 03) Lower Glenelg River CP (LG 01)

Figure 8.5 Average weight of each Swamp Antechinus sex/age class by site. Bars indicate standard error and number of individuals weighed are shown in bold above.

Page 25 Distribution and Status of the Swamp Antechinus in South Australia

When the average weights of Swamp Antechinus individuals from the entire survey are grouped according to the month of capture, a trend appears that corresponds to the life history of the species, see Figure 8.6. No sites were surveyed for the Swamp Antechinus during March of 2000 or 2001.

Between February and May, in the lead up to mating, sexually dimorphic development within the species was evident. Males were always heavier and larger than females and on average, gained weight more rapidly than first year females of the same age. In early-mid June, as mating occurs in the lead up to male ‘die-off’, the weight and condition of males dropped significantly prior to their disappearance from the population. At the same time, first year females continued a slow but steady weight gain in the lead up to the birth of their young in July. Already mature adult females appeared to gain weight into what would be their second or third breeding cycle. However, no adult females were captured over the three years of this survey in either May or during the June mating season.

Figure 8.7 expands on Figure 8.6 by incorporating weights for all past South Australian Swamp Antechinus records where this detail was noted (refer to Appendix Section 14.1). The result is a confirmation of the trend of the species’ life history that was discussed for Figure 8.6.

Figure 8.7 clearly highlights the progression that both male and female juvenile Swamp Antechinus make after becoming independent of their mothers in November. Although weights at this time between the sexes are similar, males gain in condition rapidly from that point, whereas first year females show only a minor increase in weight leading up to the breeding season. As evident in Figure 8.6, males display a marked loss of condition in the June mating period in the lead up to ‘die-off’.

The practice of checking of traps twice a day during the 1999-2001 survey has enabled comparison of the time of day of captures, see Figure 8.8. There were a total of 46 dawn captures and 61 dusk captures.

34 Males 18 First Year Females 9 Adult Females

100.0 8 90.0 13

80.0

70.0 3 2 60.0 11

2 50.0 6 9 1 6 40.0

Average Average weight (grams) 30.0

20.0

10.0

0.0 February March April May June

Month of survey (1999-2001)

Figure 8.6 Average weight of Swamp Antechinus captures by sex/age class over the five month period of each year of the survey: 1999-2001. Bars indicate standard error and the number of individuals weighed is shown in bold above.

Page 26 Distribution and Status of the Swamp Antechinus in South Australia

57 Males 19 First Year Females 21 Adult Females 120

3 11 100 20

80 7

1 3 13 60 2 1 3 7 2 2 2 9 1 1 1 6 40 Average Average weight (grams) 1 1

0 July May April June March August October January February November December September Month of record Figure 8.7 Average weight of Swamp Antechinus records in South Australia by sex/age class and grouped according to month of capture. Bars indicate standard error and the number of individuals weighed is shown in bold above.

Dawn (am) Dusk (pm)

Number captures of Number 4

Figure 8.8 Number of Swamp Antechinus captures recorded for each site at the time of day when traps were checked

Page 27 Distribution and Status of the Swamp Antechinus in South Australia

8.2 VEGETATION AND SITE CHARACTERISTICS Survey sites were grouped into three categories: Silky Tea-tree wet heath or tall, wet shrubland; Dryland Tea-tree (Melaleuca lanceolata) woodland and/or dry coastal heath habitat; and, Brown Stringybark (Eucalyptus baxteri) woodland with a damp heath understorey. These classifications reflect the vegetation community of the immediate area for each locality surveyed.

8.2.1 Silky Tea-tree wet heath or tall, wet shrublands Silky Tea-tree wetland habitats have produced almost all records for the Swamp Antechinus in South Australia (see Section 7.2). As this survey was deliberately biased to target such areas, 33 of the 36 sites trapped were characterised by the presence of this habitat, see Appendix Section 14.3. The diversity, structure, composition, quality and health of the vegetation varied markedly around the extended but narrow geographical range of this near coastal wetland habitat. Many sites in this category have been in the past or are currently influenced by: artificial drainage of surface/ground water; reduced flows of rising coastal springs; degradation through stock grazing; small remnant size; and, isolation from other remnant vegetation. In summary, Silky Tea-tree habitat, see Figure 8.9, is one of the most threatened wetland habitats in the South East, with around five percent of its original amount remaining.

8.2.2 Dryland Tea-tree low woodland and/or dry coastal heath A portion of the site surveyed at Bucks Lake Game Reserve contained Dryland Tea-tree (Melaleuca lanceolata) over a dry coastal heath understorey. This habitat, see Figure 8.10, was located on a limestone shelf, above a small Silky Tea-tree wet heath soak, see Figure 8.11, and was trapped because of its proximity to the wet heath habitat.

Figure 8.9 Typical structure of intact Silky Tea-tree wetland habitat Photograph: Mark Bachmann

Page 28 Distribution and Status of the Swamp Antechinus in South Australia

The site trapped at Carpenter Rocks Conservation Park also consisted of dry coastal heath habitat, mostly Coastal Wattle (Acacia sophorae), Coastal Daisy (Olearia axillaris) and Coastal Bearded-heath (Leucopogon parviflorus), with areas of Cutting Grass (Gahnia trifida) understorey in the lower lying swales. This site, see Figure 8.12, was selected because of the presence of Cutting Grass and the number of past Swamp Antechinus records from the Carpenter Rocks area.

Figure 8.10 The dry heath site surveyed at Bucks Lake Game Reserve Photograph: Mark Bachmann

Figure 8.11 Silky Tea-tree wet heath soak in Bucks Lake Game Reserve Photograph: Mark Bachmann

Page 29 Distribution and Status of the Swamp Antechinus in South Australia

8.2.3 Brown Stringybark woodland with damp heath understorey The site in Lower Glenelg River Conservation Park, see Figure 8.13, was not specifically selected for the Swamp Antechinus survey. It was trapped as part of a South Australian Department for Environment and Heritage survey for the nationally endangered Southern Brown Bandicoot (Isoodon obesulus). The Brown Stringybark habitat surveyed was characterised by damp, sandy soil and a diverse, heath understorey, dominated by yacca, hakea and a number of low heath species.

Figure 8.12 The dry coastal heath site surveyed at Carpenter Rocks Conservation Park Photograph: Mark Bachmann

Figure 8.13 The damp heathy woodland site surveyed in Lower Glenelg River Conservation Park Photograph: Mark Bachmann

Page 30 Distribution and Status of the Swamp Antechinus in South Australia

8.3 SWAMP ANTECHINUS CAPTURE SITE CHARACTERISTICS All but five of the 107 Swamp Antechinus captures in this survey, were from sites in Silky Tea-tree wet heath habitat, see Figure 8.9 and Figure 8.11. Sixteen of 33 sites surveyed in this vegetation community supported the species (102 captures of 58 individuals). The capture locations were mostly limited to undisturbed or relatively intact habitat remnants, with nine of the 16 sites not being grazed at the time of the survey. The other seven sites were located in grazed remnants of wetland vegetation. However these sites, although impacted by grazing at the fringes, were not badly degraded overall and appeared more robust than other grazed sites because of their larger comparative size. The smallest of these areas was 20 hectares and the largest around 100 hectares. All capture localities for the Swamp Antechinus in this habitat were typically found to support a medium-tall Silky Tea-tree shrub layer and an understorey consisting of varying proportions of cutting grass (Gahnia) species, wetland herbs and fallen vegetation, see Figure 8.14.

Swamp Antechinus capture sites at Nene Valley (NV 01), Cape Douglas (CD 01) and East of Pt. MacDonnell (PM 01), were in relatively small, i.e. approximately five hectare, areas of Silky Tea-tree wet heath. However, in each case the habitat was buffered on at least one side by adjacent intact woodland habitat. All other capture sites were located in larger Silky Tea-tree remnant patches.

A single first year female Swamp Antechinus was captured in dry coastal heath habitat at Bucks Lake Game Reserve. This site (BL 01), see Figure 8.10, was located on a limestone shelf, above a small Silky Tea-tree soak (Figure 8.11), and was characterised by dense understorey vegetation. Although the plant species composition was different, the amount of cover that is provided by this dry heath understorey was consistent with that where the species occurred in wet heath habitat.

Two male Swamp Antechinus were also captured on four occasions in damp heathy woodland habitat in Lower Glenelg River Conservation Park, see Figure 8.13. The understorey of capture sites consisted of moderate to dense vegetation, dominated by yacca, hakea and a number of low heath species. Unlike the other 17 sites where the Swamp Antechinus was recorded in the survey, this site (LG 01) was characterised by a relative absence of a shrub layer. The Park also provides conditions virtually unique in the South East of South Australia. It has no disturbed boundaries as it is isolated from the rest of South Australia by the Glenelg River, and shares its only terrestrial border with the 27,300 hectare Lower Glenelg National Park in south-western Victoria. Although an important record in completing a true picture of Swamp Antechinus distribution in South Australia, this population is essentially an extension of the species distribution from Lower Glenelg National Park in Victoria.

Figure 8.14 A Typical capture point in Silky Tea-tree wet heath vegetation Photograph: Mark Bachmann

Page 31 Distribution and Status of the Swamp Antechinus in South Australia

Page 32 Distribution and Status of the Swamp Antechinus in South Australia

SECTION D: DISTRIBUTION MAPS

9.0 HABITAT, SURVEY SITE AND SWAMP ANTECHINUS DISTRIBUTION MAPS

Page 33 Distribution and Status of the Swamp Antechinus in South Australia

Page 34 o ^v a..*TTT^ -• r ^^-. R TA A? A

Fauna Surveys in the south east of South Australia • 1 980's SE coast survey sites 1 997 SE fauna survey sites 1 997 Swamp Antechinus survey sites 1999-2001 Swamp Antechinus survey sites

Land Cover Categories Woodland Coastal Mallee Shrubland [3J Tall shrubland Hi Silky Tea-tree Wet Shrubland Sedgeland Tussock Grassland Cleared Land Pine/Hardwood Plantation Built-up Area Sand Dunes Cleared Swamp I I Lakes

Road Categories /\y Sealed Road Unsealed Road Unsealed Track Protected Areas /\ National Parks and Reserves /\ Heritage Agreement Areas 0 5 10 15 20km

Produced by: National Parks and Wildlife SA, Department of Environment and Heritage (DEH). Data Source: South East Floristic Vegetation Mapping from Planning SA, Department for Transport, Urban Planning and the Arts. Roads and drainage from AUSLIG250 K Geodata. Projection: Geographic. Datum: AGD84 Data Analysis: ESRI ArcView Geographic Informantion System. Compiled By: Jason van Weenen and Mark Bachmann, August 2001, NPWSA (DEH).

Figure 9.1 Fauna survey sites in the South East of South Australia

Page 35 Distribution and Status of the Swamp Antechinus in South Australia

Page 36 Legend Swamp Antechinus Records A 1938-1939 A 1976-1979 A 1982-1987 A 1989-1994 A 1997-2001

Land Cover Categories : ~| Woodland ~~^ Coastal Mallee [^J Shrubland ^ Tall shrubland HISilk v Tea-tree Wet Shrubland ! I Sedgeland H Tussock Grassland I I Cleared Land 1ZZ3 Pine/Hardwood Plantation j | Built-up Area I | Sand Dunes I I Cleared Swamp LI] Lakes

Road Categories

/V Sealed Road Unsealed Road Unsealed Track Protected Areas /\ National Parks and Reserves /\ Heritage Agreement Areas 0 5 10 15 20km

Figure 9.2 Swamp Antechinus Distribution in South Australia

Page 37 Distribution and Status of the Swamp Antechinus in South Australia

Page 38 Enlargement A

Enlargement B

Legend Swamp Antechinus Records 1938-1939 A 1976-1979 1982-1987 A 1989-1994 A 1997-2001

• Fauna Survey Sites

Land Cover Categories i I Woodland ~j Coastal Mallee | | Shrubland | | Tall shrubland H Silky Tea-tree Wet Shrubland | | Sedgeland I J Tussock Grassland PH Cleared Land ~"~! Pine/Hardwood Plantation | ! Built-up Area ZJ Sand Dunes I I j Cleared Swamp | !i Lakes i Road Categories Protected Areas | /\y Sealed Road /%^/ National Parks and Reserves Unsealed Road /-^/ Heritage Agreement Areas Unsealed Track

0 5 10 km —i

Produced by: National Parks and Wildlife SA, Department of Environment and Heritage (DEH). Data Source: South East Floristic Vegetation Mapping from Planning SA, Department for Transport, Urban Planning and the Arts. | Roads and drainage from AUSLIG250 K Geodata. ! Projection: Geographic. | Datum: AGD84 Data Analysis: ESRI ArcView Geographic Informantion System. Compiled By: Jason van Weenen and Mark Bachmann, August 2001, NPWSA (DEH).

Figure 9.3 Swamp Antechinus Distribution: Robe - Beachport

Page 39 Distribution and Status of the Swamp Antechinus in South Australia

Page 40 Mullins Swamp v-;v%VsK^^ V'-i-f* •••••••••••'«•••

^-..-;;•:• * "•'•'•""• •• *• •->"7- *-V.""•;•;.-;.""•;-:;• .•;•:.'• X\ Carpenter Rocks CP

Enlargement A \ Southend!

'V V; "V'Ly \VjiiV\ V; •".••> •" Canunda Causeway

Swamp Antechinus Records 1938-1939 A 1976-1979 1982-1987 Coola 1989-1994 Outstation A 1997-2001

• Fauna Survey Sites

Land Cover Categories ^n Woodland ] Coastal Mai lee ] Shrubland ~j Tall shrubland | Silky Tea-tree Wet Shrubland H Sedgeland 1 Tussock Grassland j Cleared Land ] Pine/Hardwood Plantation | j Built-up Area L^ Sand Dunes i I Cleared Swamp I I Lakes Road Categories Protected Areas

A/ Sealed Road /\S National Parks and Reserves Unsealed Road '^/ Heritage Agreement Areas Unsealed Track

0 5 ..- - ,<**_ >—^—/ •V-V-A ^^^ /^

Produced by: National Parks and Wildlife SA, Department of Environment and Heritage (DEH). Data Source: South East Floristic Vegetation Mapping from Planning SA, Department for Transport, Urban Planning and the Arts. s\• • • .• • _•«i? »'.• • v • j Roads and drainage from AUSLIG250 K Geodata. Projection: Geographic. Datum: AGD84 Data Analysis: ESRI ArcView Geographic Informantion System. Compiled By: Jason van Weenen and Mark Bachmann, August 2001, NPWSA (DEH).

Carpenter Rocks

Blackfellows Cave

Figure 9.4 Swamp Antechinus Distribution: Southend - Blackfellows Cave

Page 41 Distribution and Status of the Swamp Antechinus in South Australia

Page 42 Nene Valley wetland

•• -r-x'" • "• • "• ••••-V• •- • -•«••••>."•.- "V -v -V •A ? *_*••_•• V • r• 0 1km

Enlargement A Piccaninnie Ponds CP

Enlargement C

• ••» ••.•. - •„•.• • mj>v -'i..

Pt MacDonnell

JL Nene Valley

Swamp Antechinus Records 1938-1939 A 1976-1979 1982-1987 1989-1994 A 1997-2001

• Fauna Survey Sites

Land Cover Categories ] Woodland ] Coastal Mallee Enlargement B _J Shrubland | | Tall shrubland Hi SilkV Tea-tree Wet Shrubland \ Sedgeland ~_\k Grassland I Cleared Land [ J Pine/Hardwood Plantation |n Built-up Area 10km l_ i Sand Dunes [ j Cleared Swamp I I Lakes Road Categories Produced by: National Parks and Wildlife SA, /\/ Sealed Road Department of Environment and Heritage (DEH). Unsealed Road Data Source: South East Floristic Vegetation Mapping from Planning SA, Department for Transport, Urban Planning and the Arts. Unsealed Track Roads and drainage from AUSLIG250 K Geodata. Projection: Geographic. Protected Areas Datum: AGD84 ,/V* National Parks and Reserves Data Analysis: ESRI ArcView Geographic Informantion System. /*• / Heritage Agreement Areas Compiled By: Jason van Weenen and Mark Bachmann, August 2001, NPWSA (DEH).

Figure 9.5 Swamp Antechinus Distribution: Nene Valley - Victorian Border

Page 43 Distribution and Status of the Swamp Antechinus in South Australia

Page 44 Legend • Swamp Antechinus Records

0 10 20 30 40km

Produced by: National Parks and Wildlife SA, Department of Environment and Heritage (DEH). I"Port MacDonnell | Data Source: South East Floristic Vegetation Mapping from Planning SA, Department for Transport, Urban Planning and the Arts. Roads and drainage from AUSLIG250 K Geodata. Projection: Geographic. Datum: AGD84 Data Analysis: ESRI ArcView Geographic Informantion System. Compiled By: Jason van Weenen and Mark Bachmann, August 2001, NPWSA (DEH).

Figure 9.6 Swamp Antechinus records in relation to the pre-European vegetation of South East South Australia

Pa g e 45 Distribution and Status of the Swamp Antechinus in South Australia

Page 46 Distribution and Status of the Swamp Antechinus in South Australia

SECTION E: DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION

10.0 DISCUSSION

10.1 HABITAT

10.1.1 General habitat description South Australian populations of Swamp Antechinus were found to inhabit Silky Tea-tree wet heath, dry coastal heath and Brown Stringybark woodland habitats. As most populations have been located in Silky Tea-tree wet heath, the characteristics of this vegetation association best describe the habitat currently used by the species in South Australia. Where the Swamp Antechinus was captured in this wet heath habitat, it was generally found to support an intact, dense understorey, dominated by cutting grass (Gahnia) species, wetland herbs and fallen / decomposing vegetation.

In the southern portion of the range of Silky Tea-tree wet heath habitat, i.e. from Canunda to the Victorian border, the wettest areas possess a Silky Tea-tree overstorey equally dominated by Scented Paper-bark (Melaleuca squarrosa) and stands of Tall Saw-sedge (Gahnia clarkei) in the understorey. In this part of the range the, mostly permanent, wetlands are usually fed by rising groundwater springs, are very fresh and have deep peat soils. Towards the slightly drier edges of these wetlands, the habitat resembles the dominant structure of Silky Tea-tree habitats as they occur in areas north of Canunda. Cutting Grass (Gahnia trifida) replaces the Tall Saw-sedge in the understorey and in place of Scented Paper- bark, the Tree Everlasting (Ozothamnus ferrugineus) can be equally dominant in the overstorey with Silky Tea-tree. As these habitat characteristics gradually change toward the northern and western limits of the Swamp Antechinus range, the vegetation becomes more stunted over shallower peat soils and in general the wetlands become more seasonal and brackish.

10.1.2 Capture habitat characteristics

Silky Tea-tree wet heath habitat Female Swamp Antechinus were captured at almost 70% of sites where the species was found in Silky Tea-tree habitat. Given that trapping transects were mostly located at the edges of habitat remnants due to access, this implies that good portions of many areas surveyed are providing core habitat for the species; i.e. habitat for reproductive females which are more sedentary and habitat specific.

There were over 30% of Swamp Antechinus capture sites in Silky Tea-tree habitat where only males were caught. It is more difficult to state with certainty how these areas are being utilised by the species. Given the possibility that these males were transient, the survey transects may not have covered habitat favourable to reproductive females. However, the capture of the species does indicate the presence, within a reasonable vicinity, of habitat suitable to females and an existing Swamp Antechinus population.

This concept is supported by the results of surveys at Sites ROB01001 in 1997 and SC 02 in 1999, that were located in the same area of habitat near Lake St Clair. The first survey of Site ROB01001 in February 1997 (South East Fauna Survey) did not detect the species at this site, while a subsequent survey in June 1997, see Section 4.1, resulted in the capture of five male Swamp Antechinus. Further intensive trapping at the site in August 1997, see Section 4.2, did not result in any captures of the species and although conducted after male ‘die-off’, it was expected that if a population was present in the area that breeding females would be captured at this time. In April 1999, the site was again surveyed, see Section 8.1, and it was discovered that reproductive females were successfully utilising the area, with two male and four female captures.

Page 47 Distribution and Status of the Swamp Antechinus in South Australia

It is important to note however, that in 1999 Site SC 02 was surveyed for six days, with the first Swamp Antechinus caught on the third day of trapping. After this initial capture, a further five individuals were detected throughout the remainder of the survey period. This experience led to the practice of placing traps closed in situ for two to three day prior to baiting, for the rest of the 1999-2001 survey. While it cannot be proven, this is believed to have increased the chances of detecting the Swamp Antechinus in this survey.

The variability of results from the Lake St Clair site over a short period of time highlights the importance of revisiting past capture localities. It also raises the possibility that the Swamp Antechinus may be persisting at sites where survey work has so far been unable to detect the species. An initial visit to the north-eastern side of Lake Eliza (Sites LE 02 and LE 04) in May 2000 was unsuccessful in capturing the species, while a further survey one month later, of other locations in the same continuous area of habitat (Sites LE 01 and LE 03), resulted in the capture of two male animals. If isolated populations of the species are persisting in low densities, it is possible that the one-off, short term survey of sites may not give entirely representative results. This is also supported by the other 1999-2001 survey results, indicating a very low abundance of the species at most sites where it was detected, i.e. between one and three animals captured.

Dry coastal heath habitat The capture site in dry heath vegetation at Bucks Lake Game Reserve provides an interesting example of alternate habitat utilisation by the species in South Australia. It would not have been unexpected to have caught a transient male Swamp Antechinus in this vegetation type, as they have been trapped in alternate habitats in this area and other large reserves of the South East before. However, the capture of a first-year reproductive female in such habitat around mating time was particularly interesting. It suggests that breeding female Swamp Antechinus are not solely restricted to Silky Tea-tree habitat in South Australia. This is supported by the fact that residents of nearby Carpenter Rocks have collected several of the South Australian Museum specimens of the species, including a dead female from close to the town.

Carpenter Rocks is surrounded by a continuous area of native vegetation, dominated by dry woodland or coastal scrub habitat. Nearby to the north, Bucks Lake itself consists of mostly degraded wetland vegetation, as the area is no longer seasonally inundated with the overflow from Lake Bonney. Areas of dying, weed infested Silky Tea-tree habitat, were observed in the former wetland, see Figure 10.1. In 1958, Lake Bonney’s water level was first lowered after a channel was cut to the ocean. As this channel silted up, the Lake’s level began to rise again before in 1972 another channel was cut and a permanent regulator installed by the South Australian government (DENR 1996).

Past surveys, conducted by the Field Naturalist’s Society of South Australia (FNSSA) and the South Australian Museum in 1977 and 1978, were successful in capturing the Swamp Antechinus at both Bucks Lake Game Reserve and the adjacent habitat to the south-east on the FNSSA’s Heritage Agreement property. These surveys resulted in the capture of 22 Swamp Antechinus individuals, including reproductive females, confirming that alternate habitat use has been recorded in the Carpenter Rocks area before. An example of the type of habitat where the species was found on the FNSSA property is shown in Figure 10.2.

While the Swamp Antechinus is known to utilise drier habitats in the Carpenter Rocks area, the importance of the wetland habitat associated with Bucks Lake to this population remains unknown. There must be concern for the persistence of the species in this area, given the degradation of the Silky Tea-tree habitat at Bucks Lake, shown in Figure 10.1, and the obvious reliance of the species on this habitat type elsewhere. Additionally, it is also possible that the mixed but contiguous remnant vegetation in the Carpenter Rocks area constitutes a large enough amount of sub-optimal yet suitable habitat, enabling a sparse population to continue to survive. It is unlikely that such habitats could support high densities of the Swamp Antechinus, given their drier soils that would limit availability of preferred food resources, such as soil invertebrates. However, the amount of cover provided by these drier habitats is comparable to Silky Tea-tree heath and likely to be protecting the Swamp Antechinus from predation by cats and foxes.

Page 48 Distribution and Status of the Swamp Antechinus in South Australia

This suggestion would certainly make sense when referring to alternate habitats described in interstate records of the Swamp Antechinus (see Section 1.3.1) and when analysing past records of the species in South Australia. In addition to habitats of the Carpenter Rocks area, female Swamp Antechinus have also been caught in Coastal Wattle scrub on sand dunes in Piccaninnie Ponds Conservation Park and Little Dip Conservation Park. It is worth noting in each of these cases that, although outside the limited home ranges of the captured animals, there were areas of Silky Tea-tree wet heath habitat nearby.

Figure 10.1 Death and weed infestation of Silky Tea-tree habitat in Bucks Lake Game Reserve Photograph: Mark Bachmann

Figure 10.2 Swamp Antechinus capture habitat on the property south-east of Bucks Lake Game Reserve Photograph: Mark Bachmann

Page 49 Distribution and Status of the Swamp Antechinus in South Australia

Brown Stringybark heathy woodland habitat Further evidence of alternate habitat use by the Swamp Antechinus in South Australia was provided by the capture of the species in heathy woodland habitat in Lower Glenelg River Conservation Park. The nearest Silky Tea-tree habitat to this site is located hundreds of metres away in small pockets along the edges of the Glenelg River. This site has much in common with the Carpenter Rocks area, despite the differences in plant composition and structure. In both locations the habitat is likely to provide an adequate level of protection from predators at ground level, and is part of a large enough area of remnant vegetation to support a sparse population of the species outside of its preferred habitat.

Summary It is apparent from the two alternate habitats where the species was recorded in the 1999-2001 survey, as well as past South Australian and Victorian records, that the Swamp Antechinus is capable of utilising other vegetation communities where conditions, such as continuity, size and quality of remnant vegetation, are favourable. However in South Australia today, there are few opportunities for broader habitat utilisation because of the fragmented nature of the remaining wetlands and native vegetation, and the likely ongoing impact of introduced predators. These factors have almost entirely reduced the Swamp Antechinus in South Australia to a series of distinct sub-populations, primarily restricted to what appears to be the most favourable, core habitat for the species, Silky Tea-tree wet heath.

Page 50 Distribution and Status of the Swamp Antechinus in South Australia

10.1.3 Past habitat distribution Prior to European settlement, Silky Tea-tree habitats were most certainly limited in range in South Australia, but would have occurred in semi-continuous strips around the coastal district wetlands of the Lower South East, see Figure 9.6. The habitat was associated primarily with saturated peat soils and was situated in a variety of fresh water environments, including near coastal springs, creeks, freshwater seepage areas and swamps. This specific vegetation community was interspersed with a variety of other, wet and dry habitats.

In addition to Silky Tea-tree habitat, the Swamp Antechinus has also been recorded on occasions utilising other habitats in South Australia, such as dry coastal heath and heathy woodland. As such, with past continuous vegetative cover of a mixture of habitats, one can envisage the Swamp Antechinus being widespread in near coastal situations in the Lower South East. They are likely to have occurred as a meta-population (Krohne 1997; Hanski & Gilpin 1995); a group of higher density populations in areas of core Silky Tea-tree habitat, connected by occasional dispersal or opportunistic use of intervening areas of drier habitat. If this were the case it would mean that prior to European settlement, populations of the Swamp Antechinus in South Australia were unlikely to have experienced genetic isolation and would have enabled the re-colonisation of suitable habitats after events such as fire or extreme flooding. Assuming the species was capable of utilising most, if not all, areas of Silky Tea-tree wet heath habitat in the South East coastal districts, then the range of the Swamp Antechinus could have extended closer to the northern limit of this habitat in the region, near Kingston.

The Biodiversity Plan for the South East (Croft et al. 1999) estimated the original area of Silky Tea-tree habitat present in the region to be almost 11,000 hectares.

10.1.4 Present habitat distribution Since European settlement, the majority of Silky Tea-tree heath and adjoining habitats have been lost or altered through drainage and clearance for agriculture, and domestic stock grazing (compare Figures 9.2 and 9.6). When drained and cultivated, the damp peat soils of these wetland habitats are highly productive for agriculture, providing fertile soil for crops or green pasture (summer country) for graziers. Only those areas most difficult to drain and clear have tended to escape exploitation and most remnants are highly fragmented in their distribution. Less than 1000 hectares of Silky Tea-tree habitat remains today in the South East (Croft et al. 1999), with around two-thirds of this amount located on private property. Additionally, there are few areas where the small, isolated remnants of Silky Tea-tree heath are found in conjunction with other habitats.

Page 51 Distribution and Status of the Swamp Antechinus in South Australia

10.1.5 Past and continuing threats to Swamp Antechinus distribution

Vegetation drainage, clearance and grazing Large areas of Silky Tea-tree habitat were cleared relatively recently, much of it since World War II. Soldier re-settlement parcels of land were allocated over the vast tract of this habitat type that was present in the Eight Mile Creek area east of Port MacDonnell, and in the large wetlands north of Lake Bonney, see Figure 9.6. Most of these more significant areas were only drained and cleared between the 1940’s and 1960’s. Recorded descriptions of the habitat formations at these locations gives an indication of the area and quality of Silky Tea-tree habitat that was lost during this period.

In 1943, Constance Eardley referred to Eight Mile Creek Swamp as one of the few wetlands of the Lower South East that remained in a virgin state. She said the swamp extended 5 miles (8km) along the coast and no more than 2 miles (3.2km) inland. This 2,500 hectare area was mostly dominated by Silky Tea-tree habitat growing up to 15 foot (4.5m) high, interspersed with small swamp gum rises and lower lying, more permanent wetlands. Similarly, descriptions of the wetlands north of Lake Bonney are just as impressive. On Fred Ellis’ property, where Site CA 02 was located, there was a huge area (i.e. hundreds of hectares) of extremely dense Silky Tea-tree and a great swamp (O’Connor & O’Connor 1991). The Silky Tea-tree habitat is described as being ‘so thick a dog could not bark in it’.

Although legislation protecting native vegetation has been in place in South Australia since the early 1980’s, the area and quality of Silky Tea-tree habitat on private property has continued to decline. Areas where this habitat fragmentation has been most evident during this period, through drainage, clearance and grazing, include remnant vegetation on private properties in the Little Dip Conservation Park (Figure 10.3) and Piccaninnie Ponds Conservation Park areas (Figure 10.5), as well as near Blackfellows Cave (Figure 10.4), Cape Douglas (Figure 10.6) and Nene Valley (Figure 10.7). In general, these activities continue to reduce the size and quality of most of the small areas of Silky Tea-tree habitat that now remain on private property.

Stock grazing in particular is a threat common to many privately owned wetlands across the South East region, and is a major cause of habitat degradation. Typically, the activity leads to the loss of understorey density and diversity, soil disturbance through trampling, and can eventually result in complete habitat clearance through attrition. Habitat degraded through grazing is also less likely to provide small mammals with cover and protection from introduced predators, i.e. foxes and cats.

1978 1982

1987 1992

Figure 10.3 Silky Tea-tree habitat clearance adjacent to Little Dip Conservation Park. Habitat is outlined in red. Approximate Scale: 1cm = 200m Aerial Photography: Provided by Mapland, SA Department for Environment and Heritage

Page 52 Distribution and Status of the Swamp Antechinus in South Australia

1956 1965

1978 1982 1987

1992 1997 2000

Figure 10.4 Vegetation clearance near Blackfellows Cave Approximate Scale: 1cm = 400m Aerial Photography: Provided by Mapland, SA Department for Environment and Heritage

Page 53 Distribution and Status of the Swamp Antechinus in South Australia

1965 1978

1982 1986

1992 1997

Figure 10.5 Silky Tea-tree habitat clearance at Pick’s Swamp: adjacent to the western end of Piccaninnie Ponds CP Approximate Scale: 1cm = 266m Aerial Photography: Provided by Mapland, SA Department for Environment and Heritage

Page 54 Distribution and Status of the Swamp Antechinus in South Australia

1978

1982 1986

1992 1997

Figure 10.6 Wetland drainage and vegetation clearance inland from Cape Douglas Approximate Scale: 1cm = 266m Aerial Photography: Provided by Mapland, SA Department for Environment and Heritage

Page 55 Distribution and Status of the Swamp Antechinus in South Australia

1978

1982

1987 1992 1997

Figure 10.7 Drainage and clearance of Nene Valley wetland Approximate Scale: 1cm = 500m Aerial Photography: Provided by Mapland, SA Department for Environment and Heritage

Page 56 Distribution and Status of the Swamp Antechinus in South Australia

In 1978, a previous landowner offered the Nene Valley wetland (see Figure 10.7) to the then Department of Lands for addition to Nene Valley Conservation Park (SEWC 1985). This offer was declined and subsequent owners proceeded to drain and clear this important vegetated wetland. The artificial channel that was cut to the ocean can first be seen in the 1982 aerial photograph in Figure 10.7. The original, natural outlet was located further to the south-east.

Loss of spring flows In recent years, a drop in the level of the unconfined aquifer in the Lower South East has seen a reduction of flow to near-coastal springs and has become a major threat to the health of Silky Tea-tree wetland habitat, particularly between Carpenter Rocks and the Victorian border. Over the same period, intensification in land-use has seen a massive increase in groundwater extraction for irrigated agriculture, while adequate recharge to the aquifer is prevented by widespread drainage and plantation forestry in the region. Modelling by Stadter and Yan (2000), predicts that ongoing extraction of groundwater in the areas south of Mount Gambier will continue to reduce the discharge from near-coastal rising springs. It is clear from this work that while extraction from the unconfined aquifer continues to outweigh recharge, the resultant loss of storage groundwater will, in the long-term, have an even more pronounced impact on coastal springs and the health of their dependent ecosystems. Herczeg et al. (2001) support this model, reporting that there is no level of groundwater extraction that will not, in the long run, result in declines of natural spring discharges, with consequent environmental impacts.

Habitat composition and structural changes The drying out of near-coastal wetlands that may be caused by surface drainage or loss of groundwater spring flows, is causing visible changes to Silky Tea-tree habitat composition and structure. In many locations, dry coastal succession species, such as Coastal Wattle and Coastal Bearded Heath, were observed establishing in Silky Tea-tree heath, even where the established wetland habitat showed no visible signs of stress. The past, natural hydrological regimes of these sites would have made such infiltration impossible, with non-wetland species flooded out before they could establish. Not only does the presence of these species threaten to change the habitat composition and structure, but at a finer scale will also impact on soil and litter characteristics. In locations such as Bucks Lake, where the stress of moisture loss appears to have been too great, areas of Silky Tea-tree habitat are dying and being invaded by thistles, see Figure 10.1. Other serious weeds that are a broader threat to intact Silky Tea-tree habitat remnants include Blackberries (Rubus spp.) and Shiny-leaf (Coprosma repens). In many locations, the impenetrable nature of this habitat makes weed control a difficult proposition.

Fire and feral predators The scale and frequency of fire also results in habitat modification by altering the composition and structure of native vegetation. These changes directly impact on the ability of the Swamp Antechinus to persist, and particularly threaten populations in small or isolated patches of remnant habitat. The Swamp Antechinus exhibits a poor ability to recolonise after fire and has been observed as a late successional species (Wilsonet al. in press; Driessen 1999). Deliberate burning of small, isolated Silky Tea-tree wetlands in the South East could therefore directly cause local extinctions of the species.

The Swamp Antechinus typically inhabits mostly dense, intact areas of native vegetation where it also remains more secure from introduced predators. However, the fact that semi-domestic cats have captured Swamp Antechinus individuals at various locations, e.g. Records 35 and 78 in Appendix Section 14.1, indicates that the species does suffer some degree of vulnerability. In addition, foxes and cats may be suppressing the ability of the Swamp Antechinus to persist in, and disperse through, neighbouring less dense, perhaps sub-optimal, habitats.

Summary Today, remnant areas of Silky Tea-tree habitat in the South East are typically small, degraded and isolated from other remnant habitats. The species these remnants contain, such as the Swamp Antechinus, are under significant threat of genetic isolation and are ultimately faced with the prospect of local extinction. Whereas the continuous near coastal habitats of the South East may once have enabled a widespread, dynamic population of the Swamp Antechinus to exist, the species is now reduced to a number of small, disjunct populations.

Page 57 Distribution and Status of the Swamp Antechinus in South Australia

10.2 DISTRIBUTION The results of the surveys for the Swamp Antechinus, coupled with historical data, see Section 1.5, indicate the species has a restricted distribution in South Australia and is confined to near coastal localities from Robe to the Victorian border. Within this range the species appears to be currently confined to nine discrete population areas, see Figures 9.2, 9.3, 9.4 and 9.5. It is highly unlikely that there is any current interaction between populations of these areas. From east to west, they are:

1. Lower Glenelg River Conservation Park (LG 01) - 1 site, 2 individuals, 4 captures

2. Piccaninnie Ponds Conservation Park (PP 02, PP 03) / Pick’s Swamp (PP 01) - 3 sites, 4 individuals, 7 captures

3. Private properties east of Port MacDonnell (PM 01, PM 02) - 2 sites, 4 individuals, 4 captures

4. Private property near Cape Douglas (CD 01) - 1 site, 3 individuals, 3 captures

5. Private property near Nene Valley (NV 01) - 1 site, 3 individuals, 3 captures

6. Private properties near Blackfellows Cave (BC 01, BC 02, BC 03, BC 04) - 4 sites, 33 individuals, 65 captures

7. Carpenter Rocks area - Southend (BL 01, LF 02) - 2 sites, 2 individuals, 2 captures

8. North-east corner of Lake St Clair (ROB01001, SC 02, SC 04) - 3 sites, 13 individuals, 21 captures

9. Private property on the north-east side Lake Eliza (LE 01, LE 03) - 2 sites, 2 individuals, 3 captures

[Note: For habitat and site location descriptions see Appendix Section 14.3]

1. The Lower Glenelg River Conservation Park site represents the western extent of a Victorian Swamp Antechinus population in the adjoining Lower Glenelg National Park. Although consistent with some previous records of the species in Victoria, this is the first time the Swamp Antechinus has been located in Brown Stringybark woodland in South Australia and is the first record for this reserve. Lower Glenelg River Conservation Park has a total area of 132 hectares, but is contiguous with the 27,300 hectare Lower Glenelg National Park.

Page 58 Distribution and Status of the Swamp Antechinus in South Australia

2. The Swamp Antechinus was discovered at new localities in the near coastal, border region of South Australia. Two sites were located at the previously unsurveyed western end of Piccaninnie Ponds Conservation Park as well as another new site, further to the west in Pick’s Swamp. A continuous area of Silky Tea-tree heath, until recently, connected the western end of Piccaninnie Ponds Conservation Park and Pick’s Swamp. Over the past 25 years, through increased drainage, clearance and grazing on the neighbouring private land, this link has been lost and the two remnant areas are now isolated from each other by approximately one kilometre of cleared land, see Figure 10.5. This intervening area is subject to inundation over winter and has reasonable ground cover at times. As such, it may still enable the movement of male Swamp Antechinus in particular, between these two areas. Piccaninnie Ponds Conservation Park has an area of 544 hectares and Pick’s Swamp has been reduced to a current area of around 30 hectares.

3. There are three significant areas of remnant wetland vegetation across private properties to the east of Port MacDonnell. The two least disturbed areas (approximately 25 hectares and ten hectares) were found to contain the Swamp Antechinus. These areas are separated by approximately 600m of grazing land, which may provide enough cover to enable the movement of animals between these habitat remnants. This population survives in the area where the first Swamp Antechinus specimens were collected in South Australia in the late 1930’s.

4. A single property inland from Cape Douglas, west of Port MacDonnell, was found to contain a population of the Swamp Antechinus. The majority of the Silky Tea-tree habitat was cleared from this site in the early 1980’s, see Figure 10.6. The narrow strips that remain are buffered to the north by Messmate Stringybark (Eucalyptus obliqua) / Rough-barked Manna Gum (E. viminalis) woodland. Approximately five of the 25 hectares of remnant vegetation remaining at the site is Silky Tea-tree habitat and this area is currently supporting a small, isolated and highly threatened population of the Swamp Antechinus. Although the species was recorded from the property directly to the west from a survey in 1986, the 1997 survey of that site (TSM02201) failed to find the Swamp Antechinus and identified the area as being severely degraded through grazing.

5. A single length (approximately 500m) of creek line Silky Tea-tree habitat north-west from Nene Valley was surveyed for the first time and also found to support the Swamp Antechinus. This creek line is buffered by Messmate Stringybark woodland and is the only undisturbed remnant Silky Tea-tree habitat in the immediate area. A formerly extensive area of habitat, part of the Nene Valley wetland, was cleared in the 1980’s on the property to the south of the site surveyed, see Figure 10.7. A degraded fragment of this area remains in the now drained and mostly cleared Nene Valley wetland and when surveyed in 1997 (Site TSM02101) was not found to support the Swamp Antechinus. The newly discovered population may only be barely persisting since the larger area of nearby habitat was cleared. It is highly vulnerable to local extinction. There is around five hectares of Silky Tea-tree habitat on the creek line, buffered by approximately 20 hectares of woodland.

6. Captures of the Swamp Antechinus from two private properties near Blackfellows Cave suggest the area may contain the largest and most viable population of the species remaining in South Australia. The species was first detected from one of these properties during the 1982 South East Coast Survey. The layout of the vegetation in the area is representative of the past broadscale formation of Silky Tea-tree habitat and retains rare examples of ecotones between this and drier habitats. Areas of Messmate Stringybark woodland, Swamp Gum (Eucalyptus ovata) woodland and Drooping Sheoak (Allocasuarina verticillata) woodland are found in conjunction with the wetland habitat at these sites. In total around 170 hectares of remnant vegetation is found in the area and at least half of this is Silky Tea-tree habitat. Compared to other private wetland habitat in the Lower South East, these remnants stand out as a significant core area of habitat for the Swamp Antechinus. One of the two properties that constitute this population area, where Sites BC 03 and BC 04 were located, is under considerable pressure from agricultural development, as shown in Figure 10.4. This activity continues to threaten this highly important Swamp Antechinus population.

7. The continuous strip of public and private lands between Carpenter Rocks and Southend, constitute the most significant expanse of near coastal native vegetation left in the Lower South East. This area includes Heritage Agreements and other private native vegetation in the Carpenter Rocks area, portions of unalloted Crown Land, and National Parks and Wildlife Reserves, see Figure 9.4.

Page 59 Distribution and Status of the Swamp Antechinus in South Australia

Bucks Lake Game Reserve has an area of 136 hectares, Canunda National Park 9268 hectares and Canunda Conservation Reserve 1091 hectares. Single captures of juvenile females at the two survey sites located virtually at the northern and southern limits of these reserves confirmed the presence of the Swamp Antechinus. While the extensive strip of Silky Tea-tree habitat in Canunda Conservation Reserve is likely to be providing a stronghold for the species, to the south in Canunda National Park, small pockets of wet heath habitat scattered throughout the dune vegetation are also likely to be inhabited by the species. This is supported by the fact that three Swamp Antechinus specimens were collected in such habitat near the centre of Canunda National Park, during the late 1990’s.

Other important areas of native vegetation also abut these reserves. Adjacent to Canunda National Park and Canunda Conservation Reserve is a local government (Wattle Range District Council) reserve with contiguous habitat. The Swamp Antechinus was recorded from this reserve in 1986. Private properties and unalloted Crown Land neighbouring Bucks Lake Game Reserve near Carpenter Rocks are also known to have supported the Swamp Antechinus, being recorded from that area since the late 1970’s.

8. Between 1999 and 2001, the Silky Tea-tree habitat on the north-eastern corner of Lake St Clair was still supporting a population of the Swamp Antechinus, after their discovery at the site in the 1997 survey. The area consists of around 15 hectares of Silky Tea-tree habitat within a continuous 30 hectare area of vegetation. Significantly, this site is approximately 40km to the north-west of the nearest record to the south in Canunda Conservation Reserve, with most of the original habitat between these areas either cleared or highly degraded.

9. The most north-westerly site currently known for the Swamp Antechinus on mainland Australia, exists in an area of Silky Tea-tree and Cutting Grass habitat off the north-eastern side of Lake Eliza. This habitat, ten kilometres inland from Robe, is a further ten kilometres to the north of the Lake St Clair site and is isolated from it by cleared land. The habitat is mostly narrow, in places following a network of drains, and there is evidence that burning and grazing continue to impact its structure. The area contains a total of around 25 hectares of Silky Tea-tree and Cutting Grass habitat.

Summary As the previous descriptions indicate, the South Australian distribution of the Swamp Antechinus has been reduced to several, mostly small and isolated, remnants of Silky Tea-tree wetland vegetation, between Robe and the Victorian border. The ability for recolonisation or movement of individuals between such remnants is made impossible by the expanses of cleared land that separates them. In some cases this is a few kilometres and in the most extreme instance 40km. The only exceptions to this overall distribution trend were found in Lower Glenelg River Conservation Park and the large coastal reserves between Southend and Carpenter Rocks, where in each case large, continuous portions of a variety of vegetation communities have been conserved. However in each of these areas, due to the limited extent or complete lack of core Silky Tea-tree habitat, capture rates were extremely low.

Private properties in the southern portion of the survey range, between Carpenter Rocks and the Victorian border, were found to support the majority of remaining Swamp Antechinus populations. The remaining Silky Tea-tree habitats in this part of the range are taller, wetter and more resistant to stock grazing than private areas north of Southend. These factors have enabled such areas of habitat to escape complete clearance, maintain their structure for longer when grazed, and have therefore been able to continue to support populations of the Swamp Antechinus.

Silky Tea-tree habitat gradually changes in species composition and structure towards the northern extent of the range of the Swamp Antechinus. The wetlands are drier for longer periods and are not as fresh, which impacts on floristic composition and may reduce available food resources for the Swamp Antechinus. This could mean that larger areas of habitat are required to support individuals of a population. Given that northern habitat remnants are mostly smaller, more degraded and isolated than those in the south, it is not surprising that the Swamp Antechinus is now more sparsely distributed in this portion of its range.

Page 60 Distribution and Status of the Swamp Antechinus in South Australia

10.3 SWAMP ANTECHINUS CAPTURE CHARACTERISTICS

Sex / age ratio of captures While the number of Swamp Antechinus individuals captured from each of the sexes were quite equal in the 1999-2001 survey, male individuals were clearly more likely to be recaptured, see Figures 8.3 and 8.4. Males had a 97% recapture rate whereas females were only half as likely to be re-trapped. This increased likelihood of male recapture may have been due to their greater need for food and hence greater activity during the survey, which was timed to coincide with the period leading up to mating and male ‘die-off’. Alternatively, the results may also indicate that females display a degree of trap shyness, particularly after their initial capture.

Of the 12 sites where female Swamp Antechinus were detected, only four involved the capture of adult females. This perhaps indicates that at many sites the survey transects did not dissect the limited, established home ranges of adult female animals, or may show that females of the species exhibit even greater trap shyness as they age.

Sex / age class weight summary When grouped according to site, captured animals within each sex / age class exhibited a low degree of weight variability, refer to Figure 8.5. However, when these sex / age classes were grouped according to the month of capture, males displayed marked variation in weight range between February and May, in contrast to the two female categories which retain comparatively low variability, see Figure 8.6. This trend is again supported when all available historical data is also included, see Figure 8.7. This large weight range may be a reflection of the productivity of the habitat at each site, indicating that males develop according to the availability of resources. For six months after weaning, male development is generally rapid but variable, until they reach a maximum weight of up to 125 grams prior to mating and ‘die-off’. In contrast, although a similar size at the time of weaning, females over the same period appear to develop more uniformly towards a maximum weight of up to 55 grams. The comparatively larger weights gained by males appears to allow for greater variability at any one time during the development phase. The contrasting growth patterns of males and females highlights the sexual dimorphism of the species.

The recorded average weights of adult females between months, see Figure 8.7, were quite erratic. This is most likely to be a reflection of small sample sizes contributing to the averages in this category, but may also indicate variability of the particular season, i.e. food resources, at the times when these animals were caught.

Swamp Antechinus weight changes for South Australian records, including emergence and development of juvenile animals, and timing of male ‘die-off’, as displayed in Figures 8.6 and 8.7, closely support the model of life history events suggested by Wainer (1976), refer to Figure 1.5. Importantly, this indicates that the timing of these events are well synchronised across the whole of the species’ range.

Time of day of captures The Swamp Antechinus was clearly active both during the day and overnight, see Figure 8.8, although much of this activity was possibly restricted to the transitional times around dawn and dusk. A number of times when checking transects in both morning and evening, nearby traps were heard being triggered and were subsequently found to contain the species. The slightly lower number of captures at dawn does not necessarily indicate less activity at that time. It is more likely to be a reflection of increased competition for traps with the Bush Rat, an abundant species that was mostly captured at dawn.

Summary The trends that have appeared from the results of the 1999-2001 survey, indicate that there is still a great deal to be learnt about the population dynamics of the Swamp Antechinus in South Australia. Intensive ongoing monitoring of populations at specific sites will help to reveal more about these trends and may assist with the direction of future conservation efforts.

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10.4 STATUS REVIEW

10.4.1 The Swamp Antechinus in reserves The Swamp Antechinus is currently present in the following reserves (survey sites in brackets where applicable):

1. Lower Glenelg River Conservation Park (LG 01)

2. Piccaninnie Ponds Conservation Park (PP 02, PP 03)

3. Bucks Lake Game Reserve (BL 01)

4. Canunda National Park

5. Canunda Conservation Reserve (LF 01)

6. Lake St Clair Conservation Park (ROB01001, SC 02, SC 04)

The Swamp Antechinus has also been recorded from Little Dip Conservation Park. Although the species was recorded from part of this reserve in 1983, 1985 and 1987, the survey of three sites in that area of the Park failed to locate the species. Nearby, adjacent to the Park in November 1983, a small population of the Swamp Antechinus was actually discovered in a privately owned Silky Tea-tree swamp. However since that time, the area has been entirely cleared and the small population it supported is now extinct, refer to aerial photography in Figure 10.4 and site pictures in Figure 10.8. Anecdotal evidence from local residents indicates that numbers of feral cats in that area have also increased enormously and coupled with the present lack of core habitat, this may have hastened the species apparent decline in neighbouring Little Dip Conservation Park. The ability of other reserves, such as Bucks Lake Game Reserve, to continue to house the Swamp Antechinus may depend on the adequate protection and management of adjoining private remnant vegetation.

Approximately 25% of Swamp Antechinus captures in the 1999-2001 survey, were recorded from South Australian Government reserves. During the survey, 40% of the total trapping effort was spent in both state and local government reserves. These areas are important for the Swamp Antechinus as they tend to offer a mosaic of intact vegetation, which may assist with dispersal events and allow for broader habitat use.

Figure 10.8 A Silky Tea-tree swamp as it appeared in 1983 (left) Photograph: Peter Bird and the same, now denuded swamp in 2001(right) Photograph: Mark Bachmann

Page 62 Distribution and Status of the Swamp Antechinus in South Australia

10.4.2 The Swamp Antechinus on private land Other sites where the species is found are situated on private land. These include the following (with an indication of level of protection):

1. Pick’s swamp (PP 01) - heavily grazed with cattle

2. East of Port MacDonnell (PM 01) - already fenced at time of survey

3. East of Port MacDonnell (PM 02) - fenced since survey *

4. Inland from Cape Douglas (CD 01) - to be fenced by owner *

5. Creek line near Nene Valley (NV 01) - already fenced at time of survey

6. Property near Blackfellows Cave (BC 01, BC 02) - to be fenced by owner *

7. Property near Blackfellows Cave (BC 03, BC 04) - heavily grazed by sheep and highly threatened by clearance and drainage

8. NE side of Lake Eliza (LE 01, LE 03) - appeared lightly grazed

[Note: * indicates fencing with assistance of the Silky Tea-tree and Cutting Grass Wetland Rehabilitation Project.]

The capture of the Swamp Antechinus on private land has occurred throughout the species South Australian range. The species has been lost from some areas, e.g. Site TSM02201 inland from Cape Douglas and adjacent to Little Dip Conservation Park, shown in Figure 10.8. However, with approximately 75% of Swamp Antechinus captures in the 1999-2001 survey recorded from private properties, they clearly still play a significant role in the conservation of the species in South Australia. This is because many Silky Tea-tree remnants, in the best condition, actually occur on private land where they have the least formal protection. Importantly, in the time since the most recent survey, owners of three areas surveyed and found to have the Swamp Antechinus have agreed to fence these portions of habitat. Two additional areas where the species was recorded were already fenced, and this may have been an important reason for the persistence of the Swamp Antechinus in those areas given their small, approximately five hectare, size.

Page 63 Distribution and Status of the Swamp Antechinus in South Australia

Unfortunately, the two most significant areas of Silky Tea-tree habitat on private property, both found to contain the Swamp Antechinus, are under extreme pressure from clearance, drainage and overgrazing. Sites at Pick’s Swamp (PP 01) and near Blackfellows Cave (BC 03, BC 04) fall into this category, see Figures 10.5 and 10.3. Should such areas continue to be degraded, the broader efforts for long term conservation of the Swamp Antechinus in South Australia would be undermined.

In addition to the Swamp Antechinus, a recent survey found that Pick’s Swamp contains the largest known population of the Swamp Greenhood (Pterostylis tenuissima). This cryptic and poorly understood species of orchid, see Figure 10.9, is rated as Vulnerable in Australia. The South Australian Endangered Swamp Skink (Egernia coventryi) and South Australian Vulnerable Rufous Bristlebird (Dasyornis broadbenti) are also recorded from the site. The South Eastern Wetlands Committee (1985) actually identified Pick’s Swamp as an area worthy of conservation before much of the current development on the property had taken place. Their report stated that South Australian National Parks and Wildlife should investigate extending the Piccaninnie Ponds Conservation Park boundary to the west to increase the area of wetland habitat reserved by the park, in consultation with interested landholders. This action did not occur and the damage to this area that followed can be seen in Figure 10.5.

The habitat near Blackfellows Cave is also particularly important, probably supporting one of the largest and thus most viable populations of the Swamp Antechinus known in South Australia. The Silky Tea-tree habitat in the area is particularly interesting, in places exhibiting a floristic composition not currently conserved in any South Australian reserve, see Figure 10.11. In these pockets of habitat, three species of ferns dominate the understorey; the Soft Water-fern (Blechnum minus), Hard Water-fern (Blechnum wattsii) and Tender Braken (Pteris tremula).

The Blackfellows Cave property containing Sites BC 03 and BC 04 also currently supports a population of the Swamp Greenhood and the Swamp Skink (Figure 10.10), as well as three South Australian Vulnerable species of bird; the Olive Whistler (Pachycephala olivacea), Rufous Bristlebird, and Southern Emu-wren (Stipiturus malachurus). This incredible diversity could rapidly be lost in the shorter term if the aggressive management of the area is not significantly altered, see Figure 10.12.

Figure 10.9 The Swamp Greenhood Figure 10.10 The Swamp Skink Photograph: Mark Bachmann Photograph: Jason van Weenen

Page 64 Distribution and Status of the Swamp Antechinus in South Australia

Figure 10.11 Rare formation of Silky Tea-tree habitat, with a fern dominated understorey Photograph: Mark Bachmann

Figure 10.12 Clearance at Site BC04 near Blackfellows Cave, opening up the heart of the wetland habitat to grazing Photograph: Mark Bachmann

Page 65 Distribution and Status of the Swamp Antechinus in South Australia

Two of the most highly isolated populations of the Swamp Antechinus are also under extreme risk of local extinction. Sites near Cape Douglas (CD 01) and Nene Valley (NV 01) are both similar in that they preserve fragments of more extensive wetland vegetation communities that have been lost in their immediate vicinity over the past 20-25 years, see Figures 10.6 and 10.7. Each area, although buffered by woodland, now only comprises around five hectares of Silky Tea-tree habitat. Given that the majority of previously continuous habitat has been destroyed in each case, these remnant ‘islands’ may initially continue to contain more species than they will eventually hold at equilibrium (Diamond, 1975). The habitat specific and disturbance sensitive Swamp Antechinus is a likely candidate for local extinction as this new equilibrium is reached. In a relevant manifestation of this theory, these habitat remnants are now more vulnerable to events like fire or continued degradation through stock grazing. Such an occurrence could effectively wipe out entire small mammal colonies, with no prospects for re-colonisation of rarer species, i.e. Swamp Antechinus, given the extreme isolation of these sites from other suitable habitat remnants.

As evidence of such a population loss in the past and its cause, the survey of Site TSM02201 in 1997, also near Cape Douglas, actually attempted to locate a Swamp Antechinus population discovered in the 1980’s. In 1997 however, the area was found to be highly degraded through stock grazing and no longer supported the species.

The South Eastern Wetlands Committee (1985) also identified the Nene Valley wetland as having significant wetland values. Their report recommended that South Australian National Parks and Wildlife investigate re-instating the Nene Valley wetland and negotiating voluntary Heritage Agreements over the creek line (Site NV 01) and terminal Silky Tea- tree wetland. While the creek line has now been fenced by its owner, the highly important Silky Tea-tree wetland to the south was subsequently cleared in the late 1980’s, see Figure 10.7.

At the north-western limit of the species distribution, a small area of habitat at Lake Eliza (LE 01, LE 03) is also preserving a population of the Swamp Antechinus. This site is of particular interest because it forms the north-westerly extent of the species occurrence on mainland Australia. The area is currently grazed and much of the Silky Tea-tree habitat actually grows along a network of drains, with intermediate areas of Cutting Grass. Such narrow habitat remnants potentially makes the resident Swamp Antechinus population more susceptible to predation. The small overall size of the area and low abundance of the species in this survey, i.e. two males captured from four sites, indicates that this isolated, outlying population could be at risk of extinction. In such an event there would be no prospect for recolonisation, with the nearest known Swamp Antechinus population situated ten kilometres to the south at Lake St Clair.

Although surveys for the Swamp Antechinus have covered the majority of suitable remnants in South Australia, it is possible that unknown populations occur on other parcels of private land. Unfortunately, as detailed earlier in this section, their future protection from a variety of activities is not guaranteed.

10.4.3 Recommended status The results of the 1997 survey prompted investigation into the status of the Swamp Antechinus. Assessment of the species against World Conservation Union threatened species criteria (IUCN 1994) showed the species to be Endangered in South Australia. This status was made official in 2000, with the gazetting of updated Schedules for theNational Parks and Wildlife Act 1972. The results of the 1999-2001 survey, when reviewed against the same IUCN criteria, vindicate the Endangered status of the species in South Australia.

Definition Endangered - This includes taxa that are not critically endangered but are facing a very high risk of extinction in the wild in the near future.

Page 66 Distribution and Status of the Swamp Antechinus in South Australia

Key Criteria A) Extent of occurrence estimated to be less than 5000 km2 or area of occupancy estimated to be less than 500 km2, and estimates indicating any two of the following:

1. Severely fragmented or known to exist at no more than five locations.

2. Continuing decline, inferred, observed or projected, in any one of the following:

a) extent of occurrence b) area of occupancy c) area, extent and/or quality of habitat d) number of locations or sub-populations e) number of mature individuals

A) In South Australia the Swamp Antechinus occupies an area significantly less than the endangered threshold of 500 km2. This survey captured the species at just under half of sites located within Silky Tea-tree wet heath. When the amount of available habitat across these sites is totalled it gives an area of around 5km2 or 500 hectares. Allowing for the potential use of adjacent or alternate habitats at sites where this is either likely or recorded, such as the Carpenter Rocks area and Lower Glenelg River Conservation Park, the figure may reach around 10km2 or 1000 hectares. However, given the results of both the 1997 and 1999-2001 surveys, this is likely to be an overestimate.

1. While the 1999-2001 survey shows that the Swamp Antechinus occurs at more than five locations in South Australia, probably nine, the species clearly suffers severe fragmented in its distribution. Addressing the extreme isolation of habitat remnants where the Swamp Antechinus is persisting will be one of the greatest challenges confronting long term conservation of the species in South Australia.

2. A continued and projected decline of the Swamp Antechinus in South Australia is highly likely given the threats that are posed to small populations, located in highly isolated fragments of native vegetation. Two populations discovered in this survey, near Nene Valley and Cape Douglas, are under the most serious and immediate threat of local extinction. In each case there is:

- only a limited amount of core habitat available for breeding females;

- an increased chance that one off event (e.g. fire) could locally eliminate the species; and,

- limited or no prospect for re-colonisation (after such an event) due to the extreme isolation of these sites.

There is also a general trend of decline of habitat quality, especially on private property where clearance, grazing, burning, weed infestation and drainage are having a large impact on sites where the species was recorded in this survey.

It is recognised that the use of IUCN criteria at a state level obviously gives greater weight to the ‘area of occupancy’ criteria compared to a national review. However, to conserve the species within South Australia, populations interstate must be largely ignored, except where they straddle state borders.

The mainland Swamp Antechinus was nationally rated as a lower risk, near threatened species in the 1996 Action Plan for Monotremes and Marsupials (Maxwell et al. 1996). Given the obvious decline of the mainland Swamp Antechinus in South Australia, the national status for this sub-species may require upgrading, when also considering the highly limited distribution of the sub-species across the rest of its mainland range in Victoria.

Page 67 Distribution and Status of the Swamp Antechinus in South Australia

10.5 CURRENT DIRECTIONS IN SWAMP ANTECHINUS CONSERVATION In the time since the second survey began in 1999, some important advances in the conservation of the Swamp Antechinus in South Australia have been achieved.

The Nature Conservation Society of South Australia Inc. (NCSSA) employed a project officer in June 1999, with funding from the Natural Heritage Trust, to instigate the Silky Tea-tree and Cutting Grass Wetland Rehabilitation Project in the South East of the state. There are a range of threatened species that rely on these habitats for their survival in South Australia, one of which is the Swamp Antechinus. Other species equally restricted include the nationally vulnerable Swamp Greenhood (Pterostylis tenuissima) and state endangered Swamp Skink (Egernia coventryi). These species have only ever been found in Silky Tea-tree habitat in South Australia. Three birds species listed as Vulnerable in South Australia that are dependent on this habitat in the South East include the Olive Whistler (Pachycephala olivacea), Rufous Bristlebird (Dasyornis broadbenti), and Southern Emu-wren (Stipiturus malachurus).

This NCSSA project has been active in improving public awareness of Silky Tea-tree and Cutting Grass habitats and their resident species, as well as assisting private landowners with the protection of significant remnant wetlands on their properties via fencing, see brochure in Appendix Section 14.4. By July 2001, the project had assisted with the protection of 300 hectares of remnant vegetation on private properties around the region. This includes some areas that were found to contain the Swamp Antechinus but during the survey were being grazed. Such sites committed for protection include one of the sites east of Port MacDonnell (PM 02), the site inland from Cape Douglas (CD 01) and two sites on one of the private properties near Blackfellows Cave (BC 01, BC 02).

The project has also established an annual monitoring program of four recovering sites (SC 01, GE 01 , CA 01, CA 02), fenced with NCSSA assistance, and a pristine control site (SC 02). This program of vegetation, vertebrate and invertebrate monitoring is conducted each Autumn. The recovering areas were in various states of degradation prior to their protection, as a result of clearance and grazing, and in contrast to the control site, none were initially found to support the Swamp Antechinus. It is hoped that as such areas naturally rehabilitate, future monitoring results will provide quantitative evidence of wetland ecosystem recovery.

The sites where the Swamp Antechinus was found at Lake St Clair (ROB01001, SC 02, SC 04) were located on a private parcel of land that was for sale at the time of survey. In July 2000, the South Australian Government, with the support of the Nature Foundation of South Australia, purchased the area for inclusion in the South Australian National Parks Reserve System. The 92 hectare property also included a large area of previously grazed wetland vegetation that is now rapidly regenerating. This should allow for a long-term increase in the Lake St Clair Swamp Antechinus population through an extension of available Silky Tea-tree habitat.

Since the first survey of Site SC 02 at Lake St Clair in April 1999, the population at this location has been monitored on a monthly basis. This work was ongoing at the time of publication and has tracked the progress of a small, apparently viable Swamp Antechinus population. The study is compiling important information about the dynamics of an isolated population of this threatened species near its western limit on mainland Australia. Data from this research is not included in this report.

Page 68 Distribution and Status of the Swamp Antechinus in South Australia

10.6 FUTURE RESEARCH / RECOMMENDATIONS

10.6.1 Further refine knowledge of the distribution of the Swamp Antechinus in South Australia Although the true picture of the distribution the Swamp Antechinus in South Australia is becoming clearer, further survey work is required to build on current knowledge and to establish if other potentially threatened populations, so far undetected, exist. For example, a couple of suggested tasks include:

Little Dip Conservation Park area survey Priority: medium - high The Little Dip Conservation Park area requires further assessment before it is concluded that the species has become locally extinct. If a Swamp Antechinus population is located it is likely to be small and highly threatened, and would justify targeted management of the area by National Parks and Wildlife South Australia for the conservation of the species. Another protected population in the Robe area would be significant given the severe isolation of the two known populations near the western limit of the species range. Patches of Silky Tea-tree habitat that could also be surveyed in this area include the fringe of Crown Land along the north-western corner of Lake Eliza and the northern end of Lake Robe Game Reserve, see Figure 9.3.

Canunda area survey Priority: low - medium Extent of occurrence, abundance and habitat use of the species throughout Canunda Conservation Reserve, Canunda National Park and Bucks Lake Game Reserve also needs to be established to better understand the significance of these reserves to the species. While the Swamp Antechinus is likely to occur in each of these areas, it is not clear whether the general lack of large areas of Silky Tea-tree habitat is a serious limiting factor for the species density and extent of occurrence. Mullins Swamp, north of Canunda Conservation Reserve, should also be more closely investigated to establish whether the species occurs in that important wetland area.

10.6.2 Monitoring of existing populations Understanding of changes to Swamp Antechinus populations over time as well as space, i.e. distribution discussed in this report, will be essential for ensuring the future conservation of the species in South Australia.

Broadscale population monitoring in South Australia Priority: medium - high Regular monitoring of existing known populations at least every five years is suggested. This would enable the development of a better understanding of the dynamics of populations over time and increase the chance that early warning signs of localised threats to the species may be detected.

Intensive site based population monitoring Priority: medium - high Intensive monitoring work should be carried out at two or more localities with clearly defined variables, such as vegetation type, degree of isolation or remnant size. Such research could be based on, or compared to, the monthly monitoring conducted at Lake St Clair (Site SC 02) and will be vital to aid understanding of the dynamics of isolated populations of the Swamp Antechinus, under different sets of conditions. Such work is able to provide a level of detail not possible with less frequent monitoring techniques, recording information on the movement, growth, reproduction and lifespan of individual animals within a population.

Page 69 Distribution and Status of the Swamp Antechinus in South Australia

10.6.3 Study of genetic material collected in the 1997 and 1999-2001 surveys

Swamp Antechinus conservation genetics Priority: medium Tissue samples were taken from all Swamp Antechinus individuals captured during the 1997 and 1999-2001 surveys. These samples have been lodged with the Evolutionary Biology Unit of the South Australian Museum for future study. These samples came from 66 animals at 18 sites across the range of the species in the South East. An opportunity therefore exists for study into the conservation genetics of the Swamp Antechinus in South Australia. The understanding that this work could provide about populations, that may have been isolated for tens of generations, will be important for ensuring long-term survival of the species in this state.

10.6.4 Assess sites for a trial re-introduction of the Swamp Antechinus

Reintroduction site assessment Priority: low Completion of genetic work could also provide the necessary information required for proposing re-introductions of the species to areas of potentially suitable but isolated habitat, where the species may have become locally extinct. Germein Reserve, north-west of Port MacDonnell, is one such area. This local government reserve was historically degraded by grazing and isolated by clearance, but has now been protected and managed by the Port MacDonnell Landcare group for many years. The Silky Tea-tree wetland habitat on the reserve is of a size and structure comparable to many other sites where the species was recorded in this survey, but the Swamp Antechinus was not detected there. Although the site may now be capable of supporting the species, isolation from other colonies may be preventing re-establishment of a local population. This may be a rare opportunity to reverse what has been a long-term trend of decline of the Swamp Antechinus in South Australia.

While a viable proposition in the longer term, this proposal is not currently a high priority. The main immediate focus for Swamp Antechinus conservation in South Australia should continue to be the protection of existing habitat and threatened populations elsewhere in the species’ range.

10.6.5 Investigate the feasibility of strategic corridors to link significant Silky Tea-tree habitat remnants

Improve connectivity of habitat Prioirty: medium - high The trend of extreme isolation of Swamp Antechinus populations in Silky Tea-tree habitat remnants in the South East must be addressed if effective long-term conservation of the species is to be achieved. Some population areas currently consist of patches of remnant habitat that are separated by as little as a few hundred metres of cleared land, which may be enough to prevent the effective movement of animals. Breaching such small gaps by re-instating corridors of Silky Tea-tree with the consent and co-operation of landowners, could improve the future viability of some of the individual population areas in the state. This type of proposal would also greatly benefit other threatened species that rely on this habitat type for their survival, as outlined in Section 10.5.

The most achievable potential corridors in the short term include the gap between Piccaninnie Ponds Conservation Park and Pick’s Swamp to the west, and gaps between the cluster of sites east of Port MacDonnell. In each case the corridors could be located strategically so as to follow existing road or drainage reserves and to maximise the potential farming benefits (e.g. windbreaks, shelter) to the individual landowners involved.

In the longer term, perhaps with a better understanding of Swamp Antechinus genetics, it may be necessary to cater for the more severe isolation that is currently evident, i.e. many kilometres, between population areas of the species in South Australia.

Page 70 Distribution and Status of the Swamp Antechinus in South Australia

10.6.6 Continue and expand Silky Tea-tree habitat protection / rehabilitation works

Protection / rehabilitation of existing habitat Priority: high The Silky Tea-tree and Cutting Grass Wetland Rehabilitation Project has been assisting private landowners with the protection of Silky Tea-tree habitat on private property in South Australia. While this has included protecting significant remnant habitat and known sites for the Swamp Antechinus, many other wetland areas, prior to fencing, were too degraded for this species to survive. The work of this project, in building on existing remnant areas of Silky Tea-tree through the re-establishment and rehabilitation of degraded wetlands, may in time enable the Swamp Antechinus to extend its area of occupancy in the South East and partly overcome the extreme fragmentation it now suffers. The continuation of such works is one of the highest priorities for Swamp Antechinus conservation in South Australia.

10.6.7 Conduct an assessment of the national status of the mainland Swamp Antechinus

National status review Prioirty: medium The mainland Swamp Antechinus is restricted to a near coastal portion of south-eastern mainland Australia (between Robe and Wilson’s Promontory) and several islands off the Victorian coast. While this report highlights the restricted distribution of the species in South Australia, this trend continues across its range in Victoria (Wilson pers comm 2001). Given that it is possible that at a national level the mainland Swamp Antechinus would satisfy the criteria to be listed as a threatened species under federal legislation, it is recommended that a joint assessment of this sub-species’ national status be conducted by Victorian and South Australian environment authorities.

10.6.8 Summary of recommended actions in priority order

Project title Priority Rating

Protection / rehabilitation of existing habitat high

Improve connectivity of habitat medium - high

Broadscale population monitoring in South Australia medium - high

Intensive site based population monitoring medium - high

Little Dip Conservation Park area survey medium - high

National status review medium

Swamp Antechinus conservation genetics medium

Canunda area survey low - medium

Reintroduction site assessment low

Page 71 Distribution and Status of the Swamp Antechinus in South Australia

11.0 CONCLUSION

The surveys for the Swamp Antechinus were successful in capturing the species from nine discrete population areas in the South East. The Swamp Antechinus was the most restricted and least abundant native mammal captured in the studies. Although found in other vegetation types in large remnant areas (three individuals on five occasions) the species is predominantly utilising small areas of Silky Tea-tree habitat in South Australia.

The majority of population areas are located between Southend and the Victorian border, with outlying population areas near Robe representing the western limit for the species’ distribution.

The findings suggest that the Swamp Antechinus was once widespread across the semi-continuous wetlands and adjacent habitats of the near coastal districts in the South East. However, widespread drainage and vegetation clearance has resulted in the Swamp Antechinus now being almost entirely restricted to what must be considered the species’ core habitat in South Australia, Silky Tea-tree wet heath. This vegetation community has been reduced to approximately five percent of its original area and is now typically distributed in small, isolated pockets across its range between Kingston and the Victorian border. Additionally, many of the remaining areas of this habitat are situated on private property and continue to be degraded through clearance, drainage and grazing. A drop in the level of the unconfined aquifer in the Lower South East and the resulting reduction of flow in near coastal rising springs is also of concern to the integrity of this moisture dependant habitat.

Although the species is predominantly utilising Silky Tea-tree heath in South Australia, two alternate habitats surveyed also produced captures of the species. A single female Swamp Antechinus was captured in dry coastal heath at Bucks Lake Game Reserve near Carpenters Rocks, while in Lower Glenelg River Conservation Park, four captures of two male individuals were recorded in damp heathy woodland habitat. The importance of such alternate habitats to the species, especially in large areas of mixed, continuous vegetation, should not be underestimated.

This research has markedly improved understanding of Swamp Antechinus distribution in South Australia and increased the number of known populations in this state, but its findings have not reduced the need for legislative and on-ground protection of the species. The extreme isolation and small size of newly discovered populations highlight the need for conservation measures to be implemented to ensure long-term protection of the species across its range. While progress has been made in the voluntary protection of private areas of wetland habitat, some of the largest and most biologically diverse private wetlands, where the Swamp Antechinus still occurs, are rapidly being degraded.

The Swamp Antechinus remains one of the most restricted and threatened small mammals in South Australia, so this report recommends that the species remain listed as Endangered in this State. Additionally, it is likely that at a national level the mainland Swamp Antechinus would satisfy the criteria to be listed as a threatened species under federal legislation. Therefore it is also recommended that a joint assessment of the sub-species’ national status on mainland Australia be conducted between Victorian and South Australian environment authorities.

Page 72 Distribution and Status of the Swamp Antechinus in South Australia

SECTION F

12.0 REFERENCES Aberton J.G. (1996) Long term succession of small mammal communities after fire, in the Anglesea region, Victoria. PhD Thesis, Deakin University, Geelong.

Aberton J.G., Wilson B.A. & Chenery K. (1994) Observations on the behaviour of Antechinus minimus maritimus (Marsupialia : Dasyuridae). The Victorian Naturalist 111, (4) 135-138.

Aitken P.F. (1977) Rediscovery of the Swamp Antechinus in South Australia after 37 Years. South Australian Naturalist 52, 28-30.

Aitken P.F. (1983) ‘Mammals’. In: Natural History of the South East (eds M.J. Tyler, C.R. Twidale, J.K. Ling & J.H. Holmes) pp. 127-133, Royal Society of South Australia Inc., Adelaide.

Brereton R., Bennett B. & Mansergh I. (1995). Enhanced greenhouse climate change and its potential effect on selected fauna of south-eastern Australia: a trend analysis. Biological Conservation 72, 339-354.

Burgman M.A. & Lindenmeyer D.B. (1998) Conservation Biology for the Australian Environment. Surrey Beatty & Sons, Chipping Norton.

CNR (1993) Threatened fauna of Victoria. Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, Victoria, 10 pp.

Croft T., Carruthers S., Possingham H. & Inns B. (1999) Biodiversity Plan for the South East of South Australia. Department for Environment, Heritage and Aboriginal Affairs, Adelaide.

DENR (1996) Lake Bonney South East Management Plan 1996-2000. Prepared by the Lake Bonney Management Committee. Published by the Department for Environment and Natural Resources, Mt Gambier.

DEP (1985) Draft Management Plan – Little Dip Conservation Park. National Parks and Wildlife Service, Programmes Branch, Adelaide.

Diamond J.M. (1975). The Island Dilemma: Lessons of modern biogeographic studies for the design of natural reserves. Biological Conservation 7, 129-146.

Driessen M. (1999) Effects of fire on the broad-tooted mouse,Mastacomys fuscus, and other small mammals in buttongrass moorlands of western Tasmania – preliminary findings. Conference Proceedings – Australian Bushfire Conference, Albury, July 1999. [Online, accessed 15 May 2001] URL: http://life.csu.edu.au/bushfire99/papers/driessen.

Eardley C.M. (1943) An Ecological Study of the Vegetation of Eight Mile Creek Swamp. A Natural South Australian Coastal Fen Formation. Transactions of the Royal Society of South Australia 67, (2) 200-223.

Green R.H. (1973) The Mammals of Tasmania. Authors publication, Launceston.

Hampton J.W.F., Howard A.E., Poynton J., & Barnett J.L. (1982) Distribution of terrestrial mammals in Victoria, Australia. Australian Wildlife Research 9, 177-202.

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Hanski I. & Gilpin M. (1991) Metapopulation dynamics: Brief history and conceptual domain. Biological Journal of the Linnean Society 42, 3-16.

Herczeg A.L., Cook P. & Harrington G. (2001) How sustainable is groundwater? Stock Journal, 19/4/01, Australia.

Hocking G.J. & Guiler E.R. (1983) The mammals of the Lower Gordon River Region, South-west Tasmania. Australian Wildlife Research 10, 1-23.

IUCN (1994) IUCN Red List Categories. IUCN, Gland, Switzerland.

Kemper C.M. & Queale L. (1990) Mammals. In : A list of the vertebrates of South Australia (ed C.H.S. Watts) Biological Survey Coordinating Committee and Department of Environment and Planning, Adelaide.

Krohne D.T. (1997) Dynamics of metapopulations of small mammals. Journal of Mammalogy 78, (4): 1014-1026.

Lee A.K., Wooley P. & Braithwaite R.W. (1982) Life history strategies of dasyurid marsupials. In: Carnivorous Marsupials (ed M. Archer) Volume 1, pp. 1-11. Royal Zoological Society of NSW, Sydney.

Mace G.M. & Lande R. (1991) Assessing extinction threats: Towards a re-evaluation of IUCN threatened species categories. Conservation Biology 5, 148-157.

Maxwell S., Burbidge A.A. & Morris K. (1996) The 1996 Action Plan for Australian Marsupials and Monotremes. Wildlife Australia, Canberra.

Menkhorst P.W. (1995) Swamp Antechinus. In: Mammals of Victoria (ed P.W Menkhorst) pp. 43-44, Oxford Uni. Press, Melbourne.

Menkhorst P.W. & Beardsell C.M. (1982) Mammals of southwestern Victoria from Little Dessert to the coast. Proceedings of the Royal Society of Victoria 94, 221-241.

Moloney D.J. & Wilson B.A. (1985) Small mammal recolonisation and vegetation in fire-affected areas of the Anglesea- Airey’s Inlet region. Report to Ministry of Conservation, Forests and Lands, Victoria.

Moro D. (1991) The distribution of small mammal species in relation to heath vegetation near Cape Otway, Victoria. Wildlife Research 18, 605-618.

O’Connor P. & O’Connor B. (1991) In Two Fields: Soldier Settlement in the South East of South Australia. Published by the SE Soldier Settlers Committee. Printed by Millicent Print.

Reichl T.M. (1997) The effects of habitat fragmentation on Antechinus minimus, the Swamp Antechinus, in the Eastern Otways, Victoria. Honours Thesis, Deakin University, Geelong.

Stadter F. & Yan W. (2000) Assessment of the potential use of the groundwater resources in the area south of Mount Gambier. Department for Water Resources South Australia, Mt Gambier.

South Eastern Wetlands Committee (SEWC) (1985) Wetland Resources of the South East of South Australia. The Report of the South Eastern Wetlands Committee 1984. Published by the South Eastern Wetlands Committee May 1985. Printed by D.J. Woolman, Government Printer.

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Wallis R. & Baxter G. (1980) The Swamp Antechinus (Antechinus minimus maritimus) - notes on a captive specimen. Victorian Naturalist 97, 211-213.

Wainer J. (1988) Ecological studies of island and mainland populations of Rattus fuscipes and Antechinus minimus in coastal heathland in southern Victoria. PhD Thesis, Melbourne University.

Wainer J.W. (1976) Studies of an Island Population of Antechinus minimus (Marsupialia, Dasyuridae). Australian Zoology 19, 1-7.

Wainer J.W. (1983) Swamp Antechinus. In: The Complete Book of Australian Mammals (ed R. Strahan) pp.48-49, Angus and Robertson, Sydney.

Wainer J.W. & Gibson R.J. (1976) Habitat of the Swamp Antechinus in Victoria - Distribution of Mainland Swamp Antechinus Antechinus minimus maritimus (Finlayson) (Marsupialia: Dasyuridae). Victorian Naturalist 93, 253-255.

Wainer J.W. & Wilson B.A. (1995) Swamp Antechinus. In: The Mammals of Australia (ed R. Strahan) Reed Books, Chatswood NSW.

Wakefield N.A. & Warneke R.M. (1963) Some revision inAntechinus (Marsupialia). 1. Victorian Naturalist 80, 194-219.

Wallis R.L. & Baxter G. (1980) The Swamp Antechinus (Antechinus minimus maritimus) – notes on a captive specimen. Victorian Naturalist 97, 211-213.

Wilson B.A. (1986) Reproduction in the Female Dasyurid Antechinus minimus maritimus (Marsupialia: Dasyuridae). Australian Journal of Zoology 34, 189-97.

Wilson B.A., Bourne A.R. & Jessop R.E. (1986) Ecology of small mammals in coastal heathland at Anglesea, Victoria. Australian Wildlife Research 13, 397-406.

Wilson B.A., Aberton J.G. & Reichl T.M. (1999) Distribution and ecology of Antechinus minimus, the Swamp Antechinus, at Airey’s Inlet, Victoria, 1998. A report to Coast Action Grants Program, Department of Natural Resources, Victoria.

Wilson B.A., Aberton J.G. & Reichl T.M. (in press) Effects of fragmented habitat and fire on the distribution and ecology of the Swamp Antechinus (Antechinus minimus maritimus) in the Eastern Otways, Victoria. Deakin University, Geelong.

Page 75 Distribution and Status of the Swamp Antechinus in South Australia

13.0 PERSONAL COMMUNICATIONS

Aberton, J. (1997) Associate Lecturer School of Ecology and Environment Faculty of Science and Technology Deakin University GEELONG VIC 3217

Armstrong, D. (1997) Survey Co-ordinator Biological Survey and Research National Parks and Wildlife SA Department for Environment and Heritage GPO Box 1047 ADELAIDE SA 5001

Bird, P. (2001) Technical Officer Animal and Plant Control Commission Department of Primary Industries and Resources GPO Box 1671 ADELAIDE SA 5001

Collins, T. (2001) Senior Ranger Lower South East Region National Parks and Wildlife SA Department for Environment and Heritage PO Box 1046 MT GAMBIER SA 5290

Reichl, T. (1997) (former) Research Assistant School of Ecology and Environment Faculty of Science and Technology Deakin University GEELONG VIC 3217

Wilson, B.A. (1997/2001) Senior Lecturer School of Ecology and Environment Faculty of Science and Technology Deakin University GEELONG VIC 3217

Page 76 Distribution and Status of the Swamp Antechinus in South Australia

14.0 APPENDICES

14.1 CONFIRMED SWAMP ANTECHINUS RECORDS IN SOUTH AUSTRALIA: 1938 - 2001

Location Accuracy Confirmed y=yes n=no, n 3 n 3 n 3 n 2 n 2 n 2 y 2 y 2 y 2 y 2 y 2 y 2 y 2 y 2 y 2 y 2 y 2 y 2 y 2 y 2 y 2 y 2 y 2 y 2 y 2 y 2 y 2 y 2 y 2 y 2 y 2 y 2 y 2 y 2 y 1 y 2 y 2 y 2 y 2 y 1 y 1 y 1 y 1 y 1 y 1 y 1 y 1 y 2 1 = exact, 2 = 0-500m, 3 = 500m + y 2

Specimen or Tissue taken

y=yes n=no 1 110 1978 1464 1246 1921 S= specimen (Museum no.)

T= tissue sample (ABTC no.) y S m04915 y S m04927 y S m04985 y S m09767 y S m10171 y S m10176 y S m10930 y S m10052 n n n n n n n n n y S m10013 n y S m10014 n y S m09998 n y S m1001 y S m10012 n n n n y S m10898 n y S m12003 n y S m12002 y S m1 y S m21 y S m13082 y S m13377 n y S m12996 y S m1 y S m1 n n n n

y S m12933 y S m1 y S m12865

AMG Northing 5788740 5788610 5789180 5840197 5840197 5840197 5835380 5803135 5803135 5803135 5803740 5803100 5803100 5803100 5803490 5803100 5803490 5803530 5802990 5803530 5803330 5803650 5803650 5803650 5803650 5803590 5803590 5802990 5803530 5880957 5803525 5803525 5803525 5803525 5803170 5880680 5788806 5793968 5793968 5803230 5803020 5875450 5876460 5876460 5876460 5876400

5803180 5876639 5841288

AMG Easting (Zone 54) 123 123 123 476270 476100 476430 431 431 431 435610 447750 447750 447750 448550 448150 448150 448150 448330 448150 448330 448400 447990 448400 447980 447780 447780 447780 447780 448280 448280 447990 448400 401073 452485 452485 452485 452485 447220 401060 494906 464101 464101 447336 447010 394414 394860 394860 394860 394900

447270 394475 424449

Location Description

block at C.R. block at C.R. block at C.R. block at C.R.

f Old Rocks Rd f Old Rocks Rd f Old Rocks Rd f Old Rocks Rd

block at C. Rocks block at C. Rocks block at C. Rocks

block at C. Rocks block at C. Rocks block at Carpenter Rocks block at Carpenter Rocks block at Carpenter Rocks block at Carpenter Rocks block at Carpenter Rocks block at Carpenter Rocks block- on track to well

block at Carpenter Rocks block at Carpenter Rocks

Track, Little Dip CP Track, Tavern in Carpenter Rocks Tavern Near Pt. MacDonnell Near Pt. MacDonnell Near Pt. MacDonnell Bevalaqua Ford, Canunda NP Bevalaqua Ford, Canunda NP Bevalaqua Ford, Canunda NP Swamp north of Canunda causeway SW corner of FNSSA SW corner of FNSSA SW corner of FNSSA NE portion of FNSSA 400m east of SW corner FNSSA 400m east of SW corner FNSSA 400m east of SW corner FNSSA Near centre of FNSSA 400m east of SW corner FNSSA Near centre of FNSSA Near a well- centre of FNSSA SE corner of FNSSA Near a well- centre of FNSSA SE portion of FNSSA Bucks Lake Game Reserve Bucks Lake Game Reserve Bucks Lake Game Reserve Bucks Lake Game Reserve Northern side of FNSSA Northern side of FNSSA SE corner of FNSSA Near a well- centre of FNSSA NE side Lake Eliza- 10 km ESE of Robe 3 km N of Blackfellows Cave- 3 km N of Blackfellows Cave- 3 km N of Blackfellows Cave- 3 km N of Blackfellows Cave- Carpenter Rocks NE side Lake Eliza- 10 km ESE of Robe Eastern end of Piccaninnie Ponds CP 3.5 km NNE of Douglas Point 3.5 km NNE of Douglas Point Opposite Headland at Carpenter Rocks SW corner Freshwater Lake in Little Dip CP Private property opp. Long Gully (Little Dip CP) Private property opp. Long Gully (Little Dip CP) Private property opp. Long Gully (Little Dip CP) Private property opposite Long Gully track (Little Dip CP) East side of the Nora Creina Rd Carpenter Rocks On Long Gully South of Lake Frome outlet drain

Capture Habitat / Capture

Notes

A. sophorae A. sophorae open scrub A. sophorae A. sophorae A. sophorae A. sophorae A. sophorae A. sophorae A. sophorae

and thick sedges low coastal scrub low coastal scrub stabilised dune coastal scrub wet heath wet heath wet heath wet heath wet heath wet heath wet heath wet heath wet heath wet heath wet heath wet heath wet heath wet heath wet heath wet heath wet heath wet heath wet heath wet heath; 43 captures with shrubs and segdges with shrubs and segdges with shrubs and segdges with shrubs and segdges with shrubs and segdges and shrubs, quite rocky and shrubs, quite rocky with shrubs and segdges lanceolata & a G . trifida swamp lanceolata & a G . trifida swamp lanceolata & a G . trifida swamp lanceolata & a G . trifida swamp oodheap in backyard L. lanigerum L. lanigerum L. lanigerum L. lanigerum L. lanigerum L. lanigerum L. lanigerum Thick sedges and Thick sedges and Thick sedges and E. obliqua Thick sedges and Thick sedges and Thick sedges and E. obliqua Thick sedges and E. obliqua E. obliqua Grasses, sedges and E. obliqua Gahnia trifida M. M. M. M. E. obliqua E. obliqua Grasses, sedges and E. obliqua L. lanigerum L. lanigerum L. lanigerum L. lanigerum L. lanigerum Brought to house by cat L. lanigerum L. lanigerum L. lanigerum L. lanigerum A. sophorae A. sophorae A. sophorae L. lanigerum L. lanigerum L. lanigerum L. lanigerum of 10 individuals W A. sophorae Melaleuca lanceolata Weight (g)

- - - - 29 32 - 36 63 - 42 40 45 34 40 53 - 82 - 98 - - - - 70 1 100 60 - - 45 - 35 ------66 35 42 55 - - 103 95 Sex / Age Class

- (j) F (j) M M M F (j) M F - - - F (a) M F (a) - F (a) M F (j) M M M F (a) F (a) M M M M M - M

(j = juvenile a = adult) F (a) F (a) F (a) F (a) F (a) M F (a) - - F (a) M F (a) F (a) F (a) F (a) -

M M M

Date (s) Collected /

Observed

1978 Apr 1978 Apr 1978 Apr 1978 Apr 1978 Apr 1978 Apr 1978 Apr 1978 Apr 1978 Apr 1978 Apr 1978 Apr 1978 Apr 1983 Apr 1983 Apr 1983 Dec 1938 18 Feb 1939 10 Jun 1939 April 1976 12 Nov 1976 12 Nov 1976 5 May 1977 28 Dec 1977 29 Dec 1977 29 Dec 1977 30 Dec 1977 31 Dec 1977 31 Dec 1977 31 Dec 1977 31 Dec 1977 1 Jan 1978 1 Jan 1978 23 24 24 Apr 24 25 25 25 25 25 25 25 25 28 May 1979 24 Sept 1982 24 Sept 1982 24 Sept 1982 25 Sept 1982 5 Oct 1982 21 Dec 1982 13 19 20 13 July 1983 mid 1983 4 Oct 1983 26-27 Nov 1983 26-27 Nov 1983 26-27 Nov 1983 21-30 Jan 1984

29 June 1984 8 Mar 1985 29 Mar 1986

Collector / Observer

Name

atson

.F. Aitken .F.

P.F. Aitken P.F. mammal club mammal club mammal club mammal club mammal club mammal club mammal club mammal club mammal club mammal club mammal club mammal club mammal club mammal club mammal club mammal club

Tilley Tilley Tilley anke . F. Aitken . F. . F. Aitken . F. . Bird . Bird . Bird . Ellis . Bird . J. Flynn G. H. G. H. G. H. D. W P P T FNSSA FNSSA FNSSA FNSSA FNSSA FNSSA FNSSA FNSSA FNSSA FNSSA FNSSA, P FNSSA FNSSA, FNSSA Aitken, Sim, Newman Aitken, Sim, Newman Aitken, Sim, Newman Aitken, Sim, Newman FNSSA FNSSA FNSSA FNSSA M. Quinlan-W A. C. Robinson A. C. Robinson A. C. Robinson A. C. Robinson K. Nesbitt, B. Nesbitt C.Whisson A. C. Robinson K. Casperson K. Casperson L. M. Bignell K. Nesbitt, B. Nesbitt P P P P M. Revell K. Nesbitt, B. Nesbitt T FNSSA, C.M. Kemper

Record Location

SAM SAM SAM SAM SAM SAM SAM SAM FNS FNS FNS FNS FNS FNS FNS FNS FNS SAM FNS SAM FNS SAM FNS SAM SAM FNS FNS FNS FNS SAM SAM SAM DEH DEH SAM SAM SAM SAM DEH SAM SAM SAM NCS NCS NCS NCS SAM SAM SAM

Record Number

1 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 1 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 44 45 46- 55 56 57 58

Page 77 Distribution and Status of the Swamp Antechinus in South Australia

Location Accuracy Confirmed y=yes n=no, y 2 y 2 y 2 y 1 y 2 y 2 y 2 y 2 y 2 y 2 y 2 y 2 y 2 y 2 y 1 y 1 y 1 y 1 y 1 y 2 y 2 y 1 y 1 y 1 y 1 y 1 y 1 y 1 y 1 y 1 y 2 y 1 y 1 y 1 y 1 y 1 y 1 y 1 y 1 y 1 y 1 y 1 y 1 y 1 y 1 y 1 1 = exact, 2 = 0-500m, 3 = 500m + y 1

Specimen or Tissue taken

y=yes n=no

S= specimen (Museum no.) * * * ABTC66249 ABTC27421

T T T ABTC66250 T T ABTC66251 T T ABTC66255 T T ABTC72370 T T ABTC72325 T T ABTC72326 T T ABTC72327 T T ABTC72328 T T ABTC72329 T T ABTC72330 T T ABTC72331 T T ABTC72332 T T ABTC72368 T T ABTC72371 T T ABTC72372 T T ABTC72373 T T ABTC72374 T T ABTC72375 T T ABTC72376 T T ABTC72377 T T ABTC72378 T T ABTC72379 T T ABTC72380 T T ABTC72381 T T ABTC72384 T T ABTC72385 T T ABTC72382 T T= tissue sample (ABTC no.) ABTC72383 T

y S m12864 n n y S m13869 y S m13979 n

n y S m18003 y S m n y S m19338 n n n y S m19499 y y S m19501 y y y y y S m y S m y y y y y y y y y n y y y y y y y y y y y y y y y y

AMG Northing 5840977 5841288 5840977 5803080 5874541 5789010

5843371 5803190 5831724 5831832 5803157 5803157 5803157 5803157 5871959 5871959 5871959 5871959 5871959 5801833 5828461 5803217 5871949 5871863 5871839 5871683 5871658 5871953 5871945 5871952 5788360 5841399 5801747 5801636 5801652 5801721 5802027 5801987 5801960 5801673 5801636 5801673 5801956 5795999 5795973 5801720 5802075

AMG Easting (Zone 54) 424207 424449 424207 446880 397175 494580

426737 447240 433361 432181 452829 452829 452829 452829 402738 402738

402738 402738 402738 449132 437065 447602 402661 402561 402560 402723 402734 402617 402561 402595 494770 425417 454424 454500 454499 454422 452676 452687 452691 454473 454500 454473 452706 460240 460235 454420 452669

Location Description

f Old Rocks Rd f Old Rocks Rd f Old Rocks Rd f Old Rocks Rd f Old Rocks Rd f Old Rocks Rd f Old Rocks Rd f Old Rocks Rd f Old Rocks Rd

alley alley

f northern boundary track- eastern end of Along Lake Frome outlet drain South of Lake Frome outlet drain Along Lake Frome outlet drain Headland at Carpenter Rocks Between Big Dip Lake and Eliza Of Piccaninnie Ponds CP Near the centre of Lake Frome Basin Carpenter Rocks Oil Rig Square track Canunda NP Oil Rig Square track Canunda NP 3 km N of Blackfellows Cave- 3 km N of Blackfellows Cave- 3 km N of Blackfellows Cave- 3 km N of Blackfellows Cave- NE corner Lake St Clair- 20 km SE of Robe NE corner Lake St Clair- 20 km SE of Robe

NE corner Lake St Clair- 20 km SE of Robe

NE corner Lake St Clair- 20 km SE of Robe NE corner Lake St Clair- 20 km SE of Robe Pelican Point (SE of Carpenter Rocks) Dropped by Goshawk- track to Coola Outstation Found dead on track- Carpenter Rocks NE corner Lake St Clair- 20 km SE of Robe NE corner Lake St Clair- 20 km SE of Robe NE corner Lake St Clair- 20 km SE of Robe NE corner Lake St Clair- 20 km SE of Robe NE corner Lake St Clair- 20 km SE of Robe NE corner Lake St Clair- 20 km SE of Robe NE corner Lake St Clair- 20 km SE of Robe NE corner Lake St Clair- 20 km SE of Robe On walking track to outlet drain Picc. Ponds CP Near Lake Frome- Canunda CR 2 km NE of Blackfellows Cave- Old Rocks Rd 2 km NE of Blackfellows Cave- Old Rocks Rd 2 km NE of Blackfellows Cave- Old Rocks Rd 2 km NE of Blackfellows Cave- Old Rocks Rd 3 km N of Blackfellows Cave- 3 km N of Blackfellows Cave- 3 km N of Blackfellows Cave- 2 km NE of Blackfellows Cave- Old Rocks Rd 2 km NE of Blackfellows Cave- Old Rocks Rd 2 km NE of Blackfellows Cave- Old Rocks Rd 3 km N of Blackfellows Cave- 2.5 km ENE of Nene V 2.5 km ENE of Nene V 2 km NE of Blackfellows Cave- Old Rocks Rd 3 km N of Blackfellows Cave-

Capture Habitat / Capture

Notes

open scrub wet heath wet heath

sedgeland sedgeland sedgeland low coastal scrub wet heath wet heath wet heath wet heath wet heath wet heath wet heath wet heath wet heath wet heath wet heath wet heath wet heath wet heath wet heath wet heath wet heath wet heath wet heath wet heath wet heath wet heath wet heath wet heath wet heath wet heath wet heath wet heath wet heath wet heath wet heath wet heath wet heath coastal scrub low coastal scrub low coastal scrub

L. lanigerum L. lanigerum Gahnia trifida Melaleuca lanceolata Gahnia trifida A. sophorae On track Near Gahnia trifida Near house A. sophorae Coastal scrub L. lanigerum L. lanigerum L. lanigerum L. lanigerum L. lanigerum L. lanigerum

L. lanigerum L. lanigerum L. lanigerum Brought to back porch by cat Near A. sophorae L. lanigerum L. lanigerum L. lanigerum L. lanigerum L. lanigerum L. lanigerum L. lanigerum L. lanigerum A. sophorae L. lanigerum L. lanigerum L. lanigerum L. lanigerum L. lanigerum L. lanigerum L. lanigerum L. lanigerum L. lanigerum L. lanigerum L. lanigerum L. lanigerum L. lanigerum L. lanigerum L. lanigerum L. lanigerum

Weight (g)

58 126 10

46 96 60 ~ 120 129 1 - - - - ‘ - 67 53 82 - 71 85 74 82 76 ‘ ‘ ‘ 36 40 60 43 63 50 41 37 - 41 91 63 108 85 52 50 97 52 84 83 61 68 101 88 60

Sex / Age Class

M M M M - (j) F (a) - M F (a) F (a) M F (a) M F M M

M M M M M F (j) F (j) M F (j) M M F (j) F (j) F (a) F (j) M M M M F (j) F (j) M F (j) M M F (a) F (a) M M (j = juvenile a = adult) F (a) Date (s) Collected /

Observed

Apr 1999 Apr 1999 Apr 1999 Apr 1999 Apr 1999 Apr 1999 Apr 1999 Apr 1999 Apr 2000 Apr 2000 Apr 2000 Apr 2000 Apr 2000 Apr 2000 Apr 2000 Apr 2000 Apr 2000 Apr 2000 Apr 2000 Apr 2000 Apr 2000 Apr 2000 Apr 2000 Apr 2000 Apr 1986 Apr 1986 Aug 1994 30 Mar 1986 1 1 29 May 1986 2 Jan 1987 Sept 1987

mid 1989 9 Mar 1993 9 Oct 1994 6 Feb 1997 7 Feb 1997 7 Feb 1997 8 Feb 1997 22 Jun 1997 23 Jun 1997

23 Jun 1997

24 Jun 1997 25 Jun 1997 mid 1997 23 May 1998 mid 1998 20 20 21 21 22 22 22 23 Oct 1999 12 19 19 19 19 19 19 19 20 20 20 20 20 20 21 21

Collector / Observer

Name

eenen eenen eenen eenen eenen

mammal club mammal club

. Collins . Collins FNSSA, C.M. Kemper FNSSA FNSSA K. Nesbitt, B. Nesbitt J. Cato T D. Laslett K. Nesbitt, B. Nesbitt given to K. Heyne A. Boyle A. Herbert A. Herbert A. Herbert A. Herbert J. van W J. van W J. van W J. van W J. van W D. van Stanke R. Hammat M. Christie M. R. Bachmann M. R. Bachmann M. R. Bachmann M. R. Bachmann M. R. Bachmann M. R. Bachmann M. R. Bachmann M. R. Bachmann T M. R. Bachmann M. R. Bachmann M. R. Bachmann M. R. Bachmann M. R. Bachmann M. R. Bachmann M. R. Bachmann M. R. Bachmann M. R. Bachmann M. R. Bachmann M. R. Bachmann M. R. Bachmann M. R. Bachmann M. R. Bachmann M. R. Bachmann M. R. Bachmann

Record Location SAM FNS FNS SAM SAM PER

SEO SAM SAM PER SAM DEH DEH DEH SAM EBU SAM EBU EBU EBU EBU SAM SAM EBU EBU EBU EBU EBU EBU EBU EBU EBU PER EBU EBU EBU EBU EBU EBU EBU EBU EBU EBU EBU EBU EBU EBU EBU EBU

Record Number 59 60 61 62 63 64

65 66 67 68 69 70 71 72 73 74 75 76 77 78 79 80 81 82 83 84 85 86 87 88 89 90 91 92 93 94 95 96 97 98 99 100 101 102 103 104 105

Page 78 Distribution and Status of the Swamp Antechinus in South Australia y 1 y 1 y 1 y 1 y 1 y 1 y 1 y 1 y 1 y 1 y 1 y 1 y 1 y 1 y 1 y 1 y 1 y 1 y 1 y 1 y 1 y 1 y 1 y 1 y 1 y 1 y 1 y 1 y 1 y 1 y 1 y 1 y 1 y 1 y 1 y 1 y 1 y 1 y 1 y 1

* * * T ABTC72386 T T ABTC72391 T T ABTC72392 T T ABTC72393 T T ABTC72394 T T ABTC72387 T T ABTC72388 T T ABTC72389 T T ABTC72390 T T ABTC72396 T T ABTC72324 T T ABTC72369 T T ABTC * T T ABTC * T T ABTC * T T ABTC * T T ABTC * T T ABTC * T T ABTC * T T ABTC * T T ABTC * T T ABTC * T T ABTC * T T ABTC * T T ABTC * T T ABTC * T T ABTC * T T ABTC * T T ABTC * T T ABTC * T T ABTC * T T ABTC * T T ABTC * T T ABTC * T T ABTC * T T ABTC * T T ABTC * T y y y y y y y y y y y y y S m y y y y y y y y y y y y y y y y y y y y y y y y S m y y y S m

13 13 5795973 5788945 5789874 5789872 5788929 5788928 5788944 5789743 5788989 5882178 5881066 5804489 5871839 5793273 5793124 5793192 5803128 5802162 5803150 5803257 5802327 5803164 5803150 5802143 5802143 5802107 5803104 5803198 5802209 5802162 5802106 58021 5802123 5803164 5802143 58021 5871945 5794317 5794477 5788640 Explanatory Notes

16 Record Origin Key 460235 492585 491050 491061 492584 475849 475802 474580 475746 399943 400821 447552 402560 4651 465476 465266 452845 452679 452858 452866 452825 452861 452858 452671 452671 452629 452838 452868 452796 452679 452630 452610 452610 452861 452671 452610 402561 496964 497042 475163 SAM = South Australian Museum

EBU = Evolutionary Biology Unit of the South Australian Museum DEH = Department for Environment and Heritage

NCS = Nature Conservation Society of South Australia

PER = Personal records/communications

SEO = South East DEH Opportunistic Record FNS = Field Naturalist’s Society of South Australia mammal club f Old Rocks Rd f Old Rocks Rd f Old Rocks Rd f Old Rocks Rd f Old Rocks Rd f Old Rocks Rd f Old Rocks Rd f Old Rocks Rd f Old Rocks Rd f Old Rocks Rd f Old Rocks Rd f Old Rocks Rd f Old Rocks Rd f Old Rocks Rd f Old Rocks Rd f Old Rocks Rd f Old Rocks Rd f Old Rocks Rd f Old Rocks Rd f Old Rocks Rd

alley Symbol Key

* specimen or tissue sample still to be entered onto the South Australian Museum or Evolutionary Biology Unit database ~ FNSSA original data sheets record weight as being 70 grams ‘ specimen weighed when frozen s Swamp – West of Piccaninnie Ponds CP s Swamp – West s Swamp – West of Piccaninnie Ponds CP s Swamp – West - information not recorded estern end of Piccaninnie Ponds CP estern end of Piccaninnie Ponds CP 2.5 km ENE of Nene V W Pick’ Pick’ W East of Port MacDonnell East of Port MacDonnell East of Port MacDonnell East of Port MacDonnell NE side Lake Eliza- 10 km ESE of Robe NE side Lake Eliza- 10 km ESE of Robe Northern boundary track- Bucks Lake GR NE corner Lake St Clair- 20 km SE of Robe 3 km NE of Douglas Point 3 km NE of Douglas Point 3 km NE of Douglas Point 3 km N of Blackfellows Cave- 3 km N of Blackfellows Cave- 3 km N of Blackfellows Cave- 3 km N of Blackfellows Cave- 3 km N of Blackfellows Cave- 3 km N of Blackfellows Cave- 3 km N of Blackfellows Cave- 3 km N of Blackfellows Cave- 3 km N of Blackfellows Cave- 3 km N of Blackfellows Cave- 3 km N of Blackfellows Cave- 3 km N of Blackfellows Cave- 3 km N of Blackfellows Cave- 3 km N of Blackfellows Cave- 3 km N of Blackfellows Cave- 3 km N of Blackfellows Cave- 3 km N of Blackfellows Cave- 3 km N of Blackfellows Cave- 3 km N of Blackfellows Cave- 3 km N of Blackfellows Cave- NE corner Lake St Clair- 20 km SE of Robe NE corner of Lower Glenelg River CP NE corner of Lower Glenelg River CP Coastal end of Millards Rd, near Pt MacDonnell

Datum

The Eastings and Northings have been converted to the Australian Geodetic Datum (AGD84) to enable easy reference to the majority

of maps in circulation. To convert co-ordinates for maps produced on the Geodetic Datum of Australia (GDA94), such as the CFS Region 5 (part) Lower South East Map book, follow the following

dry coastal heath approximate conversion. wet heath wet heath wet heath wet heath wet heath wet heath wet heath wet heath wet heath wet heath wet heath wet heath wet heath wet heath wet heath wet heath wet heath wet heath wet heath wet heath wet heath wet heath wet heath wet heath wet heath wet heath wet heath wet heath wet heath wet heath wet heath wet heath wet heath wet heath wet heath wet heath wet heath damp sandy heath damp sandy heath To Convert AGD84 → GDA94 Eastings I increase by 120 metres L. lanigerum L. lanigerum L. lanigerum L. lanigerum L. lanigerum L. lanigerum L. lanigerum L. lanigerum L. lanigerum L. lanigerum L. lanigerum M. lanceolata L. lanigerum L. lanigerum L. lanigerum L. lanigerum L. lanigerum L. lanigerum L. lanigerum L. lanigerum L. lanigerum L. lanigerum L. lanigerum L. lanigerum L. lanigerum L. lanigerum L. lanigerum L. lanigerum L. lanigerum L. lanigerum L. lanigerum L. lanigerum L. lanigerum L. lanigerum L. lanigerum L. lanigerum L. lanigerum E. baxteri E. baxteri L. lanigerum Northings I increase by 170 metres

94 95 82 69 48 99 41 85 98 93 83 102 71 45 54 94 41 38 51 41 42 51 42 40 40 38 44 52 37 48 64 52 44 38 44 44 46 48 ‘ 64 60 ‘

M M F (j) M F M M M M M M F (j) F (a) M F (j) F (j) M F (a) F (a) M M M M F (j) M M F (j) F (a) M M M F (j) F (a) F (j) F (a) F (a) M M M M

Apr 2000 Aug 2000 21 23 May 2000 24 May 2000 24 May 2000 25 May 2000 31 May 2000 31 May 2000 1 Jun 2000 1 Jun 2000 9 Jun 2000 10 Jun 2000 20 Jun 2000 8 23 Feb 2001 24 Feb 2001 25 Feb 2001 26 Feb 2001 26 Feb 2001 26 Feb 2001 26 Feb 2001 26 Feb 2001 27 Feb 2001 27 Feb 2001 27 Feb 2001 27 Feb 2001 27 Feb 2001 28 Feb 2001 28 Feb 2001 28 Feb 2001 28 Feb 2001 28 Feb 2001 28 Feb 2001 28 Feb 2001 1 Mar 2001 1 Mar 2001 1 Mar 2001 31 May 2001 14 Jun 2001 16 Jun 2001 2 July 2001

M. R. Bachmann M. R. Bachmann M. R. Bachmann M. R. Bachmann M. R. Bachmann M. R. Bachmann M. R. Bachmann M. R. Bachmann M. R. Bachmann M. R. Bachmann M. R. Bachmann M. R. Bachmann M. R. Bachmann M. R. Bachmann M. R. Bachmann M. R. Bachmann M. R. Bachmann M. R. Bachmann M. R. Bachmann M. R. Bachmann M. R. Bachmann M. R. Bachmann M. R. Bachmann M. R. Bachmann M. R. Bachmann M. R. Bachmann M. R. Bachmann M. R. Bachmann M. R. Bachmann M. R. Bachmann M. R. Bachmann M. R. Bachmann M. R. Bachmann M. R. Bachmann M. R. Bachmann M. R. Bachmann M. R. Bachmann M. R. Bachmann M. R. Bachmann K. Jones

EBU EBU EBU EBU EBU EBU EBU EBU EBU EBU EBU EBU SAM EBU EBU EBU EBU EBU EBU EBU EBU EBU EBU EBU EBU EBU EBU EBU EBU EBU EBU EBU EBU EBU EBU EBU SAM EBU EBU SAM

10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 106 107 108 109 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 120 121 122 123 124 125 126 127 128 129 130 131 132 133 134 135 136 137 138 139 140 141 142 143 144 145

Page 79 Distribution and Status of the Swamp Antechinus in South Australia

14.2 1997 SURVEY SITE DETAILS

Site Survey date No. Elliott Vegetation Community Grazed at time Location trap nights of survey y=yes n=no

MU00102 16-19/07/97 240 Leptospermum lanigerum & y Mullins Swamp. Ozothamnus ferrugineus heath 10km NE of Southend

ROB01001 22-25/06/97 240 L. lanigerum & Ozothamnus n NE edge of lake St Clair 12-15/08/97 1200 ferrugineus heath

TSM00301 24-27/05/97 240 L. lanigerum & Gahnia heath n 15km NNE of Robe

TSM00601 22-25/06/97 240 L. lanigerum & Gahnia heath y 5km SE of Robe

TSM01001 22-25/06/97 120 L. lanigerum, & Melaleuca n Little Dip Conservation Park halmatuorum heath

TSM01101 15-18/07/97 240 Shrubland with Poa poaformis n Beachport Conservation Park understorey

TSMO1201 15-18/07/97 240 L. lanigerum heath n Beachport Conservation Park

TSM01301 15-18/07/97 240 Dense tussock grassland with n Roadside reserve. 7km NE of patches of L. lanigerum heath Beachport

TSM01401 15-18/07/97 240 L. lanigerum O. ferrugineus heath y NE edge of Lake George

TSM01501 15-18/07/97 240 Melaleuca squarossa, L. lanigerum, n Canunda National Park - NW coast O. ferrugineus, P.poaformis heath

TSM01601 16-19/07/97 240 Poa poaformis tussock grassland n Canunda National Park with patches of L. lanigerum

TSM01701 16-19/07/97 120 L. lanigerum, Gahnia spp. heath n Canunda National Park

TSM01801 18-21/07/97 120 Stipa stipoides tussock grassland n Canunda National Park coastal strip

TSM01901 19-22/07/97 240 Gahnia tussock grassland with n Canunda National Park emergent L. lanigerum

TSM02001 20-23/07/97 160 Coastal sedgland with Rhagodia n Roadside vegetation. candolleana & Olearia axillaris 2km west of Blackfellow Caves

TSM02101 20-23/07/97 120 L. lanigerum, Gahnia heath n 10km ESE of Blackfellow Caves

TSM02201 21-23/07/97 120 L. lanigerum, O. ferrugineus, n 10km WNW of Port MacDonnell Gahnia heath

TSM02301 20-23/07/97 120 L. lanigerum, O. ferrugineus n Germein reserve. heath 1km NW of Port MacDonnell

TSM02401 22-23/07/97 120 Bracken, A. pycnantha woodland, n Piccaninnie Ponds Cons. Park mix of habitats

TSM = ‘Threatened South East Mammals’ survey code.

Page 80 Distribution and Status of the Swamp Antechinus in South Australia

14.3 1999 - 2001 SURVEY SITE DETAILS

Site Survey No. Elliott Vegetation Community Grazed at time Location date traps of survey (R) reserve checked * y=yes n=no (P) private

LH 01 16/2/2001 - 240 Leptospermum lanigerum & Gahnia y P: West Dairy Range, near Lake 18/2/2001 clarkei tall wet shrubland Hawdon North

GB 01 16/2/2001 - 300 L. lanigerum & Gahnia trifida heath n P: Swamp opposite Bagdad turn-off 18/2/2001 main Robe - Kingston Rd. (nr. N end Guichen Bay)

LD 01 31/7/1999 - 125 L. lanigerum & Gahnia sp. heath n R: Little Dip CP - northern boundary 2/8/1999 near Lake Eliza

LD 02 30/6/1999 - 125 M. lanceolata woodland, near L. n R: Small swamp inside Little Dip CP 2/7/1999 lanigerum heath boundary (off Long Gully Track)

LD 03 28/6/2000 - 300 Dense tussock wetland with patches of n R: Small soak/swamp off Little Dip 30/6/2000 L. lanigerum heath Track- Little Dip CP

LE 01 8/6/2000 - 150 L. lanigerum & Gahnia trifida heath y P: NE side of Lake Eliza- near Main 10/6/2000 Highway (Robe - Beachport)

LE 02 8/5/2000 - 150 L. lanigerum & Gahnia trifida heath y P: NE side of Lake Eliza- along drain 10/5/2000 near Main Highway

LE 03 8/6/2000 - 150 L. lanigerum & Gahnia trifida heath y P: NE side of Lake Eliza- NW of 10/6/2000 Homestead

LE 04 8/5/2000 - 150 L. lanigerum & Gahnia trifida heath y P: NE side of Lake Eliza- SW of 10/5/2000 Homestead

SC 01 5/4/2000 - 300 L. lanigerum, O. ferrugineus, Gahnia y P: NE corner of Lake St Clair 7/4/2000 trifida heath

SC 02 18/4/1999 - 660 L. lanigerum, O. ferrugineus, Gahnia n P: Revisited van Weenan site from 23/4/1999 trifidaheath 1997

SC 03 19/4/1999 - 232 L. lanigerum, Acacia sp., Gahnia trifida n P: Ecotone near site SC 02 22/4/1999 heath

SC 04 19/4/1999 - 318 L. lanigerum, O. ferrugineus, Gahnia n P: Lake edge side of site SC 02 23/4/1999 trifida heath

GE 01 5/4/2000 - 300 L. lanigerum, O. ferrugineus, Gahnia y P: NE side of Lake George, near 7/4/2000 trifidaheath Highway (Beachport-Robe)

LF 01 11/4/2000 - 150 L. lanigerum, O. ferrugineus, Gahnia n R: Lake Frome (next to Canunda CR) 13/4/2000 trifida heath

LF 02 11/4/2000 - 150 L. lanigerum, O. ferrugineus, Gahnia n R: Canunda Conservation Reserve 13/4/2000 trifidaheath

CA 01 11/4/2000 - 300 Totally denuded, former L. lanigerum & y P: Small swamp north of Canunda 13/4/2000 Gahnia trifida swamp Causeway

CA 02 11/4/2000 - 300 Melaleuca squarossa, L. lanigerum, O. y P: Large swamp north of Canunda 13/4/2000 ferrugineus, Gahnia sp. heath Causeway

BL 01 19/6/2000 - 150 Dry M. lanceolata heath near a small L. n R: Buck’s Lake GR - near Eastern 21/6/2000 lanigerum soak boundary track

CR 01 19/6/2000 - 150 Dry coastal heath with G. trifida n R: Carpenter Rocks CP 21/6/2000

BC 01 19/4/2000 - 300 L. lanigerum, M. squarrosa & Gahnia y P: Near Old Rocks Rd, NW of 21/4/2000 sp. tall wet shrubland Blackfellows Cave

BC 02 19/4/2000 - 300 L. lanigerum, M. squarrosa & Gahnia y P: Near Old Rocks Rd, NW of 21/4/2000 sp. tall wet shrubland Blackfellows Cave

Page 81 Distribution and Status of the Swamp Antechinus in South Australia

Site Survey No. Elliott Vegetation Community Grazed at time Location date traps of survey (R) reserve checked y=yes n=no (P) private

BC 03 26/2/2001 - 525 L. lanigerum, M. squarrosa & Gahnia y P: Near Old Rocks Rd, NW of 1/3/2001 sp. tall wet shrubland Blackfellows Cave

BC 04 26/2/2001 - 560 L. lanigerum, M. squarrosa & Gahnia y P: Near Old Rocks Rd, NW of 1/3/2001 sp. tall wet shrubland Blackfellows Cave

NV 01 19/4/2000 - 150 L. lanigerum & Gahnia sp. heath n P: Along creek that runs into Nene 21/4/2000 Valley wetlands

NV 02 19/4/2000 - 150 L. lanigerum & Gahnia sp. heath y P: Along drain further north than site 21/4/2000 NV 01

CD 01 23/2/2001 - 400 L. lanigerum, M. squarrosa & Gahnia y P: inland from Cape Douglas 25/2/2001 sp. tall wet shrubland

GR 01 19/4/2000 - 225 L. lanigerum, M. squarrosa & Gahnia n R: Germein Reserve wetland- sthn 21/4/2000 sp. heath end

GR 02 23/2/2001 - 250 L. lanigerum, M. squarrosa & Gahnia n R: Germein Reserve wetland- nthn 25/2/2001 sp. heath end

PM 01 31/5/2000 - 150 L. lanigerum, M. squarrosa & Gahnia n P: Wetland off Millards Rd, E of Pt. 2/6/2000 sp. heath MacDonnell

PM 02 31/5/2000 - 300 L. lanigerum, M. squarrosa, O. y P: Wetland off Tilleys Rd., east of Pt. 2/6/2000 ferrugineus & Gahnia sp heath MacDonnell

PM 03 31/5/2000 - 300 L. lanigerum, M. squarrosa & Gahnia y P: Wetland off Tilleys Rd., east of Pt. 2/6/2000 sp. heath MacDonnell

PP 01 23/5/2000 - 300 L. lanigerum, M. squarrosa & Gahnia y P: Pick’s Swamp- W of Piccaninnie 25/5/2000 sp. tall wet shrubland Ponds CP

PP 02 23/5/2000 - 150 L. lanigerum, M. squarrosa & Gahnia n R: Piccaninnie Ponds CP 25/5/2000 sp. heath

PP 03 23/5/2000 - 150 L. lanigerum, M. squarrosa & Gahnia n R: Piccaninnie Ponds CP 25/5/2000 sp. heath

LG 01 13/6/2001 - 600 Eucalyptus baxteri with damp heath n R: Lower Glenelg River CP 16/6/2001 understorey

TOTAL 9510 y= 18 n= 18 P = 25 R = 11

*Note that this column refers to ‘traps checked’ (not ‘trap-nights’), indicating that traps were checked twice daily for small mammals, being cleared at dawn and dusk.

Page 82 Distribution and Status of the Swamp Antechinus in South Australia

14.4 SILKY TEA-TREE AND CUTTING GRASS WETLAND REHABILITATION PROJECT BROCHURE South East threatened animals Silky Tea-tree & Protecting habitat for Protecting habitat for and plants in the lower Rehabilitation Project Cutting Grass Wetland 0427 001 940 (08) 8223 6301 St. 120 Wakefield ADELAIDE 5000 Photo: J. van Weenan

contact:

information or for further The Swamp Antechinus To become involved Mark Bachmann Phone: Phone: Address: Nature Conservation Society: Project Officer: Photo: J. van Weenan Swamp Antechinus Trapping exercise for the The team is open to any interested any to open is team The community groups particularly people, and locals of the lower South East. reversecurrentto the attempt will We remnant in degradation of trend silky tea-tree and cutting grass cooperation in working by wetlands habitat fence to landholders with remnants on private property. sites fenced of rehabilitation The and team monitoredthe will be by threatened for conducted searches plants and animals. the by funded being is team The Natural Heritage Trust Rehabilitation Team The Silky Tea-tree & Cutting Grass Wetland • • • •

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Distribution and Status of the Swamp Antechinus in South Australia Photo: J. van Weenan van J. Photo: Photo: J. van Weenan (Egernia coventryi)

Swamp Skink

(Antechinus minimus maritimus) minimus (Antechinus

Swamp Antechinus Swamp

vegetated swamps in the lower South East. South lower the in swamps vegetated

In SA it has only been found in a few thickly thickly few a in found been only has it SA In

reptile that has distinctive black and gold scales. gold and black distinctive has that reptile The Swamp Skink is an endangered, medium sized sized medium endangered, an is Skink Swamp The

The Swamp Antechinus is a small insectivorous The Swamp Antechinus is a small insectivorous South in endangered as listed is that marsupial Australia and rare in Victoria. high a Antechinushas Swamp Unfortunately, the extinct habitat in isolated risk of becoming locally remnants due to continuing habitat degradation.

• • • • Photo: L. Pedler Photo: Courtesy of G. Backhouse (Pterostylis tenuissima) (Dasyornis broadbenti whitei) Swamp Greenhood Rufous Bristlebird The Rufous Bristlebird is restricted to coastal to coastal Rufous Bristlebird is restricted The (includinghabitats Tea-treeheath) heath Silky from the Coorong through into Victoria. The Swamp Greenhood is a slender orchid that grows to a height of 20cm. It is listed as vulnerable nationally, being highly restricted in SA and Vic. habitats survives in dense, shaded orchid only This swamps Tea-tree that are a characteristic of Silky and mainly flower between October March.

• • •

Photo: J. van Weenan

Intact Remnant

2. Cutting Grass (Gahnia sp.)

Silky Tea-tree and

1. Silky Tea-tree (Leptospermum lanigerum)

Cutting Grass Habitats

Land clearance for agriculture and land Landclearance foragriculture and land drainage threatenedschemeshave these habitats in the lower South East. The The lower in East. the South habitats remnants that remain today are typically remain areremnants that typically today small and isolated. In addition, the andsmall isolated.In addition, the Silky Tea-tree (also known as Wooly or degradation orhabitats of these by sheep cattle grazing continues at many sites. We need to protect these habitats as they habitats as theseprotectneed to We support a variety of threatened plants plants of threatened variety a support and animals, some of which only occur in occurin only which animals,of someand these specific habitat types, including the BlueTea-tree) and Cutting GrassHabitats following examples: arehighly threatened in thelower South EastofSA. These habitats tend tooccur in low-lyingareas that are prone tohaving waterlogged soil.

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