il11til1ilIilffi018481 CALI*|BSHYLS$iVEr,

THESTATUS OF THE TRAPDOOR SPIDER

GENUSMOGGRIDGFA IN THE

STIRLINGAND PORONGURUP RANGES

a-) 'rll/ te,('l

A REPORTTO THE DEPARTI,IENTOF CONSERVATION

AND LANDMANAGEMENT

by

MarkS. Harvey

WesternAustralian Museum, Francis Street, Perth, Westem Australia 6000

and

BarbaraYork Main

fr

I L il19431

'{,11 t,:i.:.:',;,: Table of Contents ti i .i'i :ir'i,1 ::.i,i i,t: {li,ti : If-Rtn I[$i

Speciesstatus.., Biologrand Identifi cation ...... ,....., ll Spiders...... 1l

Plates...... J

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

L Objectives o To assessthe distributionof Moggridgea in the Stirling and PorongurupRanges and documentand map site occurrences. e To assessthe specificstatus ofpopulations. o To recommendmanagement and conservationmeasures, including fire control.

2. Resultsand Conclusions o In the Stirling Ranges,Moggridgea sp. S occurs at the following sites (*, newly located):Toolbrunup; Mt Magog;Talyuberlup creek*; The Cascadeswalking trail, first and secondcreeks; The Cascades;Bluff Ifuoll walking trail; South Mirlpunda creek;Moongoongoonderup creek (3 sites);Bluff Knoll, southface*; WedgeHill*. Although currently deemedto representonly a single species,future research.may point towardsmore than one speciesoccurring in the Stirling Ranges. o In the PorongurupRange, Moggridgea sp. P occurs at three sites along the south face (*, newly located):south end of Millinup Pass;Cockatoo Creek* "Waddy's Hut" at Mira Flores*. o In the Stirling Ranges,spiders occur in deeplyshaded, moist gullies, particularly on southfacing banks.Populations occur as patchilydistributed aggregations determined by fine-scalefavourability of habitat. o In the Porongurups,spiders occur predominatelyon the bark ofkani andvery old red gumtrees. o The"best" populations occur at the Toolbrunup,Cascades and Talyuberlup sites. The latter site had remainedunbumt for a long period, and during the study maintained the densestpopulation of spiders with the most favourable demographicstatus. However, the site sufferred a major fire in January 1997, and the survival of the Moggridgea populationmust be reassessed. r Fire is consideredto be the $eatest contemporary hazard to gradual decline of Mog gr i dgea p opulations. I

3. Recommendations I r Exclude fire (where possible) from known sites recognisedas possessingviable populations. . Adopt a fine-scalehabitat approach to conservingpopulations. Monitor severalsites in the Stirling andPorongurup Ranges. . Explore nominatedpotential sites. . . Investigatefurther the specificstatus of all known populations. o Consider supporting a researcherto study further the biology and persistenceof . Moggridgea in the Stirliag and PorongurupRanges, compare the status of zuch populations wirh M. fingle, and to searchother possible sites in the south-west

L )

OBJECTIVtrS

This report addressesthe following objectives,as listed in "Scope of Work" outlined in correspondencefrom Dr A.A. Burbidge,26 February1996:

1. Conductsearches of known and possiblesites of occurrencein the Stirling Range (including Bluff lfuoll, Mt Toolbrunup,Mt Magog, TalyuberlupPealg Isongerup Pealq Red Gum Hill) and the PorongurupRange. Assess abundance of and map distributionof all populations.Lodge voucherspecimens in the WesternAustralian Museum.Field work to be conductedin April - May 1996and August 1996.

2. Determinespecific status of eachpopulation.

3. Reporton:

(D The currentdistribution and abundanceofthe speciesand any closerelatives in the ate,a

(iD How the burrows canbe distinguishedfrom other mygalomorphs

(iii) How the populations can be monitored, preferablyby a Park ranger or local ecologist;and

(iv) What managementactions are necessary,including fire management. o

INTRODUCTION

The trapdoor spider gerusMoggridgea occursin southemAfrica from where it was first describedin 1875, the isle of Socotra (in the Arabian Gulf), southwestem WesternAustralia (tingle forest, Stirling andPorongurup Ranges) and in SouthAustralia at AmericanRiver, KangarooIsland. While the genusis widespreadin southernAfrica, where togetherwith the Socotranspecies, 3l speciesare recognised,the genus in Australiais restrictedto a few localities[see Main (1991)for biogeographicreview and Griswold(1987) for taxonomyand distribution ofAlrican speciesl. Moggridgea's relictual statusin Australia, where it has been isolated from the African stock sinceat leastthe late Jurassic-earlyCretaceous (120 ma), gives the genus biogeographicsignificance. It can be considereda "model" genusfor interpreting other arthropod distributionsand its occurrencein particular areascan give clues to earlier bioclimaticscenarios. However, associatedwith its age and relictual nature,the biology and behaviour of Moggridgea are dependenton an environmentand climate reminiscentof a much wetter era.Nevertheless, like manyother invertebrates,it is ableto persistin favourable microhabitatsin a way which larger,vertebrate animals carmot. From earlier observationsIBYM personal observations,and Main and Gaull (1992)] it is apparentthat in the Stirling Rangesthe genusis confinedto permanently moist, shadedmicrohabitats, predominantly in clay soil alongthe banksof creekswith a southerlyaspect and along the south faces of peaks. Some specimenshave also been observedaway from creeksin irregular,minor declivitiesof mossysoil suchas alongthe Bluff Knoll walking trail and up slope from the Cascadescreek. The only known occurence prior to this study of the genusin the PorongurupRanges was the southem sectionof Mllinup Passwhere a singlespecimen was found in wet karri litter MSH and JulianneWaldock). A previous report (Main and Gaull, 1992) indicated that fire was severely depletingpopulations of Moggridgea in the Stirling Ranges,whose long-term survival was underthreat from thesefires. The present study was commissionedby the Departmentof Conservationand LandManagernent after the StirlingRangesMoggridgea, as yet undescribed,was added I to the Western Australian list of critically endangeredspecies by a scientific panel reporting to the Departmentof Conservationand Land Management.We here review prwious knowledgeof Moggridgeadistributio4 taxonomy and biology in the Stirling and PorongurupRanges, and provide further information on new siteslocated during the suwey, the taxonomicstatus ofthe populations,and demographic status ofseveral populations.

METHODS

Permits Specimenswere collected under the following permits: sF00l79l Licenceto TakeFauna for ScientificPurposes (issued to M.S. Harvey) NE001424 Permit for Research/EducationalExcursion in CALM Estate(issued to M.S. Harvey) sF002040 Licenceto TakeFauna for ScientificPurposes (issued to B.Y. Main) NE001591 Permitfor Research/EducationalExcursion in CALM Estate(issued to B.Y. Main)

Searchfor new sites Criteria for selectionof searchsites Searchfor additionallocations of Moggridgea populationswas basedon certain predictive qualities but constrainedby time and accessibility of locations due to precautionsagainst the spreadof die back. Earlier observationsindicated that suitable siteswould be restrictedto the following sortsof physiographyor topography: a) gulliesor creekbanks on south-facingaspects of peaks b) locationsabove the "cloudline" (aboveabout 550 m) "base" c) sites at level of peaks on southeasternpeaks (which capture moisture from onshorewinds of summerhigh pressuresystems) d) drainagelines or slopesof peakswith craggytops (asMt Magog) e) drainagelines on southerlyface of peakswith easvwestaligned ridge-like crest 8 f) drainage lines descendingfrom depressionsand/or plateauJike boggy, peat or swampytops (as the Cascadesand Cascades Trail First andSecond creeks)

Converselyit was predictedthat sitessubjected to direct afternoonsummer sun, or generallynorthem aspectsof peaks, slopesor gullies would not provide suitable habitats.Additional habitat requirements were predicted to be: a) clay,or compactingloamy soil; b) shadeprovided by tree and shrubcanopy; and c) orientation of minor topography (e.9. jutting rocks, curvature of creek banks) to providemicrohabitat shade and moisture holding capacity.

In addition it was taken as an axiom that the longer the elapsedperiod since a site had beenburnt the more likely it would be for Moggridgeato be present. On the basisof thesepredictive qualities various peaks and lower locationswere assessedas "potential"or "unlikely".Thereafter as many"potential" sites as expedient were explored and to check the validity of our predictionssome "unlikely'' sites were also searched. Table 1 lists all sites explored, including those from wbtch Moggridgea was alreadyknown and indicatesnew siteswhere the spiderswere locatedand negativesites. Table2 lists unsampledpotential sites. Maps 1-4 showthe locationof all siteswhere Moggridgea spp.has been located in the ranges.

On site searchfor burrows Visual search Visual searchof microhabitats(e.g. creek banks and slopesalso some old litter and duff) of potential(and "possible"and unlikely) sites was undertaken.In most instancessearch time was calculated(number of searchersx time) for a specifiedarea. Litter and duffwas searchedby gently teasingand scrapinglitter to exposethe soil,Aitter interfacewhere indeeddoors of anothertrapdoor spider,Eucyrlops, but no Moggridgea were located. At the first sites searched,when burrows were located, door diameters were measuredwith drafting dividers and a millimetre scale steel rule, and recorded. "ne#' Once it was establishedthat the observershad developeda "critical eye", an 9

Nbitrary measureof door diameterwas acceptedand recorded.Door diameterswere categorisedas small to medium(S/lv{ 2.0-4.0 mm) andmedium to large(M/I > 4.0 mm, i.e.> 4.0-8.5mm). In the Porongurups,redgum (mani) and karri bark and litter at the butts oftrees wasalso searched. Search time wascalculated as for groundsearches. Bark ofred gums and bullich was also scannedin the Stirling Rangesbut generallyappeared too dry and exposedto be a possiblehabitat for Moggridgea.

Pitfall traos In additionto visualsearch of selectedareas, pitfall trapswere alsoset at seven sites in the Stirling Rangesand one site in the Porongurup Range in the hope of collecting male specimens.Sites were selectedin April and visited again in September (with the exceptionof WedgeHill) andDecember. The pitfall traps consistedof two litre ice-creamcontainers with holesl0 cm in diameterin the lids.These were inserted in the ground with the lids flush with the soil or litter surface.Commercially available anti- freeze (ethyleneglycol) was used as a killing/preservativefluid in the traps. The traps were protectedfrom rain with plasticroofs supportedon wire pegs.Eight traps were set at eachsite. No malespecimens were captured.

Soecimenscollected Somefemale and juvenile specimenswere collectedas noted below and listed in Table3.

Assessmentof populationstatus Becausethe diameterofa door hasa direct correlationwith the size and relative age of a spider the proportions of different sized doors can indicate the demographic state of a population. From counts and arbitrary measurementsof doors (see above) made at each site together with observationsregarding disturbancedue to fire, an estimateof populationviability and a demographicstatus assessment of eachpopulation wasmade. 10

An estimateof populationviability was made as follows: Viability: 3 to 5 large nests(adults) (i.e. doors> 7 cm diameter)in 10-20specimens in a squaremetre. This estimateis basedon experienceof othermygalomorph species where, ifa quarterofthe population is "adult" or comprisedof reproductivelymature females(matriarchs), then the populationis viable@YM records). Criteriaused to assessthe demographicstatus of a populationand a prognosis for its recovery(if a bumt site) or predictionfor persistence(if an unburnt site) are listed in Table4. Finally, using these arbitrary scalesand criteria, the demographicstatus and prognosisfor recoveryor persistenceof eachpopulation, is summarisedin Table5.

SPECIESSTATUS

Spidershave distinctivesexual dimorphism which meansin determiningspecies, ideally both sexes should be examined.In practise this is not always possible and compromisessometimes have to be made.At the time this study commencedonly two maleshad beencollected from the Stirling Ranges(at two difFerentlocalities) and none from the Porongurups.While the basis of speciesdistinctions within other relict mygalomorphgenera (e.g. Neohomogonain the ranges)it is assumedthat there will be different speciesof Moggridgea in the two mountainsystems. However, there is also the possibility of two or severalspecies in the Stirling Ranges,arguing again from recent data indicating at least two speciesof ly'eolomogot ct @YM, unpublisheddata). It is likely that the speciesin the easternand westernblocks (i.e. either side of the Chester Passdemarcation) will be distinctive.In addition the two males(from Mt Magog and Toolbrunup) show some differencesbut without further specimensit is not clear whetherthese differences reflect intra- or interpopulationdistinctions. Shouldit be shownultimately that morethan one speciesis presentin the Stirling Rangesthen this would raisefurther difficultiesin managementand conservation. For the present, we conclude that two species occur in the study area: Moggridgea sp. S (Stirling Ranges) and Moggridgea sp. P @orongurup Ranges) Voucher specimensof both are lodgedin the WesternAustralian Museum and the B.Y. Main collection,University of WesternAustralia (Table 3). ll

BIOLOGY AND IDENTIFICATION

Spiders To the untrained eye, Moggridgea speciesare easily confused with other sympatricspiders, particularly those belonging to the infraorderMygalomorphae, which includesnumerous other trapdoor spider families. The spiders(Plate l) are small,up to a total body lengthof about8.0 mm, dark brown (almost black), shiny with a slightly "humped" abdomen,short spinnerets,short geniculate("kneed") chelicerae('Jaws"); first two pairs of legs with lateral rows of stout, slightly "hooked" spines;eyes in two rows of four spreadwidely acrossthe front of the carapace.Male specimenshave no apophyseson the first leg, and possessa simple, needle-likeembolus (copulatory organ) on the pedipalp.The diagnostic characterfor the genusis a group of long, straightfinely pointed sensoryhairs on the undersideof the patella (kneejoint of leg) on the first, secondand fourth legs (visible only with sufficientmagnification).

Burrows or tubes Stirling Ranges The burrow is shallow, adult tubes up to 6.0 cm long; burrows are oriented obliquelyinto creek banksor may be cocoonlike, short, up to 3.0 cm in moss or appliqu6don soil or againststones. Tubes are blind at the basalend i.e. the silk lining is "toe". completelike a stocking Prey remainsare not stored in the burrow but ejected immediatelyafter a repast. When sitedin creekbanks the doors (Figure 1; Plate 4) open at any angle,that is the hinge may be uppermostwith the lip of tube facing "down-hill" or the hinge may be alignedwith the slope.Most frequentlythe door is attachedto the lower part of the rim "lip" and thus when openhangs outwards with the of the tube facing upwards(Figure 1; Plate3). The door, which is madeof silk bound soil, is almostcircular, thin and stiff with a relativelybroad hinge and is very slightly insetinto the rim ofthe burrow when closed. The upper surface of the door, which may have moss, algae or liverwort growth incorporatedwith the soil particles,blends with the soil andwhen closed is recosnisable t2 as a thin circular line - it is easierto detect when damp than during the dry summer months.The under (inside) surfaceof the door is lined with silk. In active neststhis is white or light grey whereasin old (defunct) neststhe silk becomesdarker and slightly frayed in appeaxance.Spider burrows tend to occur in aggregationsof one to two or tkee contiguoussquare metres depending on the favourabilityofthe area.

PorongurupRanges From observationsmade during this study it was found that spidersmake small, cocoonliketubes up to 2.5-3.0cm, closedby a flat, circulardoor on or underkarri or marri bark, the nest being madeofbark fragmentsbound together with silk, However, the original specimenwas found in disturbedkani litter (MSH and JIvM) and BYM later (January1997) found one defunctnest in a low soil bank. Thesetwo finds suggest that the spidersalso live in the soil and further soil and litter searchesshould be made. The bark occurrencesare indicativeof the very wet natureofthe habitat and that it has not beenbumt for a longtime.

Field identificationof burrows and nests Burrowsin soil Plates 3 and 4 and Figure I show doors of Moggridgea sp. S. Doors of two speciesof Eucyrtops@lates 5-8, Figure 1) andan Aganippe species(Figure 1) are also illustratedfor comparisonand to assistidentification of Moggridgea.

Tubesin bark Plate 9 illustrates a tube situated on bark from the Porongurup Ranges (Moggridgea sp.P)

Phenology Only two male specimenshave been found (both from the Stirling Ranges),both collectedin pitfall traps during early or late winter. Two adult femaleswith young (30 and 7 respectively)in the burrows were found in April. These data indicate that Moggridgea sp. S is reproductively active in the autumn/winter with mating and dispersaloccurring during this season.Thus, one would expect that eggs would be IJ produced in the spring, hatch early to mid summer and after late summer/autumn incubation in the female burrow, the spiderlings would disperse following late autumn/earlyto mid winter rain dependingon the season.

Vulnerability to fire Earlier observationsand records indicate that Moggridgea sp. S is extremely wlnerableto fire (Main andGaull, 1992). While a few maturespiders may survivein an aggregationsubjected to fire, younger cohorts in a population suffer high mortality, Thus following fire, the recovery of a population dependson (a) a few old female animalsbeing ableto reproducewhich is partly dependenton maturationof malesfrom younger cohorts with which to mate and/or (b) survival and persistenceof some juveniles. While it is not known how long spiderstake to mature it is unlikely that they would mature in less than six or sevenyears. Thus it could take many years for a population to return to its "normal" demographic structure after a fire. Recent observationsat the sites studiedby Main and Gaull in 1991/1992indicate that where populationshave been directly subjectedto fire, a population il p_yl,y approachesa pre-fire dernographicstatus five years later. However unburnt patcheswithin a burnt area, containing at least some only partially affected "sub-populations"(such as the Toolbrunupsite), may recovermore quickly. Nevertheless,the prognosisis that successivefires will causea declineby gradual attrition of any population. The Porongurupsspecies, because of the specialisedhabitat (karri bark and possiblykani litter and humus),is likely to be evenmore wlnerable to fire.

KNOWN DISTRIBUTION

Prior to the present studyMoggridgea was known to occur at the following eight sites [BYM observationsand/or recordedby Main and Gaull (1992)] and an additionalninth site locatedby SarahBarrett @arrett 1996)in the Stirling Ranges:

1. BluffKnoll Walking Trail (abovewaterfall at sharpbend in path); t4

) First Creek,Cascades Walking Trail (downstreamfrom cementsteps); SecondCreek, Cascades Walking Trail; 4. Cascades,north bank (southfacing) below water falls at end oftrail; 5. Toolbrunup.Creek site betweencar park andlarge screeslope; 6. Mrlpunda creek gorge, site adjacentto end of (disused)South Mirlpunda Track. Vertical bank, west side of wide flat valley with meanderingcreek bed and "billabongs"(south ofthe ThreeArrows); 7,8.MoongoongoonderupCreek system;three subpopulationson drainage system between southeastface Bluff Knoll, Isongerupand MoongoongoonderupPeaks (lowest site on southside of culvert crossingon Ellen Track); and Mt Magog, southface below summit(Sarah Barrett site).

Prior to this studythe only known location in the PorongurupRange was at the southemend ofMillinup Passin a densestand of long unburntkarri. spp. have now beenrecorded from 15 discretelocalities in the Stirling Rangesand Porongurups National Parks, 12 from the Stirling Ranges,including three newly discoveredsites, and three from the Porongurups,of which two are newly found. Thosein the latter region are restrictedto siteson the southernfringe ofthe park where soil moisturelevels are high and wherefire hasbeen excluded for a long time, at least30 yearsat Millinup Pass. Thosein the Stirling Rangescan be arrangedinto threepopulation groups: (i) scatteredsub-populations east of ChesterPass; (ii) Toolbrunupmassif; and (iii) Mt Magog/Talyuberlupcomplex. Long-distance visual inspection was also made of several potential sites, summarisedin Table 2. The following regionsmay retainMoggridgea populationsand shouldbe assessedin future surveys:Mondurup Peak, Henton Peak, CoyanarupPeak (southwestfacing gullies), Kyanorup Eminence(south east gully), Mt Success(south gully) andvarious sites on the Isongerup/EllenPeak massif. Numeroussites were investigatedin regionsinitially deemedto be unsuitablefor the survival of Moggridgea. In all cases,Moggridgea was not found, further supporting l) the guidelinesdeveloped to predict the occurrenceof Moggridgea in the Ranges.See Table I andMap 2 for the sitesexamined.

POPIJLATION STATUS AND PROGNOSIS FOR PERSISTENCE

The following featuresare listed for each site: Name of site and co-ordinates; date censused;years since bumt; areaof transector plot "sampled";search time (see above regarding calculation); number of nests categorised as smalVmediumand medium/large(see above). On the basisofthese records and other general observations (see commentsfollowing) an assessmentwas made with regard to the demographic statusof the populationand a prognosisindicated or recoverypotential predicted (if burnt in the last five years).

PORONGURUPS NATIONAL PARI(

MILLINUP PASS, SOUTH END Coordinates:34" 47' 43" S I 17'53'5l'E Datescensused : 28jv, 7996, 2jx.7996, 16.xii. 1 996 Timesince burnt: over 30 years 28jv.1996 Area of search:Two patches,each of approximatelya hectare Searchtime: 8 hours (4 people x two hours, some other intermittent activity while settingpit traps) Number ofnests observed:1 smalVmediumnest on karri bark (also manv old nestsS/NI andM/L) 16.xii.1996 One patch about | /2 hectare(within areaof one of abovepatches) 3 hours(3 peoplex I hour) I smalVmediumnest on karri bark(old nestsvarious sizes also located)

Demographicstatus of population l6

Difficult to assessbecause of unfamiliaritywith behaviourand extremedifficulty of discerning viable nests which are well camouflaged.Defunct nests are readily discemedwhether with or without a door. It may be possibleto make some kind of judgementwith more experienceon the basisof relativenumber of viable to "old" nests observedin a given areaand time spentsearching. At presentit is assumedthe populationis in a viablecondition.

Prognosisfor persistence Vulnerabilityto fue (becauseof exposureon bark) is high thus areassuch as this longunburnt patch need to be protectedifpossible from fire. If fuel reduction burns are essentialthen every safeguardshould be taken to protect the trunks oftrees while burningthe litter.

Comments Spiderswere located in a stand of large, buttressed,old kani trees with some saplingsand regrowth and old and mixed age redgum trees with an understory of predominantlyhazel (Trirnaliun). Therewere many old moss-coveredrotting logs and thick litter of leaves,bark and debris.The areawas selectivelylogged many years ago (60 or more). This site is wherethe original specimenwas found in litter someyears ago,

Posl script BYM and A.R. Main revisitedthe site on 14j.1997and observedold nestson redgumbark on two trees.Search time 2 hours(2 peoplex I hr). Treeone: 9 nests(old, onewith door still attached),(2 SAd,7 M/L). Treetwo: 3 nests(l S/NI,viable ?,2M/L, old). Also observedone (L) old nest with door attachedbut hangingopen, in mossy bank of soil (edgeof gradedtrack).

COCKATOOCREEK Coordinates:not determined. 28.iv.7996 t7

Time sinceburnt: unknown Area of search:half a hectare Searchtime: 1.5hours Nests observed:I viable nest S/\t\: numerousold nestson attachedbark and bark on ground

Statusof populationand prognosisfor persistence As for Mllinup Passpopulation

Comments Very wet site adjacentto permanentcreek, someminor disturbanceand closeto labyrinthof forest tracks and farm paddock.

.WADDY'S HUT" AT MIRA F'LORES Coordinates:not determined 14.i.1997 Time sinceburnt: unknown,but possiblywithin last l0 years Area of search:100 m x I m bank and 7 treesin l/2 hour Searchtime: 30 minutes(1 personx 30 mins) Numberofnests observed: I S/lvIdefunct nest on bark

DemographicStatus of populationand prognosisfor persistence On presentdata unable to sayother than that the speciesoccurs at site. With minimalfuture disturbanceand absenceof fire the populationmay possibly persist.

Comments Area very disturbed in the past, near a dam, old hut and tracks. Forest reestablishedbut ground and litter over grown with Dolichos creeper.However, it is a very wet site and with minimal future disturbancecould be regardedas a favourable habitat. l8

STIRLING RANGES NATIONAL PARK

Mt Magog (at 650-700m) Coordinates: 3 4023' 59" S 11 7"56'3 5'E, 50 586676E6 1933l2N 24.iv.1996.3.ix. 1996. 1g.xii. 1996 Timesince bumt: 14years Area of search: Four people searched along walking trail, particularly from approximately500 m and at pitfall site lsaxahBaffett (1996) samplingsite]. Searchwas madeof clay soil pocketsamongst rocks on the steepslope, southem face ofthe peak in thevicinity ofthe walkingpath; edges ofthe screeslope to eastof pathalso explored. Searchtime: Intensive searchby one person @YM) for approximately45 minutes at pitfall site, amongstduff under litter and bare patchesof clay soil againstprojecting stones, No burows found. A malespecimen collected earlier by SarahBarrett in pitfall trap.

Demographicstatus of populationand prognosisfor persistence On the basisofthe singlemale specimen known it is not possibleto assessthe statusofthe populationbut it must be consideredas a positive site and that the spiders are likely to persistprovided the habitatis not burnt.

Comments Generalhabitat consistsof malleescrub and shrubs,i.e. a low woodland/thicket on stony, loamy clay soil on an extremelysteep, south facing slope which is in shade virtually the whole day. Becauseit is positionedbelow the craggy summit it receives considerablerun off and the soil below the duff and litter is thus permanentlymoist. As "cloud the site is situatedabove the line" this further addsto the moisturecontent ofthe soiland humus. This is the areawhere S.B. obtaineda male specimenin a pitfall trap thus it can be regardedas a positive site but that the behaviourof the spidersis extremelycryptic and spidersare probablysparsely distributed. l9

The crevice on the westem aspectof the summit and the gully it opens into possiblyprovide somefavourable extended habitat. This site was burnt in Januray 1997. BYM visited the area in February and viewed the site from a distance,and noted that the habitat was severeleyburnt, some canopyalthough scorched, still present.

TALYUBERLUP PICNIC SITE Coordinates:34' 24'54" S 117' 57' 21"8, 50 58785686 I 91407N 23.iv.7996.3.ix. 1996. 19.xii. 1996 Timesince burnt: 14years Areaof search:185 m x 2 m bankof creek Searchtime; 3 peoplesearched [6 aggregationsof burrows spacedalong transect between 15 m north of culvert to 200 m alongcreek: at 15m (4 nests),150 m (l l), 155m (7), 160m (12),175 m (l) and200 m(3X Total=38 burrows(S,M 13;MlL,25)

Populationdemographic status Good.

Prognosisfor persistence Good,

Comments North side of road unbumt (south side burnt April 1996). Habitat, creek with deeplyincised banks, variously shadedby tree canopy(white gums) and somescattered understoryof shrubs,Poa grassand tussocks.Steeply sloping banksup to five metres high with someshelves. Channel very narrow in places,with creekcourse about a metre wide and steepone metre high banks.Nests located on lowet 2-3 m slopesof eastbank where shadedthroughout the day due to configurationof creek course- the west bank (no nests)much more exposed. Onespecimen collected, an adultfemale with broodof spiderlings. 'ro

The site has subsequentlybeen burnt in lan 1997. The site was visited within 2 weeksfollwoing he fire by BYM andit appearedthat the populationhas been destroyed. However, a searcha searchin midlate wionter shouldbe madeto reassessthe statusof the population.

TALYUBERLUP PEAK WALKING TRAIL

Explored trail to ridge below bluff Although good clay soil and shadedareas, no Moggridgeabunows locatedbut severalAganippe burrows observed.

TOOLBRUNUP PEAK WALKING TRAIL. CREEK SITE Coordinates:34023'32"5 I l8'03'32"E,50 597338E 6193829N 23.iv.1996,3.ix. 1996, 19.xii. 1996 Time sincebumt: 3 months(prior to April visit); previously15 years 23.iv.1996 Area searched:1 m2(base square ofBYlvI/I(G study site) Total: 18burrows (S,M, 9; tvI/L,9)

Populationdemographic status Good

Recoverypotential Yes

Comments Habitatand viability ofspider population A deepgorgeJike creek opening into a V shapedchannel. Open forest of jarrah/redgum(marri) with shrub understory.Study site @YM/KG) mostly unburnt except downslopeedge and 2 n? @f original 10 m trarsect). Much of the gully, both upstreamand downstreamfrom original study site, burnt at ground level althoughcanopy not bumt. 2l

Spiderssurviving in unburnt patchesbut no viable nests in bumt areas.Some nestspossibly defunct post fire due to sun exposureas a result of understorybeing burnt. No apparentrecruitment ofjuveniles in burnt patches(as at April and September). Area of known populationaggregations previously extended about 100 m along both banksof gully. North bank (south facing) with 5 "sites" unburnt and still with viable nests. South bank with 3 unburnt "sites" (l rf and2 "sites" of 3 contiguousm2) containing active nestsconsidered to representviable subpopulations(estimate of viability = 3 to 5 adultsin 10to 20 specimensin a squaremetre). Another count was made of nestsin the study squarein December 1996 and although5 fewer IWL nestswere locatedthe demographicstatus and recoverypotential prognosis were unaltered.However the habitat generally and the square where the countswere madehad deteriorated;part of the bank had erodedand ash and litter was depositedon the previouslymossy slope thus damagingpotential and actualnest sites. A count was also made in Decemberof a 3 m2site on the south bank (north facing):search time 15 minutes(1 person- BYM): 21 defunctnests observed and 10 viable nests (3, S/IvI; 7, Mn-). This imbalanceof large nestsrelative to juveniles was presumablydue to the fire and indicatesa "Fair" categoryfor demographicstatus v/ith a "Likely'' recoverypotential.

THE CASCADES WALKTNG TRAIL @IRST CREEK, DOWNSTREAM FROM CEMENT STEPS)

Coordinates:ca. 50 6142506196100N 29.iv.1996 Timesince bumt: 5 years(April 1991) Area: Censusedtwo patches(each 2.0 x 1.5 m) : 6.0 m2(one patchon eachof north and southbanks) Searchtime: 2 hours(4 peoplex 30 minutes) Numberof viablenests: Southbank patch S/IvI,4; M/L I North bankpatch S/1r,I, 3;IWL 2 Total= S[vI,7;M/L,2. = 9

Demographicstatus Fair

Recovery Potential Likely

Comments An inegular creek course with alternating steep vertical and sloping banks. Favourablepatches of approximately1.5 to 2.0 m highofvarying lengths. Total length of favourableor potentialhabitat in transectof 85 m; Southbank, 2 patches(6 continuousmetres and 2 contiguousmetres) North bank 3 patches (4 continuous metres, 8 continuous metres, l0 continuous metres).Rocky creek bed. Regrowth of Acaciasalong banks and edge of creek bed. Canopyofjarrah trees regrown (somestag heads). Gully, cool, shady,some patches of sunshineon south (north facing) bank. Habitat for Moggridgea partially restored.The most deleteriouspost fire effect persistingin erosion of banks with some areaswhere soil androcks have washed down in 0.5 m'lumpsas well assurface erosion. Censusmade of nests down stream from where nests observed in L990/91 (BYM).

THE CASCADES WALKING TRArL (SECOND CREEK)

(Site sampledin BYIvI/KG study) Coordinates:ca. 50 6142006195900N 29/4t96 Yearssince burnt: 5 years(April 1991) Area censused:5 contiguousm2 (north bank) Searchtime: I & 1/2 hours(3 peoplefor 30 minutes) Numberviable nests:Patches 1 & 2, S/1VI,0, M/L, 3. Patch3 (KG samplesquare), S/M, 2;M/L, 7. Patches4 & 5, 0. Total nests: 12 (SA{, 2;MIL, l0).

Demographic status Moderate.

Recovery Potential Yes (but likely to take manyyears - 20 from now to recoverto preburnstatus?).

Comments Denseregrowth of sword grass,acacias and other shrubsup to 2 m high. Banks with altemate patches of bare ground and heaps of gum leaves (obscuring spider habitaO.

TEE CASCADES Coordinates:34"22'2E S 118'14'17T,.50 6I3838E 6195597N 29.iv.1996.17 .xii.1996 Yearssince burnt: 5 years(April 1991) Areaofsearch: 2 areas.Area I (transect2mhighx8m: 16 m2);Area 2 (2 m highx l0 m:20 r*, BYIM/KGstudy area) Searchtime; Area l'. 2 hours (4 peoplex 30 minutes); Area 2: 2 hours (4 peoplex 30 minutes)

Numberof viablenests Area 1. Totalnests = 18(S/lvI, I l; tr.///L,7) in 16 m2.

Area2. (10 patches2 x I m). Patch1, SAa,5; MlL,4.Patch 2, S/lvIl; MlL, 1. Patches 3,4,5,7,8, 9, 10no spiders. Patch 6, Sllld.I;MIL2. Totalnests = 14(SA,[ 1;MlL,7) in 20 m2.

Demographic status of population Good (but numbersof specimenslower than beforefire offive yearsago). 24

Recoverypotential Yes Out may take manyyears - 20 yearsfrom now ?).

Comments Sword grass along edges and in creek bed dense; slvubs of Acacia, Agonis, Xanthosia andLeucopogon forming densethickets along banksabout 1.5 to 2.0 m high obscuringmuch of spider habitat along banks. Also heapsof litter covering previous mossyand liverwort areasof spiderhabitat. Banks generally heavily eroded.

WEDGE HILL Coordinates:34"23' 17" S I I 8' l0' I 8"E. 50607710E 61941 8 lN 2.v.199 5, 1,7.xti. 199 6 Years sincebumt: 24 years? (generalarea bumt 1972); generalarea burnt 5 years ago (1991)but gulliesescaped 2.v.1996 Area of search:12 m2(transect along bank 6 m x 2 m high) Total no. nests: 5 (2 S/NI;3 M/L) 17.xii.1996 Areaof search:Approximately I m2 Totalno. of nests:2 viablenests M,{Lt 5 defunctnests various sizes

Demographicstatus of population On limited data availabledue to constraintson searchtime, unableto make an assessmentother than to statethat it is probablygood (bearingin mind that only a small section of the creek was explored,that favourablebanks were observedand that the habitathas beenunburnt for manyyears). Also, one ofthe defunct nestshad a parasitic wasp cocoonin it - this suggestsa viablepopulation, i.e. that the populationis large enoughto supportparasitism.

Comrnents The habitatis oneof two creekswhich escaped the fire of l99l on the southem faceof WedgeHill. The vegetationindicated an associationof understoryplants which 25 have maturedin the absenceof fire (e.g. a Dryan&a species);similarly the soiVlitter interfacewith a high componentof duff indicateda mature ground habitat suitablefor manyterrestrial invertebrates. The gully is generallymoist and in permanentshade. The gullies on the south face run from an east/westoriented mountain with a crest like summit.This configurationprovides shade and attractssouthern precipitation. Spidersare possiblymore abundantupstream from the study site (where pitfalls were placed). Other mygalomorph genera observed were Eucyrtops, Stamyellia (abundant)and a "wet" habitatspecies of Chenistonia.

BLIIFT' KNOLL, SOUTH X'ACE Coordinates:ca. 50 616100 6193600N 1.v.1996 Years sinceburnt: 5 years(previously 19 years,i.e. in 7972; and about 15 yearsbefore that in 1957?) Area of search:4 creekcourses in tlvee of wbichMoggridgea nestswere locatedin low numbers. Site 1: one hour searchtime (4 people15 minutes) No. of nests:I defunctnest Site2: alongbank of l50mx2manareaof l6m2(8mx2 mhigh) Searchtime: t hour (4 people15 minutes) No. of nests:1 S/lvI;also 4 defunctS/lvI Site3: No. nestsI S/IVI

Demographicstatus Terminal.

Recovery Potential Unlikely.

Comments Although most of the gully wherethe searchwas madewas badly affectedby the fire there were somesmall pockets which might harboursome spiders. A few patchesof unburntDryanfua andAllocasmina suggestedpossible residual pockets of habitat.

ELLEN TRACK, WEST END (MOONGOONGOONDERUP CREEK) Coordinates:34"22' 53" S 11 8' I 7' I 8'E 5061 8433E 6 I 94776N 30.iv.I 996,4.ix.1996, I 8.xii. 1996 Years sinceburnt: 5 years Area of search:2 m2 Searchtime: 40 minutes(2 peoplex 20 minutes) No. of nests:Total = l0 (7 SifvI;3 N?L)

Demographicstatus Good.

Recovery potential Yes.

Comments The habitat comprisesa very high steepbank, 3 m high, along a deeplyincised, shady gully. The area is wooded with high janah and redgum trees and a dense understory of acaciasand other shrubs.The creek is a permanentwater course with sedgesand somesword rushesin the bed. The site is down stream from two other sites previously recorded as badly affectedby fire (Main and Gaull, 1992). The axeawas noted as heavily overgrown by regrowth after the 1991fire but thesesites were not relocatedduring 1996. LI

POPULATION MONITORING

An essentialcomponent of the studyof the ongoing statttsof Moggridgea spp. in the Stirling and PorongurupRanges is the monitoring of selectedpopulations. We here proposeseveral potential sites for monitoring:

1. Toolbrunup; 2. TheCascades: 3. TalyuberlupPicnic Site; 4. WedgeHill; and 5. W. endof EllenTrack.

Toolbrunupand The Cascadescould be monitoredonce a year (preferablyin late or autumnor winter), whilst Talyuberlupcould be examinedin winter 1997 (to assess the full effect of the lanuary 1997 fire) and again in five years. Wedge Hill could be 'control', monitoredas a giventhat the sitehas not beenburnt for sometime. The west endofEllen Trackcould be censusedagain in two yearstime. We have given above detailed criteria for population status assessment,and selected populations could be regularly monitored by staff initially trained in Moggri dgea bunow identification. Firstly, visual searchesmust be undertaken,and counts of burrows made,with doorscategorised as smalvmediumor mediumrargeas describedabove. [The present study did not attemptthe fine measurementsof observeddoors in the way adoptedby Main andGaull (1992) due to contraintsof time.But an attemptwas madeto devisea simplemethod of calculatingburrow sizewhich lessexperienced observers could readily use.l

Countsof burrowsshould be madewithin prescribedareas, i.e. in squaremetre plots. The extent of burrow occurrencescontiguous with the samplesquare in a defined transectshould also be noted.A demographicstatus assessment could then be made(see Table4) and comparedwith the site datalisted below. 28

Markersare presentlyin situ at Toolbrunup,The Cascades,and secondcreek along The Cascadeswalking trail. The Talyuberluptransect begins 15 m north of the culvert at the TalyuberlupPicnic Site andruns alongthe creekfor approfmately 200 m. 29

CONCLUSIONS

From earlier observations,reported studies, and investigationscarried out during the presentproject it is concludedthat Moggridgea is patchily distributed throughout the Stirling and PorongurupsRanges. The distributionis determinedby the topography, soil type, degree of shade and moisture. As predicted, favourable sites occur predominantlyin gullies or creeksat the baseof south or southeastfacing aspectsof mountains(Toolbrunup, Moongoongoonderup, Talyuberlup) and in drainagelines either below craggytops Mt Magog, south face Bluff Knoll) or below crestswith west/east orientation (Wedge Hi[), or in creeks debouchingfiom small, plateauJike, high, swampyaxeas (The Cascades and also Toolbrunup). An important feature related to topography is the elevation of peaks which "cloud projectabove the line" (e.g.Mt Magog,Toolbrunup and Bluff Knoll). Suchsites catchthe onshoresoutheast summer winds andencourage fog and mist precipitationat a time when heavy rain is not prevalent,thereby maintaininga reservoir of moisture in high level "bogs" which feed into permanentstreams. The spidersoccur in clay, on heavy loam soils along creek courseswhich are permanentlyshaded and moist but following fire, regrowh of shrubs on banks and sword rush andGahnia tussocksin creekbeds and alongedges, obscures the habitat. The spidersare firstly rulnerable to fire itself, in that becausethe burrows or tubes are shallow (and sometimesappliqu6d to the surface)they are destroyedby fire. Secondlythose that do surviveare frequentlyburied by depositionofash and debrisdue to erosion of the banks and shifting of the unstablesoil and litter after rain. Finally, becausethe mossy and liverwort banks of creeks suffer disturbanceand erosion, the formerly firm, opensurface spaces which they providedfor burrows, becomeovergrown with shrubbyvegetation. Until this post-fire vegetationdies and rots down in 8 to 10 or more yearsthe habitatis generallyunavailable for spiders. Spidersin the Stirling Rangesare all burrowers,while the Porongurupsspecies predominantlymakes tubes on the bark of karri and redgumtrees. As a consequenceit appearsthat the Stirlingspopulations are better ableto withstandlow intensityfires (but not high intensity)but the Porongurupspopulations are probably extremelysensitive to 30 fire, The spidershave been found there only in long unburnt habitats(at least 30 years postfire?). While there is only inferentialdata on long term recovery after fire, the "best" populations(i.e. with the highest density in the aggregations)have been located only in long unburnt sites(approximately 20 yearspost fire). Fire frequencyof lessthan the life cycleperiodicity ofthe spidersis likelyto be deleterious.Because of the long maturation period and longevity of spiders, reestablishmentof high density populationsis estimatedto takeat least20 years. Although somepost-fire populations of spiders(The Cascades,Toolbrunup) appearto be retaininga demographicstatus indicative of persistenceof the populations the numbers of spiders within populations have been reduced as well as some aggegationshaving been lost. Furthermore,there is a loss of somecohorts (small spiderskilled in fire and lack of recruitmentimmediately post fire). This is reflectedin the absenceof some"middle" agedcohorts in populationsobserved about five yearsafter fire. Thus the likelihood of males(which matureearlier than females)being availableevery year is reducedthereby prohibiting continuousannual reproduction and recruitment.The net lag effect of a fire is thus a gradual population decline (in total numbers)and further fragmentationof aggregations. Historically, spidershave survived in the face of firg, although they ore not adaptedto fire in an ecological sezse.Nevertheless, in that fire is continuallyreducing appropriatehabitats, causing a declinein population numbers,depleting some cohorts and fragmentingaggregations of spiders,the long term effect is that, by attrition, the speciesis becomingincreasingly endangered. While undoubtedly these relict specieshaving been suflering a decline over geologicaltime, due to increasedsclerophylly of the vegetation,the increasedfrequency ofpartly human-inducedfires is exacerbatingthe ecologicaland population "sag". 3l

RECOMMENDATIONS FOR CONSERVATIONAND MANAGEMENT

The long-term persistenceof Moggridgea speciesin the Stirling Rangesand PorongurupsNational Park is clearly related to constrainingthe deleteriouseffects of fires which will kill individuals, and which modify and destroy the available habitat through soil erosion, loss of shadingvegetation, and emergenceof post-fire plants. Consequently,the following recommendationsfor conservationand managementare made:

1. In that fire is the greatesthazard for persistenceof Moggridgea there is the need to give priority for fire exclusionfrom the "best" sitesidentified which includes sitesrecovering from fire. ) Becauseof the vulnerability of Moggridgea to fire it is recommendedthat fire protectionregimes be directedto: sites recognised as having "Good" demographic status and/or potential persistence(see Tables 4 and5); and sites which were former$ recognisedas "Good" but which have been recently burnt.

J, The presentpolicy of large fire-controlblocks is not seenas conduciveto protection of Moggridgea sites.Smaller scale control areaswith the objectiveof establishinga mosaicof smallerareas of different agedbum patcheswould seem to be more favourablefor the persistenceof Moggridgea. 4. The frequencyof fuel reductionburns needs to be lessthan 20 or 25 yearsin areas containing Moggridgea populations, unless it is possible to have "discretionary" burns by deliberatelyavoiding Moggridgea aggregationsand their microhabitatsin areassuch as creek courses. 5. If prescribedburning is consideredas a management"tool" to prevent large- scale,high intensityfires, then specialemphasis should be given to inducinglow intensityfires while at the sametime, excludingsome gullies whereMoggridgea is present,or is likely, to be present. 6. In order to review the ongoing staits of Moggridgea, monitoring of selected populationsis required,Possible sites for continualmonitoring could include 32

Toolbrunup,The Cascades,Talyuberlup picnic site, WedgeHill, and sites along the west end of Ellen Track. 7. Potential sites (where Moggridgea has not been searchedfor) need to be explored, particularly those which have not been bumt recently, especially MondurupPeak. If suchunburnt sites retain significantpopulations, these should be designatedas fire-exclusionzones. 8. If Departmentof Conservationand Land Management staff or other personnelare to monitor (or cenzusat intervals)some of the populationsthen they will need initial tuition in searchingfor and identification of nests, and in method of measuringdoor diametersand generally assessing demographic status. 9. Supporta full time study (as a threeyear contract)on the biology of Moggridgea to further elucidatethe life history and biology of Moggridgea speciesin the Ranses. JJ

ADDENDUM: JANUARY 1997FIRT

An extensivefire burnt a large section of the westem section of the Stirling RangesNational Park (north of Stirling RangeDrive) in lanuary 1997, affecting two sites:Mt Magog and TalyuberlupPicnic Site. The Moggridgea site on Mt Magog was inspectedfrom a distanceby BYM and Bert Main in early February 1997, and appearedto be severelybumt. The TalyuberlupPicnic Site was visited and inspected closely. The vegetation along the creek line, where the Moggridgea population was situated,has been completely burnt, and nearly all Moggridgea burrows appeaxto have been either burnt or the occupantskilled through intenseheat. The intensity of the fire was highlightedby the completedestruction of the WesternAustralian Museum pitfall traps, of which no trace could be found. Two smallunburnt burrows were noted on the undersideof stoneoverhangs, but the statusofthe occupantsremains uncertain. 54

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

We wish to thank Luke Coney, Mark Moore and Mike Paxman for their assistancein the field work conductedin the Stirling Rangesand PorongurupNational Park,and for allowingaccess to the sitesvisited. Julianne Waldock cheerfully assisted in all of the field work andwas instrumentalin the project. SarahBarrett kindly escortedus to her Mt Magog field site in a vain searchfor further populations,and assistedwith searchingfor new siteselsewhere in the Stirling Ranges.Greg Bromfield @epartmentof CALM, Albany) is thankedfor making availablefire history maps.Bert Main assisted BYM in variousfield programmes.

REFERENCES

Barrett, S. (1996').A biological survey of mountainsin southern lTesternAustralia. Report to Departmentof Conservationand Land Management. Griswold,C,E. (1987).The African membersof the trap-doorspider family Migidae (Araneae:Mygalomorphae) 1: the genus O. P. Cambridge,1875. Antnls of theNatal Museum 2E: 1-118. Main, B.Y. (1991).Occurrence of the trapdoorspider genus Moggridgea in Australia with descriptionof two new species(Araneae: Mygalomorphae: Mgidae). Jourrnl of Natural History 25: 383-397.

Main, B.Y. and Gaull, K. (1992). Responseof trapdoor spiders to fire in the Stirling Range. Report to Departmentof Conservationand Land Management. t^l ao Eo l'i ^ !):

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Table 4. Criteria usedfor assessingthe demographicstatus ofpopulations and prognosisfor recoverypotential (if a burnt site) or persistence(if an unbumt site). SlNd: smallto mediumdoors (i.e. door diametersup to 4. 0 mm) IV/L : mediumto largedoors (i.e. door diametergreater than 4.0 mm).

Demographicstatus No. presentper 5 x 1 m transector Recoverypotential or per m' persistencelikelihood Good >10 and>25% S/lvI Yes Moderate >10 and<25% S/lvI Yes Fair 5 to l0 and S/M andlvf/l present Likely Poor <5 and S/IvIand lvl/L present Unlikely Terminat <5 and S/IVIonly present Unlikely (I)

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PlateI FemaleMoggridgea sp. S fiom Toolbrunup.Note heavyspination on anteriorlegs and two rows ofwidespreadeyes. Photograph by liri and Marie Lochman.

Plate2 FennteEucyrtops sp. from BlutrKnoll. Note densescopula (brushes of hairs)on anteriorlegs. Photo$aph by Jiri andMarie Lochman. 44

Plate 3 An opendoor and entranceofbvrow of Moggridgea sp. S at Toolbrunup.Note downward"hang" ofdoor. Photographby Jiri and Marie Lochman.

Plate 4 Aggregationof Moggridgeasp. S burrowsat Toolbrunup,some doors opened.Note various orientatiofu of openings.Photograph by Jiri and MarieLochman. 45

Plate 5 Closedplug-like door of Eucyrtopssp. from BlutrKnoll. Photographby Jiri andMarie Lochman.

Plate 6 Openplug-like d oor of Euqtrtops sp. from BluffKnoll. photographby Jiri andMarie Lochman.

:} 46

Plate 7 ClosedwaferJik e door of Eucyrtopssp. from Moingup Creek. Photographby Jiri andMarie Lochman.

Plate8 OpenwaferJike door of Eucyrtopssp. from MoingupCreek. Photograph by Jiri andMarie Lochman. 47

Plate 9 An opennest, without door, of Moggridgea sp.P at south end of Mllinup Pass,showing slightly angledrim of openingand the bulbous outline of the nest.Photograph by WesternAustralian Museum.

? 48

Map I Known distributiot of Moggridgeasp. S in Stirling RangesNational Park.

Map2 Localitiesin the Stirling RangesNational Park from whichMoggridgea sp.S wasnot located(o) or is suspected(*).

Map 3 Known distributioi of Moggridgeasp. P in PorongurupsNational Park.

Map 4 Known distributionof Moggridgeasp. S in Stirling RangesNational Park (l:50 000map; situated ia separatePostpak).

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