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Advice from the Threatened Species Scientific Committee

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Advice from the Threatened Species Scientific Committee The Threatened Species Scientific Committee agreed that this species was eligible to be retained as vulnerable on 3 December 2009 Advice from the Threatened Species Scientific Committee (the Committee) on the list of Threatened Species under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (EPBC Act) 1. Reason for Conservation Assessment by the Committee This advice follows assessment of new information on: Pseudomys pilligaensis (Pilliga mouse) 2. Summary of Species Details Taxonomy Though recent genetic work suggests this species is a southern population of the non-significant Pseudomys delicatulus (Ford, 2008, cited in Van Dyck and Strahan, 2008), this is not conventionally accepted. State Listing Status This species is listed as endangered under the New South Wales Threatened Species Conservation Act 1995. Description A small rodent with grey fur and a white belly. Its dark tail ends with a small, black tuft. This species grows to 8 cm long, with a tail to 8 cm long, and can weigh up to 12 g. It is distinguished from other similar mice by its relatively long hindfeet (Fox and Brisco 1980). Distribution Known only from the type locality in Pilliga, NSW, and three other nearby sites all in the immediate surrounding area (Fox and Brisco, 1980). This includes the Pilliga Nature Reserve and the adjacent Pilliga State Forest (Lee, 1995). This area is known as the Pilliga scrub (Tokushima et al., 2008). Relevant Biology/Ecology This species exhibits irruptive demography (Ford, 2008). One survey observed an irruptive population in post fire habitat during a high rainfall period (Tokushima et al. 2008). It is unknown which of these factors is more important: rainfall, and associated food availability, is known to lead to population increases in arid and semi arid rodents; similarly, other rodent species have shown higher population densities in areas of regenerating vegetation (Tokushima et al., 2008). Threats Known The main identified threats to the Pilliga Mouse include loss or degradation of habitat through inappropriate fire regimes, forestry operations and broombrush harvesting; predation by Felis catus (feral cats) and Vulpes vulpes (foxes); and competition from the Mus musculus (common house mouse) (TSSC, 2008). Potential There are no known potential threats. 3. Public Consultation Notice of the proposed amendment was made available for public comment for 30 business days. Any comments received that are relevant to the survival of the species have been considered by the Committee. Pseudomys pilligaensis (Pilliga mouse) Listing Advice Page 1 of 4 The Threatened Species Scientific Committee agreed that this species was eligible to be retained as vulnerable on 3 December 2009 4. How judged by the Committee in relation to the EPBC Act criteria and Regulations Criterion 1: It has undergone, is suspected to have undergone or is likely to undergo in the immediate future a very severe, severe or substantial reduction in numbers Not eligible Criterion element Evidence Reduction in numbers Insufficient data – The species undergoes population irruptions which have been observed in disturbed (including post fire) habitats during high rainfall periods. Peak densities occur approximately 20 months following disturbance events. Population declines, following a peak, are rapid and may be the result of shortage of food, social suppression of reproduction, predation and disease (Tokushima et al., 2008). Criterion 2: Its geographic distribution is precarious for the survival of the species and is very restricted, restricted or limited Not eligible Criterion element Evidence Geographic distribution Limited – This species known only to occur within the Pilliga Scrub, an area less that 8000 km2 (Fox and Briscoe, 1980). AND Geographic distribution Insufficient data – Known from a limited distribution and several precarious threats have been identified, though their impact is not known. Criterion 3: The estimated total number of mature individuals is very low, low or limited; and either (a) evidence suggests that the number will continue to decline at a very high, high or substantial rate; or (b) the number is likely to continue to decline and its geographic distribution is precarious for its survival Not eligible Criterion element Evidence Total no. of mature No data individuals AND Continued rate of decline Insufficient data – See Criterion 1 OR Total no. of mature No data Pseudomys pilligaensis (Pilliga mouse) Listing Advice Page 2 of 4 The Threatened Species Scientific Committee agreed that this species was eligible to be retained as vulnerable on 3 December 2009 individuals AND Continued decline likely Insufficient data – See Criterion 2 AND Geographic distribution Insufficient data – See Criterion 2 precarious Criterion 4: The estimated total number of mature individuals is extremely low, very low or low Not eligible Criterion element Evidence Total no. of mature No data individuals Criterion 5: Probability of extinction in the wild that is at least (a) 50% in the immediate future; or (b) 20% in the near future; or (c) 10% in the medium-term future Not eligible Criterion element Evidence Probability of extinction in No data the wild 5. Recommendation The Committee recommends no amendment to the list referred to in section 178 of the EPBC Act and that Pseudomys pilligaensis remains eligible for inclusion in the vulnerable category of the list. Threatened Species Scientific Committee 3 December 2009 Pseudomys pilligaensis (Pilliga mouse) Listing Advice Page 3 of 4 The Threatened Species Scientific Committee agreed that this species was eligible to be retained as vulnerable on 3 December 2009 6. References cited in the advice Ford F (2008). Delicate Mouse Pseudomys delicatulus (Gould, 1842). In Van Dyck, S & Strahan, R (eds). The Mammals of Australia, Third Edition. Sydney: Reed New Holland. Fox, BJ and Briscoe, DA 1980, ‘Pseudomys pilligaensis, a new species of murid rodent from the Pilliga Scrub, northern New South Wales’, Australian Mammalogy 3: 109-126. Lee AK (1995). The Action Plan for Australian Rodents, Environment Australia: Canberra. Available on the Internet at: http://www.environment.gov.au/biodiversity/threatened/publications/action/rodents/index.html Threatened Species Scientific Committee (TSSC) (2008). Approved conservation advice for Pseudomys delicatulus (Pilliga mouse). Available on the Internet at: http://www.environment.gov.au/biodiversity/threatened/species/pubs/99-conservation- advice.pdf Tokushima H, Green SW and Jarman PJ (2008). Ecology of the rare but irruptive Pilliga mouse (Pseudomys pilligaensis). I. Population fluctuation and breeding season. Australian Journal of Zoology 56: 363-373. Pseudomys pilligaensis (Pilliga mouse) Listing Advice Page 4 of 4 .
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