This Conservation Advice was approved by the Minister / Delegate of the Minister on: 3/07/2008.
Approved Conservation Advice (s266B of the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999). Approved Conservation Advice for Rheodytes leukops (Fitzroy Tortoise)
This Conservation Advice has been developed based on the best available information at the time this conservation advice was approved. Description
Rheodytes leukops, Family Cheluidae, also known as the Fitzroy Tortoise and Fitzroy River Turtle, is a light to dark brown turtle growing up to 26 cm with scattered darker spots and blotches, a pale yellow or cream belly, and dull olive-grey exposed fleshy parts. It has a distinct narrow white inner ring around the eye, and the shell and neck are covered with large, pointed conical tubercles. Conservation Status Rheodytes leukops is listed as vulnerable. This species is eligible for listing as vulnerable under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (Cwlth) (EPBC Act) as, prior to the commencement of the EPBC Act , it was listed as vulnerable under Schedule 1 of the Endangered Species Protection Act 1992. The species is also listed as vulnerable under the Nature Conservation Act 1999 (Queensland). Distribution and Habitat Rheodytes leukops is only found in the Fitzroy River and its tributaries (EPA, 2007). Known sites include Boolburra, Gainsford, Glenroy Crossing, Theodore, Baralba, the Mackenzie River, the Connors River, Duaringa, Marlborough Ck, and Gogango (Cogger et al., 1993; Covacevich et al., 1996; Tucker et al., 2001; Venz, 2001). Rheodytes leukops occurs in flowing rivers with large deep pools with rocky, gravelly or sandy substrates, connected by shallow riffles (Cogger et al., 1993; EPA, 2007; Latta & Latta, 2005). It is a benthic feeder whose diet consists of insects, macro-invertebrates, crustaceans, algae, gastropods, worms, freshwater sponges and aquatic plants (Latta & Latta, 2005). Preferred areas have high water clarity, and are often associated with Ribbonweed (Vallisneria sp.) beds (Cogger et al., 1993). Common riparian vegetation includes Blue Gums (Eucalyptus tereticornis), River Oaks (Casuarina cunninghamiana), Weeping Bottlebrushes (Callistemon viminalis) and paperbarks (Melaleuca linariifolia) (Tucker et al., 2001). This species occurs within the Fitzroy (Queensland) Natural Resource Management Region. The distribution of this species is not known to overlap with any EPBC Act-listed threatened ecological communities. Threats The main identified threats to Rheodytes leukops include loss and disturbance of habitat from agriculture (particularly cotton and cattle farming); mining and salinity; damming of rivers; and pollution and siltation of rivers and creeks habitats (Cogger et al., 1993; EPA, 2007; Latta & Latta, 2005). One of the most significant threats comes from predation of eggs. Breeding is being undermined because communal nesting sites along river banks are now heavily exploited by foxes (Vulpes vulpes), pigs (Sus scrofa), dingos (Canis lupus), cats (Felus catus), goannas (Varanus gouldii) and water rats (Hydromys chrysogaster), with over 90 per cent of nests being lost to predation - the turtle population now consists almost entirely of adults, with no juveniles recruiting into the population (C. Limpus, pers. comm. in Norris & Low, 2005). Fishing and recreational boats may also cause injury or mortality (EPA, 2007).
Rheodytes leukops Conservation Advice - Page 1 of 4 This Conservation Advice was approved by the Minister / Delegate of the Minister on: 3/07/2008. Research Priorities Research priorities that would inform future regional and local priority action include: • Undertake survey work in suitable habitat and potential habitat to locate any additional populations. • Undertake research into developing appropriate protection methods to ensure higher survival of eggs and hatchlings. • Develop and implement a monitoring program (including consideration of reproductive success).
Regional Priority Actions The following regional priority recovery and threat abatement actions can be done to support the recovery of Rheodytes leukops. Habitat Loss, Disturbance and Modification • Identify populations of high conservation priority. • Protect areas of riparian habitat where populations of Rheodytes leukops are known or have the potential to occur. • Ensure mining operations and other infrastructure or development activities in areas where Rheodytes leukops occurs do not impact on known populations. • Manage, in such a manner that there is no detrimental impact, any changes to hydrology that may result in changes to the water table levels, increased run-off, sedimentation or pollution, particularly from cotton/grazing production. • Investigate formal conservation arrangements such as the use of covenants, conservation agreements or inclusion in reserve tenure. Trampling • Develop and implement a stock management plan along riparian habitats and travelling stock routes. Animal Predation • Develop a management plan to be implemented for the control and eradication of foxes, pigs, dingoes and cats around breeding colonies of the Fitzroy River turtle (Norris & Low, 2005). Conservation Information • Raise awareness of Rheodytes leukops within the local community, particularly with boat owners to minismize boat strike (EPA, 2007). Enable Recovery of Additional Sites and/or Populations • Improve recruitment of hatchling into the population. • Maintain stream flow and the continuity of turtle populations between impoundments.
Local Priority Actions The following local priority recovery and threat abatement actions can be done to support the recovery of Rheodytes leukops. Habitat Loss, Disturbance and Modification • Monitor known populations to identify key threats. • Monitor the progress of recovery, including the effectiveness of management actions and the need to adapt them if necessary. • Control access routes to suitably constrain public access to known sites on public land. • Suitably control and manage access to nest sites on private land.
Rheodytes leukops Conservation Advice - Page 2 of 4 This Conservation Advice was approved by the Minister / Delegate of the Minister on: 3/07/2008. • Adequately consider the requirements and protection of this species in all proposals for impoundment developments. • Minimise adverse impacts from land use at known sites. • Protect populations of Rheodytes leukops through the development of conservation agreements and/or covenants. • Maintain nesting banks used by the turtles and protect turtle nests from predation and disturbance. • Improve water quality in the lower Fitzroy River catchment. Trampling • Prevent trampling and riparian habitat damage by grazing animals at known sites on leased crown land through exclusion fencing or other barriers. Animal Predation • Manage threats at known sites in reserve areas to control pigs, foxes and cats. • Manage threats at known sites on private property to control pigs, foxes and cats.
Enable recovery of additional sites and/or populations • Develop ex situ breeding population. • Evaluate the efficacy of removing eggs from the wild, hatching them in artificial sites, and returning hatchlings to the wild.
This list does not necessarily encompass all actions that may be of benefit to the Fitzroy Tortoise, but highlights those that are considered to be of highest priority at the time of preparing the conservation advice.
Existing Plans/Management Prescriptions that are Relevant to the Species • Threat Abatement Plan for Predation by Feral Cats (EA, 1999a), • Threat Abatement Plan for Predation by European Red Fox (EA, 1999b), • Threat Abatement Plan for Predation, Habitat Degradation, Competition and Disease Transmission by Feral Pigs (EA, 2005), • The Action Plan for Australian Reptiles (Cogger et al., 1993), and • Review of the management of feral animals and their impact on biodiversity in the Rangelands: A resource to aid NRM planning (Norris & Low, 2005). These prescriptions were current at the time of publishing; please refer to the relevant agency’s website for any updated versions.
Information Sources:
Cogger, H, G 2000, Reptiles and Amphibians of Australia - 6th edition, Reed New Holland, Sydney.
Cogger, HG, Cameron, EE, Sadlier, RA & Eggler, P 1993, The Action Plan for Australian Reptiles, Australian Nature Conservation Agency, ANCA, Canberra.
Covacevich, JA, Couper PJ & McDonald, KR 1996a, Reptiles of Queensland's Brigalow Biogeographic Region: Distributions, Status and Conservation, pp 148. ANCA. ANCA, Canberra. Environment Australia (EA) 1999a, Threat Abatement Plan for Predation by Feral Cats, Biodiversity Group, Environment Australia, viewed 16 January 2008,
Norris, A, & Low, T 2005, Review of the management of feral animals and their impact on biodiversity in the Rangelands: A resource to aid NRM planning, Pest Animal Control CRC Report 2005, Pest Animal Control CRC, Canberra available online at
Tucker, AD, Limpus, CJ, Priest, TE, Cay, J, Glen, C & Guarino, E 2001, Home ranges of Fitzroy River turtles (Rheodytes leukops) overlap riffle zones: potential concerns related to river regulation’, Biological Conservation, vol. 102, no 2, pp 71-181.
Venz, M 2001, The Fitzroy River Turtle (Rheodytes leukops), Venz, M., M. Mathieson & M Schulz, eds. Dawson Floodplain Fauna Report. Department of Natural Resources. Dept. Natural Resources, Brisbane.
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