Listing Statement for Beddomeia wiseae (Hydrobiid Snail (Blizzards Creek)) Beddomeia wiseae

Hydrobiid Snail (Blizzards Creek)

T A S M A N I A N T H R E A T E N E D S P E C I E S L I S T I N G S T A T E M E N T

Image © Karen Richards

Common name: Hydrobiid Snail (Blizzards Creek) Scientific name: Beddomeia wiseae (Ponder & Clark) Group: Invertebrate, Mollusca, Gastropoda, Sorbeoconcha, Hydrobiidae s.l.

Status: Threatened Species Protection Act 1995: vulnerable Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999: Not listed IUCN Red List: Vulnerable

Distribution: Endemic status: Endemic Tasmanian NRM Regions: Cradle Coast

Figure 1. The distribution of Beddomeia wiseae showing Plate 1. Specimen of Beddomeia wiseae (image NRM regions by Stephanie Clark for Winston Ponder). Scale = 1 mm

1 Threatened Species & Marine Section – Department of Primary Industries, Parks, Water and Environment

Listing Statement for Beddomeia wiseae (Hydrobiid Snail (Blizzards Creek))

SUMMARY The principal characters used to separate Beddomeia wiseae is a freshwater snail occurring in species of Beddomeia are the male and female Blizzards Creek Irishtown, Allens Creek reproductive systems. Irishtown, tributary of Duck River just south of Information on the breeding habits of B. wiseae, Roger River township, and Birthday Ck, as for most Beddomeia spp., is limited. Beddomeia tributary of Duck River. The species has a reproduce sexually, laying single eggs, contained narrow range, known only from four streams, within a capsule formed of sand grains secreted with a maximum 4 km separation between the together (Plate 2). The egg capsules of B. wiseae known sites, occurring in separated catchments. are typical of Beddomeia and are 0.90-1.03 mm in The threats to B. wiseae are associated with maximum length. Egg capsules of Beddomeia agricultural practices, resulting in habitat spp. are approximately 30% of adult body size. modification or degradation. B. wiseae may also Individual egg capsules have broad attachment be impacted by competition with and bases and are attached to the underside of displacement by the exotic species Potamopyrgus submerged stable rocks or allochthonous antipodarum (New Zealand hydrobiid). material. The period of egg incubation is The principal management objectives for unknown; however, eggs develop into fully B. wiseae include preventing the loss or formed juvenile snails prior to emergence from degradation of habitat supporting known capsules. There is currently no available populations, identification of new information on the fecundity of these species, subpopulations, increasing public awareness of although it is thought to be low, based on the the species, and improving its reservation status. proportions of egg capsules to snail abundance recorded at many sites (K. Richards, unpubl. IDENTIFICATION AND ECOLOGY data). B. wiseae is a member of the Hydrobiidae s.l., a B. wiseae is known from small streams near family of freshwater snails with cosmopolitan Irishtown, where they are located on distribution (sensu lato (s.l.) = in the broad sense; submerged allochthonous material (leaves, placement of Beddomeia with this family is wood) and stones, where it feeds actively, currently under review). B. wiseae is one of 37 grazing on periphyton. Field observations Beddomeia species listed as threatened on the indicate Beddomeia spp. have a preference for Tasmanian Threatened Species Protection Act 1995. the underside and lower margins of rocks and stream debris. Hydrobiid snails are small (1.0 -7.0 mm), often cryptic, species that are difficult to identify to While no specific life history information is species level in the field, being distinguished by available for B. wiseae, it is presumed to be a number of shell and anatomical characters. similar to other headwater stream-inhabiting They possess conical to compressed trochiform Beddomeia species. Species of Beddomeia are shells of between 4 and 8 whorls (Plate 1). capable of breeding throughout the year, with Their shells can be opaque to dark brown in no evidence of a seasonal reproductive peak colour, often depending on the age of the observed (Richards 2010). Some Beddomeia individual. The shells are most often smooth, species are known to live for over 5 years and but may possess faint sculpturing. Like a develop slowly, reaching sexual maturity only number of other Beddomeia species, B. wiseae has after 2-3 years (K. Richards unpubl. data). a conical shape. This shell is 2.71-3.05 mm Due to the method of reproduction, limited long, 1.76-1.98 mm wide, and has a protoconch fecundity and specific habitat requirements of about 1.75 whorls with no microsculpture. species of Beddomeia are unable to disperse The umbilicus is small, 0.10-0.20 mm wide. The widely, unlike other aquatic molluscs with a species is not in asexually dimorphic in length, free-swimming larval stage (Bryant & Jackson width or shape (Ponder et al. 1993). 1999). This apparent inability to disperse into new habitat renders these species vulnerable to several threatening processes.

2 Threatened Species & Marine Section – Department of Primary Industries, Parks, Water and Environment

Listing Statement for Beddomeia wiseae (Hydrobiid Snail (Blizzards Creek))

shell shape within some individual species may also lead to incorrect identification. The colour of individual shells is not a taxonomically useful character. Reproductive characteristics are used to separate species (Ponder et al. 1993), but this requires microscopic dissection. Confusion between the more conical of Beddomeia species and the exotic species Potamopyrgus antipodarum may also occur where these species co-occur.

DISTRIBUTION AND HABITAT B. wiseae occurs in Blizzards Creek Irishtown, Allens Creek Irishtown, tributary of Duck River just south of Roger River township, and Birthday Ck, tributary of Duck River (Figure 1, Plate 2. Egg capsule of Beddomeia sp., scale 200 µm Table 1). The species has a narrow range, (image © Karen Richards) known only from four streams, with a maximum 4 km separation between the known Survey techniques sites, occurring in separated catchments (Plate 3). The total length of stream in which B. wiseae is a small, cryptic species which can be the species occurs is unknown. Subpopulations difficult to tell apart from other species of occurring in the streams are separated by Beddomeia, and identification to species normally topography and inhospitable environments requires a specialist. A survey protocol guiding (large stream and cleared agricultural land). collection methods has been developed by DPIPWE and is available to ecological consultants via the DPIPWE website; however, only suitably qualified people capable of field identification of hydrobiids to genus-level should undertake surveys for Beddomeia.

Confusing species B. wiseae co-occurs with at least two species of Beddomeia (B. topsiae and an undescribed species) and up to five species of Austropyrgus (K. Richards, unpublished data); however, it can be readily distinguished from Austropyrgus in its markedly broader, larger shell and lack of operculum peg, a feature not possessed by any Plate 3. Habitat of Beddomeia wiseae (image by Beddomeia species. Due to their diminutive size Karen Richards) and distinguishing characters, Beddomeia and POPULATION PARAMETERS Phrantela species cannot easily be identified in Population estimates are not available. No the field; however, they are readily comprehensive surveys have as yet been distinguishable from most of the native undertaken to estimate the population size at freshwater genera. Shells of B. wiseae may be the known localities, although snail densities are confused with other species of Beddomeia of known to differ between streams. similar external appearance (B. zeehanensis, B. capensis, B. bowryensis, B. hullii), however the RESERVATION STATUS known geographic range of these species do Each of the known populations of B. wiseae not overlap with B. wiseae. The ‘plasticity’ of occur in streams occur on private property.

3 Threatened Species & Marine Section – Department of Primary Industries, Parks, Water and Environment

Listing Statement for Beddomeia wiseae (Hydrobiid Snail (Blizzards Creek))

Table 1. Population summary for Beddomeia wiseae Year last Extent of NRM 1:25 000 Location Tenure (first) subpopulation Abundance region* mapsheet recorded (ha) Blizzards Ck, Private Cradle (1989) Low to 1 Lileah Unknown Irishtown Property Coast 2004 Moderate Allens Ck, Private Cradle 2 Lileah 2004 Unknown Low Irishtown Property Coast Birthday Ck, Private Cradle 3 Lileah 1989 Unknown Low Scotchtown Rd Property Coast Tributary of Duck River, Private Cradle 4 Lileah 1995 Unknown Moderate Roger River Property Coast township *NRM region = Natural Resource Management region

CONSERVATION STATUS vegetation increases stream temperatures and siltation, thus reducing habitat suitability for B. wiseae was listed in 1995 as rare on the B. wiseae. Tasmanian Threatened Species Protection Act 1995. The species was uplisted to vulnerable in 2009, Interspecific competition from introduced following a review of available information, hydrobiids: An additional threat is interspecific meeting the criteria for listing criterion B, competition and displacement from the exotic specifically B1 (severely fragmented or known New Zealand species, Potamopyrgus antipodarum to exist at no more than 10 locations) and B2 in degraded waterways on the margins of (continuing decline inferred, observed or forested areas (K. Richards unpubl. data). projected, in extent of occurrence (area of P. antipodarum is known to co-occur with occupancy, quality of habitat and number of B. wiseae at some sites (K. Richards, unpubl. locations or subpopulations). data). Owing to the restricted subpopulations of B. wiseae, they are considered vulnerable to THREATS, LIMITING FACTORS & competition and displacement from MANAGEMENT ISSUES P. antipodarum, particularly as they occur in areas The principal identified threats to freshwater already subjected to water quality degradation molluscs are agricultural clearing, forestry, which is favoured by the exotic species mining and impoundment construction (Schreiber et al. 2003). (Ponder & Colgan 2002, Ponder & Walker Climate change: The trend towards a warmer 2003, Strong et al. 2008). For B. wiseae the climate and fluctuations in precipitation may limiting factors are associated with agricultural impact on the habitat availability for B. wiseae by practices, resulting in habitat modification or reducing stream flow and modification of degradation. This species is confined to small riparian vegetation communities. order streams subject to agricultural practices Stochastic risk: The fragmented distribution and consequently are at higher risk of being of the subpopulations of B. wiseae offer no impacted by habitat degradation and opportunity for genetic exchange between modification (Richards 2010). The known sites subpopulations, thus exposing the species to a occur in remnant native riparian vegetation in risk of extinction. cleared agricultural land. MANAGEMENT STRATEGY Habitat modification and destruction: B. wiseae occurs in areas subject to ongoing Management objectives anthropogenic disturbance brought about by agricultural practices; consequently it is highly The main objective for the management of the vulnerable to habitat destruction and B. wiseae is to decrease the risk of extinction by modification. Permanent removal of riparian maintaining the integrity of habitat at known 4 Threatened Species & Marine Section – Department of Primary Industries, Parks, Water and Environment

Listing Statement for Beddomeia wiseae (Hydrobiid Snail (Blizzards Creek)) sites through appropriate land management. To known range in potential habitat to locate achieve this, specific management objectives any additional subpopulations. include: • To improve protection of the species – provide information and extension support • Prevent the loss or degradation of habitat to relevant natural resource management supporting known populations; committees, local councils, government • Identify new subpopulations of the species; agencies, the local community and • Increase the level of information and data development proponents on the locality, available on the location, size and condition significance and management of hydrobiid of known subpopulations; species and potential habitat. • Improve the understanding of the • To increase understanding of the ecology of ecological requirements of the species; the species - conduct more precise • Improve reservation status and/or develop assessment of population size, distribution, management agreements with land ecological requirements and the relative managers to minimise the degradation of impacts of threatening processes. subpopulations. BIBLIOGRAPHY

What has been done? Bryant, S.L. and Jackson, J. (1999). Tasmania's Targeted surveys & monitoring: One Threatened Fauna Handbook: What, Where and targeted survey was undertaken for this species How to Protect Tasmania's Threatened Animals. in 2004 (K. Richards unpubl. data) for the Threatened Species Unit, Parks and Private Land Reserve Program. To date no Wildlife Service, Hobart. subsequent targeted surveys for the species have been conducted. Forest Practices Board. (2000). Forest Practices Code. Forest Practices Board, Hobart, Forestry management: B. wiseae is included in Tasmania. the Threatened Fauna Adviser, a decision-support system used by forest industry to take account Forest Practices Board. (2001). Threatened Fauna of threatened fauna in wood production forests Adviser. Expert System program, Forest managed under the Tasmanian Forest Practices Practices Authority and Department of Code (FPB 2000, 2001). Primary Industries, Water and Environment, Hobart. What is needed? Ponder, W.F, Clark, G.A., Miller, A C. and Toluzzi, A. (1993). On a major radiation of Recent studies have improved knowledge of the freshwater snails in Tasmania and eastern ecology of several headwater stream-inhabiting Victoria: a preliminary overview of the Beddomeia species (Richards 2010), however, a Beddomeia group (Mollusca: Gastropoda: complete understanding of the life-history of Hydrobiidae). Invertebrate Taxonomy, 7, Beddomeia spp. remains limited. The following 501−750. additional actions are recommended: Ponder, W.F and Walker, K.F. (2003). From • To improve protection of the species – mound springs to mighty rivers: The work with existing landholders to ensure conservation status of freshwater mollusks promotion of good hygiene practices for in Australia. Aquatic Ecosystem Health and equipment used in and around waterways Management, 6, 19−28. known to contain the species to improve Ponder, W.F. and Colgan, D.J. (2002). What water quality and to reduce translocation of makes a narrow-range taxon? Insights from exotic snail species. Australian freshwater snails. Invertebrate • To improve protection of the species – Systematics, 16, 571−582. undertake extension surveys outside the 5 Threatened Species & Marine Section – Department of Primary Industries, Parks, Water and Environment

Listing Statement for Beddomeia wiseae (Hydrobiid Snail (Blizzards Creek))

Richards, K. (2010). An Ecological, Cite as: Threatened Species & Marine Section Morphological and Molecular Investigation (2013). Listing Statement for Beddomeia wiseae of Beddomeia Species (Gastropoda: (Hydrobiidae s.l.). Department of Primary Hydrobiidae) in Tasmania. PhD Industries, Parks, Water and Environment, Dissertation, School of Zoology, Tasmania. University of Tasmania, Hobart. View: Schreiber, E.S.G., Quinn, G.P. and Lake, P.S. http://www.dpipwe.tas.gov.au/threatenedspecieslists (2003). Distribution of an alien aquatic Contact details: Threatened Species & Marine snail in relation to flow variability, human Section, Department of Primary Industries, activities and water quality. Freshwater Parks, Water and Environment, GPO Box 44, Biology, 48, 951−961. Hobart, Tasmania, Australia, 7001. Strong, E.E., Gargominy, O., Ponder, W.F. and Ph. (03) 6165 4340; fax (03) 6233 3477; Bouchet, P. (2008). Global diversity of [email protected] gastropods (Gastropoda: Mollusca) in freshwater. Hydrobiologia, 597, 149−166. Permit: A permit is required under the Tasmanian Threatened Species Protection Act 1995 to knowingly “take” (which includes kill, injure, Prepared in July 2010 by Karen Richards under catch, damage, destroy and collect), keep, trade the provisions of the Tasmanian Threatened Species in or process any specimen of a listed species. Protection Act 1995. Approved by the Secretary and published in November 2013.

6 Threatened Species & Marine Section – Department of Primary Industries, Parks, Water and Environment