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Description |
Geographic Range [top]
Range Description: This species is widely distributed in Australia, from southeast New South Wales along the east and north coasts to Kalbarri, Western Australia, with a geographically isolated distribution in central Australia (Puslednik et al. 2009). It is absent from southern Australia and Tasmania. This species has also been recorded in New Guinea (Puslednik et al. 2009).
Countries occurrence:
Native:
Australia (Australian Capital Territory, New South Wales, Northern Territory, Queensland, South Australia, Western Australia); Indonesia (Papua); Papua New Guinea (Papua New Guinea (main island group))
Additional data:
Range Map: Click here to open the map viewer and explore range.
Population [top]
Population: This species is widespread in Australia, but some surveys have found declines in recent decades. Koch (2004) found reductions in distribution and abundance of this species between 1986 and 2000-2003 in the New England Tablelands, New South Wales. This is likely due to an extensive drought from January 2002 onwards, with higher livestock numbers and clearing of vegetation combining to reduce available habitat, lower water tables and increase agricultural pollution (Koch 2004).
However, high densities have been found in temporary ponds in the Ross River reservoir system (up to 45 ind. m-2, Kay et al. 1999), and this species is common in New South Wales rice fields (Ricewild 2004). In the Coongie Lake system in South Australia, this species is found in abundance on water primose Ludwigia peploides (Timms 2001).
Current Population Trend: Stable
Additional data:
? Population severely fragmented: No
Habitat and Ecology [top]
Habitat and Ecology: This generalist species inhabits ponds, lakes, swamps and slow-flowing creeks and streams (ABRS 2009). It also inhabits rice fields (Ricewild 2004). It appears to require vegetation in order to inhabit certain habitats (Kay et al. 1999). Peak abundance was found to occur in temporary ponds in the late dry season (September to November) in the Ross River Reservoir system, Northern Territory (Hurley et al. 1995).
Systems: Freshwater
Threats [top]
Major Threat(s): This species may be threatened at a local level by waterdrawdown and habitat degradation from agriculture and urbanisation (S. Clark pers. comm. 2010). However, it is not threatened globally.
Conservation Actions [top]
Conservation Actions: This species is classed Data Deficient on Schedule 1 of the Conservation Status of Animals of the Northern Territory (Northern Territory Government 2007). Further work is needed to resolve taxonomic uncertainties within this species-group.
Citation: Clark, S. 2011. Austropeplea lessoni. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2011: e.T189253A8707114. http://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2011-2.RLTS.T189253A8707114.en. Downloaded on 14 December 2018.
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