The conservation status of dragonflies (Odonata) from southeastern Australia

6 Pages·1997·0.3 MB·English

by  J. H. Hawking

Memoirs ofthe Museum ofVictoria 56(2):537-542 (1997) 28 February 1997
https://doi.org/10.24199/j.mmv.1997.56.48
THE CONSERVATION STATUS OF DRAGONFLIES (ODONATA)
FROM SOUTH-EASTERN AUSTRALIA
John H. Hawking
Cooperative Research Centre for Freshwater Ecology, Murray-Darling Freshwater Research Centre, P.O.
Box 921, Albury, NSW 2640, Australia
Abstract
Hawking, J.H., 1997. Theconservation statusofdragonflies(Odonata) from south-eastern
Australia. Memoirs ofthe Museum ofVictoria 56(2): 537-542.
The conservation status ofthe dragonflies from south-eastern Australia is documented
and the species with limited distributions and/or larval habitats which are vulnerable are
discussed. One hundred and seven species are recorded from South Australia, Victoria,
Tasmania and southern New South Wales. No species is considered endangered, but nine
specieshavehighconservationpriority.ThesespeciesareendemictoAustraliaandallhave
restricteddistributions.Thevulnerabilityofthelarvalhabitatsisdiscussedandsuggestions
fortheirconservation and management are made.
Introduction measures to be implemented. Conservation
statusoftheodonatespecies isevaluated on the
At present, 305 species ofOdonata (damselflies basis ofthe categories adopted from the IUCN
and dragonflies) are known from Australia Red Data Book by Hill and Michaelis (1988).
(Watson et al., 1991, Theischinger, pers. The categories are:
coram.). Of these, approximately 40% are (a) Endangeredspeciesareinseriousriskofdis-
endemic, and many can be considered as appearing within two decades if present
southern species, possibly Gondwanan relicts causal factors continue;
(Watson and O'Farrell, 1991). Most of the (b) Vulnerable species are endangered over a
endemic species are uncommon, and restricted longer time or extremely localised and or
in distribution. These two factors suggest vul- patchy in distribution;
nerability to change and therefore their conser- (c) Rarespeciesarenotcurrentlythreatenedbut
vation status should be evaluated. In contrast, are extremely localised or patchy in distri-
the non-endemics are generally common and bution;
have much wider distributions. For this reason (d) Indeterminatespeciesaresuspectedofbeing
the conservation ofthese species should not be threatenedbuttoopoorlyknowntoassignto
ignored, but given a lower status. one ofthe preceding categories.
The IUCN Invertebrate Red Data Book
(leWbeilalsmeitraalb.i,li1s98S3e)lylisstaesdtehneddaanmgseerlefdl,yHtheemiopnhl-y Species considered ofconservation significance
Australian odonatesolisted. Hill and Michaehs Watson et al. (1991) recorded 107 odonate
(1988) listed Archipetalia auriculata Tillyard species from south-eastern Australia and from
and Hemiphlebia mirabilis as threatened and these nine (Table I) have been identified as
another 14species(ofwhichonlyAustroaeschna worthy ofconservation evaluation based on the
hardyi Tillyard and Synthemiopsis gomphoma- rarity and restricted distribution.
cromioidesTillyard occur in south-eastern Aus- Hemiphlebiidae Hemiphlebia mirabilis Selys
tralia), which the late Dr J.A.L. Watson Hemiphlebia mirabilis was first positively
suggested were of significant conservation recorded in the early 1900s from Alexandra,
value. Victora and has been recorded sporadically
Only limited attention has been given to the from this location since (Trueman et al., 1992).
conservation ofAustralian Odonata, except for Apopulationwasdiscovered onWilsons Prom-
eHveamliupahtleetbhieacominrsaebrivlaits.ioTnhsitsatpuaspoefrtahtetOedmoptnsattao ostnutdoireyd(Dianvcioens,sid1e98r5a)b,leanddetaitisle(cSoalnotgyahnadsNbeewe,n
from south-eastern Australia, listthethreatened 1988; New, 1993). The recorded distribution of
species, identify the species habitats, list the this species has greatly expanded with sub-
threatstoeach speciesand suggest conservation sequent discoveries in Tasmania (Trueman et
537
538 J.H. HAWKING
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CONSERVATION STATUS OF DRAGONFLIES 539
al., 1992) and King Island (Endersby, 1993). Austropetaliidae Archipetalia auriculata
During the preceeding two decades this species Tillyard
was believed to be extinct and subsequently Tillyard (1917) collected the first specimens
placed on the endangered list in the IUCN ofArchipetalia auriculata from Cradle Moun-
Invertebrate Red Data Book. The recent papers tain, north-west Tasmania, at an elevation
of Trueman et al. (1992) and Watson (1995) between 1100 and 1500 m, and considered it
suggested that since H. mirabilis is now known very rare. Allbrook (1979) listed A. auriculata
to have a more extensive distribution, it can no from nine sites in the highlands of Tasmania,
longerbe regarded asendangered. Althoughthis considering its distribution restricted and rare.
species has awiderdistribution than previously The larvae are also rare. They occur in shallow
thought, it is uncommon at the known sites streams, under exposed rocks and crevices in
(Hawkingunpublisheddata)and isappraisedas fallen timber (Allbrook 1979). This species is
rare. regarded as rare. Conservation appears plaus-
Megapodagrionidae Austroargiolestes isabellae ible as these collection sites are all in either the
Theischinger and O'Farrell Southwest National Park or Cradle Mountain
Austroargiolestes isabellae has only recently Park. Hill and Michaelis(1988)listed the major
beenrecognisedasadiscretespecies(Theischin- threats as water pollution and fire.
gerandO'Farrell, 1986). Itappearstoberestric- Austropetaliidae Austropetalia patricia and A.
ted totheSydney area and the Blue Mountains, tonyana
wsihdeerreeditrairse.neWvaetrsocnoemtmaol.n,(a19n9d1)shliosutleddibteshcaobni-- ofTiAlulsytarrodpe(1ta9l0i9a)dpeastcrriicbieadtfhreoamdulLteuarnad,laBrlvuaee
tnaottabsesetnrereacmosganinsdedb,ogagnydsjeuedpgaignegs.frTohmetlhaervraarhiatsy Mountains and considered it an extremely rare
species. Theischinger (1995) has re-examined
ofthe adult, the larva will, most probably, also the known specimens ofA. patricia and from
berare,and itshabitatwillprobablybeunusual. them described a new species, A. tonyana. Col-
This species is classified as rare, based on the lectively these species occur along the Great
restricted distribution and rarity of the adult, Dividing Range in Victoria and New South
and that the identity and habitat ofthe larva is Wales,withA. tonyanaoccurringfromCanberra
unknown.
south, and A. patricia north from the Blue
Gomphidae Austrogomphus angeli Tillyard Mountains. Thelarvae occupyan unusualhabi-
Austrogomphusangeliisalittleknownspecies tat, beingfound on logs oramongst moss in the
forwhich only about five adult specimens have splash zones of waterfalls. Many ofthe collec-
been recorded. Thesewere collected overa sub- tion sites are protected as they occur in conser-
stantial length of the River Murray (900 km vation areas, but sites outside these areas could
from Morgan, SA to Corowa, NSW) (Watson, be affected by forestry activities. These two
1991). They were—recorded over a long time archaicspeciesareseldomcollected,eitherasan
period: 58 years Morgan (1909), Renmark adult or larva, and are considered uncommon.
(1948), Wentworth (1967) and Corowa (1967) These species are listed as rare.
(Watson, 1991). Watson (1991) recorded its
adult habitat as mature, slow-flowing parts of Petaluridae Petalura gigantea Leach
the river, suggesting that the larva may in fact Petalura gigantea is Australia's largest
not be a stream-dweller. Hawking (1986) dragonfly and itslarvaelivein burrowsopening
recorded the larva and its habitat as unknown. above water level (Tillyard, 1909). At present
This speciesmust be given high conservation this species is only known from threelocations:
status, due to the limited numbers of adults Katoomba (Blue Mountains National Park),
having been collected and the larva not being Audley (Royal National Park) and Wingecarri-
collected. There isuncertaintywith thisspecies' bee Swamp, Robertson. Specimens have been
existenceand it islisted as indeterminate until a collected from near Tillyard's original site at
detailed survey can be undertaken. The distri- Leura in the Blue Mountains and exuviae have
butionofthisspeciescorrespondstoasection of been found in the Royal National Park, almost
RiverMurraythatisunderseverepressurefrom two years after the January 1994 bush fires
urban development (mainly building of destroyed 95% of the vegetation in the park
holiday villages) and many agricultural (Theischinger, pers. comm.). The population at
activities (especially salination from irrigation Wingecarribee Swamp may have become
extinct, as neither adult nor larval stages have
practices).
540 J.H. HAWKING
been found recently. Wingecarribee Swamp is sites and suggested that this species was restric-
under threat from 'peat mining' operations ted to the swampy buttongrass plains at all alti-
which is destroying the larval habitat, through tudes, where it is locally common. Sant and
machinery removing the peat from the swamp Hayes (1990) agreed with Allbrook, reporting
and by the machinery clearing vegetation from adults locally abundant in the Pelion area.
theperimeteroftheswamp.Thisspeciesislisted Cradle Mountain and in the Mount Melaleuca
as rare. area. Many ofthe collection sites ofthis species
are in the Southwest National Park or Cradle
Corduliidae Archaeophya adamsi Fraser Mountain Park. This species is listed as rare.
Archaeophya adamsi is possibly the rarest
dragonfly in south-eastern Australia. Only five
adults of A. adamsi have been recorded; the Discussion
holotype from Edungalba, Queensland, three The nine species investigated are all worthy of
specimens from Berowra Creek, near Hornsby concern, having met the criteria to be given a
and one male from Somersby Falls near Gos- conservation status ranking. Hill and Michaelis
ford, both sites in New South Wales(Theischin- (1988) listed four species (//. mirabilis, A. aur-
ger and Watson, 1978). This species appears to iculaia, S. gomphomacromioides and Aus-
havedisappeared from theEdungalbaand Bero- troaeschnahardyi)from south-eastern Australia
wraCreeksitesand possiblyonlyexistsatSome- as of conservation concern and the first three
rby Falls (Theischinger, pers. comm.). Fortu- species are listed as noteworthy species in this
nately the Somersby Falls site lies within the paper. Howeverthe last species,A. hardyi, has a
BrisbaneWaterNational Park. Thusthenatural wide distribution and is not given conservation
habitat is being preserved, furthering the popu- status.Afurtherseven species(Austroargiolesles
lations survival. However the site is under isabellae,Austrogomphusangeli, Austrocordulia
increasing pressure from agricultural activities, leonardi, Austropetaliapatricia, A. tonyana and
dairyingandfruitgrowing,which are increasing Archaeophya adamsi), not listed by Hill and
in the upper catchment immediately up- Michaelis (1988), have been selected in this
stream of the park. This species is listed as paper, for recommendation of conservation
vulnerable. status. Archaeophya adamsi is classified as vul-
nerable,Austrogomphusangeliasindeterminate
TChoeridsuclhiiindgaeerAustrocordulia leonardi anMdutchhe otohferthseevAeunstsrpaelciieasn aosdroanraet(eTafbaluen2a).is
Austrocordulia leonardi is a recent discovery. endemicand unique. Allthespeciesselectedare
It was found in 1968 in low numbers from the endemic and have strong Gondwanan links.
Woronora River and Kangaroo Creek, south of These relict dragonflies have veryrestricted dis-
Sydney (Theischinger, 1973). It seems to have tributions, their larvae are relict forms, and are
disappeared from the Woronora River as the found in unusual and different habitats (splash-
result ofthe Army demolishing a small weiron zones ofwaterfalls, burrows etc.) (Table 1).
the river. Further investigations have revealed Archaeophya adamsi is probably the rarest
populationsontheNepean Riverat Maldonand dragonfly in south-eastern Australia and should
at Audley in the Royal National Park (Theis- receive prompt conservation attention to estab-
chinger, pers.comm. 1995).Thediscoveryofthe lish its distribution and habitat, and only then
population in the Royal National Park will aid can preservation measures be implemented.
theconservation ofthisspecieswhich hasa very Austrogomphusangelihasbeenlistedasindeter-
restricted distribution and is listed as rare. In minate, due to only a few specimens being col-
contrast, its congenerA. refracta has a wide dis- lected, and these occurred over a wide range.
tribution and is extremely common. Thestatuscan beestablished formallyonlyafter
intensivecollecting has been conducted and the
Corduliidae Synthemiopsis
species distribution, and larval identity and
gomphomacromioides Tillyard
habitat are determined.
Tillyard (1917) originally collected Synthem- Habitatconservation ishamperedinthecases
iopsisgomphomacromioidesfromCradleMoun- of Austroargiolestes isabellae and Austrogom-
tain, north-west Tasmania, at an elevation of phus angeli because their larvae are not known
1500 m. Hegavedetailstodistinguish thelarva, and their ecology can not be characterised.
but since then no larvae have been positively Without this information recommendations to
identified. Allbrook (1979) listed 19 collection conserve their habitats cannot be suggested.
CONSERVATION STATUS OF DRAGONFLIES 541
Table 2. The suggested conservation status ofeach species and conservation priorities for their
habitats.
Species Status Conservation priorities
Hemiphlebia mirabilis rare preserve the known habitats
Austroargiolestes isabellae rare identify the larva and its habitat
Austrogomphus angeli indeterminate identify the larva and its habitat,
determine its distribution
Archipetalia auriculata rare preserve the known habitats
Austropetalia patricia rare preserve the known habitats
A. tonyana rare preserve the known habitats
Petalura gigantea rare preserve the known habitats
Archaeophya adamsi vulnerable establish the distribution and habitat
S. gomphomacromioid.es rare identify the larva and its habitat
All the species suggested, except A. angeli, are economic activity and the natural habitats of
found in montane areas, generally within many dragonflies being destroyed. Preservation
National Parks or in State Parks (//. mirabilis), of habitats is urgent, but in the specific cases
and with continued preservation and monitor- treated here, sitescannotberecommended until
ing, these populations should remain viable. In the distributions and ecology ofthe rare species
contrastA. angelioccursalongthelowerreaches are known. Thiscan be achieved through initial
of the River Murray, an area which has been surveys which should initiated immediately to
heavily effected by salination from intensive determine the identity and ecology of the
irrigation and with very little chance of the unknown larvae;andthedistribution and popu-
degraded land being rehabilitated. lation size ofrare species.
Much ofthe distributional dataon Australian From larval and ecological information, the
dragonfliesonwhichthispaperisbased, hasnot following conservation recommendations can
been derived from commissioned surveys, but be suggested:
from naturalist collectors, post-graduate 1. Conservation of natural aquatic and terres-
research students or scientists like Dr J.A.L. trialhabitatbyincludingthesitesinNational
Watson.Thistypeofcollectinghelpstobuild up Parksorasnaturereserves,bypurchasingthe
databases of distributional information over a site ifit is on private land;
period oftime, but cannot provide the detailed 2. Controlpollution dischargestoaquatic habi-
informationofwell designedcommissioned sur- tats through co-operatinon with the relevant
veys, such asthe survey ofthedragonfliesofthe private land owners and the states Environ-
Kakadu National Park conducted by CSIRO mental Protection Agency;
staff (Watson and Abbey, 1980). Detailed sur- 3. Transferofconservation knowledge through
veys should therefore be undertaken initially to education ofnon-specialists and children;
establish the true status ofthese species. Once 4. Monitorthesuccess, orfailures, ofthe above
the status is known, conservation procedures conservation measures and modify when
can be implemented. necessary.
Currently there is no conservation strategy to Conservation of Odonata depends on the pro-
preserveouruniqueAustraliadragonflies. Inthe tection ofthe adult and larval habitats which in
past the major conservation emphasis has been many cases are very susceptible to destruction
directedtothepreservationof//, mirabilis(New from urban and rural development.
1993) and only recently Sydney Water has had
Wingecarribee Swamp (a known habitat of P. Acknowledgments
gigantea) listed on the Australian Heritage I would liketothankDrT.R. New forproviding
Council's Register ofthe National Estate. advice on conservation methods and his com-
ments on thedraftsofthis paper, Ms F.J. Smith
and J.I. Thompson for their comments on the
Conclusions and recommendations drafts, DrP. Horwitzforprovidingliteratureon
The conservation ofAustralia Odonata has not conservation issues and the valuable comments
developed at the same rate as urban expansion. from the referees.
542 J.H. HAWKING
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