Threatened Species Nomination Form
for amending the list of threatened species under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (EPBC Act)
2014/15 Assessment Period
The purpose of this form is to provide a nomination to the Threatened Species Scientific Committee (the Committee) for assessment of a non EPBC Act listed species/subspecies for inclusion on the list of threatened species or to nominate a species/subspecies for reassessment for consideration for listing in another category of threat.For a non-EPBC Act listed species to be eligible for listing as a threatened species it must be assessed as meeting at least one of the five criteria for listing. For a species already listed as threatened under the EPBC Act to be eligible for listing in a higher or lower category of threat it must be assessed as meeting at least one of the five criteria for a particular indicative threshold. For example, for a species listed as endangered to be found eligible for listing as critically endangered, it must meet the critically endangered indicative thresholds for at least one of the listing criteria.
If there is insufficient information to enable details to be provided because of a lack of scientific data or analysis please include any information that is available or provide a statement next to the relevant question identifying that the data or analysis is not available. Please provide references in your nomination to support information provided.
If you are nominating a species for removal from the list please complete the nomination form to delist a species.
The Committee recognises that completing a nomination form is demanding as a result of the information required by the Committee to undertake an assessment to determine the eligibility for listing. Nominators are encouraged to seek expert advice where appropriate to assist in the completion of the nomination form.
Important notes for completing this form
· Please complete the form as comprehensively as possible – it is important for the Committee to have as much information as possible, and the best case on which to judge a species’ eligibility against the EPBC Act criteria for listing.· Certain information in this nomination is required to be provided by Division 7.2 EPBC Regulations 2000 (www.environment.gov.au/epbc/about/index.html). Nominations that do not meet the EPBC Regulations can not be provided to the Committee for consideration. All required questions are included in this nominations form. If information to answer any of the questions in this form is NOT available please state this in your answer as this is sufficient to meet the requirements of the EPBC Regulations.
· Reference all information and facts, both in the text and in a reference list at the end of the form.
· The opinion of appropriate scientific experts may be cited as personal communication, with their approval, in support of your nomination. Please provide the name of the experts, their qualifications and contact details (including employment in a state agency, if relevant) in the reference list at the end of the form.
· If the species is considered to be affected by climate change, please refer to the Guidelines for assessing climate change as a threat to native species (Attachment B; Part B2).
· Identify any confidential material and explain the sensitivity.
· Note that the information in the nomination (but excluding any information specifically requested by you to remain confidential) will be made available to the public and experts for comment. However, your details as nominator will not be released, and will remain confidential.
· Figures, tables and maps can be included at the end of the form or prepared as separate electronic or hardcopy documents (referred to as appendices or attachments in your nomination).
· Cross-reference relevant areas of the nomination form where needed.
Note – Further detail to help you complete this form is provided at Attachment A.
If using this form in Microsoft Word, you can jump to this information by Ctrl+clicking the hyperlinks (in blue text).
Details of Nominated Species or Subspecies
1. NAME OF NOMINATED SPECIES (OR SUBSPECIES)
Scientific name: Hydrophis donaldiCommon name(s): Rough – scaled Sea Snake
2. CURRENT LISTING CATEGORY
What category is the species currently listed in under the EPBC Act? (If you are nominating the species for removal from the list, please complete the nomination form for removal from the list).X Not Listed Extinct Extinct in the wild Critically Endangered
Endangered Vulnerable Conservation dependent
3. 2013–2014 CONSERVATION THEME
Is the current conservation theme ‘terrestrial and marine flora and fauna that would benefit from national listing’ relevant to this nomination? If so, briefly explain how.NA
Transfer Information (for transferring of a species to another category)
Note: If the nomination is to transfer a species between categories please complete questions 4-6. If the nomination is for a new listing please proceed to question 7. If the nomination is to remove a species from the list, please use the delisting form.
4. REASON FOR THE NOMINATION FOR CATEGORY CHANGE
Please mark the boxes that apply by clicking them with your mouse.What is the reason for the nomination:
Genuine change of status New Knowledge Mistake Other
Taxonomic change – ‘split’ newly described ‘lumped’ no longer valid
5. INITIAL LISTING
Describe the reasons for the species’ initial listing and if available the criteria under which it was formerly considered eligible6. CHANGES IN SITUATION
With regard to the listing criteria, how have circumstances changed since the species was listed that now makes it eligible for listing in another category?Species Information
7. TAXONOMY
Provide any relevant detail on the species' taxonomy (e.g. authors of taxon or naming authority, year and reference; synonyms; Family and Order).Author, year: Ukuwela, K.D.B., Sanders, K.L., Fry, B.G. 2012
Synonyms: none
Class: Reptilia
Order: Squamata
Family: Elapidae
Subfamily: Hydrophiinae
8. CONVENTIONALLY ACCEPTED
Is the species conventionally accepted? If the species' taxonomy is NOT conventionally accepted, then please provide the following information required by the EPBC Regulations 2000:· a taxonomic description of the species in a form suitable for publication in conventional scientific literature;
OR
· evidence that a scientific institution has a specimen of the species, and a written statement signed by a person who is a taxonomist and has relevant expertise (has worked with, or is a published author on, the class of species nominated), that the species is considered to be a new species.
YES
9. DESCRIPTION
Provide a description of the species including where relevant, distinguishing features, size and social structureHow distinct is this species in its appearance from other species? How likely is it to be misidentified?
Phylogenetic analyses based on a broad sampling of sea snakes recovered H. donaldi as a highly divergent lineage within Hydrophis (Ukuwela et al., 2012). The background colour is yellowish brown with 56 brownish bands from neck to tail. Bands are broader dorsally, narrow laterally and taper without connecting ventrally. They are wider than the paler interspaces. Bands in first third of body are darker in colour than rest of the body. Head is pale brown in colour. In preserved specimens bands are brownish grey with paler interspaces. Juvenile may have a brighter colouration with a blackish head and bands with turquoise blue interspaces. Number of bands on body and tail in the type series range from 47 to 64 (Ukuwela et. al., 2012).
H. donaldi is distinguished by morphology from all other Hydrophis species except H. coggeri, H. sibauensis and H. torquatus diadema by the following combination of characters: ventrals not divided by a longitudinal furrow, 29–30 costal scale rows around neck, 33–35 costal scales around body, 6–7 maxillary teeth behind fang on each side, 246–288 ventrals (Rasmussen et al. 2001; Smith 1926; Ukuwela et al., 2012).
H. donaldi differs from H. coggeriby having 47–56 (vs 30–42) bands on the body and tail, strongly spinous (vs feebly carinate) body scales, 246–288 (vs 280–360) ventrals, relatively larger and rounded (vs smaller, elongate) head, and anterior part of the maxilla not arched upwards and the tip of the fang projecting below the level of the maxillary teeth (vs anterior part of the maxilla arched upwards and tip of fang not projecting below the level of the maxillary teeth) (Cogger 2000; Ukuwela et al., 2012).
It differs from H. sibauensis by a higher number of scale rows around the neck 29–30 (vs 25–26 in H. sibauensis) and strongly spinous (vs feebly carinate) body scales (Rasmussen et al. 2001; Ukuwela et al., 2012).
H. donaldi differs from H. torquatus diadema by a lower midbody scale count (33–35 vs 35–42 in H. torquatus diadema) and strongly spinous (vs feebly carinate) body scales (Smith 1926; Ukuwela et al., 2012).
Nothing is known of the social structure of this species; all specimens have been collected from the sea surface at night.
How likely is it to be misidentified?
It is similar to young Hydrophis major and could be misidentified, except that the scales are a give-away. It is identified by the characteristic rugose scales that encircle the entire body and run the entire length.
H. donaldi is also similar to H. caerulescens and H. torquatus, however above mentioned characters allow to separate H. donaldi from H. torquatus and H. careulescens (pers com XXXX).
10. DISTRIBUTION
Provide a succinct overview of the species’ known or estimated current and past distribution, including international/national distribution. Provide a map if available.Is the species protected within the reserve system (e.g. national parks, Indigenous Protected Areas, or other conservation estates, private land covenants, etc.)? If so, which populations? Which reserves are actively managed for this species? Give details.
Current distribution:
Collection localities for H. donaldi are restricted to coastal regions of Weipa, Queensland, northern Australia. All specimens were collected from shallow (< 10 m) estuarine habitats (with shale, mud and sea-grass on the bottom) and in inshore environments characterised by sharp, rocky bottoms at the mouths of the Mission River and Hey Creek where they connect to Albatross Bay in Weipa, Queensland (Ukuwela et. al., 2012; XXXX XXXX pers. comm.).
Past distribution:
Unknown
Remark:
Sea snakes have been intensively sampled in the Gulf of Carpentaria through bycatch of commercial prawn-trawl fisheries (>1500 bycatch specimens have been identified and accessioned in State museums (GBIF). However, all known specimens of H. donaldi were found in relatively poorly known estuarine and tidal creek habitats, none have been collected in trawled (open water) habitats. It is possible that future sampling efforts will find H. donaldi in shallow-marine habitats elsewhere in the GoC and along the New Guinea and northwestern Australian coasts. It is also possible that misidentified specimens of the new species are accessioned in other museums in Australia.
Species does not occur within a reserve system
11. BIOLOGY/ECOLOGY
Provide a summary of biological and ecological information.Include information required by the EPBC Regulations 2000 on:
· life cycle including age at sexual maturity, life expectancy, natural mortality rates
· specific biological characteristics
· habitat requirements for the species
· for Fauna: feeding behaviour and food preference and daily seasonal movement patterns
· for Flora: pollination and seed dispersal patterns
H. donaldi is known only from shallow (< 10 m) estuarine habitats with shale, mud and sea-grass on the bottom and in inshore environments characterised by sharp, rocky bottoms at river mouths. Due to the recent discovery of this species, no further specific details about its biology/ecology are available. However, other Hydrophiini species are estimated have a generation length of approximately five years, based on a longevity of approximately 10 years, and age of first maturity of 3-4 years (XXXX XXXX pers. comm.).
12. INDIGENOUS CULTURAL SIGNIFICANCE
Is the species known to have cultural significance for Indigenous groups within Australia? If so, to which groups? Provide information on the nature of this significance if publicly available.H. donaldi is not known to have cultural significance for any Indigenous groups within Australia
Threats
13. KNOWN THREATS
Identify any KNOWN threats to the species, and state clearly whether these are past, current or future threats and whether the threats are actual or potential. .NB – CLIMATE CHANGE AS A THREAT. If climate change is an important threat to the nominated species it is important that you provide referenced information on exactly how climate change might significantly increase the nominated species’ vulnerability to extinction. For guidance refer to the Guidelines for assessing climate change as a threat to native species (Attachment B; Part B2).
Potential current and future threats:
The intensive prawn trawling in Gulf of Carpentaria causes high sea snake bycatch mortality. However, H. donaldi is not known from trawl bycatch collections, presumably due to its preference for estuarine and inshore habitats that are not trawled.
Rio Tinto Alcan as part of the South of Embly development of their bauxite mine intend to build a wharf and ferry terminal across the Hey/ Embly mouth. This will be a commuter ferry with multiple trips per day to carry workers to and from the existing workers camp in Weipa to the new lease site. This development will involve pile and sheet driving of the wharf as well increased boat noise and risk of strike (RioTinto Alcan, 2014).
14. IMPACT OF THE THREATS
Identify how the species is affected by the threats.The species known area of occurrence and occupancy are very restricted (see section 17), and there is no data available for estimation of population size. Therefore any impact of potential threats cannot be predicted.
15. THREAT ABATEMENT
Give an overview of recovery and threat abatement/mitigation actions that are underway and/or proposed.NONE underway or proposed.
Eligibility against the criteria
To be considered eligible for listing a species must be eligible for at least one of Criteria 1-5 (Q18-22). The species does not have to be found eligible for all Criteria and information is not required for all criteria if unavailable, however an answer to all questions must be provided, if data/information is unavailable a statement to this effect is required
16. CRITERION 1 Reduction in numbers (based on any of A1 – A4)
A1. An observed, estimated, inferred or suspected population very severe ³90%, severe ³70% substantial ³50% size reduction over the last 10 years or three generations, whichever is the longer, where the causes of the reduction are clearly reversible AND understood AND ceased, based on (and specifying) any of the following:(a) direct observation
(b) an index of abundance appropriate to the taxon
(c) a decline in area of occupancy, extent of occurrence and/or quality of habitat
(d) actual or potential levels of exploitation
(e) the effects of introduced taxa, hybridization, pathogens, pollutants, competitors or parasites.
A2. An observed, estimated, inferred or suspected population very severe ³80%, severe ³50% substantial ³30%size reduction over the last 10 years or three generations, whichever is the longer, where the reduction or its causes may not have ceased OR may not be understood OR may not be reversible, based on (and specifying) any of (a) to (e) under A1.
A3. A population size reduction very severe ³80%, severe ³50% substantial ³30%, projected or suspected to be met within the next 10 years or three generations, whichever is the longer (up to a maximum of 100 years), based on (and specifying) any of (b) to (e) under A1.
A4. An observed, estimated, inferred, projected or suspected population size reduction very severe ³80%, severe ³50% substantial ³30%over any 10 year or three generation period, whichever is longer (up to a maximum of 100 years in the future), where the time period must include both the past and the future, and where the reduction or its causes may not have ceased OR may not be understood OR may not be reversible, based on (and specifying) any of (a) to (e) under A1.
There are no quantitative data to estimate population trends for this species.
17. CRITERION 2: Geographic distribution (based on either of B1 or B2)