Fauna Spotters logo

Admiralty Gulf Camaenid Land Snail (Damochlora millepunctata)

The Admiralty Gulf Camaenid Land Snail is a terrestrial camaenid land snail known from Baudin Island in the Kimberley. Earlier records from Cassini Island are now assigned to a different species. Its limited known distribution makes careful checks and precautionary work practices important at potential sites.

Conservation status

Western Australia, WA Threatened and Priority Fauna List: Priority 1.

Seasonal planning

Seasonal activity and breeding timing have not been documented for this species. The row below is a planning prompt only, not a species-specific activity pattern.

Seasonal information: No species-specific months are recorded.

Planning: Plan surveys and precautionary controls around the works programme and site conditions; do not infer a low-risk season.

The months shown represent a general planning prompt across the year, not documented species phenology.

  • Survey and precautionary planning: Planning window only. No seasonal activity or breeding period is established for this species.

Identification: Appearance and size

Identification should be cautious and confirmed by a suitably experienced person.

This is a terrestrial pulmonate land snail in the family Camaenidae. Its shell pattern and other field identification features have not been described, and no measurements are recorded.

Shells of the Baudin Island snail and the Cassini Island form were reported as nearly identical, so shell appearance alone may not distinguish them.

Identification: Similar species

The snail formerly attributed to Damochlora millepunctata on Cassini Island is now recognised as Nannochlora cassiniensis, a distinct species. The two have nearly identical shells.

Do not identify a shell as this species from resemblance alone. Seek expert confirmation where records or works decisions depend on identification.

Identification: Field signs

A shell or live land snail may indicate the presence of a land-snail fauna, but species-specific field signs and the animal’s detectability have not been described.

As general land-snail survey practice, record the location and condition of any specimens or shells and arrange expert identification rather than relying on an unverified field impression.

Distribution: Known range

The species is associated with the Kimberley, with Baudin Island identified as its island locality.

Damochlora millepunctata is reported from Baudin Island, about 30 km off the Western Australian Kimberley coast. It is endemic to an island in the Kimberley.

Cassini Island was included in the former concept of this species, but its snails are now assigned to Nannochlora cassiniensis.

Distribution: WA records and status

The DBCA list flags the Kimberley region. Atlas of Living Australia records show two Western Australian records at one distinct 0.1-degree location, at latitude -14.1 and longitude 125.6.

The species is Priority 1 on the WA priority fauna list, described as poorly known and known from few locations, none on conservation lands. It has no national listing. This is a DBCA priority category, not a listing under the Biodiversity Conservation Act 2016.

Habitat: What is known

The species’ habitat within the island has not been described.

The species occurs on Baudin Island in the Kimberley. Its vegetation, substrate, landform, moisture conditions and preferred microhabitats have not been described.

Habitat: Site interpretation

At a potential works site, document the actual ground conditions and habitat features present, and have any possible snail records assessed by an appropriately experienced ecologist.

Foraging habitat: Diet information

The species’ diet and feeding habitat have not been documented.

No food plants, feeding behaviour or foraging locations are recorded.

Foraging habitat: Precaution at works sites

Do not assume that particular plants or ground materials are food resources for this species. Record any observed feeding evidence without assigning it to the snail unless confirmed.

Breeding habitat: Known information

Breeding biology and breeding habitat are poorly known.

No breeding season, egg-laying site, clutch size or development information has been documented for this species.

Breeding habitat: Work planning

Do not assume that a particular season is free of breeding activity. Where a potential occurrence is found, seek ecological advice before disturbance and use precautionary controls.

Sheltering habitat: Known information

Species-specific sheltering sites and behaviour have not been documented.

Refuges, resting places and conditions under which the snail shelters have not been identified.

Sheltering habitat: General search care

As general land-snail survey practice, inspect potential ground-level refuges carefully and avoid unnecessary damage or removal of shelter materials. This is precautionary group guidance, not a confirmed account of this species’ shelter use.

Threats: Evidence and uncertainty

Specific threats to this species have not been identified.

The species is poorly known and known from few locations, none on conservation lands, according to its DBCA Priority 1 description.

Threats: Works implications

Because the known range is limited, avoid assuming that an unrecorded site is unimportant. Assess the potential for occurrence and the effects of proposed disturbance before clearing.

Survey methodology: 1. Desktop assessment

Species-specific survey methods and detectability have not been described. Use a cautious, documented approach and arrange expert review of possible records.

Check current DBCA information, available occurrence records and site records before works. The species is known from Baudin Island and the Kimberley region, but its habitat is not defined at a finer scale.

Survey methodology: 2. Site inspection

As general land-snail survey practice, search potential ground-level microhabitats carefully and record live snails, shells, search conditions and precise locations. Which microhabitats or survey conditions are effective for this species is not known.

Avoid destructive searching unless it is specifically authorised and necessary. Do not treat an absence from a limited search as proof that the species is absent.

Survey methodology: 3. Identification and records

Photograph and retain location details for potential records, and seek confirmation from a land-snail specialist. Shells may be difficult to distinguish from the Cassini Island species based on appearance alone.

Document the survey area, effort, conditions and any limits on access or visibility so that the strength of a non-detection can be assessed.

Vegetation associations

Source-checked associations and automatically indexed candidates are separated below. An association does not establish site presence, preference or dependence.

No species-specific vegetation association has been indexed or source-checked in this evidence library. This is an evidence gap, not evidence of no association.

Ecosystem associations

Source-checked associations and automatically indexed candidates are separated below. An association does not establish site presence, preference or dependence.

No species-specific ecosystem association has been indexed or source-checked in this evidence library. This is an evidence gap, not evidence of no association.

Soil and substrate associations

Source-checked associations and automatically indexed candidates are separated below. An association does not establish site presence, preference or dependence.

No species-specific soil association has been indexed or source-checked in this evidence library. This is an evidence gap, not evidence of no association.

Water and wetland associations

Source-checked associations and automatically indexed candidates are separated below. An association does not establish site presence, preference or dependence.

No species-specific water association has been indexed or source-checked in this evidence library. This is an evidence gap, not evidence of no association.

Fauna records and mapped habitat: Not yet analysed

Record locations can be overlaid with mapping, but record frequency alone does not measure habitat preference. No species is excluded from desktop assessments by this analysis.

No quality-controlled record-to-map analysis has been completed for this species. The existing generalised distribution dots and indicative range polygons have not been treated as precise occurrence coordinates.

A defensible run needs dated, independently attributable records, coordinate uncertainty, duplicate and captive-record checks, layer versions and regional scope. Preference and absence require additional survey-effort and detection evidence.

Habitat limitations and contrary evidence: No supported exclusion recorded

Not recorded is not the same as cannot occur. Low suitability, resident habitat, breeding habitat and occasional movement are different conclusions.

This library has not established a vegetation, ecosystem or soil-type exclusion for this species. This does not mean all habitat is suitable; the evidence needed to justify an exclusion has not been assembled.

Habitat limitations and contrary evidence: Before using a negative association

  • Confirm the taxon, geographic region, life stage and habitat function covered by the evidence.
  • Check survey methods, season, repeated effort and detectability before interpreting non-detection.
  • Investigate credible contradictory records and microhabitats absent from broad mapping.
  • Do not convert a missing map class, low record count or failed data request into species absence.

Before habitat disturbance: 1. Confirm records and footprint

Plan works around the limited distribution information and uncertainty about the species’ habitat and detectability.

Review available records and confirm the proposed disturbance footprint and any associated access or laydown areas. Obtain current advice from DBCA or a suitably qualified ecologist where the species may be relevant.

Before habitat disturbance: 2. Survey and controls

Arrange an appropriately targeted inspection before clearing where there is a reasonable potential for occurrence. Agree how possible finds will be identified, recorded and escalated before work starts.

Clearly mark areas to be retained and brief crews on the stop-work and reporting process for a possible land-snail record.

During habitat disturbance: 1. Follow the work limits

Proceed cautiously and follow the agreed site controls, as the species’ detectability and response to disturbance are not documented.

Keep clearing, vehicle movements and material storage within approved limits. Avoid unnecessary disturbance to ground materials outside the authorised footprint.

During habitat disturbance: 2. Respond to possible finds

If a possible snail or relevant shell is found, pause work in the immediate area, protect the find from damage and notify the nominated ecologist or environmental representative.

Do not collect, handle or relocate specimens unless this is authorised and directed by an appropriately qualified person.

After habitat disturbance: 1. Record and report

Close out works with clear records and follow-up for any possible occurrence or unexpected impact.

Document the area disturbed, survey and work observations, any finds, photographs, coordinates and actions taken. Submit confirmed records through the appropriate reporting channels.

After habitat disturbance: 2. Review incidents

Report any suspected injury, mortality or disturbance of a possible occurrence to the environmental representative and follow project and regulatory requirements.

Review whether work controls were effective and update site instructions if further works are planned.

Rehabilitation actions: 1. Reinstate disturbed areas

Rehabilitation requirements specific to this species have not been described.

Rehabilitate disturbed ground in line with approved site plans and avoid introducing unapproved materials or causing additional disturbance to retained areas.

Rehabilitation actions: 2. Check outcomes

Record the rehabilitation work and any follow-up observations. Do not claim that reinstatement recreates habitat for this species unless that outcome is supported by site-specific ecological advice.

Sources