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Bond's Antichiropus Millipede (Antichiropus cirratus)

Bond's Antichiropus millipede is a Pilbara millipede in the genus Antichiropus. Its appearance, habitat and life history are poorly documented. It is DBCA Priority 1 in Western Australia and is not listed under the Biodiversity Conservation Act 2016. Clearing crews should take a precautionary approach and arrange for any possible specimens to be checked by a suitably experienced person.

Conservation status

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

Seasonal planning

Seasonal activity, breeding and movement patterns are not known. Use the following as a year-round planning reminder, not as evidence of seasonal activity.

Seasonal information: No species-specific months are known.

The month values indicate a general planning reminder, not measured activity or risk.

  • Precautionary work planning: General year-round planning window only. No seasonal activity or breeding timing is known for this species.

Identification: Appearance and size

Bond's Antichiropus millipede is a Pilbara Antichiropus millipede, but its field appearance is poorly known.

No species-specific description, colour, body measurements or diagnostic features have been recorded.

Identification: Similar species and field signs

The species has not been described in enough detail to distinguish it from other Antichiropus millipedes. Have a suitably experienced specialist confirm any identification.

No species-specific signs, such as characteristic tracks or shelters, have been recorded. As a general millipede search practice, crews may encounter animals while carefully inspecting ground material. This is not a confirmed sign or habitat association for this species.

Distribution: Known range

The known Western Australian range is in the Pilbara, but the distribution is poorly documented.

The DBCA list flags the Pilbara region. Atlas of Living Australia records show 24 Western Australian records across seven distinct 0.1-degree locations, between latitudes -23 and -22.9 and longitudes 118.8 and 119.1. The records do not identify named localities in the information reported here.

Distribution: Regional records

A 2024 survey document lists 21 Antichiropus cirratus specimens in its Ministers North survey material. The extract does not give coordinates for these specimens.

DBCA categorises the species as Priority 1: poorly known, known from few locations, with none on conservation lands.

Habitat: Habitat information

The species' habitat type and site conditions have not been documented.

Antichiropus cirratus is one of the species of the Pilbara bioregion, but its habitat is not described.

Habitat: Site interpretation

Do not assume that a particular soil, vegetation type, landform or ground cover is suitable or unsuitable for the species. Record site conditions where a possible specimen is found and have the identification checked.

Foraging habitat: Diet

The species' foraging habitat and feeding ecology have not been documented.

No diet, feeding behaviour or food source has been recorded for Antichiropus cirratus.

Foraging habitat: Work-site checks

If ground material is being moved, record its location and context if a possible specimen is found. Do not infer diet or foraging habitat from the material in which it was encountered.

Breeding habitat: Breeding information

The species' breeding biology and life history are poorly known.

Breeding season, reproductive behaviour, egg-laying sites, development and juvenile habitat have not been documented.

Breeding habitat: Precaution

Do not schedule work on the assumption that breeding is confined to a particular season or habitat. Treat possible individuals and their immediate find context cautiously while identification is sought.

Sheltering habitat: Shelter and movement

The species' sheltering sites and movement patterns are poorly known.

Information on burrows, refuges, aggregation, movement and activity periods is not available.

Sheltering habitat: Ground inspection

As a general millipede survey practice, inspect ground material carefully where this can be done safely and without unnecessary disturbance. This is a precautionary search approach, not evidence that the species shelters in any particular material.

Threats: Known pressures

No threats specific to Antichiropus cirratus have been identified.

The DBCA Priority 1 category reflects that the species is poorly known and known from few locations.

Threats: Clearing risk

Clearing can remove or disturb fauna and ground material at a work site. Because the species' habitat requirements are unknown, do not assume it is absent because a known preferred habitat has not been identified.

Survey methodology: 1. Desktop assessment

No species-specific survey method or detectability information is available. Survey planning should account for this limitation.

Check current DBCA information, project records and available occurrence data for the proposed work area. The Pilbara is the flagged region, and records are reported near latitude -23 to -22.9 and longitude 118.8 to 119.1.

Survey methodology: 2. Field inspection and records

Have an ecologist or fauna specialist inspect the proposed disturbance area and any ground material likely to be moved. A suitably experienced person should set search methods and timing because taxon-specific detectability and survey protocols are not recorded.

For any possible find, record the date, coordinates, micro-site context and photographs where practical, and arrange confirmation. A non-detection does not prove absence.

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. Review records and constraints

Plan works with the species' poorly known status and undefined habitat needs in mind.

Check the proposed footprint against current fauna records and applicable project approvals. The DBCA listing is Priority 1, not a listing under the Biodiversity Conservation Act 2016.

Before habitat disturbance: 2. Prepare the work area

Brief clearing crews on the possibility of encountering an unidentified millipede and the agreed stop-work and escalation process. Where feasible, define the disturbance footprint clearly and avoid unnecessary movement of ground material before checks are complete.

During habitat disturbance: 1. Watch for fauna

Use careful, staged work practices and follow the project's fauna encounter procedure.

During clearing, watch for millipedes or other unfamiliar ground fauna, particularly when ground material is disturbed. This is a general precaution, not evidence of a species-specific shelter type.

During habitat disturbance: 2. Respond to a possible find

Pause work in the immediate area if a possible Bond's Antichiropus millipede is found. Avoid handling or moving it unless the approved fauna procedure requires this and a suitably competent person is directing the response. Photograph and record the find, then seek identification and advice before resuming work there.

After habitat disturbance: 1. Verify and report records

Document outcomes and complete any response to a possible record before closing out the work area.

Submit photographs, location details and field notes for expert review. Report confirmed or unresolved possible records through the project and approval channels, following applicable requirements.

After habitat disturbance: 2. Review the work

Record survey coverage, conditions, fauna encounters and actions taken. Make clear that a survey non-detection does not establish absence, particularly given how little is known about the species.

Rehabilitation actions: 1. Restore disturbed areas

No species-specific rehabilitation requirements have been documented.

Rehabilitate disturbed ground in accordance with project commitments and site plans. Do not claim that a particular rehabilitation treatment benefits this species unless supported by site-specific evidence or specialist advice.

Rehabilitation actions: 2. Monitor and adapt

Where monitoring is required, record methods and results so that future site decisions can use the information. Seek specialist advice if a confirmed record is associated with the work area.

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