Fauna Spotters logo

Crystal Creek Two-line Dragon (Diporiphora convergens)

The Crystal Creek Two-line Dragon is a small, long-legged agamid known from its type specimen, collected at Crystal Creek in the northern Kimberley. Its habitat and ecology remain poorly known, so it warrants careful, precautionary handling during works. It is listed as Priority 2 on the WA DBCA priority fauna list.

Conservation status

Western Australia, WA Threatened and Priority Fauna List: Priority 2.

Seasonal guidance

Seasonal activity, breeding and detectability are unknown. The row below is a general planning prompt, not a species-specific seasonal window.

No month-specific information is recorded for Diporiphora convergens.

  • Survey and works planning: Planning window only. Arrange surveys before disturbance when site conditions and project timing allow; no species-specific active months are known.

Identification: Appearance and size

Identification information is limited, but the converging dorsal scale keels are a distinctive reported feature.

The species is a small, long-legged Diporiphora with gular and scapular folds and no postauricular fold.

Its dorsal scale keels converge on the midline. No measurements or colour description are recorded.

Identification: Similar species and field signs

Converging dorsal scale keels distinguish this species from other Diporiphora. As the species is poorly known, identification should be confirmed by a suitably experienced reptile ecologist.

No distinctive tracks, scats, shed skins, burrows or other field signs are documented.

Distribution: Known range

The species is known from a very restricted number of records in the Kimberley.

The type locality is Crystal Creek in the northern Kimberley, Western Australia. The species is known only from its type specimen and has not been collected again.

Atlas of Living Australia records show one Western Australian record at one distinct 0.1-degree location.

Distribution: WA listing region

The DBCA priority fauna list flags the Kimberley region. The known records do not establish a broader distribution or confirm the species at other development sites.

The species is listed as Priority 2 on the DBCA list dated 1 July 2025. This is a DBCA priority category, not a listing under the Biodiversity Conservation Act 2016. No national listing is identified.

Habitat: Habitat records

The habitat used by this species has not been described.

No vegetation type, landform, soil, substrate or habitat association is documented for Diporiphora convergens.

Habitat: Site assessment

Do not assume that habitat described for other Diporiphora species applies to this species. At sites within or near the known region, record the range of vegetation and ground conditions and retain potentially suitable areas until a qualified ecologist has assessed them.

Foraging habitat: Known information

The species’ diet and foraging ecology have not been documented.

Diet, prey, foraging locations and foraging behaviour are unknown.

Foraging habitat: Precaution on site

Do not use information about other dragon lizards as species-specific evidence. During site inspections, document observed animals and their immediate surroundings without disturbing them.

Breeding habitat: Breeding information

The species is oviparous, but its breeding sites and timing are unknown.

Breeding months, clutch size, egg-site details and the age at which young emerge have not been documented.

Breeding habitat: Works precautions

No particular breeding season or nesting habitat is known. Treat potential egg-laying areas as unknown and seek ecological advice if an animal or possible nest is found in the works footprint.

Sheltering habitat: Known information

Sheltering sites and refuge behaviour have not been documented.

Shelters, retreats, perches and overwintering sites used by Diporiphora convergens are unknown.

Sheltering habitat: Search precautions

As general reptile survey practice, inspect accessible ground features and vegetation carefully without dismantling refuges or damaging potential shelter. Do not treat any particular feature as a confirmed shelter for this species.

Threats: Known pressures

Species-specific threats and population trends have not been documented.

The species’ distribution and ecology are poorly known because it has been recorded so rarely.

Threats: Works risk

Clearing can harm fauna if animals or their refuges are present, but habitat features and specific impact pathways for this species are unknown. Apply precautionary survey and handling measures rather than assuming the species is absent from an unrecorded site.

Survey methodology: 1. Desktop assessment

Species-specific survey guidance is limited. Use a cautious reptile survey approach and document uncertainty.

Check the proposed works against the known Crystal Creek type locality and the Kimberley DBCA listing region. Review current fauna records and previous site assessments. Do not assume the species is absent elsewhere because only one record is known.

Survey methodology: 2. Field inspection

As general reptile survey practice, conduct systematic visual searches of the proposed disturbance area and nearby retained areas, recording search effort, conditions and any observations. Inspect accessible ground and vegetation features carefully without damaging potential refuges.

Converging dorsal scale keels are a reported identification feature. Photograph animals where possible and seek expert confirmation rather than relying on an unverified field identification.

Survey methodology: 3. Survey limits

No species-specific survey method, seasonal detectability, activity period or detection probability is known. Report non-detections with survey effort and limitations; do not treat them as proof of 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. Plan the works

Plan surveys and site controls conservatively because the species is poorly known and records are exceptionally limited.

Have a suitably experienced ecologist review the footprint, known records and survey limitations before clearing. Confirm that survey coverage and timing are appropriate for local conditions; no species-specific survey season is known.

Before habitat disturbance: 2. Prepare the crew

Brief clearing crews on the possibility of encountering an unidentified small dragon lizard, the stop-work and notification process, and the need to avoid handling animals unless authorised and competent to do so.

Mark approved clearing limits and areas to retain. Keep a clear route for reporting observations to the fauna spotter catcher or ecologist.

During habitat disturbance: 1. Monitor clearing

Use active fauna observation and pause work to assess any possible individual encountered.

Use a fauna spotter catcher or ecologist where required by project approvals and the site risk assessment. Work through the approved footprint in a controlled manner, allowing the observer to inspect the area ahead of disturbance.

During habitat disturbance: 2. Respond to an encounter

Pause work in the immediate area if a possible individual is found. Avoid chasing, injuring or unnecessarily handling it. Have a competent fauna professional confirm identification and decide on the appropriate response under project procedures and applicable approvals.

Record the location, circumstances and actions taken. Resume work only when the responsible site representative or ecologist confirms it is appropriate.

After habitat disturbance: 1. Check the work area

Record observations and incidents so uncertainty and any new records inform future planning.

After disturbance, inspect the affected area and adjacent retained areas for fauna requiring assistance, following project procedures and the fauna professional’s direction. Do not dismantle or alter features solely to search for this species.

After habitat disturbance: 2. Record and report

Document survey effort, observations, identification confidence, any fauna handling or relocation, and the extent of disturbance. Submit confirmed records through the applicable project and fauna reporting channels.

Rehabilitation actions: 1. Restore disturbed areas

Species-specific rehabilitation guidance is not available.

Rehabilitate disturbed ground in line with approved project plans and local ecological advice. Avoid claiming that a particular planting mix, substrate or structure benefits this species because its habitat requirements are unknown.

Rehabilitation actions: 2. Review outcomes

Retain records of rehabilitation actions and any fauna observations. Use future confirmed records to inform site management and improve understanding of the species. An absence of observations does not establish successful habitat use.

Sources