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Giant Gippsland Earthworm (Megascolides australis)

The Giant Gippsland Earthworm is a large earthworm endemic to South and West Gippsland, Victoria. It depends on small, patchy areas of moist clay near streams, soaks and springs, or on south- and west-facing slopes, making these sites important to consider during works.

Conservation status

Commonwealth, EPBC Act 1999: Vulnerable.

Victoria, Flora and Fauna Guarantee Act 1988: Endangered.

Seasonal planning

Breeding occurs predominantly from September to February in Gippsland, with reproductive adults mainly recorded from September to December.

Seasonal evidence: From published sources for this species.

Timing varies between sites and years.

  • Breeding season: Breeding occurs predominantly from September to February in Gippsland, with reproductive adults mainly recorded from September to December.

Identification: Appearance

Not documented in the published sources used for this profile.

Not documented in the published sources used for this profile.

Identification: Confirming identity

Confirm the identity of any suspected record with a specialist and a photograph or voucher, as required by the relevant permit.

Distribution: Known range

The species occurs only in South and West Gippsland, Victoria, across an area of about 40,000 hectares. Its distribution is patchy, with suitable habitat occurring in small, fragmented areas.

The species occurs only in South and West Gippsland, Victoria, across an area of about 40,000 hectares. Its distribution is patchy, with suitable habitat occurring in small, fragmented areas.

Distribution: National mapping

The Commonwealth species distribution model (SNES) maps where the species or its habitat is known, likely or may occur. Use it with local records and site inspection.

Habitat: Habitat

It is generally found in moist, well-drained blue-grey clay or red-brown clay loam near stream banks, drainage channels, soaks and springs, or on south- and west-facing slopes. Suitable sites remain moist year-round but are not waterlogged or subject to seasonal flooding.

It is generally found in moist, well-drained blue-grey clay or red-brown clay loam near stream banks, drainage channels, soaks and springs, or on south- and west-facing slopes. Suitable sites remain moist year-round but are not waterlogged or subject to seasonal flooding.

Foraging habitat: Diet

Not documented in the published sources used for this profile.

Not documented in the published sources used for this profile.

Breeding habitat: Breeding

Not documented in the published sources used for this profile.

Not documented in the published sources used for this profile.

Sheltering habitat: Shelter

The earthworms live underground in permanent burrow systems that can extend to around 1.5 metres deep.

The earthworms live underground in permanent burrow systems that can extend to around 1.5 metres deep.

Threats: Threats

Habitat disturbance, vegetation clearance and ploughing can harm the species, and heavy cattle grazing and effluent runoff are also identified as adverse. Dense tree planting can reduce soil humidity, which negatively affects habitat suitability.

Habitat disturbance, vegetation clearance and ploughing can harm the species, and heavy cattle grazing and effluent runoff are also identified as adverse. Dense tree planting can reduce soil humidity, which negatively affects habitat suitability.

Threats: Works risk

Clearing, ploughing or other disturbance of occupied moist clay habitat can damage sites used by the species. Works that alter soil moisture, including dense tree planting or activities that lead to effluent runoff, may also reduce habitat suitability.

Survey methodology: 1. Species-specific methods

Use methods consistent with the Commonwealth survey guidelines and engage a specialist with the right permits.

The worms are rarely seen at the surface; gurgling sounds and terracing across hillsides are noted as clues to their presence.

Survey methodology: 2. Commonwealth guidance

For EPBC Act referrals, survey effort and methods should be consistent with the on-ground surveys and data for referred actions under the EPBC Act, read with the Significant impact guidelines 1.1.

Survey methodology: 3. Limits

A non-detection is not proof of absence. Match survey timing to the species and season, and record effort.

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: Clay soils

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

It is generally found in moist, well-drained blue-grey clay or red-brown clay loam near stream banks, drainage channels, soaks and springs, or on south- and west-facing slopes.

Automatically indexed from existing profile text. Not a verified preference, mapped occurrence or habitat requirement. Check the original source and regional qualifiers before use.

Evidence: Unreviewed profile-derived candidate

Confidence: Not independently verified

Region: Scope as described in the quoted profile text; not independently verified. Profile states: VIC.

Habitat use: general

Soil and substrate associations: Loamy soils

It is generally found in moist, well-drained blue-grey clay or red-brown clay loam near stream banks, drainage channels, soaks and springs, or on south- and west-facing slopes.

Automatically indexed from existing profile text. Not a verified preference, mapped occurrence or habitat requirement. Check the original source and regional qualifiers before use.

Evidence: Unreviewed profile-derived candidate

Confidence: Not independently verified

Region: Scope as described in the quoted profile text; not independently verified. Profile states: VIC.

Habitat use: general

Water and wetland associations: Water-associated habitat mentioned in profile

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

It is generally found in moist, well-drained blue-grey clay or red-brown clay loam near stream banks, drainage channels, soaks and springs, or on south- and west-facing slopes.

Automatically indexed from existing profile text. Not a verified preference, mapped occurrence or habitat requirement. Check the original source and regional qualifiers before use.

Evidence: Unreviewed profile-derived candidate

Confidence: Not independently verified

Region: Scope as described in the quoted profile text; not independently verified. Profile states: VIC.

Habitat use: general

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 disturbance: 1. Desktop and approvals

Confirm whether the project could affect the species before works begin.

Check national mapping, state records and recent surveys for the site. An action likely to have a significant impact on this nationally listed species needs EPBC Act referral, and state permits apply where it is state listed.

Before disturbance: 2. Plan to avoid

Design the footprint, timing and access to avoid known or likely habitat, and brief crews on what to look for and who to call.

During disturbance: 1. Controls

Keep works inside the approved footprint and conditions.

Fence or mark habitat to be retained and keep machinery, stockpiles and spoil out of it.

During disturbance: 2. Stop and report

If the species is found unexpectedly, stop work at that spot and contact the project ecologist and the relevant agency.

After disturbance: 1. Records

Record outcomes.

Record sightings, habitat lost or retained and any injury or death, and report them under the approval conditions.

Rehabilitation: 1. Restore

Restore disturbed habitat where possible.

Reinstate disturbed ground with local species, return logs, rocks and litter, and control weeds and erosion until the site is stable.

Sources