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Inland South-west Water Flea (Daphnia jollyi)

Daphnia jollyi is a freshwater crustacean known from Western Australia, where it has been recorded from shallow pools over granite bedrock. Its limited recorded distribution and poorly known ecology warrant precaution around suitable pools during works. It is classified as Priority 1 on the WA DBCA priority fauna list.

Conservation status

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

Seasonal planning

Species-specific activity, breeding and detection months are unknown. The row below is a general planning window only, not a statement about the species’ seasonal biology.

Species-specific seasonal information: Not documented.

No breeding, movement or seasonal activity period is established for Daphnia jollyi.

  • Ecological checks and pool protection: General planning window only. Check suitable pools and confirm survey timing with an aquatic invertebrate ecologist before disturbance.

Identification: Appearance and size

Species-level field identification information is limited.

Daphnia jollyi is a crustacean in the water-flea genus. Its species-specific appearance has not been described.

Identification: Similar species and signs

Similar species and diagnostic field signs have not been described. A water flea identification should not be treated as a confirmed record of this species without suitable taxonomic examination.

Distribution: Known range

Records indicate a restricted known range in Western Australia, but the species’ full distribution is not established.

D. jollyi is endemic to Western Australia. Atlas of Living Australia records show 14 WA records at four distinct 0.1-degree locations, between latitude -31.8 and -30.4 and longitude 117 and 119.3. These coordinate ranges do not identify named localities.

Distribution: WA regions and record limits

The DBCA priority list flags the Midwest, Wheatbelt and South Coast regions. The distribution is poorly known, and mapped records may not represent the full range.

Habitat: Reported setting

Shallow freshwater pools over granite bedrock are the only habitat specifically reported for this species.

The species has been reported from shallow freshwater pools over granite bedrock.

Habitat: Site assessment

Do not assume that other pool types are occupied or that all granite pools support the species. Confirm the presence and condition of pools during site assessment.

Foraging habitat: Diet information

Species-specific feeding information and foraging habitat have not been documented.

The species’ feeding location within a pool is unknown.

Foraging habitat: Precaution

Avoid making assumptions about feeding locations or food sources when planning works. Protect the pool and its water quality while seeking ecological advice.

Breeding habitat: Known information

Breeding sites, life cycle and seasonal timing are poorly known.

Species-specific breeding behaviour and breeding habitat have not been described.

Breeding habitat: Planning implication

Do not schedule works on the assumption that the species breeds only in a particular season. Treat suitable pools as potentially important throughout the year.

Sheltering habitat: Known information

Shelter sites and resting behaviour have not been documented for D. jollyi.

It is not known where this species shelters, rests or persists when pools are unsuitable.

Sheltering habitat: Precaution

Do not assume that a pool without readily observed animals is unoccupied. Avoid disturbing pool sediments or changing water conditions without advice from a suitably qualified aquatic invertebrate ecologist.

Threats: Status and knowledge

Species-specific threats have not been documented.

D. jollyi is poorly known and recorded from few locations; none are on conservation lands. No national listing is recorded.

Threats: Potential pressures

A DBCA regional review notes that south-western Australian wetlands and rivers have been extensively altered by human activity and a drying climate, with likely effects on aquatic fauna generally. These are regional pressures, not confirmed species-specific threats to D. jollyi.

Survey methodology: 1. Review records and habitat

No species-specific survey method or detection season has been established. Survey design should account for the small number of known records and habitat uncertainty.

Check current DBCA information and known records before fieldwork. Map shallow freshwater pools over granite bedrock and include nearby pools where their suitability is uncertain.

Survey methodology: 2. Sample and document carefully

Use an aquatic invertebrate ecologist to select low-impact sampling methods suited to the pool and survey objective. Record pool condition, water levels, sampling locations and effort; retain or handle specimens only under applicable approvals and expert direction.

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. Complete a desktop and field check

Identify and avoid suitable pools before setting out clearing limits or access routes.

Review DBCA priority fauna information and known records, then have an ecologist inspect the works area for shallow freshwater pools over granite bedrock.

Before habitat disturbance: 2. Set out exclusion measures

Where pools may be affected, seek project-specific ecological advice before works proceed. Mark agreed protection areas and brief crews on avoiding entry, drainage changes, sediment inputs and water contamination.

During habitat disturbance: 1. Maintain protection areas

Keep works away from pools and avoid changes that could affect their water or physical condition.

Keep vehicles, machinery, spoil and materials out of marked pool protection areas. Do not drain, fill or alter pools unless authorised and covered by an ecological management plan.

During habitat disturbance: 2. Respond to unexpected findings

If an unrecorded pool or suspected D. jollyi is encountered, pause nearby work, prevent further disturbance and contact the project ecologist for identification and advice. Follow the project’s approval and incident procedures.

After habitat disturbance: 1. Inspect and document

Check that agreed protection measures remain effective and record any changes to pool condition.

Have the ecologist inspect affected or adjacent pools for evidence of sediment entry, altered water levels or other changes associated with the works. Record observations and any corrective actions.

After habitat disturbance: 2. Escalate concerns

Report suspected damage or a possible species record through the project’s environmental procedures and seek DBCA or specialist advice as appropriate.

Rehabilitation actions: 1. Restore the site carefully

Rehabilitation should protect pool function and avoid introducing further disturbance.

Use a site-specific rehabilitation plan prepared with ecological advice. Prevent erosion and sediment movement into pools, and avoid altering pool contours or drainage without approval.

Rehabilitation actions: 2. Monitor outcomes

Document rehabilitation works and check the condition of protected pools as specified in the project plan. Do not claim recovery or species presence without appropriate survey evidence.

Sources