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Inornate Trapdoor Spider (Northern Jarrah Forest) (Euoplos inornatus)

The inornate trapdoor spider is a terrestrial mygalomorph spider known from Western Australia, with records mainly from the western Darling Scarp. Its precise habitat and field identification details are poorly documented, so works near records should use precautionary survey and clearance procedures.

Conservation status

Western Australia, WA Threatened and Priority Fauna List: Priority 3.

Seasonal information

Seasonal activity, breeding and movement have not been recorded for this species. The row below is a general planning window only, not a statement of species activity.

Species-specific timing: Not recorded.

No month-by-month biological calendar is available for this species.

  • Survey and pre-start planning: Planning window only. No seasonal activity pattern is known; schedule survey and clearance checks before disturbance whenever works are planned.

Identification: Appearance and size

The species is established taxonomically, but practical field description is limited.

This is a mygalomorph spider in the family Idiopidae. Its appearance is not described and body measurements are not available, so identification by size or colour is not supported.

Identification: Similar species and field signs

Comparisons with similar local spiders and species-specific field signs have not been documented. The World Spider Catalog records older names associated with the accepted taxon, including Albaniana inornata, Albaniana flavomaculata and Armadalia setosa.

  • As general practice, photograph a possible trapdoor-spider burrow or spider and refer it to an experienced arachnologist where identification matters.
  • Do not identify this species from a burrow entrance alone.

Distribution: Known range

Records place the species in Western Australia, with the best documented regional description centred on the western Darling Scarp.

The species is reported mainly from the western Darling Scarp. Atlas of Living Australia records show 40 Western Australian records at 20 distinct 0.1-degree locations, spanning latitude -32.9 to -31.6 and longitude 115.9 to 117.2. Records outside WA were excluded from that summary as likely errors.

Distribution: WA regions and named records

The DBCA priority list flags the Swan region. A desktop assessment reports one record at the Mt Henry peninsula in Salter Point, about 13 km west of the assessment area discussed in that report. Coordinates are not available for these named places.

Habitat: Recorded habitat information

The species is reported from a broad region, but specific vegetation, soil and site requirements are not established.

The species is reported mainly from the western Darling Scarp. Vegetation type, soil, slope, moisture conditions and other habitat attributes at its records have not been documented.

Habitat: Applying this on site

A vegetation community mentioned for a desktop study area is not confirmed habitat for this spider. Use verified records and site-specific assessment to guide the search area, and record the soil and vegetation context of any potential signs for later review.

Foraging habitat: Diet and feeding sites

Foraging habitat and diet have not been documented.

Prey, diet and foraging habitat are not recorded for this species. Base site decisions on observed conditions, not an assumed prey type or feeding area.

Foraging habitat: Field considerations

When assessing potential habitat, note the ground conditions and nearby cover without treating those observations as evidence of a species-specific foraging requirement.

Breeding habitat: Breeding information

Breeding sites, timing and reproductive behaviour have not been documented.

Breeding habitat, season, mating behaviour, and egg or young development are not recorded.

Breeding habitat: Precaution

Do not assume that any particular month or site feature is outside the breeding period. If a spider or possible burrow is found in a work area, seek ecological advice before disturbance.

Sheltering habitat: Known shelter information

Species-specific shelter information is not available. Burrow-search advice below is general practice for trapdoor spiders.

The shelter or burrow structure of Euoplos inornatus has not been described.

Sheltering habitat: General search practice

As general practice for trapdoor spiders, inspect the ground surface carefully for possible burrow entrances and avoid probing, opening or damaging suspected burrows. A burrow sign alone does not confirm this species.

Threats: Conservation status

The conservation category is known, but particular threats to this species have not been identified.

The species is listed as Priority 3 on the DBCA Threatened and Priority Fauna List dated 1 July 2025. Priority 3 is a DBCA priority category for poorly known fauna known from several locations and not under imminent threat. It is not a listing under the Biodiversity Conservation Act 2016. No national listing is given.

Threats: Works-related risk

Species-specific threats have not been assessed. As a general precaution, clearing, excavation, vehicle movement and soil disturbance can damage unrecognised ground-dwelling fauna or their shelter sites. Assess and manage these risks where potential signs are found.

Survey methodology: 1. Desktop assessment

Species-specific survey methods and detectability are not documented. Use a cautious, documented search and do not treat non-detection as proof of absence.

Check current DBCA information and available records, including whether records are sufficiently precise to inform the work footprint. Atlas records are gridded rather than exact site positions.

  • Review records and proposed disturbance areas with the project ecologist.
  • Consider the Swan region and western Darling Scarp context where relevant.

Survey methodology: 2. Field inspection

As general practice for trapdoor spiders, walk the proposed disturbance area slowly and inspect the ground surface for possible burrow signs. The best time to detect the species and the reliability of surface searches are not known.

  • Record search coverage, date, conditions, photographs and any potential signs.
  • Do not excavate or open suspected burrows during routine inspection.
  • Refer uncertain signs to a suitably experienced arachnologist.

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 and check

Plan works around verified records and potential signs, recognising that the species' habitat requirements are poorly documented.

Have the project ecologist review available records and the disturbance footprint before clearing or ground works. Define a pre-start inspection area based on the footprint and any relevant nearby records.

  • Brief clearing crews on the possibility of ground-dwelling spiders and the need to report burrow-like signs.
  • Agree how work will pause and who will assess a potential find.

Before habitat disturbance: 2. Mark and avoid

If a possible spider or shelter sign is located, mark and protect the immediate area while an ecologist assesses it. Set any exclusion area with the project ecologist rather than applying an unsupported species-specific buffer.

During habitat disturbance: 1. Clear carefully

Use controlled, observable work practices and stop locally if a possible spider or burrow is encountered.

Keep clearing within the approved footprint and proceed in a way that allows the crew and fauna spotter catcher to inspect the ground as work advances.

  • Avoid driving, stockpiling or excavating over marked potential signs.
  • Do not crush, fill or probe a possible burrow.

During habitat disturbance: 2. Respond to a find

Pause work around the find, prevent further disturbance and contact the project ecologist or fauna spotter catcher. Photograph and record the location without handling the spider unless a qualified person determines that handling is necessary and authorised.

After habitat disturbance: 1. Record and report

Document outcomes and protect retained areas where potential signs were recorded.

Document survey effort, potential signs, identifications, work pauses and any actions taken. Provide records to the project ecologist for consideration of reporting through the relevant DBCA process.

After habitat disturbance: 2. Check retained areas

Keep marked areas and retained ground cover protected from follow-on traffic, storage and unplanned works. Arrange follow-up checks if required by the project ecologist or approval conditions.

Rehabilitation actions: 1. Restore disturbed ground

Species-specific rehabilitation requirements have not been stated.

Rehabilitate disturbed areas in line with the approved site plan and ecological advice. Avoid grading, compacting or importing material into retained areas where potential signs were recorded.

Rehabilitation actions: 2. Review outcomes

Record rehabilitation actions and any observations of ground-dwelling fauna. Describe an area as suitable habitat for this species only where supported by site-specific ecological assessment.

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