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Javelin Legless Lizard (Shark Bay) (Delma concinna major)

The Javelin Legless Lizard (Shark Bay), Delma concinna major, is a limbless pygopodid recorded from the Shark Bay region of Western Australia. It is poorly known and classified as Priority 1 on the WA DBCA Priority Fauna List. Clearing and survey work within its known range should use precautionary methods.

Conservation status

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

Seasonal planning

Seasonal activity and breeding months have not been documented for this taxon. Plan surveys and fauna precautions around the works programme, not an assumed seasonal window.

Seasonal timing for this taxon has not been documented.

  • Survey and works planning: Planning window only. Taxon-specific activity or breeding months are not recorded; maintain suitable survey and fauna-response controls whenever works occur.

Identification: Appearance and size

Identification information specific to D. concinna major is limited. Where possible, confirm suspected records with an experienced reptile ecologist.

This taxon is a limbless lizard. Its colour, pattern, body proportions and size range have not been documented.

  • Do not assign a size or rely on a particular colour pattern.

Identification: Similar species

Delma concinna has two named subspecies: D. c. concinna and D. c. major. D. c. concinna is associated with the lower west coast, while D. c. major is associated with Shark Bay.

No field key is available for distinguishing the two subspecies. Location alone is not definitive for identification.

Identification: Field signs

Distinctive tracks, refuges and other field signs have not been documented. Failure to observe the animal or signs does not establish its absence from a site.

Distribution: Known range

The documented range is restricted to the Shark Bay region, but occurrence records are sparse.

The Reptile Database gives the distribution of D. c. major as the Shark Bay region. Its type locality is 2 km north of Tamala, at 26°40′S, 113°43′E.

Atlas of Living Australia records show six Western Australian records at five distinct 0.1-degree locations, with latitude from -31.8 to -26.3 and longitude from 113.7 to 115.7. Records outside Western Australia were excluded as likely errors.

Distribution: WA listing regions

The DBCA list flags the Midwest region. The taxon is known from few locations and from no conservation lands.

  • Check current records and site-specific environmental information before works, as the known distribution is based on few records.

Habitat: Habitat information

Habitat specific to D. concinna major has not been documented.

Subspecies-specific vegetation, landform, soil and site-use information has not been documented. Do not assume a site is unsuitable based on habitat descriptions for other taxa.

Habitat: Species-level context

A comparative study codes Delma concinna at species level as using shrub habitat. This is not a site description for D. c. major and does not establish how the subspecies uses habitat locally.

Foraging habitat: Diet information

Foraging locations and feeding behaviour have not been documented for this subspecies.

A comparative study codes Delma concinna at species level as a general surface-insect feeder. This diet has not been confirmed for D. c. major.

Foraging habitat: Site assessment

Specific foraging microhabitat and prey-search behaviour have not been documented. During assessments, record the vegetation, ground cover and substrate associated with any observation rather than inferring use from the species-level summary.

Breeding habitat: Known breeding information

Breeding information is limited to the report that the species is oviparous.

The Reptile Database describes Delma concinna as oviparous. A breeding season, clutch size, incubation period and egg-laying habitat have not been documented for D. c. major.

Breeding habitat: Precaution

Do not schedule works on the assumption that there is a known low-risk breeding period. Treat potential refuges and suitable site features cautiously throughout the year.

Sheltering habitat: Known information

Specific shelter sites have not been documented for this taxon.

It is not known whether this subspecies shelters in vegetation, surface litter, soil or animal-made refuges.

Sheltering habitat: Precaution during searches

As general practice when searching for small terrestrial reptiles, inspect ground cover and removable shelter features carefully, then return them to their original position. This is not evidence of a known shelter preference for this taxon.

Threats: Recorded pressures

Specific threats to D. concinna major have not been documented.

No taxon-specific threats or impacts are recorded. The DBCA list identifies the taxon as Priority 1, meaning it is poorly known and known from few locations, with none on conservation lands.

Threats: Works-related caution

Clearing and ground disturbance could affect fauna if present, but impacts on this taxon have not been quantified or described. Use precautionary site assessment and fauna procedures rather than assuming either presence or absence.

Survey methodology: 1. Desktop assessment

No validated survey method or detectability information is established for this subspecies. Plan surveys with a suitably experienced reptile ecologist.

Check the proposed footprint against current DBCA information, the Shark Bay range and any available verified local records. The small number of mapped records means that a lack of nearby records should not be used alone to rule out occurrence.

Survey methodology: 2. Field inspection

Use systematic searches of the site and record search effort, conditions, substrate, vegetation and any potential fauna observations. A survey season, time of day, trapping approach and detection rate have not been established for this taxon.

Survey methodology: 3. Identification and records

Photograph and document suspected animals where this can be done safely and lawfully. Seek expert confirmation for uncertain records and report verified observations through the appropriate channels.

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. Confirm the footprint

Plan for uncertainty because the taxon is poorly known and has few recorded locations.

Review the clearing boundary, access routes and staging areas against current records and environmental information for the Shark Bay region. Arrange targeted ecological advice where the site may fall within the known range.

Before habitat disturbance: 2. Brief the crew

Explain that this is a limbless lizard with limited identification information, and that absence of a sighting does not establish absence from the site. Provide a clear stop-work and escalation process for suspected fauna.

Before habitat disturbance: 3. Prepare fauna procedures

Agree in advance who will assess and handle any fauna encounter, how the work area will be made safe, and how records will be documented. Follow applicable approvals and fauna-handling requirements.

During habitat disturbance: 1. Work progressively

Use a cautious, staged approach and respond promptly to any suspected animal.

Keep clearing within the approved footprint and proceed in manageable stages so fauna can be noticed. Avoid unnecessary disturbance of ground cover and substrate outside the active work area.

During habitat disturbance: 2. Respond to an encounter

Pause work in the immediate area if a possible individual is found. Keep people and equipment clear, prevent further disturbance, and contact the nominated ecologist or fauna handler for identification and direction.

During habitat disturbance: 3. Record the event

Document the location, time, activity and circumstances, and take photographs if safe to do so. Do not handle or relocate an animal unless authorised and directed by a suitably qualified person.

After habitat disturbance: 1. Check and report

Close out fauna observations and check that disturbance remained within the approved area.

Review the work area for fauna incidents and confirm that any encounter was managed under the agreed procedure. Submit verified records and incident details to the project ecologist and relevant authorities as required.

After habitat disturbance: 2. Review site controls

Record any changes to the footprint, unexpected habitat features or fauna observations. Use these findings to adjust remaining work controls and inform future surveys at the site.

Rehabilitation actions: 1. Reinstate disturbed ground

Habitat requirements and rehabilitation outcomes have not been documented for this taxon. Avoid unsupported assumptions about its needs during rehabilitation.

Where required by approvals or the project plan, reinstate disturbed areas using locally appropriate materials and methods specified by the site ecologist. Avoid introducing materials or altering ground conditions beyond the approved design.

Rehabilitation actions: 2. Monitor and adapt

Record rehabilitation actions and inspect them against project requirements. Seek ecological advice if verified records or new evidence indicate that the site is used by this taxon.

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