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Kalumburu Camaenid Land Snail (Damochlora spina)

Damochlora spina is a terrestrial camaenid land snail from the Kimberley, also known as Setobaudinia spina. Its precise habitat and field identification features have not been documented. Work within its known range should use cautious survey and clearance procedures. It is DBCA Priority 3 in WA.

Conservation status

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

Seasonal planning

Seasonal activity, breeding and movement are not documented for this species. Use the row below only as a general planning prompt, not as a species activity calendar.

Seasonal biology: Not documented.

Use this as a general planning prompt only.

  • Precautionary survey and works planning: General planning window only. These months do not indicate a known activity or breeding period for the species.

Identification: Appearance and size

This is a camaenid land snail. Its shell and distinguishing field features have not been documented.

It is a terrestrial pulmonate gastropod in the family Camaenidae.

Identification: Similar species and field signs

Shell-based identification can be difficult in some Kimberley camaenids, although this has not been established specifically for this species.

As general land-snail survey practice, look for shells and live snails during careful searches of ground-level material. Do not treat an unverified shell as a confirmed record of this species.

Distribution: Known range

Records indicate a Kimberley distribution, but named collection localities are not available.

Atlas of Living Australia records show 26 WA records at seven distinct 0.1-degree locations, with latitude from -14.8 to -13.9 and longitude from 125.7 to 126.8. These records were matched under the name Setobaudinia spina. Records outside WA were excluded as likely errors.

Distribution: WA region and records

The DBCA priority list identifies the Kimberley region. No particular sites within the region are confirmed localities for this species.

Habitat: Available information

This is a terrestrial land snail recorded from the Kimberley.

Vegetation, landform, substrate and other habitat features used by this species have not been documented.

Habitat: Site assessment

Do not infer that a site is unsuitable from broad habitat appearance alone. Record site conditions and any live snails or shells found, and seek specialist identification where needed.

Foraging habitat: Diet and feeding

Diet and foraging habitat have not been documented.

No food items, feeding behaviour or foraging locations have been documented for Damochlora spina.

Foraging habitat: Precaution during searches

During general land-snail searches, examine ground-level material carefully and avoid disturbing more of the site than necessary. This is general group-level practice, not a documented feeding association for this species.

Breeding habitat: Known information

Breeding biology and breeding habitat are poorly known.

Breeding season, egg-laying sites, clutch size and juvenile development have not been documented for this species.

Breeding habitat: Work planning

Do not assume that any month or site condition is outside the breeding period. Plan surveys and works using the precautionary procedures in this profile unless a suitably qualified specialist provides further information.

Sheltering habitat: Known information

Species-specific sheltering sites and behaviour have not been documented.

No information is available on where this species shelters, aestivates or spends inactive periods.

Sheltering habitat: General search approach

As general land-snail practice, check ground-level cover and sheltered spaces carefully where access and safety allow. This does not establish that the species uses any particular cover type.

Threats: Conservation status

Specific threats to this species have not been identified.

Damochlora spina is in DBCA Priority 3, a category described as poorly known, known from several locations and not under imminent threat. This is a DBCA priority category, not a listing under the Biodiversity Conservation Act 2016. There is no national listing.

Threats: Worksite risks

Clearing and ground disturbance can harm land snails or remove cover where they are present. Avoid unnecessary disturbance and check work areas before clearing.

Survey methodology: 1. Desktop assessment

Species-specific detectability and survey methods have not been documented. Use careful searches and seek specialist identification where field characters are uncertain.

Check whether the work area is within the recorded Kimberley range and review available records for the project area. The coordinate range is broad and does not identify individual collection sites.

Survey methodology: 2. Field search and records

As general land-snail practice, search ground-level material carefully and minimise disturbance while checking. Record search locations, conditions, effort and any live animals or shells found. Photograph and retain evidence in accordance with project procedures.

Because diagnostic field characters and detectability information are not documented, arrange expert identification for uncertain material. A failure to find the snail should not be treated 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 work area

Where works fall within the known Kimberley range, take a precautionary approach because species-specific habitat and detectability are poorly documented.

Review mapped records and confirm the proposed disturbance footprint, access routes and staging areas. Seek advice from a qualified ecologist if the site is within the recorded range or if a possible record is found.

Before habitat disturbance: 2. Check and brief crews

Arrange a pre-clearance search where appropriate, explain how possible snails or shells should be reported, and brief crews to pause work in the immediate area if a possible animal is found. Do not rely on an assumed season or habitat type to reduce precautions.

During habitat disturbance: 1. Respond to an encounter

If a possible animal or shell is encountered during works, pause local disturbance and obtain identification advice.

Stop work in the immediate area, protect the find from further disturbance and notify the project ecologist or fauna spotter catcher. Photograph and record the location without handling the animal unless this is necessary and authorised.

During habitat disturbance: 2. Resume only with advice

Do not move a snail or shell, or resume disturbance near a possible record, until an appropriate identification and response decision has been made under project and regulatory requirements. Record the outcome and any controls applied.

After habitat disturbance: 1. Record outcomes

Document searches, encounters and response actions so that uncertainty and follow-up needs remain clear.

Keep a record of search effort, work areas inspected, findings, photographs, identification advice and any pauses or changes to works. Distinguish confirmed identifications from unverified observations.

After habitat disturbance: 2. Review follow-up

Where a possible or confirmed record is associated with the works, seek ecological advice on any further checks or reporting required. Do not infer population size, occupancy or absence from the limited records available.

Rehabilitation actions: 1. Restore disturbed areas

No rehabilitation requirements specific to this species have been documented.

Rehabilitate disturbed ground in line with the project plan and minimise avoidable further disturbance. Do not identify any particular plant, substrate or shelter feature as essential to this species without supporting site-specific evidence.

Rehabilitation actions: 2. Monitor and adapt

If a verified record was found in or near the work area, seek ecological advice on whether follow-up checks are warranted. Record rehabilitation actions and any subsequent observations without treating non-detection as evidence of absence.

Sources