Fauna Spotters logo

Le Lievre Ridge Camaenid Land Snail (Westraltrachia lievreana)

The Le Lievre Ridge Camaenid Land Snail is an air-breathing terrestrial snail in the family Camaenidae, endemic to Australia. Its habitat and biology are poorly documented. Its DBCA Priority 2 status reflects that it is poorly known and recorded from few locations, so works in its Kimberley range warrant careful checks.

Conservation status

Western Australia, WA Threatened and Priority Fauna List: Priority 2.

Seasonal planning

Seasonal activity, breeding and movement are unknown. Use year-round planning precautions rather than assuming a season of low risk.

Breeding season: Unknown.

Survey timing: No species-specific seasonal survey window is known.

The month categories indicate year-round planning only, not known seasonal activity.

  • Precautionary checks and work planning: Planning window only. No seasonal activity pattern is documented for this species; apply checks throughout the year.

Identification: Appearance and size

Taxon-specific identification information is sparse. Consult a suitably qualified mollusc specialist when identification affects works decisions.

This air-breathing land snail belongs to the family Camaenidae. Its shell, colour, distinguishing features and size have not been documented.

Identification: Similar species

No comparison with similar species is available. A general Camaenidae appearance alone is not enough to identify this snail.

Identification: Field signs

Taxon-specific field signs have not been documented. As general land-snail search practice, look carefully for live snails and shells while inspecting ground-level cover, and record the exact find location.

Distribution: Known range

Records place the species in Western Australia’s Kimberley region, but its known distribution is limited and incompletely documented.

The species is listed for the Kimberley region. Atlas of Living Australia records show seven WA records across three distinct 0.1-degree locations, between latitude -18 and -17.8 and longitude 125.1 and 125.2.

Distribution: Named records

The species is listed in a Canning Basin biodiversity baseline report and was recorded as confirmed in the Napier Downs Irrigation Project fauna survey. Coordinates for these species records are not available.

Distribution: Limits of the record

The species is poorly known and recorded from few locations. Treat mapped and reported records as incomplete evidence of occurrence, not as a reliable boundary to its range.

Habitat: Recorded habitat

The species’ habitat and the site conditions associated with its records have not been documented.

No vegetation type, landform, substrate or other habitat description is available.

Habitat: Site assessment

Do not assume a site is unsuitable because the species’ habitat has not been described. Check known records and assess the proposed disturbance area directly.

Foraging habitat: Diet

Foraging habitat and diet have not been documented.

The species’ diet is unknown.

Foraging habitat: Foraging locations

No foraging sites, feeding signs or foraging conditions have been recorded. Avoid presenting general land-snail feeding assumptions as species-specific information.

Breeding habitat: Breeding information

Breeding habitat and reproductive timing are unknown.

Breeding sites, eggs, clutch size, development and breeding season have not been documented.

Breeding habitat: Works planning

Do not rely on a presumed season when planning clearing. If suitable conditions or potential animals are found, seek ecological advice before proceeding.

Sheltering habitat: Shelter

Species-specific shelter use and inactivity patterns are unknown.

Sheltering sites, resting behaviour and responses to dry or hot conditions have not been documented.

Sheltering habitat: Precautionary search

As general land-snail search practice, inspect ground-level cover and sheltered spaces carefully where present. Do not assume snails or shells are absent because the surface appears empty.

Threats: Known threats

Specific threats to this species have not been identified. Its limited records and poorly known status support a precautionary approach to disturbance.

Species-specific threats have not been documented. Clearing and ground disturbance at a development site may affect fauna generally, but the species’ response is unknown.

Threats: Conservation context

No national listing is recorded.

Survey methodology: 1. Desktop assessment

No species-specific survey method or detectability information is available. Use a documented, cautious search and seek help with uncertain identifications.

Check current DBCA information, project records and available fauna databases for nearby records. Known Kimberley records are sparse, so do not assume the species is absent because no records are mapped.

Survey methodology: 2. Ground searches

As general practice for land snails, inspect the ground and available cover systematically, including leaf litter and sheltered ground-level cover where present. Search gently and replace anything moved as found.

Survey methodology: 3. Record and verify

Record search locations, date, conditions, effort and whether live animals or shells were found. Photograph potential records in place where practical and refer uncertain identifications to a qualified mollusc specialist.

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. Review records

Plan for uncertainty because the species’ habitat requirements and detection methods are not established.

Review the proposed footprint against Kimberley distribution information and available site records. Confirm whether relevant approvals, survey commitments or fauna management procedures apply to the project.

Before habitat disturbance: 2. Brief the crew

Brief spotter catchers, ecologists and clearing crews on the priority listing, limited identification information and the procedure for pausing work if a potential snail or shell is found.

Before habitat disturbance: 3. Check the footprint

Undertake a pre-disturbance ground search as a general land-snail precaution. Where practicable, retain undisturbed ground-level cover until checks are complete.

During habitat disturbance: 1. Clear progressively

Use staged, observable work practices and pause for assessment if a potential animal is encountered.

Where project design allows, clear in stages and keep the active work area under observation. Avoid unnecessary disturbance beyond the approved footprint.

During habitat disturbance: 2. Pause and assess

If a potential live snail or shell is found, pause work in the immediate area and have the find assessed by the project ecologist or a qualified specialist. Do not crush, discard or relocate it without direction under the applicable approvals and procedures.

During habitat disturbance: 3. Document the response

Record the location, observation and action taken, and notify the relevant project environment lead. Resume work only when the responsible person confirms the next step.

After habitat disturbance: 1. Report findings

Keep records of findings and management actions so later work can use the best available site information.

Include search effort, observations, photographs and any confirmed records in the project fauna report. Submit records through relevant project and agency channels where required.

After habitat disturbance: 2. Review remaining areas

If a potential or confirmed record is found, review adjacent areas and planned work with the project ecologist. No species-specific buffer or relocation method is established.

Rehabilitation actions: 1. Restore disturbed ground

No species-specific rehabilitation requirements are established. Base site recovery on project approvals and site-specific ecological advice.

Rehabilitate disturbed areas in accordance with the approved project plan. Where appropriate to the site, retain or reinstate native ground cover and ground-level cover, without assuming these are confirmed habitat requirements for this species.

Rehabilitation actions: 2. Avoid unauthorised movement

Do not introduce or translocate snails, shells or ground cover as a species-specific measure unless this is authorised and directed by the relevant specialists and approvals.

Sources