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Lifeless Camaenid Land Snail (Kimboraga exanimus)

The lifeless camaenid land snail is a terrestrial land snail in the genus Kimboraga, recorded from the Kimberley region of Western Australia. Its habitat and ecology are poorly known. Works crews should use cautious survey and handling procedures. It is listed as Priority 3 on the WA DBCA priority fauna list. This is a DBCA priority category, not a listing under the Biodiversity Conservation Act 2016.

Conservation status

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

Seasonal planning

Species-specific activity, breeding and movement months are not known. The row below is a general works-planning prompt, not a statement about when the snail is active.

Known seasonal timing: Not documented.

Survey timing: No species-specific survey season or seasonal detectability is known.

Seasonal information for this species is not available.

  • Precautionary works planning: Planning prompt for any month. Confirm site controls and survey needs before disturbance; these months do not represent known species activity.

Identification: Appearance and size

Identification details are limited. Treat uncertain shells or specimens as requiring expert confirmation.

No description or measurements are available for this species. Its size, shell shape, colour and distinguishing features are not known.

Identification: Similar species

Kimberley camaenid shells can be strikingly similar across taxa. Worn or bleached dead shells may have few observable identification features. This is a general caution for Kimberley camaenids, not a diagnostic description of this species.

  • Do not identify this snail from a weathered shell alone where identification is uncertain.
  • Seek confirmation from a suitably experienced malacologist or other specialist.

Identification: Field signs

No species-specific field signs are known. A land-snail shell may be encountered, but a shell alone does not confirm that the species is currently present at a site.

Distribution: Known range

The species is recorded from the Kimberley region, but named collection localities are not identified.

The DBCA list flags the Kimberley region, and a taxonomic source records the species as native and endemic to the Kimberley. Atlas of Living Australia records show 25 Western Australian records at five distinct 0.1-degree locations, with reported latitude from -15.6 to -15.3 and longitude from 125 to 125.5.

These atlas coordinates describe record coverage, not a confirmed continuous range or the precise position of a population at a development site. Records outside Western Australia were excluded as likely errors.

Distribution: WA regions and status

The DBCA list flags the Kimberley region. The species is listed as Priority 3, described as poorly known, known from several locations and not under imminent threat. No national listing is given.

Habitat: Habitat knowledge

Species-specific habitat has not been documented.

The species is recorded from the Kimberley, but the landforms, vegetation, soils and other habitat it uses are not known. Do not assume a site is unsuitable solely because a particular habitat feature is not described here.

Habitat: Site context

For project planning, record the conditions present at the site and compare them with verified records or advice from a relevant specialist. Site-level habitat interpretation remains uncertain unless supported by additional reliable information.

Foraging habitat: Diet and foraging

The species’ diet and foraging habitat have not been documented.

Food items, feeding behaviour and foraging locations are unknown. Do not infer a diet or attribute feeding signs to this species without evidence.

Foraging habitat: Precaution during inspection

When inspecting ground features for general land-snail evidence, minimise disturbance and document the location and condition of any shells or live animals found. This is general field practice, not a known foraging method for the species.

Breeding habitat: Breeding information

Breeding habitat and reproductive timing are poorly known.

Where and when this species breeds, along with information on eggs, clutch size and development, have not been documented. No species-specific breeding period is known.

Breeding habitat: Works planning

No month or site feature is a confirmed breeding window or breeding habitat for this species. Where works could affect a potential occurrence, apply the project’s approved fauna procedures and seek specialist advice if breeding evidence is suspected.

Sheltering habitat: Shelter knowledge

Species-specific sheltering locations and behaviour are not known.

Sheltering locations, refuge use and responses to dry or wet conditions have not been documented.

Sheltering habitat: General search caution

As general land-snail field practice, inspect relevant ground-level refuges carefully where they occur, without assuming that this species uses any particular refuge type. Return moved natural material to its original position where safe and practicable.

Threats: Recorded threats

Specific threats to this species have not been identified.

The DBCA Priority 3 description states that the species is poorly known, known from several locations and not under imminent threat. This does not establish that a particular development activity is harmless.

Threats: Works risk

Because occurrence and habitat information are limited, avoid unnecessary disturbance to any confirmed or suspected occurrence. Apply the project’s environmental controls and escalate uncertain identifications or potential impacts to the project ecologist.

Survey methodology: 1. Desktop assessment

No species-specific survey method or detectability information is known. A failure to find the snail does not prove it is absent.

Review the project footprint against available records and information on the Kimberley distribution. Check the identification and location quality of records, noting that atlas record locations do not by themselves confirm presence within the footprint.

Survey methodology: 2. Ground inspection

Use a suitably experienced surveyor to inspect the site for live snails and shell material where the approved survey plan identifies areas for inspection. Record search effort, conditions, locations and the status of any findings. Species-specific detectability and an effective survey season are not known.

Survey methodology: 3. Identification and records

Photograph findings in place where practicable and avoid collecting specimens unless authorised and necessary for identification. Kimberley camaenid shells can be difficult to distinguish, so submit uncertain material or images to a qualified specialist and record the basis for identification.

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. Check information

Plan works with the uncertainty in the species’ site-level distribution and habitat requirements in mind.

Review DBCA priority-fauna information, available occurrence records, prior site surveys and any relevant approvals before finalising the disturbance footprint. Confirm that survey findings and identifications are sufficiently reliable for the proposed work.

Before habitat disturbance: 2. Set controls

Where an occurrence is confirmed or cannot be ruled out, have the project ecologist define any avoidance area, access limits, inspection requirements and stop-work triggers in the site environmental controls. Establish any species-specific buffer only where supported by an appropriate assessment or approval.

Before habitat disturbance: 3. Brief the crew

Explain how to recognise and report an unfamiliar land snail or shell, avoid crushing ground-level fauna during access and clearing, and whom to contact if a possible occurrence is found.

During habitat disturbance: 1. Inspect work areas

Follow the approved site controls and respond cautiously to any suspected occurrence encountered during works.

Follow the inspection and fauna-management procedures set for the project before disturbing designated areas. Keep disturbance within the approved footprint and avoid unnecessary movement of natural ground material.

During habitat disturbance: 2. Respond to a find

If a live snail or potentially relevant shell is found, pause work in the immediate area, prevent further disturbance and notify the project ecologist. Record the location and condition, and obtain identification before resuming in accordance with project approvals and procedures.

During habitat disturbance: 3. Handle cautiously

Do not handle or relocate a live animal unless authorised and directed under the project’s fauna procedures. Any approved relocation or collection should be undertaken by an appropriately qualified person.

After habitat disturbance: 1. Document outcomes

Close out findings and confirm that fauna responses and site controls have been completed.

Record survey and work observations, any confirmed identification, the location of findings, actions taken and the person responsible. Retain photographs and specialist advice with the project fauna records.

After habitat disturbance: 2. Review controls

The project ecologist should review whether the encounter requires changes to the work method, footprint controls or reporting. Follow applicable approval conditions and project procedures.

Rehabilitation actions: 1. Reinstate disturbed ground

Species-specific rehabilitation requirements and habitat targets are not known.

Where rehabilitation is required, follow the approved site plan and reinstate disturbed areas using the specified local materials and methods. Avoid introducing unapproved material or moving fauna or shells as a substitute for habitat restoration.

Rehabilitation actions: 2. Monitor and report

Record rehabilitation actions and any subsequent observations of land snails or shells. A lack of observations does not show that the species is absent or that rehabilitation has succeeded for this species.

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