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Mesa A Lagynochthonius Pseudoscorpion (Lagynochthonius asema)

The Mesa A Lagynochthonius pseudoscorpion is a poorly known, cave-dwelling terrestrial predator recorded from the Pilbara. It is listed as DBCA Priority 1 in Western Australia, so potential habitat should be checked carefully before clearing or disturbance.

Conservation status

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

Seasonal planning

Species-specific activity and breeding months have not been reported. The following is a general planning window only, not evidence of seasonal activity.

Breeding: No breeding season has been recorded.

Survey timing: Seasonal detectability is unknown.

Seasonal activity, movement and breeding have not been established for this species.

  • Precautionary habitat checks: General planning window only. Check potentially affected underground features before disturbance in any season.

Identification: Appearance and size

Field identification information is limited to its classification as a pseudoscorpion.

It is a pseudoscorpion in the family Chthoniidae. Detailed appearance and body size have not been documented.

Identification: Similar species

Other Lagynochthonius species are recorded in Australia, including several listed for Western Australia. Field characters for distinguishing this species from them have not been documented.

Identification: Field signs

Species-specific field signs have not been described. Confirm the identity of any suspected record before treating it as this species.

Distribution: Known range

The known distribution is limited and poorly documented.

The species is reported from the Pilbara region of north-western Australia. A broader range has not been established.

Distribution: Western Australian records

The DBCA list flags the Pilbara region. Atlas of Living Australia records show 19 Western Australian records at one distinct 0.1-degree location, with coordinates ranging from latitude -21.7 to -21.7 and longitude 115.9 to 115.9. The species is listed as Priority 1, described as poorly known and known from few locations, with none on conservation lands. This is a DBCA priority category, not a listing under the Biodiversity Conservation Act 2016.

Distribution: Named locality

The type locality is a borehole on Mesa K, near Pannawonica. Exact coordinates for this named locality have not been recorded.

Habitat: Documented habitat

Habitat information is sparse. The species is described as cave-dwelling, and its type locality is a borehole.

The species is described as cave-dwelling. Its broader landscape, geology and surface vegetation have not been documented.

Habitat: Type locality

The type locality is a borehole on Mesa K near Pannawonica. Conditions within the borehole have not been described, and it is not known whether all records are from similar sites.

Foraging habitat: Known information

The species is described as a terrestrial predator, but its prey and foraging locations have not been documented.

The species is identified as a terrestrial predator. Its diet, foraging locations and any differences in foraging between sites have not been documented.

Foraging habitat: Precaution

Do not infer a particular prey type or feeding area when assessing a work site. Where a potentially relevant cave or borehole habitat may be affected, seek advice from a suitably qualified ecologist.

Breeding habitat: Breeding knowledge

Breeding biology has not been documented.

Breeding sites, reproductive behaviour, timing and offspring numbers have not been recorded for this species.

Breeding habitat: Work planning

Do not assume that any season is free of breeding risk. If suitable cave or borehole habitat could be affected, obtain ecological advice before disturbance.

Sheltering habitat: Documented shelter

Cave-dwelling behaviour is reported, but specific shelters and how the species uses them have not been described.

The species is described as cave-dwelling. The type locality is a borehole on Mesa K, but it is not known whether the borehole itself is a shelter or what other shelter sites it may use.

Sheltering habitat: Potential habitat checks

As a precaution, identify caves, boreholes and other underground openings within the proposed disturbance area and its immediate surrounds. This is a general habitat-checking measure, not an indication that the species uses every such feature.

Threats: Threat information

Specific threats to this species have not been identified.

Species-specific threats and responses to disturbance have not been documented. Its limited known distribution and poor ecological knowledge make it important to treat potential habitat cautiously.

Threats: Conservation status

The species is DBCA Priority 1 in Western Australia. This is a DBCA priority category, not a listing under the Biodiversity Conservation Act 2016. No national listing is recorded.

Survey methodology: 1. Desktop assessment

Species-specific survey methods and detectability are unknown. Plan precautionary searches of potentially relevant underground habitat.

Review the current project footprint and known records, including the Pilbara regional flag and the Mesa K borehole type locality. Check whether caves, boreholes or other underground features may be affected.

Survey methodology: 2. Habitat inspection

Have a suitably qualified ecologist inspect potentially affected underground features before works. Use safe access procedures and do not enter confined or unstable spaces without appropriate controls.

Survey methodology: 3. Record and verify

Record the location, feature inspected, date, conditions and survey effort. Photograph observations where practicable and arrange expert identification of any pseudoscorpion found. No species-specific detection method or survey season has been established.

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 work area

Resolve potential overlap with underground habitat before clearing or other ground disturbance begins.

Check the proposed disturbance boundary and access routes for caves, boreholes and other underground openings. Include associated areas that could be affected by the planned works.

Before habitat disturbance: 2. Arrange ecological advice

Where a potentially relevant feature may be affected, obtain advice from a suitably qualified ecologist and confirm any required approvals or conditions before work proceeds.

Before habitat disturbance: 3. Brief the crew

Explain the species' Priority 1 status, the limited habitat information and the procedure for reporting unexpected fauna or newly identified underground features.

During habitat disturbance: 1. Maintain agreed limits

Use a precautionary stop-and-check approach if unexpected underground habitat or fauna is encountered.

Keep clearing and vehicle activity within the approved work area. Do not enter, fill, block or otherwise alter an underground feature unless that action has been assessed and authorised.

During habitat disturbance: 2. Respond to discoveries

If a pseudoscorpion or previously unrecorded cave or borehole is found, pause work in the immediate area, protect the feature from further disturbance and contact the project ecologist.

During habitat disturbance: 3. Avoid unverified handling

Do not handle or relocate a suspected specimen unless directed by an appropriately qualified person and permitted under applicable requirements. Record the location and circumstances of the observation.

After habitat disturbance: 1. Check the site

After works, document any observations and check that agreed habitat protections remain in place.

Confirm that protected features and work boundaries remain as agreed. Report any damage, unexpected opening or change in access to underground habitat to the project ecologist.

After habitat disturbance: 2. Retain records

Provide survey and incidental-observation records to the project ecologist, including locations, photographs, dates and identification confidence. Update project fauna records as directed.

Rehabilitation actions: 1. Protect retained features

Species-specific rehabilitation requirements have not been documented.

Where underground features are retained, keep them protected from avoidable damage and disturbance in accordance with project requirements and ecological advice.

Rehabilitation actions: 2. Avoid unassessed actions

Do not seal, fill or modify a cave, borehole or other underground feature as a rehabilitation measure without first obtaining ecological advice. Suitable rehabilitation treatments for this species have not been established.

Sources