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Napier-Broome Bay Camaenid Land Snail (Amplirhagada novelta)

Amplirhagada novelta is a camaenid land snail known from the Napier-Broome Bay area of the Kimberley, although little is known about its biology or habitat. It is listed as DBCA Priority 1, a priority category rather than a listing under the Biodiversity Conservation Act 2016. It is poorly known and recorded from few locations, none on conservation lands, so works in its potential range warrant careful assessment.

Conservation status

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

Seasonal knowledge

Seasonal activity and breeding information are undocumented. Use the row below only as a general planning prompt, not as a species calendar.

Species-specific seasonal data: Not documented.

Seasonal activity, breeding timing and periods of reduced detectability are unknown for Amplirhagada novelta.

  • Survey and works planning: Planning window only. Seasonal activity data are unavailable, so assess site conditions and apply precautions whenever works occur.

Identification: Appearance and size

The species is identified by name, but its appearance and size are undocumented.

No shell description, measurements or other diagnostic features are documented for Amplirhagada novelta.

Identification: Similar species

Similar species and distinguishing features have not been documented. Do not make a field identification from general appearance alone. Seek confirmation from a suitably qualified malacologist.

Identification: Field signs

Taxon-specific field signs and detection methods are undocumented. As general practice for land snails, crews may notice shells or live snails while carefully checking ground-level material, but these signs alone do not confirm the species.

Distribution: Known records

Distribution information is sparse and does not establish the full range of the species.

Atlas of Living Australia records show one Western Australian record in one 0.1-degree location, with the reported grid coordinate range at latitude -14 and longitude 126.6. This is a coarse record summary, not a precise site location.

Distribution: Regional context

The DBCA list flags the Kimberley region. The common-name label refers to Napier-Broome Bay, but a detailed record locality is not available and the species' full range is not established.

WA region on DBCA list: Kimberley

DBCA status: Priority 1

National listing: None given

Habitat: Habitat information

The species' habitat is undocumented.

No vegetation type, substrate, landform or other habitat association is documented. Habitat information for other Amplirhagada species may not apply to this species.

Habitat: Site assessment

For project planning, document the vegetation, ground cover, substrate and landform at the site as observations, not as confirmed species requirements. Compare these observations with verified records or obtain specialist advice before drawing conclusions about habitat suitability.

Foraging habitat: Diet and foraging

The species' feeding behaviour, diet and foraging habitat are undocumented.

Do not assign a diet or feeding microhabitat based on general assumptions about land snails.

Foraging habitat: Field observations

If a live individual is encountered, record its position and the immediate site conditions without disturbing it unnecessarily. Document any apparent feeding as an observation, not as established species ecology, unless confirmed by an expert.

Breeding habitat: Breeding information

Breeding biology and breeding habitat are undocumented.

No breeding season, egg-laying site, clutch information or other reproductive details are documented for this species.

Breeding habitat: Precaution

Do not assume that any particular month or site feature is free of breeding activity. If a live snail or possible breeding evidence is found during works, pause nearby disturbance and seek advice from the project ecologist.

Sheltering habitat: Shelter information

Shelter sites and inactivity behaviour are undocumented.

Refuges, resting sites and seasonal inactivity patterns are undocumented. The species' sheltering habitat is unknown.

Sheltering habitat: General search practice

As general land-snail survey practice, carefully inspect ground-level refuges and sheltered surfaces where appropriate, such as beneath loose natural material, without assuming that this species uses them. Replace any moved material as found unless an authorised handling or salvage procedure requires otherwise.

Threats: Known pressures

Threats specific to Amplirhagada novelta are undocumented.

Its DBCA Priority 1 status reflects that it is poorly known, recorded from few locations, and recorded from none on conservation lands.

Threats: Works-related precaution

Treat potential direct impacts from clearing, excavation, vehicle movement and ground disturbance as general risks to land snails, not as documented threats to this species. Apply project approvals and site-specific ecological advice.

Survey methodology: 1. Desktop assessment

No species-specific survey method or detectability information is available, so surveys should be precautionary and clearly report their limits.

Check current DBCA information, the project area and nearby verified records before fieldwork. Information is limited to the Kimberley regional flag and one coarse Atlas of Living Australia record location. Precise site coordinates and habitat details are not available.

Survey methodology: 2. Field inspection

Have a suitably experienced ecologist inspect proposed disturbance areas and representative nearby areas. As general practice for land snails, use careful visual searches of ground-level material and sheltered surfaces, taking care not to damage potential refuges. This is not a validated method for this species.

Survey methodology: 3. Records and identification

Record survey date, effort, weather and site conditions, search areas, observations and any limitations. Photograph potential finds in place where practicable, minimise handling and arrange expert identification. A lack of detections does not prove absence because detectability is undocumented for this species.

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 records and approvals

Because the species' distribution and habitat are poorly documented, plan works using current records and site-specific assessment.

Review current DBCA advice and project approval conditions, and check whether new records or survey guidance are available.

Before habitat disturbance: 2. Survey and mark work areas

Arrange an ecologist-led inspection before clearing or ground disturbance where the species could be relevant. Clearly mark the approved work footprint and any areas set aside after ecological assessment. Do not rely on the coarse record grid as a site boundary.

Before habitat disturbance: 3. Brief the crew

Explain that the species is a land snail with no diagnostic field description. Instruct workers to avoid crushing or collecting snails and shells, and to report potential finds promptly.

During habitat disturbance: 1. Pause and protect

Use stop-and-check procedures if a potential snail or relevant field sign is encountered during works.

Stop nearby ground disturbance if a live snail or potential record is found. Avoid handling or moving it unless required by an approved procedure, and keep vehicles and machinery away from the immediate find area.

During habitat disturbance: 2. Notify and assess

Notify the environmental lead or project ecologist, document the observation and its location, and seek expert identification. Establish any temporary exclusion or buffer in consultation with the ecologist and in accordance with approvals. Do not apply an unsupported fixed distance.

During habitat disturbance: 3. Resume only when cleared

Do not resume work in the affected area until the responsible environmental lead has assessed the find and confirmed the required response under project procedures and approvals.

After habitat disturbance: 1. Document outcomes

Record findings and check that agreed protection measures remain in place after disturbance.

Record survey and incident results, including confirmed identifications, locations, actions taken and areas searched. Distinguish confirmed records from unverified shells or observations.

After habitat disturbance: 2. Inspect protected areas

Check any designated no-go areas or retained site features for damage and ensure temporary controls are maintained or removed as directed by the ecologist and project approvals.

Rehabilitation actions: 1. Restore the site

Species-specific rehabilitation requirements are undocumented, so restoration should be guided by site evidence and ecological advice.

Where rehabilitation is required, use the approved site plan and ecologist's advice to restore disturbed ground and vegetation to the intended condition. No particular substrate, plant or moisture regime is known to be a requirement of this snail.

Rehabilitation actions: 2. Monitor and report

Inspect rehabilitation areas for damage and document progress against project objectives. If a potential snail is encountered, record it and seek expert identification rather than treating it as confirmed Amplirhagada novelta.

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