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Nimberline Camaenid Land Snail (Prymnbriareus nimberlinus)

The Nimberline camaenid land snail is an air-breathing terrestrial snail in the family Camaenidae, endemic to Australia. Western Australian records are from the Kimberley. Its habitat and ecology are poorly known, so use precautionary survey and clearing practices. 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

Seasonal activity, breeding and movement are not known for this species. Maintain survey and encounter precautions throughout the year.

Seasonal activity: Not recorded for this species.

Planning approach: The row below is a general planning window only, not a species activity period.

Species-specific seasonal timings are not known.

  • Maintain encounter precautions: General planning window only. Seasonal activity information is not available for this species; apply appropriate checks throughout the year.

Identification: Appearance and size

Basic classification is known, but diagnostic features have not been described. Field identification is uncertain unless confirmed by a suitably qualified malacologist.

This is an air-breathing land snail and a member of the family Camaenidae. Shell shape, colour, markings and dimensions have not been recorded.

Identification: Similar species

No similar species or distinguishing characters have been identified. Do not identify this snail from general appearance alone.

Identification: Field signs

Species-specific field signs have not been recorded. As general land-snail survey practice, look for live snails and shells in suitable terrestrial search areas, and photograph or retain records for expert identification where permitted.

Distribution: Known range

The species is endemic to Australia. Western Australian records indicate a Kimberley distribution, but its precise occupied range is not established.

Atlas of Living Australia records show 15 Western Australian records at seven distinct 0.1-degree locations, spanning latitude -16.2 to -15.5 and longitude 127.8 to 128.7. Records outside Western Australia were excluded as likely errors.

Distribution: Western Australian region

The DBCA priority list flags the Kimberley region. The DBCA common name refers to El Questro Station, but coordinates for that named place are not available, and other named localities are not confirmed.

Habitat: Recorded habitat

Site-level habitat for this species has not been described. Its classification as a terrestrial land snail does not establish which vegetation, landform or substrate it uses.

Specific habitat associations have not been recorded. Do not assume that a particular vegetation type, rocky area, soil or moisture condition is suitable or unsuitable for the species.

Habitat: Site assessment

During site work, document the terrestrial environments present and the conditions at any snail or shell find. Treat those observations as site evidence, not as established habitat requirements for the species.

Foraging habitat: Diet

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

No diet information has been recorded for this species. Do not assign a food source or make habitat decisions based on an assumed diet.

Foraging habitat: Precaution on site

As general land-snail practice, record the surface conditions and nearby plant material where a snail is found. These observations may assist later assessment but do not establish this species' foraging requirements.

Breeding habitat: Known information

Breeding biology, habitat and timing are poorly known.

Information on mating, egg laying, eggs, juvenile development and breeding locations has not been recorded for this species.

Breeding habitat: Field response

Do not assume that a particular season or site feature is free of breeding activity. If snails or possible eggs are encountered during works, pause local disturbance and seek advice from the project ecologist.

Sheltering habitat: Known information

The species' resting, aestivation and other sheltering behaviour have not been described.

No species-specific shelter type or sheltering conditions have been recorded.

Sheltering habitat: General search practice

For terrestrial land-snail searches generally, inspect accessible ground-level cover carefully, including leaf litter and loose surface material where present. These features are not confirmed shelters for this species.

Threats: Conservation status

Specific threats and pressures have not been identified. The DBCA category describes a poorly known taxon recorded from several locations and not considered under imminent threat.

The species is Priority 3 on the DBCA Threatened and Priority Fauna List dated 1 July 2025. No national listing is recorded.

Threats: Potential works impacts

Species-specific impact pathways have not been recorded. As a precaution for terrestrial land snails generally, avoid unnecessary disturbance of ground cover and surface material where fauna may be present, and have any find assessed before works continue.

Survey methodology: 1. Desktop assessment

Survey detectability and effective methods are not known. Use a cautious, documented search approach and do not interpret a non-detection as proof of absence.

Check project locations against the Kimberley distribution information and known records. Confirm whether the works area is near known records, including the area referenced by the common name, while recognising that record data do not give precise site localities.

Survey methodology: 2. Field search

As general land-snail survey practice, search accessible ground-level cover and record search effort, conditions, live snails and shells. Avoid destructive searching unless authorised and justified by the survey design.

Survey methodology: 3. Identification and records

Photograph finds with a scale and record coordinates, date, micro-site description and whether the specimen was a live snail or an empty shell. Arrange expert identification where needed and follow permit and project requirements for handling or collecting specimens.

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 and scope

Plan for uncertainty because habitat use, detectability and seasonal activity are not known.

Review the project footprint and fauna records with the project ecologist. The distribution data indicate a broad Kimberley range, not confirmed presence at every work site.

Before habitat disturbance: 2. Brief crews

Brief spotter catchers and clearing crews on the possibility of encountering terrestrial snails or shells, the stop-work and notification process, and the need to avoid unapproved handling or relocation.

Before habitat disturbance: 3. Check the work area

Where required by the project plan, have a suitably experienced person inspect the work area before clearing. Record the conditions and search effort; do not claim absence based solely on a limited search.

During habitat disturbance: 1. Pause and protect

If a possible land snail is found, apply a careful stop-and-check response. Species-specific handling and relocation procedures are not known.

Pause work in the immediate area of a live snail or possible diagnostic shell. Prevent machinery, foot traffic and material handling from disturbing the find while the project ecologist assesses it.

During habitat disturbance: 2. Record and notify

Photograph and record the find and its location without unnecessary disturbance. Notify the spotter catcher or project ecologist and follow the project's fauna encounter procedure.

During habitat disturbance: 3. Resume only when cleared

Do not move an animal or resume disturbance at the find location until the responsible ecologist has determined the appropriate response under project approvals and applicable requirements.

After habitat disturbance: 1. Document the event

After a find or disturbance event, keep a clear record and review whether further checks or changes to work controls are needed.

Record the identification outcome, coordinates, date, condition of the animal or shell, photographs, work activity and action taken. Keep records with the project fauna register.

After habitat disturbance: 2. Review work controls

Have the project ecologist review whether the event indicates a need for additional searches, a local work exclusion or revised crew instructions. Base decisions on verified observations and project requirements.

Rehabilitation actions: 1. Restore disturbed ground

Species-specific rehabilitation requirements are not known. Plan rehabilitation as a general precaution for terrestrial fauna, not as a proven species requirement.

Where rehabilitation is required, stabilise disturbed ground and reinstate appropriate site materials and vegetation in accordance with the project rehabilitation plan. Avoid introducing materials or organisms from other areas.

Rehabilitation actions: 2. Check outcomes

Document rehabilitation works and monitor them under the project plan. Do not infer species occupancy or recovery from general vegetation establishment alone.

Sources