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Ningaloo Worm Lizard (Aprasia rostrata)

The Ningaloo worm lizard is a small, fossorial, limbless lizard recorded from the North West Cape and nearby offshore islands in Western Australia. It is listed as Priority 3 by DBCA, so works in potentially suitable areas should account for its poorly known distribution and ecology.

Conservation status

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

Seasonal planning

Species-specific activity and breeding months are unknown. Use the row below as a planning reminder only, not as a seasonal survey recommendation.

Breeding: Oviparous; timing is unknown.

Activity: Seasonal activity and detectability are unknown.

Months are shown as annual planning coverage only; they do not indicate known seasonal activity.

  • Survey and works planning: Planning window only. No species-specific seasonal activity or survey window is known; consult an ecologist when scheduling surveys and ground disturbance.

Identification: Appearance and size

Use these descriptions as a guide. Field identification information is limited, and no size measurements are available.

This is a worm-like, elongate lizard with a protrusive, beak-like snout. It is fossorial and limbless.

No species-specific body length, mass, colour pattern or other measurements have been recorded.

Identification: Similar species

Other Aprasia are also worm-like and fossorial. A 2015 study noted that the southern sandplain population later named Aprasia wicherina resembled A. rostrata in general form, but differed in morphological and molecular analyses.

Do not rely on general appearance alone to confirm an identification. Refer uncertain animals or records to a suitably experienced reptile specialist.

Identification: Field signs

Species-specific tracks, burrows and other field signs have not been described. Its detectability during surveys is also unknown.

Distribution: Known range

Records are concentrated in the North West Cape and nearby offshore islands. The distribution is limited and poorly documented.

The Reptile Database records the species from Western Australia, including Hermite Island and the Monte Bello Islands. A 2015 study also examined specimens from the North West Cape peninsula and offshore islands.

Atlas of Living Australia records show 34 records at 16 distinct 0.1-degree locations in WA, spanning latitude -26.8 to -20.4 and longitude 113.4 to 115.6. Records outside WA were excluded as likely errors.

Distribution: WA region and status

The WA region flagged on the DBCA list is Pilbara. DBCA lists the species as Priority 3: poorly known, known from several locations and not under imminent threat. This is a DBCA priority category, not a listing under the Biodiversity Conservation Act 2016.

It has no national listing.

Distribution: Records and uncertainty

The species has a complex taxonomic history: Aprasia fusca was synonymised with A. rostrata in a 2013 taxonomic study. Check older records and locality information against current taxonomy.

Habitat: Recorded habitat information

The species is fossorial, but its habitat requirements are poorly known.

Specific soil, landform, vegetation community and site conditions have not been documented for this species.

Habitat: Vegetation context

A historical genus-level account associated native hummock grass and other arid ground vegetation with the habitats of the group it discussed. This is not a confirmed habitat description for A. rostrata and is context only, not a site-level habitat rule.

Foraging habitat: Diet and foraging

The species’ food and foraging behaviour have not been documented.

Diet, prey and foraging locations are unknown. Do not infer a species-specific diet from its fossorial form.

Foraging habitat: Site assessment

During site inspections, record ground conditions and vegetation around any animal or possible habitat observation. Treat these as site data only unless a specialist confirms their relevance to the species.

Breeding habitat: Known breeding information

The species lays eggs, but its breeding sites and timing are poorly known.

The Reptile Database records the species as oviparous. Nesting location, clutch size, incubation and breeding months are unknown.

Breeding habitat: Precaution

Do not assume that any season or substrate is safe for disturbance. Where works may affect potentially suitable ground, seek ecological advice and apply precautionary site controls.

Sheltering habitat: Shelter information

The species is fossorial, but its shelter sites and burrow form are unknown.

A fossorial, soil-associated lifestyle is recorded. Burrow structure, shelter depth, preferred soil and use of surface cover are not documented.

Sheltering habitat: Ground inspection

As general practice for fossorial reptiles, inspect disturbed soil, ground cavities and material being lifted or moved carefully. Do not assume the species is absent because no visible shelter signs are found.

Threats: Known information

No current, species-specific threats have been identified. Its WA Priority 3 category reflects its level of knowledge and stated threat status.

DBCA describes Priority 3 fauna as poorly known, known from several locations and not under imminent threat. No specific development-related threat has been identified for this species.

Threats: Historical note

The Reptile Database notes that no additional specimens were collected after the locality was subjected to atomic weapons testing in the 1950s. This does not establish a cause-and-effect relationship or describe current impacts.

Survey methodology: 1. Desktop assessment

Species-specific survey methods and detectability are unknown. Use a cautious, staged approach suited to a fossorial reptile and seek specialist input.

Check current DBCA records, project-area records and the latest taxonomic treatment. Compare the site with the documented North West Cape and offshore-island range, while recognising that the recorded distribution is incomplete.

Survey methodology: 2. Habitat inspection

Have an ecologist inspect ground and vegetation conditions before clearing. Record the inspection area, date, methods and limitations. A confirmed habitat template for this species is not available.

Survey methodology: 3. Search and identification

As general practice for fossorial reptiles, search suitable ground carefully and check soil or cover material only where authorised and safe. Use experienced fauna personnel, minimise disturbance, and photograph and record any suspected animal for expert verification.

No species-specific survey season, effort level or detection probability is known.

Vegetation associations: Hummock grassland or spinifex

Source-checked associations and automatically indexed candidates are separated below. An association does not establish site presence, preference or dependence.

A historical genus-level account associated native hummock grass and other arid ground vegetation with the habitats of the group it discussed.

Automatically indexed from existing profile text. Not a verified preference, mapped occurrence or habitat requirement. Check the original source and regional qualifiers before use.

Evidence: Unreviewed profile-derived candidate

Confidence: Not independently verified

Region: Scope as described in the quoted profile text; not independently verified. Profile states: WA.

Habitat use: general

Attribution gap: No sentence-level reference is attached to the original profile block. Review the profile bibliography; this candidate is not source-verified.

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 approvals

Plan for uncertainty because the species is poorly known and its habitat requirements are not well documented.

Review DBCA information, project records and relevant approvals before works. Confirm the current status and taxonomy, and arrange specialist advice if the project is within the documented range or has relevant fauna records.

Before habitat disturbance: 2. Brief the site team

Brief clearing crews and fauna spotter catchers on the species’ worm-like form, fossorial habit, limited identification information and the stop-work process for suspected fauna.

Before habitat disturbance: 3. Prepare the work area

Clearly mark approved disturbance limits and any areas to be retained. Schedule a pre-clearance inspection by suitably experienced personnel and establish a safe method for pausing works if fauna is found.

During habitat disturbance: 1. Monitor ground disturbance

Work carefully through ground disturbance and give the fauna spotter catcher clear authority to pause activity if an animal is found.

Use an appropriately qualified fauna spotter catcher during relevant clearing and soil disturbance. Work progressively and at a pace that allows inspection of exposed ground and moved material.

During habitat disturbance: 2. Stop and assess

If a suspected worm lizard is encountered, stop work in the immediate area, prevent further disturbance and contact the project ecologist or fauna specialist. Do not assume the animal is A. rostrata without expert confirmation.

During habitat disturbance: 3. Record and handle cautiously

Record the location, time, circumstances and photographs if this can be done safely. Handling or relocation should only be undertaken by authorised, competent personnel under applicable approvals and project procedures.

After habitat disturbance: 1. Report observations

After an encounter or completion of works, retain clear records and review whether additional action is needed.

Document confirmed and suspected observations, survey effort, disturbance extent and any animal response. Submit records through the project’s reporting pathway and to relevant authorities where required.

After habitat disturbance: 2. Review controls

The project ecologist should review whether exclusion areas, work methods or monitoring need adjustment. Keep unresolved identifications clearly labelled as unconfirmed.

Rehabilitation actions: 1. Restore disturbed ground

Species-specific rehabilitation requirements are unknown. Avoid claiming that rehabilitation will recreate confirmed habitat for this lizard.

Where required by the project, reinstate disturbed ground and vegetation in line with approved rehabilitation plans and local reference conditions. Avoid importing soil or material from unsuitable sources.

Rehabilitation actions: 2. Monitor outcomes

Record rehabilitation actions and outcomes. Design any fauna monitoring with an ecologist, since species-specific habitat indicators and survey methods are unknown.

Sources