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Noonkanbah Charopid Land Snail (Pilsbrycharopa tumida)

Pilsbrycharopa tumida is a terrestrial charopid land snail known from very limited Western Australian records. Its ecology and identifying features are poorly known. Development-site work in the Kimberley should use a cautious, survey-led approach. The species is listed as DBCA Priority 1 in Western Australia.

Conservation status

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

Seasonal guidance

Species-specific activity and breeding months have not been documented. Plan year-round rather than assuming there is a season when surveys or precautions are unnecessary.

Species-specific seasonal data: None documented.

Planning implication: Schedule checks and precautionary controls according to project risk and site conditions, not an assumed seasonal pattern.

Seasonal guidance is general planning advice, not a claim about the species' activity pattern.

  • Year-round planning: Planning window only. Species-specific activity, breeding and seasonal survey information is not available.

Identification: Appearance and size

Pilsbrycharopa tumida is a charopid terrestrial land snail. Its diagnostic features and measurements have not been documented.

The shell, soft body, colour, distinguishing features and size of Pilsbrycharopa tumida have not been described. Identify it only on confirmed diagnostic features.

Identification: Similar species

Species that could be confused with P. tumida and characters for distinguishing them have not been documented. Seek confirmation from a suitably experienced malacologist if identification affects a works decision.

Identification: Field signs

No species-specific field signs are known. As general land-snail survey practice, look for live snails and shells in likely sheltered places, but these signs alone do not confirm this species.

Distribution: Known range

Records indicate a very restricted and poorly documented Western Australian occurrence, with no verified named collection locality identified.

Atlas of Living Australia records show one Western Australian record at one distinct 0.1-degree location, with latitude -18.5 and longitude 125. The record is matched as Corinomala tumida. These coordinates describe a coarse record location, not a precise site boundary.

Distribution: WA region and status

DBCA identifies the Kimberley region. The species is listed as DBCA Priority 1, meaning it is poorly known and known from few locations, with none on conservation lands, according to the DBCA list entry dated 1 July 2025. This is a DBCA priority category, not a listing under the Biodiversity Conservation Act 2016. No national listing is given.

Distribution: Record limitations

A named, verified site locality and information on the species' range outside Western Australia have not been identified. The common name includes Noonkanbah, but this is not established as a verified collection locality.

Habitat: Documented habitat

Species-specific habitat information has not been documented.

MolluscaBase identifies the species' environment as terrestrial. No vegetation type, landform, substrate, moisture conditions or habitat association has been recorded.

Habitat: Site assessment

Do not treat general land-snail habitat assumptions as confirmed requirements of this species. Record the site conditions and microhabitats present during assessment, and seek specialist advice where potential habitat will be disturbed.

Foraging habitat: Diet and feeding sites

The species' diet and feeding behaviour have not been documented.

Do not infer food plants or feeding locations from the charopid family name.

Foraging habitat: Precaution during assessment

As general land-snail field practice, inspect a range of sheltered microhabitats rather than searching only on exposed ground. Record where observations are made without describing those places as confirmed feeding habitat.

Breeding habitat: Known information

Breeding biology and breeding habitat are poorly known.

Information on breeding season, egg laying, clutch size, development and locations used for reproduction has not been documented.

Breeding habitat: Works planning

Do not assume that any month or site condition is outside a breeding period. Where suitable-looking terrestrial microhabitats may be cleared, plan checks and disturbance controls without relying on an unverified breeding calendar.

Sheltering habitat: Known refuges

Species-specific sheltering behaviour and refuges have not been documented.

It is not known whether this species shelters in litter, under objects, in soil or in other particular refuges.

Sheltering habitat: General search practice

For terrestrial land-snail searches generally, inspect sheltered places and the undersides of loose natural cover carefully, returning any moved cover to its original position. Treat these as survey practices, not confirmed shelter requirements for P. tumida.

Threats: Documented threats

No species-specific threats have been identified.

The DBCA Priority 1 category reflects poor knowledge and few known locations.

Threats: Potential works impacts

Clearing or moving ground material could harm terrestrial snails if they are present. This is a general potential impact of works, not a documented species-specific threat. Use precaution where suitable terrestrial microhabitats may be affected.

Survey methodology: 1. Desktop assessment

The species is poorly known and identification details are limited, so document survey effort and refer uncertain records for expert review.

Check current DBCA information and occurrence records before fieldwork. Records identify the Kimberley and one coarse Atlas of Living Australia location near -18.5, 125. Do not interpret that coarse point as a precise occurrence boundary.

Survey methodology: 2. Field inspection

As general land-snail survey practice, search terrestrial microhabitats methodically and inspect live animals and shells without assuming either is diagnostic. Record survey locations, conditions, search effort and the places examined.

Survey methodology: 3. Identification and records

Photograph observations with a scale where appropriate, retain location data, and avoid collecting specimens unless authorised and necessary. Have uncertain specimens or images assessed by a qualified specialist; record identification confidence and its basis.

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 and plan

Assess the likelihood of occurrence and establish practical safeguards before clearing or ground disturbance begins.

Confirm the current DBCA status and review records for the project area and surrounding landscape. Do not assume the species is absent because no records are mapped, as occurrence data are sparse and coarse.

Before habitat disturbance: 2. Pre-clearance checks

Have a suitably experienced ecologist assess terrestrial microhabitats that will be affected, using methods appropriate for land snails. Agree in advance how potential finds will be identified, recorded, protected and escalated.

Before habitat disturbance: 3. Crew briefing

Brief spotter catchers and clearing crews on the possibility of small terrestrial fauna, careful handling of natural cover, stop-work triggers and the contact person for identification advice. Make clear which ecological details are unknown.

During habitat disturbance: 1. Controlled clearing

Use staged, observant work practices and respond cautiously to any suspected record.

Where project controls allow, work in manageable stages and have the spotter catcher inspect affected ground and cover as it is exposed. Minimise unnecessary crushing, rapid removal or displacement of natural ground material.

During habitat disturbance: 2. Suspected find

Pause work in the immediate area if a live snail or potentially relevant shell is found. Photograph and record it in place where safe, protect it from further disturbance, and obtain expert identification before deciding on the next action.

During habitat disturbance: 3. Handling and reporting

Do not handle or relocate an animal unless authorised and directed by the project ecologist. Record the location, circumstances and actions taken, and follow applicable approvals and project procedures.

After habitat disturbance: 1. Verify records

Document observations and management actions so new information can inform future decisions.

Submit photographs, coordinates and field notes for expert review where an identification is uncertain. Keep the original observation and any later identification linked in project records.

After habitat disturbance: 2. Document actions

Record search effort, areas disturbed, any finds, identification outcomes and any temporary protection measures. Report relevant records through the appropriate project and agency channels.

Rehabilitation actions: 1. Restore disturbed ground

No species-specific rehabilitation requirements have been documented. Follow project approvals and take a precautionary approach.

Reinstate disturbed ground and natural cover in accordance with the approved rehabilitation plan. Avoid introducing unverified materials or claiming that a particular restoration treatment benefits this species.

Rehabilitation actions: 2. Monitor and adapt

Monitor rehabilitation against the project's agreed objectives and record the condition of terrestrial microhabitats. Seek specialist advice if a confirmed or suspected record is associated with the works area.

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