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Northcliffe Copepod (Calamoecia elongata)

Calamoecia elongata is a copepod recorded in Western Australia, with the Warren region flagged by DBCA and Northcliffe in its common name. It is poorly known, so works near potential aquatic habitat warrant precaution and appropriate survey.

Conservation status

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

Seasonal planning

Species-specific seasonal activity and breeding information are not documented. Survey timing should be set by a qualified ecologist as a planning decision, not treated as a known activity period for the species.

No months are established as a species-specific activity or breeding period.

  • Survey and works planning: Planning window only. Seasonal activity, breeding and detectability have not been established for this species.

Identification: Appearance and size

Calamoecia elongata is a copepod, but field identification information is limited.

Appearance, diagnostic features and size are not documented. General copepod appearance alone is not sufficient for identification.

Identification: Similar species

No comparisons with similar species are documented. A suitably qualified specialist should confirm identification using diagnostic characters.

Identification: Field signs

No species-specific field signs are documented. A copepod-like appearance in a water sample is not sufficient to confirm Calamoecia elongata.

Distribution: Known range

The known range is in Western Australia, but the species' full distribution is not defined.

The DBCA priority list flags the Warren region. A checklist records Calamoecia elongata in Western Australia without naming a more precise locality.

Distribution: Records and coverage

Atlas of Living Australia records show three Western Australian records in one distinct 0.1-degree location, at latitude -34.6 and longitude 116.2. These records provide limited coverage and do not establish the species' full range.

Distribution: Regional checks

The Warren is the only DBCA region flagged in the listed details. The common name includes Northcliffe, but no named survey site there is recorded.

Habitat: Known habitat

Habitat used by this species is not documented.

Waterbody types and water conditions used by the species are not documented. Do not assume that a particular wetland or waterbody type is occupied or unoccupied.

Habitat: Site assessment

As a precaution, ecologists should identify and assess aquatic habitats within or connected to the proposed works area. This is general planning advice, not a description of the species' habitat.

Foraging habitat: Diet

The species' diet and feeding habitat are not documented.

Food items and feeding behaviour are not documented for Calamoecia elongata.

Foraging habitat: Potential foraging areas

No particular foraging area is known. General copepod feeding habits are not confirmed for this species.

Breeding habitat: Breeding information

Breeding biology and habitat are poorly known.

Breeding season, reproductive behaviour, development and breeding sites are not documented.

Breeding habitat: Precaution

Do not assume that any time of year or aquatic habitat is free of breeding activity. Where works may affect aquatic habitat, seek specialist advice before disturbance.

Sheltering habitat: Shelter information

Sheltering behaviour and resting sites are not documented.

No shelter type, resting behaviour or seasonal refuge is recorded.

Sheltering habitat: Precaution around aquatic habitat

If aquatic habitat is present, avoid unnecessary disturbance to water, sediment and aquatic margins until survey and impact requirements have been assessed. This is a precautionary measure, not evidence of a known shelter site.

Threats: Known pressures

Species-specific threats have not been identified.

The DBCA category describes the species as poorly known, known from several locations and not under imminent threat. No particular threats to the species are identified.

Threats: Work-related risks

Changes to aquatic habitat, sediment disturbance or contaminated runoff may be relevant risks if aquatic habitat is present at a work site. These are general impact pathways to consider, not documented species-specific threats.

Threats: Listing context

Priority 3 is a DBCA priority category, not a listing under the Biodiversity Conservation Act 2016. There is no national listing.

Survey methodology: 1. Desktop assessment

With limited records and little information about the species, survey planning should be led by a qualified aquatic invertebrate ecologist.

Check current DBCA priority information and records for the project area, with particular attention to the Warren region. Confirm whether the site includes aquatic habitat or has aquatic connections that could be affected.

Survey methodology: 2. Field survey

If aquatic habitat is present, use a suitably qualified specialist to select a sampling approach appropriate to the waterbody and project. As general practice for copepod surveys, collected water samples can be examined for small crustaceans; species identification may require specialist microscopic examination. This is not a species-specific sampling protocol.

Survey methodology: 3. Record and report

Record survey locations, dates, conditions, methods and identification confidence. Retain suitable specimens or images where permitted and arrange expert verification for any suspected record.

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 site conditions

Plan works with the species' poorly documented habitat and detectability in mind.

Have an ecologist check for aquatic habitat and connected areas in the proposed disturbance footprint and nearby areas that may be affected. Do not assume the species is absent because no records are mapped.

Before habitat disturbance: 2. Agree safeguards

Before clearing or earthworks, agree survey needs, avoidance areas, water and sediment controls, and a stop-work and escalation process with the project team and relevant specialists.

During habitat disturbance: 1. Protect aquatic areas

Use precautionary controls where works could affect aquatic habitat or water quality.

Keep works within approved limits and maintain agreed exclusion areas. Where relevant, prevent sediment, fuels, chemicals and other contaminants from entering aquatic habitat.

During habitat disturbance: 2. Respond to discoveries

If an unanticipated aquatic feature or suspected record is found, pause work in the affected area, prevent further disturbance and contact the project ecologist for assessment. Do not make an unverified species identification.

After habitat disturbance: 1. Inspect controls

Check that agreed safeguards remain effective and document outcomes.

After relevant works, inspect erosion, sediment and water-quality controls where they were required. Repair failures promptly and record any incident that could have affected aquatic habitat.

After habitat disturbance: 2. Close out records

Document the area disturbed, survey results, any suspected records, actions taken and any follow-up recommended by the ecologist. Submit verified records through the appropriate reporting pathway.

Rehabilitation actions: 1. Restore affected areas

No species-specific rehabilitation requirements are documented.

Where aquatic habitat has been affected, follow the project rehabilitation plan and specialist advice. Aim to stabilise disturbed ground and prevent sediment or contaminants from reaching aquatic areas.

Rehabilitation actions: 2. Monitor and adapt

Monitor rehabilitation measures at a level set by the project ecologist and approval requirements. Do not claim species recovery or habitat suitability without supporting evidence.

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