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Superb Fruit Dove (Ptilinopus superbus)

The superb fruit dove is a small, canopy-feeding rainforest pigeon found mainly along the eastern Australian coast, from Queensland to Victoria. On development sites, retain rainforest remnants, fruiting trees and connected wet forest, particularly during the September to January breeding period.

Conservation status

New South Wales, Biodiversity Conservation Act 2016: Vulnerable.

Breeding season

Timing varies across the broad Australian range. The clearest documented breeding period is September to January in New South Wales. Most populations are resident, although some subpopulations are more nomadic and birds in south-east Queensland may occur as irregular migrants or vagrants.

The monthly pattern is based on the documented New South Wales breeding season. Breeding timing may vary elsewhere in the range.

  • Breeding: Breeding is documented from September to January. The supplied documents do not identify peak breeding months within that period.
  • Young: A single egg is laid and incubation lasts about 14 days. The duration of the nestling and dependent-young periods is not stated, so September to January is used as the documented breeding and likely nest-risk period.
  • Movement or dispersal: Most populations are resident and sedentary, but some subpopulations may be nomadic. In south-east Queensland, the species may occur as an irregular migrant or vagrant. No monthly movement pattern is provided.
  • Fruit availability and local use: Local occurrence and movement may follow fruiting trees. The supplied documents do not provide a monthly fruiting calendar for figs, palms or other food plants.
  • Highest clearing risk: September to January is the documented breeding period, so clearing, canopy pruning and high-noise disturbance are most likely to affect nests or dependent young then.

Identification

The superb fruit dove is a small forest pigeon that is usually detected in the canopy or by its distinctive call. It is cryptic in dense vegetation, but the male's strong colour pattern and the female's predominantly green plumage assist identification.

The male has golden-green upperparts, a brilliant orange to vermilion neck, a rich purple crown, a short tail tipped with white, a grey to lilac throat and breast, a broad black lower-breast band, and a creamy-white belly with green flanks.

The female is mainly light green on the back and has a small purple spot on the crown. It lacks the male's dark breast band.

The species is approximately 21 to 24 cm long and weighs about 80 to 145 g.

Identification: Calls and similar birds

The main field clue in dense rainforest is a distinctive cooing call that rises in pitch and volume to a loud, clear 'whoop, whoop'. A lower 'oom' may also be given in a steady sequence.

The marked sexual dimorphism is useful when checking an individual against reference images. The supplied documents do not provide diagnostic comparisons with particular similar fruit-dove species, so visual identification should be confirmed from several features rather than size alone.

Identification: Signs at a work site

No distinctive tracks, scats, sloughed skin or eyeshine are expected field signs for this bird.

Look and listen in wet forest gullies, rainforest edges and fruiting trees. Birds may move between isolated fruiting trees, so a record away from a continuous rainforest remnant may still indicate use of connected or nearby feeding habitat.

A simple nest made from fine interlocked forked twigs is usually placed 5 to 30 metres above ground in a rainforest or rainforest-edge tree or shrub.

  • Record the bird's sex, call, height in the canopy, direction of movement and fruiting tree used.
  • Inspect proposed clearing areas for nests in tree and shrub forks between 5 and 30 metres above ground during the breeding season.

Distribution: Australian range

In Australia, the species is concentrated on the eastern side of the continent. Records become less frequent towards the southern end of the range and may represent local movement, irregular migration or vagrancy.

The principal Australian range extends from north-eastern Queensland through north-eastern New South Wales. It is less common farther south, where it occurs in suitable habitat as far as Moruya on the south coast of New South Wales.

The species is also recorded sporadically as far south as Victoria. It occurs mainly along the eastern edge of Queensland and New South Wales, with records in eastern Victoria.

  • Queensland: eastern and north-eastern Queensland, including the south-east Queensland bioregion.
  • New South Wales: mainly the north-east, with more scattered records south to Moruya.
  • Victoria: sporadic records at the southern limit of the Australian range.
  • Tasmania: not identified in the supplied documents as part of the Australian range.

Distribution: Strongholds and population information

The strongest documented concentration is along the eastern coastal forests of Queensland and north-eastern New South Wales. In south-east Queensland, the species was described as uncommon in the surveyed bioregion and was considered likely to occur there as an irregular migrant or vagrant rather than as a regular breeding resident.

The supplied documents do not provide a national population estimate, a local population estimate or a quantified population trend. The species is described as locally abundant and common across much of its wider range, but endangered in some islands and isolated areas because of habitat destruction.

National population: Not stated in the supplied documents.

Documented southward limit: Moruya in New South Wales, with sporadic records extending to Victoria.

South-east Queensland survey result: No records during the cited CRA surveys, despite potentially suitable habitat at several sites.

Habitat: Forest types

The superb fruit dove uses closed, fruit-bearing forest, especially rainforest and rainforest edge. It can also use other wooded habitats when suitable fruiting trees are present.

Habitat includes rainforest, similar closed forest, rainforest edge, mangroves and farmland with tree cover. The species may also use eucalypt or acacia woodland where fruit-bearing trees are available.

In eastern Australia it is associated with lowland coastal rainforest and other wet forest remnants, including wet forested gullies. It is one of the birds associated with the Littoral Rainforest and Coastal Vine Thickets of Eastern Australia ecological community.

Habitat: Structure and environmental range

Important habitat features are a closed or well-developed canopy, fruiting trees and shrubs, rainforest edge vegetation, and retained connections between forest remnants. The bird generally forages high in the canopy.

The species has been reported from sea level to 2500 metres in New Guinea and Australia. The supplied documents do not define a separate Australian elevation limit.

  • Retain mature and fruit-bearing canopy trees, including isolated trees used between forest remnants.
  • Retain rainforest gullies, rainforest edges and dense coastal forest patches.
  • Avoid clearing that removes links between wet forest remnants or increases degradation at remnant edges.

Foraging habitat: Diet and feeding sites

The superb fruit dove is primarily frugivorous and feeds in the canopy. Availability of fruiting trees appears to influence local occurrence and movement.

The diet is mainly fruit. Documented food plants include figs and palms, with fruit from many tree species taken.

The species forages high in the canopy of rainforest and other closed forest. It may feed in eucalypt or acacia woodland, farmland or cleared areas when fruit-bearing trees remain.

Individuals may move between isolated fruiting trees. In south-east Queensland, sightings were considered more likely in wet forested gullies when trees were fruiting.

  • Map and retain fruiting figs, palms and other native fruit-bearing trees within and beside proposed work areas.
  • Check isolated fruiting trees outside continuous rainforest because they may be used as stepping-stone feeding sites.
  • Schedule canopy pruning or tree removal outside the September to January breeding period where practicable, and first inspect fruiting trees for birds and nests.

Foraging habitat: Foraging range and movement

The supplied documents do not give a measured home range or daily foraging distance. Most populations are described as resident and sedentary, although some subpopulations may be more nomadic.

Movement between isolated fruiting trees means that a site with no permanent flock or regular observation may still provide seasonal foraging habitat.

Breeding habitat: Breeding biology

Breeding occurs in rainforest and rainforest-edge vegetation where suitable trees or shrubs support a small fork nest. The documented breeding period in New South Wales is September to January.

Both adults incubate the single egg. The male incubates during the day and the female at night.

The nest is a simple structure of fine interlocked forked twigs. It is usually placed 5 to 30 metres above ground in a rainforest or rainforest-edge tree or shrub.

Breeding season: September to January.

Clutch size: One egg.

Incubation: Approximately 14 days.

Age at maturity: Not stated in the supplied documents.

Lifespan: Up to 10 years.

Nest height: Usually 5 to 30 metres above ground.

Breeding habitat: Breeding habitat protection

Breeding habitat is most likely to occur in rainforest and rainforest-edge trees and shrubs with suitable forks for nest construction. Closed forest, wet gullies and retained canopy are relevant habitat features.

The supplied documents do not state the length of the nestling or fledgling period. Treat active nests and nearby canopy as sensitive until breeding activity has finished and young birds are no longer dependent.

  • Retain rainforest remnants and avoid removing trees or shrubs that could support nests 5 to 30 metres above ground.
  • Before canopy clearing, pruning or high-noise construction, inspect suitable rainforest and rainforest-edge trees and shrubs during September to January.
  • Use an appropriately qualified fauna spotter catcher and follow the project approval conditions if an active nest or dependent young is found.

Sheltering habitat: Cover and resting habitat

The supplied documents provide little information on dedicated roost sites. The species is principally associated with forest canopy and dense rainforest vegetation rather than ground shelters.

Rainforest, closed forest, rainforest edges and wet forested gullies provide the main documented cover. The bird is cryptic and may remain high in dense canopy vegetation.

No specific roost tree size, hollow requirement, burrow, den or communal roost site is identified in the supplied documents.

  • Retain interconnected canopy, dense rainforest edge vegetation and wet gullies.
  • Avoid unnecessary removal of mature canopy trees and dense shrubs used for cover, feeding or nesting.
  • Keep disturbance, lighting and clearing footprints away from retained rainforest remnants where practicable.

Sheltering habitat: Nest refuge

The known reproductive refuge is the nest, a fine-twig structure placed in a tree or shrub fork 5 to 30 metres above ground. Nest trees may occur within rainforest or at the rainforest edge.

  • Inspect forked branches and dense tree or shrub structure before clearing during the breeding season.
  • Do not disturb an active nest or dependent young without following the applicable fauna handling and approval requirements.

Threats: Clearing and fragmentation

The main documented threat is loss and degradation of rainforest habitat. Small remnants, isolated fruiting trees and wet forest gullies can be affected even when broad-scale clearing is not proposed.

Clearing and degradation of rainforest remnants are identified threats. Fragmentation can reduce the availability of closed forest, fruiting trees and movement routes between feeding sites.

The species may use isolated fruiting trees, so retaining only the main rainforest block may not protect all habitat used by local birds.

  • Avoid clearing rainforest remnants, rainforest edges, wet gullies and fruit-bearing canopy trees.
  • Retain connections between forest patches and isolated fruiting trees where they contribute to movement or feeding.
  • Limit edge disturbance, weed spread and canopy opening around retained rainforest.

Threats: Construction and operational risks

Vegetation removal, canopy pruning and construction near rainforest remnants can remove feeding or nesting habitat. Work in the breeding season may also disturb adults, nests or dependent young.

The supplied documents do not identify a species-specific road mortality rate or a quantified effect of traffic. Roads and access tracks should nevertheless be kept outside retained rainforest where practicable, and vehicle movement should be managed to avoid unnecessary clearing and edge damage.

  • Use pre-clearance inspections for rainforest and rainforest-edge trees and shrubs, especially from September to January.
  • Keep construction compounds, stockpiles, lighting and temporary access routes out of retained rainforest and wet gullies.
  • Control weeds and prevent contaminated soil or machinery from degrading retained forest remnants.

Threats: Fire, predators, disease and hydrology

The supplied documents do not identify fire, introduced predators, disease or altered hydrology as direct species-specific threats. They do identify habitat degradation and clearing as the principal management concerns.

For project planning, protect the forest conditions that support fruiting trees and closed canopy. Avoid drainage changes, sediment movement and unnecessary disturbance to wet gullies and rainforest remnants.

  • Do not divert runoff into rainforest remnants or wet gullies.
  • Maintain natural drainage and prevent sediment or contaminated soil entering retained forest.
  • Use site hygiene measures to reduce the spread of soil-borne pathogens into retained native vegetation.

Survey methodology: 1. Habitat and fruiting-tree inspection

Survey for Superb Fruit Dove should focus on rainforest, rainforest edge and other closed forest with fruiting trees. The species is cryptic, often feeds high in the canopy, and may move between isolated fruiting trees, so surveys should combine habitat inspection with repeated visual and call-based searches.

Map retained and proposed clearing areas that contain rainforest, wet forest gullies, rainforest edge, mangroves, or eucalypt and acacia woodland with fruit-bearing trees.

Record fruiting figs, palms and other canopy trees that may provide food, including isolated fruiting trees between forest remnants.

Inspect the upper canopy and forest edge because the species forages high in the canopy and may occur away from continuous rainforest when suitable fruit is present.

Habitat: Rainforest and similar closed forest, with occasional use of eucalypt or acacia woodland containing fruit-bearing trees.

Foraging height: High in the canopy.

Food: Fruits of many tree species, including figs and palms.

  • Complete the inspection during the period when suitable food trees are fruiting, where practicable.
  • Record the location, species and condition of fruiting trees, and photograph diagnostic fruit, birds and habitat features.

Survey methodology: 2. Diurnal bird searches

Conduct repeated quiet searches from ground vantage points along rainforest edges, wet forest gullies and beneath fruiting canopy trees.

Use binoculars or a telescope to inspect the canopy before entering or clearing habitat.

Allow time for an observer to remain still and scan the canopy, because the species is cryptic and may be detected more readily by its call than by movement.

Body length: Approximately 24 centimetres.

Identification: The male has a purple crown, orange to vermilion neck and dark breast band; the female is mainly green and lacks the dark breast band.

  • Search both continuous forest and isolated fruiting trees connected to or near retained forest.
  • Record all observations, including sex, number of birds, behaviour, feeding tree and flight direction.

Survey methodology: 3. Call and seasonal searches

Listen for the distinctive rising coo that increases in pitch and volume to a clear whoop, whoop, and for the lower oom call given in a steady sequence.

Give particular attention to spring and summer, when the species gives distinctive calls during its breeding season.

Repeat searches under quiet conditions and document weather, start and finish times, observer names and listening locations.

Breeding period: September to January.

Call period noted in the survey document: Spring to summer.

  • Do not treat a single quiet survey as evidence that the species is absent, particularly where suitable fruiting trees or wet forest gullies are present.
  • Use call records to direct follow-up canopy searches and to identify areas requiring protection before works.

Survey methodology: Minimum effort and reporting

The supplied documents do not specify a fixed number of nights, hours, transect length, trapping effort or area-based survey intensity for Superb Fruit Dove.

Set project effort with the relevant state survey requirements and the likely detectability of the species, increasing repeat searches where habitat is suitable, fruiting or difficult to view.

  • Use a suitably qualified ecologist to document the survey design, habitat searched, fruiting conditions, weather, observers, equipment, dates, start and finish times, and all detection and non-detection results.
  • Submit verified records to the relevant state wildlife database, including the NSW wildlife records system where the project is in New South Wales.
  • Provide coordinates, date, number of birds, sex where known, behaviour, habitat, photographs or sound recordings, and the confidence of the identification.
  • Check current NSW threatened species requirements and any local reporting requirements before fieldwork begins.

Before habitat disturbance: Avoid and minimise

The species is vulnerable in New South Wales and depends on rainforest and other forest containing fruiting trees. Avoid clearing these areas first, then reduce the remaining risk through staging, habitat marking and pre-clearance checks.

Retain rainforest remnants, rainforest edges, wet forest gullies and fruit-bearing canopy trees.

Retain figs, palms and other trees used for food, including isolated fruiting trees that may link retained forest patches.

Keep retained forest connected wherever practicable and avoid creating narrow gaps between feeding and sheltering habitat.

Avoid clearing during the September to January breeding period where the work could affect occupied rainforest or rainforest edge habitat.

NSW status: Vulnerable.

Breeding period: September to January.

  • Design access tracks, compounds and services around retained rainforest and fruiting trees.
  • Do not remove large trees or canopy trees without a documented assessment of their use by the species and other fauna.
  • Protect the retained canopy, understorey and soil surface from machinery damage, weeds, sediment and unnecessary edge disturbance.

Before habitat disturbance: Approvals and work planning

Confirm the current state listing, permit and approval requirements before clearing in New South Wales or another jurisdiction.

The species is not listed under the EPBC Act in the supplied project information, but check whether the proposal may affect a separately listed threatened ecological community, including Littoral Rainforest and Coastal Vine Thickets of Eastern Australia.

Prepare a fauna management plan that identifies retained rainforest, fruiting trees, exclusion zones, survey methods, fauna handling authority, stop-work triggers and reporting pathways.

  • Stage clearing so that retained forest and fruiting trees remain available while adjoining works proceed.
  • Schedule the most disruptive work outside September to January where practicable.
  • Nominate the fauna spotter catcher, wildlife carer and veterinarian contacts before works begin.
  • Brief all operators on the species identification, no-go areas and stop-work procedure.

Before habitat disturbance: Pre-clearance preparation

Complete a pre-clearance inspection of rainforest, wet gullies, forest edges and fruiting trees immediately before works commence.

Mark retained trees, fruiting trees, rainforest remnants, canopy edges and fauna exclusion areas on plans and on the ground.

Install exclusion fencing where it can protect retained rainforest, fruiting trees or wet forest gullies from plant and vehicle access.

Repeat the inspection if clearing is delayed or if fruiting conditions, vegetation condition or the work footprint changes.

  • Check the canopy and listen for calls before machinery enters suitable habitat.
  • Record and photograph any nest, bird, injured animal or other fauna observation.
  • Keep access tracks and stockpiles outside retained habitat and away from fruiting trees.

During habitat disturbance: Daily controls and machinery coordination

Clearing should proceed slowly through suitable habitat, with the fauna spotter catcher controlling the immediate work area. The main species-specific risks are loss of rainforest and fruiting trees, disturbance during breeding, and failure to detect a cryptic canopy bird.

The fauna spotter catcher should inspect the work area each day before machinery starts and after breaks or changes in the clearing front.

Use a staged clearing sequence that allows birds to leave voluntarily towards retained forest and avoids trapping animals against machinery or cleared ground.

Keep machinery outside marked exclusion zones and stop work if the spotter catcher cannot safely inspect the canopy, forest edge or work area.

Direct operators to remove vegetation progressively rather than pushing or felling large areas at once.

  • Maintain a clear communication system between the spotter catcher, machine operator, supervisor and environmental officer.
  • Use a dedicated spotter catcher where fauna risk or visibility requires it, rather than relying on an operator to observe fauna while operating plant.
  • Do not allow workers to chase, catch or handle the bird unless they are authorised under the project fauna management plan and relevant law.
  • Keep noise, vehicle movement, lighting and unnecessary personnel away from retained rainforest and wet forest gullies.

During habitat disturbance: Habitat feature handling

Retain rainforest canopy, rainforest edge vegetation, fruiting figs, palms and other fruit-bearing trees wherever possible.

Do not fell or damage a tree containing a nest or an active bird unless the approved fauna procedure specifically permits the action and the relevant authority has been consulted.

Protect retained vegetation from root damage, soil compaction, sediment, weeds and accidental vehicle entry.

Treat isolated fruiting trees as fauna habitat and do not assume that only continuous rainforest is relevant.

  • Keep cleared vegetation and machinery from blocking movement between retained forest patches.
  • If a nest is found, establish the exclusion distance specified in the approved fauna management plan and obtain ecological advice before resuming work.
  • Do not disturb a bird that is feeding or nesting simply to obtain a closer observation.

During habitat disturbance: If a bird is found

Stop work in the immediate area and allow the spotter catcher to assess the bird, its flight path and the nearby habitat.

Allow an uninjured bird to leave without pursuit, handling or relocation wherever safe to do so.

Only an appropriately authorised person may capture or handle the bird, and handling should be limited to what is necessary for safety, assessment or lawful relocation.

If relocation is required under the approved procedure, use nearby retained rainforest or closed forest with suitable fruiting resources and maintain a record of the release location.

  • Place an injured bird in a quiet, ventilated transport container only if the handler is authorised and trained to do so.
  • Contact a veterinarian or licensed wildlife carer promptly for an injured, grounded or exhausted bird.
  • Do not provide food or water unless directed by a veterinarian or licensed wildlife carer.
  • Stop work and notify the environmental officer if a bird is nesting, repeatedly returning to the work area, injured, unable to fly or found within the active clearing front.

During habitat disturbance: Records and stop-work triggers

Record the date, time, location, habitat, fruiting condition, bird number, behaviour, sex where known, action taken and the names of all people involved.

Stop work if an unexpected Superb Fruit Dove is detected in the clearing area, if a nest is found, if marked habitat is damaged, or if the fauna spotter catcher loses a safe view of the work front.

Report any clearing of rainforest, fruiting tree damage, injury, death, capture, relocation or breach of an exclusion zone to the project environmental officer and the relevant authority where required.

  • Photograph or sound-record the animal where this can be done without causing disturbance.
  • Enter confirmed records into the project fauna register and submit verified records to the relevant state wildlife database.

After habitat disturbance: Post-clearance checks

Post-clearing checks should confirm that no bird, nest or retained habitat feature was missed and that retained rainforest and fruiting trees remain functional. Monitoring should focus on the habitat that supports feeding, breeding and movement.

Inspect the cleared area, retained forest edge and nearby wet gullies after each clearing stage and again when the final clearing front is complete.

Check for injured or grounded birds, active nests, damaged fruiting trees, canopy breaks, machinery incursions and waste or sediment entering retained habitat.

Confirm that exclusion fencing and no-go markers remain intact until construction risks have ended.

  • Keep machinery out of retained rainforest and fruit-bearing trees during demobilisation and follow-up works.
  • Escalate any injured animal, nest, unexpected mortality or habitat breach through the fauna management plan.

After habitat disturbance: Monitoring and reporting

Monitor retained rainforest, forest edges and fruiting trees during the project and after completion where the approval or fauna management plan requires it.

Use repeat visual and call searches during spring and summer, particularly September to January, to check whether birds continue to use retained habitat.

Compare post-work observations with pre-clearance records, noting changes in fruiting trees, canopy cover, forest edge condition and bird detections.

Breeding period for monitoring: September to January.

  • Report survey results, incidents, relocations, injuries, mortalities, habitat loss and corrective actions to the project environmental officer and approval authority.
  • Submit verified Superb Fruit Dove records to the relevant state wildlife database.
  • Keep monitoring and fauna handling records for the period required by the approval or management plan.

After habitat disturbance: Maintain controls and offsets

Retain exclusion fencing, weed controls, erosion controls and tree protection until the site is stable and construction impacts have ceased.

Repair damaged retained vegetation and replace failed protection measures promptly.

Where approved impacts cannot be avoided, implement any required habitat restoration, offset or compensatory measures for rainforest and fruit-bearing forest habitat.

  • Confirm that any offset or compensatory action is legally required and is designed for the habitat values affected by the project.
  • Do not treat an offset as a substitute for retaining rainforest remnants and fruiting trees on the work site.

Rehabilitation actions: Restore food and forest structure

Rehabilitation should restore closed forest structure and a reliable supply of fruit in the long term. The priority is to reconnect retained rainforest and protect the trees and understorey used by the species.

Replant locally appropriate rainforest and wet-forest species that provide fruit, including figs, palms and other species identified from the local reference vegetation.

Restore a closed or developing canopy, a diverse understorey and rainforest edge structure rather than establishing a simple grass or shrub cover.

Use local provenance planting material where available and match species selection to the site’s soil, moisture and reference community.

Reconnect retained rainforest patches by restoring cleared links where this is consistent with the approved rehabilitation design.

  • Protect planted and naturally regenerating trees from browsing, mowing, machinery and unauthorised access.
  • Retain naturally regenerating fruit-bearing trees and do not remove them during maintenance without environmental approval.
  • Replace failed plantings and control weeds before they suppress rainforest regeneration.

Rehabilitation actions: Manage threats after construction

Control weeds in and beside retained rainforest and rehabilitation areas because weed invasion and habitat degradation reduce the quality of rainforest remnants.

Manage drainage, runoff and erosion so that sediment and altered water movement do not damage wet forest gullies or planted areas.

Prevent vehicles, bicycles and machinery from spreading soil-borne pathogens into retained or rehabilitated vegetation by applying the project’s hygiene procedures.

Use fire planning that protects rainforest remnants and wet gullies from inappropriate burning, while following the relevant land manager’s approved fire regime.

  • Inspect rehabilitation after heavy rain, fire, construction maintenance and weed treatment.
  • Repair erosion and reinstate drainage before it affects retained forest or planted fruiting trees.
  • Keep access controlled until canopy cover and understorey regeneration are established.

Rehabilitation actions: Monitor success

Monitor survival and growth of planted rainforest and fruit-bearing trees, canopy development, understorey recovery, weed cover, erosion and connectivity with retained forest.

Repeat bird observations and call searches during spring and summer, with particular attention to September to January and periods when figs, palms or other food trees are fruiting.

Use the pre-clearance habitat map as the baseline and record whether Superb Fruit Doves return to retained or rehabilitated areas.

Useful bird indicators: Confirmed sightings, distinctive calls, feeding activity in fruiting trees, and movement between retained forest patches.

  • Define success using the approved rehabilitation targets for plant survival, weed control, erosion stability, canopy recovery and connection to retained forest.
  • Investigate a lack of regeneration or continuing habitat degradation and revise weed, drainage, access or planting controls.
  • Report monitoring outcomes, failures and corrective actions to the approval authority where required.

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