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Windjana and Geiki Gorges Camaenid Land Snail (Kimboraga micromphala)

Kimboraga micromphala is a terrestrial camaenid land snail recorded in Western Australia. Windjana and Geiki Gorges are named in its DBCA common name. Its appearance, habitat and ecology are poorly documented, so use precautionary survey and handling measures near known records. It is listed as Priority 2 on the WA DBCA Threatened and Priority Fauna List.

Conservation status

Western Australia, WA Threatened and Priority Fauna List: Priority 2.

Seasonal planning

No species-specific activity, breeding or movement months are known. The general planning row below is not a claim about seasonal activity.

Species timing: Not documented.

Planning: Schedule checks before disturbance and adapt to site conditions. This is a general precaution, not a species-specific seasonal window.

A season of activity or breeding has not been established for this species.

  • Survey and works planning: Planning window only. Seasonal timing is not known for this species. Arrange checks before disturbance and use site-specific ecological advice.

Identification: Appearance and size

Field identification information is limited. Have a suitably experienced malacologist confirm records where identification from shell appearance alone is uncertain.

Kimboraga micromphala is a camaenid land snail. Its shell shape, colour, sculpture and size have not been documented.

  • Use shell size or visual characters as identification criteria only when supported by an authoritative identification resource.

Identification: Similar species

Other Kimboraga species are known, but distinguishing characters for K. micromphala are not documented. Available information is insufficient to separate it from similar camaenids in the field.

Identification: Field signs

Species-specific field signs, such as live-animal appearance, tracks or characteristic shell features, have not been documented.

As general land-snail practice, check sheltered ground-level places for live snails and shells. Treat a shell as an unconfirmed record until an expert has identified it.

Distribution: Known range

The species is recorded in the Kimberley region of Western Australia. Windjana and Geiki Gorges are named in its DBCA common name.

Atlas of Living Australia records show 30 Western Australian records at six distinct 0.1-degree locations, spanning latitude -17.5 to -16.5 and longitude 123.7 to 125. Records outside WA were excluded from this summary as likely errors.

Distribution: Named places and region

Windjana Gorge and Geiki Gorge are named in the DBCA common name. DBCA identifies the Kimberley region. Precise record sites and coordinates for either gorge are not identified.

  • WA DBCA region: Kimberley
  • Named places: Windjana Gorge and Geiki Gorge

Distribution: Status and records

The species is listed as Priority 2 on the DBCA Threatened and Priority Fauna List dated 1 July 2025. This is a WA priority category, not a listing under the Biodiversity Conservation Act 2016. The species has no national listing.

Habitat: Recorded habitat

Species-specific habitat information is limited. Confirm occupancy through site evidence rather than assuming a particular vegetation type or landform is used.

The vegetation, geology, soil, elevation and landforms used by Kimboraga micromphala have not been documented.

Habitat: Site assessment

For development assessments, check whether the site is within or near known records and consult current occurrence data. Consider potentially suitable ground-level shelter features as a general survey measure, not as confirmed habitat for this species.

Foraging habitat: Diet and feeding

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

Do not infer its diet from information about other camaenids or land snails.

Foraging habitat: Survey consideration

As a general land-snail survey precaution, inspect sheltered ground-level places carefully for live animals and shells. This does not establish that the species forages in those places.

Breeding habitat: Known information

Breeding biology and breeding habitat are poorly known.

The breeding season, egg-laying site, clutch size and development of Kimboraga micromphala have not been documented.

Breeding habitat: Precaution

Do not assume breeding is confined to a particular season when scheduling works. Where records or potential habitat may be affected, seek specialist advice and carry out precautionary checks before disturbance.

Sheltering habitat: Known shelter

Species-specific sheltering sites are not known. Search ground-level refuges only as a general land-snail survey measure.

The places where this species shelters or spends inactive periods have not been documented.

Sheltering habitat: General search places

As a general precaution for land-snail surveys, check sheltered ground-level features such as leaf litter, the underside of loose material and crevices where present. These are group-level search suggestions, not confirmed shelter sites for this species.

Threats: Documented information

Specific threats to this species have not been documented. Its WA Priority 2 listing indicates that it is poorly known and known from few locations.

There is no species-specific threat assessment. The available information does not establish particular pressures, population trends or declines.

Threats: Works-related risk

Clearing or ground disturbance could affect an animal if it is present, but the extent of this risk and the occupied habitat are not known. Use site-specific checks and avoid unnecessary disturbance around confirmed records.

Survey methodology: 1. Desktop assessment

There is no species-specific survey protocol or detectability information. Use a cautious, expert-led approach and record uncertainty clearly.

Check current occurrence records and project information for the Kimberley, including records associated with Windjana Gorge and Geiki Gorge. Confirm the accuracy and precision of records before using them to define a search area.

Survey methodology: 2. Field inspection

Have an appropriately experienced ecologist inspect the proposed disturbance area and nearby features that warrant checking. As general land-snail practice, search sheltered ground-level places carefully and minimise trampling or rearrangement of material.

Survey methodology: 3. Record and verify

Photograph and document any suspected live animal or shell, including the precise location and circumstances of the find. Treat an unverified shell as an unconfirmed record and seek identification from a suitably qualified malacologist.

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. Plan and brief

The species is poorly known and its habitat requirements are not documented. Plan works conservatively where records or potential occurrence are relevant.

Review occurrence records and brief the ecology and clearing teams on the species' Priority 2 status and identification uncertainty. Define areas requiring checks and agree how suspected finds will be reported.

Before habitat disturbance: 2. Check before clearing

Arrange a pre-disturbance inspection by an ecologist where the site may affect a known record or an area requiring assessment. Leave potential refuge material undisturbed until the inspection is complete.

During habitat disturbance: 1. Work carefully

Use staged, careful work practices to reduce the chance of harming an animal that may be present, without assuming species-specific behaviour or shelter use.

Keep disturbance within the approved footprint and avoid unnecessary movement of loose ground-level material in areas being checked. Ensure spotter catchers know how to pause work and notify the ecologist if a suspected snail or shell is found.

During habitat disturbance: 2. Respond to a find

Pause work in the immediate area, protect the find from further disturbance and contact the project ecologist for assessment. Do not collect or relocate an animal unless this is authorised and directed by an appropriately qualified person.

After habitat disturbance: 1. Document outcomes

Keep records of checks and findings so uncertainty and any response can be reviewed.

Record survey effort, areas inspected, suspected or confirmed observations, photographs, coordinates, work stoppages and actions taken. Distinguish confirmed identifications from unverified shells or sightings.

After habitat disturbance: 2. Review and report

Have the ecologist review findings against project requirements and current DBCA advice. Report relevant records through the appropriate project and agency channels.

Rehabilitation actions: 1. Restore disturbed ground

Rehabilitation requirements for this species have not been documented. Avoid making assumptions about species-specific habitat preferences.

Rehabilitate only within the approved scope and use locally appropriate methods set by the project's ecologist. Avoid introducing unverified materials or moving potential refuge material from other locations.

Rehabilitation actions: 2. Monitor outcomes

Where required by the project, document rehabilitation condition and any land-snail observations. General land-snail habitat features are not confirmed requirements for Kimboraga micromphala.

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