Summary
Beddomeia waterhouseae is a tiny (2-4 mm) freshwater snail occurring in tributaries of Little Claytons Rivulet, near Kindred, in central northern Tasmania. The species has a very narrow range, known only from three streams within a 1 km area. The threats to B. waterhouseae are domestic and agricultural practices which can result in habitat modification or degradation. B. waterhouseae is also impacted by competition with and displacement by the exotic snail Potamopyrgus antipodarum (New Zealand hydrobiid). The principal management objectives for B. waterhouseae include preventing the loss or degradation of habitat at known localities, increasing public awareness of the species, and improving the species' reservation status.
Key Points
- Important: Is this species in your area? Do you need a permit? Ensure you’ve covered all the issues by checking the Planning Ahead page.
- Important: Different threatened species may have different requirements. For any activity you are considering, read the Activity Advice pages for background information and important advice about managing around the needs of multiple threatened species.
ActivityGeneral
Habitat
- 'Habitat’ refers to both known habitat for the species (i.e. in or near habitat where the species has been recorded) and potential habitat (i.e. areas of habitat with appropriate characteristics for the species and within the species' potential range which have not yet been adequately surveyed).
- If in doubt about whether a site represents potential habitat for this species, contact the Threatened Species Section for further advice.
- The known range of B. waterhouseae is confined to three small streams, near Kindred, in central north Tasmania (see distribution map, above).
- The potential range for B. waterhouseae is unlikely to extend greatly beyond the current known range.
- Habitat for B. waterhouseae includes the following elements: leaf litter, woody debris and rocks in stream channels, located on the underside of submerged material.
What to avoid
- Damage to downstream habitat through agricultural practices.
- Damage to stream habitat through altered flow regimes (e.g. due to construction of water impoundments upstream of known localities)
- Chemical input into the stream
Surveying
ActivitySurveying
| Key |
Survey reliability more info |
| M |
Peak survey period |
| M |
Potential survey period |
| M |
Non-survey period |
To ensure you follow the law - check whether your survey requires a permit. Always report any new records to the Natural Values Atlas, or send the information direct to the Threatened Species Section. Refer to the Activity Advice: Surveying page for background information.
| Species |
Spring |
Summer |
Autumn |
Winter |
| Beddomeia waterhouseae |
S |
S |
O |
O |
N |
N |
D |
D |
J |
J |
F |
F |
M |
M |
A |
A |
M |
M |
J |
J |
J |
J |
A |
A |
- B. waterhouseae is a very small, hard to find species which can be difficult to tell apart from other species of Beddomeia and some other hydrobiid species. Identification to species level normally requires a specialist.
- For further information on surveying or identifying this species, contact the Threatened Species Section.
Helping the species
ActivityConservation
- If you live or work in the area where the species occurs (see distribution map, above), look out for and record any observations of the species. All records of this species can provide important information on distribution and abundance.
- Important! Always report any observations of the species to the NRE Natural Values Atlas, or else provide the data direct to the Threatened Species Section. Records stored on the NVA are a permanent record and are accessible to other people interested in this species.
- Consider the needs of the whole habitat. Preserving a threatened species' habitat is the best way to manage both the species and the environment in which it lives.
- For long-term protection of populations which may arise on private land – consider protection of habitat through a vegetation management agreement or conservation covenant. See the NRE Private Land Conservation Program for more details.
Cutting or clearing trees or vegetation
ActivityCutting
- Activities which result in habitat degradation are the principal threat to B. waterhouseae, including clearing of streamside vegetation.
- To avoid damage to stream habitat – do not remove streamside vegetation around known localities.
- To avoid downstream impacts – do not clear streamside vegetation upstream of known localities.
Burning
ActivityBurning
- Activities which result in habitat degradation are the principal threat to B. waterhouseae, including burning of streamside vegetation.
- To avoid damage to stream habitat – do not burn streamside vegetation around known localities.
- To avoid downstream impacts – do not burn streamside vegetation upstream of known localities.
Agriculture
ActivityAgriculture
- Activities which result in habitat degradation are the principal threat to B. waterhouseae, including clearing and conversion of streamside vegetation.
- To avoid downstream impacts do not clear and convert (e.g. to pasture or plantation) streamside vegetation upstream of known localities.
Stock grazing
- To avoid damaging habitat – protect streamside habitat from stock by fencing and provide alternative access to water.
Construction
ActivityConstruction
- Activities which result in habitat degradation are the principal threat to B. waterhouseae, including alterations to flow conditions within stream habitat
- To avoid damage to stream habitat – avoid alterations to stream flow conditions, for example through construction of water impoundments upstream of known localities.
Changing water flow / quality
ActivityAffectingWater
- Activities which result in habitat degradation are the principal threat to B. waterhouseae, including alterations to flow conditions within stream habitat and pollution of the waterway.
- To avoid damage to stream habitat – avoid alterations to stream flow conditions, for example through construction of water impoundments upstream of known localities.
Check also for listing statement or notesheet pdf above (below the species image).
FurtherInformation
