Furneaux Burrowing Crayfish

​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 the Furneaux Burrowing Crayfish includes gullies on the upper slopes of mountains on Flinders Island (Mt Strzelecki and the Darling Range) and on Cape Barren Island (Mt Munro). The potential range of the Furneaux Burrowing Crayfish is not likely to extend beyond Flinders Island and Cape Barren Island, however the range of the species within these islands may be extended with additional survey.
• Note that burrowing crayfish can occur in areas where there has been a lot of human activity, and in places that are not near obvious standing or running water (i.e. they do not need to be in streams or obvious wetlands).
• Habitat for the Furneaux Burrowing Crayfish corresponds to 'Riparian bush' the NRE Bushcare Toolkit. See the NRE Bushcare Toolkit for more information on how to manage this vegetation type.
• Habitat for the Furneaux Burrowing Crayfish includes the following elements: in the low banks of the upper reaches of small creeks on Mt Strzelecki, in shallow, extensively ramifying burrows; the vegetation is characterised by soft tree fern Dicksonia antarctica, rough tree fern Cyathea australis, Todia species and other ferns, in sandy granitic soils; the burrows often have more than one opening (with small pelleted chimneys) and frequently ramify beneath rotting logs or the root matting of tree ferns.
  

What to avoid

• All fire in areas of habitat

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• A permit may be required for examination of both living and dead crayfish material.
• Another species of burrowing crayfish, Engaeus cunicularius is also found in the creeks that support the Furneaux Burrowing Crayfish, but E. cunicularius is only found in lowland areas. There may be a point where the lowland species (E. cunicularius) and the highland species (Furneaux Burrowing Crayfish) overlap. The Furneaux Burrowing Crayfish can be distinguished from E. cunicularius by the presence of a patch of setae at the base of the fingers of the claw in E. cunicularius, and by the presence of pores on the lateral processes of the sternal keel at the third pereiopods in E. cunicularius.
• The presence of crayfish burrow entrances indicate that the species may be present at a site These often have a raised 'chimney' of surrounding mud (see examples of chimneys). However, definitive identification may require excavation of burrows and identification of actual specimens.
• Note that burrow excavation can be destructive to the animal involved and should only be carried out by a trained specialist with the appropriate permit and the ability to distinguish this species from other burrowing crayfish.
• Burrows of the Furneaux Burrowing Crayfish are visible all year and surveys can be carried out year-round. However, survey times should avoid periods of extreme dry or wet weather conditions. Burrows may be hard to spot during very dry periods when there is little activity on the surface, or when conditions are so wet that the chimneys are flooded or washed away.

• ​In order to recognise the species if it occurs on your property, learn to identify the signs of burrowing crayfish, such as burrow entrances with or without chimneys. If in doubt, seek expert assistance with identification.
• 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.
• If you are interested in knowing for certain whether the species occurs on your land, organise a formal survey. You may need to employ an ecological consultant to do this. Your local Bushcare or Field Naturalist club may be able to assist you with a survey.
• 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.
• Habitat for the Furneaux Burrowing Crayfish corresponds to 'Riparian bush' the NRE Bushcare Toolkit. See  the NRE Bushcare Toolkit for more information on how to manage this vegetation types.
• For long-term protection of populations 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.

• ​Clearing of vegetation for forestry and agricultural are currently not a threat to the Furneaux Burrowing Crayfish, although this may change depending upon future decisions regarding such activities on the island, any future extensions to the known range of the species, and changes to the status of unallocated Crown land.
• To avoid permanent habitat loss - do not convert habitat (e.g. to plantation, pasture or cropping land).
• Partial removal of vegetation can also lead to drying out of soil, erosion, sediment input into waterways, and changes in water table levels and drainage.
• To avoid impacts on crayfish populations and their habitat – do not clear trees or other vegetation in areas of burrowing crayfish habitat.

• ​Wildfire presents a serious threat to the Furneaux Burrowing Crayfish. High levels of fuel throughout the Strezlecki National Park, and the lack of access for fire control means that high intensity burns may pose a danger to the species.
• The flora in the upper reaches of Fotheringate Creek (the first described locality of the species and supporting vegetation) has been identified as the most fire-sensitive, and persists as rainforest remnants largely due to the protection of the surrounding topography.
• The long-term viability of the species' habitat may also be vulnerable to a combination of fire and long periods of drought. Some level of fern die-off has already been observed under recent drought conditions on Flinders Island. Frequent burning of gullies on Cape Barren Island may produce a similar effect.
• To prevent permanent loss of habitat – avoid all burning in areas of habitat.

Recovery Plan

Tasmania's freshwater burrowing crayfish

Photos of burrowing crayfish 'chimneys'