Hyridella narracanensis

​​​​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.
• Hyridella narracanensis inhabits actively flowing, perennial freshwater rivers and streams. The species thrives in areas with low levels of suspended sediment and where refuges are provided by woody debris and riparian vegetation.
• In Tasmania, the current distribution of Hyridella narracanensis is restricted to the Piper & Ringarooma River Catchments in the northeast of the state.
• Recent surveys of all known populations found evidence of the species only in the middle to lower reaches of the Boobyalla and Little Boobyalla Rivers, and in a tributary of the Piper River.
• Historical (pre-2015) area of occupancy extended southwest into the Tamar River Basin, but the species was not detected in this region in recent surveys (2024) of historical localities.​
  

What to avoid

• Modification of stream beds from agricultural activities, including channelisation, water extraction and instream damming on agricultural land.
  
• Livestock access to streams.
  
• Activities that degrade riverbank integrity, enhance erosion and fine sediment input to streams.
  ​
  
  
  

• Landholders and land managers - understanding where this species occurs g, provides an opportunity to support the management and protection of this species. This may require seeking expert assistance to learn how to identify the species and confirm any sightings. You may also wish to consider employing an ecological consultant to undertake a formal survey or engaging with your local Field Naturalist club 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.
• In the areas where the species occurs, consider revegetation and fencing where streamside vegetation is degraded, and to protect waterways from erosion.
• 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.
  

• Stock can damage or crush freshwater mussels through trampling, and severely degrade mussel habitat through water quality degradation, nutrification and bed disturbance.
  
• To protect mussel localities from trampling by stock – fence off known habitat.​
  
  

• Activities which result in a major deterioration in water quality can also damage mussel habitat.

• Activities which can affect water quality include drainage works, earthworks, roading and stock access (all of which can lead to increased sediment reaching waterways), and the entry of chemicals into the waterway (e.g. fertiliser, herbicides and pesticides).

• Activities which result in changes in drainage patterns or waterflow which can damage mussel habitat. Activities which can affect drainage patterns and waterflow include roadworks and associated drainage works, channelisation and removal of vegetation.