Animals and Plants of Piccaninny Plains: - Shape our world

Animals and Plants of Piccaninny Plains: 

Report of a survey conducted October‐November 2008 

Jeff Middleton, Rigel Jensen, Ray Lloyd, John Kanowski and Sarah Legge 

Photographs by Wayne Lawler 

December 2008

Summary 

This report documents the rationale, methodology and results of a survey of animals and plants at Piccaninny 

Plains, a wildlife sanctuary located in Cape York Peninsula, north‐east Australia. The property was purchased in 

2008 by the Australian Wildlife Conservancy in partnership with WildlifeLink. 

The main objectives of the survey were as follows: 

• to inventory animals and plants at sites representing the major vegetation types on the property; 

• to obtain baseline data for monitoring management actions aimed at reducing the impacts of: 

o cattle grazing on grasslands and woodlands, and 

o pigs, cattle and horses on swamp habitats. 

Surveys were conducted for 4 weeks in October – November 2008, during the late dry season. A total of 41 sites 

were surveyed for birds, mammals, reptiles and frogs, as well as vegetation composition and structure, using 

standardised methodologies. Additional data were obtained from opportunistic surveys that targeted particular 

habitat types and from incidental records obtained during the course of the survey. 

The key results were: 

• The survey confirmed that Piccaninny Plains harbours high species richness: 

• 

o 231 vertebrate species were recorded in the survey, including 

18 species of mammals, 

153 species of birds, 

14 species of amphibians, and 

46 species of reptiles. 

To place these figures in context, the number of bird species recorded on Piccaninny Plains represents 

almost one‐fifth (18%) of the total Australian avifauna. 

• 216 plant species in 186 genera and 71 families were recorded in the survey. 

• Several of these records represent range extensions – either from the eastern coastal rainforests (e.g., 

Southern Common Cuscus) or from woodlands to the south (eg. Yellow‐tinted Honeyeater). 

• Piccaninny Plains protects a number of species listed as threatened by the Queensland and 

Commonwealth governments: 

o four bird species 

o two mammal species 

o five plant species 

DRAFT report – Piccaninny Plains survey, Oct/Nov 2008

• There were marked differences in the faunal assemblages among habitat types. The avifauna of the 

riparian rainforests and deciduous vine thickets was particularly rich and resembled the avifauna of the 

Iron and McIlwraith Ranges to the east, which is itself heavily dominated by New Guinean elements. 

• The habitats of Piccaninny Plains are in good condition. For example, only six weed species were 

recorded, of which just two species (both grasses) require particular management attention. 

The survey has confirmed the exceptional conservation value of Piccaninny Plains for the protection of species 

and ecosystems of northern Cape York Peninsula. 

Juvenile planigales caught in the cracking clay grasslands of Piccaninny Plains 

Report – Piccaninny Plains survey, Oct/Nov 2008

Contents 

Summary i 

Introduction 1 

Survey objectives 3 

Survey design 4 

Survey methods 6 

Results: fauna 11 

Significant fauna records 13 

Comparison of major habitat types 15 

Comparison of grazed and destocked grasslands and woodlands 17 

Results: vegetation 18 

Comparison of grazed and destocked grasslands and woodlands 23 

Weeds 23 

Recommendations for future monitoring 23 

Recommendations for management 24 

Survey participants 26 

Acknowledgements 26 

References 27 

Appendix 1: Fauna recorded at Piccaninny Plains 28 

Appendix 2: Plants recorded at Piccaninny Plains 39 

Appendix 3: Comparison of ground cover in major habitat types 45 

Report – Piccaninny Plains survey, Oct/Nov 2008

Introduction 

Piccaninny Plains is a 170,000 ha property in northern Cape York Peninsula, Queensland, Australia, purchased 

by the Australian Wildlife Conservancy in partnership with WildlifeLink in 2008. The property is of conservation 

significance for a number of reasons: 

• It contains a diverse range of extensive and relatively intact ecosystems including open woodlands, 

grasslands, wetlands, deciduous vine thickets and riparian gallery forests. These include the only 

known communities of deciduous vine thicket on cracking clay soils in the high rainfall zone (>1400 mm 

p.a.) of Queensland, as well as most of the grasslands and more than a third of the open woodlands on 

cracking clay soils in this rainfall zone. 

• It includes over 50 km frontage of the Archer River, one of the largest and least disturbed rivers on 

Cape York Peninsula. During the wet season, the Archer River floodplains are inundated to shallow 

depths by a vast body of slow moving water, up to 10 km wide. At other times, the floodplains support 

numerous ephemeral swamps and large permanent or semi‐permanent waterholes (Stanton and 

Murphy 2006). The property also includes 20 km of the Wenlock River and its associated wetlands. 

• Based on known distribution and habitat preferences, Piccaninny Plains is expected to provide habitat 

for over 420 vertebrate species, including species endemic to Cape York Peninsula and a number of 

threatened taxa (Legge et al. 2007). 

• It enhances the connectivity of protected areas on Cape York Peninsula, by linking the eastern and 

western sections of Mungkan Kandju National Park with the Aboriginal lands surrounding Iron Range 

National Park on the east coast. 

Waterbirds on Green Swamp, a large permanent wetland on the Archer River floodplain. 

Report – Piccaninny Plains survey, Oct/Nov 2008 1

Figure 1. Location of Piccaninny Plains, in northern Cape York Peninsula 


Survey objectives 

Wildlife surveys are an important part of AWC’s National Science Program. They allow us to measure progress 

against our mission (that is, to protect all of Australia’s wildlife and their habitats), and they provide baseline 

data for monitoring ecological change on sanctuaries, particularly the response of wildlife to conservation 

management practices. 

The particular objectives of the October‐November 2008 survey of Piccaninny Plains were to: 

• compile an inventory of selected vertebrate faunal groups (birds, mammals, reptiles and frogs) at sites 

representing the major vegetation types on the property; 

• survey the floristic composition and vegetation structure of these sites; 

• obtain baseline data on the impacts of exotic vertebrates on native ecosystems, for subsequent 

monitoring of the effectiveness of management actions aimed at reducing those impacts, namely: 

o the impacts of cattle grazing on two vegetation communities that are generally rare, but well‐ 

represented on Piccaninny Plains: 

grasslands comprising Heteropogon triteceus, Themeda arguens, Sorghum plumosum 

and Piliostigma malabaricum; and 

open woodlands dominated by Euclayptus platyphylla and E. leptophleba 

o the impacts of feral ungulates (cattle, horses and pigs) on a large, permanent wetland ‐ Green 

Swamp – on the Archer River floodplain. 

Additional research conducted during the survey included trials of various methods (camera traps, dung 

counts and line transect counts) for estimating Horse abundance, and trials of methods (camera traps and 

sand traps) for estimating Cat and Dingo activity. 

Gina Barnett setting a cage trap in riparian forest. 


Survey Design 

A total of 41 sites were surveyed using the standardised protocols described in detail in the following pages. 

The arrangement and number of sites in relation to the survey objectives were as follows (see also Figure 1): 

1. Inventory of key habitats on Piccaninny Plains: 

• 5 sites in gallery rainforest along the Archer River; 

• 4 sites in gallery forest along the Wenlock River (a fifth site was dropped because it was on fire); 

• 5 sites in gallery forests and deciduous vine forests along Piccaninny Creek. 

2. Baseline data to monitor the effectiveness of management actions: 

(a) Reducing impacts of cattle grazing on high conservation value grasslands and woodlands: 

• 5 sites in grazed grassland 

• 5 sites in destocked grassland 

• 5 sites in grazed Eucalyptus platyphylla/E. leptophleba woodland 

• 5 sites in destocked E. platyphylla/E. leptophleba woodland 

(b) Reducing Impacts of pigs, cattle and horses on swamp habitats: 

• 5 sites adjacent to Green Swamp; and 

• 2 sites adjacent to Bull Swamp, another comparable permanent wetland on the Archer River 

floodplain. 

Sites were generally located at least 600 m apart to ensure nominal independence as replicate samples of 

habitat. At any time, between 4 and 7 sites were surveyed concurrently. 

Ray Lloyd and Richard Johnson surveying reptiles in woodland. 


Figure 2. Location of survey sites and extent of targeted vegetation types. 


Survey methods 

Bird surveys 

Birds were surveyed in a 2 ha plot established at each site. The shape of the plot varied according to the 

habitats being surveyed, for example, 100 m x200 m in the extensive open woodland and grassland habitats, 

but 50 m x 400 m in gallery forests along the Archer and the Wenlock Rivers. 

Each site was surveyed for 20 minutes by a single observer, on two occasions. Surveys were conducted 

between sunrise and 2 ½ hours after sunrise. In each survey, observers recorded the presence and, where 

possible, the abundance of each species encountered using both observations and calls. Ancillary data were 

recorded on the start and finish time of each survey, and weather conditions (cloud cover, wind, and rain). 

For each bird observed, the following data were recorded: 

• species 

• type of observation (call/visual) 

• number of individuals observed (where possible) 

• substrate (ground, shrub‐layer, below canopy, above canopy) 

Brian Venables and Rigel Jensen at Green swamp (photo: J. Kanowski) 


Livetrapping for reptiles and small to mediumsized mammals 

At each site, a total of 20 Elliot type ‘A’ aluminium live traps were set in two lines, spaced 20 – 30 m apart, with 

a 10 m intervals between traps. In addition, a total of 8 ‐ 10 wire‐cage traps were set at each site, spaced at 20 

m intervals along each trap line. Traps were baited with a mixture of rolled oats, peanut butter and sardines. 

Wire‐cage traps were covered with hessian. 

A total of 30 m drift fence was established at each site, usually at one end of the traplines. The drift fence 

consisted of three 10 m fences arranged radially in a trefoil shape. Four 20 L bucket pitfall traps were set in 

conjunction with the drift fences, with one bucket in the centre and one bucket located approximately 2/3 of 

the way along each of the three arms. In addition, a pair of shade‐mesh funnel traps was established along 

each of the drift fence arms. The funnel traps were covered with a layer of metallicized foam insulation to 

reduce heat stress on captured animals. 

Traps were operated for three consecutive nights. Elliot and wire‐cage traps were cleared each morning, closed 

during the heat of the day and reset late each afternoon. Pitfall and funnel traps were cleared each morning 

and afternoon. 

John Kanowski and Mark Antos checking pitfall traps in woodland 


Daytime active searches for reptiles 

Active searches were conducted for diurnal reptiles at each site, targeting suitable microhabitats (e.g. under 

fallen timber, exfoliating bark or rocks, within leaf litter, on tree trunks). These surveys were conducted in 

similar habitat adjacent to each of the marked sites, or on the site following the cessation of live‐trapping, to 

avoid interfering with the captures of animals within the marked sites. 

Active searches were conducted between 10 am and 3 pm. Each search comprised a total of 1 person hour per 

site (i.e. 3 persons searching for 20 minute), with one ‐ two surveys conducted at each site. 

Walking spotlight searches for nocturnal animals 

Henry Cook examining a skink. 

Spotlight searches for nocturnal animals were conducted along transects that were established within each of 

the major habitat types. Surveys were conducted on foot by groups of 2 – 8 people, for approximately 30‐45 

minutes per site. Spotlight equipment included head‐torches and hand‐held torches. In dense habitats (e.g. 

vine thickets and riparian rainforests), transects were located along tracks or dry creek beds. 

Vehiclebased spotlight searches for nocturnal animals 

Vehicle‐based spotlighting transects were conducted opportunistically along sections of tracks that traversed 

grassland and open woodland habitats. The length of transects varied between sites. In each survey, the driver 

maintained a low speed while one or more observers searched suitable habitat with a 100 W spotlight for 

animal eye‐shine or movement. A GPS location was obtained for each record. 


Owl Call Playback Surveys 

Owls were surveyed opportunistically, using the following methodology. Pre‐recorded calls (from Fed Van 

Gessel’s CD: Australian Nightbirds – Owls, Nightjars and Frogmouths) of target species were broadcast through 

an amplification system (10 W Toa loud hailer) designed to project the sound for at least 1 km under still night 

conditions. Calls of each species were played for 5 minutes, followed by a 5 minute listening period. The 

surrounding area was searched by spotlight after a final ten minute listening period. Windy and rainy periods 

were avoided. 

Vegetation Surveys 

Vegetation data were collected at each of the 41 marked survey sites as follows: 

1. The Basal Area (BA) of woody vegetation was recorded in a 360° plotless sweep, centred on or near the 

middle of the pitfall trap array, using a bottle opener dendrometer (Universität Göttingen). Each plant tallied in 

the sweep was identified to species and categorised as a canopy tree, mid‐storey tree or shrub. 

2. Ground cover was assessed in 20 x 1 m 2 quadrats laid out at 5 m intervals along a 100 m transect, orientated 

between the two trap lines of the fauna survey. Each quadrat was subdivided into 25 subplots to facilitate 

repeatable estimation of cover. The following categories were assessed, summing to 100%: 

Leaf Litter (LL), including dead or dried, standing or lodged grass. 

Bare Ground (BG), including bare ground covered by any algal crusting. 

Rock, i.e., gravel, cobble, rock and boulders. 

Woody Debris (WD), any dead wood greater than 2.5 cm diameter. 

Vegetation cover, inclusive of any living green material. 

Animal sign (scat). 

Other, including other living material such as tree trunks, roots or vines. 

Subsets of the cover categories included the following: 

Grass cover, a subset of vegetation cover ( live grass only). 

Weeds, a subset of vegetation cover, inclusive of any exotic species recognised. 

Sedge, a subset of vegetation cover, mostly pertaining to swamp edges. 

Cracks, a subset of bare ground, a prominent feature of clay soils in the dry season. 

In addition, animal distubance (the proportion of each ground cover plot disturbed by hooves, pugging or 

rooting) was assessed on each plot. 

3. Canopy cover (CC) and Woody debris (WD) were assessed along the 100 m line transect. Canopy cover was 

assessed as projective crown cover above the transect, assuming the crown was opaque (Elzinga et al. 2001, 

Neldner et al. 2005). The volume of woody debris was assessed using a line intercept method (van Wagner 

1968), with debris assessed in the following size classes: 2.5 – 5 cm, 5 – 10 cm, 10 – 20 cm diameter. Debris >20 

cm diameter was measured precisely. 


At each site, notes were taken of soil type, cyclone damage, time since fire and other factors relevant to 

vegetation structure. Incidental species were also listed at most sites, and opportunistically across the 

property. 

Rigel Jensen and Charlie Nicholson assessing vegetation structure in woodland. 

Rigel Jensen collecting floristic samples in riparian rainforest. 


Results: fauna 

A total of 231 vertebrate species were recorded in the survey, including 18 species of mammals, 153 species of 

birds, 14 species of amphibians and 46 species of reptiles (Appendix 1). Six of these species (four birds, two 

mammals) are listed as rare or threatened under Federal or State legislation (Table 1). 

Table 1. Threatened vertebrates recorded during fauna surveys at Piccaninny Plains 

Scientific Name Common name FAMILY Threat category: 

Federal 1 State 2 

Birds 

Ephippiorhynchus asiaticus Black‐necked Stork Ciconiidae Rare 

Ninox rufa Rufous Owl Strigidae Rare 

Probosciger aterrimus Palm Cockatoo Cacatuidae Rare 

Tadorna radjah Radjah Shelduck Anatidae Rare 

Mammals 

Spilocuscus maculatus Common Spotted Cuscus Phalangeridae Rare 

Pteropus conspicillatus Spectacled Flying‐fox Pteropodidae Vulnerable 

1 EPBC (2000); 2 Nature Conservation Act (Qld) 2007 

The survey recorded over half the 428 native vertebrate species predicted to occur on Piccaninny Plains (with 

varying levels of confidence). In particular, the survey confirmed the presence of 60% of the native bird species, 

56% of native amphibians, 58% of native reptiles and 27% of native mammals predicted to occur on the 

property. The figure for mammals was lower than other vertebrate groups largely because Microchiropteran 

bats were not surveyed (25 species predicted for Piccaninny Plains). Excluding this group, the survey confirmed 

45% of the native mammal species predicted to occur on the property. Hot and dry weather conditions during 

the survey would have reduced recording rates for some taxa, such as myobatrachid frogs and elapid snakes. 

For birds, the number of species recorded on Piccaninny Plains represents 18% of the total Australian avifauna; 

for other taxa, the records represent 4 ‐ 5% of the total Australian species in each group. 

Four species endemic to the Cape York bioregion were recorded during the survey, including Cape York 

Melomys (Melomys capensis), White‐streaked Honeyeater (Trichodere cockerelli) and two skinks, Carlia rimula 

and Carlia macfarlani. Fve other species endemic to the Cape York bioregion may also occur on the sanctuary 

including a microhylid frog Austrochaperina gracilipes; a gecko Nactus eboracensis; a skink Carlia sesbrauna; a 

blind snake Ramphotyphlops chamodracaena and the Green‐backed Honeyeater (Glycichaera fallax). 

Five exotic species were recorded during the survey including Asian House Gecko, Cat, Cattle, Horse and Pig. 

The House Mouse and Black Rat may also occur on the property. These species are widespread in many 

Australian ecosystems. 


Two of the rare fauna recorded at Piccaninny Plains. Above: Palm Cockatoo (Probosciger 

aterrimus); Below: Common Spotted Cuscus (Spilocuscus maculatus). 


Significant fauna records 

Mammals 

Birds 

• Three mammals endemic to Cape York Peninsula were recorded in riparian rainforests: Cape York 

Melomys (Melomys capensis), Southern Common Cuscus (Phalanger mimicus) and Common Spotted 

Cuscus (Spilocuscus maculatus). Both species of cuscus also occur in New Guinea. The record of 

Southern Common Cuscus in the riparian rainforest along the Archer River is of particular significance 

as this species is typically associated with rainforests of the Iron and McIlwraith Ranges to the east of 

Piccaninny Plains (Van Dyck and Strahan 2008). 

• The presence of Brush‐tailed Possum (Trichosurus vulpecula) on Piccaninny Plains is also significant. 

This species appears to have experienced a major reduction in its range on Cape York Peninsula. 

• The only bird species globally endemic to Cape York, the White‐streaked Honeyeater (Trichodere 

cockerelli), was recorded in riparian gallery forest. This species is usually associated with heaths and 

heathy woodlands. 

• Seven other bird species endemic to Cape York (but found extra‐limitally in New Guinea) were 

recorded in the survey including the Magnificent Riflebird (Ptiloris magnificus), Palm Cockatoo and 

Trumpet Manucode (Manucodia keraudrenii). 

Reptiles and frogs 

• Waterholes in the floodplains of the Archer and Wenlock Rivers were teeming with Freshwater 

Crocodiles (Crocodylus johnstoni), Arafura File Snakes (Acrochordus arafurae) and Northern Yellow‐ 

faced Turtles (Emydura tanybaraga). 

• The cracking black soil grasslands contained a high diversity and density of snakes, including the highly 

venomous Coastal Taipan (Oxyuranus scutellatus). 

• Grey’s Skink (Menetia greyii) was recorded in the grasslands, a range extension for this species. 

• The Rainbow Skinks Carlia macfarlani (a Cape York endemic) and Carlia rimula were recorded on the 

property. These species are more commonly found on eastern Cape York. Two undescribed species of 

rainbow skink from the Carlia aerata species complex were also recorded. 

• The Yellow‐spotted Monitor (Varanus panoptes) and Mertens’ Water Monitor (Varanus mertensi) were 

recorded in the surveys. These two goannas are susceptible to being poisoned after ingesting cane 

toads and have rapidly declined in the Northern Territory following the advent of cane toads. However, 

they are persisting at Piccaninny Plains. 


Above: Northern Death Adder (Acanthophis praelongus). 

Below: A juvenile Freshwater Crocodile (Crocodylus johnstoni) in a pool on the Wenlock River. 


Comparison of major habitat types. 

The major habitat types surveyed in the study were riparian rainforest (12 sites), deciduous vine thicket (2 

sites), swamp margins (7 sites); and 10 sites each in woodlands and grasslands. More detailed descriptions of 

these habitat types are provided in the results of vegetation surveys, below. 

The mean numbers of frog, bird, mammal and reptile species recorded in survey sites located in the major 

habitat types are presented in Figure 3. The results show that that riparian rainforests supported relatively high 

numbers of species from all vertebrate groups. Deciduous vine thickets also supported a rich bird assemblage 

(essentially, the same assemblage found in the gallery rainforests). Bird species richness was intermediate in 

swamp margins and woodlands, and lowest in grasslands. However, some birds were recorded only in 

grassland habitats (e.g., Spotted Harrier Circus assimilis; Brown Songlark Cincloramphus cruralis). Reptiles were 

relatively species rich in woodland and riparian rainforest sites, while frogs were mostly recorded in riparian 

rainforest and swamp margin sites. 

Mean no. species per site 

40 

35 

30 

25 

20 

15 

10 

5 

0 

Riparian 

rainforests 

Deciduous 

vine thickets 

Swamp 

margins 

amphibians 

birds 

mammals 

reptiles 

Woodlands Grasslands 

Figure 3. Comparison of mean species richness at sites surveyed in major habitat types. Error bars show 

standard errors. 


The relative similarity of species assemblages in the major habitat types are depicted in the ordination below 

(Figure 4). This figure is like a ‘map’, where the similarity of sites in terms of species composition is reflected in 

their proximity n the ordination: i.e., sites which support similar species are located close to each other in the 

ordination. 

In the ordination, rainforests (riparian rainforests and deciduous vine thickets) are shown to support a suite of 

species that is distinct from other habitat types on Piccaninny Plains. For example, birds such as the Wompoo, 

Superb and Rose‐crowned Fruit‐doves (Ptilinopus magnificus, P. superbus and P. regina), Magnificent Riflebird 

(Ptiloris magnificus), Trumpet Manucode (Manucodia keraudrenii), Black Butcherbird (Cracticus quoyi) and 

Papuan Frogmouth (Podargus papuensis) were characteristic of rainforest sites. Conversely, some species were 

only recorded away from rainforest, such as the Tawny Frogmouth (Podargus strigoides), Grey‐crowned 

Babbler (Pomatostomus temporalis), Black‐throated Finch (Poephila cincta), Pied Butcherbird (Cracticus 

nigrogularis) and Golden‐headed Cisticola (Cisticola exilis). However, about one‐third of species occurred in 

rainforest and other habitat types. For example, the Pied Imperial‐pigeon (Ducula bicolor) foraged in rainforest, 

but roosted along the margins of swamps, while the Blue‐winged Kookaburra (Dacelo leachii) was ubiquitous 

on the property. 

DVT1 

DVT2 

RF11 

RF5 

RF12 

RF2 

RF3 RF9RF6 

RF1RF7 

RF4 

RF10RF8 

SW6 

SW4 

SW3 

SW7 

SW2 

W6 

SW1 

SW5 

W7 

W9 

W10 

W8 

G4 

G3 

Figure 4. Ordination of survey sites by all vertebrate species recorded in surveys. Habitat types: RF = gallery 

rainforest; DVT = deciduous vine thicket; SW = swamp margins; W = woodland; G = grassland. Numbers are 

replicate sites within each habitat type (e.g., there are 10 grassland sites, numbered G1 to G10). This is a multi‐ 

dimensional scaling plot (MDS), based on the Bray‐Curtis similarity metric, using presence‐absence data. 

Report – Piccaninny Plains survey, Oct/Nov 2008 16 

G8 

G7 

G5 

G1 

W1 

W5 

W4 

G9 

W2 W3 

G2 

G10 

2D Stress: 0.17 

G6

Comparison of grazed and destocked grasslands and woodlands. 

In the survey, baseline data were collected on the occurrence of vertebrates in grazed and destocked sites. 

More reptile species were recorded in destocked than grazed grassland and woodlands sites, while more 

mammal species were recorded in destocked than grazed woodlands (Figure 4). In contrast, more bird species 

were recorded in grazed than destocked grasslands. This last result may reflect potentially confounding habitat 

differences between grazed and destocked grassland sites: e.g., trees tended to be more prominent in the 

grazed grassland sites (this point is discussed further in the vegetation results, below). 


25 

20 

15 

10 

5 

0 

Grassland sites 

amphibians birds mammals reptiles 

Figure 4. Comparison of mean species richness for amphibians, birds, mammals and reptiles in 

grazed and destocked sites. Above: grassland sites. Below: woodland sites. Error bars show 

standard errors. There were 5 sites in each treatment. 


30 

25 

20 

15 

10 

5 

0 

Woodland sites 

amphibians birds mammals reptiles 

Grazed 

Destocked 

Grazed 

Destocked 


Results: vegetation 

Summary of the floristic surveys 

A total of 216 plant species in 186 genera and 71 families were recorded on Piccaninny Plains (Appendix 2). 

Five of these species are listed as rare under state (Qld) legislation. The most diverse genera were Ficus (7 

species), Acacia and Melaleuca (each 6 species), and Corymbia and Eucalyptus (each 5 species). The most 

diverse families were Myrtaceae (27 species), Mimosaceae, Rubiaceae and Sapindaceae (each 10 species) and 

Moraceae (8 species). The plant list is remarkably good, given that the survey was conducted at the height of 

the dry season in one of the driest years in decades in the region. 

During the survey, 14 herbarium collections were made of fertile plant material. Of these, three collections 

were of special significance: 

• Cecarria obtusifolia ‐ the second record for Queensland. 

• Anacolosa papuana ‐ the fifth record for Queensland. 

• Pterocarpus sp. (Archer River B.P.Hyland 3078) ‐ the ninth record for Queensland, but the first 

fertile (fruiting) collection. 

On the basis of the survey results, the 41 monitoring sites were grouped into four broad vegetation types: 

• Rainforest (14 sites), 

• Swamp margins (7 sites), 

• Grasslands (10 sites, comprising 5 grazed and 5 destocked), and 

• Woodlands (10 sites, comprising 5 grazed and 5 destocked). 

Of these, rainforest was split into two distinct types: 

• Riparian rainforest (12 sites), and 

• Deciduous vine thicket (DVT) (2 sites). 

Riparian rainforest 

Riparian rainforests are found along the Archer and Wenlock River systems, particularly amongst river channels 

where the forests are protected from fire. They often have a very grand appearance with large diameter trees. 

The mean basal area of riparian rainforest sites was 33 m 2 /ha (range 19 ‐ 49 m 2 /ha). The average height of 

canopy trees was 20 m, although the canopy was mostly uneven, with individual canopy trees ranging in height 

from 7 to 31 m. On average, 11 species (range 8 – 14) were recorded in basal area sweeps of the canopy of 

rainforest sites. In most circumstances, two or three species dominated the canopy. The average canopy cover 

(projective crown cover) was 87% (range 72 – 100%). Standing dead trees were a significant component of the 

forest, accounting for 8 % of all stems. The shrub layer was largely absent from the better developed stands, 

but in canopy gaps or along edges, it often formed dense tangles of shrubs and vines. The volume of woody 

debris in riparian rainforests was relatively high (mean 42 m 3 /ha, range 10 – 113 m 3 /ha). 


Rainforest on Piccaninny Plains. Left: gallery rainforest along the Wenlock River. Right: deciduous vine 

thicket near Piccaninny Creek (photos: J. Kanowski). 

Deciduous Vine Thicket (DVT) 

Deciduous vine thickets, by definition, are largely leafless in the late dry season. These forests were generally 

associated with riparian systems; they were found adjacent to gallery rainforest along the Archer and Wenlock 

Rivers and along the smaller stream channels. The forest was mostly comprised of densely‐spaced small to 

medium‐sized stems, forming a relatively even canopy, with the occasional large emergent (see photo, above 

right). The mean basal area of vine thicket sites was 24 m 2 /ha (range 22 ‐ 26 m 2 /ha). The canopy varied in 

height from 11 to 14 m with an average height of 12 m. On average, 11 species were recorded in basal area 

sweeps of the canopy of vine thicket sites, although two species usually dominated. Standing dead trees 

accounted for 7 % of all stems. The shrub layer was generally a continuum of the canopy and varied from 

sparse to dense, often favouring the later, making it hard to traverse a straight line in any direction. The 

average canopy cover (projective crown cover) was 87% (74 – 100%). On average, the volume of woody debris 

in vine thickets was low (8 m 3 /ha, range 4 – 11 m 3 /ha). 

Swamp margins 

The margins of Green Swamp and Bull Swamp were dominated by Melaleuca viridiflora var. viridiflora which 

formed forests or woodlands on seasonally inundated shallow pans. The trees were mostly of even age and 


size, though their distribution was often patchy, ranging from almost closed forest to patches of ground devoid 

of trees. The mean basal area of the swamp margin sites was 13 m 2 /ha (range 6 – 24 m 2 /ha). The trees were 

mostly of an even height, ranging from 12 to 16 m with an average of 13 m. The average canopy cover was 44% 

(17 – 81%) largely made up of one species. Structurally they were simple with little vegetation in the lower 

strata except for a grass/herb layer. The forests showed signs of disturbance from tropical cyclones, 

presumably Monica in 2006, as volumes of debris were relatively high (mean 29 m 3 /ha, range 5 – 54 m 3 /ha) , 

while standing dead trees made up 15 % of stems counted. 

Grasslands 

Dense stand of Melaleuca viridiflora on the margin of Green Swamp (photo: J. Kanowski) 

The grasslands on Piccaninny Plains rangedfrom almost treeless expanses on deeply gilgaied plains to gilgaied 

plains dotted with single trees or clumps of two or three trees. The average basal area was 1 m 2 /ha (0 – 2 

m 2 /ha) with an average tree height of 8.8 m (range 8 – 11 m), although 60% of the plots had no trees. The 

average canopy cover was 3% (0 – 15%) with only three species present: Piliostigma malabaricum, Corymbia 

papuana and Corymbia clarksoniana. These are species that can partially tolerate the shrinkage and cracking 

that occurs on these self mulching black soils. Standing dead trees accounted for 20% of stems counted. There 

was little woody debris (range 0 – 3 m 3 /ha) in the grassland sites. 


Woodlands 

Grassland with scattered trees on cracking black soils (photo: J. Kanowski) 

The woodlands were relatively homogeneous in structure. Average basal area was 8 m 2 /ha (range 3 – 12 

m 2 /ha), canopy height 13 m (range 10 ‐ 16 m) and canopy cover 27% (4 – 54%). The woodlands were layered 

into two or three strata, generally with a subcanopy or a subdominant tree layer and a distinct shrub layer over 

grass. The canopy was generally made up of two to three species, with Eucalyptus leptophleba being dominant 

in a majority of cases. Woody debris averaged 6 m 3 /ha (1 – 31 m 3 /ha). Stags were 8% of stems counted. 

Woodland at Piccaninny Plains (photo: J. Kanowski). 


Summary of ground cover data 

Leaf litter and bare ground accounted for the majority of ground cover, with contrasting trends (Appendix 3). 

The ground cover of rainforests and woodlands was mostly leaf litter, whereas in grasslands, leaf litter only 

comprised 40% of ground cover, the remainder being mostly bare ground. The swamp margins had much 

higher levels of vegetation cover, but also animal disturbance, than other sites. 

The low level of grass cover in most non‐rainforest sites was largely due to the conduct of surveys in the late 

dry season, when most grass present had cured or been burnt. The high disturbance score for the swamp 

margins was intrinsically related to their high cover of green vegetation. Stock and feral animals were attracted 

to this vegetation, the last of the green pick available in the late dry season. 

Some of the grassland sites that were heavily grazed exhibited considerable recruitment of tree saplings, in 

particular Piliostigma malabaricum, and to a lesser extent Corymbia papuana and Corymbia confertiflora. This 

is probably related to grazing reducing fuel levels below a threshold sufficient to support hot fires which might 

kill saplings of the more fire‐tolerant species. 

Bare ground was a significant proportion of the ground cover on most sites. While this might be construed as a 

negative, in terms of ecosystem health, in many cases the bare ground was covered by a biological soil crust 

(cryptogamic, cryptobiotic, microbiotic and microphytic). This crust is an integral part of a healthy ecosystem in 

semi‐arid ecosystems throughout the world (Belnap et al. 2001). I 

An unusual feature of the clay soils was the presence of many crab holes. These holes had occasionally been 

taken over by mygalomorph spiders (family Theraphosidae). 

Disturbance from pigs rooting around swamp margins on the Archer River floodplain (photo: J. Kanowski). 


Comparison of grazed and destocked grasslands and woodlands. 

In the grasslands, destocked sites supported much more leaf litter (standing or lodged dried grass), more 

vegetation cover (mostly grass), less bare ground and showed fewer signs of animal disturbance than sites in 

grazed paddocks. The woodland sites, however, did not conform to this pattern. Destocked sites supported 

slightly less leaf litter and vegetation cover, and slightly more bare ground, than grazed sites. 

Unfortunately, comparison of grazed and destocked sites was partly confounded by several factors, including: 

• substrate: all the destocked woodland sites were on laterite, whereas three of the grazed woodland 

sites were on black soils. Laterite sites generally have much patchier ground cover than black soil sites. 

• fire: all ten of the woodland sites had been recently burnt, whereas only five of the grassland sites had 

been burnt, and these were not evenly distributed across the grazing treatments. 

Weeds 

Six weed species were recorded during plant surveys: Hymenachne amplexicaulis (Hymenachne), Themeda 

quadrivalvis (grader grass), Mangifera indica (mango), Urena lobata (Congo jute), Hyptis capitata 

(knowbweed) and Hyptis suaveolens (horehound). 

Recommendations for future monitoring 

1. The survey recorded more than half the species predicted to occur on Piccaninny Plains. Hence, there is 

scope for adding to the inventory of the property in future surveys, particularly by (i) increasing effort in 

undersampled habitats (identification of such habitats would be faciliated by the production of a detailed 

vegetation map for the property); (ii) conducting surveys in seasons other than the late dry: e.g., 

amphibians would be more active after rain; and (iii) broadening the scope of surveys: e.g., amongst 

vertebrates, microchiropteran bats were not surveyed. 

2. The survey collected baseline data to examine the impacts of cattle grazing on rare grassland and 

woodland ecosystems. Future surveys should rectify potentially confounding factors in the comparison of 

grazed and destocked sites. In particular, grazed woodland sites on black soils should have matching 

destocked replicates on black soils; and grazed and destocked grasslands should, where possible, have 

similar levels of tree cover at the beginning of the study. 

3. The survey collected baseline data from 5 sites around Green Swamp and 2 sites around Bull Swamp, to 

examine the impacts of feral ungulates on swamp margins. If, in the future, ungulates were to be excluded 

from Green Swamp, it would be useful to survey additional control sites to the two located in Bull Swamp. 

Such sites may need to be located within the adjacent Mungkan Kandju National Park (e.g., Goose Swamp). 

4. Where possible, future surveys should focus on obtaining data that address specific questions related to 

the conservation management of Piccainny Plains (see discussion of management issues, below). 


Recommendations for management 

An initial assessment of Piccaninny Plains by Legge et al. (2007) considered the property to be in relatively good 

condition, due to limited clearing, low stocking rates and few problem weeds. The results of the present 

detailed study support this assessment. Management issues raised by Legge et al. (2007) included: 

• Total grazing pressure, 

• Mismanaged fire, 

• Increasing risk of weed encroachment, and 

• Threats from feral predators. 

These issues are discussed below. 

Total grazing pressure has been reduced on Piccaninny Plains since its acquisition by AWC and Wildlife Link. 

Cattle have been mustered from the floodplains to fenced paddocks closer to the homestead. In 2008, large 

numbers of feral Horse have been shot. These actions will continue, but ongoing reduction in the numbers of 

feral Cattle and Horses on the floodplains of the Archer and Wenlock Rivers is likely to require co‐ordinated 

management by neighbouring properties (National Park, Aboriginal lands and pastoral holdings). 

Feral Cattle in Green Swamp. 


Fire regimes across tropical savannas in northern Australia have changed as a result of Aboriginal dispossession 

and the advent of pastoralism (Woinarski et al. 2007). Typically, there are fewer small‐scale, early season fires, 

and more extensive late dry season fires. These changes can have profound effects on the ecological trajectory 

of savannas and on the availability of resources to wildlife. In some habitats, grazing has reduced fuel loads, 

leading to woody thickening. For example, on Piccaninny Plains, there appears to be considerable recruitment 

of tree saplings to some of the black soil grasslands and extensive patches of coppicing in some of the 

Melaleuca woodlands. The establishment of a fire regime which promotes the maintenance of landscape and 

species diversity is a key challenge for management at Piccaninny Plains, and will be a focus of conservation 

planning in the coming years. 

Generally, Piccaninny Plains has few weeds. However, two of the six weed species recorded in the surveys are 

of management concern: 

• Hymenachne amplexicaulis is a rampant grass promoted as a ponded pasture, with the potential to 

choke the waterways and swamps on Piccaninny. It was located in the dam next to the homestead, 

from which it is being eradicated. 

• Themeda quadrivalvis (grader grass) is a noxious grass that was promoted as a pasture. it is currently 

limited in distribution at Piccaninny Plains and efforts should be made to restrict its spread. 

A patch of Andropogon gayanus (gamba grass) had been located near the entrance to the property in earlier 

surveys. Gamba grass is a tall, rampant grass that can have a detrimental effect on woody vegetation by 

promoting excessively hot fires. This patch appears to have been eradicated. 

Feral predators are considered to be the predominant cause of mammal extinctions in Australia since 

European settlement (Johnson 2006). The interactions between predators can be complex, such that control 

efforts targetting one species (e.g., baiting of Dingos and feral Dogs) can lead to the irruption of smaller 

predators, such as the Red Fox and Cat. The interactions between predators and their impacts on prey species 

is a research question currently being pursued by AWC in its sanctuaries and by other researchers in tropical 

savannas. It would be useful to pursue this research on Piccaninny Plains, so that management actions can be 

carefully targetted to control species of most concern to conservation. Other feral animals of potential 

management concern on Piccaninny Plains include Pigs and the Cane Toad. 


Survey participants 

AWC staff: 

o Jeff Middleton (Wildlife Ecologist – Team Leader) 

o Rigel Jensen (Northeast Botanist) 

o Ray Lloyd (Wildlife Ecologist) 

o John Kanowski (Northeast Regional Ecologist) 

o Wayne Lawler (AWC Photographer) 

Survey support 

o Geoff Kelly (Northeast Regional Manager) 

o Sarah Legge (National Conservation and Science Manager) 

o Carol Madden (Caretaker Piccaninny Plains) 

o Alyce Maddern, Tom and Mark. 

Volunteers 

o Mark Antos 

o Gina Barnett 

o Wayne Bleauglehole 

o Henry Cook 

o Bronwyn Gibbons 

o Stephane Guillou 

o Richard Johnston 

o Steven McBride 

o Leonie Mynott 

o Charlie Nicholson 

o Christine Nicholson 

o Dean Portelli 

o Brian Venables 

Acknowledgements 

Funding for this survey was supported by the Queensland Government represented by the Department of 

Natural Resources and Water. 


References 

Belnap, J., J.H. Kaltenecker, R. Rosentreter, J. Williams, S. Leonard, and D. Eldridge. 2001. Biological soil crusts: 

ecology and management. technical reference report BLM/ID/ST‐01/001+1730. USDI ‐ BLM/USGS, Denver. URL: 

http://www.blm.gov/nstc/library/techref.htm 

Elzinga, Caryl L.; Salzer, Daniel W.; Willoughby, John W.; Gibbs, James P. (1998) Measuring and monitoring 

plant populations. BLM Technical Reference 1730‐1 BLM/RS/ST‐98/005+1730. URL: 

http://www.blm.gov/nstc/library/techref.htm 

Johnson, C. (2006) Australia’s Mammal Extinctions: a 50,000 Year History. Cambridge University Press, 

Cambridge. 

Legge, S., Stanton, P. , Murphy, S. and Lloyd, R. (2007) Piccaninny Plains Conservation Assessment. AWC Report. 

Neldner, V.J., Wilson, B. A., Thompson, E.J. and Dillewaard, H.A. (2005) Methodology for Survey and Mapping of 

Regional Ecosystems and Vegetation Communities in Queensland. Version 3.1. Updated September 2005. 

Queensland Herbarium, Environmental Protection Agency, Brisbane. 128 pp. 

Stanton, P. and Murphy, S. (2006) Report on an Inspection of Piccaninny Plains Pastoral Holding, Northern Cape 

Your Peninsula. AWC Report. 

Van Dyck, S. and Strahan, R. (2008) The Mammals of Australia. Reed. 

van Wagner, C. E. (1968) The line intersect method in forest fuel sampling. Forest Science 14: 20‐26. 

Woinarski, J., Mackey, B., Nix, H. and Traill, B.J. (2007) The Nature of Northern Australia: Natural Values, 

Ecological Processes and Future Prospects. ANU Press, Canberra. 


Appendix 1. Fauna recorded at Piccaninny Plains 

Frogs 

Family Scientific Name Common Name Likelihood 

Hylidae Cyclorana brevipes Short‐footed Frog Very likely 

Cyclorana manya Small Frog Very likely 

Cyclorana novaehollandiae Possible 

Cyclorana alboguttata Striped Burrowing Frog 

Litoria bicolor Northern Dwarf Tree Frog Confirmed 2008 

Litoria caerulea Green Tree Frog Confirmed 2008 

Litoria dahlii Dahl's Tree Frog Possible 

Litoria gracilenta Dainty Tree Frog Confirmed 2008 

Litoria inermis Bumpy Rocket Frog Confirmed 2008 

Litoria infrafrenata Giant Tree Frog Confirmed 2008 

Litoria microbelos Possible 

Litoria nasuta Striped Rocket Frog Confirmed 2008 

Litoria nigrofrenata Confirmed 2008 

Litoria pallida Confirmed 2008 

Litoria rothii Confirmed 2008 

Litoria rubella Desert Tree Frog Confirmed 2008 

Microhylidae Austrochaperina gracilipes Possible 

Myobatrachidae Crinia remota Confirmed 2008 

Limnodynastes convexiusculus Marbled Frog Confirmed 2008 

Limnodynastes terraereginae Northern Banjo Frog Possible 

Notaden melanoscaphus Northern Spadefoot Toad Very likely 

Opisthodon ornatus Ornate Burrowing Frog Confirmed 2008 

Uperoleia lithomoda Very likely 

Uperoleia mimula Very likely 

Ranidae Rana daemeli Wood Frog Confirmed 2008 

Wood Frog (Rana daemeli) in the 

Wenlock River 


Birds 


Accipitridae Accipiter cirrhocephalus Collared Sparrowhawk Confirmed 2008 

Accipiter fasciatus Brown Goshawk Possible 

Accipiter novaehollandiae Grey Goshawk Possible 

Aquila audax Wedge‐tailed Eagle Possible 

Aviceda subcristata Pacific Baza Confirmed 2008 

Circus approximans Swamp Harrier Possible 

Circus assimilis Spotted Harrier Confirmed 2008 

Circus spilonotus Papuan Harrier Unlikely 

Elanus axillaris Black‐shouldered Kite Possible 

Elanus scriptus Letter‐winged Kite Possible 

Erythrotriorchis radiatus Red Goshawk Possible 

Haliaeetus leucogaster White‐bellied Sea‐Eagle Confirmed 2008 

Haliastur indus Brahminy Kite Possible 

Haliastur sphenurus Whistling Kite Confirmed 2008 

Hamirostra melanosternum Black‐breasted Buzzard Confirmed 2008 

Hieraaetus morphnoides Little Eagle Confirmed 2008 

Lophoictinia isura Square‐tailed Kite Possible 

Milvus migrans Black Kite Confirmed 2008 

Pandion haliaetus Osprey Possible 

Aegothelidae Aegotheles cristatus Australian Owlet‐nightjar Possible 

Alaudidae Mirafra javanica Horsfield's Bushlark Possible 

Alcedinidae Alcedo azurea Azure Kingfisher Confirmed 2008 

Alcedo pusilla Little Kingfisher Possible 

Anatidae Anas gracilis Grey Teal Confirmed 2008 

Anas superciliosa Pacific black duck Confirmed 2008 

Aythya australis Hardhead Confirmed 2008 

Dendrocygna arcuata Wandering Whistling‐Duck Confirmed 2008 

Dendrocygna eytoni 

Malacorhynchus 

Plumed Whistling‐Duck Confirmed 2008 

membranaceus Pink‐eared Duck Possible 

Nettapus coromandelianus Cotton Pygmy‐goose Possible 

Nettapus pulchellus Green Pygmy‐goose Confirmed 2008 

Tadorna radjah Radjah Shelduck Confirmed 2008 

Anhingidae Anhinga melanogaster Darter Confirmed 2008 

Anseranatidae Anseranas semipalmata Magpie Goose Confirmed 2008 

Apodidae Apus pacificus Fork‐tailed Swift Possible 

Collocalia esculenta Glossy Swiftlet Possible 

Hirundapus caudacutus White‐throated Needletail Confirmed 2008 

Ardeidae Ardea alba Great Egret Confirmed 2008 

Ardea garzetta Little Egret Possible 

Ardea ibis Cattle Egret Confirmed 2008 

Ardea intermedia Intermediate Egret Confirmed 2008 

Ardea pacifica White‐necked Heron Confirmed 2008 

Ardea picata Pied Heron Confirmed 2008 



Ardea sumatrana Great‐billed Heron Possible 

Egretta novaehollandiae White‐faced Heron Confirmed 2008 

Ixobrychus flavicollis Black Bittern Confirmed 2008 

Ixobrychus minutus Little Bittern Possible 

Nycticorax caledonicus Nankeen Night Heron Confirmed 2008 

Artamidae Artamus cinereus Black‐faced Woodswallow Possible 

Artamus minor Little Woodswallow Possible 

Cracticus mentalis Black‐backed Butcherbird Confirmed 2008 

Cracticus nigrogularis Pied Butcherbird Confirmed 2008 

Cracticus quoyi Black Butcherbird Confirmed 2008 

Gymnorhina tibicen Australian Magpie Possible 

Strepera graculina Pied Currawong Confirmed 2008 

Burhinidae Burhinus grallarius Bush Stone‐Curlew Confirmed 2008 

Cacatuidae Cacatua galerita Sulphur‐crested Cockatoo Confirmed 2008 

Cacatua sanguinea Little Corella Confirmed 2008 

Calyptorhynchus banksii Red‐tailed Black‐Cockatoo Confirmed 2008 

Probosciger aterrimus Palm Cockatoo Confirmed 2008 

Campephagidae Coracina lineata Barred Cuckoo‐shrike Possible 

Coracina novaehollandiae Black‐faced Cuckoo‐shrike Confirmed 2008 

Coracina papuensis White‐bellied Cuckoo‐shrike Confirmed 2008 

Coracina tenuirostris Cicadabird Confirmed 2008 

Lalage leucomela Varied Triller Confirmed 2008 

Lalage sueurii White‐winged Triller Confirmed 2008 

Caprimulgidae Caprimulgus macrurus Large‐tailed Nightjar Confirmed 2008 

Eurostopodus argus Spotted Nightjar Possible 

Eurostopodus mystacalis White‐throated Nightjar Possible 

Casuariidae Dromaius novaehollandiae Emu Confirmed 2008 

Centropodidae Centropus phasianinus Pheasant Coucal Confirmed 2008 

Charadriidae Charadrius ruficapillus Red‐capped Plover Possible 

Charadrius veredus Oriental Plover Possible 

Elseyornis melanops Black‐fronted Dotterel Confirmed 2008 

Vanellus miles Masked Lapwing Confirmed 2008 

Ciconiidae Ephippiorhynchus asiaticus Black‐necked Stork Confirmed 2008 

Climacteridae Climacteris picumnus Brown Treecreeper Possible 

Columbidae Chalcophaps indica Emerald Dove Confirmed 2008 

Ducula bicolor Pied Imperial‐Pigeon Confirmed 2008 

Geopelia cuneata Diamond Dove Confirmed 2008 

Geopelia humeralis Bar‐shouldered Dove Confirmed 2008 

Lopholaimus antarcticus Topknot Pigeon Possible 

Macropygia amboinensis Brown Cuckoo‐Dove Possible 

Ptilinopus magnificus Wompoo Fruit‐Dove Confirmed 2008 

Ptilinopus regina Rose‐crowned Fruit‐Dove Confirmed 2008 

Ptilinopus superbus Superb Fruit‐dove Confirmed 2008 

Coraciidae Eurystomus orientalis Dollarbird Confirmed 2008 

Cuculidae Cacomantis castaneiventris Chestnut‐breasted Cuckoo Possible 

Cacomantis flabelliformis Fan‐tailed Cuckoo Possible 



Cacomantis variolosus Brush Cuckoo Possible 

Chrysococcyx basalis Horsfield's Bronze‐Cuckoo Confirmed 2008 

Chrysococcyx lucidus Shining Bronze‐Cuckoo Possible 

Chrysococcyx minutillus Little Bronze‐Cuckoo Confirmed 2008 

Chrysococcyx osculans Black‐eared Cuckoo Possible 

Chrysococcyx russatus Gould's Bronze‐Cuckoo Possible 

Cuculus pallidus Pallid Cuckoo Confirmed 2008 

Cuculus saturatus Oriental Cuckoo Possible 

Eudynamys scolopacea Eastern Koel Confirmed 2008 

Scythrops novaehollandiae Channel‐billed Cuckoo Confirmed 2008 

Dicaeidae Dicaeum hirundinaceum Mistletoebird Confirmed 2008 

Dicruridae Dicrurus bracteatus Spangled Drongo Confirmed 2008 

Grallina cyanoleuca Magpie Lark Confirmed 2008 

Machaerirhynchus flaviventer Yellow‐breasted Boatbill Confirmed 2008 

Microeca fascinans Jacky Winter Confirmed 2008 

Microeca flavigaster Lemon‐bellied Flycatcher Confirmed 2008 

Monarcha leucotis White‐eared Monarch Possible 

Monarcha melanopsis Black‐faced Monarch Possible 

Monarcha trivirgatus Spectacled Monarch Confirmed 2008 

Myiagra alecto Shining Flycatcher Confirmed 2008 

Myiagra cyanoleuca Satin Flycatcher Possible 

Myiagra inquieta Restless Flycatcher Possible 

Myiagra rubecula Leaden Flycatcher Confirmed 2008 

Rhipidura fuliginosa Grey Fantail Confirmed 2008 

Rhipidura leucophrys Willy Wagtail Confirmed 2008 

Rhipidura rufifrons Rufous Fantail Confirmed 2008 

Rhipidura rufiventris Northern Fantail Possible 

Falconidae Falco berigora Brown Falcon Confirmed 2008 

Falco cenchroides Nankeen Kestrel Confirmed 2008 

Falco longipennis Australian Hobby Confirmed 2008 

Falco peregrinus Peregrine Falcon Confirmed 2008 

Falco subniger Black Falcon Possible 

Glareolidae Glareola maldivarum Oriental Pratincole Possible 

Stiltia isabella Australian Pratincole Possible 

Gruidae Grus antigone Sarus Crane Confirmed 2008 

Grus rubicunda Brolga Confirmed 2008 

Halcyonidae Dacelo leachii Blue‐winged Kookaburra Confirmed 2008 

Dacelo novaeguineae Laughing Kookaburra Confirmed 2008 

Syma torotoro Yellow‐billed Kingfisher Confirmed 2008 

Todiramphus macleayii Forest Kingfisher Confirmed 2008 

Todiramphus pyrrhopygia Red‐backed Kingfisher Possible 

Todiramphus sanctus Sacred Kingfisher Possible 

Hirundinidae Hirundo ariel Fairy Martin Possible 

Hirundo neoxena Welcome Swallow Possible 

Hirundo nigricans Tree Martin Possible 

Jacanidae Irediparra gallinacea Comb‐crested Jacana Confirmed 2008 



Laridae 

Chlidonias hybridus Whiskered Tern Possible 

Larus novaehollandiae Silver Gull Possible 

Sterna bergii Crested Tern Possible 

Sterna caspia Caspian Tern Possible 

Sterna nilotica Gull‐billedTern Confirmed 2008 

Maluridae Malurus amabilis Lovely Fairy‐wren Confirmed 2008 

Malurus melanocephalus Red‐backed Fairy‐wren Confirmed 2008 

Megapodiidae Alectura lathami Australian Brush Turkey Confirmed 2008 

Megapodius reinwardt Orange‐footed Scrubfowl Confirmed 2008 

Meliphagidae Certhionyx pectoralis Banded Honeyeater Confirmed 2008 

Conopophila albogularis Rufous‐banded honeyeater Confirmed 2008 

Conopophila rufogularis Rufous‐throated Honeyeater Possible 

Entomyzon cyanotis Blue‐faced Honeyeater Confirmed 2008 

Glycichaera fallax Green‐backed Honeyeater Unlikely 

Grantiella picta Painted Honeyeater Possible 

Lichenostomus chrysops Yellow‐faced Honeyeater Possible 

Lichenostomus flavescens Yellow‐tinted honeyeater Confirmed 2008 

Lichenostomus flavus Yellow Honeyeater Confirmed 2008 

Lichenostomus unicolor White‐gaped Honeyeater Confirmed 2008 

Lichmera indistincta Brown Honeyeater Possible 

Meliphaga gracilis Graceful Honeyeater Confirmed 2008 

Meliphaga notata Yellow‐spotted Honeyeater Confirmed 2008 

Melithreptus albogularis White‐throated Honeyeater Confirmed 2008 

Melithreptus gularis Black‐chinned Honeyeater Possible 

Myzomela obscura Dusky Honeyeater Confirmed 2008 

Philemon argenticeps Silver‐crowned Friarbird Confirmed 2008 

Philemon buceroides Helmeted Friarbird Confirmed 2008 

Philemon citreogularis Little Friarbird Confirmed 2008 

Philemon corniculatus Noisy Friarbird Confirmed 2008 

Ramsayornis fasciatus Bar‐breasted Honeyeater Confirmed 2008 

Ramsayornis modestus Brown‐backed Honeyeater Confirmed 2008 

Trichodere cockerelli White‐streaked Honeyeater Confirmed 2008 

Xanthotis flaviventer Tawny‐breasted Honeyeater Confirmed 2008 

Meropidae Merops ornatus Rainbow Bee‐eater Possible 

Nectarinidae Nectarinia jugularis Yellow‐bellied Sunbird Possible 

Neosittidae Daphoenositta chrysoptera Varied Sittella Confirmed 2008 

Oriolidae Oriolus flavocinctus Yellow Oriole Confirmed 2008 

Oriolus sagittatus Olive‐backed Oriole Confirmed 2008 

Sphecotheres viridis Figbird Confirmed 2008 

Otididae Ardeotis australis Australian Bustard Confirmed 2008 

Pachycephalidae Colluricincla harmonica Grey Shrike‐Thrush Confirmed 2008 

Colluricincla megarhyncha Little Shrike‐Thrush Confirmed 2008 

Pachycephala rufiventris Rufous Whistler Confirmed 2008 

Pachycephala simplex Grey Whistler Confirmed 2008 

Paradisaeidae Manucodia keraudrenii Trumpet Manucode Confirmed 2008 

Ptiloris magnificus Magnificent Riflebird Confirmed 2008 



Pardalotidae Gerygone magnirostris Large‐billed Gerygone Confirmed 2008 

Gerygone olivacea White‐throated Gerygone Confirmed 2008 

Gerygone palpebrosa Fairy Gerygone Confirmed 2008 

Pardalotus rubricatus Red‐browed Pardalote Possible 

Pardalotus striatus Striated Pardalote Confirmed 2007 

Sericornis beccarii Tropical Scrubwren Confirmed 2008 

Smicrornis brevirostris Weebill Confirmed 2008 

Passeridae Lonchura castaneothorax Chestnut‐breasted Mannikin Confirmed 2008 

Neochmia phaeton Crimson Finch Possible 

Neochmia temporalis Red‐browed Finch Confirmed 2008 

Poephila cincta Black‐throated Finch Confirmed 2008 

Poephila personata Masked Finch Possible 

Taeniopygia bichenovii Double‐barred Finch Confirmed 2008 

Pelicanidae Pelecanus conspicillatus Australian Pelican Confirmed 2008 

Petroicidae Drymodes superciliaris Northen Scrub Robin Possible 

Poecilodryas superciliosa White‐browed Robin Confirmed 2008 

Tregellasia leucops White‐faced Robin Possible 

Phalacrocoracidae Phalacrocorax melanoleucos Little Pied Cormorant Confirmed 2008 

Phalacrocorax sulcirostris Little Black Cormorant Confirmed 2008 

Phalacrocorax varius Pied Cormorant Confirmed 2008 

Phasianidae Coturnix chinensis King Quail Possible 

Coturnix ypsilophora Brown Quail Confirmed 2008 

Pittidae Pitta versicolor Noisy Pitta Confirmed 2008 

Podargidae Podargus papuensis Papuan Frogmouth Confirmed 2008 

Podargus strigoides Tawny Frogmouth Confirmed 2008 

Podicipedidae Poliocephalus poliocephalus Hoary‐headed Grebe Possible 

Tachybaptus novaehollandiae Australasian Grebe Confirmed 2008 

Pomatostomidae Pomatostomus temporalis Grey‐crowned Babbler Confirmed 2008 

Psittacidae Aprosmictus erythropterus Red‐winged Parrot Confirmed 2008 

Platycercus adscitus Pale‐headed Rosella Confirmed 2008 

Psitteuteles versicolor Varied Lorikeet Possible 

Trichoglossus chlorolepidotus Scaly‐breasted Lorikeet Possible 

Trichoglossus haematodus Rainbow Lorikeet Confirmed 2008 

Ptilonorhynchidae Chlamydera cerviniventris Fawn‐breasted Bowerbird Unlikely 

Chlamydera nuchalis Great Bowerbird Confirmed 2008 

Rallidae 

Amaurornis olivaceus Pale‐vented Bush Hen Possible 

Fulica atra Eurasian Coot Possible 

Gallirallus philippensis Buff‐banded Rail Possible 

Porphyrio porphyrio Purple Swamphen Possible 

Porzana cinerea White‐browed Crake Possible 

Porzana pusilla Baillon's Crake Possible 

Porzana tabuensis Spotless Crake Possible 

Rallina tricolor Red‐necked Crake Unlikely 

Recurvirostridae Himantopus himantopus Black‐winged Stilt Possible 

Rostratulidae Rostratula benghalensis Australian Painted Snipe Possible 

Scolopacidae Actitis hypoleucos Common Sandpiper Possible 



Calidris acuminata Sharp‐tailed Sandpiper Possible 

Calidris ferruginea Curlew Sandpiper Possible 

Calidris ruficollis Red‐necked Stint Possible 

Gallinago hardwickii Latham's Snipe Possible 

Limosa lapponica Bar‐tailed Godwit Possible 

Limosa limosa Black‐tailed Godwit Possible 

Numenius minutus Little Curlew Confirmed 2008 

Tringa glareola Wood Sandpiper Possible 

Tringa nebularia Common Greenshank Confirmed 2008 

Tringa stagnatilis Marsh Sandpiper Possible 

Strigidae Ninox connivens Barking Owl Possible 

Ninox novaeseelandiae Southern Boobook Owl Confirmed 2008 

Ninox rufa Rufous Owl Confirmed 2008 

Sturnidae Aplonis metallica Metalic Starling Possible 

Sylviidae Cisticola exilis Golden‐headed Cisticola Confirmed 2008 

Megalurus gramineus Little Grassbird Confirmed 2008 

Megalurus timoriensis Tawny Grassbird Possible 

Threskiornithidae Platalea flavipes Yellow‐billed Spoonbill Possible 

Platalea regia Royal Spoonbill Confirmed 2008 

Plegadis falcinellus Glossy Ibis Confirmed 2008 

Threskiornis molucca Australian White Ibis Confirmed 2008 

Threskiornis spinicollis Straw‐necked Ibis Confirmed 2008 

Turnicidae Turnix maculosa Red‐backed Button‐quail Possible 

Turnix olivii Buff‐breasted Button‐quail Possible 

Turnix pyrrhothorax Red‐chested Button‐quail Possible 

Tytonidae Tyto novaehollandiae Masked Owl Possible 

Tyto capensis Eastern Grass Owl Possible 

Tyto javanica Pacific Barn Owl Confirmed 2008 

Tyto novaehollandiae Masked Owl Possible 

Zosteropidae Zosterops lateralis Silvereye Possible 

Leaden Flycatcher 

(Myiagra rubecula) 


Mammals 


Acrobatidae Acrobates pygmaeus Feathertail Glider Possible 

Dasyuridae Antechinus leo Cinnamon Antechinus Unlikely 

Dasyurus hallucatus Northern Quoll Possible 

Phascogale tapoatafa Brush‐tailed Phascogale Possible 

Planigale maculata Common Planigale Confirmed 2008 

Sminthopsis archeri Chestnut Dunnart Possible 

Sminthopsis virginiae Red‐cheeked Dunnart Possible 

Emaballonuridae Saccolaimus flaviventris Yellow‐bellied Sheath‐tailed Bat Possible 

Saccolaimus mixtus Papuan Sheath‐tailed Bat Possible 

Saccolaimus saccolaimus Bare‐rumped Sheath‐tailed Bat Possible 

Hipposideridae Hipposideros ater Dusky Leaf‐nosed Bat Possible 

Hipposideros cervinus Fawn Leaf‐nosed Bat Possible 

Hipposideros diadema 

reginae 

Diadem Leaf‐nosed Bat Possible 

Hipposideros semoni Semon’s Leaf‐nosed Bat Possible 

Macropodidae Lagorchestes conspicillatus Spectacle Hare‐wallaby Possible 

Macropus agilis Agile Wallaby Confirmed 2008 

Macropus antilopinus Antilopine Wallaroo Confirmed 2008 

Macropus giganteus Eastern Grey Kangaroo Confirmed 2008 

Macropus robustus Common Wallaroo Possible 

Onychogalea unguifera Northern Nailtail Wallaby Possible 

Thylogale stigmatica Red‐legged Pademelon Possible 

Wallabia bicolor Swamp Wallaby Possible 

Megadermatidae Macroderma gigas Ghost Bat Possible 

Miniopteridae Miniopterus australis Little Bent‐winged Bat Possible 

Miniopterus schreibersii 

oceanensis 

Eastern Bent‐winged Bat Possible 

Mollosidae Chaerephon jobensis Northern Free‐tailed Bat Possible 

Mormopterus ‘species 2’ 

(Adams et al, 1988) 

Eastern Free‐tailed Bat Possible 

Mormopterus beccarii Beccari’s Free‐tailed Bat Possible 

Mormopterus loriae ridei 

(=Mormopterus 'species 5 (ST) 

in Adams et al (1988)). 

Eastern Little Free‐tailed Bat Possible 

Muridae Hydromys chrysogaster Water Rat Confirmed 2008 

Leggadina lakedownensis Lakeland Downs Mouse Confirmed 2008 

Melomys burtoni Grassland Melomys Confirmed 2008 

Melomys capensis Cape York Melomys Confirmed 2008 

Mesembriomys gouldii Black‐footed Tree‐rat Possible 

Pseudomys delicatulus Delicate Mouse Confirmed 2008 

Rattus sordidus Canefield Rat Confirmed 2008 

Rattus tunneyi Pale Field Rat Confirmed 2008 

Uromys caudimaculatus Giant White‐tailed Rat Possible 



Peramelidae Echymipera rufescens Long‐nosed Echymipera Possible 

Isoodon macrourus Northern Brown Bandicoot Possible 

Isoodon obesulus pennisular Southern Brown Bandicoot Possible 

Perameles nasuta Long‐nosed Bandicoot Possible 

Petauridae Dactylopsila trivirgata Striped Possum Possible 

Petaurus brevipes Sugar Glider Confirmed 2008 

Petaurus norfolkensis Squirrel Glider Possible 

Phalangeridae Phalanger mimicus Southern Common Cuscus Confirmed 2008 

Spilocuscus maculatus Common Spotted Cuscus Confirmed 2008 

Trichosurus vulpecula Common Brushtail Possum Confirmed 2008 

Pseudocheiridae Pseudocheirus peregrinus Common Ringtail Possum Possible 

Pteropodidae Dobsonia magna Bare‐backed Fruit Bat Possible 

Macroglossus minimus Northern Blossom Bat Possible 

Nyctimene robinsoni Eastern Tube‐nosed Bat Confirmed 2008 

Pteropus alecto Black Flying‐fox Possible 

Pteropus conspicillatus Spectacled Flying‐fox Confirmed 2008 

Pteropus scapulatus Little Red Flying‐fox Confirmed 2008 

Syconycteris australis Eastern Blossom Bat Possible 

Rhinolophidae Rhinolophus megaphyllus Eastern Horseshoe Bat Possible 

Rhinolophus philippinensis Large‐eared Horseshoe Bat Possible 

Verspertilionidae Chalinolobus nigrogriseus Hoary Wattle Bat Possible 

Kerivoula papuensis Golden‐tipped Bat Possible 

Murina florium Flute‐nosed Bat Possible 

Myotis macropus Large‐footed Myotis Possible 

Nyctophilus bifax Eastern Long‐eared Bat Possible 

Pipistrellus adamsi Forest Pipistrelle Possible 

Scotorepens sanborni Northern Broad‐nosed Bat Possible 

Vespadelus troughtoni Eastern Cave Bat Possible 

Common Brushtail 

Possum (Trichosurus 

vulpecula) in woodland. 


Reptiles 


Acrochordidae Acrochordus arafurae Arafura File Snake Confirmed 2008 

Agamidae 

Amphibolurus temporalis Confirmed 2008 

Chlamydosaurus kingii Frill‐necked Lizard Confirmed 2008 

Diporiphora bilineata Two‐lined Dragon Confirmed 2008 

Chelidae 

Chelodina canni Cann’s Long‐necked Turtle Very likely 

Chelodina rugosa Northern Long‐necked Turtle Confirmed 2008 

Elseya latisternum Saw‐shelled Turtle Likely 

Emydura tanybaraga Northern Yellow‐faced Turtle Confirmed 2008 

Colubridae 

Boiga irregularis Brown Tree Snake Confirmed 2008 

Dendrelaphis calligastra Northern Tree Snake Possible 

Dendrelaphis punctulata Common Tree Snake Confirmed 2008 

Enhydris polylepis Macleay’s Water Snake Very likely 

Stegonotus cucullatus Slaty‐Grey Snake Confirmed 2008 

Tropidonophis mairii Keelback Snake Confirmed 2008 

Crocodylidae Crocodylus johnstoni Freshwater Crocodile Confirmed 2008 

Crocodylus porosus Estuarine Crocodile Possible 

Elapidae Acanthophis praelongus Northern Death Adder Confirmed 2008 

Antairoserpens warro Likely 

Brachyurophis semifasciatus Half‐girdled Snake Possible 

Cryptophis nigrostriatus Black‐striped Snake Very likely 

Demansia papuensis Papuan Whip Snake Very likely 

Demansia vestigiata Lesser Black Whip Snake Confirmed 2008 

Furina ornata Orange‐naped Snake Confirmed 2008 

Furina tristis Brown‐headed Snake Very likely 

Oxyuranus scutellatus Taipan Confirmed 2008 

Pseudechis australis King Brown or Mulga Snake Very likely 

Pseudonaja nuchalis Western Brown Snake Very likely 

Pseudonaja textilis Eastern Brown Snake Likely 

Suta suta Myall Snake Possible 

Vermicella annulata Bandy‐bandy Possible 

Geckonidae Cyrtodactylus louisiadensis Ring‐tailed Gecko Possible 

Gehyra dubia Confirmed 2008 

Heteronotia binoei Bynoe’s Gecko Confirmed 2008 

Nactus eboracensis Confirmed 2008 

Nephurus asper Possible 

Oedura castelnaui Northern Velvet Gecko Confirmed 2008 

Oedura rhombifer Confirmed 2008 

Pseudothecadactylus australis Giant Tree Gecko Possible 

Hemidactylus frenatus* House Gecko Confirmed 2008 

Pygopidae Delma tincta Confirmed 2008 



Lialis burtonis Burton’s Snake‐Lizard Confirmed 2008 

Pygopus steelscotti Northern Hooded Scaly Foot Very likely 

Pythonidae Antaresia maculosus Spotted Python Confirmed 2008 

Aspidites melanocephalus Black‐headed Python Confirmed 2008 

Liasis mackloti Water Python Confirmed 2008 

Morelia kinghorni Amethystine Python Confirmed 2008 

Morelia spilota Carpet Python Likely 

Scincidae 

Carlia sp. #1 (keys to C. aerata) Very likely 

Carlia sp. #2 (keys to C. aerata) Confirmed 2008 

Carlia jarnoldae Confirmed 2008 

Carlia longipes Confirmed 2008 

Carlia macfarlani Confirmed 2008 

Carlia munda Confirmed 2008 

Carlia rimula Likely 

Carlia schmeltzii Possible 

Carlia sesbrauna Confirmed 2008 

Carlia storri Confirmed 2008 

Cryptoblepharus metallicus Very likely 

Cryptoblepharus pannosus Confirmed 2008 

Cryptoblepharus virgatus Confirmed 2008 

Ctenotus essingtonii Likely 

Ctenotus robustus Confirmed 2008 

Ctenotus spaldingi Possible 

Egernia frerei Confirmed 2008 

Glaphyromorphus crassicaudus Confirmed 2008 

Glaphyromorphus nigricaudis Confirmed 2008 

Glaphyromorphus pardalis Confirmed 2008 

Morethia taeniopleura Very likely 

Tiliqua scincoides Confirmed 2008 

Menetia greyii Possible 

Typhlopidae Ramphotyphlops chamodracaena Possible 

Ramphotyphlops leucoproctus Possible 

Ramphotyphlops polygrammicus Possible 

Ramphotyphlops unguirostris Possible 

Varanidae Varanus indicus Mangrove Monitor Confirmed 2008 

Varanus mertensi Merten’s Water Monitor Confirmed 2008 

Varanus panoptes Confirmed 2008 

Varanus scalaris Spotted Tree Monitor Very likely 

Varanus tristis Possible 

Varanus semiremex Rusty Monitor Possible 


Appendix 2. Plant species recorded as occurring on Piccaninny Plains. 

Status: R = rare; * = exotic 

Taxon Family (Qld) Status Common name 

Abrus precatorius subsp. precatorius FABACEAE 

Abutilon auritum MALVACEAE 

Acacia auriculiformis MIMOSACEAE 

Acacia crassicarpa MIMOSACEAE 

Acacia flavescens MIMOSACEAE 

Acacia leptocarpa MIMOSACEAE 

Acacia midgleyi MIMOSACEAE 

Acacia polystachya MIMOSACEAE 

Achyranthes aspera AMARANTHACEAE chaff flower 

Adenanthera abrosperma MIMOSACEAE 

Aidia racemosa RUBIACEAE Archer berry 

Ailanthus triphysa SIMAROUBACEAE 

Alchornea rugosa EUPHORBIACEAE 

Alphitonia excelsa RHAMNACEAE 

Alstonia actinophylla APOCYNACEAE cape milkwood 

Alstonia scholaris APOCYNACEAE milky pine 

Alyxia spicata APOCYNACEAE chain fruit 

Amyema sanguinea var. sanguinea LORANTHACEAE 

Amylotheca dictyophleba LORANTHACEAE mistletoe 

Anacolosa papuana OLACACEAE R 

Antidesma ghaesembilla PHYLLANTHACEAE 

Antidesma parvifolium PHYLLANTHACEAE 

Archontophoenix alexandrae ARECACEAE Alexandra palm 

Arytera bifoliolata SAPINDACEAE 

Arytera divaricata SAPINDACEAE rose tamarind, coogera 

Atalaya variifolia SAPINDACEAE 

Atractocarpus sessilis RUBIACEAE 

Barringtonia acutangula subsp. 

acutangula 

LECYTHIDACEAE 

Barringtonia calyptrata LECYTHIDACEAE cassowary pine, mango 

pine 

Beilschmiedia obtusifolia LAURACEAE blush walnut, nutwood 

Blepharocarya involucrigera ANACARDIACEAE 

Bombax ceiba var. leiocarpum BOMBACACEAE bombax or capok tree 

Brachychiton diversifolius subsp. 

orientalis 

STERCULIACEAE 

Brachychiton garrawayae STERCULIACEAE 

Brachychiton muellerianus STERCULIACEAE 

Breynia oblongifolia PHYLLANTHACEAE 

Buchanania arborescens ANACARDIACEAE 

Buchnera tetragona SCROPHULARIACEAE 

Bursaria tenuifolia PITTOSPORACEAE sweet blackthorn, slender 



bursaria 

Caesalpinia erythrocarpa CAESALPINIACEAE 

Calophyllum australianum CLUSIACEAE 

Canarium australianum BURSERACEAE 

Cansjera leptostachya OPILIACEAE 

Capparis lucida CAPPARACEAE 

Carallia brachiata RHIZOPHORACEAE carallia, corky bark 

Castanospermum australe FABACEAE black bean, Morton Bay 

chestnut 

Cathormion umbellatum subsp. 

moniliforme 

MIMOSACEAE 

Cecarria obtusifolia LORANTHACEAE R 

Celtis sp. (Cape Melville D.G.Fell+ 

DGF3025) 

ULMACEAE 

Chionanthus ramiflora OLEACEAE northern olive, native olive 

Cissus opaca VITACEAE 

Citrus garrawayi RUTACEAE R 

Cleistanthus apodus PHYLLANTHACEAE 

Cleistanthus peninsularis PHYLLANTHACEAE 

Clerodendrum floribundum LAMIACEAE 

Cochlospermum gillivraei COCHLOSPERMACEAE 

Cordia dichotoma BORAGINACEAE 

Corymbia clarksoniana MYRTACEAE Clarkson's bloodwood 

Corymbia confertiflora MYRTACEAE broad‐leaved carbeen 

Corymbia papuana MYRTACEAE Cape York ghost gum 

Corymbia stockeri subsp. peninsularis MYRTACEAE 

Corymbia tessellaris MYRTACEAE Moreton Bay ash 

Corypha utan ARECACEAE 

Crateva religiosa CAPPARACEAE march dalur 

Croton arnhemicus EUPHORBIACEAE 

Croton multicaulis subsp. multicaulis EUPHORBIACEAE 

Croton mutabilis EUPHORBIACEAE 

Cryptocarya exfoliata LAURACEAE 

Cryptocarya hypospodia LAURACEAE northern laurel 

Cryptocarya triplinervis var. riparia LAURACEAE brown laurel 

Cupaniopsis anacardioides SAPINDACEAE 

Cupaniopsis fleckeri SAPINDACEAE 

Cyclophyllum brevipes RUBIACEAE 

Cymbidium canaliculatum ORCHIDACEAE 

Decaisnina brittenii subsp. brittenii LORANTHACEAE 

Dendrophthoe glabrescens LORANTHACEAE 

Desmos wardianus ANNONACEAE 

Dillenia alata DILLENIACEAE red beech 

Diospyros calycantha EBENACEAE cape ebony 

Diospyros humilis EBENACEAE black ebony, Australian 

ebony, 



Diplatia furcata LORANTHACEAE 

Drynaria quercifolia POLYPODIACEAE 

Drypetes deplanchei PUTRANJIVACEAE 

Dysoxylum oppositifolium MELIACEAE 

Elaeocarpus arnhemicus ELAEOCARPACEAE blue plum, Arnhem Land 

quandong, 

Emmenosperma cunninghamii RHAMNACEAE 

Entada rheedii MIMOSACEAE 

Erythrina vespertilio FABACEAE 

Erythrophleum chlorostachys CAESALPINIACEAE 

Eucalyptus brassiana MYRTACEAE Cape York red gum 

Eucalyptus cullenii MYRTACEAE Cullen's ironbark 

Eucalyptus leptophleba MYRTACEAE Molloy red box 

Eucalyptus platyphylla MYRTACEAE poplar gum 

Eucalyptus tetrodonta MYRTACEAE Darwin stringybark 

Eustrephus latifolius LAXMANNIACEAE 

Everistia vacciniifolia forma crassa RUBIACEAE 

Evolvulus alsinoides var. decumbens CONVOLVULACEAE 

Exocarpos latifolius SANTALACEAE 

Ficus benjamina var. benjamina MORACEAE Benjamina fig, weeping fig 

Ficus congesta var. congesta MORACEAE 

Ficus drupacea MORACEAE hairy fig, red fig, drup fig 

Ficus microcarpa MORACEAE 

Ficus opposita MORACEAE 

Ficus racemosa var. racemosa MORACEAE 

Ficus virens var. sublanceolata MORACEAE 

Flagellaria indica FLAGELLARIACEAE whip vine, supplejack 

Ganophyllum falcatum SAPINDACEAE scaly ash, Daintree hickory 

Garcinia warrenii CLUSIACEAE 

Gardenia scabrella RUBIACEAE R 

Garuga floribunda var. floribunda BURSERACEAE 

Glossocarya hemiderma LAMIACEAE 

Glycosmis trifoliata RUTACEAE 

Gmelina dalrympleana LAMIACEAE grey teak, white beech 

Gossia floribunda MYRTACEAE 

Grevillea baileyana PROTEACEAE 

Grevillea glauca PROTEACEAE 

Grevillea parallela PROTEACEAE 

Grevillea striata PROTEACEAE 

Grewia retusifolia SPARRMANNIACEAE 

Hakea persiehana PROTEACEAE 

Heliotropium sarmentosum BORAGINACEAE 

Heteropogon contortus POACEAE black or bunch speargrass 

Heteropogon triticeus POACEAE giant speargrass 

Hippocratea barbata CELASTRACEAE knot vine 

Homalium brachybotrys FLACOURTIACEAE 



Hymenachne amplexicaulis POACEAE * hymenachne 

Hypserpa decumbens MENISPERMACEAE 

Hyptis capitata LAMIACEAE * knobweed 

Hyptis suaveolens LAMIACEAE * horehound 

Ichnocarpus frutescens APOCYNACEAE 

Ixora timorensis RUBIACEAE 

Jagera pseudorhus var. pseudorhus SAPINDACEAE 

Jasminum didymum subsp. didymum OLEACEAE 

Lagerstroemia archeriana subsp. 

archeriana 

LYTHRACEAE 

Leea indica VITACEAE 

Leptospermum madidum subsp. madidum MYRTACEAE 

Litsea glutinosa LAURACEAE 

Livistona muelleri ARECACEAE 

Lophostemon suaveolens MYRTACEAE swamp mahogany 

Luffa aegyptiaca CUCURBITACEAE 

Lygodium flexuosum SCHIZAEACEAE 

Macaranga tanarius EUPHORBIACEAE 

Mallotus philippensis EUPHORBIACEAE red kamala 

Mallotus polyadenos EUPHORBIACEAE kamala 

Mangifera indica ANACARDIACEAE * mango 

Maranthes corymbosa CHRYSOBALANACEAE 

Meiogyne cylindrocarpa subsp. 

trichocarpa 

ANNONACEAE 

Melaleuca fluviatilis MYRTACEAE 

Melaleuca leucadendra MYRTACEAE 

Melaleuca monantha MYRTACEAE 

Melaleuca nervosa subsp. nervosa MYRTACEAE 

Melaleuca viminalis MYRTACEAE weeping bottlebrush 

Melaleuca viridiflora var. viridiflora MYRTACEAE 

Melia azedarach MELIACEAE 

Memecylon pauciflorum var. pauciflorum MEMECYLACEAE 

Micromelum minutum RUTACEAE 

Miliusa traceyi ANNONACEAE 

Millettia pinnata FABACEAE 

Mischocarpus lachnocarpus SAPINDACEAE wooly pear fruit 

Morinda bracteata var. celebica RUBIACEAE 

Murraya ovatifoliolata RUTACEAE 

Nauclea orientalis RUBIACEAE Leichhardt tree 

Nymphaea violacea NYMPHAEACEAE 

Oryza australiensis POACEAE Australian wild rice 

Owenia vernicosa MELIACEAE 

Pachygone ovata MENISPERMACEAE 

Paraserianthes toona MIMOSACEAE acacia or Mackay cedar 

Parinari nonda CHRYSOBALANACEAE 

Parsonsia velutina APOCYNACEAE 



Pavetta australiensis RUBIACEAE 

Persicaria attenuata POLYGONACEAE 

Petalostigma banksii PICRODENDRACEAE quinine bush 

Petalostigma pubescens PICRODENDRACEAE 

Phaleria octandra THYMELAEACEAE 

Philydrum lanuginosum PHILYDRACEAE 

Phyllanthus lamprophyllus PHYLLANTHACEAE 

Piliostigma malabaricum CAESALPINIACEAE 

Planchonia careya LECYTHIDACEAE 

Pogonolobus reticulatus RUBIACEAE 

Polyalthia nitidissima ANNONACEAE 

Pouteria sericea SAPOTACEAE 

Premna limbata LAMIACEAE 

Pterocarpus sp. (Archer River B.P.Hyland 

3078) 

FABACEAE R 

Pycnarrhena novoguineensis MENISPERMACEAE 

Rhodamnia australis MYRTACEAE 

Rhodomyrtus macrocarpa MYRTACEAE 

Salacia disepala CELASTRACEAE 

Santalum lanceolatum SANTALACEAE 

Sarcopteryx sp. (McIlwraith Range BH SAPINDACEAE not recognised by BRI, but 

3261RFK) 

distinct 

Semecarpus australiensis ANACARDIACEAE tar tree 

Sesbania cannabina var. cannabina FABACEAE 

Siphonodon pendulus CELASTRACEAE 

Smilax australis SMILACACEAE austral sarsaparilla 

Stemona lucida STEMONACEAE 

Stenocarpus verticis PROTEACEAE 

Strychnos lucida LOGANIACEAE 

Syzygium angophoroides MYRTACEAE Yarrabah satinash 

Syzygium bamagense MYRTACEAE 

Syzygium forte subsp. potamophilum MYRTACEAE 

Syzygium suborbiculare MYRTACEAE 

Tabernaemontana orientalis APOCYNACEAE 

Terminalia sericocarpa COMBRETACEAE damson plum, 

sovereignwood 

Tetracera daemeliana DILLENIACEAE 

Tetrameles nudiflora DATISCACEAE 

Themeda quadrivalvis POACEAE * grader grass 

Themeda triandra POACEAE kangaroo grass 

Tinospora smilacina MENISPERMACEAE 

Toechima daemelianum SAPINDACEAE 

Tristaniopsis exiliflora MYRTACEAE 

Trophis scandens subsp. scandens MORACEAE burny vine, crow ash 

Urena lobata MALVACEAE * 

Vitex helogiton LAMIACEAE 



Welchiodendron longivalve MYRTACEAE 

Wilkiea rigidifolia MONIMIACEAE 

Wrightia laevis APOCYNACEAE 

Ziziphus oenopolia RHAMNACEAE 


Appendix 3. Comparison of ground cover in major habitat types 

% 

% 

100 

80 

60 

40 

20 

0 

100 

80 

60 

40 

20 

0 

N = 

N = 

Percent Leaf Litter 

100 

DVT 

ecosystem 

200 

Grasslan 

Percent Bare Ground 

100 

DV T 

ecosystem 

200 

Grasslan 


180 

Riparian 

180 

Riparian 

140 

Swamp 

140 

Sw amp 

200 

Woodland 

200 

Woodland

% 

% 

100 

80 

60 

40 

20 

0 

100 

80 

60 

40 

20 

0 

N = 

N = 

Vegetation Cover as % of ground cover 

100 

DVT 

ecosystem 

100 

200 

Grasslan 

200 


180 

Riparian 

180 

140 

Swamp 

Disturbance as % of ground cover 

DVT 

ecosystem 

Grasslan 

Riparian 

140 

Swamp 

200 

Woodland 

200 

Woodland

Animals and Plants of Piccaninny Plains: - Shape our world

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