Table Of ContentHERPETOFAUNA SURVEY OF MARALLA ROAD BUSHLAND
By BRAD MARYAN
169 Egina Street, Mount Hawthorn 6016
ROBERT BROWNE-COOPER
24 Wotan Road, Innaloo 6018
and
BRIAN BUSH
9 Birch Place, Stoneville 6554
ABSTRACT
A 20 hectare strip of bushland adjacent to Maralla Road on the
northern edge of 641 ha known as Maralla Road Bushland yielded 9
frog and 36 reptile species. This represents the highest hcrpetofaunal
diversity recorded for a single area on the Swan Coastal Plain near
Perth. Several species including Strophurus spinigerus and Ctenotus
gemmula were recorded near the edge of their distributions. The
pristine condition and size of this bushland remnant together with
the diversity and species richness of the herpetofauna, indicates the
high regional conservation significance of the area
INTRODUCTION Amateur Herpetologists (WASAH) to
The study area is located in the City conduct a preliminary herpetofauna
of Swan near Bullsbrook (31'40'S, survey in 1992. WASAH has played a
116'02'E) and is approximately 30km leading role in documenting
north-east of Perth. For some time herpetofauna of metropolitan
now the region has been targeted for bushland areas. With this in mind, it
regional housing development and is encouraging to recognise the
road construction schemes. This government's interest and commitment
survey was primarily initiated to to the preservation of urban bushlands
improve the herpetofaunal knowledge such as Maralla Road, as expressed in
of this poorly known area. Detailed 'Perth’s Bushplan (Government of
vegetation and flora surveys have been Western Australia 1998) and ‘Bush
compiled by Dames and Moore (1990 Forever' (Government of Western
and 1992) and Weston et al. (1993) Australia 2000). The public support for
and limited faunal surveys by Watkins this initiative is demonstrated by the
et al. (1993). The Ellenbrook creation of numerous 'Friends of
Conservation Group approached the groups, including that of the area
Western Australian Society of surveyed here
197
METHODS woodland with sparse Eucalyptus
todtiana, E. calophylla and Adenanthos
A large part of the greater Maralla Road
cygnorum over mixed relatively open
Bushland area has limited access. We
understorey consisting of dominants
therefore decided to sample the
such as Verticordia nitens, Stirlingia sp.
different vegetation communities in a
and Calytrixsp.
500 metre strip adjacent to the southern
edge of Maralla Road by installing
TRAPLINE 2 (31*44*33", 115*59*06")
traplines and by hand searching.
Maralla Road Bushland is primarily a Dune slope, Banksia attenuata low
Banksia spp. woodland habitat with woodland with sparse B. ilicifolia and E.
heavily leached grey or white siliceous todtiana over dense understorey.
sands, typical of the Bassendean Dune
System. Its eastern margin encroaching TRAPLINE 3 (31'4433", 115 5920")
upon the alluvial soils of loam or clay of Ecotone, very open B. attenuata and B.
the Pinjarra Plain (How and Dell, ilicifolia low woodland with emergent A.
1994). Amphibians and reptiles were cygnorum over sparse understorey
collected, identified and released during dominated by Melaleuca sp. and
six months of 1992 to early 1993 (Feb- Patersonia sp.
Mar, Sept-Jan) and during spring-
summer period of 1999- 2000 (Oct- TRAPLINE 4 (31*44’32\ 115*59*21")
Apr) respectively. In addition some
Lowland, sparse E. calophylla and
voucher specimens were lodged with the
Melaleuca preissiana over Xanthorrhoea
Western Australian Museum to verify
preissii and Patersonia sp. understorey.
identifications and for tissue sampling as
part of taxonomic studies. Five drift
TRAPLINE 5 (31*44*32", 116W03")
fences each measuring 50-70 metres
with 7-10 pit-traps were installed to Lowland, open Acacia cyclops with
sample the different habitats parallel to scattered Jacksonia sp., Viminaria juncea,
Maralla Road. Selection of pit-trap sites X. preissii and M. preissiana over a sedge
understorey.
reflected differences in vegetation
structure from a Banksia dominated Nomenclature for frogs follows Tyler et
woodland on a dune crest to a lowland al (2000) and for reptiles follows Greer
community of Melaleuca and (1989 and 1997).
Xanthorrhoea in a west to east alignment
towards the Darling Scarp. The traps
RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
were operated for a total of 7093 trap
nights. Apart from trapping, we also
The area supports a rich assemblage of
opportunistically foraged near traplines
herpetofauna. Indeed, the 9 frog and 36
during the day time by turning over reptile species recorded to date exceeds
surface debris, raking through leaflitter any previous survey on the Swan
and observing, as well as headtorching Coastal Plain near Perth (Storr et al.,
at night for nocturnal species General 1978; Browne-Cooper et al., 1989; How
vegetation descriptions at each trapline and Dell, 1990; Maryan, 1993).
were Trapline 3 was the most diverse site
with 32 species. This is probably due to
TRAPLINE 1 (3r44*33\ 1155857*) its ecotonal location on the boundaries
Dune crest, Banksia attenuata low of two habitats between the Banksia
198
woodlands and the lower-lying habitats imbricata, all of which appear to be
dominated by Acacia, Melaleuca and absent from the Maralla Road Bushland
Xanthorrhoea. This site was noticeable due to either its inland locality, soil
for its sparse understorey and deeper and/or vegetation structure. Herpeto¬
sand Not surprisingly, frogs were more faunal diversity at Maralla Road
prevalent in the low-lying habitats Bushland is probably a direct reflection
where there is less drainage Heleio[>orus of both its size and the minimal
eyrei was common at all sites while the degradation and human traffic at the
essentially terrestrial Myobatrachus site. How and Dell (1994) provide a
gouldii was recorded more frequently on detailed zoogeographic analysis of 22
the dune crest The pygopods Aprasia sites within the Perth metropolitan
repens and Lialis burtonis, agamid R. region including the area surveyed here.
adelaidensis, scincids Ctenotus australis, Their analysis further illustrates that
C. fallens, Lerista elegans, Menetia greyii larger areas generally maintain larger
and fossorial elapids Neelaps calonotos herpetofauna assemblages However, the
and Simoselaps bertholdi were more importance in conserving even small
abundant at Traplines 1 and 3 where remnant areas of suburban bushland
there was deeper sand The number of especially for small lizard assemblages, is
Rankinia adelaidensis trapped on the highlighted by the results of Turpin
dune crest was the most for any species (1990, 1991) and Cooper (1995). Due
recorded at any site. Pletholaxgracilis wa> to the survey area representing only
noticeably more common in the ecotone about 1% of the total area of Maralla
with sparse understorey. The large Road Bushland, and also considering
elapids Notechis scutatus and Pseudonaja that our survey effort was seasonal it is
affinis were observed more frequently in reasonable to predict that additional
the lower-lying areas, where dampness species will be recorded This assump¬
and an abundance of frogs probably tion is supported by database and
suited the former, and the adjoining literature searches in the Western
cleared agistment areas the latter. Australian Museum and by personal
Comparatively, the diversity at Maralla observations, that record a further nine
Road Bushland is close to the 43 species species near this area on the coastal
recorded in Yanchep National Park with plain. They are Crenadactylus ocellatus
a total of 2800 ha. (Burbidge and Rolfe - Ellenbrook Nature Reserve, Pygopus
unpubl. report). Yet the area sampled lepidopodus - Melaleuca Park/Whiteman
here represents only a small part of Park/Muchea, Varanus rosenbergi -
Maralla Road Bushland, and is less Whiteman Park/West Swan
diverse in habitats then Yanchep (unconfirmed sightings made by Lyn
National Park. The herpetofaunal Dunstan at her residence on Maralla
diversity in Yanchep National Park is Road), Rarnphotyphlops ivaitii -
undoubtedly enhanced by having Bullsbrook/Upper Swan (recorded as a
coastal vegetation communities, roadkill nearby during survey),
limestone rock formations and Tuart Elapognathus coronatus - Muchea,
woodlands within its boundaries These Echiopsis curta - Bullsbrook/Muchea,
communities support Crenadactylus Neelaps bimaculatus - Melaleuca Park/
ocellatus, Diplodactylus alboguttatus, Bullsbrook, Parasuta nigriceps -
Underwoodisaurus milii, Aclys concinna, Whiteman Park and Pseudechis australis
Cyclodornorphus celatus, Egemia kingii, - Bullsbrook/ Upper Swan (a large elapid
Lerista lineolmnctulata and Morelia spilota was observed near Trapline 3 during
199
Table L The total number of individuals pit-trapped at each site an X denotes observation
only.
Species Traplines
1 2 3 4 5
MYOBATRACHIDAE - Ground Frogs
Crinia georgiana 1 14 38
Crinia glauerti X X
Crinia insignifera 1 4 18 5
Heleioporus eyrei 53 21 50 49 10
Limnodynastes dorsalis 2 2 1
Myobatradms gouldii 9 1 3 1 X
Pseudophryne guentheri 7 7 X
HYLIDAE-Tree Frogs
Litoria adelaidensis 1 X
Litoria moorei X
CHELU1DAE - Turdes
Chelodina oblonga X
GEKKONIDAE - Geckos
Christinus marmoratus X
Strophums spinigerus 4 2 X X
PYGOPODIDAE - Legless Lizards
Aprasia repens 14 3 7 3 3
Delmafraseri X 1
Delmagrayii 1 1
Lialis burtonis 18 7 16 9 5
Pletholax gracilis 6 4 23 5 1
AGAMIDAE - Dragons
Pogona minor 9 4 4 5
Rankinia adelaiderisis 74 1 19 2
SCINCIDAE - Skinks
Acritoscincus trilineatum 4 5 X
Cryptoblepharus plagiocephalus 12 1 5 3 X
Ctenotus australis 5 X 13 X
Ctenotus fallens 3 8 30 15 4
Ctenotus gemmula 1 1
Ctenotus impar 1
Egemia napoleon is 1 X
Hemiergis quadrilineata 3 8 17 11 6
Lerista christinae 2 7
Lerista elegans 37 19 32 19 X
Lerista praepedita 10 1 5 10
Menetia greyii 25 7 22 5 7
Morethia lineoocellata 2 1 4 2
200
Table 1 (cont.)
Species Traplines
1 2 3 4 5
Morethia obscura 1 1 10 7 1
Tiliqua occipitalis 2 1 1
Tiliqua rugosa 2 1 2 6 X
VARAN1 DAE - Monitors
Varanusgoiddii X X
Varanus tristis 1
TYPHLOPIDAE - Blind Snakes
Ramphotyphlops australis 4 4 6 1
ELAP1DAE - Front Fanged Snakes
Brachyarophis fasciolata 1
Brachyurophis semifasciata 2 X
Neelaps calonotos 4 3 1 1
Notechis scutatus 2 X 1
Parasuta gouldii 2 1 X X
Pseudomja affinis 1 X X
Simoselaps bcrtholdi 4 X 5 X
Total number of species 29 19 32 29 13
survey and was tentatively identified as swamp systems are inadequate for this
this species). The Maralla Road species (G. Kuchling pers. comm.). To
Bushland supports all 9 species of frogs date, searches in likely areas for P.
that are widespread on the Swan umbrina have only revealed the presence
Coastal Plain. Only one of these, Crinia of the more common and widespread
insignifera, is endemic to the coastal Chelodina oblonga. Only two species of
plain between Gingin and Busselton gecko were recorded in the survey area
(Tyler et ai, 2000). Two further Generally with this group, diversity is
myobatrachid frogs Heleioporus low in the more cooler southerly regions
barycragus and Neobatrachus pelobatoides (Storr et al, 1990). It is interesting to
have been recorded nearby at note the presence of what appears to be
Ellenbrook Nature Reserve, but are two subspecies Strophurus spinigcrus
omitted from the list of likely additional spinigerus and Strop/iurus spinigerus
species due to the lack of clay or loam inornatus in the survey area. Storr
soils in the Maralla Road Bushland. (1988), stated the gap separating these
Ellenbrook Nature Reserve is well two forms as being only a few kilometres
known for its population of the between the top and bottom of the
critically endangered Western Swamp Darling Scarp. The dominant form in
Turtle Pseudemydura umbrina. Despite the survey area is the plain-backed
its close proximity to the survey area inornatus, which is more prevalent in
the turtle seems unlikely to naturally the Darling Range (pers. obs.), while
occur on Maralla Road Bushland as the the more ornate nominate spinigerus
201
form is predominantly coastal. This extension of range all other reptiles
situation warrants further investigation listed are within their known range and
from a taxonomic perspective Legless most are widely distributed throughout
lizards are well represented in the survey the south west. Three species of monitor
area with five of the eight regionally lizard occur in the Perth region (Bush
occurring species recorded. Pygopus et ai, 1995). Although Varanus
lepidopodus is also likely to occur rosenbergi is unconfirmed from the area
because it is recorded in both Whiteman it is highly likely to occur based on
and Melaleuca Parks. Pletholax gracilis is nearby records, particularly in
dependent on Banksia-Eucalyptus Whiteman Park. Therefore it is
woodlands or heaths on sandy soils probable that Maralla Road Bushland
(Wilson and Knowles, 1988). This supports all three species. It is also
habitat is locally reduced and has lead worth mentioning the presence of four
to a decline in the species range in the species of burrowing snake in the
Perth region (Shea and Peterson, 1993). survey area. On the coastal plain, only
Based on his capture rates at two sites Bold Park has yielded all five species in
(Bamford, 1998) speculated that P. sympatry over a prolonged period of
gracilis was more trappable in pitfall trapping (How and Dell, 1994). The
traps in areas of sparse understorey. This one species unrecorded from the
could possibly be the case at Maralla Maralla Road Bushland, Neelaps
Road Bushland where the ecotone site birnaculatus, is expected to occur owing
produced more captures. By contrast, at to nearby records and its broader
Modong Nature Reserve in Oakford, P. distribution on both the coastal plain
gracilis was more frequently trapped in and Darling Range (Bush et ai, 1995).
Melaleuca preissiana low woodland over Neelaps calonotos is almost entirely
a very dense heath understorey (pers. endemic to the Swan Coastal Plain
obs.). The skink lizards are the most near Perth. The 9 frogs and 36 reptiles
diverse and abundant reptiles in the recorded represent approximately 50%
survey area The area yielded all four of the 16 frog species, 51 lizards and 20
Ctenotus spp. known from the coastal terrestrial snakes naturally occurring in
plain around Perth. This has only been the Perth region (Bush et ai, 1995).
previously replicated at Whiteman Park This diversity is a direct reflection of
(How and Dell, 1994). One of these the size and near pristine condition of
species, C. gemmula, is infrequently the Banksia woodlands and other
recorded on the coastal plain, but occurs environments. The importance of this
in disjunct populations north to Cataby diversity becomes even more apparent,
(Storr et ai, 1999). Indeed, the type when considering that only 7% of
locality for this species is South Perth, Banksia woodlands are protected in
where all of its former habitat has been conservation reserves on the Swan
destroyed by urban development. Coastal Plain (Hopper and Burbidge,
Ctenotus impar is rarely recorded on the 1989). The zoogeographic location of
coastal plain north of the Swan River Maralla Road Bushland on the Swan
(Storr et al.r 1978). The distribution of Coastal Plain significantly straddles a
the burrowing skink Lerista christinae major change-over zone, from the
was extended south into the Perth sandy Bassendean soils to the heavier
metropolitan area as a result of this f lu viatile soils of the eastern side of the
survey, although it also occurs on plain. Any future development projects
Rottnest Island. Apart from this that involve large scale alterations and/
202
or fragmentation to Maralla Road disturbance include plans for regional
Bushland will undoubtedly lead to road requirements by the Main Roads
impoverishment in all Biodiversity Department, as well as identification of
aspects and critical loss in areas of a general mineral resource area for clay
potential tourism, environmental and sand. More recently, the future of
education and scientific uses. Maralla Road Bushland has become
more promising with recognition of the
area's conservation significance in
CONSERVATION ‘Perth’s Bushplan (Government of
CONSIDERATIONS Western Australia 1998) and finally in
Bush Forever (Government of Western
Maralla Road Bushland is currently
Australia 2000). Currently, Maralla
privately owned but is listed for Parks Road Bushland is reserved for Parks and
and Recreation under the Metropolitan
Recreation in the Metropolitan Region
Region Scheme. (Government of
Scheme. We fully endorse the
Western Australia 2000). Maralla Road recommendation made by ‘Perth’s
Bushland has been the subject of a Bushplan' that Maralla Road Bushland
detailed Public Environmental Review
be set aside as a National Park or Nature
process involving the proponents
Reserve. Other bushland areas in close
Homeswest, Sanwa Vines Pty. Ltd. and
proximity such as Melaleuca/Whiteman
Mt Lawley Pty. Ltd. (Environmental
Parks and Twin Swamps/Ellenbrook
Protection Authority, 1992). This
Nature Reserves are set aside for the
report to the Minister for the
conservation of flora and fauna and
Environment suggested that only 90
managed by the Department of
hectares of the area, the proponents
Conservation and Land Management,
preferred conservation option, be set
the latter primarily for the preservation
aside for Parks, Recreation and
of the critically endangered P. umbrina.
Conservation, and regrettably contained
the erroneous statement that "much of
the land has been totally modified”. ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
This is very misleading, as apart from
We thank Lyn and Kingsley Dunstan of
some meagre selective harvesting of
the Ellenbrook Conservation Group for
native timber and barely noticeable
initiating this survey and their support
weed invasion, the 950 ha is in
during this period. Thanks to the
excellent condition. In-fact, the
following WASAH members for
excellent/pristine condition, large size
assistance with checking traplines and
and diversity of vegetation associations
recording information: Greg Burford,
in a bushland setting so close to Perth
Gary Davies, Bruce George, Jamie
are unique (Urban Bushland Council,
Stuart and David Knowles. Thanks also
1997). This view was overwhelmingly
to John Dell, Ric How, Ken Aplin and
reflected in the majority of public
Otto Mueller for their comments on this
submissions supporting the exclusion of
manuscript.
theentirearea from urban development.
The EPA considered the protection of
approximately 641 hectares including all
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