1) Family name: Maluriidae
2) Scientific name: Amytornis textilis
3) English name: Thick-billed Grasswren
4) Subspecies survival status: Endangered
5) Former distribution: Arid and
semi-arid southern Western Australia from the eastern Nullarbor Plain to
Dirk Hartog Island
6) Current distribution: Northern
half of Peron Peninsula and between Woodleigh, Overlander and Hamelin Pool.
Possibly also survives on Dirk Hartog Island. More easterly records
require confirmation.
7) Habitat: Open shrub land containing
chenopods and other recumbent shrubs of 1 - 3 meters high
8) Reasons for decline: Not known.
Grazing by stock (speculative) and predation by feral cats have been suggested
as reasons for the contraction of range. Both livestock grazing and
cats occur within its existing range which suggests other factors my have
been affecting its abundance. Cats, however, in association with
fluctuating populations of house mice, may have caused its extinction,
though this extinction has not been confirmed. Grazing may only be
a threat at high stocking rates and/or during times of drought. But
reasons for species’ decline are still not understood, in particular the
relationship between grasswren abundance, grazing regime and soil fertility
needs to be established.
9) Conservation reserves on which subspecies
occurs: Peron Peninsula National Park.
10) Public land on which subspecies occurs:
None
11) Other land on which subspecies occurs:
Woodleigh, Overlander and Peron Stations.
12) Recovery plan objectives: a)
To ensure persistence of the subspecies within its current range.
b) To enable re-establishment of the subspecies in conservation reserves
within its former range.
13) Actions already initiated: The
subspecies was studied near Shark Bay by CSIRO Division of Wildlife and
Ecology in the 1980s.
14) Actions required: a) Study in
detail effects of grazing regime on grasswrens and their habitat including
effects on soil fertility, food availability and long term habitat processes.
The study would have to include both occupied and previously occupied sites.
b) Study predation rate and productivity. c) Prepare management guidelines.
d) Assess areas within the subspecies’ former range for translocation.
e) When suitable sites are located, translocate small numbers from the
Peron Peninsula. f) Monitor existing and new populations as frequently
as possible to determine whether more urgent conservation action is required.
15) Organizations responsible for conservation
os subspecies: Western Australian Department of Conservation and Land
Management.
16) Other organizations and individuals
involved: CSIRO Division of Wildlife and Ecology / Mike Brooker.
17) Can the recovery plan be carried
out with existing resources? No