Queensland Fauna Wetland Indicator Species List

The Fauna Wetland Indicator Species Lists (WISL) have been compiled to support the determination of whether a site is a wetland.  The Wetland Indicator Species (WIS) in WISL have adapted to living in wetlands and are dependent on them for:

• all of their life; or
• a major part of their life; or
• for critical stages of their lifecycle, such as breeding and larval development.

The wetland definition used for developing these lists is the Queensland Wetlands Program Wetland Definition.  The presence of a WIS at a site does not, in itself, confirm the site to be a wetland, but is one line of evidence towards determining the wetland status of a site.

Wetland ecosystems tend to include species evolved for wet conditions.  Some of these species are dependent on the presence of water for every stage of their life cycle, and need to be immersed in water, or floating upon water, for their total life cycle, while others require water for most of their life cycle stages or for a critical stage in their development. These species are considered as WIS unlike those that may only access a wetland to drink.

The WISL includes mainly the more common fauna species. Most rare species and all vagrant fauna species have not been included as they are considered too poorly known or erratic. Species, other than those listed, may be accepted as wetland indicator species for a certain locality given expert recommendation and reliable site specific data.

Most marine species are also not included in the WISL as the wetland definition excludes marine water more than 6m below low tide.

Expert advice is usually required when a fauna species, recognized as a WIS, is recorded in an area without other identifiable wetland characteristics. Knowledge of the species geographic distribution and behavior will aid interpretation of some recorded observations. WIS may be traveling between wetlands (e.g. crayfish, eels, crocodiles and birds), using adjacent non-wetland habitat for a section of their lifecycle or lifestyle. (e.g. Chelidae freshwater turtles laying eggs on dry ground), or are forced into less preferred non-wetland habitat due to overpopulation pressures (e.g. swamp rat).

For ease of access and understanding some of these groupings have been divided into sub-groupings containing species with like habitat and similar behavior. The WIS lists have been grouped in seven tables and are at a species level except for Table 1: Insect and Spider Wetland Indicator Species:

Groupings:

• Insect and Spider
• Crustacean
• Fish
  • cartilaginous
  • bony
• Reptile
• Frog
  • entire aquatic life
  • partial aquatic life
  • early aquatic life
• Bird
  • pelican, cormorant, darter and grebe
  • swan, goose and duck
  • coot, moorhen, crake, heron, bittern and egret
  • shorebird (wader)
  • tern
  • kingfisher
• Mammal
  • freshwater
  • saltwater

Insect and Spider

Insect and spider wetland indicator species list
(this list is indicative and may not be all inclusive of all WIS in this section)

Class	Order	Suborder	Family	Common name
insects	Ephemeroptera		Baetidae	mayfly
insects	Ephemeroptera		Caenidae	mayfly
insects	Ephemeroptera		Coloburiscidae	mayfly
insects	Ephemeroptera		Leptophlebiidae	mayfly
insects	Ephemeroptera		Oniscigastridae	mayfly
insects	Ephemeroptera		Prosopistomatidae	mayfly
insects	Ephemeroptera		Vietnamellidae	mayfly
insects	Odonata	Zygoptera	Coenagrionidae	damselfly
insects	Odonata	Zygoptera	Isostictidae	damselfly
insects	Odonata	Zygoptera	Protoneuridae	damselfly
insects	Odonata	Zygoptera	Chorismagrionidae	damselfly
insects	Odonata	Zygoptera	Hypolestidae	damselfly
insects	Odonata	Zygoptera	Lestidae	damselfly
insects	Odonata	Zygoptera	Megapodagriondae	damselfly
insects	Odonata	Zygoptera	Synlestidae	damselfly
insects	Odonata	Zygoptera	Calopterygidae	damselfly
insects	Odonata	Zygoptera	Diphlebiidae	damselfly
insects	Odonata	Zygoptera	Libellagimidae	damselfly
insects	Odonata	Epiproctophora	Gomphidae	dragonfly
insects	Odonata	Epiproctophora	Lindeniidae	dragonfly
insects	Odonata	Epiproctophora	Petaluridae	dragonfly
insects	Odonata	Epiproctophora	Aeshnidae	dragonfly
insects	Odonata	Epiproctophora	Telephlebiidae	dragonfly
insects	Plecoptera		Austroperlidae	stonefly
insects	Plecoptera		Eustheniidae	stonefly
insects	Plecoptera		Gripopterygidae	stonefly
insects	Plecoptera		Notonemouridae	stonefly
insects	Hemiptera	Heteroptera	Gerridae	water strider
insects	Hemiptera	Heteroptera	Hermatobotidae
insects	Hemiptera	Heteroptera	Hydrometriadae	water measure
insects	Hemiptera	Heteroptera	Veliidae	small water strider
insects	Hemiptera	Heteroptera	Notonectidae	backswimmer
insects	Hemiptera	Heteroptera	Corixidae	water-boatman
insects	Megaloptera		Sialidae	alderfly
insects	Megaloptera		Corydalidae	dobsonfly
insects	Coleoptera		Sphaeriusidae	sphaeriusid
insects	Coleoptera		Dytiscidae	dobson fly
insects	Coleoptera		Gryinidae	whirligig beetle
insects	Coleoptera		Halipidae	haliplid
insects	Coleoptera		Hygrobiidae
insects	Coleoptera		Hydrophilidae	water beetle
insects	Diptera		Tanyderidae	fly
insects	Diptera		Chaoboridae	mosquito
insects	Diptera		Corethrellidae	mosquito
insects	Diptera		Culicidae	mosquito
insects	Diptera		Chironomidae	midge
insects	Diptera		Ceratopogonidae	sand fly
insects	Trichoptera		Calamoceratidae	caddis-fly
insects	Trichoptera	Spicpalpia	Glossosomatidae	caddis-fly
insects	Trichoptera	Spicpalpia	Hydrobiosidae	caddis-fly
insects	Trichoptera	Spicpalpia	Hydropilidae	caddis-fly
insects	Trichoptera	Annulipalpia	Philopotamoidae	caddis-fly
insects	Trichoptera	Annulipalpia	Stenopsychidae	caddis-fly
insects	Trichoptera	Annulipalpia	Dipseudopsidae	caddis-fly
insects	Trichoptera	Annulipalpia	Ecnomidae	caddis-fly
insects	Trichoptera	Annulipalpia	Hydropsycidae	caddis-fly
insects	Trichoptera	Annulipalpia	Polycentropodidae	caddis-fly
insects	Trichoptera	Annulipalpia	Psychomyiidae	caddis-fly
insects	Trichoptera	Polyphaga	Atriplectididae	caddis-fly
pycnogonida	Pantopoda		Ammotheiidae	intertidal spider
pycnogonida	Pantopoda		Austrodecidae	intertidal spider
pycnogonida	Pantopoda		Nymphonidae	intertidal spider
pycnogonida	Pantopoda		Phoxichildilidiidae	intertidal spider
arichnida	Aranea		Barychelidae	waterspider

Crustacean

There is little knowledge about Queensland’s freshwater crustaceans. Expertise should be sought when using Class Crustacea as a wetland indicator species as some species are considered amphibious during their life cycle and may appear outside the wetland environment.

This section includes only the macro freshwater crustacean species within Class Crustacea, Order Decapoda and Family either Palaemondae (freshwater crabs) or Parastacidae (freshwater crayfish).

Crustacean wetland indicator species list
(this list is indicative and may not be all inclusive of all WIS in this section)

Class	Family	Scientific name	Common name	NCA
crustacean	Parastacoidea	Cherax cairnesenis
crustacean	Parastacoidea	Cherax cartalacoolah
crustacean	Parastacoidea	Cherax depressus (complex)	orange fingered yabby
crustacean	Parastacoidea	Cherax destructor	inland yabby
crustacean	Parastacoidea	Cherax parvus	rainforest yabby
crustacean	Parastacoidea	Cherax quadricarinatus	redclaw
crustacean	Parastacoidea	Cherax rhynchotus
crustacean	Parastacoidea	Cherax robustus	sand yabby
crustacean	Parastacoidea	Cherax tenuimanus	marron
crustacean	Parastacoidea	Cherax urospinosus
crustacean	Parastacoidea	Euastacus balanensis	Balan spiny crayfish
crustacean	Parastacoidea	Euastacus bindal	Mt. Elliot spiny crayfish
crustacean	Parastacoidea	Euastacus eungella	Eungella spiny crayfish
crustacean	Parastacoidea	Euastacus fleckeri	Flecker's spiny crayfish
crustacean	Parastacoidea	Euastacus hystricosus
crustacean	Parastacoidea	Euastacus jagara
crustacean	Parastacoidea	Euastacus maidae
crustacean	Parastacoidea	Euastacus monteithotum
crustacean	Parastacoidea	Euastacus robertsi	Robert's spiny crayfish
crustacean	Parastacoidea	Euastacus setosus	Mount Glorious spiny crayfish
crustacean	Parastacoidea	Euastacus sulcatus	Lamington spiny crayfish
crustacean	Parastacoidea	Euastacus suttoni
crustacean	Parastacoidea	Euastacus urospinosus
crustacean	Parastacoidea	Euastacus yigara
crustacean	Parastacoidea	Tenuibranchiurus glypticus	swamp yabby
crustacean	Parastacoidea	Paratya australiensis	Australian paratya
crustacean	Parastacoidea	Caridina longirostris	long-beaked cardina
crustacean	Parastacoidea	Carindina serratirostris	spiny-beaked cardina
crustacean	Parastacoidea	Caridina gracilirostris	slender-beaked carindina
crustacean		Caridina typus	typical cadina
crustacean		Caridina zebra	zebra shrimp
crustacean		Caridina confusa	false zebra shrimp
crustacean	Parastacoidea	Australtya striolata	riffle shrimp
crustacean	Parastacoidea	Macrobrachium australiense	common Australian river prawn
crustacean		Macrobrachium idea	Ida's river prawn
crustacean	Parastacoidea	Macrobrachium tolmerum	east Australian river prawn
crustacean	Parastacoidea	Macrobrachium novaeholandiae	New Holland river prawn
crustacean		Macrobrachium lar	giant jungle prawn
crustacean		Macrobrachium rosenbergii	giant river prawn
crustacean		Macrobrachium sp.	Koombooloomba Prawn
crustacean		Macrobrachium handschini	Handschin's River prawn
crustacean		Macrobrachium latidactylus	broad-fingered river prawn
crustacean		Callianassa australiensis	yabby
crustacean		Portunus sanguinolentus	redspot swimmer crab
crustacean		Mictyris longicarpus	soldier crab
crustacean		Synalpheus neptunus	Neptune's snapping shrimp
crustacean		Lysmata vittata	red-striped shrimp
crustacean		Heloecius cordiformis	semaphore crab
crustacean		Varuna litterata	river swimming crab
crustacean		Holthuisana agassizi	Agassiz's freshwater crab
crustacean		Holthuisana transversa	inland crab
crustacean		Holthuisana wasselli	Wassell's freshwater crab
crustacean		Alpheus edwardsii	Alpheus's snapping shrimp
crustacean		Thalassina squamifera	mud lobster
crustacean		Callianassa australiensis	yabby
crustacean		Clibanarius taeniatus	yellow-striped hermit
crustacean		Clibanarius virescens	yellow-footed hermit
crustacean		Petrolisthes haplodactylus	rounded porcelain crab
crustacean		Petrolisthes teres
crustacean		Calappa hepatica	common box crab
crustacean		Ashtoret granulosa	red-banded sand crab
crustacean		Carisoma carnifex	giant shore crab
crustacean		Metopograpsus frontalis	broad-fronted mangrove crab
crustacean		Graspus teuicrustatus	tropical rock crab
crustacean		Heice leachii	purple and cream crab
crustacean		Neosarmatium trispinosum	scarlet three-fingered mangrove crab
crustacean		Parasesarma erythodactyl	red-fingered marsh crab
crustacean		Perisesarma messa	maroon mangrove crab
crustacean		Bresediun brevipes	banded mangrove crab
crustacean		Paracleistoma wardi	Ward's hairy-legged crab
crustacean		Scorpimera inflata	sand bubbler
crustacean		Australoplax tridentata	furry-clawed crab
crustacean		Macrophthalmus setosus	Australian sentinel crab
crustacean		Ocypode ceratophthalma	horn-eyed ghost crab
crustacean		Uca coarctata	orange-clawed fiddler crab
crustacean		Uca triangularis	lemon fiddler
crustacean		Uca perplexa	yellow-clawed fiddler
crustacean		Uca vomeris	two-toned fiddler
crustacean		Portunus pelagius	sand crab
crustacean		Scylla serrata	mud crab
crustacean		Thalamita sima	four-lobed swimming crab
crustacean		Epixnathus dentatus	long-fingered shore crab
crustacean		Myomenippe fornasinii	slow-moving shore crab
crustacean		Palaemon serenus	rock pool shrimp
crustacean		Ancyloceles agravelei	twisted-claw poercelain
crustacean		Calcinus latens	purple foot-band hermit

Fish

All wild fish—Chondrichthyes (cartilaginous fish) and Osteichthyes (bony fish)—recognised as recorded within Queensland are considered to be WIS, depending on their typical habitat’s physical characteristics as compared to those described in the Queensland Wetland Program Definition.

The fish species in this list largely belong to the freshwater fish that are bed spawners (demersal) with the non-floating eggs sinking to the water column bed or adhering to submerged rocks or vegetation.

Other fish (diadromus) are dependent early in the life cycle on estuarine and lower freshwater habitat. The free floating young then move from the estuarine environment seeking the marine areas for their mature life either breeding at sea or returning to estuarine or freshwater environments to breed.

Some species move downstream to breed in the brackish water or even seawater and then migrate upstream (catadromous). Examples of these are Australian perch and barramundi.

More extensive Queensland fish species sample lists are available from the Queensland Primary Industries and Fisheries (part of the Department of Employment, Economic Development and Innovation).

Queensland watercourses and estuaries are populated by freshwater and estuarine elasmobranchs (rays, bull sharks, sawfish,). The taxonomy, distribution and status of these creatures is poorly known. Because of this, while these creatures are fully aquatic species, expert guidance would be essential if considering these as wetland indicator species.

Recent information on these species is contained in a paper by Thorburn, D.C. (et. al) 2006.

Note that species that may spend a part of their life in a marine environment are outside the scope of this guideline.

Fish wetland indicator species list - cartilaginous
(this list is indicative and may not be all inclusive of all WIS in this section)

Class	Family	Scientific name	Common name	NCA
cartilaginous fish	Carcharhinidae	Carcharinus amblyrhynchoides	graceful whaler
cartilaginous fish	Carcharhinidae	Carcharinus cautus
cartilaginous fish	Carcharhinidae	Carcharinus dussumieri
cartilaginous fish	Carcharhinidae	Carcharinus fitzroyensis	creek whaler
cartilaginous fish	Carcharhinidae	Carcharinus leucas	bull whaler, bull shark, river shark
cartilaginous fish	Carcharhinidae	Carcharinus tilstoni
cartilaginous fish	Carcharhinidae	Negaprion acutidens	sharptoothed whaler, lemon shark
cartilaginous fish	Carcharhinidae	Rhizoprionodon acutus
cartilaginous fish	Carcharhinidae	Rhizoprionodon taylori
cartilaginous fish	Carcharhinidae	Glyphus sp. A	freshwater speartooth shark, Bizant River shark
cartilaginous fish	Sphyrnidae	Sphyrna mokarran
cartilaginous fish	Sphyrnidae	Sphyrna lewini
cartilaginous fish	Rhinobatidae	Rhinobatos typus
cartilaginous fish	Rhynchobatidae	Rybchobatus australiae
cartilaginous fish	Pristidae	Pristis clavata	dwarf sawfish
cartilaginous fish	Pristidae	Pristis microdon	freshwater sawfish
cartilaginous fish	Pristidae	Pristis zijsron	green sawfish
cartilaginous fish	Dasyatidae	Himantura dalyensis	freshwater whipray
cartilaginous fish	Dasyatidae	Himantura toshi
cartilaginous fish	Dasyatidae	Himantura undulata
cartilaginous fish	Dasyatidae	Himantura sephen
cartilaginous fish	Myliobatidae	Aetobatus narinari
cartilaginous fish	Myliobatidae	Aetomylaeus nichofi
cartilaginous fish	Rhinopteridae	Rhinoptera javanica
cartilaginous fish	Rhinopteridae	Rhinotera neglecta
cartilaginous fish	Orectolobidae	Orecolobu ornatus	banded wobbegong, carpet shark, gulf wobbegong
cartilaginous fish	Orectolobidae	Orectolobus maculatus	spotted wobbegong
cartilaginous fish	Orectolobidae	Eucrossorhinus dasypogon	tasselled wobbegong, Ogilby’s wobbegong
cartilaginous fish	Heterodotontus	Heterodontus galeatus	crested Port Jackson shark, crested horn shark
cartilaginous fish	Heterodotontus	Heterodontus portusjackson	Port Jackson shark, bullhead shark, tabbigaw
cartilaginous fish	Urolophidae	Trygonoptera testacea	common stingaree

Fish wetland indicator species list - bony
(this list is indicative and may not be all inclusive of all WIS in this section)

Class	Family	Scientific name	Common name	NCA
bony fish	Eleotrididae	Mogurnda adspersa	southern purplespotted gudgeon
bony fish	Ceratodontidae	Neoceratodus forsteri	Australian lungfish / Queensland lungfish
bony fish	Anguillidae	Anguilla australis	southern short-finned eel
bony fish	Anguillidae	Anguilla reinhardtii	longfin eel
bony fish	Anguillidae	Anguilla obscura	Pacific short-finned eel
bony fish	Clupeidae	Nematalosa erebi	bony herring, bony bream
bony fish	Cyprinidae	Carassius auratus	goldfish
bony fish	Cyprinidae	Puntius conchonius	Rosy barb
bony fish	Cyprinidae	Carassius carpio	European carp, common carp, Koi carp
bony fish	Ariidae	Arius graeffei	Blue catfish
bony fish	Ariidae	Arius leptaspis	boofhead catfish
bony fish	Plotosidae	Porochilus rendahli	Rendahl's catfish
bony fish	Plotosidae	Neosilurus hyrtlii	Hyrtl’s catfish, yellow-tailed catfish
bony fish	Plotosidae	Tandanus tandanus	freshwater catfish, eeltailed catfish
bony fish	Retropinnidae	Retropinna semoni	Australian smelt
bony fish	Galaxiidae	Galaxias maculatus	common galaxias
bony fish	Galaxiidae	Galaxias olidus	mountain galaxias
bony fish	Melanotaeniidae	Melanotaenia duboulayi	crimsonspotted rainbowfish
bony fish	Melanotaeniidae	Melanotaenia fluviatilis	Murray River rainbowfish
bony fish	Melanotaeniidae	Melanotaenia splendida splendida	eastern rainbowfish
bony fish	Melanotaeniidae	Rhadinocentrus ornatus	ornate rainbowfish
bony fish	Pseudomugilidae	Pseudomugil mellis	honey blue eye	V
bony fish	Pseudomugilidae	Pseudomugil signifer	Pacific blue eye
bony fish	Atherinidae	Craterocephalus marjoriae	silverstreak hardyhead
bony fish	Atherinidae	Craterocephalus stercusmuscarum fulvus	un-specked hardyhead, non-specked hardyhead
bony fish	Atherinidae	Craterocephalus amniulus	Darling River hardyhead
bony fish	Hemiramphidae	Arrhamphus sclerolepis	snubnose garfish
bony fish	Poeciliidae	Gambusia holbrooki	mosquitofish / gambusia
bony fish	Poeciliidae	Poecilia reticulata	guppy
bony fish	Poeciliidae	Xiphophorus helleri	swordtail
bony fish	Poeciliidae	Xiphophorus macullatus	platy
bony fish	Poeciliidae	Poecilia latipinna	sailfin molly
bony fish	Scorpaenidae	Notesthes robusta	bullrout
bony fish	Ambassidae	Ambassis agassizii	Agassiz's glassfish / olive perchlet
bony fish	Percichthyidae	Macquaria novemaculeata	Australian bass
bony fish	Percichthyidae	Macquaria ambigua ambigua	golden perch, yellowbelly, callop, Murray perch
bony fish	Nannopercidae	Nannoperca oxleyana	Oxleyan pygmy perch	V
bony fish	Apogonidae	Glossamia aprion	mouth almighty
bony fish	Terapontidae	Bidyanus bidaynus	silver perch
bony fish	Terapontidae	Leiopotherapon unicolor	spangled perch, spangled grunter
bony fish	Terapontidae	Terapon jarbua	crescent grunter
bony fish	Mugilidae	Mugil cephalus	sea mullet
bony fish	Mugilidae	Myxus petardi	pinkeye mullet
bony fish	Cichlidae	Oreochromis mossambicus	Mozambique mouthbrooder / tilapia
bony fish	Cichlidae	Tilapia mariae	back mangrove /Niger cichlid
bony fish	Cichlidae	Amphilopus citrinellus	red devil / Midas cichlid
bony fish	Cichlidae	Astronotus ocellatus	oscar
bony fish	Cichlidae	Chichlasoma trimaculatum	three-spot chichidae
bony fish	Cichlidae	Hapochromis burtoni	Victoria Burtons haplochromine
bony fish	Gadopsidae	Gadopsis marmoratus	River blackfish
bony fish	Eleotridae	Gobiomorphus australis	striped gudgeon
bony fish	Eleotridae	Hypseleotris compressa	empire gudgeon
bony fish	Eleotridae	Hypseleotris galii	firetail gudgeon
bony fish	Eleotridae	Hypseleotris klunzingeri	western carp gudgeon
bony fish	Eleotridae	Philypnodon grandiceps	flat-headed gudgeon
bony fish	Eleotridae	Philypnodon macrostomus	dwarf flat-headed gudgeon
bony fish	Gobiidae	Redigobius bikolanus	speckled goby
bony fish	Salmonidae	Salno Trutta	brown trout
bony fish	Sparidae	Acanthopagrus australis	yellowfin bream
bony fish	Syngnathidae	Hippichthys penicillus	steep-nosed pipefish
bony fish	Syngnathidae	Hippichthys heptagonus	reticulated freshwater pipefish
bony fish	Percichthyidae	Maccullochella peelii peeli	Mary River cod
bony fish	Belontiidae	Trichogaster trichopterus	three-spot gourami
bony fish	Cobitidae	Misgurnus anguillicaudatus	Oriental weatherloach

Reptile

These creatures live most of their life as aquatic creatures and therefore are considered wetland indicators.

Reptile wetland indicator species list
(this list is indicative and may not be all inclusive of all WIS in this section)

Class	Family	Scientific name	Common name	NCA	EPBC
reptiles	Elapidae	Acalyptophis peronii		C
reptiles	Elapidae	Astrotia stokesii		C
reptiles	Elapidae	Disteira kingii	spectacled sea snake	C
reptiles	Elapidae	Disteira major		C
reptiles	Elapidae	Disteira sp.
reptiles	Elapidae	Emydocephalus annulatus		C
reptiles	Elapidae	Enhydrina schistosa		C
reptiles	Elapidae	Hemiaspis signata	black-bellied swamp snake	C
reptiles	Elapidae	Hydrelaps darwiniensis		C
reptiles	Elapidae	Hydrophis caerulescens		C
reptiles	Elapidae	Hydrophis coggeri		C
reptiles	Elapidae	Hydrophis elegans		C
reptiles	Elapidae	Hydrophis gracilis		C
reptiles	Elapidae	Hydrophis macdowelli		C
reptiles	Elapidae	Hydrophis melanosoma		C
reptiles	Elapidae	Hydrophis ornatus		C
reptiles	Elapidae	Hydrophis pacificus		C
reptiles	Elapidae	Hydrophis sp.
reptiles	Elapidae	Hydrophis vorisi		C
reptiles	Elapidae	Lapemis curtus		C
reptiles	Elapidae	Laticauda sp.
reptiles	Elapidae	Parahydrophis mertoni		C
reptiles	Elapidae	Pelamis platurus	yellow-bellied sea snake	C
reptiles	Elapidae	Pseudechis porphyriacus	red-bellied black snake	C
reptiles	Colubridae	Cerberus rynchops	bockadam	C
reptiles	Colubridae	Dendrelaphis calligastra	northern tree snake	C
reptiles	Colubridae	Enhydris polylepis	Macleay's water snake	C
reptiles	Colubridae	Fordonia leucobalia	white-bellied mangrove snake	C
reptiles	Colubridae	Myron richardsonii	Richardson's mangrove snake	C
reptiles	Colubridae	Stegonotus cucullatus	slaty-grey snake	C
reptiles	Colubridae	Stegonotus parvus	slate-brown snake	C
reptiles	Colubridae	Tropidonophis mairii	freshwater snake	C
reptiles	Acrochordidae	Acrochordus arafurae	Arafura file snake	C
reptiles	Acrochordidae	Acrochordus granulatus	little file snake	C
reptiles	Varanidae	Varanus mertensi	Mertens' water monitor	C
reptiles	Agamidae	Physignathus lesueurii	eastern water dragon	C
reptiles	Chelidae	Chelodina canni	Cann's longneck turtle	C
reptiles	Chelidae	Chelodina longicollis	eastern snake-necked turtle	C
reptiles	Chelidae	Elseya albagula	southern snapping turtle	C
reptiles	Chelidae	Elseya dentata	northern snapping turtle	C
reptiles	Chelidae	Elseya irwini	Irwin's turtle	C
reptiles	Chelidae	Elseya lavarackorum	Gulf snapping turtle	V	E
reptiles	Chelidae	Elusor macrurus	Mary River turtle	E	E
reptiles	Chelidae	Emydura macquarii emmotti	Emmott's short-neck turtle	C
reptiles	Chelidae	Emydura macquarii krefftii	Krefft's river turtle	C
reptiles	Chelidae	Emydura macquarii macquarii	Murray turtle	C
reptiles	Chelidae	Emydura macquarii nigra	Fraser Island short-neck turtle	C
reptiles	Chelidae	Emydura macquarii signata	Brisbane short-necked turtle	C
reptiles	Chelidae	Emydura subglobosa subglobosa	Jardine River turtle	R
reptiles	Chelidae	Emydura subglobosa worrelli	diamond head turtle	R
reptiles	Chelidae	Emydura tanybaraga	northern yellow-faced turtle	C
reptiles	Chelidae	Macrochelodina expansa	broad-shelled river turtle	C
reptiles	Chelidae	Macrochelodina rugosa	northern snake-necked turtle	C
reptiles	Chelidae	Rheodytes leukops	Fitzroy River turtle	V	V
reptiles	Chelidae	Wollumbinia belli	Bell's turtle	C	V
reptiles	Chelidae	Wollumbinia latisternum	saw-shelled turtle	C
reptiles	Crocodylidae	Crocodylus johnstoni	Australian freshwater crocodile	C
reptiles	Crocodylidae	Crocodylus porosus	estuarine crocodile	V

Frog

Frogs are amphibians, usually presenting three distinct life cycle stages: egg; aquatic laval stage (tadpole); and an air breathing adult stage. Expert opinion should be sought as these animals may live at least one stage of their life cycle outside wetland habitats. The lifecycle-wetland indicator species relationship is provided to aid with interpreting this situation.

The frog species selected for these lists are the most hydrophilic frog species whose life cycle fits within the Queensland Wetlands Program Wetland Definition (animals that are adapted to and dependent on living in wet conditions for at least part of their life cycle).

Frogs living in permanent wetland conditions usually breed in the wetter summer months. Those in the arid inland areas with ephemeral wetlands are usually burrowing frogs that bury themselves in the moist underground, subdue body metabolism and enter a state of dormancy referred to as aestivation for months or years of drought, then can activate themselves within twenty-four hours of a rain or flood event, rise to the surface and mate with the tadpole metamorphosing into a frog in about 14 to 20 days in most species. Breeding is ongoing while the wet event lasts. The moistest soil for burrowing and drought survival is beneath the wetlands. As such, the frog wetland indicator list is divided into three tables to differentiate between the relationship these frogs and wetlands.

Frog - entire aquatic life

These frog species are considered to live an entirely aquatic life. One species is noted as being in seepage areas. As most members of the family Microhylidae lay eggs on the land and are arboreal or terrestrial (H.Cogger 1994), they are not included as representative WIS.

Frog wetland indicator species list - entire aquatic life
(this list is indicative and may not be all inclusive of all WIS in this section)

Class	Family	Scientific name	Common name	NCA	EPBC	Eggs in water	Tadpoles in water	Notes
amphibians	Hylidae	Litoria dahlii	northern waterfrog	C		Y	Y	Aquatic
amphibians	Hylidae	Litoria genimaculata	tapping green eyed frog	R		Y	Y	Aquatic
amphibians	Hylidae	Litoria gracilenta	graceful treefrog	C		Y	Y	Aquatic
amphibians	Hylidae	Litoria lorica	little waterfall frog	E	CE	Y	Y	Aquatic
amphibians	Hylidae	Litoria nannotis	waterfall frog	E	E	Y	Y	Aquatic
amphibians	Hylidae	Litoria olongburensis	wallum sedgefrog	V	V	Y	Y	Aquatic
amphibians	Hylidae	Litoria subglandulosa	New England treefrog	V		Y	Y	Aquatic
amphibians	Hylidae	Litoria verreauxii	whistling treefrog	C		Y	Y	Aquatic
amphibians	Myobatrachidae	Crinia deserticola	chirping froglet	C		Y	Y	Aquatic
amphibians	Myobatrachidae	Crinia tinnula	wallum froglet	V		Y	Y	Aquatic
amphibians	Myobatrachidae	Pseudophryne covacevichae	magnificent broodfrog	V	V	N	Y	Seepage
amphibians	Myobatrachidae	Taudactylus pleione	Kroombit tinkerfrog	E	V	?	?	Aquatic
amphibians	Myobatrachidae	Taudactylus rheophilus	northern tinkerfrog	E	E	Y	Y	Aquatic
amphibians	Limnodynastidae	Limnodynastes convexiusculus	marbled frog	C		Y	Y	Aquatic
amphibians	Limnodynastidae	Limnodynastes peronii	striped marshfrog	C		Y	Y	Aquatic

Frog - partial aquatic life

These species do not display all life stages (egg, tadpole or maturity) within the aquatic environment. These species can be indicators of wetland conditions, but require expert interpretation of their associations with wetlands.

Frog wetland indicator species list - partial aquatic life
(this list is indicative and may not be all inclusive of all WIS in this section)

Class	Family	Scientific name	Common name	NCA	EPBC	Eggs in water	Tadpoles in water	Adult habitat
amphibians	Ranidae	Hylarana daemeli	Australian woodfrog	C		Y	Y	Semi-aquatic
amphibians	Hylidae	Litoria andiirrmalin	Melville Range treefrog	V		?	Y	Aquatic fringing
amphibians	Hylidae	Litoria cooloolensis	Cooloola sedgefrog	R		Y	Y	Aquatic/Terrestrial
amphibians	Hylidae	Litoria coplandi	sandstone frog	C		Y	Y	Terrestrial/Aquatic
amphibians	Hylidae	Litoria dentata	bleating treefrog	C		Y	Y	Aquatic/Terrestrial
amphibians	Hylidae	Litoria fallax	eastern sedgefrog	C		Y	Y	Aquatic/Terrestrial
amphibians	Hylidae	Litoria nasuta	striped rocketfrog	C		Y	Y	Aquatic fringing
amphibians	Hylidae	Litoria pearsoniana	cascade treefrog	V		Y	Y	Aquatic / Aquatic fringing
amphibians	Hylidae	Litoria revelata	whirring treefrog	R		Y	Y	Terrestrial/Aquatic
amphibians	Hylidae	Litoria rheocola	common mistfrog	E	E	Y	Y	Aquatic fringing
amphibians	Hylidae	Litoria tyleri	southern laughing treefrog	C		Y	Y	Aquatic/Terrestrial?
amphibians	Hylidae	Litoria wotjulumensis	giant rocketfrog	C		Y	Y	Terrestrial/Aquatic
amphibians	Hylidae	Litoria xanthomera	orange thighed treefrog	C		Y	Y	Aquatic fringing/Aboreal
amphibians	Hylidae	Nyctimystes dayi	Australian lacelid	E	E	Y	Y	Aquatic fringing/Aboreal
amphibians	Myobatrachidae	Crinia remota	northern froglet	C		Y	Y	Aquatic/Terrestrial
amphibians	Myobatrachidae	Crinia signifera	clicking froglet	C		Y	Y	Aquatic/Terrestrial
amphibians	Myobatrachidae	Pseudophryne coriacea	red backed broodfrog	C		N	Y	Aquatic/Terrestrial
amphibians	Myobatrachidae	Taudactylus eungellensis	Eungella dayfrog	E	E	Y	Y	Aquatic/Aquatic fringing
amphibians	Myobatrachidae	Taudactylus liemi	Eungella tinkerfrog	R		Y	Y	Aquatic/Aboreal
amphibians	Limnodynastidae	Adelotus brevis	tusked frog	V		Y	Y	Terrestrial/Aquatic

Frog - early aquatic life

For these species, the aquatic environment is essential for the early life stages (egg and tadpole), but the mature stage is not aquatic, but burrowed except for breeding events. Therefore, these species are only an indicator for possible wetland conditions in the egg, tadpole stages, and during breeding events.

Frog wetland indicator species list - early aquatic life
(this list is indicative and may not be all inclusive of all WIS in this section)

Class	Family	Scientific name	Common name	NCA	EPBC	Eggs in water	Tadpoles in water	Adult habitat
amphibians	Hylidae	Cyclorana australis	northern snapping frog	C		Y	Y	Burrowing
amphibians	Hylidae	Cyclorana brevipes	superb collared frog	C		Y	Y	Burrowing
amphibians	Hylidae	Cyclorana cultripes	grassland collared frog	C		Y	Y	Burrowing
amphibians	Hylidae	Cyclorana manya	little collared frog	C		Y	Y	Burrowing
amphibians	Hylidae	Cyclorana novaehollandiae	eastern snapping frog	C		Y	Y	Burrowing
amphibians	Hylidae	Cyclorana platycephala	water holding frog	C		Y	Y	Burrowing
amphibians	Hylidae	Cyclorana verrucosa	rough collared frog	R		Y	Y	Burrowing
amphibians	Limnodynastidae	Limnodynastes dumerilii	grey bellied pobblebonk	C		Y	Y	Burrowing
amphibians	Limnodynastidae	Limnodynastes salmini	salmon striped frog	C		Y	Y	Burrowing
amphibians	Limnodynastidae	Limnodynastes tasmaniensis	spotted grassfrog	C		Y	Y	Burrowing
amphibians	Limnodynastidae	Limnodynastes terraereginae	scarlet sided pobblebonk	C		Y	Y	Burrowing
amphibians	Limnodynastidae	Neobatrachus aquilonius	rattling frog	C		Y	Y	Burrowing
amphibians	Limnodynastidae	Neobatrachus centralis	trilling frog	C		Y	Y	Burrowing
amphibians	Limnodynastidae	Neobatrachus sudelli	meeowing frog	C		Y	Y	Burrowing
amphibians	Limnodynastidae	Notaden bennettii	holy cross frog	C		Y	Y	Burrowing
amphibians	Limnodynastidae	Platyplectrum ornatum	ornate burrowing frog	C		Y	Y	Burrowing
amphibians	Limnodynastidae	Platyplectrum spenceri	desert burrowing frog	C		Y	Y	Burrowing

Bird

The birds listed in the following tables are selected for their close relationship with wetlands. To assist with identification, the lists have been divided into categories of species that share similar behavior and habitats to each other.

The lists include indicator species that either:

• breed in wetlands
• feed almost entirely in wetlands
• live in wetlands or abutting habitat.

These are not complete lists of wetland species; it includes species that are easy to identify. Uncommon, vagrant and species considered not home range for Queensland are not included. It is important to note that some species in these lists may be recorded out of wetland habitats because they migrate or move during dry periods. This does not interfere with their status of wetland indicators but signifies that data used as wetland indication may require expert interpretation.

It is also important to recognise that while most wader birds breed in wetlands of the northern hemisphere, they remain faithful to wetland sites when in Australia.

Bird wetland indicator species list - pelican, cormorant, darter and grebe
(this list is indicative and may not be all inclusive of all WIS in this section)

Class	Family	Scientific name	Common name	NCA	EPBC
birds	Pelecanidae	Pelecanus conspicillatus	Australian pelican	C
birds	Phalacrocoracidae	Microcarbo melanoleucos	little pied cormorant	C
birds	Phalacrocoracidae	Phalacrocorax carbo	great cormorant	C
birds	Phalacrocoracidae	Phalacrocorax sulcirostris	little black cormorant	C
birds	Phalacrocoracidae	Phalacrocorax varius	pied cormorant	C
birds	Anhingidae	Anhinga novaehollandiae	Australasian darter	C
birds	Podicipedidae	Podiceps cristatus	great crested grebe	C
birds	Podicipedidae	Poliocephalus poliocephalus	hoary-headed grebe	C
birds	Podicipedidae	Tachybaptus novaehollandiae	Australasian grebe	C

Bird wetland indicator species list - swan, goose and duck
(this list is indicative and may not be all inclusive of all WIS in this section)

Class	Family	Scientific name	Common name	NCA	EPBC
birds	Anatidae	Anas castanea	chestnut teal	C
birds	Anatidae	Anas gracilis	grey teal	C
birds	Anatidae	Anas platyrhynchos	northern mallard
birds	Anatidae	Anas rhynchotis	Australasian shoveler	C
birds	Anatidae	Anas superciliosa	Pacific black duck	C
birds	Anatidae	Aythya australis	hardhead	C
birds	Anatidae	Biziura lobata	musk duck	C
birds	Anatidae	Cygnus atratus	black swan	C
birds	Anatidae	Dendrocygna arcuata	wandering whistling-duck	C
birds	Anatidae	Malacorhynchus membranaceus	pink-eared duck	C
birds	Anatidae	Nettapus coromandelianus	cotton pygmy-goose	R
birds	Anatidae	Nettapus pulchellus	green pygmy-goose	C
birds	Anatidae	Oxyura australis	blue-billed duck	C
birds	Anatidae	Stictonetta naevosa	freckled duck	R
birds	Anatidae	Tadorna radjah	radjah shelduck	R
birds	Anatidae	Tadorna tadornoides	Australian shelduck	C
birds	Anseranatidae	Anseranas semipalmata	magpie goose	C

Bird wetland indicator species list - coot, moorhen, crake, heron, bittern and egret
(this list is indicative and may not be all inclusive of all WIS in this section)

Class	Family	Scientific name	Common name	NCA	EPBC
birds	Rallidae	Amaurornis cinerea	white-browed crake	C
birds	Rallidae	Fulica atra	Eurasian coot	C
birds	Rallidae	Gallinula tenebrosa	dusky moorhen	C
birds	Rallidae	Porzana fluminea	Australian spotted crake	C
birds	Rallidae	Porzana pusilla	Baillon's crake	C
birds	Rallidae	Porzana tabuensis	spotless crake	C
birds	Threskiornithidae	Platalea flavipes	yellow-billed spoonbill	C
birds	Threskiornithidae	Platalea regia	royal spoonbill	C
birds	Ardeidae	Ardea intermedia	intermediate egret	C
birds	Ardeidae	Ardea modesta	eastern great egret	C
birds	Ardeidae	Ardea pacifica	white-necked heron	C
birds	Ardeidae	Ardea sumatrana	great-billed heron	C
birds	Ardeidae	Botaurus poiciloptilus	Australasian bittern	C
birds	Ardeidae	Butorides striata	striated heron	C
birds	Ardeidae	Egretta garzetta	little egret	C
birds	Ardeidae	Egretta picata	pied heron	C
birds	Ardeidae	Egretta sacra	eastern reef egret	C
birds	Ardeidae	Ixobrychus dubius	Australian little bittern	C
birds	Ardeidae	Ixobrychus flavicollis	black bittern	C
birds	Ardeidae	Nycticorax caledonicus	Nankeen night-heron	C

Bird wetland indicator species list - shorebird (wader)
(this list is indicative and may not be all inclusive of all WIS in this section)

Class	Family	Scientific name	Common name	NCA	EPBC
birds	Scolopacidae	Actitis hypoleucos	common sandpiper	C
birds	Scolopacidae	Arenaria interpres	ruddy turnstone	C
birds	Scolopacidae	Calidris acuminata	sharp-tailed sandpiper	C
birds	Scolopacidae	Calidris alba	sanderling	C
birds	Scolopacidae	Calidris alpina	dunlin	C
birds	Scolopacidae	Calidris canutus	red knot	C
birds	Scolopacidae	Calidris ferruginea	curlew sandpiper	C
birds	Scolopacidae	Calidris melanotos	pectoral sandpiper	C
birds	Scolopacidae	Calidris ruficollis	red-necked stint	C
birds	Scolopacidae	Calidris tenuirostris	great knot	C
birds	Scolopacidae	Gallinago hardwickii	Latham's snipe	C
birds	Scolopacidae	Limnodromus semipalmatus	Asian dowitcher	C
birds	Scolopacidae	Limosa lapponica	bar-tailed godwit	C
birds	Scolopacidae	Limosa limosa	black-tailed godwit	C
birds	Scolopacidae	Numenius madagascariensis	eastern curlew	R
birds	Scolopacidae	Numenius phaeopus	whimbrel	C
birds	Scolopacidae	Phalaropus lobatus	red-necked phalarope	C
birds	Scolopacidae	Philomachus pugnax	ruff	C
birds	Scolopacidae	Tringa brevipes	grey-tailed tattler	C
birds	Scolopacidae	Tringa flavipes	lesser yellowlegs	C
birds	Scolopacidae	Tringa glareola	wood sandpiper	C
birds	Scolopacidae	Tringa incana	wandering tattler	C
birds	Scolopacidae	Tringa nebularia	common greenshank	C
birds	Scolopacidae	Tringa stagnatilis	marsh sandpiper	C
birds	Scolopacidae	Tringa totanus	common redshank	C
birds	Scolopacidae	Xenus cinereus	terek sandpiper	C
birds	Rostratulidae	Rostratula australis	Australian painted snipe	V	V
birds	Jacanidae	Irediparra gallinacea	comb-crested jacana	C
birds	Charadriidae	Charadrius bicinctus	double-banded plover	C
birds	Charadriidae	Charadrius leschenaultii	greater sand plover	C
birds	Charadriidae	Charadrius mongolus	lesser sand plover	C
birds	Charadriidae	Charadrius ruficapillus	red-capped plover	C
birds	Charadriidae	Charadrius veredus	oriental plover	C
birds	Charadriidae	Elseyornis melanops	black-fronted dotterel	C
birds	Charadriidae	Erythrogonys cinctus	red-kneed dotterel	C
birds	Charadriidae	Pluvialis dominicus	American golden plover
birds	Charadriidae	Pluvialis fulva	Pacific golden plover	C
birds	Charadriidae	Pluvialis squatarola	grey plover	C
birds	Recurvirostridae	Cladorhynchus leucocephalus	banded stilt	C
birds	Recurvirostridae	Recurvirostra novaehollandiae	red-necked avocet	C
birds	Haematopodidae	Haematopus fuliginosus	sooty oystercatcher	R
birds	Gruidae	Grus antigone	sarus crane	C
birds	Gruidae	Grus rubicunda	brolga	C
birds	Ciconiidae	Ephippiorhynchus asiaticus	black-necked stork	R

Bird wetland indicator species list - tern
(this list is indicative and may not be all inclusive of all WIS in this section)

Class	Family	Scientific name	Common name	NCA	EPBC
birds	Laridae	Chlidonias hybrida	whiskered tern	C
birds	Laridae	Chlidonias leucopterus	white-winged black tern	C
birds	Laridae	Hydroprogne caspia	Caspian tern	C
birds	Laridae	Sternula albifrons	little tern	E
birds	Laridae	Thalasseus bengalensis	lesser crested tern	C

Bird wetland indicator species list - kingfisher
(this list is indicative and may not be all inclusive of all WIS in this section)

Class	Family	Scientific name	Common name	NCA	EPBC
birds	Halcyonidae	Todiramphus chloris	collared kingfisher	C
birds	Alcedinidae	Ceyx azureus	azure kingfisher	C
birds	Alcedinidae	Ceyx pusilla	little kingfisher	C

Mammal

Wetland mammals can be considered to occur in two groups: freshwater and saltwater.

Mammal - freshwater

These species are wetland specialists but do not spend their entire life in the water environment. This list includes one tidal saline habitat species and the other two are freshwater habitat species. Both are mainly crepuscular and nocturnal.

Mammal wetland indicator species list - freshwater
(this list is indicative and may not be all inclusive of all WIS in this section)

Class	Family	Scientific name	Common name	NCA	EPBC
mammals	Muridae	Hydromys chrysogaster	water rat	C
mammals	Muridae	Rattus lutreolus	swamp rat	C
mammals	Muridae	Xeromys myoides	false water-rat	V	V
mammals	Ornithorhynchidae	Ornithorhynchus anatinus	platypus	C

Mammal wetland indicator species list - saltwater
(this list is indicative and may not be all inclusive of all WIS in this section)

Class	Family	Scientific name	Common name	NCA	EPBC
mammals	Delphinidae	Delphinus delphis	common dolphin	C
mammals	Delphinidae	Orcaella heinsohni	Australian snubfin dolphin	R
mammals	Delphinidae	Sousa chinensis	Indo-Pacific hump-backed dolphin	R
mammals	Delphinidae	Tursiops aduncus	Indo-Pacific bottlenose dolphin	C
mammals	Dugongidae	Dugong dugon	dugong	V

Legend

NCA - Status under the Nature Conservation Act 1992

PE	: Presumed Extinct
E	: Endangered
V	: Vulnerable
NT	: Near Threatened
R	: Rare
C	: Least Concern

EPBC - Status under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999

EX	: Extinct
XW	: Extinct in the wild
CE	: Critically Endangered
E	: Endangered
V	: Vulnerable
CD	: Conservation Dependent

Last updated: 5 October 2009