Southern Cross Operations Annual Environmental Report 2008 - 2009

2009 Annual Environmental ReportSouthern Cross OperationsFauna SurveysIn addition to the flora and vegetation surveys conducted at Axehandle-Achilles,Edwards Find and Kurrajong, a regional short-range endemics (SRE) survey wasconducted in the Cornishman, Edwards Find, Transvaal and Burbidge mining areas.This survey followed a preliminary assessment of potential short-range endemics andother terrestrial invertebrates that may occur within areas affected by SXO’sgoldmining operations. The preliminary assessment identified a number of significantinvertebrate species, including Aganippe castellum (Schedule 1 Protected Fauna,Wildlife Conservation ACT 1950), and consequently, a comprehensive survey wascommissioned in July 2008. It included all sites surveyed during the preliminaryassessment, along with an additional site at Corinthia located approximately 15kmnorth of Southern Cross. Putative short-range endemic taxa species recordedincluded:• Antichiropus ‘ML1’ (Paradoxosomatidae): This speciesis currently only known from this study at Marvel Loch.• Antichiropus ‘ML2’ (Paradoxosomatidae): This species is currently onlyknown from this study at Marvel Loch.• Polyzoniida (unknown genus and species).• Atelomastix sp. (Iulomorphidae): This species is currently only knownfrom this study at Marvel Loch.• Barychelidae (Aurecocrypa, Idiommata & Synothele): Specimens wereonly collected from a single location. Lack of taxonomic research limitsidentification of these species but there is the potential for Short-rangeendemism.One species of Schedule 1 Fauna was observed during the study:• Aganippe castellum (Tree-stem trapdoor spider): Burrows of thisspecies have been observed in the Allocasuarina shrubland of theBurbidge and Edwards Find areas.54