WEST KIMBERLEY PLACE REPORT - Department of Sustainability ...

Researchers have found that a number of frogs are endemic to the wettest parts of the
north Kimberley (Tyler and Doughty 2009). Endemic tree frogs include Litoria
splendida and Cyclorana vagita; and L. cavernicola is found only on the Mitchell
Plateau (Cogger 1992). Endemics from the southern frog family include three very
restricted species: Uperoleia minima, U. micra and U. marmorata, only known from
their original collection site near the mouth of the Prince Regent River (Tyler and
Doughty 2009). It is highly likely that further survey work would add significantly to
the record of unique or unusual species that live in this richly diverse region.
While scientists lack detailed knowledge of the birds of the north Kimberley,
preliminary surveys recorded 69 passerine species (that is, perching birds, many of
which are songbirds) and 92 non-passerine species, and ongoing research continues to
add to these numbers, with around 220 bird species now listed for Mitchell River
National Park alone (DEC 2010). Rugged sandstone supports the rare black grass
wren (Amytornis housei), white-quilled rock pigeon (Petrophassa albipennis) and
lavender-flanked wren (Malurus dulcis) (Burbidge et al. 1991). Vine thickets are
important habitat for rainbow pitta (Pitta iris), Torres Strait pigeon (Ducula
spilorrhoa), figbird (Sphecotheres flaviventris), cicada bird (Coracina tenvirostris)
and koel (Eudynamys scolopacea) (Chester et al. 1999; Johnstone and Smith 1981 in
Burbidge et al. 1991). Mangals are also an important bird habitat. North Kimberley
mangals support 12 of the 13 bird species that are entirely confined to mangroves in
Western Australia, including the chestnut rail (Eulabeornis castaneoventris), greatbilled
heron (Ardea sumatrana) and brahminy kite (Milvus indus) (Burbidge et al.
1991).
The rivers of the north Kimberley support a range of freshwater fish and turtles found
nowhere else. There are endemic or near endemic populations of gudgeons and
grunters, as well as of the rare pygmy rainbowfish (Melanotaenia pygmaea). Both the
northern river shark (Glyphus sp. C) and freshwater sawfish (Pristis microdon) are
found in river mouths and creeks. The freshwater sawfish is listed as vulnerable and
has not been seen in Queensland, where it used to also occur, for over 20 years
(Mustoe and Edmunds 2008). The north Kimberley is an important region for
freshwater turtle research: most populations of the recently described bearded
longneck turtle (Macrochelodina walloyarrina) and another turtle species which
shares its range, (M. kuchlingi), are found in the Mitchell, King Edward and Drysdale
river systems (McCord and Joseph-Ouni 2007). The Kimberley is the only region in
Australia where the widely-dispersed freshwater crayfish does not occur, a niche
occupied there by giant freshwater shrimps known as cherrabun (Tappin 2005).
Yampi Peninsula
At Yampi Peninsula, the climate shifts from the high rainfall of the northern
Kimberley into drier conditions characteristic of central parts of Western Australia.
Though Yampi Peninsula is much smaller than the other regions described here, it has
unique characteristics as a transitional zone. Yampi Peninsula has not been
extensively surveyed, but researchers expect further study to confirm that the area
supports very high levels of biological diversity (KPBG 2001).
Yampi Peninsula houses a unique combination of community types, including
ecological communities typical of both northern and southern parts of the Kimberley.
Many forms of vegetation occur here at the limit of their range. This is the north-west
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