Habitats of the Grey Grasswren Amytornis barbatus diamantina and a review of the species’ distribution
| Posted: |
11/04/2021 |
| Author(s): |
Andrew Black, Graham Carpenter, Lynn Pedler, Peter Langdon, Reece Pedler |
Grey Grasswrens
Amytornis barbatus were first described in swamps at the termination of the Bulloo River and
that population and nominate subspecies is now considered threatened. A second subspecies is found to the north
in wetlands of the Diamantina/Goyder Lagoon/Warburton system. We found the species at 54 sites within the Goyder
Lagoon/Warburton floodplain and conclude that that population appears secure. Grey Grasswrens were found chiefly
in Lignum (dominant at 57%, present at 88%) and Old-man Saltbush (dominant at 19%, present at 43%) with average
vegetation cover of 32.5 per cent but ranging from seven per cent to 81 per cent. While the species occurs above
Goyder Lagoon, in both the Georgina/Eyre and Diamantina catchments, connectivity between these localities has not
been demonstrated. The Grey Grasswren occurs in a third catchment, Cooper Creek, where its relationship with other
populations, including its subspecific status is unproven. The species is best known from dense shrublands of Lignum
Muehlenbeckia florulenta and Swamp Canegrass
Eragrostis australasica but we have shown that it occupies and may
breed in more open shrublands such as Old-man Saltbush
Atriplex nummularia ssp. nummularia. Our findings question
the relative reliance of Grey Grasswrens on these two rather disparate habitats; whether they occupy the more open
habitats when forced from deeply inundated Lignum swamps and whether the former serve to aid dispersal between
what otherwise appear to be isolated populations.
>> Download Abstract |
File Size: 89 KB
>> Download Complete PDF | File Size: 568 KB
