Curtin University and South West Catchments Council combine forces for endangered burrowing crayfish

A scientific project is under way to help further protect the Capes region’s critically endangered burrowing crayfish.

Work to support the tiny creature — which was among threatened fauna cited in defence of the region during the Osmington coal mine saga in the past decade — started in September in a new collaboration between the South West Catchments Council and Curtin University.

The partnership involves developing a non-destructive method to identify burrows, using trace amounts of DNA in water or soil.

An SWCC spokesperson said the team had already identified more than 100 crayfish burrows from three known habitat sites in the Upper Margaret River and Carbunup River catchments.

“Once their presence has been confirmed, the project team will analyse how far Margaret River burrowing crayfish can be detected from their burrows to find out more about the species’ range and suitable habitats,” an SWCC spokesperson said.

“It is hoped that the eDNA monitoring method developed by eDNA Frontiers will vastly improve the management of this species, allowing for their distribution and threats to be better understood and managed.”

The crayfish, known to its friends as Engaewa pseudoreducta, was one of just 11 invertebrate species in the Commonwealth’s Threatened Species Action Plan: 110 Priority Species.

The creatures measure only 5cm in length, but provided crucial riverine soil nutrients to benefit flora systems.

The data confirmed would inform further conservation efforts, the Times understands.