Cumberland Plain land snail (Meridolum corneovirens) - endangered species listing

The Scientific Committee, established by the Threatened Species Conservation Act, has made a Final Determination to list Meridolum corneovirens (Pfeiffer, 1851), a large land snail, as an ENDANGERED SPECIES on Part 1 of Schedule 1 of the Threatened Species Conservation Act.

NSW Scientific Committee - final determination

The Scientific Committee has found that:

1. Meridolum corneovirens is a large land snail, found on the Cumberland Plain in remnant pockets of urban bushland, in areas associated with Wianamatta Shale and old Nepean river gravels.

2. Meridolum corneovirens occurs in eucalypt woodland under logs and debris and around bases of trees or clumps of grass, burrowing into loose soil.

3. Collections in the Australian and Queensland Museum indicate that the species was formerly common throughout the Cumberland Plain, but recent records indicate that only small remnant disjunct populations remain.

4. Within the present remnant disjunct populations, several morphotypes exist suggesting that there might be considerable genetic differences between extant populations.

5. The habitat of Meridolum corneovirens has been drastically reduced with clearing of bush and is subjected to major current development pressures, which further threaten the remaining populations.

6. In view of 3, 4 and 5 above, the Scientific Committee is of the opinion that the numbers of i have been reduced to such a critical level and its habitats have been so drastically reduced that it is in immediate danger of extinction and that M. corneovirens is likely to become extinct in nature in New South Wales unless the circumstances and factors threatening its survival cease to operate.

Associate Professor Paul Adam
Deputy Chairperson
Scientific Committee

Gazetted: 8/8/97