Indicative distribution
The areas shown in pink and/purple are the sub-regions where the species or community is known or predicted to occur. They may not occur thoughout the sub-region but may be restricted to certain areas.
(
click here to see geographic restrictions).
The information presented in this map is only indicative and may contain errors and omissions.
Scientific name: Antrophyum austroqueenslandicum
Gazetted date:
16 Dec 2022
Profile last updated:
14 Oct 2024
Description
Antrophyum austroqueenslandicum is a fern. It has fronds with a prominent very narrowly winged stipe of 2–7 cm long. Lamina are narrowly elliptic to lanceolate, 4–8 cm long, 5–9 mm wide, tapered to each end, semi-erect to pendent, slightly falcate, coriaceous, dark green and shiny above, paler beneath; margins slightly irregular; apex broadly obtuse in sterile fronds, attenuate and sub obtuse in fertile fronds; venation obscure, with long narrow areoles. The sori spread for a short distance along the main veins, sparse, absent from the central band; paraphyses branched, with elongate clavate terminal cells (Jones 1998).
Distribution
Antrophyum austroqueenslandicum has a very highly restricted geographic distribution, occurring in a very narrow range near Tyalgum in the Border Ranges NSW and Mount Jerusalem National Park NSW. The species was previously found in Lamington National Park(Queensland) but is now presumed to be locally extinct at that site. It is found at three sites in NSW. The largest subpopulations occur at Tyalgum in the Border Ranges and Mount Jerusalem National Park. The species occurs in lowland subtropical rainforest and represents the most southern and only sub-tropical member of the genus Antrophyum in Australia.
Habitat and ecology
- Lowland Rainforest in the NSW North Coast and Sydney Basin Bioregions and Lowland Rainforest of Subtropical Australia.
- On and beside boulders and as an epiphyte on lower parts of tree trunks.
- Microclimate with high humidity and air movement.
Regional distribution and habitat
Click on a region below to view detailed distribution, habitat and vegetation information.
Threats
- Risk of extinction from stochastic environmental events and limited long-term viability of the species due to the highly restricted distribution and small population size.
- Historical timber harvesting and land clearing for agriculture reducing the extent and quality of lowland sub-tropical rainforest habitat in NSW in which this species occurs.
- Damage from infrastructure maintenance. The subpopulation at Mt Jerusalem occurs near a roadside and is vulnerable to road widening and associated maintenance activities including herbicide drift and roadside slashing.
- Weed invasion by Lantana camara and other weeds colonising rocks and boulders which provide habitat for this fern. These weeds negatively impact the fern by changing the light environment, competing for available nutrients, and potentially smothering ferns. The invasion of Lantana into the habitat of this species alters fuel loads, increasing the likelihood of fire.
- Illegal collection of epiphytic and lithophytic ferns such as Antrophyum species, reducing the population size and potentially causing extinction of the population.
- Climate change is expected to limit the availability of suitable habitat and potentially exacerbate negative impacts from increased temperature, flooding, drought, and bushfire, given the highly specific microclimate requirements of this species.
Recovery strategies
Priority actions are the specific, practical things that must be done to recover a threatened species, population or ecological
community. The Office of Environment and Heritage has identified
0 priority actions
to help recover the Antrophyum austroqueenslandicum in New South Wales.
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