qrc lch - epa.wa.gov.au · ghost bat, macroderma gigas - contextual study, june 2019 . map symbol...
TRANSCRIPT
PARABURDOO
Qa
QrcAbfo
Lchk
Awfj
Adf
Lch
CzkAdf
AbfbQrc
AwfjQrc
LchCzk LchkAdf
Lchk
Qrc
LchwAwfjLsym
AchmAshmLchw
Alhw
Czk
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00743
0000
74400
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Figure A.1: Geological units of the field search areaAuthor: M. Love Date: 08-01-2019
Coordinate System: GDA 1994 MGA Zone 50
Drawn: C. Dyde Figure Ref: 14303-18-BIDR-1RevA_190108_FigA1_Geo
Rio Tinto Iron OreGreater Paraburdoo Ghost Bat, Macroderma gigas - Contextual Study
TownsField Search Area
WA Surface GeologyQUATERNARY
Qa - alluvium 38485Qrc - colluvium 38491
CENOZOICCzk - calcrete 38497
PALEOPROTEROZOICLsym - Mount McGrath FormationLch - Hamersley GroupLchk - Brockman Iron FormationLchw - Weeli Wolli Formation
ARCHEANAbfb - Bunjinah FormationAbfo - Boongal FormationAlhw - Wittenoom FormationAshm - Mount McRae Shale and Mount Sylvia FormationAdf - Fortescue Group - mafic intrusionsAwfj - Jeerinah FormationAchm - Marra Mamba Iron Formation
NEW
PLT
NEW
TAB
RCK
NEW
BOO
CAP
BOO
MRN
RIVETH
ETH
RCKBOO
ETH
PBO
RIV
RIV
DLR
PBO
ETH
TAB
MRN
CAP
PBO
MRN
PBO
ETH
RIV
TAB
RIV
ETH
ETH
ETH
PARABURDOO
540000 550000 560000 570000 580000 590000
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0 2 4 6 8 10Kilometres
Figure A.2: Land systems of the field search areaAuthor: M. Love Date: 09-01-2019
Coordinate System: GDA 1994 MGA Zone 50
Drawn: C. Dyde Figure Ref: 14303-18-BIDR-1RevA_190108_FigA2_LSys
Rio Tinto Iron OreGreater Paraburdoo Ghost Bat, Macroderma gigas - Contextual Study
TownsField Search Area
Land SystemBoolgeeda SystemCapricorn SystemDollar SystemEthel SystemMarandoo SystemNewman SystemParaburdoo SystemPlatform SystemRiver SystemRocklea SystemTable System
Rio Tinto Iron Ore Greater Paraburdoo – Ghost Bat, Macroderma gigas - Contextual Study, June 2019
Table A.1: Geological units of the desktop survey area and field search area (Stewart et al. 2008).
Map symbol
Unit name Unit description Area (ha) in desktop survey area
Area (ha) in field search area
Gascoyne IBRA Bioregion
Abfb Bunjinah Formation Metabasaltic pillow lava and breccia; metatuff and minor chert 358.1 -
Abfo Boongal Formation Basalt with some pillow lava development 149.4 -
Abfp Pyradie Formation Pyroxene spinifex-textured metabasalt flows and pillow lava; metatuff, and minor chert; contains komatiite locally
203.2 -
Adf Fortescue Group - mafic intrusions
Metadolerite, dolerite, gabbro; medium to coarse grained, massive grey-green rock, usually foliated 334.2 -
Awfj Jeerinah Formation Shale, sandstone, siltstone, mudstone, dolomite, local microbanded chert, jaspilite, conglomerate; fine-grained massive rhyolite; mafic tuff with local accretionary lapilli and agglomerate; thin basalt/dolerite and andesitic basalt flows
100.8 5.6
Czk calcrete 38497 Pisolitic, nodular or massive calcrete; ferruginous inclusions; calcareous cementing of bedrock and transported materials; locally with intercalated chalcedony; as low mounds, in playa lakes, or as valley calcrete; locally dissected and karstified
3,896.2 1,406.5
Lch Hamersley Group Undivided chert, banded iron-formation, jaspilite, dolomite, mudstone, siltstone 1,201.2 1,169.1
Lsc Capricorn Group Ferruginous and quartzitic sandstone, ferruginous siltstone and mudstone, conglomerate, dolostone and felsic volcanic rock.
303.7 -
Lsy Wyloo Group Shale, sandstone, greywacke, dolomite, phyllite, quartz-mica schist, felsic volcanic rocks, chert, chert breccia, mudstone, siltstone, conglomerate
507.5 -
Lsya Ashburton Formation Mudstone interbedded with sandstone and dolomite; intruded by sills 5,0623.2 -
Lsyd Duck Creek Dolomite Thin to thick bedded, locally stromatolitic, metadolomite; metadolorudite, and minor chert and pelite 3,115.2 -
Lsym Mount McGrath Formation
Coarse sandstone, conglomerate, pelite, dolomite 343.1 -
Qa alluvium 38485 Channel and flood plain alluvium; gravel, sand, silt, clay, locally calcreted 19,083.4 39.9
Qrc colluvium 38491 Colluvium, sheetwash, talus; gravel piedmonts and aprons over and around bedrock; clay-silt-sand with sheet and nodular kankar; alluvial and aeolian sand-silt-gravel in depressions and broad valleys in Canning Basin; local calcrete, reworked laterite
35,496.9 635.6
Rio Tinto Iron Ore Greater Paraburdoo – Ghost Bat, Macroderma gigas - Contextual Study, June 2019
Map symbol
Unit name Unit description Area (ha) in desktop survey area
Area (ha) in field search area
Pilbara IBRA Bioregion
Abfb Bunjinah Formation Metabasaltic pillow lava and breccia; metatuff and minor chert 17,623.4 58.7
Abfo Boongal Formation Basalt with some pillow lava development 15,732.7 76.6
Abfp Pyradie Formation Pyroxene spinifex-textured metabasalt flows and pillow lava; metatuff, and minor chert; contains komatiite locally
11,237.2 -
Abfr Mount Roe Basalt Massive, porphyritic, vesicular, amygdaloidal and doleritic basalt; some high-Mg basalt, agglomerate, volcanic breccia, tuff, mafic wacke, shale, polymictic conglomerate and sandstone, siliceous limestone and dolomite
11,375.3 -
Achm Marra Mamba Iron Formation
Chert, ferruginous chert, jaspilite, banded iron-formation, minor shale, siltstone, mudstone, 2,484.8 256.5
Adf Fortescue Group - mafic intrusions
Metadolerite, dolerite, gabbro; medium to coarse grained, massive grey-green rock, usually foliated 22,809.0 1,681.1
Alhw Wittenoom Formation
Calcitic dolomite, interbedded chert and shale in upper and lower parts, volcaniclastic sandstone 1,954.4 581.3
Asfb Bellary Formation Pelite, feldspathic sandstone, pebbly sandstone, conglomerate, shale, siltstone, metabasaltic lava and pillow lava, and metatuff
1,935.1 -
Ashm Mount McRae Shale and Mount Sylvia Formation
Interbedded shale, chert, banded iron-formation 1,074.3 453.8
Awfh Hardey Formation Sandstone, siltstone, shale, lithic wacke, mudstone, arkose, calcareous beds, conglomerate; porphyry, porphyry breccia; quartzite; dacitic to rhyolitic lavas; quartz-feldspar-mica schist; boulder breccia; basalt; felsic pyroclastics, ultramafic lava
8,609.0 -
Awfj Jeerinah Formation Shale, sandstone, siltstone, mudstone, dolomite, local microbanded chert, jaspilite, conglomerate; fine-grained massive rhyolite; mafic tuff with local accretionary lapilli and agglomerate; thin basalt/dolerite and andesitic basalt flows
8,966.0 2,529.1
Czk calcrete 38497 Pisolitic, nodular or massive calcrete; ferruginous inclusions; calcareous cementing of bedrock and transported materials; locally with intercalated chalcedony; as low mounds, in playa lakes, or as valley calcrete; locally dissected and karstified
1,872.6 473.3
Rio Tinto Iron Ore Greater Paraburdoo – Ghost Bat, Macroderma gigas - Contextual Study, June 2019
Map symbol
Unit name Unit description Area (ha) in desktop survey area
Area (ha) in field search area
Lch Hamersley Group Undivided chert, banded iron-formation, jaspilite, dolomite, mudstone, siltstone 4,558.3 4,044.5
Lchb Boolgeeda Iron Formation
Fine-grained, finely laminated, dark grey-brown to black flaggy iron-formation, minor chert, jaspilite, shale.
1,236.0 -
Lchk Brockman Iron Formation
Banded iron-formation, chert, mudstone and siltstone 11,221.3 4,921.8
Lchw Weeli Wolli Formation
Banded iron-formation (commonly jaspilitic), mudstone, siltstone; common interlayered metadoleritic sills
2,542.9 1,234.7
Lfhw Woongarra Rhyolite Rhyolite, rhyodacite, rhyolitic volcaniclastic breccia and banded iron formation 249.7 -
Lsy Wyloo Group Shale, sandstone, greywacke, dolomite, phyllite, quartz-mica schist, felsic volcanic rocks, chert, chert breccia, mudstone, siltstone, conglomerate
4,483.3 -
Lsym Mount McGrath Formation
Coarse sandstone, conglomerate, pelite, dolomite 2,537.7 297.0
Qa alluvium 38485 Channel and flood plain alluvium; gravel, sand, silt, clay, locally calcreted 5,548.4 362.5
Qrc colluvium 38491 Colluvium, sheetwash, talus; gravel piedmonts and aprons over and around bedrock; clay-silt-sand with sheet and nodular kankar; alluvial and aeolian sand-silt-gravel in depressions and broad valleys in Canning Basin; local calcrete, reworked laterite
28,974.5 4,504.2
Rio Tinto Iron Ore Greater Paraburdoo – Ghost Bat, Macroderma gigas - Contextual Study, June 2019
Table A.2: Distribution of land systems within the desktop survey area and field search area subregions (Department of the Environment and Energy 2017c).
IBRA subregion name
Unit name Unit description Area (ha) in desktop survey area
Area (ha) in field search area
Gascoyne IBRA Bioregion
Ashburton Boolgeeda System
Stony lower slopes and plains below hill systems supporting hard and soft spinifex grasslands or mulga shrublands.
1,048.6 472.4
Ashburton Capricorn System
Rugged sandstone hills, ridges, stony footslopes and interfluves supporting low acacia shrublands or hard spinifex grasslands with scattered shrubs.
2,829.6 -
Ashburton Dollar System Stony plains supporting mulga and snakewood shrublands with somes chenpod low shrubs. 7,133.6 91.0
Ashburton Edward System Alluvial plains with sparse saltbush and bluebush low shrublands and other shrublands. 8,445.3
Ashburton Ethel System Cobble plains with sparse mulga and other acacia shrublands. 18,120.9 432.0
Ashburton Kooline System Rough shale hills, saline drainage floors and broad braided creeks with sparse acacia shrublands and minor tussock grasslands.
62,788.4 -
Ashburton Newman System
Rugged jaspilite plateaux, ridges and mountains supporting hard spinifex grasslands. 970.0 867.0
Ashburton Paraburdoo System
Basalt derived stony gilgai plains and stony plains supporting snakewood and mulga shrublands with spinifex, chenopods and tussock grasses.
2,880.4 143.0
Ashburton Platform System
Dissected slopes and raised plains supporting shrubby hard spinifex grasslands. 776.4 -
Ashburton River System Narrow, seasonally active flood plains and major river channels supporting moderately close, tall shrublands or woodlands of acacias and fringing communities of eucalypts sometimes with tussock grasses or spinifex.
6,605.1 80.6
Ashburton Rocklea System Basalt hills, plateaux, lower slopes and minor stony plains supporting hard spinifex and occasionally soft spinifex grasslands with scattered shrubs.
1,148.9 23.1
Ashburton Table System Low calcrete plateaux, mesas and lower plains supporting mulga and cassia shrublands and minor spinifex grasslands.
2,968.8 1,147.6
Pilbara IBRA Bioregion
Hamersley Boolgeeda System
Stony lower slopes and plains below hill systems supporting hard and soft spinifex grasslands or mulga shrublands.
1,941.7 795.0
Rio Tinto Iron Ore Greater Paraburdoo – Ghost Bat, Macroderma gigas - Contextual Study, June 2019
IBRA subregion name
Unit name Unit description Area (ha) in desktop survey area
Area (ha) in field search area
Hamersley Capricorn System
Rugged sandstone hills, ridges, stony footslopes and interfluves supporting low acacia shrublands or hard spinifex grasslands with scattered shrubs.
6,036.9 622.5
Hamersley Dollar System Stony plains supporting mulga and snakewood shrublands with somes chenpod low shrubs. 36.8 -
Hamersley Ethel System Cobble plains with sparse mulga and other acacia shrublands. 507.8 150.9
Hamersley Jamindie System
Stony hardpan plains and rises supporting groved mulga shrublands, occasionally with spinifex understorey.
511.4 -
Hamersley Kooline System Rough shale hills, saline drainage floors and broad braided creeks with sparse acacia shrublands and minor tussock grasslands.
3,175.7 -
Hamersley Marandoo System
Basalt hills and restricted stony plains supporting grassy mulga shrublands. 71,212.6 542.4
Hamersley Newman System
Rugged jaspilite plateaux, ridges and mountains supporting hard spinifex grasslands. 28,679.1 13,931.5
Hamersley Paraburdoo System
Basalt derived stony gilgai plains and stony plains supporting snakewood and mulga shrublands with spinifex, chenopods and tussock grasses.
22,348.7 63.7
Hamersley Platform System
Dissected slopes and raised plains supporting shrubby hard spinifex grasslands. 10,662.5 3,522.4
Hamersley River System Narrow, seasonally active flood plains and major river channels supporting moderately close, tall shrublands or woodlands of acacias and fringing communities of eucalypts sometimes with tussock grasses or spinifex.
3,903.4 558.1
Hamersley Robe System Low plateaux, mesas and buttes of limonite supporting soft spinifex and occasionally hard spinifex grasslands.
218.7 -
Hamersley Rocklea System Basalt hills, plateaux, lower slopes and minor stony plains supporting hard spinifex and occasionally soft spinifex grasslands with scattered shrubs.
11,795.2 1,207.3
Hamersley Table System Low calcrete plateaux, mesas and lower plains supporting mulga and cassia shrublands and minor spinifex grasslands.
480.0 81.3
Hamersley Wona System Basalt upland gilgai plains supporting Roebourne Plains grass and Mitchell grass tussock grasslands, minor hard spinifex grasslands or annual grasslands/herbfields.
5,515.5 -
Rio Tinto Iron Ore Greater Paraburdoo – Ghost Bat, Macroderma gigas - Contextual Study, June 2019
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Rio Tinto Iron Ore Greater Paraburdoo – Ghost Bat, Macroderma gigas - Contextual Study, June 2019
Appendix B: Survey Sampling Locations
Rio Tinto Iron Ore Greater Paraburdoo – Ghost Bat, Macroderma gigas - Contextual Study, June 2019
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Rio Tinto Iron Ore Greater Paraburdoo – Ghost Bat, Macroderma gigas - Contextual Study, June 2019
Table B.1: Fauna sampling locations.
Site ID MGA Zone 50 K
Sampling method Date Habitat Condition Disturbance Microhabitats Photo Easting (mE) Northing (mN)
BAT1*
(Cave2) 539023 7437594 Echolocation recording
16/07/2018 – 27/7/2018
08/02/2019 – 13/03/2019 Gorge/Gully 1.0 (Excellent) None
Rocky outcrop, caves, overhangs, crevices, leaf litter
BAT2
(Cave 11) 539274 7437589 Echolocation recording
03/08/2018 – 05/08/2018
07/02/2019 – 13/03/2019 Gorge/Gully 1.0 (Excellent) None
Rocky outcrop, caves, overhangs, crevices, leaf litter
BAT3
(Cave 12) 545277 7435693 Echolocation recording
04/08/2018 – 05/08/2018
07/02/2019 – 13/03/2019 Gorge/Gully 1.0 (Excellent) None
Rocky outcrop, caves, overhangs, crevices, leaf litter
Rio Tinto Iron Ore Greater Paraburdoo – Ghost Bat, Macroderma gigas - Contextual Study, June 2019
Site ID MGA Zone 50 K
Sampling method Date Habitat Condition Disturbance Microhabitats Photo Easting (mE) Northing (mN)
BAT4
(Pool 5) 545334 7435883 Echolocation recording 04/08/2018 – 05/08/2018 Gorge/Gully 1.0 (Excellent) None
Rocky outcrop, caves, overhangs, crevices, leaf litter, semi-permanent pool
BAT5
(Cave 6) 550146 7435298 Echolocation recording
26/07/2018 – 10/09/2018
10/12/2018 – 13/03/2019 Gorge/Gully 1.0 (Excellent) None
Rocky outcrop, caves, overhangs, crevices, leaf litter
BAT6*
(Cave 1) 550736 7435240 Echolocation recording 16/07/2018 – 27/7/2018 Gorge/Gully 1.0 (Excellent) None
Rocky outcrop, caves, overhangs, crevices, leaf litter
BAT7* 550762 7434658 Echolocation recording 16/07/2018 – 27/7/2018 Gorge/Gully 1.0 (Excellent) None Rocky outcrop, caves, overhangs, crevices, leaf litter
No Photo
BAT8 (Cave 14)
553868 7433695 Echolocation recording 08/10/2018 – 14/03/2019 Gorge/Gully 1.0 (Excellent) None Rocky outcrop, caves, overhangs, crevices, leaf litter
Rio Tinto Iron Ore Greater Paraburdoo – Ghost Bat, Macroderma gigas - Contextual Study, June 2019
Site ID MGA Zone 50 K
Sampling method Date Habitat Condition Disturbance Microhabitats Photo Easting (mE) Northing (mN)
BAT9 (Cave 15)
544724 7435692 Echolocation recording 11/10/2018 – 14/03/2019 Gorge/Gully 1.0 (Excellent) None Rocky outcrop, caves, overhangs, crevices, leaf litter
BAT11 (Cave 1)
550761 7435241 Echolocation recording 04/12/2018 – 10/12/2018 Gorge/Gully 1.0 (Excellent) None Rocky outcrop, caves, overhangs, crevices, leaf litter
BAT12 (Cave 3)
550753 7434611 Echolocation recording 04/12/2018 – 10/12/2018 Gorge/Gully 1.0 (Excellent) None Rocky outcrop, caves, overhangs, crevices, leaf litter
BAT13 (Cave 4)
550791 7434679 Echolocation recording 04/12/2018 – 10/12/2018 Gorge/Gully 1.0 (Excellent) None Rocky outcrop, caves, overhangs, crevices, leaf litter
BAT14 (Cave 5)
550836 7435058 Echolocation recording 04/12/2018 – 10/12/2018 Gorge/Gully 1.0 (Excellent) None Rocky outcrop, caves, overhangs, crevices, leaf litter
[No photo]
BAT15
(Cave 16) 550049 7435094 Echolocation recording 04/12/2018 – 29/01/2019 Gorge/Gully 1.0 (Excellent) None
Rocky outcrop, caves, overhangs, crevices, leaf litter
Rio Tinto Iron Ore Greater Paraburdoo – Ghost Bat, Macroderma gigas - Contextual Study, June 2019
Site ID MGA Zone 50 K
Sampling method Date Habitat Condition Disturbance Microhabitats Photo Easting (mE) Northing (mN)
Cave 13^ 553868 7433695 Echolocation recording 07/02/2019 –13/03/2019 Gorge/Gully 1.0 (Excellent) None Rocky outcrop, caves, overhangs, crevices, leaf litter
Cave 17^ 550032 7435091 Echolocation recording 10/01/2019 – 22/02/2019 Gorge/Gully 1.0 (Excellent) None Rocky outcrop, caves, overhangs, crevices, leaf litter
Cave 18^ 549038 7435427 Echolocation recording 07/02/2019 – 13/03/2019 Gorge/Gully 1.0 (Excellent) None Rocky outcrop, caves, overhangs, crevices, leaf litter
* Bat detector set up by Rio Tinto personnel independent to Astron field visits; data provided to Astron for inclusion in this report.
^ Bat detector set up and collected by Rio Tinto personnel independent to Astron field visits; data provided to Astron for inclusion in this report.
Rio Tinto Iron Ore Greater Paraburdoo – Ghost Bat, Macroderma gigas - Contextual Study, June 2019
Appendix C: Significant Areas
Rio Tinto Iron Ore Greater Paraburdoo – Ghost Bat, Macroderma gigas - Contextual Study, June 2019
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Rio Tinto Iron Ore Greater Paraburdoo – Ghost Bat, Macroderma gigas - Contextual Study, June 2019
Table C.1: Location of significant areas recorded during the Astron field surveys.
Site ID
MGA Zone 50 K
Category/evidence Description Photograph Easting (mE)
Northing (mN)
Cave 1
(Astron Environmental Services 2018c)
550736 7435240
Confirmed diurnal roost
Ghost Bat and Pilbara Leaf-nosed Bat calls (BAT6)
Ghost Bat present (x1)
Entrance: narrow and pinched (1 m wide x 0.6m high)
Orientation: south-west
Internal: 1 dome with 2 side pockets (12 m deep x 4 m wide x 3 m high)
Conditions: one Ghost Bat present, scats, raised humidity and elevated temperature
Cave 2
(Astron Environmental Services 2018c)
539023 7437594
Potential diurnal roost
Pilbara Leaf-nosed Bat calls and Ghost Bat calls (BAT1)
Entrance: narrow (2 m wide x 1 m high)
Orientation: south
Internal: forked cave, corkscrew to the right (25 m deep) and straight to the left (10 m deep), 2 domes (2 m high x 3 m wide), lots of crevices and solution pipes
Conditions: microbats present, scats, raised humidity, elevated temperature, rear passages
Rio Tinto Iron Ore Greater Paraburdoo – Ghost Bat, Macroderma gigas - Contextual Study, June 2019
Site ID
MGA Zone 50 K
Category/evidence Description Photograph Easting (mE)
Northing (mN)
Cave 3
(Astron Environmental Services 2018c)
550744 7434608
Potential diurnal roost
Pilbara Leaf-nosed Bat calls and Ghost Bat calls (BAT12)
Entrance: narrow (5 m wide x 1 m high)
Orientation: west
Internal: narrow with two side caverns (30 m deep x 1 m to 15 m wide x 1 m high)
Conditions: raised humidity and elevated temperature
Cave 4
(Astron Environmental Services 2018c)
550750 7434642
Confirmed diurnal roost
Ghost Bat and Pilbara Leaf-nosed Bat calls (BAT13)
Ghost Bats (x3) present
Entrance: overhang that is open/wide (5 m wide x 2 m high)
Orientation: west
Internal: large cavernous dome with solution pipes (10 m deep x 4 m wide x 5 m high)
Conditions: three Ghost Bat present, scats, raised humidity and elevated temperature
Rio Tinto Iron Ore Greater Paraburdoo – Ghost Bat, Macroderma gigas - Contextual Study, June 2019
Site ID
MGA Zone 50 K
Category/evidence Description Photograph Easting (mE)
Northing (mN)
Cave 5 550845 7435060 Ghost Bat feed cave
Entrance: overhang that is open/wide (5 m wide x 1.5m high)
Orientation: west
Internal: single dome (5 m deep x 5 m wide x 1.5 m high)
Conditions: Ghost Bat scats present
Cave 6 550146 7435298
Confirmed maternal roost
Ghost Bat and Pilbara Leaf-nosed Bat calls (BAT5)
Ghost Bats recorded roosting on multiple occasions (four individuals and one individual)
Hormone analysis of scats indicating presence of pregnant females
Midden piles
Entrance: open/wide (6 m wide x 1 m high)
Orientation: south-west
Internal: two domed caverns, left dome has soultion pipes 5 m to 7 m in height, right dome is large cavern (15 m deep x 10 m wide x 15 m high)
Conditions: mulitple Ghost Bats present, midden piles, high humidity and high elevated temperatures
Rio Tinto Iron Ore Greater Paraburdoo – Ghost Bat, Macroderma gigas - Contextual Study, June 2019
Site ID
MGA Zone 50 K
Category/evidence Description Photograph Easting (mE)
Northing (mN)
Cave 7 537830 7437721 Potential diurnal roost
Entrance: narrow (0.5 m wide x 2 m high)
Orientation: south-east
Internal: narrow long tube (14 m deep x 1 m wide x 1 m high)
Conditions: microbats present, raised humidity and elevated temperature
Cave 8 537941 7437744 Potential diurnal roost
Entrance: narrow (2 m wide x 0.5 m high)
Orientation: north-east
Internal: deep slanted cave (20 m deep) with rear passages
Conditions: raised humidity and elevated temperature
Rio Tinto Iron Ore Greater Paraburdoo – Ghost Bat, Macroderma gigas - Contextual Study, June 2019
Site ID
MGA Zone 50 K
Category/evidence Description Photograph Easting (mE)
Northing (mN)
Cave 9 537950 7437623 Potential diurnal roost
Entrance: narrow (1 m wide x 0.5 m high)
Orientation: west
Internal: deep, right slant (15 m deep x 1 m wide x 1 m high)
Conditions: microbats present, raised humidity and elevated temperature
Cave 10 537895 7437573 Potential diurnal roost
Entrance: open/wide (4 m wide x 1.5 m high) with pinch portion (0.5 m wide x 0.5 m high)
Orientation: south-east
Internal: single dome (15 m deep x 2 m wide x 3 m high)
Conditions: microbats present, raised humidity and elevated temperature
Rio Tinto Iron Ore Greater Paraburdoo – Ghost Bat, Macroderma gigas - Contextual Study, June 2019
Site ID
MGA Zone 50 K
Category/evidence Description Photograph Easting (mE)
Northing (mN)
Cave 11 539274 7437589
Potential maternal roost / confirmed diurnal roost
Pilbara Leaf-nosed Bat and Ghost Bat calls present (BAT2)
Ghost Bat calls indicate roosting
Entrance: narrow (4 m wide x 0.5 m high)
Orientation: south
Internal: pinched section that opens into a higher dome on a side chamber (20 m deep x 8 m wide x 4 m high)
Conditions: large midden, raised humidity and elevated temperature
Cave 12 545277 7435693
Potential diurnal roost
Pilbara Leaf-nosed Bat and Ghost Bat calls present (BAT3)
Entrance: narrow (1 m wide x 1 m high)
Orientation: west
Internal: long tunnel shaped cave (18 m deep x 1 m wide x 1 m high) with a large, narrow top chamber (>15 m deep x 1 m wide x 3 m high)
Conditions: Ghost Bat scats present, raised humidity and elevated temperature
Rio Tinto Iron Ore Greater Paraburdoo – Ghost Bat, Macroderma gigas - Contextual Study, June 2019
Site ID
MGA Zone 50 K
Category/evidence Description Photograph Easting (mE)
Northing (mN)
Cave 13^ 547677 7436201
Potential diurnal roost
Ghost Bat calls (Cave 13)
Ghost Bat calls indicate roosting
Entrance: narrow (10 m wide x 2 m high)
Orientation: south
Internal: two chambers, one left (10 m deep x 5 m wide x 2 m high) and one right (10 m deep x 3 m wide x 3 m high)
Conditions: Ghost Bat scats present, raised humidity and elevated temperature
Cave 14 553868 7433695
Confirmed diurnal roost
Ghost Bat and Pilbara Leaf-nosed Bat calls (BAT8)
Ghost Bat calls indicate roosting
Ghost Bats observed roosting on one occasion (two individuals)
Entrance: open/wide, large cathedral (12 m wide x 6 m high)
Orientation: south
Internal: one large rear domed cavern, left dome with multiple cracks and crevices and mini roosting spots, main dome is 5 m to 8 m in height, 25 m deep x 12 m wide
Conditions: two Ghost Bats present, three large midden piles, raised humidity and elevated temperature
Rio Tinto Iron Ore Greater Paraburdoo – Ghost Bat, Macroderma gigas - Contextual Study, June 2019
Site ID
MGA Zone 50 K
Category/evidence Description Photograph Easting (mE)
Northing (mN)
Cave 15 544724 7435692
Potential maternal roost / Confirmed diurnal roost
Ghost Bat and Pilbara Leaf-nosed Bat calls (BAT9)
Ghost Bat calls indicate roosting
Ghost Bats observed roosting on one occasion (three individuals)
Large midden piles
Entrance: narrow (0.5 m wide x 0.4 m high)
Orientation: east
Internal: three domed caverns (potential), front dome 1.5 m high x 2 m wide x 2 m high, rear caverns dome dimensions unknown)
Conditions: mulitple Ghost Bats present, midden piles, high humidity and high elevated temperatures
Cave 16 550049 7435094
Confirmed diurnal roost
Ghost Bat and Pilbara Leaf-nosed Bat calls (BAT15)
Ghost bats observed roosting on one occasion (one individual)
Entrance: wide (3.0 m wide x 2.5 m high)
Orientation: east-south-east
Internal: one long tunnel (~15 m to 20 m) leading to one high rear domed cavern
Conditions: One Ghost Bat present, large midden piles, raised humidity and elevated temperature
Rio Tinto Iron Ore Greater Paraburdoo – Ghost Bat, Macroderma gigas - Contextual Study, June 2019
Site ID
MGA Zone 50 K
Category/evidence Description Photograph Easting (mE)
Northing (mN)
Cave 17^ 550032 7435091 Potential diurnal roost
Ghost Bat calls (Cave 17)
Entrance: narrow (0.5 m wide x 0.5 m high)
Orientation: east-south-east
Internal: two chambers, one left (15 m deep x 2.5 m wide x 1.5 m high) and one right (15 m deep x 2.5 m wide x 1.5 m high)
Conditions: Raised humidity and elevated temperature
Cave 18* 549038 7435427
Potential maternal roost / confirmed diurnal roost
Multiple Ghost Bat calls (Cave 18)
Large midden in rear chamber
Internal: three chambers, one main (10 – 15 m deep x 8m wide), one side (6 m deep x 4 m wide x 3 m high dome) and one rear (6 m deep x 4 m wide x 3 m high dome)
Conditions: Large midden in rear chamber
Rio Tinto Iron Ore Greater Paraburdoo – Ghost Bat, Macroderma gigas - Contextual Study, June 2019
Site ID
MGA Zone 50 K
Category/evidence Description Photograph Easting (mE)
Northing (mN)
Pool 1 542119 7436243 Semi-permanent water 2 m wide x 1.5 m long x 0.5 m deep
Pool 2 542120 7436256 Semi-permanent water 1 m wide x 1 m long x 0.4 m deep
Rio Tinto Iron Ore Greater Paraburdoo – Ghost Bat, Macroderma gigas - Contextual Study, June 2019
Site ID
MGA Zone 50 K
Category/evidence Description Photograph Easting (mE)
Northing (mN)
Pool 3 545203 7435812 Semi-permanent water 5 m wide x 3 m long x 1 m deep
Pool 4 545342 7435989 Semi-permanent water 3 m wide x 2 m long x 1.5 m deep
Rio Tinto Iron Ore Greater Paraburdoo – Ghost Bat, Macroderma gigas - Contextual Study, June 2019
Site ID
MGA Zone 50 K
Category/evidence Description Photograph Easting (mE)
Northing (mN)
Pool 5 545324 7435889
Semi-permanent water
High number of Pilbara
Leaf-nosed Bat calls
suggesting a favoured
foraging/drinking point
(BAT4)
6 m wide x 6 m long x 4 m deep
^ Cave was found in 2018 during Astron surveys but acoustic monitoring only undertaken in 2019.
* A new significant cave was recorded by Rio Tinto biologist Scott Reiffer within the Western Ranges area on 06/02/2019 and acoustic monitoring undertaken in 2019.
Rio Tinto Iron Ore Greater Paraburdoo – Ghost Bat, Macroderma gigas - Contextual Study, June 2019
Appendix D: Bat Call WA Pty Ltd Reports
Rio Tinto Iron Ore Greater Paraburdoo – Ghost Bat, Macroderma gigas - Contextual Study, June 2019
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Western Range PGb 2018-9 – Issue 1
Bat Call WA 1 8 June 2019
Rio Tinto, Paraburdoo Western Range, Pilbara WA,
Acoustic Survey of Ghost Bat Activity,
July 2018 to March 2019.
Prepared for Rio Tinto
Bat Call WA Pty Ltd ABN 26 146 117 839 43 Murray Drive Hillarys Western Australia 6025 [email protected] +61 8 9402 1987 +61 488 930 735 Prepared by: R. D. Bullen – Bat Call WA Issue 1 8 June 2019 This document has been prepared to the requirements of Rio Tinto. It may be cited for the purposes of scientific research or other reasonable use. It may not be reproduced or distributed to any third party by hardcopy or electronic means without the permission of the client or Bat Call WA.
Western Range PGb 2018-9 – Issue 1
Bat Call WA 2 8 June 2019
Document Revision History
Issue Date Revision History
A 25 March 2019 Initial draft prepared for client review
B 26 March 2019 Additional Cave 18 data added
C 12 April 2019 Additional Cave 17 data added
D 5 June 2019 Revised draft incorporating client’s comments
1 8 June 2019 First formal issue
Western Range PGb 2018-9 – Issue 1
Bat Call WA 3 8 June 2019
Executive Summary
Ghost bat presence is reported for fourteen caves at the Western Range project, near Paraburdoo, in the
Pilbara, Western Australia. Astron Environmental Services zoologists and Rio Tinto internal biologists
carried out a targeted echolocation-based survey for bats from July 2018 to March 2019. Results for the
months of July to December for all bat species are presented in Bat Call (2019a). Those results indicated
that there were Pilbara leaf-nosed bats foraging across the Western Range study area but there are no
diurnal roosts to the west of the known Ratty Spring roost (Bat Call 2019b). However, a series of caves
utilised by Ghost bats were identified and further targeted surveying was carried out by Rio Tinto
biologists during the first quarter of 2019. Bat Call WA has reviewed all of the recordings made
between July and March and provided an assessment of Ghost bat activity levels and suggested usage at
these sites.
The Ghost bat is an obligate cave roosting bat that is widespread across the Pilbara in general including
the Paraburdoo area (McKenzie and Bullen 2009; Bat Call 2018; Bat Call 2019a). It has been the
subject of detailed observations for many years and, more recently, to several mid and long term
monitoring programs including Rio Tinto’s programs at West Angelas (Biologic 2016) and in the Robe
Valley (Bat Call 2017). These have shown that PGb are constantly moving between available caves. The
evidence from this work shows that the usage of particular caves falls into four broad categories. Firstly
there are caves and historical underground mines (adits) that are used continuously as diurnal roosts by
large numbers of Ghost bats for long periods of time, “category 1” caves. Secondly there are caves that
are used regularly as diurnal roosts by small numbers of Ghost bats but not continuously, “category 2”
caves. Thirdly there are caves that are used as diurnal roosts only occasionally and as nocturnal roosts
more frequently, “category 3” caves. And finally, survey work in recent years has shown that virtually
any deep overhang, shelter or cave is subject to a nocturnal visit and/or an opportunistic roosting visit,
“category 4” sites. Detailed definitions for cave categories are given in the text below.
Pilbara Ghost bat detection along the Western Range ridge is consistent with the presence of Ghost bats
in the district, probably year-round. Ghost bats were recorded at thirteen of the fourteen caves and scats
were recorded at the fourteenth. Timing of the echolocation calls detected suggested diurnally roosting
bats at six caves. The numbers of bats identified as roosting suggest that up to ten were present at
Western Range during the survey. While no category 1 caves were identified, three have been
categorised as category 2 on the basis of the detected call patterns, caves (Caves 6, 11 and 15). A fourth
(Cave 18, nearby cave 6) has been classified as a category 2 based on the combination of regular visits
during the survey, its size, and the presence of a very large midden in a rear chamber. The remaining
Western Range PGb 2018-9 – Issue 1
Bat Call WA 4 8 June 2019
nine caves have been categorised in category 3 (Caves 1 to 4, 12 to 14, 16 and 17) and the site with scats
but with no calls detected (Cave 5) as category 4.
The four category 2 caves together with groups of category 3 caves nearby are recommended for
protection as they make up three groupings that are important for the species persistence (TSSC 2016,
Bat Call 2017.
Western Range PGb 2018-9 – Issue 1
Bat Call WA 5 8 June 2019
Habitats
The sites for the survey were chosen by Astron and Rio Tinto staff. Details of the sites are presented in
table 1. Thirteen sites were cave entrances and one was an overhang. The locations are shown in relation
to local features in figure 1.
Each cave has been categorised according to the following definitions based on Ghost bat (PGb) usage:
Category 1 diurnal roost caves with permanent occupancy.
There are a number of documented permanent roost caves and underground mines in northern Australia,
e.g. Tunnel Creek in the Kimberley and Kohinoor Adit in the NT. These tend to have large but variable
populations, e.g. Kohinoor’s colony has grown from 300+ in 1981 to ~1,500 in 1990 and then reduced
to 550 in 2013 (Woinarski et al. 2014). In the Pilbara, other than a number of historical underground
mines e.g. Klondyke Queen, Lalla Rookh and Bamboo Creek which do have large populations of over
100 PGb, very few such roosts in natural caves are documented. Those that may be permanently
occupied have been observed with variable populations present. One example may be a significant cave
in the Robe Valley south-west of Pannawonica that has had PGb present on most, if not all, survey
visits. The colony size at this cave has varied from a few to over 70 recorded in April 2017 (Bat Call
2017). Where permanent presence at these sites is proven, they must all be assumed to be maternity
caves. There are no previously documented Cat 1 caves at Western Range.
Category 2 diurnal roost caves with regular occupancy.
There are a number of Pilbara caves and adits where PGb have regular, but not continuous, presence
over long periods. The longest continuous monitoring programs have been at Rio Tinto’s West Angelas
project and at BHPs MAC and South Flank projects. At all three locations there are a number of caves
with roosting PGb records but none of these have had either permanent presence or consistently high
numbers present. Numbers have varied between zero and five with very occasional counts of 20 or
more. Based on recent monitoring of caves using ultrasonic call detectors, these caves have PGb present
for 25 to 75% of nights for mid to long periods but then may be abandoned for periods. There is
insufficient data at present to see if there are any seasonal trends in these occupancy rates. These caves
typically have a number of other caves, shelters and overhangs within a few hundred meters. Together
they make up an “apartment block” grouping (TSSC 2016, Bat Call 2017) that supports the ongoing
presence of the bats.
Recent analysis at West Angelas based on genetic sampling at five monitored caves in 2015 and 2017
(Ottwell et al. 2018) suggests that some PGb tend to use particular caves regularly over a season or year
Western Range PGb 2018-9 – Issue 1
Bat Call WA 6 8 June 2019
but others move between caves in the same period. Their analysis identifies 34 unique individuals at
caves over those two years and indicated that the “genetic effective population size” was 12 individuals.
Two of the five caves have been shown by the long-term observations to have regular occupancy
(Biologic 2016). These are AA1 and A1. In all surveys undertaken, PGb have been either roosting in
low numbers or there was evidence of recent roosting at the former and, with the exception of one
survey, at the latter. The genetic analysis also supports this conclusion with presence of multiple bats
over the two years of that study at these caves. Similar occupancy patterns have been recorded at several
caves at the BHP projects. There are an increasing number of observations becoming available of
pregnant PGb or PGb carrying pups at some of these caves although again there is insufficient data to
identify any trends other than to say that any cave that has regular occupancy must be assumed to be
capable of supporting one or more reproducing females and their offspring. There are four caves at
Western Range (see below) that fall into this category.
Category 3 roost caves with occasional occupancy.
There are a large number of caves and adits where PGb roost occasionally or rarely in small numbers of
one to a few. Surveys in recent years have identified numerous caves that have PGb scats or small food
middens present but either no evidence of roosting bats or with rarely repeated presence observations,
e.g. five of the seven monitored caves at West Angelas (Biologic 2016) show such a pattern with
occasional PGb present and/or intermittent evidence of recent occupancy. Reproducing females have
been reported from at least two caves that ongoing observations indicate fall into this category. One
example is the “Caves Creek maternity cave” east of Rio Tinto’s Silvergrass project where several PGb
with pups were reported in 1998.
Category 4 nocturnal roost caves, opportunistic usage.
Numerous observations suggest that the majority of caves and adits in the Pilbara are used in at least an
opportunistic manner by itinerant Ghost bats. This may be anything from a single foraging visit to a
longer visit with a resting period or possibly a feeding session. Evidence of such visits is the widespread
presence of small numbers of scats found or occasional echolocation calls recorded during surveys.
These visits may or may not be repeated depending whether the bat is passing through a district or is a
more permanent resident nearby.
Western Range PGb 2018-9 – Issue 1
Bat Call WA 7 8 June 2019
Table 1: Site recording period and location details.
Coordinates are Zone 50K
Date
Overnight
Recordings Habitat Easting Northing
Cave 1 July 18
Dec 18
11 by Astron
6 by Astron Cave entrance 550736 7435240
Cave 2 July 18
Feb and March 19
10 by Astron
34 by RT Cave entrance 539023 7437594
Cave 3 Dec 18 6 by Astron Cave entrance 550744 7434608
Cave 4 July 18
Dec 18
11 by Astron
6 by Astron Cave entrance 550750 7434642
Cave 5 Dec 18 6 by Astron Overhang 550845 7435060
Cave 6 July to Sept 18
Dec 18 to March 19
46 by Astron
81 by RT Cave entrance 550146 7435298
Cave 11 Aug 18
Feb and March 19
2 by Astron
34 by RT Cave entrance 539274 7437589
Cave 12 Aug 18
Feb and March 19
1 by Astron
35 by RT Cave entrance 545277 7435693
Cave 13 Feb and March 19 34 by RT Cave entrance 547677 7436201
Cave 14 Oct 18
Oct 18 to March 19
8 by Astron
112 by RT Cave entrance 553868 7433695
Cave 15 Oct 18 to Dec 18
Dec 18 to March 19
60 by Astron
55 by RT Cave entrance 544724 7435692
Cave 16 Dec 18 and Jan 19 45 by RT Cave entrance 550048 7435093
Cave 17 Jan and Feb 19 43 by RT Cave entrance 550032 7435091
Cave 18 Feb and March 19 35 by RT Cave entrance 549038 7435427
Western Range PGb 2018-9 – Issue 1
Bat Call WA 8 8 June 2019
Weather
The period of this study included the 2018 northern WA dry season and the majority of the 2018-19
northern WA wet season.
Paraburdoo received no rainfall during the northern dry season and virtually none in the early months of
the northern wet season, figure 1. Rain was recorded in January with 64 mm recorded at Paraburdoo
airport. However, no rain fell during February and only 10 mm fell during the survey in the first half of
March.
Figure 1: Rainfall at Paraburdoo Airport during the study period.
Survey Team
Sites were chosen and detectors placed by Astron ecologists led by Matthew Love and Rio Tinto
biologists led by Scot Reiffer. The dates that the various sites were instrumented are given in Table 1.
Bob Bullen of Bat Call WA completed analysis of all audio and echolocation recordings.
Sampling
Echolocation Survey
The echolocation survey consisted of completing overnight ultrasonic bat sound recordings, beginning
at twilight, within the survey area, table 1. The recordings were “continuous” (Hyder et al. 2010) made
using ultrasonic SM2BAT+ SongMeter and SM4U SongMeter (both by Wildlife Acoustics Inc., USA)
detectors. The audio settings used followed the manufacturer’s recommendations contained in the user
Western Range PGb 2018-9 – Issue 1
Bat Call WA 9 8 June 2019
manuals and included the full frequency range that Ghost bats and PLNb use during social and
ultrasonic communication.
Power for the detectors was initially provided by their internal batteries. Later, for long term
deployments at caves 6, 11, 14, 15 and 18, power was provided by external 12V batteries charged by
solar panels.
For the ultrasonic recordings, once reformatted as .wav files, COOL EDIT 2000 (now available as
AUDITION from Adobe Systems Inc.) was used to display each sequence for identification. PGb calls
were identified manually. An example of a PGb call including social and ultrasonic segments is given in
figure 2.
Figure 2: Example of a Ghost Bat audible social and inaudible ultrasonic call sequence
Call detections, singly or in groups, made just prior to dawn civil twilight (CT) followed by similar call
detection patterns subsequent to dusk CT suggested diurnal roosting of bats at that cave. When these
calls were detected in groups over periods of a few to 30 minutes, the number of calls recorded
suggested that a similar number of PGb were entering and re-exiting the caves on that day.
Western Range PGb 2018-9 – Issue 1
Bat Call WA 10 8 June 2019
VHF Tracking Survey
A complementary VHF tracking program has begun in 2019, by Biologic Environmental (Biologic),
with targeted cave searches, establishing VHF tracking systems and has included the capture, tagging
and release of a total of 7 Ghost Bats to date. Outcomes of this project will be released at a later date.
.
Western Range PGb 2018-9 – Issue 1
Bat Call WA 11 8 June 2019
Survey Limitations
The sites surveyed were accessible on foot and the detectors, using omnidirectional microphones, were
set on the ground with the microphone horizontal. Ghost bats are unlikely to be under-represented as a
result of the placement of the detectors. However, PGb calls are cryptic and are sometimes difficult to
differentiate from heavy Taphozous spp and/or insect calling. Further PGb do not always call at the
entrance of caves as they enter or exit. For this reason the number of PGb present in the caves may be
underrepresented.
Western Range PGb 2018-9 – Issue 1
Bat Call WA 12 8 June 2019
Results
Echolocation Survey
Ghost bat ultrasonic calls were detected at thirteen of fourteen sites, (Caves 1 to ‘4, ‘6, ’11 to ‘18), table
2 and figure 3. These records are consistent with the PGb being present year round on the Western
Range ridges. This result is consistent with the known presence of low numbers of PGb in the
Paraburdoo area of the central Pilbara. In addition, a number of diurnal PGB sightings were reported
(see below) and four caves (Caves 6, 11, 15 and 18) were reported by survey ecologists to contain very
large PGb middens indicating long term presence.
Three widely separated caves, Cave 6, ’11 and ’15, showed the consistent presence of the species and
call time pairs were recorded on a number of days that suggested diurnally roosting bats. Each also had
large PGb middens present. These have been categorised as Cat 2 on the basis of the call patterns. The
monthly variation of the call detections and the timing of suggested diurnal roosting are presented in
Table 2. These show that PGb utilised these three caves on 30% or more of all detector nights and
typically over 50%. Diurnal roosting was suggested in each month of the survey at the three caves
except in December at Cave 6 and January at Cave 15. The monthly total of roosting nights varied
widely with lows of one night at Cave 6 during in July, January and March and at Cave 11 in August, to
a high of 12 nights at Cave 11 in March. The number of PGb indicated roosting at the three caves
suggests up to ten PGb may have been present at Western Range during the study. A fourth (Cave 18)
that contains a very large PGb midden is categorised as a Cat 2 cave on the basis of its size and internal
configuration, the midden and the regular detection of PGb calls although no roosting bats were detected
during the two months of the survey.
Category 3 caves include caves ‘1 to ‘4, ’12 to ’14, ’16 and ‘17. Typically these caves were visited
during the majority of, but not all, months. The number of nights with visits detected in any month
varied widely but was typically under 50%. The highest visit rate was Cave 2, 73% of nights in
February. Roosting was rare in these caves with only single nights recorded at Caves 2 and 14 in
February and Cave 13 in March.
The only category 4 site included in the study was Cave 5, an overhang nearby Cave 6. While scats were
recorded at this site, no PGb calls were detected.
Three important groupings of caves with PGb activity have been identified centred on the four category
2 caves with category 3 caves nearby. The pair of caves ‘6 and ’18, with one-kilometre separation, has
Caves 16 and ‘17, between them. Cave 11 has Cave 2, 250 m to the west and Cave 15 has Cave 12, 500
Western Range PGb 2018-9 – Issue 1
Bat Call WA 13 8 June 2019
m to the east. All three groupings showed regular and consistent usage by PGb. A fourth cave grouping,
south east of cave 6, consisted of four cat. 3 sites, caves 1, 3, 4 and 5. PGb were observed at two of these
however there were no large middens reported and ultrasonic call recordings were inconsistent. Usage
of these four caves was therefore assessed as typical of other individual cat. 3 caves and therefore not
important as a grouping.
Caves 13 and ’14 are both category 3 caves but are isolated from the other groupings. Both had regular
visits but typically on less than 30% of nights in any month. A single PGb roosting diurnally was
suggested at Cave 14 in February and at Cave 13 in March and two were identified roosting diurnally at
Cave 14 earlier. The maximum utilisation recorded was 37% at Cave 13 in March.
Western Range PGb 2018-9 – Issue 1
Bat Call WA 14 8 June 2019
Table 2. Ghost Bat Activity presented by site.
Cave
and
Category
Observations of
PGb presence in
daylight hours
Ultrasonic Survey Results
July 18 Aug 18 Sept 18 Oct 18 Nov 18 Dec 18 Jan 19 Feb 19 Mar 19
Cave 1
3
1 PGb seen (Astron 2018)
Scats present (Astron
2018)
Survey dates PGb detected
PGb roosting indicated PGb roosting on dates
Number roosting suggested
16 – 26 Yes on 45%
No
4 - 9 Yes on 67%
No
Cave 2
3
PGb Scats present (Astron 2018)
Survey dates PGb detected
PGb roosting indicated PGb roosting on dates
Number roosting suggested
16 – 26 Yes on 18%
No
8 - 28 Yes on 73%
Yes 12 – 22
1
1 - 12 Yes on 10%
No
Cave 3
3
Survey dates PGb detected
PGb roosting indicated PGb roosting on dates
Number roosting suggested
4 - 9 Yes on 67%
No
Cave 4
3
3 PGb seen (Astron 2018)
Scats present (Astron
2018)
Survey dates PGb detected
PGb roosting indicated PGb roosting on dates
Number roosting suggested
16 – 26 Yes on 36%
No
4 - 9 No
Western Range PGb 2018-9 – Issue 1
Bat Call WA 15 8 June 2019
Cave
and
Category
Observations of
PGb presence in
daylight hours
Ultrasonic Survey Results
July 18 Aug 18 Sept 18 Oct 18 Nov 18 Dec 18 Jan 19 Feb 19 Mar 19
Cave 5
4
PGb Scats present (Astron 2018)
Survey dates PGb detected
PGb roosting indicated PGb roosting on dates
Number roosting suggested
4 - 9 No
Cave 6
2
4 PGb seen (Astron 2018)
1 PGb seen (Biologic,
Feb 19 in prep.)
2 large middens present. (Astron 2018)
Survey dates PGb detected
PGb roosting indicated PGb roosting on dates
Number roosting suggested
26 - 31 Yes on 33% Yes on 17%
27 2
1 - 31 Yes on 66% Yes on 30% 4, 16, 24-30
3
1 - 9 Yes on 100% Yes on 100%
1-9 4
10 - 31 Yes on 32%
No
1 - 31 Yes on 50% Yes on 3%
16 1
8 - 28 Yes on 57% Yes on 20%
1-5 1
1 - 12 Yes on 45% Yes on 8%
9 1
Cave 11
2
5 PGb seen (Biologic, May 19 in prep.)
1 large midden
present (Astron 2018)
Survey dates PGb detected
PGb roosting indicated PGb roosting on dates
Number roosting suggested
3 - 4 Yes on 100%
Yes on 50% 4 2
7 - 28 Yes on 60% Yes on 33%
8, 22-28 7
1 - 12 Yes on 100% Yes on 100%
1-12 6
Cave 12
3
PGb Scats present (Astron 2018)
Survey dates PGb detected
PGb roosting indicated PGb roosting on dates
Number roosting suggested
4 No
7 - 28 Yes on 23%
No
1 - 12 Yes on 9%
No
Western Range PGb 2018-9 – Issue 1
Bat Call WA 16 8 June 2019
Cave
and
Category
Observations of
PGb presence in
daylight hours
Ultrasonic Survey Results
July 18 Aug 18 Sept 18 Oct 18 Nov 18 Dec 18 Jan 19 Feb 19 Mar 19
Cave 13
3
PGb Scats present (Astron 2018)
Survey dates PGb detected
PGb roosting indicated PGb roosting on dates
Number roosting suggested
7 - 28 Yes on 23%
No
1 - 12 Yes on 37% Yes on 8%
4 1
Cave 14
3
4 PGb seen (Astron 2018)
1 PGb seen (Biologic,
Feb 19 in prep.)
Survey dates PGb detected
PGb roosting indicated PGb roosting on dates
Number roosting suggested
8 - 31 Yes on 12%
No
10 - 30 Yes on 31%
No
10 - 31 Yes on 7%
No
11 - 31 Yes on 10%
No
7 - 28 Yes on 23% Yes on 5%
20 1
1 - 13 No
Cave 15
2
3 PGb seen (Astron 2018)
1 very large midden
present (Astron 2018)
Survey dates PGb detected
PGb roosting indicated PGb roosting on dates
Number roosting suggested
11 - 31 Yes on 48% Yes on 30%
24 - 31 3
1 - 30 Yes on 47% Yes on 30% 1-4 19-25
2
1 - 9 Yes on 56% Yes on 56%
5-9 3
10 - 31 Yes on 30%
No
8 - 28 Yes on 54% Yes on 33%
5-16 2
1 - 13 Yes on 38% Yes on 30%
9-13 3
Cave 16
3
Survey dates PGb detected
PGb roosting indicated PGb roosting on dates
Number roosting suggested
4 - 31 Yes on 14%
No
8 - 28 Yes on 11%
No
Cave 17
3
Survey dates PGb detected
PGb roosting indicated PGb roosting on dates
Number roosting suggested
10 - 31
Yes on 45% No
1 - 21
Yes on 24% No
Western Range PGb 2018-9 – Issue 1
Bat Call WA 17 8 June 2019
Cave
and
Category
Observations of
PGb presence in
daylight hours
Ultrasonic Survey Results
July 18 Aug 18 Sept 18 Oct 18 Nov 18 Dec 18 Jan 19 Feb 19 Mar 19
Cave 18
2
1 very large midden present (S. Reiffer
(RTIO) pers comm.)
Survey dates PGb detected
PGb roosting indicated PGb roosting on dates
Number roosting suggested
7 - 28 Yes on 20%
No
1 - 12 Yes on 12%
No
Western Range PGb 2018-9 – Issue 1
Bat Call WA 18 8 June 2019
Figure 3. Western Range PGb survey sites.
Pink pins indicate category 2 or 3 caves. The yellow pin at cave 5 indicates a category 4 overhang
Western Range PGb 2018-9 – Issue 1
Bat Call WA 19 8 June 2019
Recommendations.
The results of the survey are consistent with the use of the ridge lines within the study areas by up to 10
PGb, probably on a seasonal basis with low numbers present year round. In particular, Caves 6, ‘11 and
‘15 have been proven to be category 2 caves and Cave 18 has been included in this category. All have
third category caves nearby, i.e. Caves 2, ’12, ’16 and ‘17.
Three recommendations are made:
1. As a primary recommendation, these three cave groupings including the four cat. 2 caves are
recommended for protection by exclusion zones of adequate shape and size.
2. As a secondary matter, protection for the isolated cave ’14 by retention of the gully facade
behind is also recommended.
3. Of lesser importance are caves 1, ‘3, ‘4 ‘5 and ‘13, all cat. 3 or cat. 4. Each is judged to be either
nearby a primary grouping or midway between two primary cave groupings that are separated by
less than five kilometres.
Western Range PGb 2018-9 – Issue 1
Bat Call WA 20 8 June 2019
References
Bat Call (2017). Robe Valley Mesa A to Mesa 2405A, impact of mining on Ghost bat presence and activity, April 2017, including assessment of caves on Mesas F and G. Unpublished report prepared for Rio Tinto, issue 3.
Bat Call (2018). Rio Tinto, Paraburdoo Western Range, Pilbara WA, Acoustic Survey of Bat and Night
Parrot Activity, June 2018. Unpublished report for Astron/Rio Tinto dated August 2018. Bat Call (2019a). Rio Tinto, Greater Paraburdoo, Pilbara WA, Acoustic Survey of Bat Activity, July to
December 2018. Unpublished report for Astron/Rio Tinto dated January 2019. Bat Call (2019b). Rio Tinto, Rio Tinto, Ratty Spring and Paraburdoo Pools Pilbara leaf-nosed Bat
monitoring program, 2015 to December 2018. Unpublished report for Rio Tinto dated January 2019.
Biologic (2016). West Angelas Iron Ore Mine – Deposit B and F Ghost bat monitoring 2015.
Unpublished report prepared for Rio Tinto dated January 2016. Hyder, B.M., Dell, J. and Cowan, M.A. (eds) (2010). Technical guide – Terrestrial vertebrate fauna
surveys for environmental impact assessment. Technical report of the Environmental Protection Authority and the Department of Environment and Conservation.
McKenzie, N.L. and Bullen R.D. (2009). The echolocation calls, habitat relationships, foraging niches
and communities of Pilbara microbats. Rec. West. Aust. Mus. Supplement 78:123-155.
Ottwell, K, McArthur, S., Van Leeuwen, S. and Byrne, M. (2018). Cave use by Ghost Bat (Macroderma gigas) at the West Angelas mine site. WA Department of Biodiversity and Attractions report dated January 2018.
T.S.S.C. (2016). Conservation advice, Macroderma gigas, ghost bat. Environment protection and
biodiversity conservation act 1999,: Threatened species scientific committee report dated May 2016.
Western Range PGb 2018-9 – Issue 1
Bat Call WA 21 8 June 2019
Appendix 1. Significant Western Range Cave Descriptions.
Descriptions and images provided by Astron Environmental Services unless otherwise noted.
MGA Zone 50 K
Description Photograph Easting
(mE)
Northing
(mE)
Cave 1
Cat. 3
Regular PGb nocturnal visits detected. 1 PGb observed 2018
550736 7435240
Entrance: narrow and pinched (1 m wide x 0.6m high) Orientation: South-west Internal: 1 dome with 2 side pockets (12 m deep x 4 m wide x 3 m high) Conditions: Ghost Bat scats present, raised humidity and elevated temperature
Western Range PGb 2018-9 – Issue 1
Bat Call WA 22 8 June 2019
MGA Zone 50 K
Description Photograph Easting
(mE)
Northing
(mE)
Cave 2
Cat. 3
Regular PGb nocturnal visits detected. Occasional diurnal roosting recorded.
539023 7437594
Entrance: narrow (2 m wide x 1m high) Orientation: South Internal: forked cave, corkscrew to the right (25 m deep) and straight to the left (10 m deep), 2 domes (2 m high x 3 m wide), lots of crevices and solution pipes Conditions: raised humidity, elevated temperature, rear passages
Western Range PGb 2018-9 – Issue 1
Bat Call WA 23 8 June 2019
MGA Zone 50 K
Description Photograph Easting
(mE)
Northing
(mE)
Cave 3
Cat. 3
Regular PGb nocturnal visits detected
550744 7434608
Entrance: narrow (5 m wide x 1m high) Orientation: West Internal: narrow with two side caverns (30 m deep x 1-15 m wide x 1 m high) Conditions: raised humidity and elevated temperature
Western Range PGb 2018-9 – Issue 1
Bat Call WA 24 8 June 2019
MGA Zone 50 K
Description Photograph Easting
(mE)
Northing
(mE)
Cave 4
Cat. 3 Regular PGb nocturnal visits detected. 3 PGb observed 2018
550750 7434642
Entrance: overhang that is open/wide (5 m wide x 2m high) Orientation: West Internal: large cavernous dome with solution pipes (10 m deep x 4 m wide x 5 m high) Conditions: raised humidity and elevated temperature
Western Range PGb 2018-9 – Issue 1
Bat Call WA 25 8 June 2019
MGA Zone 50 K
Description Photograph Easting
(mE)
Northing
(mE)
Cave 5
Cat 4
No current activity detected
550845 7435060
Entrance: overhang that is open/wide (5 m wide x 1.5m high) Orientation: West Internal: single dome (5 m deep x 5 m wide x 1.5 m high) Conditions: Ghost Bat scats present
Western Range PGb 2018-9 – Issue 1
Bat Call WA 26 8 June 2019
MGA Zone 50 K
Description Photograph Easting
(mE)
Northing
(mE)
Cave 6
Cat. 2
Regular PGb nocturnal visits detected. Regular diurnal roosting recorded.
550146 7435298
Entrance: open/wide (6 m wide x 1 m high) Orientation: South-west Internal: two domed caverns, left dome has soultion pipes 5-7 m in height, right dome is large cavern (15 m deep x 10 m wide x 20 m high) Conditions raised humidity and elevated temperature
Chamber: 10 m wide x 15 m deep x 2 m high
Entrance: 6 m wide x 1 m high opening into 5 m deep dome
Constriction: 1 m x 0.5 m
Western Range PGb 2018-9 – Issue 1
Bat Call WA 27 8 June 2019
MGA Zone 50 K
Description Photograph Easting
(mE)
Northing
(mE)
Cave 11
Cat. 2
Regular PGb nocturnal visits detected. Regular diurnal roosting recorded.
539274 7437589
Entrance: narrow (4 m wide x 0.5 m high) Orientation: South Internal: pinched section that opens into a high dome on a side chamber (20 m deep x 8 m wide x 4 m high) Conditions: raised humidity and elevated temperature
Western Range PGb 2018-9 – Issue 1
Bat Call WA 28 8 June 2019
MGA Zone 50 K
Description Photograph Easting
(mE)
Northing
(mE)
Cave 12
Cat. 3
Regular PGb nocturnal visits detected
545277 7435693
Entrance: narrow (1 m wide x 1 m high) Orientation: West Internal: long tunnel shaped cave (18 m deep x 1 m wide x 1 m high) with a large, narrow top chamber (>15 m deep x 1 m wide x 3 m high) Conditions: raised humidity and elevated temperature
Western Range PGb 2018-9 – Issue 1
Bat Call WA 29 8 June 2019
MGA Zone 50 K
Description Photograph Easting
(mE)
Northing
(mE)
Cave 13
Cat. 3
Regular PGb nocturnal visits detected Occasional diurnal roosting recorded.
547677 7436201
Entrance: narrow (10 m wide x 2 m high) Orientation: South Internal: two chambers, one left (10 m deep x 5 m wide x 2 m high) and one right (10 m deep x 3 m wide x 3 m high) Conditions: Ghost Bat scats present, raised humidity and elevated temperature
Western Range PGb 2018-9 – Issue 1
Bat Call WA 30 8 June 2019
MGA Zone 50 K
Description Photograph Easting
(mE)
Northing
(mE)
Cave 14
Cat. 3
Regular PGb nocturnal visits detected Occasional diurnal roosting recorded.
553868 7433695
Entrance: open/wide, large cathedral (12 m wide x 6 m high) Orientation: south Internal: one large rear domed cavern, left dome with multiple cracks and crevices and mini roosting spots, main dome is 5 m to 8 m in height, 25 m deep x 12 m wide
Western Range PGb 2018-9 – Issue 1
Bat Call WA 31 8 June 2019
MGA Zone 50 K
Description Photograph Easting
(mE)
Northing
(mE)
Cave 15
Cat. 2
Regular PGb nocturnal visits detected. Regular diurnal roosting recorded.
544724 7435692
Entrance: narrow (0.5 m wide x 0.4 m high) Orientation: east Internal: three domed caverns (potential), front dome 1.5 m high x 2 m wide x 2 m high, rear caverns dome dimensions unknown Conditions: Ghost Bat middens present, raised humidity and elevated temperature
Figure by T. Moyle and S. Reiffer
Western Range PGb 2018-9 – Issue 1
Bat Call WA 32 8 June 2019
MGA Zone 50 K
Description Photograph Easting
(mE)
Northing
(mE)
Cave 16
Cat. 3
Regular PGb nocturnal visits detected
550049 7435094
Entrance: wide (3.0 m wide x 2.5 m high) Orientation: east-south-east Internal: one long tunnel (~15 m to 20 m) leading to one high rear domed cavern
Western Range PGb 2018-9 – Issue 1
Bat Call WA 33 8 June 2019
MGA Zone 50 K
Description Photograph Easting
(mE)
Northing
(mE)
Cave 17
Cat. 3
Regular PGb nocturnal visits detected
550032 7435091
Entrance: narrow (0.5 m wide x 0.5 m high)
Orientation: east-south-east
Internal: two chambers, one left (15 m deep x 2.5 m wide x 1.5 m high) and one right (15 m deep x 2.5 m wide x 1.5 m high)
Conditions: Raised humidity and elevated temperature
Western Range PGb 2018-9 – Issue 1
Bat Call WA 34 8 June 2019
MGA Zone 50 K
Description Photograph Easting
(mE)
Northing
(mE)
Cave 18
Cat. 2
Regular PGb nocturnal visits detected. Regular diurnal roosting recorded.
549038 7435427
Entrance: 3 m x 3 m Orientation: South Internal: One large chamber (8 m wide x ~12 m deep), one rear chamber (6 m x 4 m). Cave has three domes 3 m high.
Cave 18 entrance image by S. Reiffer (RTIO)
PGB midden image by T. Moyle (Biologic); cave layout by S. Reiffer (RTIO)
Para Western Range –Issue 2
BAT CALL WA 1 of 18 29/05/2019
Rio Tinto, Greater Paraburdoo, Pilbara WA,
Acoustic Survey of Bat Activity,
July to December 2018.
Prepared for Astron Environmental Services
Bat Call WA Pty Ltd ABN 26 146 117 839 43 Murray Drive Hillarys Western Australia 6025 [email protected] +61 8 9402 1987 +61 488 930 735 Prepared by: R. D. Bullen – Bat Call WA Issue 2 29 May 2019 This document has been prepared to the requirements of Astron Environmental Services. It may be cited for the purposes of scientific research or other reasonable use. It may not be reproduced or distributed to any third party by hardcopy or electronic means without the permission of the client or Bat Call WA.
Para Western Range –Issue 2
BAT CALL WA 2 of 18 29/05/2019
Document Revision History
Issue Date Revision History
A 5 Nov 2018 Initial draft prepared for Astron review
B 18 Dec 2018 Second draft including data from October to December
1 29 Jan 2019 Formal Issue
2 29 May 2019 Second Issue incorporating additional data
Para Western Range –Issue 2
BAT CALL WA 3 of 18 29/05/2019
Summary
Bat presence is reported for 14 sites near Paraburdoo, in the Pilbara, WA. Astron Environmental Services (Astron) carried out a targeted echolocation-based survey for bats from July to December 2018. Bat Call WA has reviewed the recordings made and provided species lists and activity levels for the bats present. Ten species of echolocating bats were confirmed present including both EPBC Act listed species in the Pilbara, the Ghost bat (Macroderma gigas) (PGb) and the Pilbara leaf-nosed bat (Rhinonicteris aurantia) (PLNb). PGb were detected ultrasonically at ten sites. PLNb calls were detected in low to high numbers at thirteen sites. PGb detection along the ridge is consistent with the presence of PGb in the district, probably year-round. PGb were recorded at ten of the fourteen sites. They were detected on 38 of 67 detector nights at site BAT5 (also identifies as Cave 6). At this site, the timing of the calls on five nights between July and September was consistent with roosting bats. At BAT 9 (also identified as Cave 15) they were detected on 29 of 59 nights. Call timing was consistent with roosting bats on at least 14 nights. At all sites, the timing of PLNb calls were consistent with bats originating from the known Ratty Spring roost to the east and do not indicate the presence of a permanent or satellite roost cave nearby. The detection of calls with timing close to civil twilight at the western end of the study area in June 2018 (Bat Call 2018) was not repeated. That call remains as a single bat roosting overnight opportunistically and is not consistent with the presence of a satellite roost cave at the western end of the range. A single call pair was detected on the night of the 29th November at BAT 9. This also indicates a single bat roosting opportunistically and is not consistent with a satellite diurnal roost cave nearby. Habitats
The sites for the survey were chosen by Astron. Details of the sites are presented in table 1. Eleven sites were cave entrances with one gorge and one pool. The locations are shown in relation to local features in figure 1. Timing, Moon Phase and Weather
The echolocation survey was conducted between 16th July and 31st December 2018. The sampling evenings in July and August were generally cold and dry with minimum overnight temperatures around 5OC. The sampling evenings in October were warm and dry with minimum overnight temperatures around 15OC. November and December were hot and dry. The moon included full lunar cycles. Survey Team
Sites were chosen and detectors placed by Astron ecologists. Bob Bullen of Bat Call WA completed analysis of audio and echolocation recordings. Sampling
The echolocation survey consisted of completing a total of three hundred overnight ultrasonic bat sound recordings, beginning at twilight, within the survey area. The recordings were “continuous” (Hyder et al. 2010) made using ultrasonic SM2BAT+ SongMeter and SM4U SongMeter (both by Wildlife Acoustics Inc., USA) detectors. The audio settings used followed the manufacturer’s recommendations contained in the user manuals. For the ultrasonic recordings, once reformatted as .wav files, COOL EDIT 2000 (now available as AUDITION from Adobe Systems Inc.) was used to display each sequence for identification. Calls
Para Western Range –Issue 2
BAT CALL WA 4 of 18 29/05/2019
were identified manually. Only good quality call sequences were used. Details of calls analysed are provided in Table 2 as recommended by Australasian Bat Society (ABS 2006). Reference data for the species identified are available in Bullen and McKenzie 2002, McKenzie and Bullen 2003 and McKenzie and Bullen 2009.
Survey Limitations
The sites surveyed were accessible on foot and the detectors, using omnidirectional microphones, were set on the ground with the microphone horizontal. Species are unlikely to be under-represented as a result. Bat species density away from cave or adit entrances is impossible to estimate from echolocation records. Bat activity is therefore substituted as an approximate guide to the relative numbers of each species using the study area. Results of bat fauna survey
An assemblage of ten echolocating bat species was confirmed as present at the study sites including both the PGb and PLNb, table 3. Species activity levels were low to very high, which is expected for the study area habitat and the times of year. PGb detections Ghost bat ultrasonic calls were detected at nine caves, (BAT 1, ‘2, ‘5, ‘6, ‘8, ‘9, ’11, ‘12 and ‘15), table 3 and figure 1. Ultrasonic calls were also detected at the gorge site (BAT 7). These records are consistent with the PGb being present year-round on the Western Range ridges. This result is consistent with the known presence of low numbers of PGb in the Paraburdoo area of the central Pilbara. BAT 5 (Cave 6) and BAT 9 (Cave 15) in particular showed the consistent presence of the species. At BAT 5, timing of calls on five nights between July and September was consistent with roosting bats while call timing from mid-August onward was consistent with regular foraging visits (PGb were detected on all but three nights between 11 August and 9 September). The grouping of sites nearby this cave, together with the presence of middens and scat piles (Astron pers comm), is consistent with this area providing an “apartment block” of roosting opportunities (after Bat Call 2017). This is a one deep cave with characteristics of a maternity roost, with multiple caves/shelters and overhangs in close proximity offering nocturnal feeding and refuge opportunities. The area also includes a local productive set of gullies and gorges, a productive foraging area within 5-10 km radius, including a good quality riparian line or ephemeral fresh water lakebed, and appropriate protection from human interference. In this grouping, BAT 5 provides the characteristics of a maternity roost cave (John Trainer, Astron zoologist pers comm). At BAT 9 (Cave 15), calls were detected on the majority of nights from mid-October onward. The timing of the calls was consistent with roosting bats on 14 nights during this period, and probably an additional six. Overall, the results are consistent with Author’s data from other Hamersley Range ridge lines where PGb in small numbers utilise a number of caves for varying times throughout the year and occasionally come together in larger groups for short periods. PLNb detections PLNb were detected at all but one ultrasonic site, table 3 and figure 3. Call numbers were low to high with the maximum number of calls being 216 at BAT 3 and 86 at BAT 4, figure 4. The temporal pattern of calls, figure 4, is consistent with PLNb foraging away from their roost with timing gaps from civil twilight increasing from 45 minutes at BAT 8 in the east to primarily midnight calls at the western sites. The closest confirmed permanent diurnal roost is at Ratty Spring approximately 10 km to the east. A single call pair (one call immediately prior to dawn followed later in the day by one call immediately after dusk) was detected on the night of the 29th
Para Western Range –Issue 2
BAT CALL WA 5 of 18 29/05/2019
November at BAT 9. This indicates that a bat roosted opportunistically and is not consistent with a satellite diurnal roost at, or nearby this cave. Common bat species detections Five common species, Austronomus australis, Chalinolobus gouldii, Taphozous georgianus, T. hilli and Vespadelus finlaysoni dominated bat presence in the area. Both Taphozous species were detected at most sites Taxonomy presented herein is after Reardon et al. (2014) and Jackson and Groves (2015). Recommendations.
PLNb The results of the survey are consistent with the author’s existing data on the dispersal of this species from its permanent roost at Ratty Spring. No additional targeted survey effort is indicated by these results. PGb The results of the survey are consistent with the use of the ridge lines within the study areas by PGb, probably on a year-round basis. In particular, BAT 5 and BAT 9 (Caves 6 and 15) should be protected by exclusion zones of adequate size.
Para Western Range –Issue 2
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References
ABS (2006). Recommendations of the Australasian Bat Society Inc for reporting standards for insectivorous bat surveys using bat detectors. The Australasian Bat Society Newsletter 27: 6-9.
Bat Call (2017). Robe Valley Mesa A to Mesa 2405A, impact of mining on Ghost bat presence and
activity, April 2017, including assessment of caves on Mesas F and G. Unpublished report prepared for Rio Tinto, issue 3.
Bat Call (2018). Rio Tinto, Paraburdoo Western Range, Pilbara WA, Level 1 Targeted Survey of
Bat and Night Parrot Activity, June 2018. Unpublished report for Astron dated Oct 2018. Bullen, R. (2013). Pilbara leaf-nosed bat, Rhinonicteris aurantia: Summary of current data on
distribution, energetics and threats. Presentation made to Western Australian Department of Environment and Conservation workshop on Pilbara leaf-nosed bats, 25 June 2013
Bullen R.D. and McKenzie N.L. (2002). Differentiating Western Australian Nyctophilus
(Chiroptera: Vespertilionidae) echolocation calls. Australian Mammalogy. 23: 89-93 Bullen R.D. and McKenzie N.L. (2005). Seasonal range variation of Tadarida australis (Chiroptera:
Molossidae) in Western Australia: the impact of enthalpy. Australian Journal of Zoology 53: 145-156.
Hyder, B.M., Dell, J. and Cowan, M.A. (eds) (2010). Technical guide – Terrestrial vertebrate fauna
surveys for environmental impact assessment. Technical report of the Environmental Protection Authority and the Department of Environment and Conservation.
Jackson, S. and Groves, C (2015). Taxonomy of Australian Mammals. CSIRO Publishing:
Collingwood Vic. McKenzie N.L. and Bullen R.D. (2003). Identifying Little Sandy Desert bat species from their
echolocation calls. Australian Mammalogy 25: 73-80. McKenzie, N.L. and Bullen R.D. (2009). The echolocation calls, habitat relationships, foraging
niches and communities of Pilbara microbats. Rec. West. Aust. Mus. Supplement 78:123-155. Reardon, T.B., McKenzie, N.L., Cooper, S.J., Appleton, B. Carthew, S. and Adams, M. (2014). A
molecular and morphological investigation of species boundaries and phylogenetic relationships in Australian free-tailed bats Mormopterus (Chiroptera: Molossidae). Australian Journal of Zoology, available on-line 23 April 2014.
Para Western Range –Issue 2
BAT CALL WA 7 of 18 29/05/2019
Table 1 Microbat echolocation site specific details. Coordinates are Zone 50K
Date Recording Time & SM2 unit Habitat Easting Northing
BAT 1 (Cave 2) 16 to 26 July Eleven overnight recordings using
SM4U02759 recording at 384 kbps Cave entrance 539023 7437594
BAT 2 3 to 4 Aug Two overnight recordings using SM2 SN 11793 recording at 384 kbps Cave entrance 539274 7437589
BAT 3 4 Aug One overnight recording using SM2 SN 12801 recording at 384 kbps Cave entrance 545277 7435693
BAT 4 4 Aug One overnight recording using SM2 SN 7758 recording at 384 kbps Permanent pool 545334 7435883
BAT 5 (Cave 6)
26 July to 31 Dec
Sixty-seven overnight recordings using SM2 SN 7634 (1 night) and SM4U02734,
both recording at 384 kbps Cave entrance 550146 7435298
BAT 6 16 to 26 July Eleven overnight recordings using SM4U02734 recording at 384 kbps Cave entrance 550736 7435240
BAT 7 16 to 26 July Eleven overnight recordings using SM2 SN 2486 recording at 384 kbps Gorge 550762 7434658
BAT 8 (Cave 14) 8 Oct to 31 Dec
Eight-five overnight recordings using SM2 SN 15337 and SM4U02759
recording at 384 kbps Cave entrance 553868 7433695
BAT 9 (Cave 15) 11 Oct to 9 Dec Fifty-nine overnight recordings using
SM4U02486 recording at 384 kbps Cave entrance 544724 7435692
BAT 11 (Cave 1) 4 to 9 Dec Six overnight recordings using
SM4U02734 recording at 384 kbps Cave entrance 550761 7435241
BAT 12 (Cave 3) 4 to 9 Dec Six overnight recordings using
SM4U02748 recording at 384 kbps Cave entrance 550753 7434611
BAT 13 (Cave 4) 4 to 9 Dec Six overnight recordings using
SM4U01180 recording at 384 kbps Cave entrance 550791 7434679
BAT 14 (Cave 5) 4 to 9 Dec Six overnight recordings using
SM4U03465 recording at 384 kbps Cave entrance 550836 7435058
BAT 15 (Cave 16) 4 to 31 Dec Twenty-eight overnight recordings using
SM4U02579 recording at 384 kbps Cave entrance 550049 7435094
Para Western Range –Issue 2
BAT CALL WA 8 of 18 29/05/2019
Table 2: Summary of Echolocation call characteristics for microbat species present.
Genus species Authority Common name
Typical
Fpeak
kHz
Note 1
Ave.
Q
Note 1
Typical
Duration
msec
Typical Call
Shape
Austronomus australis (Gray 1838) Note 2 White-striped free-tailed bat 12 7 12 - 23 CF– shallow
FM
Chaerephon jobensis (Miller 1902) Northern free-tailed bat 22 5 8 - 15 Shallow FM
Chalinolobus gouldii (Grey 1841) Gould’s wattled bat 32 10 7 - 11 FM
Macroderma gigas (Dobson 1880) Ghost bat 20 – 52 variable
2 – 20 variable variable Complex FM
Ozimops lumsdenae Reardon et al. 2014 Northern free-tailed bat 26 10 8 - 13 Shallow FM
Rhinonicteris aurantia (Gray 1845) Pilbara leaf-nosed bat 120 30 5 - 8 CF
Scotorepens greyii (Gray 1843) Little broad-nosed bat 38 10 7 - 13 FM
Taphozous georgianus Thomas 1915 Common sheath-tailed bat 24.5 14 9 - 18 CF– shallow FM
Taphozous hilli Thomas 1915 Hills sheath-tailed bat 26 14 9 - 18 CF– shallow FM
Vespadelus finlaysoni (Kitchener, Jones and Caputi 1987) Inland cave bat 55 14 4 - 8 FM
Note 1: Fpeak and Q are defined in McKenzie and Bullen 2003, 2009. Note 2: Taxonomy follows Jackson and Groves (2015). A. australis was recently Tadarida australis. O. lumsdenae was recently Mormopterus beccarii.
Para Western Range –Issue 2
BAT CALL WA 9 of 18 29/05/2019
Table 3. Survey microbat lists presented by site.
Site
Au
stro
nom
us
au
stra
lis
Ch
aer
eph
on
joben
sis
Ch
ali
nolo
bu
s
gou
ldii
Macr
oder
ma
gig
as
Ozi
mops
lum
sden
ae
Rh
inon
icte
ris
au
ran
tia
Sco
tore
pen
s
gre
yii
Taph
ozo
us
geo
rgia
nu
s
Taph
ozo
us
hil
li
Ves
padel
us
fin
lays
on
i
BAT 1 Yes Low (3 calls)
Low (~5 calls per
night) Yes Yes Yes
BAT 2 Yes Low (6 calls)
Low (~15 calls per night)
Yes Yes Yes
BAT 3 High (216 calls) Yes Yes
BAT 4 Yes Yes Yes Yes High (86 calls) Yes Yes Yes Yes
BAT 5
Low (Up to 11 calls per night)
Low (Up to 30 calls per night)
Yes Yes Yes
BAT 6 Yes Low (7 calls) Low
(31 calls) Yes Yes Yes
BAT 7 Yes Yes Yes Low (6 calls) Yes
Low (~5 calls per
night) Yes Yes Yes Yes
BAT 8 Low (7 calls)
Med (~40 calls per night)
Yes Yes Yes
BAT 9
Low (Up to 5 calls per night)
Low
(~25 calls per night)
Yes Yes Yes
BAT 11 Low (8 calls) Low
(1 call) Yes Yes Yes
BAT 12 Low (2 calls) Low
(6 calls) Yes Yes Yes
BAT 13 Low (2 calls) Yes Yes Yes
BAT 14 Yes Yes Yes
BAT 15 Low (5 calls) Low
(7 calls) Yes Yes Yes
Note: Both Taphozous species were detected.
Para Western Range –Issue 2
BAT CALL WA 10 of 18 29/05/2019
Figure 1. Survey sites where PGb were detected.
Para Western Range –Issue 2
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Figure 2. Temporal patterns of PGb calls detected
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Figure 3. Western Range survey sites where PLNb were detected.
Para Western Range –Issue 2
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Figure 4. Temporal patterns of PLNb calls detected
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Para Western Range –Issue 2
BAT CALL WA 17 of 18 29/05/2019
Appendix 1 PLNb and PGb activity at BAT 5 (Cave 6) during the August to December 2018 monitoring period
Site
Pilbara leaf-nosed bat PLNb Ghost bat PGb
Time of
first call
Time of
last call
Number
of calls
Roosting
indicated
Time of first
call
Time of last
call
Number of
calls
Roosting
indicated
26-27 July 03:09 04:35 6 No 18:34 06:00 2 per night Yes
28 July -2 Aug 0 0 No
3-4 Aug 02:37 03:05 20 No 17:55 05:56 11 Yes
5-10 Aug 03:49 1 No 0 No
11-13 Aug 23:50 03:29 30 No 22:50 04:41 3 per night No
14 Aug 0 0 No
15 Aug 0 19:49 04:56 5 Probable
16 -21 Aug 0 22:16 03:58 2 per night No
22-23 Aug 0 0 No
24-26 Aug 03:56 2 No 03:54 04:58 1 per night No
27-28 Aug 0 19:54 05:26 7 Yes
29 Aug – 9 Sept 0 18:50 05:06 ~5 per night Yes
10-31 Dec 23:57 04:04 9 No 19:41 04:36 13 No
Para Western Range –Issue 2
BAT CALL WA 18 of 18 29/05/2019
Appendix 2 PLNb and PGb activity at BAT 9 (Cave 15) during the October to December 2018 monitoring period
Site
Pilbara leaf-nosed bat PLNb Ghost bat PGb
Time of
first call
Time of
last call
Number
of calls
Roosting
indicated
Time of first
call
Time of last
call
Number of
calls
Roosting
indicated
11 Oct 18:42 1 Probable 12-14 Oct 0
15 Oct 04:46 04:50 2 No
16-17 Oct 0
18 Oct 00:47 1 No
19 Oct 0
20 Oct 00:18 02:30 4 No
21-22 Oct 0
23-25 Oct 19:06 04:48 ~5 per night Yes
26-27 Oct 0
28 Oct 19:57 03:27 2 No
29 Oct 0 30 Oct – 5 Nov 19:27 04:38 ~5 per night Probable
6-14 Nov 0 15 Nov 23:13 1 No
16-18 Nov 0
19-25 Nov 19:06 04:56 ~5 per night Yes 26 Nov – 1 Dec 0
2 Dec 04:19 04:56 5 No
3 Dec – 4 Dec 0
5 Dec – 9 Dec 19:26 04:11 ~4 per night Yes
11 Oct – 9 Dec except ~19:40 ~04:00 ~25 per night No
30 Nov 19:10 04:30 45 Yes*
* Timing and call pattern suggest that 1 PLNb roosted overnight opportunistically.
Rio Tinto Iron Ore Greater Paraburdoo – Ghost Bat, Macroderma gigas - Contextual Study, June 2019
Appendix E: Biologic Hormone Analysis Report
Rio Tinto Iron Ore Greater Paraburdoo – Ghost Bat, Macroderma gigas - Contextual Study, June 2019
This page has been left blank intentionally.
Biologic Environmental Survey Pty Ltd
PO Box 179
Floreat, WA, 6014
23 April 2019
Attn: Tenielle Brown & Scott Reiffer Rio Tinto Iron Ore
Perth, Western Australia
Dear Tenielle and Scott,
Rio Tinto Iron Ore (RTIO) commissioned Biologic Environmental Survey Pty Ltd (Biologic) to undertake
hormone analysis study of Ghost Bat scats collected from caves within two existing RTIO exploration
leases, Caliwinga (cave CCAL01) and Western Range (Cave 6). The overarching objective of the
analysis was to identify the occurrence of pregnant individuals occurring in each cave and discuss in
with reference to the significance each represents to the species.
High levels of progesterone were recorded from samples in both caves, including 15% of the 20
samples from CCAL01 and 35% of the 20 samples from Western Range Cave 6, indicating pregnant
individuals have occurred in both caves. As the age of scat samples was not known when collected,
and the pregnancy hormone progesterone is known to decay quickly, further sampling and analysis is
recommended.
If you have any queries, please do not hesitate to get in contact.
Yours sincerely,
Chris Knuckey
Senior Zoologist | Manager of Vertebrate Fauna
(08) 6142 7119 | 0449 269 695
RTIO Ghost Bat Faecal Hormone Analysis
1 INTRODUCTION
Rio Tinto Iron Ore (RTIO) commissioned Biologic Environmental Survey Pty Ltd (Biologic) to undertake
a hormone analysis of Ghost Bat scats collected from two separate exploration leases, Caliwinga (cave
CCAL01), located approximately 90 km north of Tom Price, WA and Western Range (Cave 6), located
approximately 18 km west of Paraburdoo, WA.
The overarching objective of the analysis was to identify the occurrence of pregnant individuals
occurring in each cave and discuss in with reference to the significance each represents to the species.
Hormone analysis was undertaken for 40 samples, 20 from each cave, by Dr Tamara Keeley from the
University of Queensland. Analysis methods followed methods previously developed for faecal
hormone analysis in Ghost Bat and other bat species to determine the occurrence of pregnancy within
populations using the samples caves.
2 METHODS
Ghost Bat scats were collected from two caves by RTIO and Biologic staff during site visits undertaken
6 November 2017 (cave CCAW01) and 27 July 2018 (cave CWRA02). Both caves are located within
existing RTIO exploration leases, Caliwinga (CCAL01), located approximately 90 km north of Tom
Price, WA (-21.9270°S; 117.4981°E) and Western Range (Cave 6), located approximately 18 km west
of Paraburdoo, WA (-23.190584°S, 117.490004°E).
A total of 20 scats were collected from the two caves, all of which were used for the hormone analysis.
Scats were opportunistically collected from within caves and not by standardised sheet collection
methods, thus deposition timeframe of scats is unknown.
Hormone analysis was undertaken by Dr Tamara Keeley from the University of Queensland to
determine faecal progesterone levels within scats to indicate pregnancy of individuals within the
population. The method has previously been used for numerous other bat species (Keeley et al., 2012a;
Keeley et al., 2012b) and has been validated for Ghost Bat in a pilot study using the captive breeding
colony from Perth Zoo (Keeley, 2018). Material from the Perth Zoo colony was also used to compared
and validate analysis of samples collected from wild populations. Samples with progesterone levels
above 970ng/g were considered likely to represent those originating from pregnant females (Keeley,
2018). Detailed analysis methods for the hormone analysis by T. Keeley, and are as follows:
Only whole samples were analysed to avoid the possibility of hormone levels being artificially altered
if pooled faecal sample pieces came from different individuals of differing reproductive status. Faecal
samples were analysed for progesterone metabolite concentrations by enzyme-immunoassay (EIA).
Prior to analysis for hormone concentrations, each faecal sample was extracted using a basic hormone
extraction procedure (Keeley et al., 2012a; Palme et al., 2013). Faecal samples were subsampled to
a weight of either 0.1 ± 0.02 or 0.05 ± 0.002 g to which 5 ml of 80% methanol was added. Samples
were rotated gently overnight, centrifuged at 1000 g for 10 min and then decanted and stored at -20°C
until analysis. The supernatant was diluted 1:20 to 1:1000 (dependant on concentration) in assay buffer
prior to analysis. Faecal progesterone metabolite concentrations were quantified by double antibody
RTIO Ghost Bat Faecal Hormone Analysis
EIA using a goat anti-mouse IgG (Arbor Assays, USA), monoclonal progesterone antiserum (CL425),
horseradish peroxidase conjugated label (both provided by C. Munro, University of California-Davis,
Davis, USA) and progesterone (Sigma Aldrich Australia Ltd.) standards as previously described with
minor modifications (Keeley et al., 2012b).
The antiserum (1:80,000) was incubated on a microtitre plate overnight, horseradish peroxidise
conjugate (1:400,000), standards (0.016 - 4 ng/ml) and samples were loaded (50 µl/well) onto the plate
and the EIA was performed as described elsewhere (Keeley et al., 2012b; Pollock et al., 2010). Intra
and inter-assay coefficients of variation were both <10%. Cross-reactivities for the EIA antibodies were
as previously described (Graham et al., 2001). Hormone concentrations were expressed as
nanograms of hormone metabolites per gram of faeces (ng/g). Progesterone levels were considered
to be elevated (i.e. progesterone levels indicating pregnancy or individual) for results of 970 ng/g or
greater.
3 RESULTS
Of the 40 scat samples analysed, ten (25%) scats contained elevated progesterone levels (i.e. samples
with progesterone levels exceeding 970 mg/g). This included three (15%) of the 20 scats from CCAL01
and seven (35%) of the 20 from Western Range Cave 6. One additional sample from CCAL01
(CCAL.20171106.17) showed intermediate levels (i.e. progesterone levels ranging from 700–950 ng/g)
of progesterone (715.00 ng/g), indicating progesterone levels were possibly in the process of increasing
or decreasing at the time of scat analysis. This suggests either the hormone was decaying due to the
age of the scat, or the individual may have recently been pregnant or is at early stages of.
Progesterone levels of nine samples containing elevated progesterone ranged from 2,265.60 ng/g to
11,511.63 ng/g, with the highest levels recorded a from sample CWRA02.20180727.20 and lowest from
CWRA02.20180727.12, both from Western Range Cave 6. In comparison, the progesterone levels of
the three elevated progesterone samples from CCAL range from 7,926.83 ng/g to 10,599.25 ng/g. With
the exception of CCAL.20171106.17 (715.00 ng/g), all the remaining samples analysed (75%) returned
progesterone levels below 629.29 ng/g (range 78.76–629.29 ng/g).
Table 3.1: Progesterone levels of Ghost Bat scats collected and analysed
Sample ID Cave ID Latitude Longitude Sample No.
Collection date
Progesterone level (ng/g)1
CCAL01.20171106.1 CCAL01 -21.9270 117.4981 1 6-Nov-17 626.29
CCAL01.20171106.2 CCAL01 -21.9270 117.4981 2 6-Nov-17 8,326.85*
CCAL01.20171106.3 CCAL01 -21.9270 117.4981 3 6-Nov-17 124.8
CCAL01.20171106.4 CCAL01 -21.9270 117.4981 4 6-Nov-17 7,926.83*
CCAL01.20171106.5 CCAL01 -21.9270 117.4981 5 6-Nov-17 345.95
CCAL01.20171106.6 CCAL01 -21.9270 117.4981 6 6-Nov-17 163.33
CCAL01.20171106.7 CCAL01 -21.9270 117.4981 7 6-Nov-17 10,599.25*
CCAL01.20171106.8 CCAL01 -21.9270 117.4981 8 6-Nov-17 348.24
CCAL01.20171106.9 CCAL01 -21.9270 117.4981 9 6-Nov-17 276.54
RTIO Ghost Bat Faecal Hormone Analysis
Sample ID Cave ID Latitude Longitude Sample No.
Collection date
Progesterone level (ng/g)1
CCAL01.20171106.10 CCAL01 -21.9270 117.4981 10 6-Nov-17 487.88
CCAL01.20171106.11 CCAL01 -21.9270 117.4981 11 6-Nov-17 431.7
CCAL01.20171106.12 CCAL01 -21.9270 117.4981 12 6-Nov-17 78.76
CCAL01.20171106.13 CCAL01 -21.9270 117.4981 13 6-Nov-17 238.43
CCAL01.20171106.14 CCAL01 -21.9270 117.4981 14 6-Nov-17 300.38
CCAL01.20171106.15 CCAL01 -21.9270 117.4981 15 6-Nov-17 206.9
CCAL01.20171106.16 CCAL01 -21.9270 117.4981 16 6-Nov-17 111.86
CCAL01.20171106.17 CCAL01 -21.9270 117.4981 17 6-Nov-17 715.00**
CCAL01.20171106.18 CCAL01 -21.9270 117.4981 18 6-Nov-17 250.58
CCAL01.20171106.19 CCAL01 -21.9270 117.4981 19 6-Nov-17 543.4
CCAL01.20171106.20 CCAL01 -21.9270 117.4981 20 6-Nov-17 295.45
CWRA02.20180727.1 WR Cave 6 -23.1905 117.4900 1 27-Jul-18 243.41
CWRA02.20180727.2 WR Cave 6 -23.1905 117.4900 2 27-Jul-18 5,560.00*
CWRA02.20180727.3 WR Cave 6 -23.1905 117.4900 3 27-Jul-18 5,569.11*
CWRA02.20180727.4 WR Cave 6 -23.1905 117.4900 4 27-Jul-18 407.52
CWRA02.20180727.5 WR Cave 6 -23.1905 117.4900 5 27-Jul-18 457.14
CWRA02.20180727.6 WR Cave 6 -23.1905 117.4900 6 27-Jul-18 514.74
CWRA02.20180727.7 WR Cave 6 -23.1905 117.4900 7 27-Jul-18 238.74
CWRA02.20180727.8 WR Cave 6 -23.1905 117.4900 8 27-Jul-18 3,504.76*
CWRA02.20180727.9 WR Cave 6 -23.1905 117.4900 9 27-Jul-18 309.43
CWRA02.20180727.10 WR Cave 6 -23.1905 117.4900 10 27-Jul-18 140.41
CWRA02.20180727.11 WR Cave 6 -23.1905 117.4900 11 27-Jul-18 9,186.99*
CWRA02.20180727.12 WR Cave 6 -23.1905 117.4900 12 27-Jul-18 2,265.60*
CWRA02.20180727.13 WR Cave 6 -23.1905 117.4900 13 27-Jul-18 560
CWRA02.20180727.14 WR Cave 6 -23.1905 117.4900 14 27-Jul-18 3,251.20*
CWRA02.20180727.15 WR Cave 6 -23.1905 117.4900 15 27-Jul-18 526.23
CWRA02.20180727.16 WR Cave 6 -23.1905 117.4900 16 27-Jul-18 404.62
CWRA02.20180727.17 WR Cave 6 -23.1905 117.4900 17 27-Jul-18 559.67
CWRA02.20180727.18 WR Cave 6 -23.1905 117.4900 18 27-Jul-18 271.94
CWRA02.20180727.19 WR Cave 6 -23.1905 117.4900 19 27-Jul-18 487.97
CWRA02.20180727.20 WR Cave 6 -23.1905 117.4900 20 27-Jul-18 11,511.63* 1 * – elevated progesterone levels (>970 ng/g); ** – intermediate progesterone levels (700–950 ng/g)
4 CONCLUSION
Based on the results of the hormone analysis of 40 samples from Western Range Cave 6 and CCAL01,
elevated levels of progesterone indicate pregnant individuals have occurred in both caves sampled.
Indicatively, based on scats collected, 25% of the individuals that deposited scats in the two caves were
pregnant females, 35% of the samples from Western Range Cave 6 and 15% from CCAL01.
Results were comparable with those of similar studies of Ghost Bat Faecal hormones undertaken for
the RTIO West Angelas Ghost Bat monitoring (Biologic, 2019), with the portion of samples showing
elevated progesterone levels of this study falling within the range from the monitoring survey (mean
RTIO Ghost Bat Faecal Hormone Analysis
31%, range 0–40%, noting only a single scat collected from one site which lacked elevated
progesterone levels. Additionally, the proportion of scats containing elevated progesterone levels has
been observed to fluctuate between monitoring periods (Biologic, 2019). Direct comparison between
the results is difficult due to several uncontrolled or unknown factors which may influence results,
particularly the capacity of cave or number of individuals occupying at a site and the proportion of which
are females.
The occurrence of multiple scats with elevated progesterone levels within both caves indicates the
presence of pregnant individuals at some stage in the past, possibly suggesting nightly visits or material
diurnal roosting. However, this may not accurately reflect the abundance of individuals if scats were not
deposited by all individuals or multiple scats were deposited by the same individuals. Due to the
opportunistic sampling method adopted, the date of deposition of scats is unknown, thus the period of
occurrence of pregnant females within the caves cannot be determined, and if scats may be associated
with the same individuals.
Further targeted sampling of scat samples from the two caves would provide further support to
determine the presence of pregnant individuals within a defined timeframe and highlight the value of
these caves as maternal diurnal roosts.
RTIO Ghost Bat Faecal Hormone Analysis
5 REFERENCES
Biologic, Environmental Survey. (2019). West Angelas, Ghost Bat Monitoring 2018. Unpublished report prepared for Rio Tinto Iron Ore. Subiaco, WA:
Graham, L., Schwarzenberger, F., Möstl, E., Galama, W., & Savage, A. (2001). A versatile enzyme immunoassay for the determination of progestogens in feces and serum. Zoo Biology, 20(3), 227-236. doi:10.1002/zoo.1022
Keeley, T. (2018). West Angelas Ghost Bat Research. Unpublished report prepared for Biologic Environmental Survey.
Keeley, T., Goodrowe, K. L., Graham, L., Howell, C., & MacDonald, S. E. (2012a). The reproductive endocrinology and behavior of Vancouver Island marmot (Marmota vancouverensis). Zoo Biology, 31(3), 275-290. doi:10.1002/zoo.20384
Keeley, T., O’Brien, J. K., Fanson, B. G., Masters, K., & McGreevy, P. D. (2012b). The reproductive cycle of the Tasmanian devil (Sarcophilus harrisii) and factors associated with reproductive success in captivity. General and Comparative Endocrinology, 176(2), 182-191. doi:https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ygcen.2012.01.011
Palme, R., Touma, C., Arias, N., Dominchin, M. F., & Lepschy, M. (2013). Steroid extraction: Get the best out of faecal samples. Veterinary Medicine Austria, 100, 238-246.
Pollock, K., Boot, R., Wilson, R., Keeley, T., Grogan, K., Kennerley, P., & Johnston, S. D. (2010). Oestrus in the Julia Creek dunnart (Sminthopsis douglasi) is associated with wheel running behaviour but not necessarily changes in body weight, food consumption or pouch morphology. Animal Reproduction Science, 117, 135-146.