Excursion to  McPartlan Pass, SW Tasmania, April 2006
 

World Heritage Area zoologist Mike Driessen (right) with the field naturalists at a study plot on the buttongrass moorland.

The marker in the foreground locates a pit trap. 

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A  katydid, Conocephalus bilineatus.

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We were surprised at the number and variety of small spiders caught by sweep-netting.

Diaea rosea

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An Araneidae with a white stripe on its minute pea-like body.

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This Tetragnathidae played dead very convincingly, but walked off unharmed a few minutes later.

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Mite.

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Fly.

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Lichen with an erect tubular form.

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Moss growing amongst the sedge; the round heads are about 6mm diameter. 

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There is plenty of water about in buttongrass plains.

This Allanaspides hickmani is endemic to Tasmania and is endangered because it only exists in McPartlan Pass and another nearby area, much of its range having been flooded by hydro lakes.

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Stenacapha vitrinaformis snail.

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Sam found a "yabby".

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The waterlogged buttongrass plains and hillsides of SW Tasmania have yabby burrows every metre or two, so there is a huge population, though people seldom see them as they live almost entirely in their tunnels.

This individual has some temnocephalans parasites on its carapace.

GF

Photos: Abbey Throssell, Geoff Fenton