2011 Nomination – Acizzia veski
Section 1 - Legal Status, Distribution, Biological, Ecological
Conservation Theme
1. The conservation themes for the
assessment period commencing
1 October 2009 (for which
nominations close 26 March 2009)
are ‘terrestrial, estuarine and
near–shore environments of
Australia’s coast’, and
‘rivers, wetlands and
groundwater dependent species
and ecosystems of inland
Australia’.
This nomination is for a species that is co-dependent upon
another species for its existence in the Stirling Ranges of
Western Australia. It does not appear to fall within either
of the conservation themes.
How does this nomination relate to
the conservation theme?
Taxonomy
2. What are the currently
accepted scientific and common
name/s for the species (please
include Indigenous names, where
known)?
Note any other scientific names that
have been used recently. Note the
species authority and the Order and
Family to which the species belongs
(Family name alone is sufficient for
plants, however, both Order and
Family name are required for
insects).
3. Is this species conventionally
accepted? If not, explain why. Is
there any controversy about the
taxonomy?
4. If the species is NOT
conventionally accepted, please
provide:
Scientific name: Acizzia veski Taylor & Moir, 2009
Family: Psyllidae
Suborder: Sternorrhyncha
Order: Hemiptera
Class: Insecta
Common name: Vesk’s plant-louse (Taylor & Moir 2009)
Yes, based on a peer-reviewed research publication (Taylor
& Moir 2009)
NA
(i) a taxonomic description of the
species in a form suitable for publication
in conventional scientific literature; OR
(ii) evidence that a scientific institution
has a specimen of the species and a
written statement signed by a person
who has relevant taxonomic expertise
(has worked, or is a published author,
on the class of species nominated), that
the person thinks the species is a new
species.
5. Is this species taxonomically
distinct (Taxonomic distinctiveness
– a measure of how unique a
species is relative to other species)?
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Yes, based on a peer-reviewed research publication (Taylor
& Moir 2009)
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Legal Status
6. What is the species’ current
conservation status under
Australian and State/Territory
Government legislation?
7. Does the species have specific
protection (e.g. listed on an annex
or appendix) under other legislation
or intergovernmental
arrangements, e.g. Convention on
International Trade in Endangered
Fauna and Flora (CITES),
Convention on Migratory Species
(CMS).
Unlisted
No
Description
8. Give a brief description of the
species’ appearance, including size
and/or weight, and sex and age
variation if appropriate; social
structure and dispersion (e.g.
solitary/clumped/flocks).
9. Give a brief description of the
species’ ecological role (for
example, is it a ‘keystone’ or
‘foundation’ species, does it play a
role in processes such as seed
dispersal or pollination).
Acizzia veski is a small winged plant-louse (~3 mm) and,
as with all species of plant-lice, requires expert
taxonomists to distinguish it from other species. For a full
detailed description, see Taylor & Moir (2009).
This species is a herbivore. As for other plant-lice species,
Acizzia veski is a key recycler of nutrients by expelling
manna after feeding on the sap of plants. Plant-lice also
account for a large part of the diet of many insectivorous
birds and predatory invertebrates (e.g., Stone, 1996).
Australian Distribution
10. Describe the species’ current
and past distribution in
Australia and, if available, attach a
map.
11. What is the extent of
occurrence (in km2) for the
species (described in Attachment
A); explain how it was calculated
and datasets used.
a.
b.
What is the current extent of
occurrence?
What data are there to indicate
past declines in extent of
occurrence (if available, include
data that indicates the
percentage decline over the
past 10 years or 3 generations
whichever is longer)?
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Acizzia veski is currently known only from one location (Mt
Talyuberlup) within the Stirling Range National Park of
Western Australia (see Taylor & Moir 2009). Past
distribution is unknown.
Acizzia veski is currently known only from one population
of its host plant, Acacia veronica in the Stirling Ranges.
This population occurs within a 1km2 area. Further
populations of plant-louse do not occur on any other known
population of Acacia veronica (see Taylor & Moir 2009).
Acizzia veski formed a part of a dataset from an ARC
discovery funded project on the co-extinction of insects on
threatened plant species. For this project, other Acacia and
plant species within the area were sampled for the Acizzia
without success.
Known from approximately 1km2
No past data is available for Acizzia veski. However, its
host plant Acacia veronica is listed by the State
Government as a conservation ‘Priority’ species because of
its confined distribution (it is endemic to the Stirling
Ranges) and vulnerability to threatening processes (e.g.,
see http://florabase.calm.wa.gov.au/browse/profile/12675
; Barrett et al. 2008).
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c. What data are there to indicate
future changes in extent of
occurrence (if available, include
data that indicates the
percentage decline over 10
years or 3 generations
whichever is longer (up to a
maximum of 100 years in the
future) where the time period is
a continuous period that may
include a component of the
past)?
12. What is the area of
occupancy (in km2) for the species
(described in Attachment A);
explain how calculated and datasets
that are used.
a.
b.
c.
What is the current area of
occupancy?
What data are there to indicate
past declines in area of
occupancy (if available, include
data that indicates the
percentage decline over the
past 10 years or 3 generations
whichever is longer)?
What data are there to indicate
future changes in area of
occupancy (if available, include
data that indicates the
percentage decline over 10
years or 3 generations
whichever is longer (up to a
maximum of 100 years in the
future) where the time period is
a continuous period that may
include a component of the
past)?
13. How many natural locations
do you consider the species occurs
in and why? Where are these
located?
The term 'location' defines a
geographically or ecologically distinct
area.
14. Give locations of other
populations: captive/propagated
populations; populations recently
re-introduced to the wild; and sites
for proposed population reintroductions. Note if these sites
have been identified in recovery
plans.
15. Is the species’ distribution
severely fragmented? What is the
cause of this fragmentation?
Describe any biological, geographic,
human-induced or other barriers
causing this species’ populations to
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No data is available for Acizzia veski. However, its host
plant Acacia veronica is listed by the State Government for
‘Priority 3’ conservation because of its restricted
distribution (see
http://florabase.calm.wa.gov.au/browse/profile/12675 ).
Key threatening processes most likely include climate
change (Barrett et al. 2008), inappropriate fire regime and
habitat clearing. Given that only a single population of
Acizzia veski is currently known from only one population
of Acacia veronica (all other known populations of A.
veronica were unsuccessfully searched for A. veski), it is
extremely vulnerable to extinction if its host plant
population was further threatened. (Most Psyllidae are
highly host specific. It is highly unlikely that Acizzia veski
occurs on hosts other than Acacia veronica).
Approximately 1km2, as calculated from Taylor & Moir
(2009).
Approximately 1km2
No past data is available for Acizzia veski as it was only
discovered in 2007 (see Taylor & Moir 2009). However, its
host plant Acacia veronica is listed as a ‘Priority’ species for
conservation because of its confined distribution and
vulnerability to threatening processes (e.g.,
http://florabase.calm.wa.gov.au/browse/profile/12675 ;
Barrett et al. 2008).
No data is available for Acizzia veski. However, its host
plant Acacia veronica is vulnerable to the threatening
processes of climate change (Barrett et al. 2008),
inappropriate fire regime and habitat clearing (widening of
roads, management of picnic area where population
occurs, etc). Given that only a single population of Acizzia
veski is currently known, it is extremely vulnerable to
extinction if its host plant population was further
threatened.
Only one population of Acizzia veski is known at Mt
Talyuberlup in the Stirling Ranges (Taylor & Moir 2009).
Further sampling did not uncover the plant-louse on any
other population of its threatened host plant, Acacia
veronica (see also comment on host specificity, above).
No other populations known.
This information for A. veski is unknown, although only one
population of A. veski has been found on the host plant,
Acacia veronica. All other known populations of Acacia
veronica have been sampled for A. veski without success
(see Taylor & Moir 2009). The other populations of Acacia
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be fragmented.
Severely fragmented refers to the
situation in which increased extinction
risk to the taxon results from most
individuals being found in small and
relatively isolated subpopulations (in
certain circumstances this may be
inferred from habitat information).
These small subpopulations may go
extinct, with a reduced probability of
recolonisation.
veronica occur some distance (>10 km) from the
population harboring A. veski, therefore it is highly unlikely
that A. veski can travel between these isolated populations
of its host plant.
Global Distribution
17. Describe the species’ global
distribution.
18. Give an overview of the global
population’s size, trends, threats
and security of the species outside
Australia.
19. Explain the relationship
between the Australian population
and the global population,
including:
a.
b.
c.
What percentage of the global
population occurs in Australia;
Is the Australian population
distinct, geographically
separate or does part or all of
the population move in/out of
Australia’s jurisdiction (give an
overview; details in Movements
section);
Do global threats affect the
Australian population?
Acizzia veski is known only from Australia (Western
Australia).
NA
100%
NA
Climate change (see Barrett et al. 2008).
Surveys and Monitoring
20. Has the species been
reasonably well surveyed?
Provide an overview of surveys to date
and the likelihood of its current known
distribution and/or population size being
its actual distribution and/or population
size.
21. For species nominated as
extinct or extinct in the wild, please
provide details of the most recent
known collection, or authenticated
sighting of the species and
whether additional populations are
likely to exist.
22. Is there an ongoing
monitoring programme? If so,
please describe the extent and
length of the programme.
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In 2007 and 2008 I undertook fieldwork to sample plant
species in the Stirling Range National Park and surrounding
regions to identify possible co-threatened insects on
threatened plant species. Acizzia veski was only found at
one site. I have unsuccessfully searched for this species in
other entomological collections (e.g., Australian Museum,
Australian National Insect Collection, Western Australian
Museum, Agriculture Western Australia). As all known
populations of Acacia veronica were sampled for the
psyllid, it is not possible that Acizzia veski occurs in
another location on Acacia veronica. Also, eight other
Acacia species and 95 other plant species were surveyed
for the psyllid without success.
NA
No
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Life Cycle and Population
23. What is the species’ total
population size in terms of number
of mature individuals? How were
population estimates derived and
are they reliable? Are there other
useful measures of population size
and what are they?
Population size is difficult to quantify for most species of
invertebrates, especially insects which have a high annual
turnover. Compared to other insects, Acizzia veski was
relatively common, although restricted to Acacia veronica,
at the time of sampling (October/November), with a total
of 101 individuals found (xxxx xxxx unpubl. data).
In the absence of figures, terms such as
common, abundant, scarce can be of value.
24. Does the species occur in a
number of smaller populations?
How many? For each population
give the locality, numbers and
trends in numbers and tenure of
land (include extinct populations).
Can these be considered to be
subpopulations and why?
The only population known is at Mt Talyuberlup in the
Stirling Range. This locality is currently listed as part of the
Stirling Range National Park.
Subpopulations are defined as
geographically or otherwise distinct groups in
the population between which there is little
demographic or genetic exchange.
25. Provide details on ages of the
following:
a. sexual maturity;
b. life expectancy;
c.
natural mortality.
Unknown
Unknown, but likely to have one to three generations per
year, as per other plant-lice species.
Unknown
26. Reproduction
For plants: When does the species
flower and set fruit? What
conditions are needed for this?
What is the pollinating mechanism?
If the species is capable of
vegetative reproduction, a
description of how this occurs, the
conditions needed and when. Does
the species require a disturbance
regime (e.g. fire, cleared ground) in
order to reproduce?
For animals: provide overview of
breeding system and of breeding
success, including: when does it
breed; what conditions are needed
for breeding; are there any
breeding behaviours that may make
it vulnerable to a threatening
process?
27. What is the population trend
for the entire species?
a.
What data are there to indicate
past decline in size (if
available, include data on rate
of decline over past 10 years or
3 generations whichever is
longer)?
b. What data are there to indicate
future changes in size (if
available, include data which
will indicate the percentage of
decline over 10 years or 3
generations whichever in longer
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NA
This species was discovered in October-November.
Nymphs were also collected at the time. As many
individuals were found, it suggests that breeding occurs
during spring. Breeding conditions are unknown, although
A. veski would need access to the host plant, A. veronica,
for egg-laying and the successful rearing of nymphs
through to adulthood.
No past data is available for Acizzia veski. However, its
host plant Acacia veronica is listed statewide for ‘Priority 3’
conservation because of its restricted distribution, and
vulnerability to key threatening processes including climate
change (Barrett et al. 2008), inappropriate fire regime and
habitat clearing.
No data is available for Acizzia veski. However, its host
plant Acacia veronica is vulnerable to the threatening
processes of climate change (Barrett et al. 2008),
inappropriate fire regime and habitat clearing. Given that
only a single population of Acizzia veski is currently known,
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(up to a maximum of 100 years
in the future) where the time
period is a continuous period
that may include a component
of the past)?
28. Does the species undergo
extreme natural fluctuations in
population numbers, extent of
occurrence or area of occupancy?
To what extent and why?
Extreme fluctuations can be said to occur
in a number of taxa when population size or
distribution area varies widely, rapidly and
frequently, typically with a variation greater
than one order of magnitude (i.e. a tenfold
increase or decrease).
29. What is the generation
length and how it is calculated?
Generation length is the average age of
parents of the current cohort (i.e. newborn
individuals in the population). Generation
length therefore reflects the turnover rate of
breeding individuals in a population.
Generation length is greater than the age at
first breeding and less than the age of the
oldest breeding individual, except in taxa
that breed only once. Where generation
length varies under threat, the more natural,
i.e. pre-disturbance, generation length
should be used.
30. Identify important
populations necessary for the
species’ long-term survival and
recovery? This may include: key
it is extremely vulnerable to extinction if its host plant
population was further threatened.
As with other species of plant-lice, A. veski would have
extreme natural fluctuations in population size throughout
one year, and over many years, because of its short lifecycle and dependence on the quality and presence of its
host plant, A. veronica.
Generation length is unknown, but is likely to be less than
12 months. Most other plant-lice species have three
discrete generations per year in temperate Australia,
maturing in spring (September-October), summer
(December-January) and late summer/autumn (MarchMay), respectively.
The only, and therefore critical, population known is at Mt
Talyuberlup in the Stirling Range on the host plant Acacia
veronica.
breeding populations, those near the
edge of the species’ range or those
needed to maintain genetic diversity.
31. Describe any cross-breeding
None known.
with other species in the wild,
indicating how frequently and where
this occurs.
Populations In Reserve
33. Which populations are in
reserve systems? Which of these
are actively managed for this
species? Give details.
The only known population occurs within the Stirling Range
National Park. It is not actively managed for A. veski.
Habitat
34. Describe the species’ habitat
(e.g. aspect, topography, substrate,
climate, forest type, associated
species, sympatric species). If the
species uses different habitats for
different activities (e.g. breeding,
feeding, roosting, dispersing,
basking), then describe each
habitat.
35. Does the species use refuge
habitat, e.g. in times of fire,
drought or flood? Describe this
habitat.
36. Is the extent or quality of the
species’ habitat in decline? If the
species uses different habitats,
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Acizzia veski relies on its host species, Acacia veronica, for
its survival. Acacia veronica is a small, often spindly, tree
(1.5–7 m) restricted mainly to watercourses in the Stirling
Ranges of Western Australia, with smaller individuals
growing at higher altitudes, and is often associated with
marri (Corymbia calophylla) woodlands.
Not known, but unlikely as it relies on the host plant (A.
veronica) for survival.
As noted in Taylor & Moir (2009), I searched for known
populations of A. veronica to collect insects, which resulted
in five populations of the plant rediscovered, four
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specify which of these are in
decline.
37. Is the species part of, or does
it rely on, a listed threatened
ecological community? Is it
associated with any other listed
threatened species?
previously recorded populations found to be extinct, and a
newly discovered population located. However, of the six
populations of A. veronica sampled, only one yielded A.
veski, suggesting that although the host has a low ‘priority
3’ conservation status, the psyllid is critically endangered
(Taylor & Moir 2009).
Yes, A. veski relies upon its host plant for its survival, and
the plant, A. veronica, is listed by the State Government
for ‘Priority 3’ conservation because of its restricted
distribution, and vulnerability to threatening processes
such as climate change (Barrett et al. 2008), inappropriate
fire regime and habitat clearing.
Feeding
38. Summarize the species’ food
items or sources and
timing/seasonality.
39. Briefly describe the species’
feeding behaviours, including
those that may make the species
vulnerable to a threatening process.
Acizzia veski feed on the phloem of the host plant, Acacia
veronica. Most species of plant-lice have three discrete
generations per year in temperate Australia. Adults are
likely to occur in spring (September-October), summer
(December-January) and late summer/autumn (MarchMay), respectively. Eggs and nymphs are likely to occur at
most other times of the year.
Plant-lice feed from the phloem of their host plants (see
Moir & Brennan 2007). As A. veski appears to be hostspecific to a threatened plant species, A. veronica, it is
vulnerable to all threatening processes which affect the
plant (see Taylor & Moir 2009).
Movement Patterns (fauna species only)
40. Describe any relevant daily
and seasonal pattern of
movement for the species, or
other irregular patterns of
movement, including relevant
arrival/departure dates if migratory.
41. Give details of the species’
home ranges/territories.
Like most Psyllidae, eggs of A. veski would be attached to
the host plant, and nymphs would remain on its host
throughout development. Adults of A. veski may disperse
short distances to adjacent host plants but are unlikely to
move far from the host plant patch at Mt Talyuberlup.
The only population known is at Mt Talyuberlup in the
Stirling Range on the host plant Acacia veronica.
Survey Guidelines
42. Give details of the
distinctiveness and detectability
of the species.
43. Describe methods for
detecting species including when
to conduct surveys (e.g. season,
time of day, weather conditions);
length, intensity and pattern of
search effort; and limitations and
expert acceptance; recommended
methods; survey-effort guide.
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Acizzia veski is easily detected by sampling A. veronica
plants with typical entomological collecting techniques
(such as vacuuming, beating, sweep nets, etc). Because of
their small size, they would be difficult to detect on the
plants for collection by hand. Also because of their size,
only trained personnel would be able to distinguish A. veski
from other Acizzia species by their colour pattern and wing
markings. However, identification needs to be confirmed by
trained taxonomists.
Collecting plant-lice, including A. veski, is easiest during
calm, dry days. Individuals of A. veski have been collected
during October-November, although it is not known if the
species is more abundant during other months (further
sampling is required to determine population dynamics).
When sampling for A. veski, the host plant A. veronica
should be targeted. Because the host plant is itself listed
for conservation, I recommend not sampling by destructive
methods. In October-November 2007, 30 individuals of A.
veronica were sampled (15 by beating, 15 by vacuuming)
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and 101 Acizzia veski specimens were recovered (Taylor &
Moir 2009; Moir unpublished data). Plant-lice could
aggregate only on a couple of plants within the population,
therefore it would be suggested sampling similar numbers
of plants (i.e. 30) to determine whether or not A. veski is
present.
Section 2 - Threats and Threat Abatement
Threats
44. Identify past, current and
future threats, to the species
indicating whether they are actual
or potential. For each threat,
describe:
a.
b.
c.
d.
how and where it impacts on
this species;
what its effect has been so far
(indicate whether it is known or
suspected; present supporting
information/research; does it
only affect certain populations);
what is its expected effect in
the future (is there supporting
research/information; is the
threat only suspected; does it
only affect certain populations);
what is the relative
importance or magnitude of
the threat to the species.
45. If not included above, identify
catastrophic threats, i.e. threats
with a low predictability that are
likely to severely affect the species.
Identify the threat, explain its likely
impact and indicate the likelihood of
it occurring (e.g. a drought/cyclone
in the area every 100 years).
46. Identify and explain any
additional biological
characteristics particular to the
species that are threatening to its
survival (e.g. low genetic diversity)?
47. Identify and explain any
quantitative measures or
models that address the probability
of the species’ extinction in the wild
over a particular timeframe.
48. Is there other information
that relates to the survival of this
species that you would like to
address?
The main threat to A. veski is the loss of its host plant A.
veronica. Therefore, threats to A. veronica populations,
such as inappropriate fire regime, climate change and
habitat clearing (i.e. through widening of roads, trampling
by visitors) indirectly threaten A. veski.
All impacts of threats are located at Mt Talyuberlup as this is the
only known population of A. veski.
Unknown for all threats.
The removal of above ground parts of the plant A. veronica at Mt
Talyuberlup (e.g., through fire, habitat clearing or climate change)
will most likely cause the extinction of A. veski. However, given how
recently this species was discovered, no documentation or research
is present to support this.
Fire, habitat clearing and climate change are highly important
because all could remove the above ground parts of the host plant
A. veronica at Mt Talyuberlup, which would most likely cause the
extinction of A. veski.
Any event which removes the population of the host plant,
A. veronica, from Mt Talyuberlup will have dire
consequences for the A. veski populations. These threats
could include severe drought, invasion by weed species
and translocation of plants for ex situ conservation.
The high specificity to its host plant is the most important
characteristic of A. veski which will determine its future
extinction (see Moir et al. 2010 for a review of coextinction).
No population models currently exist for A. veski.
The lack of biological information on the species (such as
its population dynamics) inhibits active management of A.
veski, therefore I advocate further research on the species.
Threat Abatement and Recovery
49. Give an overview of how
broad-scale threats are being
abated/could be abated and other
recovery actions underway/
proposed. Identify who is
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No management or recovery actions currently exist for A.
veski. However, the management of the threatened host
plant, A. veronica at Mt Talyuberlup by the Western
Australian Department of Environment and Conservation
will directly impact the survival of A. veski.
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undertaking these activities and
how successful the activities have
been to date.
50. For species nominated as
extinct in the wild, provide details
of the locations in which the
species occurs in captivity and
the level of human intervention
required to sustain the species.
NA
Mitigation Approach
51. Describe any mitigation
No management currently exists for A. veski.
measures or approaches that
have been developed specifically for
the species at identified locations.
Identify who is undertaking these
activities and how successful the
activities have been to date.
Major Studies
53. Identify major studies on the
species that might relate to its
taxonomy or management.
The project “co-extinction of insects” first discovered A.
veski in October 2007. This project funded the subsequent
identification and taxonomic description of the species (i.e.
Taylor & Moir 2009).
Management Documentation
54. Identify key management
No management documentation exists.
documentation available for the
species, e.g. recovery plans,
conservation plans, threat
abatement plans.
55. Departmental use only:
Section 3 – References and Reviewers
Notes:
 The opinion of appropriate scientific experts may be cited (with their approval) in support of a
nomination. If this is done the names of the experts, their qualifications and full contact details
must also be provided in the reference list below.
 Please provide copies of key documentation/references used in the nomination
56. Reference list





Barrett, S., Shearer, B.L., Crane, C.E. & Cochrane, A. (2008) An extinction-risk
assessment tool for flora threatened by Phytophthora cinnamomi. Australian Journal of
Botany, 56, 477–486.
Maslin, B.R. (1989) Acacia veronica Maslin (Leguminosae: Mimosoideae), a new
species of Acacia endemic in the Stirling Range, Western Australia. Nuytsia, 7, 43–46.
Moir M.L. & Brennan K.E.C. (2007) Using bugs (Hemiptera) as ecological and
environmental indicators in forest ecosystems. In Columbus, F. (ed.) New
Developments in Forest Ecology, Nova Science Publishers, New York.
Moir M.L., Vesk P.A., Brennan K.E.C., Hughes L., Keith D.A., & McCarthy M.A. (2010)
Current constraints and future directions in estimating co-extinction. Conservation
Biology, online early.
Stone, C. (1996) The role of psyllid (Hemiptera: Psyllidae) and bell miners (Manorina
melanophrys) in canopy dieback of Sydney blue gum (Eucalyptus saligna Sm).
Australian Journal of Ecology, 21, 450-458.
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
Taylor G.S. & Moir M.L. (2009) In threat of co-extinction: two new species of Acizzia
Heslop-Harrison (Hemiptera: Psyllidae) from vulnerable species of Acacia and
Pultenaea. Zootaxa, 2249, 20-32.
57. Has this document been reviewed and/or have relevant experts been consulted? If so, indicate by
whom (including current professional position).
Dr Gary Taylor
Research Associate
Earth & Environmental Sciences
The University of Adelaide
Ph : +61 8 8303 8347
e-mail: Gary.Taylor@adelaide.edu.au
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