High-altitude stream faunas in the Mt Pelion East- Mt Doris area of Tasmania

Abstract

A survey was carried out of the aquatic fauna of the headwaters of two high-altitude 0170-1355 m) streams draining Mt Doris and two streams draining Mt Pelion East in Tasmania. Although the fauna above the treeline appeared to be characterised primarily by the loss of downstream. fama, three Trichoptera (Notoperata maculata, an unidentified genus from the Kokiriidae, and Plectrotarsus sp.) and one crustacean (NeOiliphargus sp.) may [orm part of a specialised high-altitude fauna. The amphipod Neoniphargus sp. was collected from above the treeline only, whereas the other amphipod recorded, Antipodeus sp., was found at or below the treeline only. Cluster analyses enabled tlve habitat and three species groupings to be recognised. Since the habitat groupings were generally well detlned by their physico-chemical characteristics al well as by the faunal groups, it is concluded that they reflect a genuine series of identitlable high-altitude stream habitats.