Matter
EPBC Act status
NC Act status
Likelihood of occurrence
Berty pedicellata
NL
NT
Potential to occur
Grevillea hockingsii
NL
V
Confirmed present
Short-beaked echidna Tachyglossus aculeatus
NL
SL
Confirmed present
Note: E – Endangered, V – Vulnerable, Mig – Migratory, NT – Near threatened, SL – Special least concern, NL – Not Listed
3.5.1 MNES
3.5.1.1
Cycas megacarpa – confirmed present
Species description
Cycas megacarpa is a small to medium sized cycad with an erect trunk (~3 m tall and ~15 cm wide) (DETSI 2025; DCCEEW 2025). The leaves are 70–110 cm long and with 120-170 leaflets. Mature leaves are shallowly keeled when viewed in cross section. The female cones of this species are ~15 cm wide and hairy and the male cones ovoid (egg-shaped), 18 cm long, 7 cm in diameter and coloured yellow to orange-brown (DETSI 2025; DCCEEW 2025). Cycas megacarpa is morphologically similar to Cycas ophiolitica but can be differentiated by its green new growth and larger seeds . C. megacarpa may be distinguished from other cycad species in Australia by its large glaucous seeds, its keeled green leaves and its moderately broad leaflets (DETSI 2025; DCCEEW 2025).
Species ecology
Cycas megacarpa occurs in areas that are subjected to periodic fires of varying intensities. Adult plants are considered relatively resistant to most fires, with foliage destruction and stem scaring the most frequent outcomes of fire. Fire is considered more likely to kill small seedlings or seed that is either on the plant or dispersed locally (DETSI 2025). Fruiting cone production has been noted from May to February, with seeds becoming ripe from March onwards. The seeds are not ready to germinate for at least nine months due to a delayed fertilisation technique that is unique to cycads (DETSI 2025; DCCEEW 2025). There is no information available on the dispersal or recruitment of this species. Male cones shed pollen and female megasporophylls are receptive in November. Pollination is instigated by small beetles in an obligate mutualism (DETSI 2025).
Species distribution and habitat
Cycas megacarpa is endemic to south-east Queensland. The AVH has 200 records of C. megacarpa which range from as far south as Goomeri (60 km west of Gympie) to west of Rockhampton(AVH, 2025). This distribution aligns with Queensland Government’s potential habitat model for C. megacarpa (Queensland Government, 2025) and the distribution mapped under the SPRAT database (DoE, 2025). Cycas megacarpa occurs in woodland, open woodland and forests with a grassy understorey and rocky substrates to clay/loam soils (DoE, 2025), with some observations of the species growing along rainforest margins (DEWHA, 2008). Typical habitat for the species is dominated by Blakella citriodora , Corymbia erythrophloia , Eucalyptus melanophloia and Lophostemon confertus (DoE, 2025) . However, the species has been recorded in a range of habitats and REs not with previously mentioned species included (DoE, 2025).
Population survey
A population survey was conducted for Cycas megacarpa . The survey involved transversing all areas within which C. megacarpa was confirmed. In total 105 individuals of C. megacarpa were confirmed during field surveys. Individuals ranged in height from 0.3-5.5 m tall, with multiple individuals noted with fruit. Health varied across the population. Some individuals presented healthy foliage and new growth, while others presented signs of chlorosis (yellowing) and/or insect herbivory. Multiple dead trunks believed to be C. megacarpa were noted amongst live individuals. Dead trunks were noted at a higher frequency than juvenile individuals.
GHD | Heritage Minerals Pty Ltd | 12626510 | Heritage Minerals Mount Morgan
42
Powered by FlippingBook