1384.6 - Statistics - Tasmania, 2006  
ARCHIVED ISSUE Released at 11:30 AM (CANBERRA TIME) 13/09/2002   
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Contents >> Environment >> Fauna

The vertebrate animals of Tasmania (mammal, birds, reptiles, frogs and fish), are of great national and international interest and an important component of Tasmania's natural heritage. Tasmania serves as a refuge for many species which, especially over the past 200 years, have become increasingly rare or extinct across the rest of the continent, such as the bettong, eastern quoll and pademelon.

FAUNA, Tasmania

Biological
classification
Common name
(example)
Estimated no. of
described species
Possible total
no. of species(a)

Annelidaearthworms, leeches
90
150
Chelicerataspiders, scorpions, ticks, mites
298
2,000
Chordata
- Amphibiafrogs
11
11
- Avesbirds
331
331
- Mammaliamammals
86
86
- Piscesfish
600
700
- Reptilializards, snakes
27
27
Cnidariajellyfish, anemones, hydra
96
150
Crustaceacrabs, shrimps, amphipods
484
550
Echinodermatastarfish, sea urchins
125
150
Entognathous Hexapodasmall insect-like animals
92
400
Molluscashellfish, snails, squid
1,400
1,500
Myriapodacentipedes, millipedes
46
170
Nematodaroundworms
120
12,000
Nematomorphahair worms
2
2
Onycophoravelvet worms
9
15
Platyhelminthesflat worms
81
14,000
Poriferasponges
440
1,000
Rotiferarotifers (freshwater microfauna)
133
1,000
Uniramiainsects
7,641
14,500

(a) Estimating the possible total number of species is difficult, and in most cases should only be considered speculative.

Source: State of the Environment Tasmania, Volume 1, 1996.

The Threatened Tasmanian Animals Species List can be found on the Department of Primary Industries, Water and Environment web site at http://www.dpiwe.tas.gov.au/inter.nsf/WebPages/SJON-58E2VD?open



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