Nurus atlas (a beetle) - endangered species listing

The Scientific Committee, established by the Threatened Species Conservation Act, has made a Final Determination to list the beetle Nurus atlas Castelnau, 1867 as an ENDANGERED SPECIES on Part 1 of Schedule 1 of the Act. Listing of endangered species is provided for by Part 2 of the Act.

Note:  This determination has been superseded by the 2023 final determination for Atlas Rainforest Ground-beetle Nurus atlas (Castelnau, 1867).

NSW Scientific Committee – final determination

The Scientific Committee has found that:

1. Nurus atlas is a large, black, flightless, heavily built, predacious ground beetle from the family Carabidae.

2. Nurus atlas appears to have been confined to heavily timbered areas east of the Great Dividing Range on the north coast of NSW (including the "Big Scrub"). Prior to the clearing of the "Big Scrub" rainforest, Nurus atlas is thought to have had an extensive distribution in this region. There are many collection records of Nurus atlas from the 19th and early 20th centuries (B. P. Moore pers. comm.).

3. Nurus atlas had not been collected for many years and was thought to be extinct until 1973 when it was re-discovered by G. Monteith in Victoria Park, near Lismore. The only other known locations are near Lismore and Alstonville (G. Monteith pers. comm.).

4. The survival of this species is threatened by an extremely restricted distribution, clearing of rainforest remnants, removal of fallen timber and ground cover and collecting activities.

5. In view of 1, 2, 3 and 4 above, the Scientific Committee is of the opinion that the numbers of Nurus atlas have been reduced to such a critical level and its habitats have been so drastically reduced, that it is in immediate danger of extinction.

Proposed Gazettal date: 16/03/01
Exhibition period: 16/03/01 - 20/04/01