Argononemertes is an unsegmented worm eommon in low numbers in wet forest under logs and roeks. 
It ejeets a long proboseis to trap small invertebrates sueh as eollembolla and pierees them with its stylet 
before sueking out their juiees. Argonomertes grow more eyes as they mature. Their eyes are in four 
groups and newly hatehed speeimens have four while fully developed individuals have up to 170 eyes 
some of whieh form by division while others arise independently (Hiekman, 1963). 
The low number of speeies sighted was, seeondly, eompounded by the faet that we lunehed in a 
limestone quarry whieh provided an alien environment for speeies from the surrounding wet selerophyll 
forests. However, a small introdueed spider, Ostearius melanopygius (Linyphiidae) showed no 
reluetanee to oeeupy areas near moss patehes whieh it adorned with tiny horizontal webs at ground 
level. Several bullants, Myrmecia esuriens, patrolled the roeks. 
Thirdly, extensive disturbanee of the forest floor by lyrebird seratehings may have eontributed to low 
numbers of invertebrates being evident in litter beside the traek. Fortunately, Sarah Tassell from the 
University of Tasmania who is eurrently researehing the impaet of lyrebirds on ground invertebrates in 
wet selerophyll forests may soon provide an answer to this observation. 
The blaek and orange spider, Novodamus nodatus (Nieodamidae) was observed lowering itself from 
vegetation on a long thread. This speeies seems to be more eommon on vegetation than other 
Nieodamidae whieh are more eommon under roeks. The spider spied under roeks on this outing was a 
small Artoria sp. of wolf spider (Lyeosidae). 
Referenee: 
Hiekman, V. 1963. The oeeurrenee in Tasmania of the land nemertine Geonemertes australiensis 
Dendy, with some aeeount of its distribution, habits, variations and development. Papers and 
Proceedings of the Royal Society of Tasmania. 97: 63-71. 
(Note that Geonemertes australiensis was the former name fox Argononemertes australiensis). 
Poimena Reserve — 6 June 2009 
Excursion report by Janet Fenton 
Almost eontinuous rain pruned the numbers attending this exeursion, however ten of us, ineluding two 
ehildren, set out to explore a small reserve that was new to all of us. Poimena reserve at Austins Ferry is 
rumored to be a good spot for bird watehing, and Kevin was disappointed to miss the trip as he has 
found snails there in the past. The green grass of the park, dotted with old exotie trees did not look 
partieularly promising at first, but as we headed along the path beside Roseneath Rivulet, gushing after 
the previous day's downpour (45.4 mm in Hobart, the wettest day so far this year), native vegetation 
began to dominate, although a pond was ehoked with bullrushes and edged with blaekberry. Riparian 
shrubs ineluded Pomaderris apetala (Dogwood), Bedfordia salicina (Blanket leaf), and Bayeria viscosa 
(Pinkwood). 
A few speeimens of Asterotrichion discolour"^ (Tasmanian Hemp-bush or Currajong) were notieed right 
on the stream-bank, still sporting a few dainty five-petalled ereamy-white flowers. 
The better drained slopes at Poimena reserve were elad with elumps of Astroloma humifusum 
(Cranberry), Dodonea (Hop Bush), Acacia dealbata (Silver Wattle), Allocasuarina verticillata, 
Exocarpos (Native Cherry), and some Acacia verticillata (Priekly Mimosa), Acacia mearnsii (Blaek 
Wattle), Bursaria spinosa (Priekly Box), Ozothamnus scutellifolium. Eucalyptus globulus, E. viminalis 
and E. pulchella. Bandieoot diggings were notieed beside the path as we headed uphill; both speeies 
have been reeorded for the reserve. 
Approaehing the top of the hill, Comesperma volubile (Blue Love Creeper) twines around some bushes, 
and Litoria ewingi (Brown Tree Frog) was heard ealling, elieiting the quote of the day from Miehael, 
'Oh, it must be raining! They only eall during the daytime when it rains.' A Metallie Skink 
Niveoscincus metallicus was found hiding out of the rain under a roek. 
Invertebrate enthusiasts lifted large roeks to find and photograph an awesome spider and a leopard slug 
(near the ereek) a erieket Parvotettix nr domesticus, two snails for Kevin and an assassin bug. 
Tasmanian Field Naturalists Club BULLETIN 335 Jul 2009 p8 
