families produce colourful displays. Within this Conservation Area, 37 orchid species exist. The area is known for its orchid diversity, with one of the highest densities of orchid species anywhere in Tasmania. Of the vast number of orchid species inhabiting the Peter Murrell Conservation Area, five endemic orchid species exist, including the trim leek-orchid (Prasophyllum continuum) and the dark-finger-orchid (Caladenia atrata). In recent years it appears that the orchid diversity and abundance has been declining. A potential explanation for these declines are infrequent burning events, absence of rain following prescribed burns, and firebreak slashing during key flowering periods, October to early December. Two threatened plant species inhabit the Peter Murrell Conservation Area, the twisting rapier sedge (Lepidosperma tortuosum) and the gentle rush (Juncus amabilis). Both of these species are listed as rare at the Tasmanian state level. Fauna Mammals In 2010, it was reported that 13 mammal species inhabited the Peter Murrell Conservation Area. Other reports list 24 mammal species living in the area, 19 of which are native to Tasmania, while the remaining 5 are introduced species. Some of the 24 species reported have not been seen in the Conservation Area for a number of years. For example, platypuses (Ornithorhynchus anatinus) were once regularly seen in Heron Pond but have now not been seen since 2010. Other native mammals listed as inhabiting the Peter Murrell Conservation Area include: the short-beaked echidna (Tachyglossus aculeatus), eastern quoll (Dasyurus viverrinus), southern brown bandicoot (Isoodon obesulus), eastern barred bandicoot (Perameles gunnii), common ringtail possum (Pseudocheirus peregrinus), sugar glider (Petaurus breviceps), common brushtail possum (Trichosurus vulpecular), long-nosed potoroo (Potorous tridactylus), Tasmanian bettong (Bettongia gaimardi), Tasmanian pademelon (Thylogale billardierii), Bennett's wallaby (Macropus rufogriseus), Gould's wattled bat (Chalinolobus gouldii), chocolate wattled bat (Chalinolobus morio), lesser long-eared bat (Nyctophilus geoffroyi), southern forest bat (Vespadelus regulus), little forest bat (Vespadelus vulturnus), water rat (Hydromys chrysogaster) and swamp rat (Rattus lutreolus). Five introduced mammals have been identified as inhabiting the area, including: the cat (Felis catus), house mouse (Mus musculus), brown rat (Rattus norvegicus), black rat (Rattus rattus) and European rabbit (Oryctolagus cuniculus). Of all the mammal species inhabiting the Peter Murrell Conservation Area, one is listed as vulnerable under the commonwealth's Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999, the eastern barred bandicoot (Perameles gunnii). This is a small terrestrial marsupial, found in south-eastern Australia. The species has a high fecundity, with up to five litters per year, an