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Rare frogs in our region among the world’s most endangered Three species of very rare frogs in the Burnett Mary region are now on the list
of the world’s most endangered amphibians.
Last month, the Zoological Society of London released a list of the 100 most endangered species of amphibians which it says are threatened by extinction. Biodiversity Conservation Regional Coordinator Rachel Lyons said that she was sad to see that the region continues to be over represented with threatened species.
“I hope that the Zoological Society’s list will get people interested in protecting the habitat of these species,” she said. “Frogs are highly sensitive to pollution and climate change, but because they are not cute and cuddly, they attract little or no conservation attention.” The three species from the Burnett Mary region on the list are: Number 19 - the Kroombit Tinkerfrog which occurs only at Kroombit Tops in 200ha of habitat Number 31 - Fleays Barred Frog which occurs in the Conondales (upper Mary catchment) down to NSW Number 32 - Giant Barred Frog which occurs in the middle and upper Mary catchment and down to mid-eastern NSW, popping up in some unusual places Ms Lyons said that the key to saving theses species was protecting their habitat for the future and getting local people interested in education about the species. “Hopefully this will ensure that they can keep on surviving for millions of years to come." Fleay's Barred Frog (Mixophyes fleayi) is declining in its range. Threats to this species may include habitat degradation by feral animals, domestic stock and weeds, as well as upstream vegetation clearance, timber harvesting and urban development affecting flow regimes and water quality. The virulent fungal disease chytridiomycosis been identified as the cause of illness and death of this species in some areas. Giant Barred Frog (Mixophyes iteratus),at a length of up to 120 mm, is Australia's largest species of frog. It occurs in both uplands and lowlands in rainforest, as well as farmland, and is found in many protected areas, but is still declining across its range. Threats to this species may include the destruction and degradation of its stream habitat through the impact of invasive species such as weeds and feral animals, timber harvesting and urban development. The Kroombit tinker frog (Taudactylus pleione), is confined to a very small area, consisting of nine fragmented rainforest patches over 500 metres altitude, with a total area of approximately 200 hectares, at Kroombit Tops, southwest of Gladstone, Queensland, Australia. Within the rainforest patches populations are associated with drainage lines and seepage areas. It is thought that all existing populations in this region are known.
Fleay's Barred Frog - number 31 on the list |
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