Publications
Wildlife Australia, April 1997
ISBN 0 6422 1400 X
1. Family Leptodactylidae
2. Scientific Name Mixophyes iteratus
3. English Name Southern Barred Frog, Giant Barred Frog, Giant Barred River Frog
4. Intraspecific taxa
None.
5. Species survival status
Endangered. There are several reports of declines and localised disappearances, (Ingram and McDonald 1993, Corben 1991, Mahony 1993). Given its relatively limited geographic range the declines threaten the survival of the species.
6. Former distribution
The eastern seaboard extending from the Conondale Range in the extreme south east of Queensland to Narooma on the south coast of NSW (Covacevich and McDonald 1993).
7. Current distribution
The range of M. iteratus has contracted from its southern and northern limits. In addition it is found in only very small populations in south east Qld and northern NSW, where it was once quite widespread. The current stronghold of the species is now the Dorrigo plateau, the ranges west of Coffs Harbour and the Washpool National Park (Mahony 1996).
8. Habitat
Beside shallow, rocky rainforest streams and adjacent to slow-moving rivers in lowland open forest (Corben 1991).
9. Reasons for decline
Unknown. There is no evidence of habitat change.
10. Conservation reserves on which species occurs
Qld: Conondale, Main Range, Bunya Mountains, and Springbrook National Parks; NSW: Gibraltar Range, Guy Fawkes River, Nightcap, and Washpool National Parks.
11. Other public lands on which species occurs
Qld: Kenilworth, Spicer's Gap, and Ingelbar State Forests. NSW: Wild Cattle Creek, Kangaroo River, Orara West, and Orara East State Forests.
12. Other land on which species occurs
None known.
13. Is knowledge about species adequate for objectives and actions to be defined accurately?
No. While recent research has improved knowledge of the species the environmental factors which limit its distribution and abundance remain unclear.
14. Recovery Plan objectives
14.1. To determine the factors limiting the distribution and abundance of the species and the cause of decline.
14.2. To make recommendations for habitat management designed to ensure the survival of the species and populations of the species.
14.3. To obtain sufficient biological and ecological information to monitor conservation status and to enable formulation of appropriate management strategies.
14.4. To maintain populations in all areas of forest where they currently occur.
15.Management actions completed or under way
A 3 year research program on the genus Mixophyes, including M. iteratus, has recently been completed by the University of Newcastle (M. Mahony). This research, funded by the Endangered Species Program of Environment Australia, and the NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service, consisted of the following actions:
15.1. Field survey to determine distribution and abundance.
15.2. Review of distribution using complete literature search and museum specimens.
15.3. Vegetation and water quality analysis of known sites to be used to model its distribution.
15.4. Ecological studies of selected populations, particularly to investigate reproductive success and recruitment.
15.5. Laboratory studies of tadpole growth and development to assist understanding of environmental requirements of larval stages.
15.6. Studies of genetic variation within and between populations.
15.7. On the basis of the above research a draft recovery plan is being prepared for this species, in conjunction with M. balbus and M. fleayi, as part of a recovery program for the threatened frogs of Qld and northern NSW (Coordinator: K.R. McDonald, Qld Department of Environment).
15.8. A draft Species Management Profile has been prepared by the Qld Department of Natural Resources to provide forestry field staff with information about the species and advise on any current management requirements.
15.9. State Forests of NSW are targeting this species in their northern NSW monitoring program. Species profiles and draft species management prescriptions have been jointly prepared by State Forests of NSW and NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service for protection of this species within production forest.
16. Management actions required
16.1. Population monitoring.
16.2. Ecological research including specific habitat requirements, movement patterns, predation, population dynamics, diet, reproductive biology and larval ecology.
16.3. Research into possible causes of decline (disease, ultra-violet radiation, pollutants).
16.4. Investigation of captive breeding potential.
16.5. Training for forest land managers to ensure mitigation of activities carried out in the habitat of the species.
17. Organisations responsible for conservation of species
Qld Department of Environment, NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service.
18. Other organisations involved
Qld Department of Natural Resources, University of Newcastle (M. Mahony), Frog and Tadpole Study Group of NSW Inc., State Forests of NSW.
19. Can recovery plan be carried out with existing resources?
No.
A recovery plan is currently in preparation for M. balbus, M. fleayi and M. iteratus as part of the recovery program for threatened frogs of Qld and NSW. Actions which may be addressed in the plan include monitoring, ecological research, research into causes of decline, captive breeding and habitat management. It is estimated that the cost of implementation would be $80K per annum for 5 years (for 3 species).
Total (average cost per species) $133K
References:
Corben, C.J. 1991. Comments on frog decline in south east Queensland. In Report of a workshop on declining frog populations in Queensland. Unpublished report, Queensland National Parks and Wildlife Service, Brisbane.
Covacevich, J.A. and McDonald, K.R. 1993. Distribution and conservation of frogs and reptiles of Queensland rainforests. Memoirs of the Queensland Museum 34(1): 189-199.
Ingram, G.J. and McDonald, K.R. 1993. An update on the decline of Queensland's frogs. pp 297-303 in Herpetology in Australia. A diverse discipline. Eds D. Lunney and D. Ayers, Royal Zoological Society of New South Wales, Mosman.
Mahony, M.J. 1993. The status of frogs in the Watagan Mountains area of the Central Coast of New South Wales. pp. 257-264 in Herpetology in Australia. A diverse discipline. Eds D. Lunney and D. Ayers, Royal Zoological Society of New South Wales, Mosman.
Mahony, M. 1996. Draft final report: Great Barred River Frogs Research Plan. Unpublished report to the Australian Nature Conservation Agency, Canberra, and the New South Wales National Parks and Wildlife Service, Hurstville.
Herpetological authorities consulted:
C.J. Corben, L.C. Llewellyn, K.R. McDonald.