Publications
Wildlife Australia, April 1997
ISBN 0 6422 1400 X
1. Family Hylidae
2. Scientific Name Litoria castanea (L. flavipunctata)
3. English Name Yellow-Spotted Tree Frog
4. Intraspecific taxa
None recognised, but it is conceivable that an allopatric population in the ACT and adjacent NSW may merit sub-specific recognition.
5. Species survival status
Endangered. The species has not been the subject of detailed study since its description in 1975. Observation on the New England Tableland of NSW suggests that the population there has diminished significantly, because it has not been located there for several years despite extensive searches. Because of its close relationship to the allopatric south eastern species L. aurea and
L. raniformis (each of which has declined significantly), the future of this species is regarded with concern.
6. Former distribution
Confined to the Great Dividing Range, concentrated upon the New England Tableland. A further population in the ACT and the adjacent portion of NSW almost certainly represented this species (but note there have been no studies to determine the genetic similarity of the isolates).
7. Current distribution
The ACT and Southern Tablelands population has disappeared entirely. Despite intensive survey the New England Tableland population has not been detected in the last ten years.
8. Habitat
Associated with marshes, ponds, small lakes etc., principally around permanent waters.
9. Reasons for decline
Unknown. No significant physical change has been observed in the environment but it may be significant that this and closely related species bask in the sun.
10. Conservation reserves on which species occurs
None known.
11. Other public lands on which species occurs
None known.
12. Other land on which species occurs
Extensive areas of grassland used for grazing.
13. Is knowledge about species adequate for objectives and actions to be defined accurately?
No. Even the most fundamental biological information has not been published.
14. Recovery Plan objectives:
14.1. Determine the geographic range and status of the species.
14.2. Determine the identity of the isolated population which until recently existed in the ACT and the adjacent portion of NSW (this is or was an allopatric population of L. castanea, or an undescribed species or sub-species).
15. Management actions completed or under way
The following actions have been completed as part of a project funded by the Endangered Species Program of Environment Australia and the NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service:
15.1. Search for New England Tableland population.
15.2. Production of a brochure and transportable display to assist the public (in particular landholders and amateur naturalists) in identifying L. castanea. Subsequent community information program.
16. Management actions required
16.1. Continue survey effort for the species in northern NSW.
16.2. Complete surveys undertaken in the southern tablelands.
16.3. Visit each of the localities from which the type series was taken, and supplement this using any records of additional sites derived from databases of State museum and other comparable collections, to determine the distribution of the species.
16.4. Compare the advertisement calls that have been obtained to determine the identity of the isolated population which until recently existed in the ACT and the adjacent portion of NSW.
17. Organisations responsible for conservation of species
NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service, ACT Parks and Conservation Service.
18. Other organisations involved
Frog and Tadpole Study Group of NSW Inc, University of Newcastle, University of Canberra.
19. Can recovery plan be carried out with existing resources?
No.
Costs: Extraction of museum data and physical verification of specimen $4K. Field surveys at each locality = salaries (2 people) $20K, allowances $3K, field travel $12K. Materials etc for comparison of calls $0.5K.
Total $39.5K
Herpetological authorities consulted
M.J. Mahony, W.S. Osborne