Water for the environment: wetlands

	Wetlands Facts about Wetlands Wetland Plants and Animals Frogs   Search:  [ HOME ] [ CONTACT ] -->		The Frogs of NSW Wetlands Introduction Threatened Species Some examples of the frogs that may be found in NSW      wetlands References and Further Reading   Introduction Frogs are cold-blooded vertebrates. They are only able to live in freshwater habitats due to the permeable nature of their skin, which allows water to pass both in and out. They have a life cycle that typically begins with eggs or spawn that are deposited into the water and after hatching develop into tadpoles. Tadpoles are completely aquatic and must remain in the water until after metamorphosis. Metamorphosis involves the transformation from an aquatic, legless gill-breathing vegetarian to an air-breathing, long legged frog capable of life away from the water. In many cases once they have grown into adult form, frogs may only return to the water to breed. Frogs are not restricted to areas with permanent waters, although some have a great reliance on water. Wetlands provide essential breeding areas for frogs. Frogs play an important role in wetland ecology. They prey upon a range of invertebrates and are themselves food for snakes and birds. Tadpoles and frog eggs are food for fish, tortoises, birds, worms and some insect larvae. [ TOP ]   Threatened species Australia has 37 frogs species listed nationally as endangered - the most in the world. Environment Australia has identified 27 species that are threatened and 14 species that are of concern. Scientists are still uncertain what is causing the alarming decline in the abundance of frogs in Australia (Campbell, 1999). There are likely to be a number of factors that together are contributing to the decline in frog numbers. They include: habitat destruction; introduced predators; changes in the flow regimes of rivers and wetlands; and declining water quality (Campbell, 1999). Twelve of the frogs described in these pages are listed as endangered or vulnerable under Schedule 2 of the Threatened Species Conservation Act 1995. Other endangered frogs in NSW that are not described within this site include: Booroolong Frog - Litoria booroolongensis Painted Burrowing Frog or the Mallee Spadefoot - Neobatrachus pictus Other vulnerable frogs in NSW that are not described within this site include: Pouched Frog - Assa darlingtoni Wallum Froglet - Crinia tinnula Littlejohn’s Tree Frog – Litoria littlejohni Glandular Frog or New England Tree Frog - Litoria subglandulosa Red-crowned Toadlet - Pseudophryne australis Sphagnum Frog - Philoria sphagnicolus Loveridge's Frog - Philoria loveridgei Mountain Frog – Philoria kundagungan Northern Corroboree Frog – Pseudophryne pengilleyi In 1997 an Action Plan for Australian Frogs was released. This plan represesnts the first attempt to provide a comprehensive assessment of the conservation status and needs of Australia's frogs, and to estimate the costs of required conservation research and management. (Tyler, 1997). For further information on the status and management of threatened frogs in NSW, please contact the NPWS of NSW or visit their website. [ TOP ]   Some examples of the frogs that may be found in      NSW wetlands   Genus: Litoria Examples:  Green & Golden Bell Frog  Green Tree Frog Genus: Limnodynastes Example:  Marsh Frogs Genus: Mixophyes Example:  Stuttering Frog Genus: Cyclorana Example  Water-holding Frogs Other Frogs Examples:  Cane Toad  Corroboree Frog   [ TOP ]   References and Further Reading Best Reference Websites Environment Australia – Biodiversity Group Victorian Frog Group Herpetology Site – Herp-Net Frog Groups in NSW Frog and Tadpole Study Group of NSW Ph: 02 9371 9129 ANZECC, 1991. List of Endangered Vertebrate Fauna. Australian National Parks and Wildlife Service, Canberra. Barker, Grigg & Tyler. (1995). A Field Guide to Australian Frogs. Surrey, Beatty & Sons, Sydney. Barker, J. 1983. Amphibians. In "Wetlands in New South Wales". (Ed C. Haigh). National Parks and Wildlife Service, NSW. Campbell, A. (ed) 1999. Declines and Disappearances of Australian Frogs. Environment Australia, Canberra. Cogger, H.G. (1992). Reptiles and Amphibians of Australia. 4th ed Reed, Australia. Hero, J-M., Littlejohn, M. and Marantelli, G. (1991): Frogwatch Fieldguide to Victorian Frogs. DOCE, Melborne. Mattison, C. (1993): Keeping and breeding Amphibians. Blandford, London. Robinson, M. (1998): A Field Guide to Frogs of Australia. Australian Museum/Reed Books, Sydney. Slater, P. and Parish, S. (1997). Amazing Facts About Australian Frogs and Reptiles. Steve Parish Publishing, Brisbane. Slater, P. and Parish, S. (1997). A First Field Guide to Australian Frogs and Reptiles. Steve Parish Publishing, Brisbane. Strahan, R. ed. 1992. Encycopedia of Australian Animals: Frogs. Reptiles. Angus & Robertson, Sydney. Tyler, M.J. (1989). Australian Frogs. Viking O’Niel, Melbourne. Tyler, MJ. 1994. Australian Frogs: A Natural History. Reed Books, NSW. Tyler, MJ. 1997. The Action Plan for Australian Frogs. Wildlife Australia, Endangered Species Program. CANBERRA.  Voigt, M. (1992): Establishing Frog Habitats on Your Property. FrogFacts No. 3. FATS-Group, Sydney. White, A.W. (1990b). Frogs. In "Care and Handling of Australian Native Animals", S. Hand (ed).Surry Beatty and Sons, Chipping Norton. pp 17-42.   Australian frog publications which are good for primary age children. Morris, J., Tracey, L., 1995, Australian Frogs: amazing Amphibians, Greater Glider Productions, Maleny Queensland. A large format book with artwork. It has biology, maps and behaviour information on Australian frogs. Roc, M., 1993, The Frog, Macmillan Education, Melbourne. A book on frog behaviour, habitats and biology for younger people. Includes photos and artwork. Tyler, M.J., 1987, An Introduction to Frogs, Bookshelf, Gosford. A frog biology book with photographs for younger people Multimedia An Australian Museum Information Disk "Australian Frogs" This Australian Museum Information Disk is an interactive program describing and illustrating the diversity, biology, and lifecycle of Australian frogs. A complete checklist of Australian frogs is included, with multiple common names, and there is a list of most of the active 'frog groups' around Australia. Webster's Reptiles and Frogs of Australia A multimedia CD-ROM in the 'Australian Animals' Series
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