Indicative distribution
The areas shown in pink and/purple are the sub-regions where the species or community is known or predicted to occur. They may not occur thoughout the sub-region but may be restricted to certain areas.
(
click here to see geographic restrictions).
The information presented in this map is only indicative and may contain errors and omissions.
Scientific name: Assa darlingtoni
Profile last updated:
25 Feb 2024
Description
Pouched frogs are only about 20 mm long. They are grey to pinkish brown or red, usually with distinctive darker patches on the head and body. The sides are usually dark grey to black and there may be a dark broken stripe from the nostril through the eye and down each side. The belly is cream or white with a brown mottled throat and there is a pink spot at the base of each arm. Skin is smooth on the back and the belly but the sides may be rough or warty. Fingers and toes are unwebbed and all digits have slightly swollen tips without fringes. The most distinctive feature, in the male, is the twin pouches, one on each side, where the tadpoles are carried after hatching from eggs laid on the ground. Males call from leaf litter, rocks or logs with a series of rapidly repeated ‘Eh..Eh..Eh..Eh..Eh..Eh..’, usually between six to ten notes, and most vigorously around dawn and dusk.
Distribution
Relict species occupying disparate and retricted mesic forest refugia mainly within north-east NSW but extends into far south-east Queenland. Occurs in dense but scattered colonies. There are five isolated populations: Dorrigo Plateau, Gibraltar Range, Border Ranges and two in south-east Queensland.
Habitat and ecology
- Pouched frogs live in cool, moist rainforest, including Antarctic Beech, or moist eucalypt forest in mountainous areas, mostly above 800 m but have been found as low as 300m.
- They spend most of the time in damp leaf litter, or under rocks and rotten logs.
Regional distribution and habitat
Click on a region below to view detailed distribution, habitat and vegetation information.
Threats
- Timber harvesting.
- Road clearing.
- Weed invasion in productive environments
- Fire causing the loss of microrefugia such as fallen timber. This microrefugia is important as leaf litter dries out under climate change
- Climate change is likely to reduce available habitat for the species as it is adapted to a high altitude, high moisture microclimate niche.
- Infection by amphibian chytrid fungus
- Drought and climate change leading to increased temperatures.
- Habitat damage from trampling by domestic stock.
Recovery strategies
Priority actions are the specific, practical things that must be done to recover a threatened species, population or ecological
community. The Office of Environment and Heritage has identified
4 priority actions
to help recover the Pouched Frog in New South Wales.
Activities to assist this species
- When burning off, avoid areas of cool, moist native forest.
- Prevent disturbance to known populations, particularly when undertaking road maintenance works.
- Fence off areas of cool, moist native forest in mountain areas to prevent stock from grazing in these areas.
- Protect suitable habitat from clearing and timber harvesting.
- Adopt the OEH frog hygiene protocol to prevent the spread of chytrid fungus in amphibian habitat.
- Control weeds in known habitat.
Information sources
- Anstis, M. (2002) Tadpoles of South-eastern Australia: a guide with keys. (Reed New Holland, Frenchs Forest)
- Anstis, M. (2013) Tadpoles and frogs of Australia. (New Holland, Sydney.)
- Cogger. H.G. (2014) Reptiles and Amphibians of Australia. 7th Edition. (CSIRO Publishing, Collingwood.)
- Department of Environment and Climate Change (2009) Threatened Species Survey and Assessment Guidelines: Field Survey Methods for Fauna - Amphibians. (DECC, Sydney South)
- Department of Environment, Climate Change and Water NSW (2010) Border Ranges Rainforest Biodiversity Management Plan - NSW & Queensland. (DECCW NSW, Sydney)
- Department of Environment, Climate Change and Water NSW (2010) Northern Rivers Regional Biodiversity Management Plan.
- Ingram, G.J., Anstis, M. and Corben, C.J. (1975) Observations on the Australian leptodactylid frog, Assa darlingtoni. Herpetologica 31(4): 425-9.
- NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service (2002) Threatened Species of the Lower North Coast of New South Wales. (NSW NPWS, Hurstville)
- NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service (2002) Threatened Species of the Upper North Coast of NSW: Fauna. (NSW NPWS, Coffs Harbour)
- Tyler, M.J. and Knight, F. (2011) Field Guide to the Frogs of Australia. Revised Edition. (CSIRO Publishing, Canberra)
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