Olongburra Frog - profile

Indicative distribution

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Key:

known

predicted

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: Litoria olongburensis

Conservation status in NSW: Vulnerable

Commonwealth status: Vulnerable

Profile last updated: 02 Nov 2023

Description

The slender Olongburra Frog is a small species, about 3cm long. It is smooth light green or light brown above, cream and granular below. A dark brown streak runs from the nostril to the eye, then from behind the eye down the side of the body. From the eye, this streak is bordered below by a raised white stripe that breaks into a series of spots towards the flank. The snout is pointed and undercut and the call is a very rapid buzz, repeated several times.

Distribution

Olongburra Frogs are found in coastal wallum swamps from Fraser Island in southern Queensland to Yuraygir National Park in northern NSW.

Habitat and ecology

The Olongburra Frog is an "acid" frog confined to the coastal sandplain wallum swamps. Their life-cycle is adapted to the acidic pH (2.8-5.5) of these wetlands. Frogs are highest in abundance in relatively undisturbed wallum swamps.
Breeding habitat is characterised by the presence of emergent sedges, with upright species such as Baumea spp. and Schoenus spp. preferred by adult frogs for perching. Frogs can be found in breeding habitat all year. However, little is known about habitat use when breeding is not occurring and drier areas adjacent to primary habitat may also be utilised.
Breeding occurs mainly in spring, summer and autumn after rain. Eggs are laid singly in water at the base of sedges.

Regional distribution and habitat

Click on a region below to view detailed distribution, habitat and vegetation information.

Threats

Destruction and degradation of wallum habitat for coastal development.
Reduction of water quantity and/or quality (including changes to pH) in coastal wetland habitat.
Changes in average and extreme temperatures and the amount and timing of rainfall due to climate change.
Severe fires in very dry periods that result in insufficient refuge remaining post-fire.
Roadkill (it has been estimated that >10,000 Olongburra Frogs are killed annually on one 4km stretch of road near Lennox Head).
Predation of tadpoles and eggs by the Plague Minnow Gambusia holbrooki. While little is known of the extent of Plague Minnow predation on Olongburra Frogs, it must be considered a potential threat.

Recovery strategies

A Saving Our Species conservation project is currently being developed for this species and will be available soon. For information on how you can contribute to this species' recovery, see the Activities to assist this species section below.

Activities to assist this species

Protect coastal wetland areas from clearing, draining or development.
Retain wetland protection buffers in new coastal developments.
Minimise pollutant run-off from developments and roads adjoining wetlands.
Fence off coastal swamps to protect these areas from grazing stock.
Protect swamps from fire during very dry periods, particularly if there is no standing water.
Manage and control pest species including cane toads, feral pigs and Plague Minnow in accordance with approved Threat Abatement Plans.

Information sources

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 the Environment. (2014) Species Profile and Threats Database: Litoria olongburensis — Wallum Sedge Frog. (Australian Government, Canberra.)
Goldingay, R.L. and Taylor, B.D. (2006) How many frogs are killed on a road in north-east New South Wales? Australian Zoologist 33(3): 332–336.
Hines, H., Newell, D., Meyer, E., Hero, J. and Clarke, J. (2004) The IUCN Red List of threatened species (Version 2013.2) - Litoria olongburensis.
Shuker, J.D. and Hero, J. (2012) Perch substrate use by the threatened Wallum Sedge Frog (Litoria olongburensis) in wetland habitats of mainland eastern Australia. Australian Journal of Zoology 60: 219–224.

IBRA Bioregion	IBRA Subregion	Known or predicted	Geographic restrictions region

NSW North Coast	Yuraygir	Known	Within 10 km of coast
Ocean	Tweed-Moreton	Known	None
Other State	QLD	Known	None
South Eastern Queensland	Burringbar-Conondale Ranges	Known	Within 10 km of coast
South Eastern Queensland	Clarence Lowlands	Known	Within 10 km of coast
South Eastern Queensland	Scenic Rim	Known	Within 10 km of coast
South Eastern Queensland	Sunshine Coast-Gold Coast Lowlands	Known	Within 10 km of coast

Sounds

Images

Olongburra Frog Image 1 of 2.
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