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.
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click here to see geographic restrictions).
The information presented in this map is only indicative and may contain errors and omissions.
Scientific name: Philoria loveridgei
Gazetted date:
29 Apr 2005
Profile last updated:
04 Jun 2018
Description
Loveridge’s Frog is a small, squat, ground-dwelling frog to 30 mm, variable in colour and pattern from light grey with black flanks to light brown with darker irregular patches, or fawn with a black or brown patch on the flank. Fingers and toes are un-webbed. The underparts are pale but may have a light mottling under the throat and hind limbs. There is a blackish band from the snout through the eye and down the side of the head. Some have faint barring may occur on the upper parts of their limbs.
Distribution
Restricted mainly to the Nightcap and Mt Warning areas, extending north-west to the Border Ranges-Lamington area on the border of NSW and Queensland.
Habitat and ecology
- This frog is dependent on high moisture levels, occurring in the headwaters of small streams and about soaks where ground-water is continually present and close to the surface.
- It favours subtropical and warm temperate rainforest and wet eucalypt forest, but also occurs in moist eucalypt forest where rocky outcropping creates surface water.
Regional distribution and habitat
Click on a region below to view detailed distribution, habitat and vegetation information.
Threats
- Risk of local extinction due to small, scattered populations.
- Isolation of populations through clearing and forest fragmentation associated with agricultural and forestry practices.
- Infection by amphibian chytrid fungus.
- Reduction of moisture levels and reduced water quality from road-works, forestry activities, frequent burning associated with grazing management and trampling by domestic stock.
- Reduction of moisture levels caused by logging opening up the forest and drying out the ground litter, and forest management which changes old-growth forest to young even-aged stands, causing substantial water loss.
- Anthropogenic climate change altering microhabitat.
- Destruction of habitat, direct mortality, reduction of moisture levels and reduced water quality from trampling by feral herbivores.
- Competition for habitat and other resources by the cane toad.
- Disturbance and degradation (e.g. substrate damage, turbidity) of habitat due to road/track maintenance.
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 known and potential habitat from activities that reduce moisture levels.
- Maintain vegetation and deep leaf-litter around streams.
- Exclude logging around breeding habitat and ensure adequate canopy cover is maintained to prevent moisture loss to breeding sites.
- Allow young forest to mature and reconnect isolated wet forest patches, particularly along drainage lines in headwaters.
- Protect known habitat from roading and logging.
- Adopt the OEH frog hygiene protocol to prevent the spread of chytrid fungus in amphibian habitat.
Information sources
- Cogger, H.G. (2000) Reptiles and Amphibians of Australia. 6th Edition. (Reed New Holland, Sydney)
- NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service (2002) Threatened Species of the Upper North Coast of NSW: Fauna. (NSW NPWS, Coffs Harbour)
- NSW Scientific Committee (2005) Loveridge's frog. Endangered species determination - final. DEC (NSW), Sydney.
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