Fleay's Barred 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: Mixophyes fleayi

Conservation status in NSW: Endangered

Commonwealth status: Endangered

Gazetted date: 21 Jul 2000

Profile last updated: 14 Oct 2024

Description

Fleay’s Barred Frogs are moderate to large frogs up to 90 mm long. They are medium to pale brown above, with obscure darker brown blotches. The iris is silver-blue in the upper half and brown in the lower half. This frog is distinguishable from other barred frog species by the narrow barring across the limbs, blotches on the upper lip and flank, and distinctive eye colour. The call is either a short “op..op..op” or longer “a.a.a.a.ah”.

Distribution

A restricted distribution on the eastern side of the ranges in south-east Queensland (south from Conondale ranges) and northeast NSW. Recent records in NSW are from Nightcap National Park, Border Ranges National Park, Mt. Warning National Park, Tooloom National Park and Yabbra National Park.

Habitat and ecology

Rainforest and wet eucalypt forest of the escarpment and foothills, usually close to gravely streams.
The species occurs along stream habitats from first to third order streams (i.e. small streams close to their origin through to permanent streams with grades of 1 in 50) but is not found in ponds or ephemeral pools.
A nest is constructed in the shallow running water that occurs between pools in relatively wide, flat sections of the stream. Eggs are deposited in a shallow excavation in the stream bed or pasted directly onto bed rock.
Individuals have be found hundreds of metres away from streams.

Regional distribution and habitat

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

South Eastern Queensland

Threats

Clearing and fragmentation of areas of habitat for agriculture or development.
Sedimentation of creeks resulting from upstream activities and cattle access.
Changes in water flow patterns, either increased or decreased flows.
Chytrid fungal disease.
Timber harvesting and other forestry practices.
Use of herbicides near streams.
Regular roadside slashing damaging critical breeding habitat and refugia.
Reduction of leaf-litter and fallen log cover through burning.
Cane toads use the same niche, competing for food and habitat; they may be a vector for disease and possibility predate on juveniles.
Mistflower; causing changes in breeding habitat structure - clogging up gravel beds and constraining available space.
Habitat disturbance and direct mortality from feral pigs.
Habitat disturbance and trampling resulting from human visitation
Trampling by domestic stock, particlarly of oviposition sites.

Recovery strategies

A targeted strategy for managing this species has been developed under the Saving Our Species program; click here for details. For more information on the Saving Our Species program click here

Activities to assist this species

Protect rainforest areas and streamsides in wet eucalypt forest from fire.
Manage upstream developments to minimise changes in water quality and flow.
Maintain vegetation and deep leaf-litter around streams.
Avoid pumping water from streams in known habitat.
Be careful in the use of chemicals near streams and use alternatives where available.
Minimise cattle access to streams and fence rainforest areas to exclude stock.
Protect rainforest and wet eucalypt forest areas from clearing or disturbance.
Protect areas of breeding habitat from logging and associated activities.
Clean footwear, equipment and tyres before and after visiting frog sites.
Only handle frogs when absolutely necessary.
Report any records of Fleay’s Barred Frog to the DEC.

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 (2000) Fleay's barred frog - Endangered species determination - final. DEC (NSW), Sydney.

IBRA Bioregion	IBRA Subregion	Known or predicted	Geographic restrictions region

Other State	QLD	Known	None
South Eastern Queensland	Burringbar-Conondale Ranges	Known	None
South Eastern Queensland	Scenic Rim	Known	North of Kyogle
South Eastern Queensland	Sunshine Coast-Gold Coast Lowlands	Predicted	None
South Eastern Queensland	Woodenbong	Known	North of Bonalbo

Sounds

Images

Fleay's Barred Frog
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Nature conservation

Threatened species