Giant Barred Frog - profile

Indicative distribution

Loading map...

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 iteratus

Conservation status in NSW: Vulnerable

Commonwealth status: Vulnerable

Gazetted date: 05 Apr 2024

Profile last updated: 09 Apr 2024

Description

Giant Barred Frogs are very large (up to 115mm long) and powerfully built. They are blotched light and dark brown above and are well-camoflaged in leaf litter. Limbs have dark crossbars and the hind sides of the thighs are black with yellow spots. The pupil is vertical and the iris is golden. The call is a deep gutteral ‘ork’. The Giant Barred Frog can be most easily distinguished from other barred frog species by the call and the distinctive eye colour.

Distribution

The Giant Barred Frog is distributed along the coast and ranges from Eumundi in south-east Queensland to Warrimoo in the Blue Mountains. Declines appear to have occurred at the margins of the species' range, with no recent records south of the Hawkesbury River and disappearances from a number of streams in QLD. Northern NSW, particularly the Coffs Harbour-Dorrigo area, is a stronghold.

Habitat and ecology

Giant Barred Frogs are found along freshwater streams with permanent or semi-permanent water, generally (but not always) at lower elevation.
Moist riparian habitats such as rainforest or wet sclerophyll forest are favoured for the deep leaf litter that they provide for shelter and foraging, as well as open perching sites on the forest floor. However, Giant Barred Frogs will also sometimes occur in other riparian habitats, such as those in drier forest or degraded riparian remnants, and even occasionally around dams.
Breeding takes place from late spring to summer. Once eggs are laid and fertilised in the water, the female kicks them out of the water where they stick onto a suitable bank (e.g. overhanging or steeply sloped). Hatchlings drop or wriggle into the water. Tadpoles grow to about 11cm and it may take up to 14 months between egg laying and the completion of metamorphosis.
Although generally found within about 20m of the stream, outside the breeding season, the Giant Barred Frog may disperse away from the stream (e.g. 50m or further). It is a generalist feeder, with large insects, snails, spiders and frogs included in its diet.

Regional distribution and habitat

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

Threats

Much of the habitat of the Giant Barred Frog occurs in the lower reaches of streams that are also the focus of agricultural and rural residential activities. Clearance of riparian vegetation is a major threat in these environments.
Tall, dense weed infestations can decrease the quality and amount of habitat available, particularly where there are canopy gaps in the riparian vegetation. Lantana and exotic grasses decrease habitat suitability.
Reduction in water quality or alterations to flow patterns. Embryos and tadpoles can be vulnerable to siltation.
Inadequate protection of riparian habitat during forestry activities.
In some locations, the Giant Barred Frog is known to carry chronic infections of the fungal pathogen Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis that causes chytridiomycosis. This pathogen is a threat as it is a known cause of decline in frog species, however it is unclear whether the Giant Barred Frog is currently declining from this cause.
Predation of individuals and disturbance of habitat or destruction of eggs by feral pigs.
Damage to riparian habitats from grazing and physical disturbance by domestic stock.
Small population sizes particularly within the south of the species range may make it susceptible to stochastic events and loss of genetic variation.

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

Prevent clearing of riparian forest.
Control infestations of riparian weeds, particularly tall grasses, tall herbs and shrubs.
Ensure that logging activities do not impact riparian habitat.
Minimise access to habitat by cattle.
Manage upstream developments to minimise changes in water quality and flow.
Ensure that chemical use near streams does not impact habitat and use alternative approaches where possible.
Clean footwear, equipment and tyres before and after visiting frog sites.
Only handle frogs when absolutely necessary.

Information sources

Anstis, M. (2013) Tadpoles and frogs of Australia. (New Holland, Sydney.)
Hines, H. (2002) National recovery plan for stream frogs of south-east Queensland 2001-2005.
Hines, H., Newell, D., Clarke, J., Hero, J. and Meyer, E. (2004) The IUCN Red List of threatened species - Mixophyes iteratus.
NSW Scientific Committee. (1999) Giant Barred Frog - Endangered species listing. (NSW Office of Environment and Heritage, Sydney.)

IBRA Bioregion	IBRA Subregion	Known or predicted	Geographic restrictions region

New England Tablelands	Northeast Forest Lands	Known	None
NSW North Coast	Barrington	Predicted	None
NSW North Coast	Cataract	Known	None
NSW North Coast	Chaelundi	Known	None
NSW North Coast	Coffs Coast and Escarpment	Known	None
NSW North Coast	Dalmorton	Known	None
NSW North Coast	Karuah Manning	Known	None
NSW North Coast	Macleay Hastings	Known	None
NSW North Coast	Rocky River Gorge	Known	None
NSW North Coast	Upper Manning	Known	None
NSW North Coast	Washpool	Known	None
NSW North Coast	Yuraygir	Known	None
Other State	QLD	Known	None
South Eastern Queensland	Burringbar-Conondale Ranges	Known	None
South Eastern Queensland	Clarence Lowlands	Known	None
South Eastern Queensland	Clarence Sandstones	Known	None
South Eastern Queensland	Scenic Rim	Known	None
South Eastern Queensland	Sunshine Coast-Gold Coast Lowlands	Predicted	None
South Eastern Queensland	Woodenbong	Known	None
Sydney Basin	Pittwater	Known	None
Sydney Basin	Wollemi	Predicted	None
Sydney Basin	Wyong	Known	None
Sydney Basin	Yengo	Known	None

Sounds

Images

Giant Barred Frog, Newport's Creek, Coffs Harbour Image 1 of 4.
View slideshow.

Nature conservation

Threatened species