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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The information presented in this map is only indicative and may contain errors and omissions.
Scientific name: Philoria sphagnicolus
Profile last updated:
19 Apr 2023
Description
Sphagnum frogs are small, ground-dwelling frogs, with males growing only to 35 mm and females to 37mm. Their colour varies from cream through various shades of yellow, orange and russet to black above, usually with a number of irregular flecks and patches. A dark-brown or black band bordered above by a thin white or cream line runs from the snout through the eye to the shoulder. There is another similar line along the flank, and a third band runs from the groin to the back. The belly is white to orange, often with darker brown to black mottling on the abdomen, throat and undersurface of the limbs. The skin is smooth or has a few low warts. Fingers and toes are free from webbing. The call is a low growl ‘creeerk’ or ‘gur..r..r..r..r’ like a golf ball rattling in a cup.
Distribution
The Sphagnum Frog occurs as a series of fragmented populations along the eastern escarpment of the Great Dividing Range in north-east NSW from Chaelundi State Forest south to Killabakh Nature Reserve near Comboyne.
Habitat and ecology
- The habitat of the Sphagnum Frog is characterised by high moisture levels. They are typically found in high rainfall areas at high elevation in Sphagnum Moss beds or seepages on steep slopes. Habitat often occurs in rainforest (including Antarctic Beech forest) and wet sclerophyll forest. They can also occur at lower elevation (to about 250 m) in wet coastal foothills.
- Sphagnum Frogs burrow in loose, moist soil or moss, under leaf litter often in soaks or seepages, or may use cracks and cavities behind and beside large or small waterfalls where the environment remains saturated with moisture.
- They eat ants and other insects.
- The Sphagnum Frog breeds in spring - summer and calls diurnally. Eggs are laid in moist locations such as rock crevices, under logs or in burrows in Shpagnum Moss. Larvae emerge from the nest after about one month.
Regional distribution and habitat
Click on a region below to view detailed distribution, habitat and vegetation information.
Threats
- Changes in water quality.
- Reduced stream flows as a result of sedimentation or reduced run off.
- Damage to streambank vegetation.
- Roadside maintenance, including slashing, bank mowing and mulching of roadside soak habitat.
- Reduction of leaf litter and cover of fallen logs through burning.
- Reduction in canopy cover from logging operations resulting in changes to soil moisture and solar exposure.
- Infection by amphibian chytrid fungus.
- Introduction of soil or water-borne pathogens such as Phytophthora cinnamomi which may impact on habitat structure and composition.
- Anthropogenic climate change impacting on microclimate.
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
- Manage burning off so that stream habitats do not suffer loss of moisture or leaf-litter.
- Maintain vegetation and deep leaf-litter around streams.
- Prevent pollution and sedimentation of streams.
- Exclude logging around breeding habitat.
- Adopt the OEH frog hygiene protocol to prevent the spread of chytrid fungus in amphibian habitat.
- Protect roadside soak habitat when undertaking roadside maintenance such as slashing and bank mowing.
- Exclude cattle from known 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 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)
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