Sloane's Froglet - 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: Crinia sloanei

Conservation status in NSW: Endangered

Commonwealth status: Endangered

Gazetted date: 28 Mar 2008

Profile last updated: 14 Oct 2024

Description

Sloane's Froglet is a small ground-dwelling frog belonging to the family Myobatrichidae. This species superficially resembles other frogs of the genus Crinia, but it can be readily identified by its physical characteristics and call. C. sloanei shows far less variation in back colour pattern than other Crinia species, having a mustard yellow or greyish back with large patches of darker pigment over the body. The throat of males is greyish green. The call is described as a short metallic 'chick chick chick chick' repeated frequently.

Distribution

Sloane's Froglet has been recorded from widely scattered sites in the floodplains of the Murray-Darling Basin, with the majority of records in the Darling Riverine Plains, NSW South Western Slopes and Riverina bioregions in New South Wales. It has not been recorded recently in the northern part of its range and has only been recorded infrequently in the southern part of its range in NSW. At a number of sites where records are verified by museum specimens, the species has not been subsequently detected during more recent frog surveys in the vicinity (e.g. Holbrook, Nyngan, Wagga Wagga and Tocumwal). The low number of sites, low number of recorded individuals per site, and the low proportion of records of this species in regional surveys all indicate that a moderately low number of mature individuals exist. The apparent loss from previous recorded sites and decline in recording rates indicates that this is not just a rare or uncommonly encountered species, but that there has been a reduction in population size and range.

Habitat and ecology

It is typically associated with periodically inundated areas in grassland, woodland and disturbed habitats.

Regional distribution and habitat

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

Threats

Fragmentation and degradation of habitat and water quality through clearing.
Drought and longer term climate change impacts on the presence, persistence and seasonality of water at breeding sites. This in turn impacts on recruitment and persistence of populations.
Changes in water availability, flow and flooding regimes in creeks, rivers, floodplains and wetlands.
The susceptibility of Sloane's Froglet to the amphibian chytrid fungus is not known.
Loss of habitat via urbanisation and development.
Habitat degradation from inappropriate stock grazing (cattle)

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

Investigate opportunities for environmental water flows to assist with providing breeding opportunities to improve reproductive output and recruitment.
Reduce habitat degradation through stock management, fencing and revegetation programs.
Investigate the effects of the chytrid fungus on Sloane's Froglet.

Information sources

Anstis, M. (2002) Tadpoles of South-eastern Australia: a guide with keys. (Reed New Holland, Frenchs Forest)
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 Environment and Climate Change (2009) Threatened Species Survey and Assessment Guidelines: Field Survey Methods for Fauna - Amphibians. (DECC, Sydney South)
Mac Nally, R., Horrocks, G., Lada, H., Lake, P.S., Thomson, J.R. and Taylor, A.C. (2009) Distribution of anuran amphibians in massively altered landscapes in southeastern Australia: effects of climate change in an aridifying region. Global Ecology and Biogeography 18(5): 575-585
Murray Catchment Management Authority and Office of Environment and Heritage (2012) New South Wales Murray Biodiversity Management Plan: A guide to terrestrial biodiversity investment priorities in the central and eastern NSW Murray catchment. (Murray CMA, Albury)
NSW Scientific Committee (2008) Sloane's Froglet Crinia sloanei - Vulnerable species determination - final.
Robinson, M. (1995) A Field Guide to Frogs of Australia: from Port Augusta to Fraser Island including Tasmania. (Reed Books, Chatswood)

IBRA Bioregion	IBRA Subregion	Known or predicted	Geographic restrictions region

Brigalow Belt South	Moonie-Barwon Interfluve	Predicted	None
Brigalow Belt South	Narrandool	Predicted	None
Brigalow Belt South	Pilliga	Known	None
Brigalow Belt South	Pilliga Outwash	Known	None
Brigalow Belt South	Talbragar Valley	Predicted	None
Cobar Peneplain	Barnato Downs	Predicted	None
Cobar Peneplain	Canbelego Downs	Predicted	None
Cobar Peneplain	Lachlan Plains	Known	None
Cobar Peneplain	Nymagee	Predicted	None
Darling Riverine Plains	Bogan-Macquarie	Known	None
Darling Riverine Plains	Castlereagh-Barwon	Known	None
Darling Riverine Plains	Culgoa-Bokhara	Known	None
Darling Riverine Plains	Warrambool-Moonie	Known	None
Mulga Lands	Nebine Plains	Predicted	None
Mulga Lands	Warrego Plains	Predicted	None
Murray Darling Depression	Darling Depression	Predicted	None
Murray Darling Depression	South Olary Plain	Predicted	None
NSW South Western Slopes	Inland Slopes	Known	None
NSW South Western Slopes	Lower Slopes	Known	None
Riverina	Lachlan	Predicted	None
Riverina	Murray Fans	Known	None
Riverina	Murrumbidgee	Known	None

Images

Sloane's Froglet, David Hunter Image 1 of 2.
View slideshow.

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