Distribution, habitat and conservation status of the Green and Golden Bell Frog Litoria aurea (Lesson 1829) (Anura: Hylidae) in Victoria Graeme R. Gillespie Arthur Rylah Institute, Dep;trtmrnt of Natural Resoul-ces and Environment, L'.O. Box 137, Heidelberg, Victoria, 3084. ABSTRACT An overview of the distribution of Litorfa aurea in Victoria is presented. Habitats in which the species has been recorded are described and its current conservation status is assessed. Liforia aurea is restricted to east GiDDsland where it occurs Dredominantlv at low altitudes alona the coast and hfoinrete~s rlleaan da~ .n T0 hce~ e ~sa,o~re edc ine~asb~'kt autss~~s ~aT lhlv,e a~s~sp~se~oc c eia~ st e~n da ws aithls os~ tba~ etieo~ nn ~a lor,vu wnda~ ten~ r a b~ ro~a~dn ieg~se. o-mf .lo-es- rt riev,s 0.lr~e ;am~la nn~ aeno~t .l la.ls in o b~lt~oc tnh conslaerabe dstances from rraleroooles sLggestlng a high olspers vc aul ly ana mponance of - lerrestr a haotam. de evidence of a oecine n the 0 strlb.l~on or abundance of L. aurea was foJno based on comparisons of historical and recent information, Much of the habitat and range of the species was found to be secure within the region. Possible reasons for the apparent diflerences in population trends between New South Wales and Victoria are discussed. INTRODUCTION causes of the apparent decline of the species. The current distribution and abundance on the The Green and Golden Bell Frog Liloriu south-east coast of New South Wales and in aureu occurs along the eastern seaboard of Aust- eastern Victoria has so far received little attention ralia, from the far north coast of New South in discussions of the plight of this species. A Wales to eastern Victoria, and inland on to the clear picture of the relative abundance and Southern Tablelands of New South Wales habitat use throughout the entire range of (Cogger 1992; Watson and Littlejohn 1985). the species is necessary to fully ascertain its The conservation status of this species has conservation status and determine the 11111 range received considerable attention in New South of habitats which are utilized, particularly Wales in recent years. Substantial population unmodified habitats. This is an important pre- declines of L. aurea have been reported through- requisite for determining what constitutes critical out New South Wales (Mahony 1993; Osborne habitat for the species, and for gaining a full 1990; Osborne et al. 1996; A. White, Australian understanding of the causes of decline and how Museum, pers. comm.). While populations still to ameliorate thetn. In this paper I present an occur throughout the coastal portion of its overview of the distribution of L. aurea in range, the species has virtually disappeared Victoria, describe habitats in which it has been from the Southern Tablelands of New South recorded, and assess its current conservation Wales and the Australian Capital Territory status in that state. (Oshorne 1990, 1992; Osborne el al. 1996). As a consequence, L. aurea has been listed as METHODS Threatened under Schedule 12 (endangered fauna) of the NSW Nalional Park and Wildlife Information on the historical (PI-e-1980) Act (1992), and identified as endangered in the occurrence of L. u.urea in Victoria was gathered Australian Frog Action Plan (Tyler, in press). In lrom the National Museum of Vicloria, literatul-e contrast L. aurea is not listed as threatened in accounts (Lucas 1892; Copland 1957; Littlejohn Victoria (CNR 1995). 1963; Littlejohn el al. 1969; Norris et al. 1983) and field notes of Murray Littlejohn and Graeme Reasons for the observed declines of L, aurea Watson (University of Melbourne) and Peter in NervSouth Wales are not clear. Introduction Robertson (CNR, Heidelberg, Victol-La).T his was of Mosquito Fish Gambtisiu. holbrooki and supplemented by a study conducted by Sher\vin destruction and modification of wetlands have (1978) that provides a detailed account ol the been implicated (White and Pyke 1996; Morgan western range limit of L. uurea in Victoz-id. Brook and Buttemer 1996). However, the species has (1982) provides a summary of the distribution been noted tor its ability to persist in substantially of L, nzlrpa based on much of this information. modified or disturbed areas (Osborne 1990: A. White, pers, comm.; G. ~iliespie,p ers. obs.), Since 1980, the Gippsland area of Victoria has which has confounded any clear determination been the subject of extensive faunal survey. of what may constitute critical habitat and the These investigations have included broad-scale May 1996 Australfan Zoologisf 30(2) 199 regional survey (Norris et ul. 1983; LCC 1985; Victorian Wildlife Atlas) and numerous forest management block surveys (Chesterfield et al. 1983; Carrel al. 1984; Horrocks et al. 1984; Opie et al. 1984; Brown el al. 1986; Cherry et al. 1986; Brown el al. 1987; Horrocks et al. 1987; Madarlane et ul. 1987; Yugovic et al. 1987; Chesterfield et al. 1988; Henry el al. 1988; Earl et al. 1989; Opie et al. 1990; Westaway el al. 1990a,b; Lobert et al. 1991; Loyn et al. 1992; Peacock el al. 1992; Gillespie et al. 1992). Nine other unpublished surveys have been conducted in East Gippsland by CNR and the data are included in the Victorian Wildlife Atlas. These surveys have provided much of the available knowledge on distribution and habitat occurrence of L. aurea since 1980. These data have also been supplemented by the author's incidental observations and those of other biologists (Jeanette Kemp, Townsville, Queensland, pers. comm.; Harry Hines, NSW National Parks and WildliFe Service, Armidale, pers. comm.; Barbara Triggs, Dead Finish, Victoria, pers. comm.). Trends of populations of L. aurea in Victoria Fig. I. Distribution of 5 X 5 minute grids in which Liforia were examined firstly by comparing the range of aurea has been recorded in Victoria. (Note: Each cell the species as is currently known (based on post- mav contain more than one record.) Source: Atlas of ~i;mzan Wildlife; Brook 1982; ~iownel 01. 1987; 1990 records) with the historical known range Earl el al. 1989. (pre-1980 records). No rigorous quantitative data have been collected on the relative ! Lake Wellington, near Bairnsdale (Fig. 1). abundance of L. aurea over time at any sites. There is a contact zone with L. ranijormis Survey effort throughout the range of the ! between the Lake Wellington area and the species is also inconsistent over time. Therefore, Brodribb River, in which intermediate forms no rigorous assessment of changes in population have been recorded (Sherwin 1978). Within this i size or local patterns of distribution are possible, area positive identification of taxa is not always I except where the species has disappeared from possible. The disjunction in the distribution known localities. To assess any broad changes in south-west of Mallacoota probably reflects a lack relative abundance over time, the relative of field sampling, due to limited access into this proportions of records of different numbers of area. frogs detected were compared across different ! time periods. A chi-squared test was used to East Gippsland comprises a diversity of land- assess differences in the relative proportions of forms tbat range through coastal dunes and records of individual frogs, 2-10, 11-100 and plains to dissected foothills, and a hinterland over 100 individuals across three time periods, tbat rises to over 1 400 m, with a variety of inter- pre-1980, 1980-1989 and 1990-present. The montane basins and montane plateaux. Unlike rationale of this approach is that over a broad the rest of Victoria, the climate is subjected to a period of time the detection rates of single and strong easterly influence. Rainfall is spread multiple frogs should remain broadly similar, evenly throughout the year and ranges from despite differences in sampling effort unless less than 700 mm in the rain shadow country there is a substantial change in the overall of the upper Snowy River to 2 000 mm on abundance of the species. the Errinundra Plateau in the centre of the regi0n. The average minfal' is in the The current conservation status of L. aurea in 90&1 000 mm (Woodgate et al. 1993). The IJictoria was assessed by examining potential "%ion remains predominantly forested, with threats to known habitat within the range of the clearing for agriculture being restricted largely species. ~ ~ ~of the ~species ~in the ~ ~ ~ t ~ t i ~ ~ current reserve system was also evaluated. to coastal plains in the Gippsland Lakes area. Other areas of clearance are restricted to terraces of the Snowy, Brodribb, Cann and RESULTS AND DISCUSSION Genoa Rivers. and the southern mareins of the ablel lands General Distribution Monaro and fringing hill:along the New South Wales border. The distribution of L. aurea in Victoria is restricted to East Gippsland and extends From Litorin aurea is found predominantly on the the eastern border with New South Wales to coastal plains and low foothills of the hinterland 200 Australian Zoologist 30(2) May 1996 o2 o07 oF "00.- ?0L O?oO oY?' ) o0P o1P0 o0Y 0LYO o0'? aL?'O 00'? 7In 7z -In N70 N710 70m ;0; 70* .*1-0 70"7 LLFOO 7010 7L(DO Altitude intervals (m a.s.1.) Fzs. 2. Alritudinal datribution of records of Litot?~a urm in Victoria. although populations also occur inland along Litoriu aurea has not been recorded in this region terraces of the Brodribb, Cann and Genoa of New South Wales (Osborne el al. 1995; Rivers. At the western extremity of its range it Thompson et al. 1995). Litaria ranfonr~is has is restricted to the coastal fringe. Most records been collected from this area (Museum of have been from near the coast below 50 m a.s.1. Victoria records) and call data collected by Records of L. aurea drop off sharply above Murray I,ittlejohn, University of Melbourne 200 m a.s.1. (Fig. 2). The number of records of (pers. comm.) suggests that LlroriaJluuiyunctnta I*. uureu also diminishes away from the coast (Courtice and Grigg 1975) may also have occurred which may reflect a progressive rise in altitude. there. The morphological similarities of this With the exception of one record at 670 m near group may make field identification difficult it1 Yalmy Road, all other inland records indicated the absence of call data, particularly given the in Figure 1 are along major river valleys. potential for hybridization between taxa. Further doubt is cast on the existence ofL. auren Brook (1982) documents a record of L. aurea in this area by the disparity between the en\''~ ron- from the southern Monaro Tablelands near ment there and that of the general distribution Bendoc. The precise locality is unknown but is of L. aurea in East Gippsland. The species is at least 800 m a.s.1. However, the taxonomic restricted to warm temperate environments identity ol this record is uncertain. The record while the southern edge of the Monaro Table- originates from a field observation; no specimen lands is cold temperate, comprising wet montane was collected and no call recording was made. and sub-alpine environments. May 1996 Australian Zoologist 30(2) 201 Habitat usually occupies the zone between Riparian Scrub and adjacent better-drained habitats Lito?ia aurea has been recorded in a range of (Mioodgate et al. 1993). These habitats are there- lentic and terrestrial habitats in Victoria. Breed- fore often proximal to aquatic environments lng activity, by way of calling or presence of favoured by L. aurea. In contrast, Lowland larvae, has been documented from dams in both Forest and Banksia Woodland are widespread forested and cleared areas, swamps in farmland, habitats occurring in better-drained areas. gravel pits (Brown el al. 1987), billabongs (G. Litoria aurea has been recorded frequently on Gillespie, pers. obs.), marshes, coastal lagoon forest tracks in these habitats on wet nights; wetlands (H. Hines, pers. obs.u; .G . Gillespie, often over 1 km from any water bodies typically pers. obs.), wet swale herblands Kemp, pers. used by the species (G. Gillespie, pers. obs.). comm.; G. Gillespie, pers. obs.), isolated stream- Isolated occurrences of L, aurea have been side pools (G. Gillespie, pers. obs.). These recorded on Shrubby Dry Forest ridges on wet habitats are mostly permanent but include some nights and in Damp Forest several hundred ephemeral water bodies. Males have also been metres from major drainage lines or other water heard calling from amongst dense riparian bodies (G. Gillespie, pers. obs.). These observa- scrub along still sections of streams (Gillespie, tions indicate that L. aurea is relatively mobile pers. obs.; P. Robertson, pers. comm.). All and has the potential to forage and disperse over habitats are characterized by stationary water. large areas away from aquatic environments. Virtually all are isolated water bodies, free of The importance of dispersal and terrestrial native fish species. All sites observed by the habitats to maintenance of populations is author typically have dense emergent vegeta- unknown, but it suggests that assessments of tion. At sites in pastoral areas this vegetation usually comprises Juncus spp. and other sedges, habitat requirements of L. aurea need to while in naturally vegetated areas Melaleuca incorporate examination of a broader range of squarrosa and Gahnia spp. dominate. criteria beyond just aquatic habitats. In Victoria Litoria aurea has been heard calling Population Trends and Conservation Status from mid-September to early January (Atlas of Victorian Wildlife; G. Gillespie, pers. obs.; B. Despite the relative intense survey history of Triggs, pers. comm.). Calling activity appears to the Gippsland area over the past 13 years, there be most intense on warm nights from late is virtually no quantitative data on populations October to late December. Tadpoles (Gosner of L. aurea over any time period which would stage - late 30s) have been observed between allow an assessment of population trends. These February and April (G. Gillespie, pers. obs.). Faunal surveys, as with most other general In lowland areas of East Gippsland, permanent surveys co~iductedin Australia, deal poorly with swamps, billabongs and temporarily inundated amphibians. Frogs generally have episdic activity heathlands form an extensive mosaic of water patterns, patchy distributions across the land- bodies along the coastal plain. Much of these scape, and are otherwise cryptic by nature. wetland habitats remain largely intact. The Hylids generally cannot be trapped, so active availability of these habitats diminishes inland searching techniques are required to quantify due to the increased topographic relief. This numbers. Intensive and repeated surveys are change may be a major factor, apart from climatic therefore required to gain any realistic assess- differences, in largely excluding L. aurea from ment of relative abundance and distribution. the more dissected hinterland, except along Surveys conducted in East Gippsland were often major water courses where billabongs and ol' short duration (2-4 weeks) and were conducted swamps occur. These areas are also warmer and in different areas in different seasons and years. have a lower rainfall. The data on amphibians from these surveys, for the most part, provide only once-off, presence- Litaria aurea has been found in a diversity of only information. In view of this, it is not terrestrial habitats including Lowland Forest possible to assess any changes in the status of (Gillespie el al. 1992), Banksia Woodland, Wet populations of L. aurea in Victoria with any Heathland, Riparian Scrub Complex, Riparian rigour. However, several broad trends can be Shrubland (G. Gillespie, pers. obs.), Riparian discerned from the extensive survey and Forest (Earl el al. 1989), Damp Forest, Shrubby incidental data collected in the region. Dry Forest (G. Gillespie, pers. obs), Limestone Box Woodland (Atlas of Victorian Wildlife) and Comparisons of the known occurrence of L. cleared pastoral areas (Brown et al. 1987; aurea in Victoria between different time periods G. Gillespie, pers. obs.). Woodgate el al. (1993) suggests that there has been no discernible provide definitions and descriptions of these change in the range of the species from historical ecological vegetation classes. (pre-1980) times to that detected during the past Riparian Scrub Complex, Riparian Shrubland five years (Fig. 3). The relative paucity of and Riparian Forest usually occur along drainage records during the 1980's probably reflects the gullies and riparian margins, Wet Heathland low survey effort in the core range of L. aurea. 202 Australian Zoologisl30(2) of largel- aggrerations, with only one report of over 100 individuals. This was an estimate of several hundred males calling from swamp land near Sydenham Inlet (H. Hines, pers. comm.). Large aggregations (< 100 individuals) have also been observed on the Snowy River flood plains and Wet Swale Herblands along the coast in Ewings Marsh Flora Reserve (G. Gillespie, pers. obs.). There are also Sew I-eports of large aggre- gations of L. aurea (>I0 individuals) Srom prior to 1980 (M. Littlejohn, pen. comm; G. Watson, pers. comm.; Sherwin 1978). Comparison of the relative proportions ol' numbers of frogs detected per record (Fig. 4) show no significant (x' difference across time periods = 4.359, d.l: = 6, P > 0.05). This does not account for differing sampling intensities, sampling technique or surveyor differences. Data on numbers of frogs present at PI-eel980 sites are likely to be conservative because they are based largely on museum records of numbers collected rather than those observed. These factors may weaken the comparison somewhat, nevertheless the high similarity between time periods does suggest that the relative abundance of L. aurea has not changed substantially during the past 20 years. These data also suggest that, in contrast to the historic situation in New South Wales (A. White, pers. comm.), large aggregations of L. aurea are atypical in Victoria. Two reports of local disappearances of L. aureu have been received from East Gippsland. A Litoria aurea complex population known from East Lakes Entrance was last observed in the late 1960s (B. Peel, Flora and Fauna Branch, CNR, pers. comm.). This locality has been completely modified by urban de\,elopment. A population of L, aurea disappeared from a swamp north of Mallacoota after the 1982183 drought, during which the swamp dried up. However, the species Fig 3. Dirrribution of 5 X 5 minute grid records oftitwizaurea in Victoria during different time periods: (a) prior to recently recolonized the swamp (B. Triggs, Dead 1980, (b) 1980-1989, and (c) 1990 ro present. Finish, hlallacoota, Victoria, pers. comm.). This is consistent with observations of several other In contrast, surveys since 1990 were conducted species suffering severe population reductions in coastal and lowland areas. in Victoria at this time, such as the Southern Brown Tree Frog Litoria ewingzi (M. Littlejohn, Figure 4 shows that L. aurea was detected University of Melbourne, pers. comm.) and much more frequently during the past five Growling Grass Frog L. raniformis (P. Robertson, years, with over 70 records. This increase in Flora and Fauna Branch, CNR, Heidelberg, sightings may be largely an artefact of the high pers. comm.). survey effort across lowland parts of the region; however, several other species known from the Potentially threatening processes for L. aurea region were detected much less frequently (e.g., in East Gippsland are relatively Sew compared Giant Burrowing Frog Heleiopom awlraliacw, with many areas in New South Wales, largely Large Brown Tree Frog Liton'a littlejohni and due to the very low human population in the Martins Toadlet Uperoleia martini) or not at all area. Most of the region remains naturally (e.g., Southern Barred Frog Mixophyes balbw) vegetated. Pastoral areas comprise I-elatively (Atlas of Victorian Wildlife). small patches within a forest landscape, rather Estimates of the number of frogs present at a than the reverse. Therefore impacts from agri- site vary widely. Mostly single individuals have cultural run off and human settlement are been detected but records of up to 10 individuals minimal. Although timber harvesting occurs are not uncommon. There are very few records extensively in the region, this practice may not I Total records fl singtei ndividuarl ecord % z-lo individualsp er record 50 El t t -t oo individualsp err ecord Q ffinO ver 100i ndividualsp err ecod o u E b40 o z 2n pre1 980 19 80-89 1990- present Time lnterval Fig. 4. Total numbers of records of Litoria aurea and proportions of abundance classesd uring different time periods. significantly adversely affect l,. aurea, due to rts the lowlands and coastal fringes remain relatively ability to persist in significantly modified intact except at the western limit of distribution habitats, and its mobility and potential to of the species.I n contrast the natural vegetation recolonize. In addition, a large portion of of many areas of the east coast is much more the range of the species is within either the fragmented, and water bodies suitable for Croajingalong National Park or other coastal breeding are reduced in number and quality. reserves. In the absence of any evidence of These two factors may significantly increase the decline, the species is therefore considered distance between suitable breeding and refuge secure in Victoria (CNR 1995). habitats and thus reduce the dispersal and colonization ability of the species.T his would be CONCLUSIONS further exacerbated by the urbanization and The population trends of L. aurea in New road infrastructure. Small, isolated populations South Wales are not reflected in East Gippsland. would then be more vulnerable to local extinction There is no compelling evidence of a substantial due to environmental stochastic events, such as decline and the species appears to occur in drought, and would be less likely to be relatively low numbers compared with historical recolonized. Larger populations would be accounts from the east coast, There are several similarly vulnerable if these events are severe differences between East Gippsland and the east enough or if the breeding habitats are unstable. coast of New South Wales which may explain Under this model, the populations that are most these differences. Most of East Gippsland likely to survive are those that were largest in remains largely undisturbed with a low human the first place and that have the most reliable population. The mosaic of wetlands throughout breeding habitat through time. 204 AustralianZ oologis3t 0(2) May 1996 Plate 3a (top left). Lztorza aurea, Genoa Peak Road, East Gippsland, Victoria. Note the plain green dorsal colour. Photo: G. Gillespie. Plate 3b (top right). Lztoria aurea, Bonang Highway, East Gippsland, Victoria. Note the green and brown dorsal pattern. Photo: G. Gillespie. Plate 3c (bottom left). Lztona aurea breeding habitat, Cabbage Tree Lagoon, East Gippsland, Victoria. The relatively intact landscape of East Gipps- roll of landscape factors, such as natural vegeta- land may provide a greater continuity of habitat tion patterns, spatial and temporal distribution with a higher density of breeding or refuge of available aquatic habitats and disturbance areas. The potential for dispersal and recoloniza- regimes, is likely to be important in determining tion after unfavourable disturbances therefore processes limiting the distribution and abundance remains high. In addition, apart from isolated of the species. Examination of local habitat and occurrences in farm dams, the Mosquito Fish landscape differences between areas of New Gambusia holbrooki is absent from the region east South Wales where declines have occurred of the Snowy River in Victoria. This spgcies has and East Gippsland should be an important the potential to substantially increase mortality component in the development of management of L. aurea tadpoles (L.M organ, Honours Thesis plans to protect remaining populations in New in prep.). Its absence may mean that a greater South Wales. range of aquatic habitats remain suitable for reproduction for L. aurea, more colonies can persist in a given area and the distribution is less ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS patchy. Although L. aurea is known to persist in The Flora and Fauna Branch, Department of cleared or otherwise highly modified areas, the Conservation and Natural Resources, Victoria availability of natural vegetation my still increase provided museum records and other distribution dispersal and foraging ability and may also data from the Atlas of Victorian Wildlife. ameliorate the impacts of environmental stresses, Murray Littlejohn and Graeme Watson, Depart- such as droughts and fires, or predation, by ment of Zoology Melbourne University, Bill providing refuge areas. In the environment of Sherwin, University of New South Wales and East Gippsland, local stability of breeding and Peter Robertson, Flora and Fauna Branch, refuge habitat may be far less important to the CNR, Victoria, gladly shared their knowledge of persistence of the species compared with areas Litoria aurea. Graeme Watson and Peter in New South Wales, due to the greater avail- Robertson also provided comments on the ability of habitat and the ability to disperse and manuscript. Will Osborne and Graham Pyke recolonize. provided comments on the final manuscript. East Gippsland provides an opportunity to study factors influencing habitat use and population dynamics of L. aurea in an area REFERENCES where populations of the species have persisted, Brook, A. J., 1982. Atlas of Frogs of Vzctorza. Dept. Zool. Univ. rather than declined. An understanding of the Melb. Publ. No. 6. May 1996 Australian Zoologist 30(2) 205 Brown, G. W., Cam, K. A., Cherry, K. A., Craig, S. A,, LCC, 1985. East Gippsland Area Review. hnd Conserva- Horrocks, C. F. B., Menkhorst, K. A., Opie, A. M. and tion Council: Victoria. Triggs, B. E., 1986. Flora and Fauna of the Quadra Forest Block, East Gippsland, Viaoria. Ecological Littlejohn, M. J., 1969. Amphibians of East Gippsland. Prac. Survey Report No. 6. 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