Note making sheet Endangered Species Investigation Task

Copy and paste any relevant information into the Original Information column as you find it. Remember to record the book
name or Website URL for your bibliography. Highlight the meaning words and write these down in point form in the My
Interpretation column. Using these meaning words and your own glue words rewrite these points into your assignment. This
avoids plagiarism. This note making sheet must be submitted with your assignment so that it can be easily seen where you got
your information from.
Topic:

QUESTIONS
or
KEYWORDS

WEBSITE URL
or
Book Name
for Bibliography

What is the species

name and common
name of your animal

http://www.environ
ment.gov.au/cgibin/sprat/public/pu
blicspecies.pl?
taxon_id=1915

What is the
difference between
a threatened,
endangered and
vulnerable species.
Use you species as
an example.

http://www.iucnred
list.org/static/categ
ories_criteria_2_3
http://www.wwf.or
g.au/our_work/savi
ng_the_natural_wo
rld/wildlife_and_h
abitats/iucn_levels
_of_threatened_spe
cies/

ORIGINAL INFORMATION
Copy just the bit that answers your question and
highlight the important words

MY INTERPRETATION

Make a SUMMARY in
dot points in your own
words
This species scientific
Pseudophryne corroboree Southern Corroboree Frog
name is Pseudophryne
Corroboree while its
common name is the
Southern Corroboree
Frog.
ENDANGERED (EN) - A taxon is Endangered when it is
A threatened species is
not Critically Endangered but is facing a very high risk of
any species that is at
extinction in the wild in the near future, as defined by any
risk of endangerment
of the criteria (A to E) as described below.
and even extinction.
VULNERABLE (VU) - A taxon is Vulnerable when it is
A species is classified as
not Critically Endangered or Endangered but is facing a
endangered if in the
high risk of extinction in the wild in the medium-term
near future they are
future, as defined by any of the criteria (A to E) as
considered to be at a
described below.
high risk of being
extinct in the wild but
Threatened species are those that are facing threats to their
still cant be classified
survival, and may be at risk of extinction. The International Union

What is the
distribution of your
species.

http://www.environ
ment.gov.au/cgibin/sprat/public/pu
blicspecies.pl?
taxon_id=1915#dis
tribution

for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) classifies threatened species

into different categories, depending on their relative risk of
extinction. The term endangered is one of these categories.

as critically endangered
yet.
A species is classified as
vulnerable if in the
medium-term future
they are considered to
have a high risk of
extinction in the wild
but still cant be
classified as critically
endangered or
endangered.

The Southern Corroboree Frog is restricted to the

Jagungal Wilderness area in New South Wales in the
north-west of its former range (Hunter 2002 pers. comm.).
It is now extinct or in very reduced numbers at previous
locations, particularly Pretty Plain, Happy Jacks Plain,
Finns Swamp, Whites River and the Smiggin Holes and
the Guthega area south of the Snowy River (NSW NPWS
2001q). Its extent of occurrence has declined by 90%
to 60 km with an area of occupancy of 0.8 km (Hunter
2013b).
The species historically occurred more broadly in subalpine areas within Koscuiszko National Park from
Smiggin Holes in the south, northwards to the Maragle
Range about 5 km west of Cabramurra (NSW NPWS
2001q), which constituted a north-south linear range of 51

The Critically
Endangered Southern
Corroborre Frog was
first found to only be at
7 locations from
museum records that
were all in the Snowy
Mountains (Guthega,
Smiggin Holes, Happy
Jacks Plain, Round
Mountain, Alpine Hut,
Pretty Plain and Tooma
Swamp). This
information was
recorded prior to a
survey undertaken by
Osborne (1989), in

km. Near Mt Jagungal, the species had a 24 km east-west

range (Osbourne 1989).
Prior to a detailed survey undertaken in 19861987
(Osborne 1989) there were museum records of the
Southern Corroboree Frog from only seven locations, all
in the Snowy Mountains (Guthega, Smiggin Holes, Happy
Jacks Plain, Round Mountain, Alpine Hut, Pretty Plain
and Tooma Swamp) (Osborne et al. 1999). Osborne
(1989) surveyed 257 potential breeding sites in the Snowy
Mountains and recorded the species at 63 locations,
although he was unable to find the species at the formerly
recorded locations near Guthega and Alpine Hut.
Extensive surveys in 19971999 found the frog present at
79 sites of 213 survey locations (Hunter 2000; NSW
NPWS 2001q).

Describe the habitat

of your species.
Include how your

http://www.environ The Southern Corroboree Frogs is a habitat specialist,

ment.gov.au/cgirestricted to gently sloping montane and sub-alpine

which they found the

species at most sites
except for at Guthega
and Alpine Hut. The
Southern Corroboree
Frog is now confined to
a region in New South
Wales called the
Jagungal Wilderness
with the area they
originally appeared in
decreasing by a massive
90%. They have also
been found to have a
dramatically low
population or
completely extinct in
locations that it could be
previously found in
such as Guthega, Happy
Jacks Plain and Smiggin
Holes.

There is not a great deal of

information that is known

species lives in that

environment.

bin/sprat/public/pu
blicspecies.pl?
taxon_id=1915#ha
bitat

habitats between 13001760 m above sea level. The

species utilises two distinct habitat types: a breeding
season habitat associated with pools and seepages in
sphagnum bogs, wet tussock grasslands and wet heath
usually occurring on granitic and volcanic substrates; and
a terrestrial non-breeding habitat in forest, sub-alpine
woodland and tall heath adjacent to the breeding area.
During the summer, the adult frogs breed in shallow pools
and seepages within the breeding area, before returning to
the adjacent woodland and tall moist heath at the end of
the breeding season (Pengilley 1966). Osborne (1988)
found that, following breeding, adults are capable of
dispersing over 300 m into the surrounding woodland.
Vegetation at breeding sites varies considerably and
consists of spreading rope-rush Empodisma minus, peat
moss Sphagnum cristatum, and the shrubs Baeckea
gunniana and Epacris paludosa. Several other plant
species, including sod-tussock grasses Poa spp., candle
heath Richea continentis, the rush Restio australis and the
sedge Carex gaudichaudianacommonly occur at breeding
sites. The breeding pools are characteristically shallow
(often ephemeral), and have relatively large surface areas,
low water flow rates, and have a long duration (Osborne
1990b). This allows the water in the preferred pools to
become warmer during the day, possibly enhancing
tadpole development. The breeding pools are the most
sensitive feature of the breeding habitat of the Southern
Corroboree Frog and protection of the catchment area of

about the Southern

Corroboree Frog habitat
when they are not breeding
although they are known as
a habitat specialist. They
are found between 13001760m above sea level in
only gently sloping
montane and sub-alpine
habitats with their two
discrete habitats being used
for either breeding or nonbreeding. Their breeding
habitat contains large
shallow pools with low
water flow rates that allow
the water to be heated
during the day, and
seepages in sphagnum
bogs; this is where they
breed during the summer.
The breeding pools ability
to become warm during the
day may increase tadpole
maturation and these pools
are also the most sensitive
attribute of this species
breeding habitat so the
conservation of these areas
are vital for them to
continue to be breeding

the pools and seepages is essential for their long-term

persistence as breeding sites.
Litter, logs and dense ground cover in the understorey of
snow gum woodland provides over-wintering habitat
(Pengilley 1966). Plant species typical of this habitat
include Bossiaea foliosa, Prostanthera
cuneata, Oxylobium spp. and Phebalium spp. Very little is
known about non-breeding habitats utilised by this species
(Osborne 1990b).

sites for the Southern

Corroboree Frog in the
future.
This habitat also contains
wet tussock grasslands as
well as wet heath that
generally occur on granitic
and volcanic substrates.
With various vegetation
that can be found at the
Southern Corroboree Frogs
breeding habitat it can be
composed of vegetation
such as spreading rope rush
(Empodisma minus), peat
moss (Sphagnum
cristatum), and
shrubs Baeckea
gunniana and Epacris
paludosa, as well as many
other plant varieties.
At the end of the breeding
season the Southern
Corroboree Frogs return to
the woodland and tall moist
heath that can be found
close to the breeding sites
and can be found up to 300
metres away from their

What are the main

causes that are
leading to the
species decline.

breeding habitat. During

winter they can be found in
the understorey of snow
gum woodlands with plants
such as Bossiaea foliosa
and Prostanthera cuneata,
but other than this not
much more is known about
the Southern Corroboree
Frogs habitat when they are
no longer breeding.
http://www.environ The Southern Coroboree Frog is one of a number of
The exact cause for the
ment.gov.au/cgidecrease in population for
Australian alpine amphibian species, including Alpine
bin/sprat/public/pu Tree Frog (Litoria verreauxii alpina), Southern
the Southern Corroboree
blicspecies.pl?
Frogs is not known
Corroboree Frog (Pseudophryne corroboree) and Baw
taxon_id=1915#au
although there are many
Baw
Frog
(Philoria
frosti),
which
have
experienced
stralian_distributio
factors that are thought to
pronounced
population
declines
for
unknown
reasons.
It
is
n
be contributing to this
likely that declines will continue through the 2010s
decline. Factors that are
(Hunter 2013). There is no single aspect of the field
thought to be contributing
to this decline are; the
biology of these species which stands out as a feature in
Chytrid fungus which is
common that may help explain the declines (Osborne et
capable of either causing
al. 1999). Osborne and colleagues (1999) reviewed some
of the possible factors contributing to population declines sporadic deaths or 100%
mortality to amphibians
at high altitudes including long term weather patterns and
and has been observed in
pathogens such as the Chytrid fungus (Berger et al. 1999). some specimens of the
Chytridiomycosis affects the Southern Corroboree Frog
Southern Corroboree Frog
throughout its range (Hunter et al. 2010). This highly
at museums; Climate
change is also thought to be
virulent fungal pathogen of amphibians is capable at the
minimum of causing sporadic deaths in some populations, another possible cause for

and 100 per cent mortality in other populations (AGDEH

2006o). Chytrid fungus has been detected in some
museum specimens of the species (Osborne 2001 pers.
comm.). The spread of this diease is possibly facilitated by
the Common Eastern Froglet (Crinia signifera) (Hunter et
al. 2009).
Climate change is predicted to decrease winter and spring
precipitation for the Australian Alps (Hennessey et al.
2003) that may lower spring water tables and result
in pools drying earlier (Hunter 2013). Although droughts
are a common in south-east Australia, climate change may
increase the severity and frequency of these events
(Hunter 2013).
Planting of exotic trees, such as Willows (Salix spp.), has
been widespread in the Snowy Mountains. Although no
breeding sites are directly threatened by willow invasion,
in the longer-term the spread of willows by vegetative
growth along seepages and streams may present a problem
for the management of some sites (Osborne 1990b).
Excavation by feral pigs has also been identified as a
potentially threatening process (Osborne 1990b; Osborne
2001 pers. comm.).
The Pig (Sus scrofa), the Horse (Equus equus), the
Sambar Deer (Cervus unicolour) and the Fallow
Deer (Dama dama) have been observed damaging habitat.
Ultimately, trampling and grazing by these species cause
wetland incision that alters drainage patterns and
vegetation structure (Costin et al. 1959; Hunter 2013;

the population decrease as

it is said to reduce the
amount of rainfall during
winter and spring which
can therefore result in the
species summer breeding
pools drying earlier; the
planting of foreign trees in
the Snowy Mountains such
as Willows may also affect
the breeding habitats in the
future; Feral pigs and other
animals such as the Fallow
Deer, digging up and
damaging the land may
also be a likely threat to the
Southern Corroboree Frogs
habitats in the future.

McDougall 1989; Whinam & Chilcott 2002).

What approaches
are currently being
undertaken to
increase the species
chance of survival.

http://www.environ
ment.gov.au/cgibin/sprat/public/pu
blicspecies.pl?
taxon_id=1915#au
stralian_distributio
n

Facilitating the recovery of the Southern Corroboree Frog

will require assisting this species to attain greater
resistance to Chytridiomycosis at the population level.
The National Threat Abatement Plan for Chytridiomycosis
recommends implementing a captive breeding and
reintroduction program for achieving greater resistance in
frog populations threatened with extinction, because
maintaining the species in the wild will facilitate ongoing
selection for increased resistance (AGDEH 2006o). A
captive breeding and reintroduction program is currently
being undertaken using individuals that have been bred at
the Amphibian Research Centre, Taronga Zoo, Melbourne
Zoo, and Healseville Sanctuary. Furthermore, research
investigating the immune response of the Southern
Corroboree Frog to the Amphibian Chytrid Fungus is
currently being undertaken at James Cook University and
Taronga Zoo. The reintroduction of tadpoles into artificial
pools that remain free from Amphibian Chytrid Fungus
infection is currently being trialed as a technique to
successfully establish wild popultions (Hunter et al. 2009).
The NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service is
undertaking an effective feral animals control program
throughout the range of the Southern Corroboree Frog.
This program has involved a range of actions including
aerial shooting of pigs, and trapping of horses. This
program has successfully mitigated any significant

There are many actions

being undertaken
throughout Australia to try
and find a way to increase
the Southern Corroboree
Frogs population. The main
measures being undertaken
are annual monitoring,
various research projects
and the development and
implementation of effective
captive breeding protocols.
There is research being
conducted investigating the
immune response of the
Southern Corroboree Frog
to the Chytrid Fungus to
further help building a
resistance to the fungus in
order to increase the
population by the James
Cook University and
Taronga Zoo, as well as
breeding tadpoles in
artificial pools that have
been rid of the fungus. The
National Threat Abatement
Plan for Chytridiomycosis
also recommends utilising

impacts from feral herbivores on the Southern Corroboree

Frog. The Southern Corroboree Frog and Northern
Corroboree Frog National Recovery Plan (NSW OEH
2012j) evaluates the implementation of the 2001 national
recovery plan (NSW NPWS 2001q). Key actions that have
been undertaken include (NSW OEH 2012j):
annual monitoring
various research projects
development and implementation of effective
captive breeding protocols.
What other
approaches could to
be introduced to
increase the species
chance of survival.

Explain in detail,
one management
approach that would
act to eliminate

a captive breeding and

reintroduction program,
which is currently being
undertaken at places such
as the Amphibian Research
Centre and Melbourne Zoo.
A control program for feral
animals is also being
undertaken by the New
South Wales National Parks
and Wildlife Service.

Other approaches that

could be introduced to
increase the species chance
of survival might be maybe
even capturing all of the
frogs or as many as they
can and breeding them and
letting them live in
captivity until the problems
such as the fungus have
been taken care of
completely. This would be
so the Southern Corroboree
Frog can live peacefully in
its habitat and so their
population can increase.
http://www.corrob Due to the precarious state of Corroboree Frogs in the
The Captive Breeding
oreefrog.com.au/co wild, a successful conservation breeding program in
Program.
rroboreecaptivity is essential to secure the long-term persistence of This program is one of the

potential threats to
your species.

conservation/captiv this species. Fortunately, the decline of this species was

e-breeding
well-documented and the decision was made to establish a
captive breeding colony. Since 1997, a small number of
eggs have been collected from the wild each year to form
a large captive insurance colony.

best management
approaches that have been
undertaken to eliminate
potential threats to the
Southern Corroboree Frog.
It involves collecting a
The captive breeding population of Southern Corroboree
small number of the
Frogs is now spread over four institutions, including
Southern Corroboree Frogs
Taronga Zoo, Melbourne Zoo, Healesville Sanctuary and eggs from the wild each
the Amphibian Research Centre. Similarly, the Northern
year and placing them in
Corroboree Frog population is split amongst three
specialised climate
institutions, including Tidbinbilla Nature Reserve,
controlled facilities at
Taronga Zoo and Healesville Sanctuary.
either Taronga Zoo,
Melbourne Zoo,
At each of these zoos and reserves, the frogs are housed in Healesville Sanctuary or
specialised, climate-controlled facilities that are designed the Amphibian Research
to closely replicate the cool, semi-alpine environment of
Centre. These facilities
their natural habitat. The facilities each have breeding
have strict quarantine
tanks, tadpole-rearing tanks and shelving to house
protocols to follow to
hundreds of juvenile frogs. Each of the facilities also
ensure the population
employs strict quarantine protocols to ensure that no
growth amongst these
pathogens or diseases can enter these vital insurance
species and are specially
populations.
designed to have a very
similar environment to that
In recent years, successful captive breeding protocols have of what would be found in
been established, allowing for reliable breeding each year their natural habitat, with
since 2011. Due to this success, over 2,000 Southern
each including breeding
Corroboree Frog eggs have been released between 2011
tanks, tadpole-rearing tanks
and 2014 to Kosciuszko National Park. For more details
and shelving to house many
on Corroboree Frog husbandry, click here.
of the young frogs at these
facilities.
Additionally, in order to manage and preserve the genetic

diversity within the captive population, a detailed genetic

management plan has been established and implemented.

Discuss the
benefits, costs, and
associated issues
with this approach.

Due to this programs strict

protocol that they have in
place so that no pathogens
Additionally, the success of the captive breeding program or diseases can enter the
has permitted the use of frogs for a variety of other uses to facilities that are enabling
benefit the conservation of the species. This includes
the reproduction of the
housing animals at zoos and National Parks visitor centres Southern Corroboree Frog,
for education about the plight of the species. It has also
this means that the frog can
enabled the establishment of captive colonies at
reproduce without the
universities where conservation research can be
Chytrid Fungus interfering
undertaken, including studies on immunity to chytrid
with breeding and therefore
fungus, dietary studies and artificial reproductive
allowing the population to
techniques.
increase due to the
elimination of this threat.
The benefits of this captive
breeding program are that
the Southern Corroboree
Frog can reproduce without
any of its possible threats
from the wild that were
preventing the population
to increase and therefore
decreasing the species
population. This program is
hopefully leading to an
increase in population.
Nothing about the cost of
this program is really stated
anywhere or even anything

about who or what

organisation etc., may have
contributed to the payment
for this program but I
would assume that the
government may have
funded some of it as well as
maybe Zoos Victoria.

What you, or
readers of the Web
Page could
personally do to
improve the species
chance of survival.

The issues with this captive

breeding program are that
new threats may eventually
develop in these facilities
and therefore again prevent
an increase in population
and then result in another
decrease of the species
population. Another issue is
that when and if they try
and release them all back
into the wild they may not
develop properly for some
reason as a result of being
bread in captivity.
http://www.zoo.org One thing you can do to help critically endangered frogs
To improve the Southern
.au/melbourne/ani like the Corroboree Frog is to support amphibian ark. This Corroboree Frogs chance
mals/southernorganisation helps frogs all around the world and also
of survival you and many
corroboree-frog
right here in Australia.
others can help out by
supporting organisations
http://www.amphib
such as Amphibian Ark,
ianark.org/
which helps many critically

endangered frogs that can

be found all over the world.
You can find them at
http://www.amphibianark.o
rg/