Philoria sphagnicola
Copyright © Hal Cogger
Distribution map
Distribution Map of Philoria sphagnicola
Copyright © Hal Cogger
Status
IUCN Classification:
Endangered
(International Union for Conservation of Nature)
Bioregion occurrence:
(this is not a distribution map)
State occurrence:
Links
- Sphagnum Frog
AmphibiaWeb page on Philoria sphagnicola
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Philoria sphagnicola
Family: Myobatrachidae
Common name: Sphagnum Frog
Description: This frog can range in colour from cream, yellow, orange, red to black on its back, with darker flecks and blotches. A dark band runs from the snout through the eye to the shoulder. A second dark band runs down the sides of the body and a third runs from each hind leg into the centre of the back. Some individuals have a pale broad stripe down the spine. The belly is white and smooth. The skin on the back is smooth with a few low warts and ridges. The toes are not webbed.
Size: 35 mm
Habitat: This frog is found in Antarctic Beech forests, wet sclerophyll forests and sphagnum moss beds. It is found in moist soil or moss burrows and under rocks and logs beside streams.
Call: A low growl, "gur-r-r-r-r-r".Call available in 
Windows Media or 
Quicktime audio. Recording Copyright © David Stewart.
Breeding: Males call from burrows which can be under rocks and logs, in sphagnum moss or under trees. They call during spring and summer and breeding occurs in November and December.
Eggs: Are large and laid in a frothy mass in the burrows.
Tadpoles: Are small and grey-brown in colour. The tadpoles stay in the jelly mass until they metamorphose.
Similar species: This frog is unlikely to be confused with any other species due to its distribution and colouration.
Conservation Information
Suspected threatening processes
- Direct human impact/urbanisation/tourism
Population size: An estimate of the total number of adults present in the species entire range is 5001-10000 individuals. Some factors affecting population size and distribution are known, but 1 or more major factors are unknown.
Population trend in Australia over the past 50 years: Population formerly experienced serious declines but is presently stable or increasing.
Knowledge of population trend in Australia: Not currently monitored.
Population concentration: Majority concentrates at more than 25 locations. (e.g. the number of sites in which individuals group together either seasonally, such as breeding sites, or they may occupy discrete habitat patches within the broader landscape, such as discrete water bodies or drainage units.)
Ongoing management activities in Australia: Management mostly related to enforcement of conservation laws.
Reproductive potential for recovery: The average number of eggs deposited per adult female per year is 51-200 eggs/female/year. Minimum age at which females are known or suspected to first reproduce is 2-3 years.
Range size in Australia: The size of the geographic area over which the taxon is distributed: 1001-80000 km² (up to 1% area of Australia or about the area of Tasmania).
Distribution trend: Decline, if any, unknown. (This is an estimate of change in the portion of the total range that is occupied or utilised; it may not equal the change in total range.)
Knowledge of distribution in Australia: Distribution is well known and occurrence can be accurately predicted throughout the range.
References
Anstis, M. 2002. Tadpoles of South-eastern Australia. Reed New Holland: Sydney.
Barker, J., G.C. Grigg and M.J. Tyler. 1995. A Field Guide to Australian Frogs. Surrey Beatty & Sons: Chipping Norton.
Cogger, H.G. 2000. Reptiles and amphibians of Australia. Reed Books: Sydney.
Robinson, M. 2002. A Field Guide to Frogs of Australia. Australian Museum/Reed New Holland: Sydney.