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Corroboree frog

The corroboree frog refers to two species of small, brightly colored, poisonous ground-dwelling frogs endemic to the subalpine regions of southeastern Australia: the southern corroboree frog (Pseudophryne corroboree) and the northern corroboree frog (Pseudophryne pengilleyi). Both species feature bold dorsal stripes—vivid yellow on black for the southern and lime-green on black for the northern—serving as warning coloration for their skin toxins, including the alkaloid pseudophrynamine, which they produce endogenously rather than acquiring from prey. Adults are compact, reaching 2.5–3 cm in length, with females slightly larger than males, and they inhabit cool, moist environments such as sphagnum bogs, wet heathlands, and subalpine woodlands at elevations of 1,300–1,800 meters in New South Wales and the Australian Capital Territory.^[1]^[2]^[3]^[1] These iconic frogs are among Australia's most threatened amphibians, with both the southern and northern corroboree frogs classified as Critically Endangered on the IUCN Red List (southern assessed 2010; northern reassessed 2022) due to drastic population declines exceeding 90% since the 1980s. Primary threats include the chytridiomycosis disease caused by the amphibian chytrid fungus (Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis), which has decimated wild populations; climate change, leading to reduced snowmelt and drying of breeding pools; and habitat degradation from invasive weeds, feral predators, bushfires, and grazing. The southern species is now restricted to a few high-altitude sites in Kosciuszko National Park, with an estimated 50 mature adults remaining in the wild as of 2024, while the northern persists in fragmented populations across the Brindabella and Fiery Ranges, numbering fewer than 1,200 mature individuals as of 2025.^[1]^[2]^[1]^[2] Conservation efforts focus on captive breeding and reintroduction programs led by institutions like Taronga Conservation Society Australia and Zoos Victoria, which have released thousands of eggs and juveniles into protected habitats since the early 2000s to bolster genetic diversity and population recovery; in 2025, 544 northern corroboree frog juveniles were released, the largest cohort to date. These initiatives, supported by national recovery plans, emphasize disease mitigation through antifungal treatments and habitat restoration to combat ongoing environmental pressures. Despite these measures, both species remain highly vulnerable, highlighting the urgent need for broader climate adaptation strategies in their fragile alpine ecosystems.^[4]^[2]^[4]^[5]^[6]

Taxonomy and nomenclature

Species classification

The southern corroboree frog (Pseudophryne corroboree) and northern corroboree frog (Pseudophryne pengilleyi) are classified within the genus Pseudophryne of the family Myobatrachidae and subfamily Limnodynastinae.^[1]^[7] The southern corroboree frog was originally described by J.A. Moore in 1953 based on specimens from Towong Hill, New South Wales.^[1]^[8] The northern corroboree frog was formally named P. pengilleyi by Wells and Wellington in 1985, though it was initially treated as the northern form of P. corroboree.^[7]^[9] Its elevation to full species status occurred in 1996, following a reappraisal of morphological variation, advertisement calls, and prior genetic data that distinguished it from the southern species.^[7] Key taxonomic distinctions between the species include genetic divergence revealed by allozyme analyses of seven polymorphic enzymes, which clustered populations into two groups without fixed differences but with significant structure supporting separation.^[1]^[7] Both species share a diploid chromosome number of 2n=24, with no reported karyotypic variations differentiating them.^[10] Hybridization experiments indicate interfertility but result in high larval mortality, reinforcing their status as distinct species.^[7] Phylogenetically, the corroboree frogs form a closely related clade within Pseudophryne, characterized by adaptations to alpine and subalpine environments in southeastern Australia, as evidenced by mitochondrial DNA haplotypes forming two distinct groups corresponding to the species.^[11]^[1]

Etymology and naming

The term "corroboree frog" serves as a collective common name for two closely related species of small, toxic ground frogs endemic to the montane regions of southeastern Australia: the southern corroboree frog (Pseudophryne corroboree) and the northern corroboree frog (Pseudophryne pengilleyi). The root word "corroboree" derives from the Dharug Aboriginal language term "caribberie" (also spelled "garabara"), spoken by the Eora people of the Sydney region, denoting a traditional Indigenous Australian ceremonial gathering featuring rhythmic dances, songs, and body adornments to mark significant cultural events such as initiations or celebrations.^[12]^[13] This name was first applied to the southern species by naturalists in the early 20th century, with the common designation gaining formal recognition when American herpetologist John A. Moore described it scientifically as Pseudophryne corroboree in 1953, drawing on the pre-existing vernacular to highlight its distinctive traits. The association stems from the frogs' bold black and lime-green or yellow longitudinal stripes, which parallel the vivid body paintings donned by participants in corroboree ceremonies. The northern species was formally described as a distinct species and given the binomial Pseudophryne pengilleyi by Wells and Wellington in 1985, honoring the contributions of Australian herpetologist Richard Pengilley, whose 1966 research highlighted morphological and geographic distinctions; the specific epithet 'pengilleyi' commemorates his foundational studies on the genus Pseudophryne. It shares the "corroboree frog" moniker due to comparable coloration, alpine habitat preferences, and ecological roles.^[7]^[14] Within the cultural landscape of the Southern Tablelands, the corroboree frogs symbolize connections to Aboriginal heritage, though no pre-colonial Indigenous names are documented specifically for the southern species. Local groups, including the Walgalu of the Snowy Mountains, know the northern corroboree frog as "gyak" and integrate its unique squelching call into oral stories and contemporary performances that evoke ceremonial rhythms. Early European settlers in the region observed these dances firsthand, fostering the symbolic linkage between the frogs' vivid patterns and the painted forms of corroboree participants, a tie that persists in modern conservation narratives without direct evidence of traditional frog-specific nomenclature.^[15]

Physical description

Morphology and size

The corroboree frog, encompassing both the southern species Pseudophryne corroboree and the northern species Pseudophryne pengilleyi, exhibits a compact, robust body adapted for a terrestrial lifestyle in montane environments. Adults of both species measure approximately 2.5–3 cm in snout-vent length (SVL), with the southern species showing males at 22–28 mm SVL and females at 24–30 mm SVL.^[1] The northern species averages 25–30 mm SVL in adults.^[16] Their build features a broad head, short limbs suited for ground-dwelling, and glandular skin covered in low warts that facilitate toxin production and storage.^[1] Limb morphology supports navigation through boggy habitats, with relatively short hind legs and unwebbed toes on both front and hind feet—four fingers and five toes per hand and foot, respectively—enabling efficient movement over damp vegetation and soil without aquatic specialization.^[17] Sexual dimorphism is subtle, primarily manifested in size differences where females are slightly larger than males, with no notable external morphological distinctions beyond this during non-breeding periods.^[1]^[14] Larval stages, or tadpoles, display a dark body coloration with a translucent tail, optimized for development in slow-moving or ephemeral waters such as bog pools. These tadpoles reach 2–3 cm in total length prior to metamorphosis, featuring a paddle-shaped tail for propulsion in low-flow conditions.^[4]^[17]

Coloration and defensive adaptations

The corroboree frogs exhibit striking aposematic coloration, featuring a predominantly black body with prominent dorsal longitudinal stripes that warn potential predators of their toxicity. In the southern corroboree frog (Pseudophryne corroboree), these stripes are vividly yellow, contrasting sharply against the black background, while the ventral surface displays yellow skin with black mottling.^[14] The northern corroboree frog (P. pengilleyi) shows a greener hue in its dorsal stripes, often lime-green with narrower, more broken patterns, potentially influenced by ultraviolet (UV) radiation exposure during development, as recent 2025 research indicates that ecologically relevant UV levels (0.2–0.7 UVI) contribute to subtle shifts in post-metamorphic pigmentation without extreme changes.^[18] This bold patterning enhances visibility to visually hunting predators, signaling unprofitability and reducing attack rates.^[19] Complementing their visual defenses, corroboree frogs possess chemical toxicity through skin secretions containing alkaloids such as pseudophrynamines—endogenously biosynthesized compounds unique to the genus Pseudophryne—and pumiliotoxins derived from dietary sources like ants and mites. These alkaloids cause gastrointestinal distress or illness in predators upon ingestion, with wild individuals exhibiting significantly higher concentrations of pumiliotoxins compared to captive-bred frogs, which rely more on pseudophrynamines due to limited dietary access.^[20] Unpalatability has been empirically confirmed through laboratory and field experiments, including clay model studies showing reduced attacks on yellow-striped dorsal phenotypes by birds (e.g., in a 2019 field experiment on southern corroboree frogs, attack rates on striped clay models were 17.6% in the first deployment, reducing to 9.9% in the second after predator education).^[21] Behaviorally, corroboree frogs employ additional defenses, such as inflating their bodies to appear larger and more intimidating when threatened, a posture that accentuates their aposematic coloration.^[22] Ontogenetically, juveniles emerge from metamorphosis with duller, less vibrant coloration—often muted yellows or greens—that progressively brightens over post-metamorphic stages, enhancing aposematic efficacy as individuals mature and alkaloid levels increase.^[18] This developmental shift aligns with increased exposure to environmental factors like UV radiation, optimizing defensive signaling in their alpine habitats.^[18]

Distribution and habitat

Geographic range

The Southern Corroboree Frog (Pseudophryne corroboree) is endemic to the Snowy Mountains region of New South Wales, with its range restricted to Kosciuszko National Park.^[23] Historically, prior to the 1980s, this species occupied an area of approximately 400 km² across subalpine areas from Smiggin Holes in the south to the Maragle Range in the north, at elevations of 1,300–1,760 m.^[24] Current distribution has contracted dramatically to an extent of occurrence of approximately 60 km² (as of 2013 estimates, with ongoing declines), primarily along the western park edge from the Dargals Range to the Maragle Range, reflecting a severe reduction in viable habitat patches and restriction to about 10 breeding sites with fewer than 100 breeding males remaining.^[25]^[1]^[26] The Northern Corroboree Frog (Pseudophryne pengilleyi) has a more northerly and comparatively smaller range, centered in the Fiery Range (including Bogong Peaks) and Brindabella Ranges near Canberra, encompassing Namadgi National Park in the Australian Capital Territory and adjacent New South Wales areas such as Bimberi Nature Reserve.^[7] Its historical extent covered roughly 610 km² (550 km² in Fiery Range and 60 km² in Brindabella Range) at elevations of 960–1,840 m, though populations have since become fragmented across fewer sites within these protected areas.^[7]^[23] The ranges of the two species show no overlap and are separated by approximately 100 km of intervening terrain, with the Southern species confined to higher elevations than the Northern.^[7] Both experienced broader distributions before the 1980s, with an overall 90% decline in occupied sites since then; 2024 surveys indicate that remaining populations appear stable.^[26]^[27]

Habitat requirements

The corroboree frog, encompassing both the southern (Pseudophryne corroboree) and northern (P. pengilleyi) species, relies on specialized breeding habitats in montane and sub-alpine regions, primarily sphagnum bogs, wet heathlands, wet tussock grasslands, fens, and seepages containing permanent, semi-permanent, or ephemeral pools formed by rainfall or snowmelt.^[28]^[29]^[26] These sites feature vegetation dominated by Sphagnum cristatum moss and sedges like Empodisma minor, with nests constructed in loose, moist substrates at pool edges to support egg-laying and tadpole development during the extended over-wintering period.^[30] Pool characteristics, including greater surface area, depth, and midday temperatures, positively influence occupancy and tadpole survival, while bare substrates are avoided.^[30] Outside the breeding season, corroboree frogs utilize adjacent non-breeding habitats such as dry sclerophyll forests, sub-alpine woodlands (including snow gum (Eucalyptus pauciflora) areas), and grasslands for foraging on small invertebrates like ants.^[28]^[29] Overwintering occurs in burrows beneath logs, leaf litter, moss, or dense ground cover, providing shelter from freezing temperatures.^[28] Microhabitat preferences emphasize dense vegetation cover in moist environments near pools, with avoidance of fast-flowing water bodies; high soil and vegetation moisture is essential to prevent desiccation, particularly for juveniles remaining in bog edges post-metamorphosis.^[30]^[28] Seasonal shifts involve adults migrating from non-breeding upland forests and woodlands to breeding bogs in early to mid-summer (December–February), followed by a return movement of up to 200 meters in elevation by late summer or early autumn.^[28]^[31] These frogs depend on cool alpine and sub-alpine climates with annual rainfall of 1,000–2,000 mm to maintain pool persistence and bog hydrology, rendering them highly vulnerable to drought, which can lead to complete tadpole cohort failure.^[28]^[29]

Behavior and ecology

Daily activity and foraging

The southern corroboree frog (Pseudophryne corroboree) exhibits seasonal shifts in activity patterns adapted to its subalpine environment. During warmer summer months, individuals are primarily diurnal, foraging actively under moderate temperatures and cloudy conditions, while becoming crepuscular or nocturnal in cooler periods to avoid extreme cold. Below 5°C, the frogs become inactive, entering brumation (winter dormancy) by burrowing into soil or vegetation; they also aestivate during intense summer heat, retreating to moist bryophyte mats or burrows for metabolic suppression.^[32]^[33] As sit-and-wait ambush predators, these frogs position themselves in leaf litter or near fallen logs, relying on sensory cues to detect prey. They employ chemoreception via the vomeronasal organ and vibration detection through substrate-borne signals to locate small, slow-moving invertebrates without extensive movement. Territorial males typically displace less than 10 m per day within their small home ranges during non-breeding periods, while females may disperse up to 50 m to access foraging sites. Post-breeding, both sexes can travel over 300 m to overwintering habitats in surrounding woodlands.^[1]^[34]^[32] The diet consists predominantly of arthropods, with stomach content analyses revealing a high proportion of ants (Formicidae), alongside beetles (Coleoptera), mites (Acarina), and other arthropods such as collembolans and isopods. Annelids become more prominent during wetter seasons when soil moisture facilitates their availability. Juveniles forage near breeding pools on similar small invertebrates, with overall feeding rates increasing in warmer, prey-abundant months and declining sharply during dormancy.^[35]^[32] The northern corroboree frog (Pseudophryne pengilleyi) shows similar daily activity and foraging patterns, including seasonal brumation and a diet primarily of small ants and other invertebrates in its subalpine habitats.^[32] Males of the southern corroboree frog (Pseudophryne corroboree) exhibit territorial behavior, primarily defending small areas around their burrows or calling sites during the active season. These territories are weakly defended compared to other Pseudophryne species. Physical combat is rare, as males rarely engage in aggressive physical interactions typical of many anurans; instead, defense relies on vocalizations and postures to deter intruders.^[36] Communication among P. corroboree includes acoustic signals for non-reproductive purposes, such as threat calls used to warn rival males approaching the territory.^[32] These threat calls are non-pulsatile modifications of the basic mating call structure and are produced when detecting potential competitors, helping to maintain spacing without escalation to combat. In dense choruses, males may increase production of territorial calls to interfere with nearby individuals' signaling, altering call types to assert dominance and reduce overlap in communication.^[36] Group dynamics lack a true social structure, with individuals forming loose clusters around suitable microhabitats like pool edges or logs during active periods, though interactions remain minimal outside territorial disputes.^[36] During overwintering in subalpine heath and woodland, frogs brumate solitarily or in small, non-structured groups under cover such as litter and logs, without evidence of cooperative behaviors.^[28] Interspecies interactions are limited due to the restricted and disjunct range of P. corroboree, with minimal overlap with congeners like the northern corroboree frog (P. pengilleyi); potential competition for resources occurs only in transitional zones but has not been documented as significant.^[26] The northern corroboree frog displays comparable social interactions, including male territorial calling and threat calls to deter rivals, with similar loose grouping during active periods.^[32] In captive settings, P. corroboree tolerate moderate densities, such as groups of 4–6 individuals in single-sex enclosures during non-breeding periods, with no reported increases in aggression; however, higher densities in breeding setups prompt more frequent territorial calling, guiding release strategies to mimic natural spacing and minimize stress upon reintroduction.^[37]^[36]

Reproduction and life cycle

Breeding behaviors

The breeding season for corroboree frogs occurs during the Australian summer, typically from late January to early March for the northern corroboree frog (Pseudophryne pengilleyi), and from January to February for the southern corroboree frog (Pseudophryne corroboree). These periods are triggered by rising temperatures above approximately 10°C and increased rainfall or snowmelt, which signal favorable conditions for reproduction in their high-altitude habitats, though timing can vary with climate conditions.^[1]^[7]^[38]^[39] Males initiate breeding by establishing territories and producing advertisement calls from the edges of bogs or moist depressions, forming choruses that peak at dusk during mild evenings.^[1] These calls are slow and trilling, consisting of an upward-inflected "ark" note with a dominant frequency of around 1,400 Hz and a call rate of approximately 0.5–1 call per second, though individual variation exists and lower rates may correlate with higher mating success.^[40]^[41] Calls serve to attract females and deter rivals, with males calling intermittently over several weeks to conserve energy in the cool alpine environment.^[42] During courtship, gravid females approach calling males, leading to brief amplexus where the pair moves to a prepared nest site; mating is typically non-possessive and short, lasting only minutes before egg deposition.^[40] Eggs are laid directly into the nest without foam production, a trait typical of terrestrial-breeding Pseudophryne species.^[1] Males guard the nest post-laying, remaining with the clutch for 2–4 weeks until environmental cues prompt the onset of diapause.^[7] Breeding sites are selected in shallow, ephemeral pools, mossy depressions, or burrows within sphagnum bogs and wet heathlands, with a preference for vegetated edges offering moisture retention and protection from desiccation.^[30] These sites are often near persistent water sources that flood seasonally with rainfall, ensuring tadpole survival after hatching.^[1]

Development and parental care

The Corroboree frog, encompassing both the southern (Pseudophryne corroboree) and northern (Pseudophryne pengilleyi) species, exhibits a distinctive reproductive strategy adapted to alpine environments, with egg deposition occurring in terrestrial nests rather than open water. Females lay small clutches of 16–38 large eggs (approximately 3–4 mm in ovum diameter) directly into male-constructed burrows or chambers within moist sphagnum moss, leaf litter, or soft soil at the edges of bog pools or seepage areas.^[1]^[7]^[43] These nests are strategically located near seasonal water sources, ensuring that eggs develop in a humid, protected environment without immediate immersion. Clutch sizes are notably low compared to many anuran species, reflecting the high investment in each offspring typical of the genus Pseudophryne.^[43] Following egg-laying, which peaks in summer (January–March), the eggs undergo embryonic development within the nest under male supervision. Embryonic development lasts 6–8 weeks to an advanced stage, during which males remain in or near the nest for 2–4 weeks to guard against predators and desiccation, often positioning their bodies to maintain optimal moisture levels through physical contact and burrow maintenance.^[44]^[14]^[1] This paternal care is crucial in the variable alpine climate, where nests may experience fluctuating humidity. Embryos then enter diapause, a dormant phase that persists until autumn or winter rains flood the nest, triggering hatching into tadpoles; in the northern species, this pre-hatching period can extend to 4–6 months due to delayed flooding.^[43]^[7] Upon flooding, tadpoles emerge and migrate short distances to adjacent pools or bogs, where they complete their aquatic larval stage. Corroboree frog tadpoles are dark-colored, with elongated, paddle-shaped tails reaching up to 30 mm in length, and they exhibit a detritivorous diet, primarily consuming algae, organic detritus, and microbial films scraped from substrates rather than actively preying on invertebrates.^[43]^[45] The larval period spans 6–8 months (180–210 days), with growth slowing during winter under ice or snow cover; metamorphosis typically occurs in early summer (December–February), transforming tadpoles into miniature froglets approximately 1.5 cm in length.^[1]^[7] This extended development aligns with the species' adaptation to ephemeral, high-altitude water bodies, though climate change may alter flooding cues and diapause timing. Parental investment in Corroboree frogs is predominantly paternal, with males providing the primary post-laying care through nest guarding, which enhances egg survival rates in terrestrial conditions—a trait considered advanced within the family Myobatrachidae.^[44]^[14] Females depart after oviposition, and there is no evidence of biparental involvement or active tadpole transport by adults; instead, tadpoles rely on passive flooding to reach aquatic habitats.^[1]^[38] Following metamorphosis, juvenile frogs emerge from the water and disperse into surrounding vegetation, becoming fully independent within 1–2 weeks as they adopt a terrestrial lifestyle and begin foraging on small invertebrates.^[43] Sexual maturity is reached after 3–4 years (southern typically 4 years; northern 2–4 years depending on altitude), completing the life cycle in these long-lived, slow-growing species.^[1]^[43]

Conservation

Threats and population status

The corroboree frogs, encompassing both the southern (Pseudophryne corroboree) and northern (P. pengilleyi) species, are classified as Critically Endangered by the IUCN Red List due to severe population declines and ongoing threats.^[1]^[46] As of 2024, surveys estimate approximately 50 mature southern corroboree frogs remain in the wild, confined to isolated sites in Kosciuszko National Park, while northern corroboree frog populations number approximately 1,200 mature individuals across fragmented subpopulations in the Australian Alps.^[47]^[48] Both species have experienced over 90% range contraction since the 1980s, with local extinctions at numerous historical sites.^[26] The primary threat to corroboree frogs is chytridiomycosis, caused by the fungal pathogen Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis, which emerged in the Australian Alps in the late 1980s and has driven mortality rates approaching 95% in infected populations.^[49] This disease disrupts skin function, leading to electrolyte imbalance and cardiac arrest, with both species showing high susceptibility and no natural resistance.^[50] Infection rates in northern corroboree frogs reached 61% in the early 1990s, correlating with over 95% declines in some subpopulations.^[31] Climate change exacerbates vulnerability by altering bog hydrology through reduced snowpack and increased drought frequency, which can cause complete tadpole mortality when breeding pools dry prematurely.^[26] Warmer temperatures have shifted breeding phenology and reduced larval survival, with models projecting up to 50% further range loss for montane species like corroboree frogs by 2050 under moderate emissions scenarios.^[51] Habitat degradation from livestock grazing, frequent wildfires, and invasive weeds has severely impacted bog areas, with the 2003 wildfires destroying over 90% of southern corroboree frog habitat and leading to local extinctions in over 85% of historical sites, fragmenting refugia and increasing stochastic extinction risks.^[29] For instance, the 2003 wildfires destroyed over 90% of southern corroboree frog habitat, causing direct mortality and long-term bog desiccation.^[29] Drought events amplify these effects, leading to 100% breeding failure in affected years.^[31] Additional pressures include predation on tadpoles by introduced rainbow and brown trout in nearby streams, which can infiltrate bog systems during high flows, and runoff pollution from agricultural activities that acidifies and eutrophies breeding habitats.^[52] These factors compound the isolation of remaining populations, hindering natural recovery. As of 2025, the southern corroboree frog is considered functionally extinct in the wild, reliant on captive breeding and reintroduction for persistence.^[53]^[54]

Protection and recovery efforts

The corroboree frog, encompassing both the southern (Pseudophryne corroboree) and northern (P. pengilleyi) species, has been the subject of coordinated national recovery efforts since the mid-1990s, primarily driven by the threat of chytridiomycosis and habitat degradation. Recovery efforts are guided by national recovery plans, including the 2001 plan and the 2021 national recovery plan under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999, focusing on preventing extinction, establishing self-sustaining populations, and enhancing habitat viability through collaborative actions by federal, New South Wales (NSW), and Australian Capital Territory (ACT) governments, zoos, and research institutions.^[32]^[55] Key strategies include captive breeding for insurance populations, reintroduction trials, and threat mitigation, addressing chytridiomycosis, invasive species, and climate impacts. Captive breeding programs form the cornerstone of recovery, with viable colonies established at institutions such as Taronga Zoo Sydney, Zoos Victoria (including Healesville Sanctuary and Melbourne Zoo), and the Amphibian Research Centre. For the southern species, these efforts have produced over 1,000 eggs annually in peak years, with techniques refined through seasonal temperature control, biosecure housing, and dietary supplementation to improve survival rates—reaching 83% for eggs and 86% for tadpoles in controlled settings between 2007 and 2012.^[37] The northern species benefits from a dedicated program at Tidbinbilla Nature Reserve since 2003, amassing over 800 individuals by 2008, half of breeding age, to build genetic diversity and disease resilience.^[28] These programs, supported by the Australian Government's National Environmental Science Program (NESP) Threatened Species Recovery Hub, emphasize assisted reproduction and mate choice to mimic wild conditions.^[2] Reintroduction initiatives have released thousands of captive-bred eggs and hundreds of frogs into protected habitats, aiming to augment wild populations while testing disease tolerance. For the southern corroboree frog, Taronga Zoo has released over 1,000 eggs and numerous juveniles into Kosciuszko National Park since 2010, with more than 3,400 eggs released in 2024 to boost recovery; experimental immune-enhancement trials showing initial establishment in artificial pools.^[4]^[56] In 2020, University of Wollongong researchers released more than 100 frogs into recovery sites, contributing to localized population boosts despite ongoing chytrid challenges.^[57] Northern reintroductions target sphagnum bogs in Namadgi National Park, with Zoos Victoria releasing large numbers of fertile eggs since the 2010s and Taronga releasing 544 individuals in 2025, marking the largest release to date; adaptive strategies, informed by 20 years of translocation data, prioritize lower-elevation sites with suitable hydroperiods to promote faster maturation and coexistence with chytrid fungus.^[58]^[59] Post-release monitoring using environmental DNA has confirmed short-term survival, though long-term persistence remains variable due to drought and predation.^[60] In April 2025, researchers sequenced the genome of the southern corroboree frog, revealing a large genome size and providing tools for genetic management in breeding programs to enhance diversity and resistance.^[53] Habitat protection and threat abatement are integrated across efforts, with exclusion zones established around breeding sites—such as 40-meter buffers along streams and 20-40-meter radii around wetlands in the Tumut sub-region for the southern species—to limit forestry, grazing, and feral disturbances.^[32] Feral pig and horse control, blackberry eradication, and wildfire mitigation bogs are prioritized in both Kosciuszko and Namadgi National Parks, coordinated by NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service and ACT Environment, Planning and Sustainable Development Directorate.^[61] Annual surveys employing call-response techniques track population trends at extant sites, revealing declines but also pockets of resilience in managed areas.^[62] Community engagement, including school-based facility design through Project Corroboree, enhances public support and funding from partners like WWF-Australia and Cadbury.^[62] Despite achievements like self-sustaining captive assurance populations, challenges persist, with recovery emphasizing ongoing research into chytrid resistance to achieve viable wild numbers exceeding 1,000 breeding adults per species.^[28]

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Southern Corroboree Frog - DCCEEW
Jul 10, 2023 · Southern Corroboree Frogs have striking bright yellow or green stripes alternating with black stripes. They mostly eat small ants, may live for up to 9 years ...Missing: subfamily | Show results with:subfamily
[23]
[PDF] Northern Corroboree Frog (Pseudophryne pengilleyi) Action Plan
Habitat. The frogs use two distinct habitat types; a breeding season habitat associated with pools and seepages in Sphagnum moss (Sphagnum cristatum) bogs, wet.Missing: facts | Show results with:facts<|control11|><|separator|>
[24]
Breeding habitat use and the future management of the critically ...
Apr 30, 2009 · Climate change may also affect the Southern Corroboree Frog by altering the structure of breeding pools. Although the cause is unknown, pool ...
[25]
[PDF] Northern Corroboree Frog Pseudophryne pengilleyi
Current status: The Northern Corroboree Frog Pseudophryne pengilleyi (Wells & Wellington 1985) is currently listed as Vulnerable under the Commonwealth ...
[26]
[PDF] National Recovery Plan for the Southern Corroboree Frog ...
The corroboree frogs have a typical biphasic amphibian life-cycle with an aquatic tadpole stage and terrestrial post-metamorphic juvenile and adult frog stage.Missing: coloration | Show results with:coloration
[27]
[PDF] CHAPTER 14-1 AMPHIBIANS: ANURAN ADAPTATIONS
Jul 30, 2010 · The Northern Corroboree Frog, Pseudophryne pengilleyi, in its native peatland habitat in northern New South. Wales, Australia. Photo by Ken ...<|control11|><|separator|>
[28]
The Role of Experience in the Visual and Non-Visual Prey ... - MDPI
May 22, 2024 · Amphibians may detect potential prey through distinct sensory systems including visual detection, chemoreception, and mechanoreception. ... frog: ...
[29]
The food of some Australian anurans (Amphibia) - Pengilley - 1971
Differences in diet of five species living in the same area were seen. Both P. corroboree and P. dendyi fed on similar food items. The stomach contents of ...Missing: foraging | Show results with:foraging
[30]
Strategic Male Calling Behavior in an Australian Terrestrial Toadlet ...
Aug 10, 2025 · Male P. corroboree rarely engage in the types of physically aggressive behavior frequently observed in other anurans that are subject to intense ...
[31]
Multiple phenotypic traits predict male mating success in a critically ...
Mar 2, 2022 · The southern corroboree frog (P. corroboree) is a small (23–30 mm snout-vent length) terrestrial anuran from the family Myobatrachidae. The ...Missing: adult | Show results with:adult<|separator|>
[32]
[PDF] Captive management and breeding of the Critically Endangered ...
Oct 31, 2013 · Pseudophryne corroboree is a small, robust terres- trial myobatrachid frog that is easily recognized by its unique and striking colouration. ( ...
[33]
Multiple phenotypic traits predict male mating success in a critically ...
Mar 2, 2022 · 1). In nature, male corroboree frogs form choruses and cluster together in small groups (often around the edge of ephemeral pools or around ...
[34]
Amphibian Chytrid Fungus Infection Influences Calling Investment in ...
Oscillograms depicting (a) a diphasic advertisement‐type call and (b) a monophasic territorial‐type call produced by a male brown toadlet, Pseudophryne bibronii ...
[35]
Mate Preference Plasticity in a Critically Endangered Frog - Frontiers
Nov 15, 2021 · Our results indicate that female P. corroboree mate preferences can exhibit temporal variation, and suggest that females are more attracted to ...Missing: dimorphism | Show results with:dimorphism
[36]
Life Cycle - Corroboree Frog
Adult males move into breeding areas in early to late summer. The males make small chambers or nests in moss or other soft vegetation and soil at the edges of ...
[37]
A Prince of a Paramour | National Geographic
Dec 17, 2014 · The critically endangered Southern Corroboree Frog can be found in the Subalpine regions of Australia's Kosciuszko National Park.
[38]
Corroboree Frog: Facts, Habitat, Diet, Critically Endangered
Feb 18, 2022 · Corroboree Frog Poison A unique characteristic of this frog is its ability to produce its own highly toxic alkaloid (pseudo-phrynamine)poison ...Missing: toxin | Show results with:toxin
[39]
Southern Corroboree Frog - profile | NSW Environment, Energy and ...
May 9, 2025 · The Southern Corroboree Frog is limited to sphagnum bogs of the northern Snowy Mountains, in a strip from the Maragle Range in the north ...
[40]
Pseudophryne pengilleyi - AmphibiaWeb
Pseudophryne pengilleyi Wells & Wellington, 1985. Northern Corroboree Frog, family: Myobatrachidae subfamily: Limnodynastinae genus: Pseudophryne ...
[41]
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC12536267/
[42]
https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/conservation-science/articles/10.3389/fcosc.2021.748104/full
[43]
Chytridiomycosis due to the amphibian chytrid fungus - DCCEEW
Oct 3, 2021 · The threat described is the impact due to amphibians being infected with chytrid fungus resulting in the disease chytridiomycosis.
[44]
[PDF] Chytridiomycosis (amphibian chytrid fungus disease) - DCCEEW
In some frog populations, the disease causes. 100 per cent mortality, while only causing some deaths in other populations. Some amphibian species are highly ...
[45]
Decline of an endangered amphibian during an extreme climatic event
Nov 9, 2012 · Rising temperature depletes soil moisture ... Breeding habitat use and the future management of the critically endangered Southern Corroboree Frog ...
[46]
[PDF] 2-1-the-australian-frogs-most-at-risk-of-extinction-and-the-actions ...
Invasive species, especially invasive fish and feral pigs, are a threat to 10 of the frog species. For example, predation of tadpoles by brown and rainbow trout ...
[47]
Current Status and Key Threats - Corroboree Frog
The rapid and unabated decline of the Corroboree Frogs over the past three decades is primarily the result of a disease known as chytridiomycosis, which is ...
[48]
Southern Corroboree Frog (Pseudophryne corroboree ... - DCCEEW
Oct 3, 2021 · Corroboree frogs are distinctive, and are among Australia's most iconic frogs because of their striking colour patterns consisting of bright ...
[49]
The race to save the corroboree frog - University of Wollongong
Dec 21, 2020 · "Frogs who respond to fire by seeking refuge are more likely to survive and reproduce, and pass on genes controlling this beneficial behaviour ...Missing: defensive puffing unpalatability
[50]
[PDF] Adaptive reintroduction strategies for the Critically Endangered ...
Comparison of environmental attributes at historically occupied sites for northern corroboree frogs, persistent northern corroboree frog sites, and candidate ...
[51]
Northern Corroboree Frog Recovery Program - Australia's Nature Hub
Strategy for Nature 2024-2030 · Objectives ... The program maintains an insurance population of ~ 800 individuals to conserve important genetic diversity.
[52]
Corroboree Conservation
The Southern Corroboree Frog has now declined from more than 98% of its former range and is likely to become extinct in the wild within the next five years ...Missing: loss projection
[53]
Project Corroboree > Welcome - frogs.org
Corroboree is the aboriginal word for a gathering or meeting. Its meaning however is much more complex. It includes not just the idea of a physical bringing ...Missing: name behavior