Giant barred frog
This table has 4 rows about scientific name, Queensland conservation status, Commonwealth conservation status and local species status.
Scientific name |
Mixophyes iteratus |
Queensland conservation status |
Vulnerable |
Commonwealth conservation status |
Vulnerable |
Local species status |
Priority species for conservation |
What does it look like?
The giant barred frog is very large and powerfully built, with a pointed snout and strong hindlimbs. Females reach 120 millimetres in length while males are smaller at 80 millimetres in length. The species is beige to brown with irregular darker markings and cream to almost yellow on the underside. Barring is present on the fore- and hindlimbs. The fingers lack webbing, while the toes are three quarters to fully webbed.
Where does it live?
The giant barred frog is found from Wongi State Forest near Maryborough in South East Queensland, south to Warrimoo in the Blue Mountains, New South Wales. On the Gold Coast, the species has been recorded within the Nerang River Catchment and its tributaries in the Numinbah Valley region. There are also recent records from higher altitudes at Springbrook that require further investigation.
Ecology & habitat
The giant barred frog inhabits slow-flowing freshwater streams (often with steep banks) with permanent or semi-permanent water. The species is generally restricted to rainforest or wet sclerophyll forest at low elevations but is occasionally recorded in dry sclerophyll forest and degraded riparian remnants. Individuals can be found at least 50 metres away from the stream channel where they forage in the litter of adjacent forested or open areas.
Breeding occurs from late spring to summer. Eggs are deposited out of water, sticking under overhanging banks or on steep banks of large pools. Hatched tadpoles then drop or wriggle into the water. Development may take up to 14 months from egg laying to tadpole then to adult frog (metamorphosis).
How is its survival threatened?
- Clearing of riparian vegetation reducing foraging habitat
- Infection by amphibian chytrid fungus
- Habitat disturbance by domestic livestock, feral animals and invasive weeds
- Misidentified as the introduced cane toad (Rhinella marina) and killed for pest control
- Changes in freshwater stream hydrology due to reduced groundwater availability
- Slow tadpole development limits population recovery
How can we help?
- Improve knowledge of the species’ distribution and habitat areas across the city
- Protect existing populations and remaining habitat areas from clearing and other high impact activities
- Restore and/or expand habitat areas for existing populations
- Improve knowledge on potential disease threat
- Support improved management of giant barred frog populations located on private land
Image credit: Steve Wilson