Findings of survey on white-bellied frog

4/12/93

Fifteen new populations of the endangered white-bellied frog were discovered during a recent survey, Environment Minister Kevin Minson said today.

Mr Minson said this almost doubled the numbers of known populations to 34.

The white-bellied frog and the orange-bellied frog were the only species of frogs on the threatened fauna list in Western Australia.

"Both species are smaller than a ten-cent piece and are found only in a few damp sites near Witchcliffe and Karridale in the South-West," the Minister said.

"Most of the new populations discovered by Department of Conservation and Land Management research officer Ian Wheeler were on private land.

"Seven populations have died out since they were first discovered in 1983.

"The white-bellied frog relies on undisturbed streamside vegetation and is threatened by stock trampling, grazing, clearing and weed invasion.

"Consequently, a recovery team plans to fence off areas of frog habitat - with support from local farmers - to allow the vegetation to regenerate.

"Re-introduction will be considered for areas from where the frogs have disappeared."

Mr Minson said the 10-year plan to bring two tiny frogs back from the brink of extinction received a $57,400 grant under the Commonwealth's Endangered Species Program.

He said the recovery plan aimed to stop both species from becoming extinct in the next 10 years by protecting existing populations from further loss of habitat and establishing new populations in suitable areas.

An extra population of the orange-bellied frog was also found by student Don Driscoll, bringing the total number for this species to five.

This frog inhabited a total area of only 20 hectares.

"New studies by Mr Driscoll have shown that different populations are genetically distinct," Mr Minson said.

"This means we need to look after lots of populations and not just a selected few."

Mr Minson said the frogs were unusual because they never entered water preferring to lay their eggs in moist soil depressions.

He said when hatched, the tadpoles remained in the jelly surrounding the eggs, drawing on food reserves in the egg yolk.

The recovery team included members from CALM, the Shire of Augusta-Margaret River and the local Land Conservation District.

Media contact:  Diana Callander 321 2222 or 222 9595