Populations of the threatened Growling Grass Frog Litoria raniformis in metropolitan Melbourne currently occur in human-made habitats and there is little information on their current status. We conducted systematic field surveys at 28 waterbodies within a population distributed over agricultural land in the Pakenham area, on the south-eastern urban-fringe of Melbourne, Victoria, during the 2005/06 breeding season. Our aim was to identify key areas for the conservation of L. raniformis. We recorded L . raniformis at 14 waterbodies where we marked 31 males and 16 females. Occupied waterbodies had a greater proportion of submerged vegetation, a higher pH, and were situated close to other occupied waterbodies, generally < 200 m. The adult male and female population size was estimated at 45 ± 10 (± S.E.) and 23 ± 8 individuals, respectively. There was high site fidelity at occupied waterbodies (> 80% recapture rates). Recruitment was recorded in only two waterbodies. Two males and four females were recorded moving 15 - 20 m between adjacent waterbodies, whereas one additional male moved 130 m. Dispersal and movement corridors important for the persistence of L. raniformis in the study area include agricultural drains and Gum Scrub Creek. High priority conservation areas are waterbodies situated in close proximity to the creek and Melbourne - Bairnsdale railway reserve, and clusters of occupied waterbodies to the south.
Anstis, M. 2002. Tadpoles of South-eastern Australia: A Guide with Keys. New Holland Publishers, Sydney.
,
Tadpoles of South-eastern Australia: A Guide with Keys
Ashworth, J.M. 1998. An appraisal of the conservation of Litoria raniformis (Kefferstein) in Tasmania. Unpublished Masters thesis, University of Tasmania.
Auld, B.A. and Medd, R.W. 1987. Weeds. An Illustrated Guide to the Weeds of Australia. Inkata Press, Melbourne.
,
An Illustrated Guide to the Weeds of Australia
Barker, J., Grigg, G.C. and Tyler, M.J. 1995.A Field Guide to Australian Frogs. Surrey Beatty and Sons, Chipping Norton, NSW.
,
A Field Guide to Australian Frogs
Begon, M. 1979. Investigating Animal Abundance: Capture-Recapture for Biologists. University Park Press, Baltimore.
,
Investigating Animal Abundance: Capture-Recapture for Biologists
Christy, M. 1996. The efficacy of using Passive Integrated Transponder (PIT) tags without anaesthetic in free-living frogs. Australian Zoologist 30: 139-142.
,
The efficacy of using Passive Integrated Transponder (PIT) tags without anaesthetic in free-living frogs
, Australian Zoologist
, vol. 30
(pg. 139
-142
) Cogger, H.G. 2000. Reptiles and Amphibians of Australia. Reed New Holland, Sydney.
,
Reptiles and Amphibians of Australia
DSE 2003. Advisory List of Threatened Vertebrate Fauna in Victoria. Department of Sustainability and Environment, Victoria.
,
Advisory List of Threatened Vertebrate Fauna in Victoria
Fahrig, L., Pedlar, J.H., Pope, S.E., Taylor, P.D. and Wegner, J.F. 1995. Effect of road traffic on amphibian density. Biological Conservation 73: 177-182.
,
Effect of road traffic on amphibian density
, Biological Conservation
, vol. 73
(pg. 177
-182
) Goldingay, R. and Lewis, B. 1999. Development of a conservation strategy for the green and golden bell frog Litoria aurea in the Illawarra Region of New South Wales. Australian Zoologist 31: 376-387.
,
Development of a conservation strategy for the green and golden bell frog Litoria aurea in the Illawarra Region of New South Wales
, Australian Zoologist
, vol. 31
(pg. 376
-387
) Goldingay, R.L. and Newell, D.A. 2005a. Aspects of the population ecology of the green and golden bell frog Litoria aurea at the northern end of its range. Australian Zoologist 33: 49-59.
,
Aspects of the population ecology of the green and golden bell frog Litoria aurea at the northern end of its range
, Australian Zoologist
, vol. 33
(pg. 49
-59
) Goldingay, R.L. and Newell, D.A. 2005b. Population estimation of the green and golden bell frog Litoria aurea at Port Kembla. Australian Zoologist 33: 210-216.
,
Population estimation of the green and golden bell frog Litoria aurea at Port Kembla
, Australian Zoologist
, vol. 33
(pg. 210
-216
) Gosner, K.L. 1960. A simplified table for staging anuran embryos and larvae with notes on identification. Herpetologica 16: 183-190.
,
A simplified table for staging anuran embryos and larvae with notes on identification
, Herpetologica
, vol. 16
(pg. 183
-190
) Hair, J.F., Anderson, R.E., Tatham, R.L. and Black, W.C. 1998. Multivariate Data Analysis. 5th edition. Prentice-Hall, New Jersey.
,
Multivariate Data Analysis
Hamer, A.J. 2002. Ecology of the endangered green and golden bell frog Litoria aurea: roles of habitat determinants, spatial dynamics, population demography and threatening processes. Unpublished PhD thesis, School of Environmental and Life Sciences, University of Newcastle, NSW.
Hamer, A.J., Lane, S.J. and Mahony, M.J. 2002a. Management of freshwater wetlands for the endangered green and golden bell frog (Litoria aurea): roles of habitat determinants and space. Biological Conservation 106: 413-424.
,
Management of freshwater wetlands for the endangered green and golden bell frog (Litoria aurea): roles of habitat determinants and space
, Biological Conservation
, vol. 106
(pg. 413
-424
) Hamer, A.J., Lane, S.J. and Mahony, M.J. 2002b. The role of introduced mosquitofish (Gambusia holbrooki) in excluding the native green and golden bell frog (Litoria aurea) from original habitats in south-eastern Australia. Oecologia 132: 445-452.
,
The role of introduced mosquitofish (Gambusia holbrooki) in excluding the native green and golden bell frog (Litoria aurea) from original habitats in south-eastern Australia
, Oecologia
, vol. 132
(pg. 445
-452
) Hamer, A. and Organ, A. 2006a. Targeted survey and conservation management plan for the growling grass frog Litoria raniformis: Pakenham Urban Growth Corridor, Pakenham, Victoria. Unpublished report prepared for Cardinia Shire Council by Ecology Partners Pty. Ltd.
Hamer, A. and Organ, A. 2006b. Growling grass frog Litoria raniformis monitoring 2005/06, Western Treatment Plant, Werribee, Victoria. Unpublished report prepared for Melbourne Water Corporation by Ecology Partners Pty. Ltd.
Hamer, A.J. and Mahony, M.J. 2007. Life history of an endangered amphibian challenges the declining species paradigm. Australian Journal of Zoology 55: 79-88.
,
Life history of an endangered amphibian challenges the declining species paradigm
, Australian Journal of Zoology
, vol. 55
(pg. 79
-88
) Hamer, A.J., Lane, S.J. and Mahony, M.J. in press. Movement patterns of adult green and golden bell frogs Litoria aurea and the implications for conservation management. Journal of Herpetology.
Hazell, D., Cunningham, R., Lindenmayer, D., Mackey, B. and Osborne, W. 2001. Use of farm dams as frog habitat in an Australian agricultural landscape: factors affecting species richness and distribution. Biological Conservation 102: 155-169.
,
Use of farm dams as frog habitat in an Australian agricultural landscape: factors affecting species richness and distribution
, Biological Conservation
, vol. 102
(pg. 155
-169
) Heard, G.W., Robertson, P. and Scroggie, M. 2004. The ecology and conservation status of the growling grass frog Litoria raniformis within the Merri Creek corridor. Second report: additional field surveys and site monitoring. Unpublished report to the Victorian Department of Sustainability and Environment. Wildlife Profiles Pty. Ltd., Heidelberg, and Arthur Rylah Institute for Environmental Research.
Heard, G.W., Robertson, P. and Scroggie, M.P. 2006. Assessing detection probabilities for the endangered growling grass frog (Litoria raniformis) in southern Victoria. Wildlife Research 33: 557-564.
,
Assessing detection probabilities for the endangered growling grass frog (Litoria raniformis) in southern Victoria
, Wildlife Research
, vol. 33
(pg. 557
-564
) Hero, J.M., Littlejohn, M. and Marantelli, G. 1991. Frogwatch Field Guide to Victorian Frogs. Department of Conservation and Environment, East Melbourne.
,
Frogwatch Field Guide to Victorian Frogs
I.D. Consulting. 2003. Population and household forecasts for Cardinia Shire, 2001 - 2021. Unpublished report prepared for Cardinia Shire Council by I.D. Consulting.
Jansen, A. and Healy, M. 2003. Frog communities and wetland condition: relationships with grazing by domestic livestock along an Australian floodplain river. Biological Conservation 109: 207-219.
,
Frog communities and wetland condition: relationships with grazing by domestic livestock along an Australian floodplain river
, Biological Conservation
, vol. 109
(pg. 207
-219
) Lesbarrères, D., Lodé, T. and Merilä, J. 2004. What type of amphibian tunnel could reduce road kills? Oryx 38: 220-223.
,
What type of amphibian tunnel could reduce road kills?
, Oryx
, vol. 38
(pg. 220
-223
) Littlejohn, M.J. 1963. Frogs of the Melbourne area. Victorian Naturalist 79: 296-304.
,
Frogs of the Melbourne area
, Victorian Naturalist
, vol. 79
(pg. 296
-304
) Littlejohn, M.J. 1982. Amphibians of Victoria. Victorian Yearbook 85: 1-11.
,
Amphibians of Victoria
, Victorian Yearbook
, vol. 85
(pg. 1
-11
) Mahony, M.J. 1999. Review of the declines and disappearances within the bell frog species group (Litoria aurea species group) in Australia. Pp. 81-93 in Declines and Disappearances of Australian Frogs, edited by A. Campbell. Environment Australia, Canberra.
,
Declines and Disappearances of Australian Frogs
(pg. 81
-93
) Morgan, L.A. and Buttemer, W.A. 1996. Predation by the non-native fish Gambusia holbrooki on small Litoria aurea and L. dentata tadpoles. Australian Zoologist 30: 143-149.
,
Predation by the non-native fish Gambusia holbrooki on small Litoria aurea and L. dentata tadpoles
, Australian Zoologist
, vol. 30
(pg. 143
-149
) Oates, A. and Taranto, M. 2001. Vegetation mapping of the Port Phillip and Westernport region. Arthur Rylah Institute for Environmental Research, Department of Natural Resources and Environment, Victoria.
,
Vegetation mapping of the Port Phillip and Westernport region
Organ, A. 2004. Pakenham Bypass: growling grass frog Litoria raniformis 2003/04 survey, Pakenham and surrounds, Victoria. Unpublished report prepared for VicRoads by Biosis Research Pty. Ltd.
Organ, A. 2005a. Growling grass frog conservation management plan, Northern Neighbourhood, Caroline Springs, Victoria. Unpublished report prepared for Delfin Lend Lease by Biosis Research Pty. Ltd.
Organ, A. 2005b. Pakenham Bypass: conservation management plan for the growling grass frog Litoria raniformis, Pakenham, Victoria. Unpublished report prepared for VicRoads by Biosis Research Pty. Ltd.
Parris, K.M. 2006. Urban amphibian assemblages as metacommunities. Journal of Animal Ecology 75: 757-764.
,
Urban amphibian assemblages as metacommunities
, Journal of Animal Ecology
, vol. 75
(pg. 757
-764
) Pyke, G.H. 2002. A review of the biology of the Southern Bell Frog Litoria raniformis (Anura: Hylidae). Australian Zoologist 32: 32-48.
,
A review of the biology of the Southern Bell Frog Litoria raniformis (Anura: Hylidae)
, Australian Zoologist
, vol. 32
(pg. 32
-48
) Pyke, G.H. and White, A.W. 2000. Factors influencing predation on eggs and tadpoles of the endangered green and golden bell frog Litoria aurea by the introduced plague minnow Gambusia holbrooki. Australian Zoologist 31: 496-505.
,
Factors influencing predation on eggs and tadpoles of the endangered green and golden bell frog Litoria aurea by the introduced plague minnow Gambusia holbrooki
, Australian Zoologist
, vol. 31
(pg. 496
-505
) Robertson, P. 2003. Draft Flora and Fauna Guarantee Action Statement for the growling grass frog, Litoria raniformis. Department of Sustainability and Environment, Victoria.
,
Draft Flora and Fauna Guarantee Action Statement for the growling grass frog, Litoria raniformis
Robertson, P., Heard, G. and Scroggie, M. 2002. The ecology and conservation status of the growling grass frog (Litoria raniformis) within the Merri Creek corridor. Interim report: distribution, abundance and habitat requirements. Unpublished report prepared for the Victorian Department of Natural Resources and Environment. Wildlife Profiles Pty. Ltd., Heidelberg, and Arthur Rylah Institute for Environmental Research.
Sainty, G.R. and Jacobs, S.W.L. 1994. Waterplants in Australia. A Field Guide. 3rd edition. CSIRO Australia, Division of Water Resources.
Sjögren, P. 1991. Extinction and isolation gradients in metapopulations: the case of the pool frog (Rana lessonae). Biological Journal of the Linnean Society 42: 135-147.
,
Extinction and isolation gradients in metapopulations: the case of the pool frog (Rana lessonae)
, Biological Journal of the Linnean Society
, vol. 42
(pg. 135
-147
) Sjögren Gulve, P. 1994. Distribution and extinction patterns within a northern metapopulation of the pool frog, Rana lessonae. Ecology 75: 1357-1367.
,
Distribution and extinction patterns within a northern metapopulation of the pool frog, Rana lessonae
, Ecology
, vol. 75
(pg. 1357
-1367
) Timewell, C. 2003. Pakenham Bypass: Survey for the warty bell frog Litoria raniformis, Pakenham and surrounds, Victoria. Unpublished report prepared for VicRoads by Biosis Research Pty. Ltd.
van de Mortel, T. F. and R.L. Goldingay. 1998. Population assessment of the endangered green and golden bell frog Litoria aurea at Port Kembla, New South Wales. Australian Zoologist 30: 398-404.
,
Population assessment of the endangered green and golden bell frog Litoria aurea at Port Kembla, New South Wales
, Australian Zoologist
, vol. 30
(pg. 398
-404
) Vos, C.C. and Stumpel, A.H.P. 1995. Comparison of habitat-isolation parameters in relation to fragmented distribution patterns in the tree frog (Hyla arborea). Landscape Ecology 11: 203-214.
,
Comparison of habitat-isolation parameters in relation to fragmented distribution patterns in the tree frog (Hyla arborea)
, Landscape Ecology
, vol. 11
(pg. 203
-214
) Vos, C.C. and Chardon, J.P. 1998. Effects of habitat fragmentation and road density on the distribution pattern of the moor frog Rana arvalis. Journal of Applied Ecology 35: 44-56.
,
Effects of habitat fragmentation and road density on the distribution pattern of the moor frog Rana arvalis
, Journal of Applied Ecology
, vol. 35
(pg. 44
-56
) White, A.W. 1995. Disappearing frogs. Australian Zoologist 30: 48-56.
,
Disappearing frogs
, Australian Zoologist
, vol. 30
(pg. 48
-56
)
This content is only available as a PDF.
