NSW Scientific Committee - final determination
The Scientific Committee has found that:
1. Fleay's Barred Frog, Mixophyes fleayi, has a very restricted total distribution and occurs, mostly, above an altitude of 600m in montane forests ranging from the Conondale Range in south-east Queensland, to Yabbra National Park in north-east New South Wales.
2. Populations of Fleay's Barred Frog declined or disappeared in the northern part of the historical range of the species in Queensland in the 1980s. A lack of previous relative abundance estimates make it difficult to determine whether population declines have occurred at extant sites in New South Wales, however such declines are suggested to have occurred.
3. Within New South Wales, the species is now restricted to a number of disjunct wet forest (mostly rainforest) blocks within its former distribution. Specimens have been recorded at Sheepstation Creek and Levers Plateau within the Border Ranges, Tooloom Scrub, Yabbra National Park, Mt Warning and the Nightcap Range within the past five years. Subsequent intensive targeted searches have failed to find frogs at some of these locations.
4. Within the geographic distribution described above this species is associated with rainforest, but is not known to be limited by either the structural type of vegetation or altitude. It is an obligate stream breeder but has also been recorded up to several hundred metres away from breeding sites, amongst deep leaf litter.
5. The reasons for the decline of Mixophyes fleayi are not known, although a number of potential impacts have occurred within the species' range. Dead and dying individuals of this species were found within Queensland in recent years, suggesting the impact of a pathogen over at least some of its range. Other possible reasons for the decline of the species include land clearing, habitat degradation, increased levels of ultraviolet radiation, atmospheric pollution and, directly or indirectly, feral animals, domestic stock, weed invasion and timber harvesting.
6. In view of 2, 3, 4, & 5 above the Scientific Committee is of the opinion that Fleay's Barred Frog Mixophyes fleayi is likely to become extinct in nature in New South Wales unless the circumstances and factors threatening its survival or evolutionary development cease to operate.
Proposed Gazettal date: 21/7/00
Exhibition period: 21/7/00 - 25/8/00