Distribution, Relative Abundance and Conservation Status of Corroboree Frogs, Pseudophrne-Corroboree Moore (Anura, Myobatrachidae)

Abstract

A survey of the distribution and abundance of the corroboree frog, Pseudophryne corroboree, was carried out over five summers between December 1984 and April 1989. The species has a restricted high-mountain distribution, occurring as three disjunctive populations: Snowy Mountains, Fiery Range and Brindabella Range. The Snowy Mountains and Fiery Range populations are relatively widespread, occupying areas of 400 and 550 km2 respectively. In contrast, the Brindabella Range population is restricted to about 60 km2. The abundance of the Snowy Mountains population has been considerably reduced throughout much of its range, perhaps because of frequent summer drought between 1979 and 1984. Although P. corroboree is rare, its range is largely within conservation reserves, and its relatively broad latitudinal distribution has prevented adverse conditions from affecting all populations. The decline in abundance of the distinctive Snowy Mountains population may be a response to adverse short-term weather, or it may be part of a decline and range contraction over a longer period.