EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE

PATRONDr Glen Ingram

PRESIDENTRod Pattison 07 3264 6391

VICE PRESIDENTStefan Durtschi 07 3891 6853

SECRETARYJenny Holdway 3366 1868qldfrogs@bigpond.net.au

TREASURERKaren Tibbits 07 3359 0658

MINUTES SECRETARYJennifer Singfield

WEBSITEwww.qldfrogs.asn.au

POSTAL ADDRESSQld Frogs Society Inc.PO Box 7017East BrisbaneQld 4169

NEWSLETTTERJanet Whitejanwhite@bigpond.net.au

QFS SHOP SALESJenny Holdway07 3366 1868

Official Newsletter of the Queensland Frog Society Inc. Winter 2006

President’s Report by Rod Pattison

cont’d on p3

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SAVE HABITAT - GET THE Frogsheet by EmailWe can send the Frogsheet by email (pdf of about 600kb) - or send you

an alert that the newsletter is available for download (at your leisure) fromthe website. Send your email address to Jenny

qldfrogs@bigpond.net.au stating your preference.

Winter 2006 has arrived. When you start work at6.30 in the morning the seasons appear tochange virtually over night. It feels as if oneminute you’re sweating in broad daylight and thenext you’re shivering and turning lights on to seewhat you’re doing. North Queensland has beendeluged and devastated by cyclones. While thepeople in the north are probably hoping theynever see rain again we, in the south, arebecoming desperate for it. The summer froggingseemed even quieter than in recent years. Iheard similar reports from everyone I spoke too.On the nights when the rain did pour down I hadthe feeling that even the frogs weren’t all thatenthusiastic about things.

Evolution has enabled frogs to cope withdrought but it falls dramatically short when itcomes to a frog’s ability to stop bulldozers. If wewere to let our imaginations run wild we couldmass produce miniature rocket-launchers andtrain frogs in the finer art of ambushing

bulldozers. Of course, the reality is if they hoptheir little hearts out they just might make it tothe next piece of bush before it too is cleared foryet another McDonalds. I work in the BunyavilleState Forest at an environmental educationcentre. In one of our programmes we show aseries of aerial maps of the area dating from1938 to 2005. Apart from a handful of clearedfields on the 1938 map it is impossible todetermine the boundaries of the reserveamongst the sea of green. Believe me, youwould stare in disbelief when you see the 2005map beside it. The borders are clearly defined;totally surrounded by what has now become asea of roofs. If you ask me “what is the meaningof life ? “, I will tell you that I haven’t got thefaintest bloody idea! What I do know for certainis that mankind didn’t make the ground we standon, the sky above nor the plants and animalsthat we are supposed to be sharing this world

INSIDE THIS ISSUEArea co-ordinators & Diary DatesBasic Care booklet........................Ultrasonic Frog..............................Co-ordinators’ reports...................Crinia & Development...................Dragonflies....................................Deeeeep End 5............................Toads: toes & beer.......................Frogs on Hawaii............................Sick Frogs & Frog Joke...............Invertebrate Project.......................Threat Abatement Chytrid............Gambian Toad...............................Deadly Mild Climate.....................Dragonfly book..............................Melbourne Census........................Ducks banned...............................QFS shop and Junior Frog............

2334456-789910101111121212ins

AREA CO-ORDINATORS DIARY DATESASHGROVEJenny Holdway - 3366 1868

BRISBANE CENTRALStefan Durtschi - 3891 6853comlab@onaustralia.com.au

CABOOLTURE/BRIBIE ISLANDPauline Fitzgibbon - 3886 9340

CENTRAL QUEENSLANDPosition vacant

COOLOOLA REGIONLeanne Marshall - 5483 6938landwmarshall@bigpond.com

FASSIFERN/BOONAH DISTRICTRob Morgan – 5463 7010

GOLD COASTShane Ho – 5533 8125 (A/H)shaneho@goldlink.aunz.com

IPSWICHRic Nattrass - 3288 4100nattrass@ine.com.au

LOCKYERLawrence Pearce - 5427 9863mowerwizard@hotmail.com

LOGAN CITYMichael Kels – 3287 6752

MOUNT GRAVATTJanet Willoughby – 3343 3949janet@codingo.net

PINE RIVERSShelley Mills - 3285 4652jacarandakitchen@aol.com

REDLANDSSteve Homewood - 3824 0522bhomewoo@bigpond.net.au

SUNSHINE COASTDesley Fricke – 5493 0031(Glasshouse)fricked@bigpond.com.auPatricia Espin – 5446 7908 (NorthArm)trish@accesstractorparts.com.au

UPPER BROOKFIELDPhil Bird phil.bird@uq.edu.au

Most of the Co-ordinators nowhold the “Frogs of Brisbane” posterand you can pick up your FREE(to members) poster from them.

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Bowman Park Habitat Working Bees:First Sunday in August, October and December. Time: 8am to11am. Please phone Jenny 3366 1868 for further information.

NEW MEMBERSNEW MEMBERSNEW MEMBERSNEW MEMBERSNEW MEMBERS

Jennifer Batycki, Margaret Sheahan, AndreaPeasons, Patricia Rooskov, Robyn O’Leary.

WELCOME !WELCOME !WELCOME !WELCOME !WELCOME !

Oxley Creek Water Festivalwww.oxleycreekwaterfestival.org

Frog -friendly gardens - how to decidewhat ponds are suitable for the frogsthat come into your garden.Fraser Coast WPSQ, Hervey Bay. Con-tact Carolyn Bussy, Ph 4129 5979

S.G.A.P. Spring Flower Show & PlantMarket. Mt Coot-tha Botanical Gardens,Toowong. QFS Display will be there.

Landcare Conference: Bridging theUrban-Rural Divide. Brisbane.more info sam@landcare.com.auor Ph 07 3211 4413

QFS Annual General Meeting.Starting at 5pm at Downfall CreekBushlands Centre, Rode Road,McDowall.

THECA forum

17 June - 2 July

25 June

19 - 20 August

21 - 24 August

16 September

4 November

Wondering why there is a pic of a horsehere? turn page side on and look again.

Stuck for aBirthdayBirthdayBirthdayBirthdayBirthday

gift ?gift ?gift ?gift ?gift ?

Check outthe QFSthe QFSthe QFSthe QFSthe QFS

shopshopshopshopshopfor

ideas

(see insert)

cont’d from p1

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with. We must find a way to stop destroying thisworld - even if it comes down to manufacturingminiature rocket-launchers!

In previous frog sheets I have reported on theGreen-thighed Frog (Litoria brevipalmata)colony at Joyner. All parties concerned finallyaccepted a development proposal. Under thedevelopment legislation a frog reserve has beenallocated, encompassed by a permanentprotective fence to be erected before anyconstruction begins. The society is of coursedelighted with this outcome. But - as with allgreat stories with their multiple characters,woven story lines, their highs and their lows -when you think you have the conclusion allworked out along comes yet another twist. Theland has been sold! The new owners may goahead with the approved development or theymay choose to change it completely. Should thelatter occur, I can assure you, the localresidents will be screaming down the phone atme before they have a chance to put the lastscrew in the notice boards. For the moment wecan only watch and wait - and hope we don’thave to return to where this story began.

Until next time, keep those headlights shiningand good frogging to all, Rod Pattison.

IT’S RENEWAL TIME!IT’S RENEWAL TIME!IT’S RENEWAL TIME!IT’S RENEWAL TIME!IT’S RENEWAL TIME!

A reminder to members that membershiprenewal is due at the end of June.

If your membership is due, there will be arenewal slip in this issue.

Direct Debit can be arranged though theTreasurer if you find that easier.

To save postage, you will receive yourReceipt and membership card in your nextFrogsheet.

Thank you all for your continuing supportto the Society and frogs - it is only throughmembership numbers that we can continueour work and help our native amphibians. Jenny Holdway

‘Basic Care for Injured F‘Basic Care for Injured F‘Basic Care for Injured F‘Basic Care for Injured F‘Basic Care for Injured Frrrrrogs’ogs’ogs’ogs’ogs’Booklet DistributionBooklet DistributionBooklet DistributionBooklet DistributionBooklet Distribution

This booklet was compiled by, and basedon the experience and observations of, anexperienced frog-carer.

It covers causes of injury, rescue, firstaid (acute trauma care), collection andhousing, hydration, feeding techniquesand equipment, encouraging the ‘patients’to feed themselves, day-to-day care andeventual frog release.

QFS have reprinted the booklet withthe aim of distribution to veterinary clinicsto encourage treatment of injured frogs.

Thank you to the few members whohave volunteered to deliver the booklet toVeterinary Clinics in their area. I will be intouch soon to see what numbers youneed.

We would like to get this booklet into asmany clinics as possible - PLEASE HELPPLEASE HELPPLEASE HELPPLEASE HELPPLEASE HELP -

phone Jenny on 3366 1868.

Frog uses Ultrasonic Communication

BATS, whales and dolphins use it to communicate.Baby rodents call their mothers with it and now a rareChinese frog has shown it can hear and respond toultrasounds.

The Concave-eared torrent frog (Amolops tormotus),is the first non-mammalian species known to use theultra-high frequencies that humans cannot hear. Itcomes in handy to be heard above the poundingwaterfalls and streams in the mountainous region ofeast-central China where the frog lives.

Kraig Adler, a biologist at Cornell University in NewYork, first noticed the frog with no external eardrumswhile surveying amphibians in China. He told ProfFeng (an auditory neuroscientist who studies frogsand bats) who conducted tests on the frogs todetermine whether they could hear and respond toultrasounds.

Prof Feng, who reported his findings in the journalNature, observed the eardrums to be thin andrecessed. Thin eardrums are needed for detection ofultrasound and recessed ears shorten the pathbetween eardrums and the ear, enabling thetransmission to the ears.

(Edited version of story from Reuters March 16,2006)

CO-ORDINATORS’ REPORTS

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ASHGROVE

Except for the occasional call from the StripedMarsh frogs in this area, everything is now quietwith the other species “tucked up” for the coolermonths.

Our small Habitat Brisbane group iscontinuing its work on the frog habitat in BowmanPark, Bardon. In April about 120 more plantswere added. We were pleased to see that onlytwo plants from the January planting had died. InJune our small working party concentrated ongrubbing out couch and other nuisance grassaround the newly planted shrubs and nativegrasses. A load of mulch was spread over this areaand now we are praying for rain.

Displays and school talks are still on-goingand it is encouraging to see that frog habitats arebeing developed within the school grounds andlooked after by students. Jenny Holdway

COOLOOLA REGION I guess like everyone else, we’re wanting somerain. We’ve had a little, but nothing too exciting. We’ve noticed an increase in toads since last year- they love all the farm dams - some toads havebeen enormous! Have noticed since it’s beengetting cooler, the winter frogs are beginning tocall - it makes me realise how fast theyear has gone already and that soon we’ll befeeling the cold. Our son, Jack, managed to savea big green tree frog last week - not sure whatfrom, but it had a white slime covering its bodyand it appeared to be battered around its head. We’re guessing it may have put up a very bravefight against a python! Jack carefully bathed itclean and placed it in a small tub of water toenable the frog to rehydrate. He then placed thefrog in a hidden area where it could recover. Thank goodness the frog was gone at the end ofthe school day - we’re hoping it did recover.

We have found many different species offrog in our pool over the years and most haveescaped themselves or been rescued. But we hada very big shock when we recently discoveredthat a bandicoot had drowned. So now we leavea hose placed so that whatever might fall in willbe able to escape. Until next time - let it rain Leanne Marshall

Froglet puts new project on hopThe wallum froglet - only 2cm long - is againthreatening to block a multi-million-dollar project,this time a $100 million-plus supermarket andresidential development in northern NSW. Lessthan three weeks after it was revealed thethreatened amphibian had prompted northernNSW residents to take legal action against the$543 million Tugun bypass on the Queenslandborder, the froglet now stands in the way of aWoolworths and apartments building on a 20hablock of land in the coastal town of Kingscliff.The NSW Land and Environment Court foundlast week the development proposed by GalesHoldings was likely to wipe out the froglets onthe north side of Turnock Street in Kingscliff. Butthe court’s decision to block or approve theproject will have to wait until they have theanswer to whether the froglets can cross theroad to safety to another group on the southside of the street? If the northern froglets arefound to belong to the same population group asthose from the south, as argued by thedeveloper’s lawyers, the project can go ahead ifit meets other approval requirements. But if thefroglets are found to belong to two coloniesseparated by the road, as the Tweed ShireCouncil argues, the project will be blockedbecause it will kill off an entire population. Afterreceiving clashing evidence, the court hasordered a species impact study, which couldtake up to a year. Gales Holdings ownerStephen Segal said he was “dumbfounded” bythe decision. “We have been trying to developthis piece of land for 20 years,” Dr Segal said.“This decision means more waiting.” The wallumfroglet prompted the Tugun Cobaki Alliance tolaunch legal action last month against NSWRoads Minister Eric Roozendaal and the stateRoads and Traffic Authority to halt the Tugunbypass. The matter is to be heard in the NSWLand and Environment Court later this month.But in a letter to key stakeholders, QueenslandMain Roads advised construction began on April18. “It is an astounding display of the arroganceof Queensland Main Roads that they would gointo an area of such high cultural andenvironmental value and undertake substantialwork without ensuring the issues have beenadequately resolved,” said Tugun CobakiAlliance president Valerie Thompson. “Thecommunity cannot trust this Government tofollow appropriate process.”

(Edited version of story in The Australian byAnnabelle McDonald May 03, 2006)

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DRAGONFLIES !DRAGONFLIES !DRAGONFLIES !DRAGONFLIES !DRAGONFLIES ! by Ric Nattrass

I have just finished my most ambitious project,“Dragonflies of South East Queensland: A FieldGuide” (see page 12). So far 86 species have beenrecorded in the great southeast – I had to findthat out for myself. In chasing down the 86, Iquickly discovered that the most widespread,though not the most abundant, is the FierySkimmer Orthetrum villosovittatum, aptly namedfor the glowing red abdomen of the male.

for blazing full sun and perch on open bareground.

After mating (which is a fascinating subject allof its own!) the female detaches from the maleand dips her tail end into the water, whilst stillon the wing, to flick off the fertilized eggs. Heeither flies guard above her to keep other malesaway or heads off to feed, leaving the businessof ovipositing entirely to her. I have seen, onsome occasions, the female turn up on her ownand begin to lay. Obviously the mating hastaken place elsewhere. It’s amazing how theyfind my pond. It’s miles from anywhere thatI’ve seen other Fiery Skimmers.

The eggs sink to the bottom of the pond. Ashort time later the larvae hatch from the eggsand, without feeding, immediately moult intothe first stage nymphs. What fisherpersons call‘mud-eyes’. The nymphs, like their parents,are voracious predators of other aquaticbeings; yes, including very small tadpoles.BUT, before we think of waging war on myfriends the dragons, let me assure you that onlythe very early stages of tadpoles are vulnerable.Also, the mud-eyes are not targeting tadpoles;the vast majority of their prey is invertebratesnot vertebrates. Odonatists (dragonfly nuts)who raise nymphs feed them almostexclusively on mosquito wrigglers. So it is fairto assume that it’s mozzies that have the mostto fear from mud-eyes.

Like our other friends the frogs, dragonflies layan awful lot of eggs that never make it toadulthood as they too are part of the food web.The very few that make it to full term (whichtakes many, many moults, the larva growinglarger each time) emerge from the water atnight and go through the amazing process ofsplitting from their ‘larval’ cases into the flyingadults. At emergence the Fiery Skimmer isanything but ‘fiery’ in appearance. Like manyof the dragons in the family Libellulidae, thisskimmer has a teneral (or ‘immature’) stagewhich is yellow. It takes several days beforethe fiery red is achieved. Madam never attainsthe really red colour but her yellow beginningsgradually make it as far as orange.

Female Wingspan 77mm

Just about anyone with a frog pond will have seenthem. We could even have called them the FrogPond Skimmer. It’s a puzzle to me why thisskimmer should be so powerfully attracted to frogponds when the far more abundant Blue Skimmeror any of the other common dragonflies are not.The clue might be in the amount of shade in thevicinity of the pond. In the natural environmentthe Fiery Skimmer prefers creeks with fairly thickvegetation and some shady spots. FierySkimmers tend to perch at 45° on reeds andsedges whereas many of the other local species go

Male Wingspan 73mm

Deeeeep End 5Deeeeep End 5Deeeeep End 5Deeeeep End 5Deeeeep End 5During my daily travels to meet my 3pmappointment with the school gate, I have thepleasure of listening to Radio National’s ‘DeepEnd 5’. This brief item has one listening to thefavourite ‘things’ of people from all over thislittle island of ours. The subject is usually abit left field; one’s five favourite Greek Gods,printing fonts or Kylie Minogue’s outfits, forexample. So as my mind wanders (as well asconcentrating on the next psychotic driverheading my way at 120km/hour just a mereechidna’s quill away) I get to thinking; “Iwonder if they’d accept my five favourite frogson the program?!” Rather than risk rejection, Ithought I’d take the safe option of writingdown my thoughts and seeing whichpublications are either sharing the sameobsession or have a policy of accepting allincoming articles without question!

This is the time of year when, in my role asCatchment Officer with the Mary RiverCatchment Coordinating Committee, I followmy ears and eyes up the tributaries of theMary River to find and record our preciousamphibious gems. Our catchment is home tosome of Australia’s disappearing frogs. Manyother species remain although some are presentin reduced numbers and some are decliningstill. The frog diversity of this catchment isfantastic with over fifty species. Ten of theseare listed as Vulnerable, Endangered orPresumed Extinct; possible causes includehabitat destruction, disease, pest species,changes to flow of waterways and pollution.However, as I am privileged to study thepreferred habitats of our endangered andvulnerable frogs, I am usually able to turn upa good set of records on a night (weather andenergy level dependent of course). So here aremy five favourite frogs: -

No. 1. Giant Barred-frog (No. 1. Giant Barred-frog (No. 1. Giant Barred-frog (No. 1. Giant Barred-frog (No. 1. Giant Barred-frog (MixophyesMixophyesMixophyesMixophyesMixophyesiteratusiteratusiteratusiteratusiteratus))))) – What a gem! What a monarch ofthe frog kingdom! To find one of these is theicing on the cake. The largest frog in ourregion, the Giant Barred-frog is stunning inits appearance and behaviour. Even thoughvery well camouflaged to hide amongst the

leaf-litter, it is hard to miss its large, gold eyesin the torch beam. Its call too is a dead giveawaythat one is stoically parked along the creek bankawaiting the woman of his dreams. An Adam’sapple is essential to mimic the deep, Rottweiler-like call, sounding much further away than itreally is. Once in hand these frogs are docileand extremely cooperative to close inspection,unlike their restless, can’t-have-me cousin, theGreat Barred-frog (Mixophyes fasciolatus).Although the habitat requirements of these twospecies overlap I rarely, if ever, encounter themtogether. One of the other reasons that I like theGiant Barred-frogs so much is because I can seeif they have nuptial pads without the assistanceof a hand-lens (the over-40’s will empathise)!

No. 2. Clicking FrogletNo. 2. Clicking FrogletNo. 2. Clicking FrogletNo. 2. Clicking FrogletNo. 2. Clicking Froglet (((((Crinia signiferaCrinia signiferaCrinia signiferaCrinia signiferaCrinia signifera))))) –Despite its name I don’t come across this speciesvery often but on those rare occasions I justdelight in its call (about the only way ofknowing that they are around). It isreminiscent of a game of ping-pong (the doublebounce version). It is much more relaxing tolisten to one than to spend hours trying to findthe small, brown frog amongst a tangle ofgrass. It has a very big voice for such a smallbody; it does seem that the most penetratingfrog calls come from the tiniest species - a bitlike humans, I suppose! One great aspect of C.signifera is that they remind me that ‘frogsrule’ even during winter; the cold temperaturesseem to stimulate them to get their bats andballs out and get to the ping-pong table.

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Mixophyes iteratus Eva Ford Mixophyes iteratus Eva Ford Mixophyes iteratus Eva Ford Mixophyes iteratus Eva Ford Mixophyes iteratus Eva Ford

No. 3. Southern Orange-eyed TreefrogNo. 3. Southern Orange-eyed TreefrogNo. 3. Southern Orange-eyed TreefrogNo. 3. Southern Orange-eyed TreefrogNo. 3. Southern Orange-eyed Treefrog(((((Litoria chlorisLitoria chlorisLitoria chlorisLitoria chlorisLitoria chloris).).).).). These would have to be one ofthe more stunning of the treefrogs and for thisreason are often pictured on cards and posters.Head out after heavy rain and you may berewarded with a group calling and a visualfeast. The immaculate emerald green skin,contrasting fire-red iris and their willingnessto perch around human height amongst thevegetation, gives the budding photographer aproverbial banquet. Thank goodness fordigital cameras with their inexhaustiblepicture cards and, of course, the deletefunction! Timing is all when seeking thisspecies as they like to get down to businessduring and after heavy Spring and Summerrains. Be prepared to get wet for the privilege.

No. 4. Stony-creek Frog (No. 4. Stony-creek Frog (No. 4. Stony-creek Frog (No. 4. Stony-creek Frog (No. 4. Stony-creek Frog (Litoria wilcoxiiLitoria wilcoxiiLitoria wilcoxiiLitoria wilcoxiiLitoria wilcoxii).).).).).Yes, its scientific name has changed! In theareas that I frequent, when all is quiet andfrustration starts to set in, old faithful canusually be relied upon to appear. The Stony-creek Frog, not often detected by its quiet call(although I have heard some pretty loudindividuals), reveals itself by a rustle of thelitter or a flash of movement in your torchbeam. If you are lucky you might find astunning male showing off his radiant yellowcostume. More often though they are a fawn orchocolate colour, blending in with the sandand gravel bars that they favour. I like to keepa special eye on this species as, even thoughthey are very common along our waterways,they are declining in other parts of their range.

No. 5. Striped Rocketfrog (No. 5. Striped Rocketfrog (No. 5. Striped Rocketfrog (No. 5. Striped Rocketfrog (No. 5. Striped Rocketfrog (Litoria nasutaLitoria nasutaLitoria nasutaLitoria nasutaLitoria nasuta).).).).).What an athlete! These are the ones that youneed a whole tribe of kids to catch and then afirm grip in order to keep hold of the slipperysubjects (that’s why using a freezer bag as aglove is so good). I rarely get to size or sex thesefellas as a quick glimpse is usually all theyallow before being shot from an invisible bow tobecome at one with their surroundings. Thechallenge with this species is that, besidesbeing difficult to find and catch, its call isfrustratingly similar to the Broad-palmedRocketfrog (L. latopalmata). As their habitatsoverlap as well I am always reluctant to recordone or the other without seeing as well ashearing the individual.

Those back legs of L. nasuta just impressme no end and I will continue my daily walk/jog in a quest to emulate them!

So there’s the top five of the many frogs that Ienjoy finding during my night-timeescapades. But what of the frog’s favourite five?Here’s my guess:

Please contact the Mary RiverCatchment Coordinating Committeefor catchment related enquiries on07 5482 4766 ormrccc@ozwide.net.aumrccc@ozwide.net.aumrccc@ozwide.net.aumrccc@ozwide.net.aumrccc@ozwide.net.au

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Litoria wilcoxii Eva FordLitoria wilcoxii Eva FordLitoria wilcoxii Eva FordLitoria wilcoxii Eva FordLitoria wilcoxii Eva Ford

No. 1. WaterWaterWaterWaterWater

No. 2. FoodFoodFoodFoodFood

No. 3. ShelterShelterShelterShelterShelter

No. 4. MatesMatesMatesMatesMates

No. 5. PeacePeacePeacePeacePeace

Of course! Unpolluted andabundant (for most species)for living and breeding.That means lots ofinvertebrates the essentialelement for most foodchains.Moist microhabitats,vegetation, leaf litter, logs,household debris for some.Opposite sex of the samespecies preferred.Not to be eaten, captured,tortured, diseased, out-competed, poisoned.

Can we accommodate the frog’sCan we accommodate the frog’sCan we accommodate the frog’sCan we accommodate the frog’sCan we accommodate the frog’srequirements into our own lifestyles?requirements into our own lifestyles?requirements into our own lifestyles?requirements into our own lifestyles?requirements into our own lifestyles?

Eva Ford (Catchment Officer)

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TOADS HIT THE TOEAS LEGS GET LONGER

Australia’s hated cane toads are evolving -growing faster, longer legs as they rampagethrough the nations’ tropics.

Researchers have clocked the toxic pestshopping up to 2km in a single night, or more than50km a year - five times quicker than their pred-ecessors travelled in the 1940’s to 1960’s.

“There is very clear evidence that the toadsare evolving rapidly,” says Professor Rick Shine,from the University of Sydney’s School of Biologi-cal Sciences.

Scientists have been examining the wartypests at Fogg Dam, 60km east of Darwin, for ayear, attaching radio transmitters to track how farand fast they can travel.

Their research, published today in thescientific journal Nature, found the first toadsinvading an area now have longer, faster legs -which make up 45 per cent of their body length.

When the cane toad was first introduced inQueensland 70 years ago - in a disastrous attemptto control insects in sugar cane fields - its legsmade up about 35 per cent to 45 per cent of itsbody length, Professor Shine said.

“Frogs and toads generally are slow movinglittle creatures but our toads are moving northwest,and they are just going as fast as they can.”

He said it was possible toads were evolvingto be faster because there was some advantage tobeing first to invade an area - either juicier grubs orless competion for food.

Cane toads have marched across Queens-land, northern NSW, and the Northern Territory,poisoning millions of native animals including inWorld Heritage-listed Kakadu National Park. Theynow cover more than a million square kilometres oftropical and subtropical Australia.

The report came as the NT renewed itsattack on the toad, which is fast approachingDarwin.Locals are being urged to check their yards andnearby parks for cane toads on March 14 - theofficial “Not in my Backyard” day of action.

There has been fierce debate over the bestway to kill a cane toad since federal MP DaveTollner last year called on locals to smash themwith golf clubs and turn the eradication of toadsinto a new blood sport.

The RSPCA has urged locals to wipehaemorrhoid cream on toads before humanelyfreezing them, and community group FrogWatch ismulching up carcasses into Australia’s first toadgarden fertiliser.

Karen Michelmore Courier Mail 16 Feb 2006

FREE BEER FOR TOADSFREE BEER FOR TOADSFREE BEER FOR TOADSFREE BEER FOR TOADSFREE BEER FOR TOADS

TERRITORIANS are being offered free beer in returnfor live cane toads. The RSPCA, Coopers Breweryand the Cavenagh Hotel have teamed up in thename of animal welfare and the result is that toadscan be turned into beer.

Anyone over the age of 18 who captures a toad anddelivers it alive to the Darwin RSPCA qualifies for aglass of Coopers beer at the Cavenagh Hotel - up toa limit of six a day.

“We want to encourage the humane treatment ofanimals,” acting chief executive of RSPCA DarwinLindsay Wilkinson said yesterday. “If you get a freeCoopers out of it then it’s a bonus.”

Cavenagh Hotel general manager Brett Simmondssaid: “It’s all about the toads, not about the beer.” Butthe toads must be alive. He was keen to make itclear he wasn’t starting a roadkill collection. “Healthy,live, no squashed cane toads,” he said.

The RSPCA will euthanase the toads with sodiumpentobarbitone, an overdose of barbituatesadministered with a few drops on the skin that killstoads immediately.

(Edited version of story by Ben Langford fromNorthern Territory Newspaper 20 Mar 06)

The wonderful colour heading on theFrogsheet has been printed for QFS free

of charge by

ASCOT PRINT & DESIGN P/LPh 3266 6666

Thanks to Samford.net for hosting ourwebsite free of charge.

Mixophyes fasciolatus Research

Dr Pearl Symonds is looking for Mixophyesfasciolatus breeding sites - dams, ponds orlocal creeks where tadpoles are readilyaccessible. If you know of any please contactpearl66@bigpond.com.au

9

Frog JokeOldies are the best.. I think we have had this beforebut for anyone who has not heard it here it is again.Thanks Trish (I love it).

A frog goes into a bank and approaches the teller.He can see from her nameplate that her name isPatricia Whack.“Miss Whack, I’d like to get a $30,000 loan to take aholiday.”Patty looks at the frog in disbelief and asks his name.The frog says his name is Kermit Jagger, his dad isMick Jagger, and that it’s OK, he knows the bankmanager.Patty explains that he will need to secure the loan withsome collateral.The frog says “Sure. I have this,” and produces a tinyporcelain elephant about 2cm tall, bright pink andperfectly formed.Confused, Patty explains that she’ll have to consult thebank manager and disappears into a back office.She finds the manager and says “there’s a frog calledKermit Jagger out there who claims to know you, andwants to borrow $30,000, and he wants to use this ascollateral.”She holds up the tiny pink elephant. “I mean, what inthe world is this?”The bank manager looks back at her and says ……“It’s a knick-knack, Patty Whack. Give the frog a loan.His old man’s a rolling stone.”

Hawaii Fights Caribbean Coqui FrogsHawaii Fights Caribbean Coqui FrogsHawaii Fights Caribbean Coqui FrogsHawaii Fights Caribbean Coqui FrogsHawaii Fights Caribbean Coqui Frogs

Hawaii has allocated $4.9 million and fifty-eightadditional quarantine inspectors to fight invasivespecies including coqui frogs, the amphibian accusedof threatening Hawaii’s fragile ecosystem.

Three species of ‘Caribbean’ frogs have beenspreading throughout Hawaii’s islands. The dullcoloured amphibians had gone unnoticed until theirloud, piercing calls got concerned officials to take acloser look.

Experts believe the first coqui frog - or frogs -came to Hawaii in a plant shipped from Puerto Ricoor Florida. The movement of infested plants hasfurther expanded their range and a lack of naturalpredators has prevented anything from keeping theirnumbers in check.

While frogs may be viewed as indicators ofecosystem health in other parts of the world, HAWAIIHAS NO NATIVE FROGS, therefore, no niche forthem to fill in terms of natural ecosystem functions.

In Hawaii coqui population densities exceedanything seen in their Caribbean homeland.Eleutherodactylus coqui, E. martinicensis, and E.planirostris are tiny frogs with huge appetites: studiesconducted indicate that an infested acre (8,100 frogs)could consume as many as 46,000 prey items everynight! In a native forest setting, their diet could beHawaii’s endemic insects. Native plants that dependon pollination from particular insects could beindirectly affected, and a disruption to the food chaincould impact rare forest birds.

Currently, their known population on Maui islimited to more than 30 sites, and efforts towardcontainment may halt the otherwise rapid spread ofthese frogs from turning into epidemic proportions.

However, the immediate economic concernthese creatures pose is not in native forests, butrather in world famous resorts. The frogs’ repetitive,deafening “whistles” measuring 100 decibels, havebeen the source of noise complaints from hotelguests and local residents. In addition, these frogscould also threaten Hawaii’s agricultural exportindustry: shipments of tropical flowers or live plantsthat might have hitchhiking frogs will certainly not beaccepted by other states or countries!

The chemical mixtures of citric acid or hydratedlime used for control only kill 80 percent of the coquiin heavily infested areas, and survivors can return toformer densities in as little as two months. Officialsare looking for other ways to control the frogs. A teamof researchers will head to Puerto Rico in August tolook for parasites they might be able to bring toHawaii, said Kyle Onuma of the state Department ofAgriculture. Releasing sterile males* to break thereproduction cycle is another possible way to controlthe frogs, said University of Hawaii-Hilo biologist BillMautz.

(Compiled from stories in: Associated PressMay 17, 2006; Pat Bily, Invasive Plant Specialist, TheNature Conservancy website (undated))

(* Comments for next issue please. Ed)

Sick Frogs

If you find sick frogs:Contact your local QFS co-ordinator, then: -

*

*

Simple cases - TLC or pass onto your local vet(along with our “Basic Care for Injured Frogs”booklet - see page 3).Cases that we suspect may involveChytridiomycosis (for example, if you find morethan one sick frog) will be passed on to Dr PearlSymonds (UQ Vet School) who is researching theepidemiology of this disease.

Please note Pearl can only get the best information fromdead frogs if the specimen is recently dead and has beenkept refrigerated.

Specimens may have to be frozen or preserved in70% methyl alcohol if there is a time delay in getting themto the University.

Sick frogs will be given antifungal and antibiotictreatment as well as supportive therapy.

Taking a photo of the sick frog and emailing it toPearl with observations is also useful. Address clearly asQFS related email (or it will be deleted) and send to: -pearl66@bigpond.com.au

10

Qld Frog Society Public Trust Fund.

Thanks to ‘Fred’,our donation bin,the total is now$5039.88

QFS PUBLIC TRUST FUND

The Queensland Frog Society inc. mayreceive tax deductible donations of $2.00 ormore, property and bequests. Your dona-tions will assist in research, education andhelping to save our frogs. Cheques may bemade payable to:

THREAT ABATEMENT PLANFOR CHYTRID

Chytridiomycosis is an infectious disease affectingamphibians worldwide. The disease has been recordedin four regions of Australia, namely the east coast,southwest Western Australia, Adelaide, and morerecently Tasmania. This highly virulent fungalpathogen of amphibians is capable at the minimum ofcausing sporadic deaths in some populations, and 100per cent mortality in other populations.

This threat abatement plan has two broad goals:* to prevent amphibian populations or regions thatare currently chytridiomycosis-free from becominginfected by preventing further spread of theamphibian chytrid within Australia;* to decrease the impact of infection on populationsthat are currently infected.

The full report is available in pdf form at

http://www.deh.gov.au/biodiversity/threatened/publications/tap/chytrid/index.html

For hard copies contact the community Informationunit : ciu@deh.gov.au or 1800 803 772

Members - can you give us some comments on thisthreat abatement plan for the next frogsheet?

Butterflies & Other Bugs inButterflies & Other Bugs inButterflies & Other Bugs inButterflies & Other Bugs inButterflies & Other Bugs inBrisbaneBrisbaneBrisbaneBrisbaneBrisbane

A community education program

This project will involve a series ofworkshops and field trips introducingBrisbane residents to the variety ofbutterflies and other invertebrates in theirlocal area. The aim is to get the Brisbanecommunity to enhance the biodiversity oflocal habitats, parks and gardens.

The program will comprise the development,promotion, delivery, evaluation anddocumentation of a range of activities ledby highly knowledgeable communitymembers and educators. It is intended to befun and will take the form of acombination of presentations, day andnight time local field trips & activities inparks and bushland in Brisbanethroughout 2006. It is aimed primarily atadults and older children.

Remember

“bugs,pests,

mozzies”

= grubforme!

Next workshop : -Beetles and AntsBeetles and AntsBeetles and AntsBeetles and AntsBeetles and Ants

EITHEREITHEREITHEREITHEREITHER Brisbane West, in The Gap Ward,Sat 24/6/ 2006, 10am - 12 noonOROROROROR Brisbane East, in Wishart Ward,Sun 9/7/2006, 10am - 12 noonExact venues will be advised on registration.$10 to members of the general public free forBCC Bushcare, Habitat and Catchmentgroup members

For more information about activities or tofind out how you can support or be involvedwith this project contact: -Helen Schwencke,Helen Schwencke,Helen Schwencke,Helen Schwencke,Helen Schwencke, Director / SecretaryCommunity Learning Initiatives Inc.Community Learning Initiatives Inc.Community Learning Initiatives Inc.Community Learning Initiatives Inc.Community Learning Initiatives Inc.Phone: +61 7 3844 8069Email: cla@dovenetq.net.au

11

Photograph: Trevor Roberts

rdStowaway Gambian toadhitches a lift

The richly scented refuge of a training shoewas just too tempting for a stow-away fromGambia. So the African toad hopped in andunwittingly hitched a ride with a British touristreturning home to Birmingham.

Fanes Powell, 40, from Small Heath, wasstartled when he unpacked his bags after a winterbreak at Kotu and the globe-trotting amphibianwaddled out. “I had just taken a bag of souvenirsout of the suitcase. I was chatting with my partnerabout how good the holiday had been when weheard a rustling and looked down to see this toademerge.

“We couldn’t believe it - it was the same toadwe’d seen on the hotel balcony the night beforewhile we were playing cards. At the time wethought that was his home — we didn’t think we’dbe bringing him back to ours. We shookeverything for creepy crawlies but I never checkedmy trainers as they were the last things to go in.”

As Terry the toad made his crawl forfreedom, Mr Powell caught it in a bowl. “He washeading towards the washing machine. I knew Icouldn’t put him outside as it was too cold, socontacted the animal centre.”

Ray Dedicoat of the Hollytrees AnimalRescue Trust collected the toad. It is nowacclimatising to an English winter and a diet ofworms. “It was 40°C when they left the Gambiaso we’ve got him on a heated pad,” he said. “We’rehoping someone will offer us some advice.”

(Edited version of story from the Guardian, UK. 3 Jan2006 by Patrick Barkham)

Rays and mild climateRays and mild climateRays and mild climateRays and mild climateRays and mild climate

deadly for frogsdeadly for frogsdeadly for frogsdeadly for frogsdeadly for frogs

A striped marsh frog finds it tough goingwhen exposed to prolonged ultra violet radiation inmild temperatures. A Brisbane scientist hasdiscovered that even small doses of ultra violetradiation during mild temperatures can be fatal forfrogs.

University of Queensland zoology andwildlife biology honours student Vincent vanUitregt has shown that exposure to UVb rays, thesun’s most harmful rays, in temperatures as mildas 20 degrees celsius, kills tadpoles in 15 days.

Mr van Uitregt said tadpole growth andswimming ability declined dramatically as themercury dropped below their ideal temperature ofbetween 25 and 30 degrees. “Results so farstrongly suggest that UVb effects on survival anddevelopment of amphibians are dramaticallyexacerbated at low temperatures,” Mr van Uitregtsaid.

To prove the link between temperature andUV radiation, Mr van Uitregt collected 500 stripedmarsh frog tadpoles from the St Lucia Golf Links.Marsh frogs are common brown frogs foundaround Brisbane which are sometimes mistakenfor small cane toads. Mr van Uitregt exposed thetadpoles to low and high doses of UVb radiation attemperatures between 20 and 30 degrees.

The tadpoles exposed to high doses of UVbrays at 20 degrees died after 15 days while thetadpoles at the same temperature without the UVbexposure survived.

A high dose was 30 minutes under UVa andUVb lamps which was equivalent to about half theradiation from the midday sun on a clear summersday.

Mr van Uitregt said many frogs had built-indefence mechanisms for UV rays which fixeddamaged DNA but those repair processes wereimpaired at low temperatures. He expected UVband mild temperatures would also harm adultfrogs, particularly those living in higher altitudes orin colder environments.

The results correlate with decline patterns insome natural populations at high altitudes.

The 23-year-old from Loganlea said hisresearch was significant because he had provedthat UVb effects on amphibians worsened at lowertemperatures.

From University of Queensland media 15 May2006. More info Mr van Uitregt (0405 504 722,07 3365 2516) orMiguel Holland at UQ (3365 2619)

If undeliverable, return toQld Frog Society IncPO Box 7017East Brisbane Qld 4169

Frogsheet - Winter 06Print Post ApprovedPP424022/00619

SURFACE MAIL

POSTAGE PAIDAUSTRALIA

Thanks to all who sent articles. Please note EVERYONE welcome to submit items. By email (subject line:frogbiz) or post. Deadline for Spring issue is 25 August. Janet White

12

DRAGONFLIES OF SOUTHDRAGONFLIES OF SOUTHDRAGONFLIES OF SOUTHDRAGONFLIES OF SOUTHDRAGONFLIES OF SOUTHEAST QUEENSLANDEAST QUEENSLANDEAST QUEENSLANDEAST QUEENSLANDEAST QUEENSLAND

A Field Guide by Ric Nattrass

This is a beautifully presented and well-designed book and should encourage lots offroggers to get better acquainted with theseelegant creatures. All 86 Queensland speciesare clearly illustrated in colour and magnifiedviews show particular distinguishing featureswhere necessary. The introductory pagesexplain how to get started, necessaryequipment (which is simple), how to use thebook and where and when to go exploring. If itwasn’t 7pm on a bitter June night I’d beinspired to try my hand at identification rightnow ! Once you have found your critters theidentification keys seem clear andstraightforward. To cap it off the book isprinted on waterproof paper and has awaterproof cover - very practical.

The book is only available direct from RicNattrass. Price $40 ($45 inc P & P).Ph 3288 4100 or email nattrass@ine.com.au

Census findsCensus findsCensus findsCensus findsCensus finds

eight freight freight freight freight frog speciesog speciesog speciesog speciesog species

A frog census, commissioned by the VictorianGovernment last year, found eight species of theamphibians across 158 sites around Melbourne.The data provides a snapshot of Melbourne’sfrog population and will be used to assess thehealth of habitats and recommend courses ofaction to better manage the environment andprotect important habitats for frogs and othernative animals.

Frogs identified in the census include theeastern common froglet, Victorian smoothfroglet, pobblebonk, striped marsh frog, spottedmarsh frog, southern brown tree frog, whistlingtree frog and the eastern dwarf tree frog.Bibron’s toadlet was identified in separatesurveys and has been listed as a threatenedspecies.

The census is undertaken by more than1000 volunteers who will be joined by students ina new initiative to take the program into schools.(Edited version of story by AAP in The Australian April12, 2006)

How wonderful to live in the Brisbane region wherewe have 36 species...

Ducks “banned “from pond for eating frogspawnThe mallards have been branded a menace by officials because they are eating the frogspawn in the village pond. The communitycouncil in Creigiau, near Cardiff, has ordered the birds to be relocated to another pond. Council secretary Alec Davies said: ‘Thereare almost no frogs, newts and stickleback in the pond this year. The ducks are destroying the habitat and we have made a decisionto relocate them.’ … A RSPB spokesman said: ‘There are lots of other reasons why frogspawn has been delayed this year,including the fact that it has been particularly cold. The main problem with ducks is that if you relocate them there is nothing tostop them from flying back.’” (04/19/06) (Edited: full version at www.ananova.com)

○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○

Colourme in !

The Frog in the DrainThe Frog in the DrainThe Frog in the DrainThe Frog in the DrainThe Frog in the Drain-Pipe-Pipe-Pipe-Pipe-Pipe

There’s a frog in the drain-pipeHis skin is brown and grey.He stays there in the wet darkness, all night long and day.

In the early morning and in the evening too,He calls and calls at the top of his voice.It startles – like shouting “BOO!”

Sometimes, just after dawn, he comes out of the pipe.Occasionally we hold him but then we put him back.After all that, he really is alright.

When Dad’s cleaning out the pipe,There’s often more than one frog – even six!Then we surely know that they’re up to their tricks!

The frog in the drain-pipe, you could say,Is cold, wet and shivering.But I think there’s more to him than that!

Clara Barrs, Age 9

PPPPPobblebonkobblebonkobblebonkobblebonkobblebonk

Little cute frog,By now, rather fat,Lives under the stairs.Bop…Bop… Bop.

He is a browny greyAnd he often goes astray.But he always comes back.Bop… Bop… Bop.

Douglas Barrs, Age 7

WINNERS OF LAST ISSUE’S POETRY COMPETITION

Hi there! I hope that you allenjoy this frogsheet!Gemma xoxox

FrogsFrogsFrogsFrogsFrogsFrogs are cool swimming in the pool,croaka-croaka-croak-croak!They jump very high and catch heaps of flies,croaka-croaka-croak-croak!

Griffin Shakesby, Age 9

WELL DONE ! - they are great poems and prizes will be sent to you soon.

That, in the USA, April is national frog month?

That frogs are amphibians?

That the largest kind of frog can grow up to 30cm long?

Did you know…?Did you know…?Did you know…?Did you know…?Did you know…?

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