Reintroduction strategies for the conservation of the Southern Corroboree Frog; the use of fences to exclude pathogens - Dr David Hunter
Wednesday, November 15, 2023 |
1:55 PM - 2:05 PM |
Sirius / Pleiades Room, Esplanade Hotel Fremantle |
Speaker
Dr David Hunter
Threatened Species Officer
NSW Department of Planning and Environment
Reintroduction strategies for the conservation of the Southern Corroboree Frog; the use of fences to exclude pathogens
Abstract
The Southern Corroboree Frog (Pseudophryne corroboree) is restricted to a small area of the Snowy Mountains in South-eastern Australia and would be extinct if not for a captive breeding and reintroduction program. Establishing self-sustaining populations in the wild is challenging, as the key threat of disease caused by infection with the Amphibian Chytrid Fungus cannot be directly mitigated. Accordingly, the short to medium term (next 20 years) reintroduction objectives are focused on integration with the captive breeding program to maintain genetic variability and field fitness. Multiple release strategies are currently being trialled, which includes releases into areas occupied by reservoir host species for the Amphibian Chytrid Fungus, and a novel approach of using fenced areas to exclude reservoir hosts. As would be expected, eggs and frogs released into habitat occupied by reservoir hosts achieves low annual survivorship (< 0.25) through to sexual maturity. Frogs released into small enclosures (30m2) that exclude reservoir hosts can be maintained pathogen free, although annual survivorship (0.5) is currently insufficient, and successful breeding has not been achieved. Frogs in the large enclosures (>200m2) can be maintained pathogen free, and consistently breed, however not all mature males engage in calling activity, and the proportion of females mating each year is variable. The results thus far demonstrate the value of using fenced areas to maintain pathogen free colonies of the Southern Corroboree Frog in the wild, and with improvements, are likely to achieve current objectives for the broader recovery program.
Biography
David Hunter is a threatened species officer for the New South Wales State Government, and has implemented conservation programs for critically endangered frogs over the past 25 years. Dave currently manages programs for five threatened frogs where captive breeding and reintroductions are key actions.