Occupancy modelling reveals a highly restricted and fragmented distribution in a threatened montane frog (Philoria kundagungan) in subtropical Australian rainforests
Liam J. Bolitho
A F , Jodi J. L. Rowley B C , Harry B. Hines D E and David Newell A
+ Author Affiliations
- Author Affiliations
A Forest Research Centre, Southern Cross University, Lismore, NSW 2480, Australia.
B Australian Museum Research Institute, Australian Museum, Sydney, NSW 2010, Australia.
C Centre for Ecosystem Science, School of Biological, Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW 2052, Australia.
D Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service and Partnerships, Department of Environment and Science, Bellbowrie, Qld 4070, Australia.
E Biodiversity Program, Queensland Museum, South Brisbane, Qld 4101, Australia.
F Corresponding author. Email: liam.bolitho@scu.edu.au
Australian Journal of Zoology 67(4) 231-240 https://doi.org/10.1071/ZO20037
Submitted: 25 May 2020 Accepted: 15 December 2020 Published: 6 January 2021
Abstract
In the last several decades, habitat loss, overexploitation, invasive organisms, disease, pollution and, more recently, climate change have led to catastrophic declines in amphibian biodiversity. Montane amphibian species, particularly those with narrow distributions and specific habitat requirements are likely to be at particular risk under future climate change scenarios. Despite this, fundamental ecological data are lacking for most of these species. Philoria kundagungan is a poorly known representative of a range-restricted genus of montane amphibians from eastern Australia. Using an occupancy framework, we conducted repeated call playback surveys at 32 sites across the mountainous regions of south-east Queensland and north-eastern New South Wales, Australia, to investigate: (1) the current extent of this species’ geographic range, and (2) environmental predictors of this species’ presence. We found that P. kundagungan has a highly restricted and fragmented distribution, being limited to ~11 km2 of potentially suitable habitat, and that its presence is strongly associated with high elevation (>800 m). Our survey protocol resulted in a high probability of detection (>70%) at occupied sites from relatively few visits. From these baseline data, future studies will have the ability to determine changes in this species’ geographic range and occupancy rate in response to the ever-increasing threats faced by P. kundagungan, thereby supporting more effective conservation strategies and policy decisions.
Keywords: climate change, geographic range, habitat preference, montane amphibians, occupancy modelling, Philoria kundagungan, subtropical rainforest, threatened species.
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