Meteorological effects on the activity of the giant burrowing frog (Heleioporus australiacus) in south-eastern Australia
Trent D. Penman A B C , Frank L. Lemckert B and Michael J. Mahony AA School of Environmental and Life Sciences, University of Newcastle, University Drive, Callaghan, NSW 2308, Australia.
B Forest Biodiversity, Forests NSW, PO BOX 100, Beecroft, NSW 2119, Australia.
C Corresponding author. Email: trentp@sf.nsw.gov.au
Wildlife Research 33 (1) 35-40 https://doi.org/10.1071/WR04081
Submitted: 20 December 2004 Accepted: 16 December 2005 Published: 7 March 2006
Abstract
Activity of amphibians is strongly related to meteorological conditions. The threatened giant burrowing frog is rarely encountered, even when it is known to be present in an area. To improve its detectability and so improve our ability to manage the species we wanted to determine the conditions under which this species is active. Thirty-three frogs were tracked over a 2-year period, their location determined daily and activity measured as the proportion of frogs moved from the previous day. Animals were found to be active throughout the year and activity was associated with rainfall, humidity, temperature and wind strength. The results suggest that surveys for this species should be carried out after rainfall of at least 5mm, when temperatures are above 8°C, relative humidity above 60% and in still or light wind conditions.
Acknowledgments
This study was funded primarily by an Australian Postgraduate Industry Award supported by State Forests of NSW, NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service and the University of Newcastle. Additional funding was provided by the Peter Rankin Trust Fund for Herpetology. Approval was granted from the animal care and ethics committees of University of Newcastle (IACUC # 759 1004) and State Forests of NSW (IACUC # 27/03). This research was carried out under a scientific investigator’s licence provided by NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service (A3016). C. Slade, A. Miehs, A. Towerton and three anonymous referees provided useful comments on earlier drafts of this manuscript.
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