Distribution and habitat of the spotted tree-frog, Litoria spenceri Dubois (Anura : Hylidae), and an assessment of potential causes of population declines

Abstract

An extensive survey of the distribution and abundance of the spotted tree frog, Litoria spenceri, was conducted throughout its range in the Central and Eastern Highlands of Victoria and parts of New South Wales and the Australian Capital Territory between November 1991 and April 1994. Of the 64 streams surveyed, Litoria spenceri was recorded along 16, 15 in Victoria and one in New South Wales. The species was located along six streams in which it had not been recorded before, but could not be found along four streams in which it had previously been recorded. The survey failed to detect L. spenceri at historical sites on four other streams but located it elsewhere along those streams. Frogs were located predominantly in association with rocky banks adjacent to fast flowing water. Most populations occurred in dissected mountainous country, generally in areas with limited access and disturbance. Analysis of disturbance histories at individual sites and within catchments supporting the species indicates an association between the contraction in distribution and a number of human disturbances to forest and riparian habitats.