- indicates that this is not an
isolated idiosyncrasy; rather, it
appears that the species as a
whole is making a comeback.
A number of factors may explain
the persistence and subsequent
recovery of these remnant popu-
lations following the rapid
declines after first being infected
with Bd. Some individuals may
have possessed genetic
resistance to infection which
would then confer a selective
advantage to progeny. Acquired
immunity must also be a consid-
ered as a possibility, together
with the occurrence and selection
of microhabitats that are
thermally unconducive to Bd (the
chytrid fungus cannot survive at
high temperatures), the presence
of antifungal agents that reduce
the prevalence of Bd and inhibit
its activity, and decreased
virulence of the Bd strain infect-
ing M. fleayi.
Fleay’s Barred Frog is one of
seven species in the endemic
Australian genus Mixophyes.
Frogs in this genus are character-
ized by having large, well-built
bodies, powerful hindlimbs,
strongly-webbed feet and banded
legs. A sizeable frog, M. fleayi
has a snout-vent length of 63-
90mm. It is pale brown above,
with darker splotches/marbling,
and has a darker brown vertebral
band. As denoted by the common
name, a series of 7-8 dark cross-
bars extend down the limbs,
widening on the hind edges to
form a saw-toothed pattern. Dark
spots or blotches pattern its
flanks, while the limbs and under-
side are yellowish. On the head,
a dark brown/black stripe extends
from the large, blunt snout,
through the eye, to behind the
prominent tympanum. Mixophyes
fleayi is notable for a brown
upper lip, often with dark brown
blotches. In keeping with its
largely terrestrial habit, M. fleayi
lacks webbing between its
fingers, whereas the toes are half
webbed. The palms and soles
are black.
Like all members of the genus,
Fleay’s Barred Frog inhabits rain-
forest or wet sclerophyll forest,
residing in the understorey where
it feeds on insects and occasion-
ally smaller frogs. This species
exhibits sexual dimorphism, with
females being larger than males.
Adults are terrestrial, but they are
associated with streams which
they require for breeding.
Mixophyes are unusual in their
breeding behaviour in that
although amplexus occurs in
water, after the eggs are released
and fertilized, the female’s
hindlimbs are used to periodically
kick the eggs up onto the bank.
The eggs then stick to rocks or
overhanging vegetation and
continue their development until
rainfall triggers hatching, where-
upon the tadpoles are then
washed into the stream below.
Female M. fleayi will also lay their
eggs in a single layer on the bed-
rock of shallow streams, or in a
small depression (or ‘nest’)
created amongst submerged leaf
Left & above: a conspicuous
series of 7-8 dark crossbars
extend down the limbs to form a
saw-toothed pattern.
All images by Kit Prendergast.