As a prudent security measure (and,
for many amphibians impacted by
the chytrid fungus, the only conser-
vation measure available, given no
cure nor means of eradicating Bd), a
captive husbandry project ex situ has
been initiated for M. fleayi at Lone
Pine Koala Sanctuary.
The resilience displayed by M.
fleayi, in not only persisting, but
actually increasing in abundance
after mass-dies offs following Bd
infection, provides hope that at least
some frogs can beat this lethal
disease. This is one of the first cases
of unambiguous population recovery
in the wild in the presence of Bd.
However, the continued persistence
of M. fleayi is far from guaranteed;
this narrow-range endemic still must
contend with other anthropogenic
threats, such as degradation of steam
water quality and riparian vegetation
from logging, livestock grazing,
weeds, and pollution; destruction of
habitat and predation by feral pigs;
and habitat destruction through
clearing for agricultural and urban
development.
Certainly, the deadly amphibian
disease of chytridiomycosis has
caused populations of M. fleayi to
plummet, resulting in its disappear-
ance from much of its former range –
like many other species of frogs. Yet
habitat destruction remains the single
greatest threat imperiling native
amphibians, including M. fleayi.
Only by protecting and restoring
pristine habitat can we ensure this
large, brilliantly-patterned frog
remains to be heard calling in the
wild.
References:
Newell DA, Goldingay RL, Brooks
LO (2013) Population Recovery fol-
lowing Decline in an Endangered
Stream-Breeding Frog (Mixophyes
fleayi) from Subtropical Australia.
PLoS ONE 8(3): e58559.
doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0058559