Distribution and Habitat

Country distribution from AmphibiaWeb's database: Australia

View distribution map using BerkeleyMapper.

From the Kandanga State Forest in Southeast Queensland to Gibraltar Range in north-eastern New South Wales. The extent of occurrence of the species is approximately 36400 km2 Some declines have been recorded in Southeast Queensland (Brisbane Forest Park and Conondale Ranges). The species occurs at low densities at some sties where seemingly suitable habitat exists.

Life History, Abundance, Activity, and Special Behaviors
Shaded rainforest gullies and closed forest in association with fast flowing rocky streams. Hides under stones at the water's edge. Adults are active at night on the ground and on low shrubs bordering streams. In winter adults form aggregations under rocks. Breeding occurs in spring and summer. Oviposition occurs in shallow water in quiet pools. About 360 – 730 eggs are laid cemented to rocks, twigs or the pool floor. The tadpoles metamorphose in 2 – 2.5 months.

Trends and Threats
Some declines in populations in southeastern Queensland despite having an extent of occurrence > 20,000km2.

Threats
Large areas of habitat have been and continue to be degraded by introduced stock (cattle and pigs), invasion of weeds and timber harvesting. Upstream clearing and urban development have affected downstream flow regimes and water quality. Sick and dead individuals infected by chytrid fungus have been found at Main Range and Conondale Range in Queensland.

Conservation Measures
Endangered in Queensland. Protected by State legislation and where it occurs in National Parks or State Forest.

References

Barker, J., Grigg, G. C., and Tyler, M. J. (1995). A Field Guide to Australian Frogs. Surrey Beatty and Sons, New South Wales.

Cogger, H.G. (1992). Reptiles and Amphibians of Australia. Reed Books, New South Wales.

Hines, H., Mahony, M. and McDonald, K. (1999). ''An assessment of frog declines in wet subtropical Australia.'' Declines and Disappearances of Australian Frogs. A. Campbell, eds., Environment Australia, Canberra, 44-63.

McDonald, K.R. and Davies, M. (1990). ''Morphology and biology of the Australian tree frog Litoria pearsoniana (Anura: Hylidae).'' Transactions of the Royal Society of South Australia, 114(3), 145-156.

Species Account Citation: AmphibiaWeb 2008 Litoria pearsoniana: Cascade Tree Frog <http://amphibiaweb.org/species/1291> University of California, Berkeley, CA, USA. Accessed Oct 13, 2019.

Citation: AmphibiaWeb. 2019. <http://amphibiaweb.org> University of California, Berkeley, CA, USA. Accessed 13 Oct 2019.

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