McDonald's Frog
Cophixalus mcdonaldi
Australia's Threatened Species Category
Critically Endangered
Listed since: 4/07/2019
IUCN's Threatened Species Category
Critically Endangered
Listed since: 3/08/2020
Population trend: Stable
Other names: Mt Elliot Nursery-frog
Priority Species? No
The Australian government's Threatened Species Action Plan 2022-2032 selected over 100 priority species derive from consultation with threatened species experts and the wider community. While all species are important, focusing on a limited number of species can help target effort and resources so that outcomes can be achieved, measured and shared.
Description
The Mount Elliot Nursery Frog is only found on Mount Elliot, south-east of Townsville and they are a high altitude rainforest restricted species. They differ from other species of frogs as they are terrestrial breeders and do not need surface water to breed. They require high levels of soil and litter moisture where they lay their eggs. The tadpole develops inside the egg and when it has completed metamorphosis, it hatches from the egg as a fully formed froglet.
Threats
Quollity Conservation Hub's Overall Priority Score
64
Average life span:
> 5yrs and < 10yrs
Number of young produced each year:
< 100
Number of breeding events each year:
Unknown
Minimum sexual maturity age:
Unknown
Who is helping
Useful links for more detailed information on this species
DCCEEW - Australian Government Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water
SPRAT - DCCEEW Species Profile and Threats Database
Climate change is a potential threat to this species due to modelling being conducted which suggests that they could lose more than 50% of their core habitat with a 1�C increase in temperature. Habitat loss and degradation and disease are also known factors that can affect this species.