🐸 Researchers successfully breed rare mountain frogs for first time

• Researchers from Southern Cross University have successfully bred the red and yellow mountain frog for the first time.
• Seven frogs have been released into the wild at Tooloom National Park as part of a conservation project.
• The researchers have replicated the frogs' unusual habitat with correct temperature, substrate, plants and sound to enable breeding.

Complex breeding process requires precise environment

The research team has worked for several years to recreate the natural habitat of the red and yellow mountain frog. The species lives in wet and muddy underground burrows in the rainforests of northern New South Wales and south-east Queensland, reports ABC News.

Researcher Liam Bolitho explains that the team must mimic several factors to get the frogs to breed. They play recorded frog chorusing calls from the rainforest and carefully control temperature, substrate and plants. All these elements must be perfect for reproduction to work.

The adult frog measures only about three centimetres, making it visually challenging to monitor development. Associate professor David Newell describes that the species does not have free-swimming tadpoles. Instead, the tadpole develops from the egg yolk and hatches at a size of just three millimetres.

Genetic diversity between different populations

The species is found on a limited number of mountains, where each population has distinct colouration and genetics. This variation must be carefully protected in conservation work. The researchers consider the genetic differences when planning releases and monitoring.

Separate populations of the red and yellow mountain frog have different colour patterns and genetic characteristics that must be preserved for the species' long-term survival.

First release conducted in national park environment

A ceremony was held at a secret location in Tooloom National Park when seven red and yellow mountain frogs were released. Bolitho announces that more frogs will be released and populations will be monitored in coming years.

The researchers plan to bolster populations in remote places that have been negatively impacted. The project involves researchers from the university, NSW government and Githabul traditional owners.

Threatened Species Commissioner Fiona Fraser describes the mountain frog as one of 110 priority species in the federal government's Threatened Species Action Plan. She emphasizes the importance of enduring partnerships between different organizations for successful species conservation.

Monitoring and future releases planned

The researchers will continue to monitor the released frogs and plan additional releases. Fraser explains that breeding programs are not the solution for all species, but can be crucial for species with limited habitat and low population numbers.

Newell says their predictions show that the climatic niche where these frogs live will reduce by more than 60 percent by 2055 based on current trends. This makes conservation efforts particularly important for the species' survival.

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Photo: Southern Cross University