Rev Fauna Flora Assessment

                                                                                  Native Foresters



4.3      Tusked frog (Adelotus brevis)

The Tusked frog owes its name to the large paired projections or tusks that males possess in the
lower jaw. The Tusked frog is a monotypic genus, being the only species in the genus Adelotus.
It is the only species in Australia where the males are larger than the females. Although common
in parts of its range, declines and possible extinctions in some areas prompted its listing as
Vulnerable under the NC Act 1992.

Tusked frogs are habitat generalists that can be found under logs, stones or leaf litter near
puddles, creeks and ponds. The Tusked frog has a mottled dark brown back that is covered with
small warts. There is usually a butterfly-shaped marking between the eyes and the limbs are
banded. Bright red patches are located in the groin area and on the back of the legs. Males
construct nests in concealed sites under leaf litter, vegetation or logs in shallow water at the edge
of ponds or stream pools (Anstis, 2002). The territory will encompass an area of water suitable
for the female to lay her eggs on in a foamy nest on the surface (Frogs Australia, 2017).

No Tusked frogs were identified during the fauna surveys. Tusked frogs have been recorded in
the surrounding area e.g. Heritage Park (Joan Heavey, pers.comm.) and Daintree Estate (Native
Foresters, 2014). As such it is considered possible that the species may opportunistically use
drainage lines, stormwater outlets, ephemeral ponds and wetland areas present throughout the
site for breeding.


4.4      Wallum froglet (Crinia tinnula)

The Wallum froglet is a small frog (up to 20 mm in length) whose dorsal side is highly variable in
colour (grey, beige, red-brown) and texture (smooth or irregular). The ventral side is granular, with
a fine median line of white dots on the throat that may continue across the belly. Walllum froglet
is listed as Vulnerable under the NC Act.

Wallum froglets require ephemeral and semi-permanent acidic swamps and creeks that
seasonally flood for breeding. They also inhabit adjacent heathlands and Melaleuca woodlands.
The species is considered tolerant of disturbance, and is known to call from depressions in grassy
areas adjacent to drains after prolonged rainfall.

Breeding usually occurs in winter, although has been recorded in all seasons after rain (Meyer et
al. 2006). Tadpoles may take two to six months to develop into frogs. Males may call throughout
the year and at any time of day, peaking following rain. Habitat modification, predation by Cane
toads and Mosquito fish; and changes in hydrology and pH pose significant threats to this species.

Wallum froglets were not identified within the survey area despite targeted survey effort in optimal
conditions in autumn 2017 and 2018. There are two WildNET records of Wallum froglets within a
one kilometre radius. The species is not currently using the ponded water and Melaleuca wetland
areas near the carpark and stormwater outlets/ culverts for breeding.

The 2018 surveys identified a large population of Beeping Froglet (Crinia parinsignifera) and
Eastern Sedge Frog (Litoria fallax) as well as native fish species e.g. Empire gudgeon
(Hypseleotris compressa) which may exclude Wallum Froglets and/or detract from the area’s
suitability for the species.




Carramar Extension – Fauna and Flora Assessment – Revision 2                                         32