Australia's frogs disappear as planet warms up
18 Nov 2004
The IUCN's Red List of Threatened Species has just been released, revealing an alarming result for Australian frogs.
The International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources (IUCN) Red List is the world's most authoritative status list of threatened plants and animals.
This year eleven frog Australian frog species have been added to the IUCN Red List including four Cophixalus and three Philoria species. Most of these 11 species of frogs are narrowly restricted species from high altitudes and mountain tops. Declines in most Australian threatened frog species have occurred along the eastern seaboard and in upland areas.
WWF Director of Conservation, Dr Ray Nias says, "This is a disturbing trend because frogs are a key bio-indicator of the health of the environment. It's believed declines in these species could be early warning signs of the impending impact of climate change on the world's biodiversity."
"An additional threatening factor that has swept through many frog species around the world, including Australia, is the fungal disease chytridiomycosis. There may even be a link between climate change and the fungal disease."
There has been a clear decline in the conservation status of frogs since 1980. Globally, nine species of frog have gone extinct since 1980, eight of these as a probable result of chytrid fungus. The IUCN Red List states that "this is the most serious wave of extinctions currently taking place".
In Australia, whole groups of frogs are now threatened. One hundred per cent of the Philoria genus (comprising six species) is considered threatened. Both of the globally unique Gastric brooding frogs ? the only members of their family - are considered to be extinct.
Worldwide there are now more frog species on the Red List (1,856) than any other animal group.
21% of the world's frog species are critically endangered or endangered.
That compares to 10% of bird species and 5% of mammal species.
This year's IUCN Red List findings on frogs are based on the Global Amphibian Assessment, which is the first thorough review of the conservation of the world's amphibians.
Interview opportunities with Dr Ray Nias WWF Director of Conservation
For further information:
Contact: WWF-Australia Press Office - Virginia Dew (02) 82021290 or email- vdew@wwf.org.auor Jacqueline McArthur (02) 9281 5515 Mobile 0408626780
