Mixophyes australis


Southern Stuttering Frog

Photos

  • Mixophyes australis
    Photo: Stephen Mahony
  • Mixophyes australis
    Photo: Stephen Mahony

Distribution

Distribution map for Mixophyes australis
Formerly found from south of the Macleay River, NSW, south to northeastern VIC along the coast and ranges, but has declined severely due to the amphibian chytrid fungus and is no longer known anywhere south of Sydney.

Conservation Status

What does it mean?

Federal Conservation Status (EPBC Act)

Unlisted

IUCN Red List

Unlisted

Photos

  • Mixophyes australis
    Photo: Stephen Mahony
  • Mixophyes australis
    Photo: Stephen Mahony

Frog Calls

Call recorded by Jodi Rowley

Call recorded by Jodi Rowley

Calling Period

Species Information

Description

A large species of frog reaching up to 8 cm in body length. It has a yellowish-hued light brown to dark grey-brown back, with a darker longitudinal stripe or series of patches along the middle. There is a black stripe from the nostril to past the eye and above the tympanum, and a dark triangular patch on the tip of the snout. The belly is white or yellow. This species was previously confused with the closely-related Mixophyes balbus. A genetic study in 2023 revealed that frogs in the southern part of the range of range of Mixophyes balbus were actually a seperate species, now named Mixophyes australis.

Habitats

Occurs near rocky streams in rainforest and wet sclerophyll forest.

Breeding Biology

Eggs are laid loosely or in clusters in very shallow water in wet gravel or leaf litter nests that are dug next to rocky streams. Tadpoles can reach a total length of up to 8 cm, and are dark grey or nearly black in colour. They often remain at the bottom of water bodies and take at least 15 months to develop into frogs. Breeds during spring to autumn after rain.

Similar Species

Looks similar to Mixophyes fasciolatus and Mixophyes iteratus in its distribution, but has a different eye colour to both of these species, and is generally smaller than Mixophyes iteratus. Also looks very similar to Mixophyes balbus, but the two species’ ranges are narrowly separated by the Macleay River, with Mixophyes australis to the south and Mixophyes balbus to the north.