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Eungella Day Frog (Taudactylus eungellensis)

The Eungella day frog, Taudactylus eungellensis, is a small, endangered stream frog restricted to the Clarke Range of mid-eastern Queensland. It depends on rocky, perennial rainforest streams, so clearing, sedimentation, altered stream flows and water infrastructure near occupied catchments can affect habitat and breeding sites on development projects.

Conservation status

Commonwealth, EPBC Act 1999: Endangered.

Queensland, Nature Conservation Act 1992: Endangered.

Breeding season

Eungella Day Frogs can call for most of the year and breed mainly from late summer to autumn, with additional reports of breeding or increased calling in November to May. Tadpoles may remain in pools through winter, so stream disturbance and clearing near occupied habitat can affect the species year round.

Reproductive mode: Egg laying, followed by a free-swimming tadpole stage.

Clutch size: 30 to 50 eggs.

Incubation: Not recorded.

Size at hatching or birth: Not recorded.

Age at maturity: Not recorded.

Nest or egg sites: Eggs are laid in small clusters or clumps under submerged rocks, and may also be attached beneath submerged logs.

Breeding frequency: Not recorded; breeding may occur through much of the year, with the main period reported as late summer to autumn.

Confirm timing locally before works, particularly after rainfall and with regard to stream flow and temperature, and follow project-specific survey advice because local conditions may shift calling, breeding and tadpole activity.

  • Calling: Males call throughout the year except June. Calling is also reported as more frequent from January to May, with further calling records from September to January.
  • Egg laying: The main breeding period is late summer to autumn, broadly January to May. Other sources report breeding through the year, with greatest intensity in November and December. Eggs are laid under submerged rocks in water, and may be attached beneath submerged logs.
  • Tadpoles: Tadpoles may be present throughout the year and may overwinter. They are bottom dwellers in relatively still pools and are not found in riffles or fast-flowing water.
  • Froglets: Metamorphosis into froglets is reported from November to January, with November, December and January identified as the main period. Separate juvenile emergence timing is not recorded.
  • Active period: No seasonal inactivity period is documented. The species is largely diurnal, although other species accounts report activity during both day and night, so frogs may move around occupied streams throughout the year.
  • Highest clearing risk: Risk is highest from February to April because late summer and autumn breeding, eggs and developing tadpoles may overlap. November and December also carry high risk because breeding intensity and metamorphosis are reported then. Risk remains year round because tadpoles may overwinter and adults use perennial stream refuges.

Identification

The Eungella day frog is a small, brown to yellowish-tan stream frog with irregular dark markings and expanded, fringed digits. It is often found on exposed rocks beside fast-flowing water, but may escape into the stream and remain submerged.

Adults are 25 to 28 mm long in males and 27.6 to 35.9 mm in females. The dorsal surface ranges from yellowish tan to dark brown, with irregular dark brown markings, a broad band between the eyes, bands in front of the eyes, an irregular X-shaped back marking and crossbands on the limbs and digits.

The throat and abdomen are cream coloured. The lower abdomen and undersides of the limbs may have yellow suffusions or dark brown spots. The skin is shagreened and tuberculate above, while the underside is smooth. The tympanum is hidden.

Male length: 25 to 28 mm

Female length: 27.6 to 35.9 mm

Tympanum: Hidden

Digits: Expanded tips, broadly fringed and lacking webbing

Identification: Behaviour and call

The species is active by day and night. It may bask on exposed rocks and, when disturbed, escape into the water and remain submerged on the bottom for some time.

The male call is a soft or gentle rattle that can be difficult to hear over rushing water. Males have no vocal sac. Visual communication, including leg flicking, leg waving, head bobbing and distinctive hops, has also been observed.

Activity: Diurnal and nocturnal

Call: Soft, gentle rattling sound

Other communication: Leg movements, head bobbing and distinctive hops

Identification: Similar species and field signs

The combination of a small size, hidden tympanum, broadly fringed but unwebbed digits, irregular brown dorsal markings and occurrence on rocky Eungella rainforest streams helps separate this frog from other stream frogs. Identification should be confirmed by an experienced amphibian ecologist, particularly where several Taudactylus species occur in the region.

Tadpoles are brown to dark brown, with orange-brown sides and a prominent V-shaped dorsal marking. They have narrow fins, a rounded tail tip, a sinistral spiracle, a dextral vent and an umbrella-shaped oral disc surrounded by marginal papillae. Tooth rows are absent, although papillar ridges occur on the lower labium.

  • Search exposed rocky banks, splash zones and larger pools on first and second order streams.
  • Use visual searches, spotlighting and call detection by day and night.
  • Do not rely on call detection alone because the call is soft and non-calling frogs will be missed.

Distribution: Range and strongholds

The species has a very small national range in Queensland. It is restricted to the Clarke Range, principally within Eungella National Park and adjoining state forests in the Central Queensland Coast biogeographic region.

The known range extends across the Clarke Range in mid-eastern Queensland, at approximately 200 to 1,000 m elevation. Records are centred on Eungella National Park, with possible or historical records from Cathu, Crediton, Pelion and Eungella state forests.

The species is currently known from the Finch Hatton Creek, Boulder, St Helens, Owens and Cattle Creek catchments, which drain towards the Pioneer River. The survey guidance recommends checking a range of stream structures and using reference sites where feasible.

State: Queensland only

Bioregion: Central Queensland Coast biogeographic region

Elevation: Approximately 200 to 1,000 m

Known catchments: Finch Hatton Creek, Boulder, St Helens, Owens and Cattle Creek

Distribution: Population trend

The species was formerly considered common across its range, with reported densities of up to 10 frogs per square metre over long stretches of stream. It underwent a rapid range contraction and was not detected at monitored sites for a period before small relict populations were found again from 1992 onwards.

The recovery plan reported records from nine sites within the former distribution. A current total population size is not provided in the supplied documents, and the causes of the decline remain unresolved.

Former reported density: Up to 10 frogs per square metre

Post-decline detections: Adults, subadults, metamorphs or tadpoles recorded at nine sites in the former range

Current population size: Not reported in the supplied documents

Trend: Severe historical decline and range contraction; small relict populations persist

Habitat: Stream and forest habitat

The Eungella day frog is associated with perennial rainforest streams in the Clarke Range. It uses rocky stream margins, splash zones, cascades, waterfalls and relatively still pools, within or beside rainforest and wet sclerophyll forest.

Habitat critical to survival is restricted to perennial rainforest streams in Eungella National Park and adjacent state forests. The species occupies rocky sections of streams, including riffles, cascades and waterfalls, particularly in splash zones.

The survey guideline identifies rocky rainforest and wet sclerophyll forest streams as macrohabitat. The frog is associated with exposed rocky banks along first and second order streams, larger pools and a range of stream structures.

  • Retain perennial stream channels, rocky banks, cascades, waterfalls and larger pools.
  • Maintain rainforest or wet sclerophyll vegetation beside streams and avoid disturbing exposed rocks, crevices and streamside litter.
  • Treat upstream and adjacent works as potential habitat impacts because water extraction, impoundment and changes to stream flow may affect occupied streams.

Habitat: Larval habitat

Tadpoles are bottom dwellers in relatively still, midstream pools and are not generally found in riffles or fast-flowing water. They may occur among rocks, litter and detritus on the pool bottom.

The species has been recorded from approximately 200 to 1,000 m elevation in the Clarke Range. No separate climatic limit is provided in the supplied documents.

Larval waterbody: Large and relatively still midstream pools

Larval microhabitat: Among rocks, litter and detritus

Elevation range: Approximately 200 to 1,000 m

Foraging habitat: Diet and feeding sites

Detailed species-specific feeding studies were not provided. The available accounts indicate that the Eungella day frog probably feeds on arthropods, consistent with the general diet of myobatrachid frogs.

The species account states that its diet is not known, but that it probably consists of arthropods. Myobatrachid frogs generally feed opportunistically on arthropods, with prey limited by mouth size and seasonal availability.

Likely feeding areas are the moist stream edge, exposed rocks, leaf litter and shallow margins around rainforest streams. A defined foraging range, prey list or feeding territory has not been reported.

Known diet: Not documented in detail

Likely prey: Arthropods

Foraging range: Not reported

  • Retain moist stream margins, exposed rocks, leaf litter and detritus around occupied pools and cascades.
  • Avoid applying insecticides or other chemicals where runoff could enter occupied streams or streamside foraging areas.
  • Record frogs found away from the water, as stream-edge habitat may be used for feeding as well as shelter.

Breeding habitat: Breeding sites

Breeding occurs in perennial rainforest streams, with eggs placed under rocks in the water. Tadpoles use relatively still midstream pools and may remain through winter.

Females lay eggs under rocks in the water. The breeding habitat includes rocky stream sections, splash zones, cascades and waterfalls, while the resulting tadpoles use larger, relatively still midstream pools.

Calling may occur through most of the year, but the survey guidance identifies September to March as the seasonal survey period. The recovery plan describes the species as a late summer to autumn breeder.

  • Protect submerged rocks, pool margins and streambed structure during works near occupied streams.
  • Prevent sediment, concrete washout, fuels and other pollutants from entering breeding pools.
  • Schedule unavoidable in-stream or streambank works outside the breeding and tadpole period where practicable, subject to project-specific survey advice.

Breeding habitat: Reproductive facts

Breeding season: Late summer to autumn; survey guidance gives September to March

Calling: Reported throughout the year except June

Eggs per clutch: 30 to 50 large eggs

Egg placement: Under rocks in the water

Tadpole development: Tadpoles may overwinter

Age at maturity: Not reported in the supplied documents

Lifespan: Not reported in the supplied documents

Sheltering habitat: Refuges and cover

The species uses rocks and crevices in and beside streams for cover. It may also remain submerged on the stream bottom when disturbed.

Adults may be found under rocks or in crevices, as well as in exposed positions on rocky stream banks. The supplied survey table does not report a separate refuge type beyond rocks and crevices.

When disturbed, frogs can enter the water and remain submerged on the bottom. Tadpoles shelter or occur among rocks, litter and detritus in larger, relatively still pools.

Adult refuges: Under rocks and in crevices

Disturbance response: Escapes into water and may remain submerged on the bottom

Tadpole cover: Rocks, litter and detritus in relatively still pools

Refuge dimensions: Not reported

  • Do not move or remove rocks, boulders, embedded slabs or streamside debris in occupied or potentially suitable habitat without an approved fauna management approach.
  • Inspect rocky banks, crevices, splash zones and pool margins before works, using experienced amphibian personnel.
  • Maintain wet refuges and avoid dewatering pools or isolating sections of stream.

Threats: Hydrology and water quality

The species has suffered a major decline despite much of its known range being within protected areas. The causes remain unresolved, but disease and changes to perennial stream flows are identified concerns for project planning.

The recovery plan identifies extraction or impoundment of perennial streams as a potential threat, especially in state forests. Water infrastructure in the upper Pioneer River catchment may affect stream habitat within the frog's distribution.

Amphibians absorb moisture through the skin and are sensitive to changes in temperature, moisture and water quality. Sediment, altered flows, dewatering and pollution from construction can therefore affect both adults and aquatic larvae.

  • Keep construction sediment, fuels, concrete washout and other pollutants out of perennial streams and pools.
  • Avoid diverting, impounding, extracting or substantially altering flows in occupied or potentially suitable streams.
  • Maintain natural pool, cascade and riffle sequences and retain streamside rainforest vegetation.

Threats: Disease and unexplained decline

Chytrid fungus had not been identified in the Clarke Range stream frogs when the recovery plan was prepared, but investigation of disease occurrence was listed as a recovery action because chytrid could be a significant threat.

The species underwent a rapid decline and range contraction, but the supplied documents do not identify a confirmed single cause.

  • Use appropriate hygiene and decontamination procedures between waterways and survey sites.
  • Do not move water, mud, rocks, equipment or amphibians between catchments without following current hygiene requirements.
  • Treat a failure to detect frogs as inconclusive where conditions, timing or survey effort were unsuitable.

Threats: Clearing, fragmentation, roads and fire

The species depends on undisturbed or relatively intact rainforest stream habitat, and the recovery plan notes that protection within reserves has not guaranteed persistence. Clearing of streamside rainforest, removal of rocky cover or fragmentation of connected wet habitat may reduce habitat quality.

The supplied documents do not identify roads, fire or introduced predators as confirmed species-specific causes of decline. These risks should nevertheless be assessed where works alter stream crossings, riparian cover, shelter or water quality.

  • Keep clearing footprints away from perennial streams, rocky banks, cascades, waterfalls and larger pools.
  • Avoid creating new stream crossings or access tracks through occupied catchments where alternatives exist.
  • Assess fire planning and fuel reduction near rainforest streams so that wet refuges, streamside vegetation and rocky cover are retained.
  • Use qualified fauna spotter catchers and amphibian ecologists for pre-clearance searches and any handling or relocation decision.

Threats: Detection and survey risk

The soft call, mixed day and night activity, cryptic sheltering sites and rapid historical decline create a high risk of false absence. The survey guideline recommends combined diurnal observations, spotlighting and call detection, with a minimum of four nights under ideal conditions along at least 200 m of stream.

Surveys should not be conducted during heavy rainfall or high stream flow. The guidance recommends surveying about one week after heavy rainfall and during the September to March survey period.

  • Survey suitable first and second order streams by day and night.
  • Use at least four nights under suitable conditions and cover a minimum 200 m stream transect where the guideline applies.
  • Include exposed rocky banks, splash zones, larger pools, crevices and streamside habitat in searches.
  • Use reference sites where feasible and obtain advice from personnel experienced with local stream frogs.

Survey methodology: 1. Habitat assessment and transect selection

Survey this species in suitable stream habitat using repeated day and night searches. Detection is affected by weather, stream flow, time of day and the species’ quiet call, so use more than one method and record non-detections carefully.

First identify rocky rainforest and wet sclerophyll forest streams, especially first and second order streams with waterfalls, cascades, riffles, exposed rocky banks and larger pools.

Use an appropriately experienced person to assess habitat, stream structure and potential breeding and refuge sites before searching.

Establish a stream transect of at least 200 metres in montane tropical or subtropical rainforest, covering a range of stream structures.

Preferred habitat: Rocky rainforest and wet sclerophyll forest streams

Priority microhabitat: Rocky sections in splash zones of waterfalls and cascades, exposed banks and larger pools

Minimum transect: 200 metres

Survey methodology: 2. Diurnal visual searches

Search during the day because this is a day frog, while also allowing for evening calling activity.

Inspect exposed rocky banks, rocks, crevices, splash zones, waterfalls, cascades and larger, relatively still mid-stream pools.

Search among rocks, litter and detritus in pools, and check under rocks and in crevices without unnecessarily disturbing the stream bed or animals.

Record adults, juveniles, metamorphs and tadpoles separately where identification is reliable.

Daily timing: Day searches, with additional evening and night work

Known refuge sites: Under rocks or in crevices

Known larval habitat: Large and relatively still mid-stream pools

Survey methodology: 3. Spotlighting and call detection

Conduct spotlight searches by night along the stream transect and around larger pools.

Use call detection during both day and night, giving particular attention to the gentle rattling call near rushing water.

Do not rely on calling males alone, because call surveys can miss non-calling individuals.

Use trained personnel who can identify the species and distinguish its call from other stream frogs.

Recommended methods: Diurnal observations, spotlight surveys and call detection

Call description: Gentle rattling sound, barely audible over rushing water

Survey period: Day and night

Survey methodology: 4. Timing, conditions and repeat visits

Survey during the species’ seasonal survey period from September to March and at the time of peak activity for the local population.

Do not survey during heavy rainfall or high stream flow.

Where practicable, survey about one week after heavy rainfall, when conditions are suitable but the stream is not running too strongly.

Complete at least four nights under ideal conditions and cover a range of stream structures.

Repeat surveys across suitable periods where one visit is unlikely to provide a reliable result, particularly for a rare species or where works could affect occupied habitat.

Season: September to March

Weather: Optimum conditions, not during heavy rainfall or high stream flow

Suggested rainfall interval: About one week after heavy rainfall

Minimum effort: Four nights under ideal conditions

Transect coverage: At least 200 metres

Survey methodology: Minimum effort and reporting

  • Survey at least 200 metres of suitable first and second order stream habitat, where present.
  • Complete a minimum of four survey nights under suitable conditions, with both day and night components and a combination of visual observation, spotlighting and call detection.
  • Record the date, start and finish times, weather, rainfall history, stream flow, water conditions, transect length, habitat searched, methods, observers and all detections and non-detections.
  • Have records and identifications checked by personnel experienced with local frog assemblages, adult frogs, calls and tadpoles.
  • Submit confirmed records, including location, evidence and survey effort, to the relevant Queensland wildlife database and any project or regulatory reporting system required by the approval.
  • Report survey limitations clearly, including heavy rain, high flow, unsuitable timing, inaccessible stream sections and methods that could not be completed.

Before habitat disturbance: Avoid and minimise habitat loss

Treat perennial rainforest streams and their rocky margins as potential habitat wherever the project occurs within the Clarke Range and associated Eungella region. The species is narrowly distributed and has undergone substantial decline, so avoidance should be assessed before disturbance is authorised.

  • Avoid clearing, filling, crossing, diverting or extracting water from perennial rainforest streams and their adjacent rocky habitat wherever practicable.
  • Retain stream sections with waterfalls, cascades, riffles, splash zones, exposed rocky banks, crevices and larger pools.
  • Maintain links between retained stream habitat and upstream and downstream habitat, because the species is restricted to connected stream catchments and has occurred in several catchments draining Mt Dalrymple.
  • Prevent sediment, pollutants, altered flow and impoundment from entering retained stream habitat.

Before habitat disturbance: Approvals and work planning

Commonwealth status: Endangered under the EPBC Act

Queensland status: Endangered

Known regional setting: Eungella National Park and adjoining state forests in the Clarke Range

  • Check the current EPBC Act listing and determine whether the proposed action requires referral because the species is nationally listed as Endangered.
  • Check Queensland threatened species requirements, permits and any conditions applying to clearing, handling, salvage, relocation, water works or work in protected areas.
  • Schedule surveys and works around the September to March survey period where this can reduce the risk of missing active animals, while recognising that suitable habitat may be occupied outside that period.
  • Prepare a fauna management plan that identifies retained streams, survey effort, exclusion areas, qualified personnel, stop-work triggers, incident reporting and post-work monitoring.
  • Stage works so that the smallest practicable area is disturbed at one time and retained stream habitat remains protected while other work proceeds.

Before habitat disturbance: Pre-clearance site preparation

  • Complete the targeted pre-clearance survey before machinery enters suitable stream habitat.
  • Mark retained streams, rocky banks, waterfalls, cascades, pools, crevices, refuge rocks and exclusion areas on plans and on the ground.
  • Install exclusion fencing or other barriers where they can protect stream margins and prevent machinery entry without diverting flow or damaging riparian habitat.
  • Brief the fauna spotter catcher, operators and supervisors on the species’ appearance, call, habitat and the project stop-work procedure.
  • Confirm the location of an appropriate nearby retained habitat area before any authorised relocation is considered.

During habitat disturbance: Daily controls and machinery coordination

Use active supervision wherever machinery or people may affect stream habitat. The fauna spotter catcher should work as part of the machinery team, with authority to pause work when an animal or unassessed habitat feature is encountered.

  • Inspect exclusion fencing, stream buffers, erosion controls and access routes before work starts each day.
  • Keep machinery, spoil, fuels, concrete washout and stored materials out of retained streams, pools, rocky banks and splash zones.
  • Require the operator to stop, isolate and make the area safe when directed by the fauna spotter catcher.
  • Move machinery only after the fauna spotter catcher has checked the next work area and confirmed that the approved disturbance limits are clear.
  • Avoid noisy or high-flow generating activities during active searches and fauna inspections where practicable.

During habitat disturbance: Handling habitat features and animals

  • Do not move rocks, logs, litter or other stream debris in retained habitat unless the approved method specifically requires it and a qualified person is present.
  • Inspect rocks, crevices, exposed banks, splash zones and larger pools before disturbance, because these are known refuge, active or larval locations.
  • Allow only authorised and appropriately experienced personnel to capture, handle or relocate a frog.
  • If the species is found, stop work in the immediate area, keep people and machinery clear, photograph or otherwise document the record where this can be done without harm, and follow the approved fauna management plan.
  • Relocate an animal only when authorised and only to nearby retained habitat with suitable stream structure and flow conditions.
  • Send an injured animal promptly to a veterinarian or authorised wildlife carer, and record the incident and treatment destination.

During habitat disturbance: Stop-work triggers and records

  • Stop work if the species is found, if a previously unassessed stream, pool, waterfall, cascade, rocky refuge or tadpole habitat is exposed, or if controls fail and sediment or altered flow reaches retained habitat.
  • Stop work during heavy rainfall or unsafe high stream flow where the approved method requires surveys or habitat inspection under suitable conditions.
  • Record every detection, handling event, injury, mortality, relocation, stop-work event, escape, control failure and corrective action.
  • Report any confirmed detection or incident to the project environmental officer and the relevant approval authority in accordance with permit and approval conditions.
  • Do not restart work until the fauna spotter catcher and environmental officer confirm that the area has been assessed and the required controls are in place.

After habitat disturbance: Post-clearance checks

Post-work checks should confirm that retained stream habitat remains available and that the project has not changed flow, water quality or access to rocky refuges. Monitoring should be scaled to the level of habitat disturbance and approval conditions.

  • Inspect the work area, retained stream margins, pools, waterfalls, cascades and rocky banks after clearing and after major rainfall events.
  • Check for sediment deposition, altered flow, barriers to movement, damaged rocks or crevices, contaminated water and loss of pool habitat.
  • Complete a final fauna inspection of disturbed stream margins before removing exclusion controls or handing the area back to construction staff.
  • Repair failed erosion, sediment or exclusion controls immediately.

After habitat disturbance: Monitoring and reporting

  • Repeat targeted day and night surveys where the project has disturbed, diverted, crossed or otherwise affected suitable stream habitat.
  • Use the same transect locations, methods, timing and effort as the pre-work survey where practical so results can be compared.
  • Monitor retained and affected stream sections, and include a suitable reference site where practicable.
  • Report survey results, detections, non-detections, incidents, control failures, rehabilitation actions and any changes to stream flow or water quality.
  • Maintain records for the period required by the approval, permit, fauna management plan and relevant wildlife database.

After habitat disturbance: Residual impacts and offsets

  • Reassess residual impacts if the project has caused permanent loss, isolation, altered flow or degradation of suitable stream habitat.
  • Apply any offset, compensatory habitat action or additional recovery measure required by the EPBC Act decision, Queensland requirements or project approval.
  • Feed new records and monitoring results into the relevant state wildlife database and the project’s environmental reporting system.

Rehabilitation actions: Restore stream and riparian habitat

Rehabilitation should recreate functioning rocky rainforest stream habitat rather than only revegetating cleared ground. Priority outcomes are stable flow, clean water, connected stream margins, suitable rocks and crevices, and pools that can support tadpoles.

Target habitat features: Rocky stream sections, splash zones, waterfalls, cascades, exposed banks and larger pools

Larval habitat outcome: Clean, relatively still mid-stream pools with suitable rocks, litter and detritus

  • Reinstate natural stream alignment and flow where works have altered a stream, and do not leave artificial barriers across the channel.
  • Stabilise disturbed banks with locally appropriate rainforest and wet sclerophyll vegetation suited to the site, without narrowing or smothering rocky stream habitat.
  • Recreate or retain rocky sections, splash zones, cascades, riffles and larger relatively still pools where these features were disturbed and restoration is approved.
  • Replace suitable rocks and coarse stream debris only under an approved design that maintains flow, refuges and tadpole habitat.
  • Remove temporary access tracks, spoil, pipes and construction materials from stream margins and pools.

Rehabilitation actions: Protect restored habitat

  • Control weeds and prevent machinery, stock and unauthorised access from entering rehabilitated stream margins.
  • Maintain erosion and sediment controls until banks and drainage are stable and monitoring shows that water quality is protected.
  • Manage fire and other disturbances in accordance with the reserve or forest management plan, recognising that the species depends on perennial rainforest streams.
  • Prevent water extraction, impoundment and other changes to perennial stream flow within or upstream of occupied or potentially occupied habitat.

Rehabilitation actions: Monitor success

  • Inspect rehabilitated stream sections after construction, after major rainfall and during the September to March survey period.
  • Use repeated day and night observations, spotlighting and call detection along the rehabilitated section, with at least four nights under suitable conditions where targeted monitoring is required.
  • Measure whether rocky banks, crevices, splash zones, cascades, riffles and larger pools remain present and whether water remains clean and flowing as designed.
  • Record adult, juvenile, metamorph and tadpole detections separately where possible, and compare results with retained or reference stream sections.
  • Continue corrective maintenance until the approved rehabilitation criteria are met and the stream habitat is stable.

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