Note making sheet Endangered Species Investigation Task

Copy and paste any relevant information into the Original Information column as you find it.
Remember to record the book name or Website URL for your bibliography. Highlight the meaning
words and write these down in point form in the My Interpretation column. Using these meaning
words and your own glue words rewrite these points into your assignment. This avoids plagiarism.
This note making sheet must be submitted with your assignment so that it can be easily seen where
you got your information from.
Topic:

QUESTION
S or
KEYWORD
S

WEBSITE URL
or
Book Name
for
Bibliography

ORIGINAL INFORMATION

What is the
species name and
common name of
your animal

http://www.environ
ment.gov.au/cgibin/sprat/public/pu
blicspecies.pl?
taxon_id=64782

Spicospina flammocaerulea Sunset Frog

http://museum.wa.
gov.au/explore/frog
watch/frogs/sunsetfrog
https://en.wikipedia
.org/wiki/Spicospin
a

Copy just the bit that answers your

question and highlight the important
words

The Sunset Frog is one of the oldest WA frogs, estimated to

have diverged from its closest relatives (Uperoleia spp.) at
least 30 million years old. A moderate-sized frog with
enlarged paratoid glands and highly distinctive raised
glands along the back. The back is dark purple-black. The
undersurface is brilliant orange with mottled grey-sky blue.
The hands and feet are bright orange. The toes and fingers
are long with no webbing and the foot lacks outer
metatarsal tubercles. Maximum known size 3.6 cm.
Spicospina refers to processes on the spinal cord;
flammocaerulea refs to the brilliant organe and blue belly.

MY
INTERPRETATION
Make a SUMMARY
in dot points in
your own words
The Spicospina
flammorcaerulea,
commonly known as the
Sunset Frog is one of the
oldest frogs from WesternAustralia. Its appearance is
small, with a dark purple
back, and bright orange
hands and feet, and the
undersurface is orange with
grey and blue. Spicospina
refers to the bumpy
features of its back, and
flammocaerulea refers to
its orange and blue belly.
The Sunset Frog belongs to
the Animalia kingdom, the
Chordata phylum, the

Amphibia class, the Anura

order, the Myobatrachidae
family and the Spicospina
genus.

What is the
difference
between a
threatened,
endangered and
vulnerable
species. Use you
species as an
example.

https://en.wikipedia
.org/wiki/Conservat
ion_status
http://www.environ
ment.gov.au/cgibin/sprat/public/pu
blicthreatenedlist.p
l#mammals_critical
ly_endangered
http://www.iucnredl
ist.org/search

The conservation status of a group of organisms (for

instance, a species) indicates whether the group still exists
and how likely the group is to become extinct in the near
future.
When discussing the IUCN Red List, the official term
"threatened" is a grouping of three categories: critically
endangered, endangered, and vulnerable.

Critically endangered (CR) Extremely high risk of

extinction in the wild
Endangered (EN) High risk of extinction in the wild
Vulnerable (VU) High risk of endangerment in the
wild

The conservation status

indicates how likely a
species will become extinct.
It shows where a species
sits on the scale, ranging
from least concern to
extinct. On the
conservation status, the
categories within
threatened include
vulnerable, endangered and
critically endangered,
respectively. Vulnerable
(VU) means the species has
a high risk of
endangerment in the wild,
Endangered (EN) means the
species has a high risk of
extinction in the wild and
Critically endangered (CR)
means the species has an
extremely high risk of
extinction in the wild. The
Sunset Frog is in the
endangered category,
whereas animals such as

the Green Turtle and the

Murray Cod are vulnerable,
and the Golden Sun Moth
and the Speartooth Shark
are critically endangered.
What is the
distribution of
your species.

https://en.wikipedia
.org/wiki/Spicospin
a

The Sunset Frog is only found in isolated permanently

moist peat swamps, in high rainfall areas.
Restricted to a small area near Walpole and Nornalup in
the south-west.

The Sunset Frog is

distributed in moist
swamps, in high rainfall
areas, located in the
southwest region of
Western Australia, near
Walpole and Nornalup.

The Sunset Frog is only found in isolated permanently

moist peat swamps, in high rainfall areas.

The habitat of the Sunset

Frog is in moist peat
swamps and on dense moss
beds, in high rainfall areas.

http://museum.wa.
gov.au/explore/frog
watch/frogs/sunsetfrog
http://www.environ
ment.gov.au/cgibin/sprat/public/pu
blicspecies.pl?
taxon_id=64782
Describe the
habitat of your
species. Include
how your species
lives in that
environment.

https://en.wikipedia
.org/wiki/Spicospin
a

What are the

main causes that
are leading to the
species decline.

http://www.arkive.o
rg/sunsetfrog/spicospinaflammocaerulea/

http://museum.wa.
gov.au/explore/frog
watch/frogs/sunsetfrog

http://www.environ
ment.gov.au/biodiv
ersity/threatened/s
pecies/pubs/64782-

Habitat
Unique peat swamps characterized by the Albany Pitcher
Plant and dense moss beds.

However, reports that fires caused a decline in the

population size at one site (8) were not substantiated
when this site was burnt again in the summer of 2002 and
2003 and frogs bred after the fire (6). Indeed, although
wildfire can ignite peat in peat swamps there is also
evidence of populations persisting for long periods post
fire and that fire can induce breeding activity (9). Further
threats to sunset frogs may include introduced feral pigs,
which may damage breeding habitat, and inappropriate

The main causes that are

leading the Sunset frog to
its decline include reports
of fires, introduced feral
pigs and land management,
such as destruction of
habitat, and outbreaks of
fungus.

conservationadvice.pdf

What approaches
are currently
being undertaken
to increase the
species chance of
survival.

http://www.arkive.o
rg/sunsetfrog/spicospinaflammocaerulea/

land management, such as over-grazing, killing

vegetation, or inappropriate fire regimes (3) (6).
Outbreaks of dieback fungus, Phytophthora cinnamomi,
could also pose a significant threat to the species (6).
The main potential threats to the Sunset Frog are
inappropriate fire regimes, physical damage to swamps, for
example by breaching of peat, feral pigs (Sus scrofa)
destroying breeding habitat. Also, heavy grazing on private
land; siltation from poorly-designed or This Conservation
Advice was approved by the Minister on 29 Apr 2014
Spicospina flammocaerulea Approved Conservation Advice
Page 2 of 4 executed road construction leading to
changes in hydrology, loss of swamp vegetation due to
dieback caused by Phytophthora cinnamomi resulting in
open swamps lacking cover. Other potential threats
include, construction of dams and consequent flooding or
degradation of habitat, impacts of possible mining activity
(exploration or development as per Regional Forest
Agreement) in State Forest; pollution of swamps, for
example by chemicals used on farms; and collection due to
the novelty value of the species colouration and apparent
rarity. Chytridiomycosis is an infectious disease affecting
amphibians worldwide. The disease has been recorded in
four regions of Australia, and south-west Western Australia
is one of these regions. This highly virulent fungal
pathogen of amphibians is capable of causing at least
sporadic deaths in some populations, and 100 per cent
mortality in other populations (DEWHA, 2006).
In addition, many of the sites supporting sunset frogs are
situated within national parks, or state forest so the
species receives a high level of protection in over two
thirds of its known range (8).

Road and dam construction

is also a contributing cause,
along with pollution of
swamps, consequent
flooding, possible mining
and Chytridiomycosis (an
infectious disease which is
a fungal pathogen and
affects amphibians). Southwest Western Australia is
one of the four regions
throughout Australia in
which this disease has been
recorded.

The main approach that is

currently being undertaken
to increase the Sunset
Frogs chance of survival is
information about the
species being situated all
throughout national parks
and state forests, allowing
the species to have a high
level of protection in a large

What other
approaches could
to be introduced
to increase the
species chance of
survival.

http://www.arkive.o
rg/sunsetfrog/spicospinaflammocaerulea/
http://www.envir
onment.gov.au/bi
odiversity/threat
ened/species/pub
s/64782conservationadvice.pdf

With regards to the conservation of this species, perhaps

the most pressing requirement at present is to increase
knowledge of its distribution and the threats facing it,
allowing accurate estimates of population size and in
effective conservation measures to be devised. Research
and monitoring to this end is on-going.
Habitat Loss, Disturbance and Modification
Monitor known populations to identify key threats.
Monitor the progress of recovery, including the
effectiveness of management actions and the need to
adapt them if necessary.
Identify populations of high conservation priority.
Ensure there is no disturbance in areas where Sunset
Frog occurs, excluding necessary actions to manage the
conservation of the species.
Manage any changes to hydrology that may result in
changes to water table levels and/or increased run-off,
siltation, salinity, algal blooms, sedimentation or pollution.
Manage any disruptions to water flows.
Investigate formal conservation arrangements,
management agreements and covenants on private land,
and for crown and private land investigate inclusion in
reserve tenure if possible.
Control access routes to suitably constrain public access
to known sites on public land.
Manage any other known, potential or emerging threats.
Trampling, Browsing or Grazing
Develop and implement a management plan for the
control and eradication of feral pigs in the region.
Continue baiting to control population numbers of feral
animals
Fire
Develop and implement a suitable fire management
strategy for the habitat of the Sunset Frog.
Where appropriate provide maps of known occurrences
to local and state Rural Fire Services and seek inclusion of
mitigative measures in bush fire risk management plan(s),

portion of its distribution.

Other approaches that
could be introduced to
increase the Sunset Frogs
chance of survival is to
increase knowledge of its
distribution and its threat.
This could be done by the
general public raising
awareness in their local
community, therefore
expanding this knowledge
about the species.

risk register and/or operation maps.

Diseases, Fungi and Parasites
Develop and implement suitable hygiene protocols to
protect known sites from further outbreaks of dieback
caused by Phytophthora cinnamomi.
Develop and implement suitable hygiene protocols to
protect known sites from the introduction of the Chytrid
Fungus Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis.
Conservation Information
Raise awareness of the Sunset Frog within the local
community.
Frequently engage with private landholders and land
managers responsible for the land on which populations
occur and encourage these key stakeholders to contribute
to the implementation of conservation management
actions.
Enable Recovery of Additional Sites and/or Populations
Develop predictive models of calling activity.
Investigate options for linking, enhancing or establishing
additional populations.
Explain in detail,
one management
approach that
would act to
eliminate
potential threats
to your species.

https://www.dpa
w.wa.gov.au/ima
ges/documents/p
lantsanimals/threaten
edspecies/recovery
_plans/sunsetfro
g__recovery_plan
_35.pdf

5.4 Fire research: Defining an appropriate fire regime is

One management approach

that would prevent the
Sunset Frog from extinction
and to prevent potential
harm to the species is fire
research. The Sunset Frogs
natural habitat will be
monitored for presence of
frogs after burning
operation. Fire histories will
be documented for swamps
inhabited by the Sunset
Frog. Sites with previous
population of this species
may be burned to replicate
evidence of increase
numbers of the Sunset
Frog. These observations

Discuss the
benefits, costs,
and associated
issues with this
approach.

https://www.dpa
w.wa.gov.au/ima
ges/documents/p
lantsanimals/threaten
edspecies/recovery
_plans/sunsetfro
g__recovery_plan
_35.pdf

important, especially for public estate, where prescribed

fuel reduction burning is currently practiced, but this will
be difficult. Available evidence does not suggest that the
burning of swamps inhabited by the Sunset Frog is
necessarily detrimental. Two new populations were
detected by the presence of calling males in Thames
Forest Block after low intensity Spring fire in 2000 (both
sites that had had several previous visits). Peak counts of
calling males were made at two sites immediately after
and one year post fire for low and high intensity spring
burns respectively. At the high 6 intensity burn site calling
and egg deposition was also detected one month later
suggesting this is a sustained, short term response. Longer
term, numbers of calling males at that site (Mountain
Road) had dropped to zero six years post fire. Peat-based
swamps in first order stream systems will be monitored for
frog presence after any burning operation either by direct
observation, use of call boxes or by trapping with mesh
traps. To the extent possible, fire histories will be
documented for swamps inhabited by the Sunset Frog.
Sites with historically known populations could be
deliberately burnt to replicate anecdotal evidence of
increased numbers of calling males made at Mountain
Road and Trent Road #2 in 1994 and 2000. These
observations could also be made as part of the burn cycle
(section 5.5).

may also be considered a

part of a burn cycle. This
fire research is only a small
portion of the Sunset Frog
Recovery Plan, as it also
consists of developing
models of calling activity,
searching for new locations,
monitoring population size,
habitat management and
cooperation with private
landowners.

Responsibility: The Departments Frankland District Cost:

The Department $2,000 per year; UWA $1000 1st year.
Total 2001 $3,000, then $2,000 per year Priority: Moderate
Completion date: 2006

Fire research is beneficial to

the Sunset Frog, as it may
potentially prevent the
species from extinction. It
would also provide
productive information and
evidence about the species.
The cost of fire research of
the Sunset Frog is $2,200,
and as the recovery plan
intends to spread across
five years, it will bring the

What you, or
readers of the
Web Page could
personally do to
improve the
species chance of
survival.

http://www.environ
ment.gov.au/biodiv
ersity/threatened/s
pecies/pubs/64782conservationadvice.pdf
https://www.frogsaf
e.org.au/help/payp
al.shtml

Conservation Information
Raise awareness of the Sunset Frog within the local
community.
Frequently engage with private landholders and land
managers responsible for the land on which populations
occur and encourage these key stakeholders to contribute
to the implementation of conservation management
actions.

cost to a total of $11,000,

however, the whole
recovery plan will cost
$20,700 per year, resulting
in $103,500 for a total five
years.
You can help by raising
awareness of the Sunset
Frog within your local
community about it being
endangered and may
potentially become extinct.
You can also make a
donation to Frog Safe, Inc.
to help preserve and to
prevent, not just the Sunset
Frog, but all threatened
Australian amphibians from
extinction.