2023 Mini-conference
Program
7pm 6th July 2023, Elgin Inn, Hawthorn

Chytridiomycosis is triggering numerous presumed amphibian extinctions. The zoospores of the causative agent, Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis (Bd), can stay infectious in aquatic environments for several weeks. Despite effort for surveillance of Bd on amphibian hosts, a better understanding of Bd ecology importantly hinges on examining how key environmental factors drive the temporal and spatial dynamics of Bd in environmental sources, across the landscape. Here we detected and quantified Bd in rainforest by sampling 31 streams at eastern Australia employing environmental DNA (eDNA) methods. We assessed the role of extreme drought, temperature and precipitation events influencing Bd occurrence in the environment. There was a high geographic variation in both detection and quantity of Bd eDNA, and Bd quantities varied between water samples taken two months apart due to great water temperature fluctuations, high radiation levels, and record low precipitation. Through sampling Bd eDNA, we can expand our understanding of this lethal pathogen’s ecology, but our results highlight the need of multiple spatial, temporal and technical replicates to improve reliability of eDNA for Bd surveillance.

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@thais_sasso

Thais recently submitted a PhD at Griffith University studying threats to the Fleay’s barred frog in Queensland and New South Wales. Their research project identified and quantified infection levels across several populations of this endangered frog, while also detecting the factors influencing the occurrence of pathogen in the environment.

During April 2023 calls of the endangered Southern Toadlet Pseudophryne semimarmorata were recorded, individuals photographed and numerous burrows with eggs were observed. The location was the Western Port Woodlands (WPW), which are remnant woodlands situated on public land private land between Nyora and Bass, South Gippsland. The aim of recording frog calls was to collect data that contributes towards increasing our knowledge of species diversity within the WPW. Between September 2022 to April 2023 the calls of nine frog species were recorded using the FrogId app and images uploaded to iNaturalist. Parks Victoria have closed the track where the burrows of P. semimarmorata were observed and positioned fences around the burrows to try to protect them from vehicles, horse riders and deer. An expanded frog monitoring program is required to better understand the diversity of frog species within the WPW corridor.

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Brendan has an enduring interest in frogs and recently completed a Higher Degree by Research (PhD) at RMIT University where he used bioacoustics to investigate the environmental conditions associated with frog call activity. He is currently volunteering for a community campaign that is trying to protect remnant woodlands that are full of interesting frogs

Take a hop behind the camera and hear the backstory on a freshly metamorphosed frog documentary. "For Frogs's Sake" premiered at Sydney Film Festival, is currently available on ABC iView, has been shortlisted for the Sustainable Future Award and features Frogs Victoria President Lynette Plenderleith and committee member and frog researcher, Danielle Wallace. The film follows Lynette and Danielle as they search the forests of Gippsland for the Giant Burrowing Frog.

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@netteplenders

Lynette is co-founder of Frogs Victoria. She works in community and nature engagement and has previously worked in amphibian research, film and television. Lynette completed a Ph.D. in the ecology of native Australian frogs at Monash University.

A sample of calls and photos of Vic frogs.

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Ed published a CD of Frog calls of Melbourne back in 2009 which Melbourne Water have used on their website. His further aim was to produce a CD containing ALL Victorian frog calls with photos but Covid interrupted his plan. He has about 3 or 4 species yet to photograph and/or record but now that CDs seem to be obsolete, he still hopes to finish this project although its end use may be unknown.

Ten coastal wetlands from Cape Conran east to the New South Wales border were surveyed for frogs and other aquatic vertebrates, some which had not previously been surveyed for aquatic fauna or were otherwise infrequently visited by ecologists. A combination of fyke netting and aquatic funnel (bait) trapping was used to survey for tadpoles, and listening and visual surveys were undertaken for adult frogs, although these methods were not applied consistently between all wetlands. Eight species were recorded in total, including the Green and Golden Bell Frog (Litoria aurea), listed as Vulnerable nationally, and Martin’s Toadlet (Uperoleia martini), listed as Critically Endangered in Victoria. The results further highlight the importance of protecting these unique habitats, including from deer impacts which were evident at some.

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David is a naturalist, educator and ecological consultant, with particular interests in the conservation and ecology of frogs and reptiles. Most of his fieldwork is shared between Melbourne, the Murray Mallee and East Gippsland. He also maintains involvement with La Trobe University, Holmesglen Institute and The Field Naturalists Club of Victoria.

Register at www.frogsvic.org/rego to give a short talk at the Frogs Victoria 2023 Mini-Conference.

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Anything frog-related welcome!

Practice a talk or show off a polished presentation in front of a friendly, welcoming and knowledgeable audience. 

Talks can be 5 or 10 minutes, with optional additional question time.

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For inspiration, check out last year's event: https://www.frogsvic.org/frogprog ​