Armoured mistfrog
Reducing the risk of extinction for the armoured mistfrog
A Queensland partnership between government, university and First Nations people is championing the survival of the armoured mistfrog.
Fast facts
Common name: Armoured mistfrog
Scientific name: Litoria lorica
Family: Hylidae (tree frogs)
Status: Critically endangered
Habitat: Wet tropical rainforest near permanent streams flowing over exposed granite rocks and alongside waterfalls.
Species overview
The armoured mistfrog, or little waterfall frog, is a small tree frog adapted to living in wet tropical rainforests.
The armoured mistfrog lives on Western Yalanji Country in the rainforests of Far North Queensland. We are working with Western Yalanji and their Indigenous Land and Sea Rangers to help maintain healthy Country for these species.
In the early 1990s, the armoured mistfrog’s population declined sharply because of chytridiomycosis, a disease caused by chytrid fungus. For 14 years, the species was considered extinct.
Once found in several rainforest areas, the frog currently survives in two small subpopulations in the Wet Tropics.
Remarkably, a subpopulation adapted to living with the disease by moving from its usual cooler wet habitat, where the disease thrives, to a warmer, drier environment.
Ecology and behaviour
With big, beautiful blotches on its upper surface that look like the granite boulders it resides on, the frog camouflages well into its environment.
This frog species lives only near cascades and waterfalls. Adults are always found in and around the splash zone, where they feed on invertebrates. Armoured mistfrog tadpoles live in fast-flowing water, clinging to rock surfaces using the large, suctorial disc on their head.
Like other frogs, armoured mistfrogs are a good environmental indicator. They are often the first ones to respond to changes in the ecosystem.
Unfortunately, the armoured mistfrog is considered one of the top five Australian frog species most likely to become extinct in the next one to two decades.
Characteristics
The armoured mistfrog has:
- earthy, dark, mottled colouring on its back
- a cream-coloured belly
- big finger and toe pads that help it grip wet rocks
- black, spiny pads on the male’s thumbs and chest for gripping females while mating
- a body length of up to 33mm for males and 37mm for females.
Threats
- Disease
- Small and restricted population
- Direct human impacts
- Climate change.
What’s being done?
- In 2008, a single subpopulation was rediscovered in the Mount Carbine Tablelands.
- Additional subpopulations are vital for reducing the risk of the species becoming extinct.
- Between 2013 and 2015, a reintroduction program established a second small subpopulation approximately 4km upstream from the first subpopulation.
- In 2023, 50 frogs were successfully translocated to a new site in the Wet Tropics as part of a longer term program to establish a third subpopulation. In 2024 another 50 frogs will be translocated to support the new population.
Who is helping?
The Corporation is partnering with us and James Cook University (JCU) on the reintroduction program and is reviewing the species recovery plan.
As part of the partnership team, JCU monitors all three sites to determine the program’s success and the need for further reintroductions.
- Foundation for Australia’s Most Endangered Species (FAME).
FAME provides funding to support the reintroduction program.
How you can help
- Make a donation to support our work to protect and recover the Armoured mistfrog.
- Find out more about how you can help support threatened species efforts.