Green and Golden Bell Frog - Distribution

Distribution

The Green and Golden Bell Frog is native to south-eastern Australia. Before its decline in population, its distribution ranged from Brunswick Heads, in northern New South Wales, to East Gippsland, in Victoria, and west to Bathurst, Tumut and the Australian Capital Territory.

The Bell Frog's current distribution now ranges from Byron Bay, in northern New South Wales, to East Gippsland, in Victoria; populations mostly occurring along the coast. In New South Wales, it has declined severely in range and abundance since the 1960s, although no similar declines have been reported in Victoria. In New South Wales, it has disappeared from highland areas above 250 metres (820 ft), except for a population in Captains Flat. A study of populations along coastal New South Wales indicated that many populations were very small, usually of fewer than 20 adults. According to a 1996 study, there are six known populations of more than 300 frogs: two in the Sydney metropolitan area, two in the Shoalhaven and two in the New South Wales mid-north coast. There are now approximately only 40 sites in total where it is found, most of which are in the Sydney area. It is estimated that the Green and Golden Bell Frog has disappeared from at least 90% of its former range. Some specimens were apparently found in Armidale, but it turned out to be a misidentification of Litoria castanea. The declines in Victoria have been more modest and mostly in at inland areas where habitats have disappeared.

The Green and Golden Bell Frog survives in some areas of Sydney, such as the Brickpit at Sydney Olympic Park (the proposed site for the tennis courts for the 2000 Sydney Olympics). When the Green and Golden Bell Frog was found there, the tennis courts were built elsewhere, and the population has since been monitored. The Green and Golden Bell Frog has become an unofficial mascot for the Homebush Bay area. It has also been introduced to places in Sydney in its natural habitat, without much success.

The Green and Golden Bell Frog occurs on three islands off the east coast of Australia: Kooragang and Broughton Islands off Port Stephens and Bowen Island at Jervis Bay. It was introduced to New Zealand in the 1860s and it is now common on the part of North Island north of Rotorua. In most places it is the only frog species in the vicinity. However there have been reports of a recent decline, suspected to be due to predatory fish. It was also introduced to the Pacific island countries of New Caledonia and Vanuatu in the 19th century, and has since become common there.

There is no discernible variation in size or appearance in Green and Golden Bell Frogs between different geographic areas. Fluctuations in size and appearance between different populations are outweighed by variations within the populations themselves. Females are more likely to be found away from breeding sites, while the opposite applies for males. Metamorphlings are divided in roughly equal numbers between males and females, while juvenile frogs are observed less often than their mature counterparts, although scientists are not sure whether this is due to lower abundance or increased reclusiveness.