Pseudophryne pengilleyi (Northern Corroboree Frog)

The Northern Corroboree Frog is listed as ‘Critically Endangered’ in Australia under the Commonwealth Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999.

SPRAT profile: http://www.environment.gov.au/cgi-bin/sprat/public/publicspecies.pl?taxon_id=66670

There are two species of Corroboree Frogs: Southern Corroboree Frog, Pseudophryne corroboree, and Northern Corroboree Frog, P. pengilleyi. The Southern Corroboree Frog is found only in a 400 km² patch in the sub alpine regions of southern New South Wales and Victoria. The Northern Corroboree Frog is found in the Australian Capital Territory and northern adjoining areas of NSW, and deviates slightly from its cousin in having narrow yellow to greenish stripes and is slightly smaller.

Corroboree frogs reach sexual maturity at the age of four or five years.

Corroboree frogs are the first vertebrates discovered that are able to produce their own poisonous alkaloids, as opposed to obtaining it via diet as many other frogs do. The alkaloid is secreted from the skin as a defence against predation, and potentially against skin infections by microbes. It has been described as potentially lethal to mammals if ingested.

Both species are listed critically endangered. As with many other Australian frogs, the predominant reason for the corroboree frogs' decline is thought to be infection with the chyrid fungus which is believed to have been accidentally introduced to Australia in the 1970s. The Amphibian Research Centre was the first organisation to develop rescue programme and captive programs have begun. At Tidbinbilla Nature Reserve in the ACT a captive breeding and release program has been in existence for a number of years.

The Northern Corroboree Frog is found in the Bogong Mountains, Fiery Range, Brindabella Range and Bimberi Range in ACT and NSW.

Further references: 

• FrogID
• https://www.corroboreefrog.org.au/biology/fast-facts/