Thesis
Islands in the sky: the conservation ecology of an endangered mountain-top frog (Philoria kundagungan)
Southern Cross University
Doctor of Philosophy (PhD), Southern Cross University
2023
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.25918/thesis.341
Metrics
76 File views/ downloads
143 Record Views
Abstract
Earth's most threatened vertebrate group is the amphibians. Knowledge of their ecology is critical to their conservation, yet for many amphibians, we lack an understanding of their basic ecology and population dynamics. This thesis examines the conservation ecology of Philoria kundagungan, an endangered and poorly studied frog found only on a handful of isolated mountain ranges in eastern Australia's subtropical rainforests. Specifically, I examine calling phenology, genetic diversity, geographic range, disease prevalence, and the implications of climate change on its survival in the wild. This research aimed to increase the ecological understanding of this species to the level necessary to develop an effective conservation strategy for the species. To achieve this aim, I utilised a combination of extensive field sampling in remote locations, cutting-edge machine learning techniques and new quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) methods using synthetic DNA. Chapter two examines the diversity across three mitochondrial DNA genes in order to resolve uncertainty in the taxonomic classification of P. kundagungan populations on the fringes of the assumed range of P. kundagungan. In chapter three, machine learning is employed to examine the call phenology of this species and the implications of climate change on breeding. Chapter four presents detailed mapping of the geographic distribution of P. kundagungan and identifies the environmental factors that influence their distribution. Chapter four also serves as a baseline for future monitoring of populations across the species range. Chapter five examines the prevalence and intensity of the amphibian chytrid fungus Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis in P. kundagungan populations, making use of advanced synthetic DNA techniques. Chapter six evaluates the projected impact of future climate change on the distribution of P. kundagungan and its sister taxa P. richmondensis. It concludes that both species are expected to experience significant range reduction by 2055, even under a lower warming scenario. Finally, chapter seven summarises the thesis, draws overall conclusions, provides recommendations for conservation management, and identifies areas for future research. This project represents a substantial contribution to the ecological understanding of P. kundagungan and provides the necessary knowledge to develop an effective conservation strategy for the species.
Details
- Title
- Islands in the sky: the conservation ecology of an endangered mountain-top frog (Philoria kundagungan)
- Creators
- Liam J. Bolitho
- Contributors
- David A Newell (Supervisor) - Southern Cross UniversityRoss Goldingay (Supervisor) - Southern Cross University
- Awarding Institution
- Southern Cross University; Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)
- Theses
- Doctor of Philosophy (PhD), Southern Cross University
- Publisher
- Southern Cross University
- Number of pages
- xvii, 161
- Identifiers
- 991013168513802368
- Copyright
- © Liam J. Bolitho 2023
- Academic Unit
- Faculty of Science and Engineering
- Resource Type
- Thesis