February 2014 Issue
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THE FROG AND TADPOLE STUDY GROUP NSW Inc. Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/FATSNSW/ Email: [email protected] NEWSLETTER No. 129 February 2014 PO Box 296 Rockdale NSW 2216 Frogwatch Helpline 0419 249 728 Website: www.fats.org.au ABN: 34 282 154 794 Arrive 6.30 pm for a 7pm start. Friday 7th February FATS meet at the Education Centre, Bicentennial Pk, Sydney Olympic Park Easy walk from Concord West railway station and straight down Victoria Ave. By car: Enter from Australia Ave at the Bicentennial Park main entrance, turn off to the right and drive through the park. It is a one way road. Or enter from Bennelong Road / Parkway. It is a short stretch of two way road. Park in p10f car park, the last car park before the exit gate. Photo by Henry Cook Boophis rappoides, Andasibe Madagascar CONTENTS PAGE Last meeting – main speakers: 2 Tadpoles and Frogs of Australia th by Marion Anstis - book launch 2 MEETING FORMAT Friday 7 February 2014 Naree cattle station conserved 3 Royal Easter Show 4 6.30 pm There are a few lost frogs needing forever homes with Pond and fish 4 financial FATS members. Please bring your FATS membership Reptiles and Amphibians of Australia card and cash $40 - $50 donation. Your NSW NPWS amphibian 7th edition Harold G Cogger 5 licence must be sighted on the night. Rescued frogs can never be O’Reillys Lamington National Park 5 released. Sorry we have no EFTPOS at meetings. Please call FATS accounts 6 Monica or Lothar before the meeting to confirm your interest in Aquatic microfauna 7 adopting. Numinbah Valley 7 Interesting websites 8 7.00pm Welcome and announcements. Why frogs are alike 8 Funders of climate change denial 8 7.45 pm Main speaker: Jake Janos “Central Bearded Dragons Frog auditory survey volunters 9 and their Mutations" and “Frog husbandry” Herpdigest: salamanders & new toads10 Watagans field trip 11 9.00 pm Show us your frog images, tell us about your frogging FATS Contacts, information 11 trips or experiences, guessing competition, continue with frog FATS Field trips 12 adoptions, supper & a chance to relax and chat informally with frog experts. P1 Frogcall No. 129 February 2014 APOLOGIES TO HENRY COOK he striking image in our last colour Tnewsletter of the Madagascar Mantella aurantia, at Torotorofotsy, taken by Henry Cook, did not upload and print clearly due our proofreading error. Here he is again with the correct spelling. Thanks for being so understanding Henry. MW TADPOLES AND FROGS OF AUSTRALIA BY MARION ANSTIS - BOOK LAUNCH ew Holland Publishers invite the frog community to the launch Nof Marion Anstis' book, “Tadpoles and Frogs of Australia”. On the 3rd December, we met at the Conservation Theatre, Taronga Zoo, Mosman. The book was launched by Professor Michael Mahony. Dignitaries included Cameron Kerr, Director of Taronga Zoo, Dr Peter Harlow from Taronga, Harold Cogger, Professor Ronald Altig from Mississippi State University, Professor Ross Alford from James Cook University and Ian Morris from NT, naturalist, ecologist, author and tour guide. Other well know identities and scientists from the herpetological community present were Martyn Robinson (Australian Museum), Anthony Stimson, Mantella aurantia at Torotorofotsy, Karen Thumm, Rick Shine and Glen Shea. Arthur White and Madagascar photo by Henry Cook many other FATS members, “snake people”, staff from New Holland including the head of New Holland who flew in from LAST FATS MEETING 6 DECEMBER 2013 England and many more were there. Apologies to those inadvertently omitted. illi Streit presented a brilliant video Jabout FATS 2013 Smiths Lake field trip - Comments by dignitaries: "Olympic" and “mammoth lifetime's work” frantic frogs calling, so loudly after the rain, which has culminated in her book and PHD. "Game changer" by those cicadas buzzing, birds calling, gentle assessing Marion's PHD. The book needs to be used for the background music and excellent photos and identification of frogs AND TADPOLES at development sites around sound quality. Congratulations Jilli. Australia. ie If there are concerns about endangered species, Councils, State and Federal government, departments and developers have no Arthur White spoke about the launch of Marion excuse to dismiss the identification of tadpoles as "unknown". “Such a Anstis’ book. Phillip took photos and video comprehensive frog and tadpole reference book in colour may never be footage. Winners of the Frog-O–Graphic printed again on this planet.” MW competition included Ryan Little, Vicki Deluca, George Madani, David Nelson, Aaron, Payne, Herpdigest 11 January 2014 : “A stunning comprehensive, one-of- John Pumpers, Karen Russell and Michelle a-kind reference work on the life histories of Australian frogs is Toms. now available. The eggs and tadpoles of Australian frogs has been a FATS was very fortunate to hear from Ian study waiting to happen for a very long time. Tadpoles and Frogs of Morris OAM at our meeting. He is a renowned Australia provides us with a unique coverage of almost all the life writer, presenter, photographer and naturalist histories of the entire frog fauna of the Australian continent which will with an overwhelming knowledge of the become a lasting contribution to frog conservation both nationally and wildlife, geology, climate and indigenous globally. culture of the Australia's Top End. He shared This 832 pages with hard cover and dust jacket, and includes some of his images from Up North with us. Ian prolifically illustrated descriptions of all currently known adult frogs, came for Marion’s book launch, and Graeme and the eggs, tadpoles and metamorphs of most species. Keys are Sawyer, started Frogwatch North in 1989. provided to eggs and tadpoles. Full colour throughout with over 3060 http://www.frogwatch.org.au/index.cfm?action photos and drawings, it is a must-have reference for amateurs, students =cms.page They have been looking for ways and professionals. It has been described as “the most comprehensive to make the area Cane Toad proof. Thank you and thorough treatment of a continental frog fauna that there has ever Ian, for the excellent in depth talk on the been.” Orders can be made via the following website link: interaction of the habitat and different frog http://www.newholland.com.au/product.php?isbn=9781921517310 ” species in North Australia and interesting Reports on the latest herpetological conservation news, husbandry question time after your presentation. and science V # 14 issue # 3 1/11/14 Editor Allen Salzberg The meeting ended with a delicious Christmas www.herpdigest.org. Sales go directly to keep herpdigest.org free, supper, raffle, champagne to celebrate Marion’s alive and an independent voice in the world of herpetology. success and informal conversation. MW P2 Frogcall 129 February 2014 A pelican on the water as dusk settles over Naree. The last untouched part of the Murray- Darling River system has been protected, after graziers sold the land to a conservation group. Naree magic: the sun sets over the wetlands. UNSPOILT STRETCH OFMURRAY-DARLING TO BE CONSERVED EXTRACTS he last untouched part of the Murray-Darling River system has been Tprotected, after graziers sold the land to a conservation group. Straddling the Paroo and Warrego rivers, Naree cattle station features an abundance of wetlands which are home to all types of bird and plant life. The 14,000 acre property, 150 kilometres north-west of Bourke, has now been bought by Bush Heritage Australia. It is the 35th addition to the organisation's portfolio of land parcels, but senior manager Jim Radford says this one is extra special. "The Paroo River and the Warrego River are the last free-flowing rivers in the entire Murray-Darling basin," he said. "The Paroo is entirely unregulated; the Warrego has one small dam that has just a relatively small extraction from it. "So what this means is that river system is basically the healthiest in the Murray-Darling basin and Naree station is located at the heart of that system." Dr Radford says Naree is home Finches are just one of the 160 to some stunning scenery. "The thing that struck me was the diversity of the bird species living on Naree. wetlands and the condition of the wetlands," he said....... The clean water allows for an abundance of birds, and Naree is home to 160 different species, 15 of which are vulnerable in NSW. "Those that are vulnerable include the mulga, the Major Mitchell cockatoo, hooded robin, blue-billed duck, freckled duck and these sort of species," Dr Radford said. He is at Naree now, along with more than two dozen scientists and volunteers for Bush Heritage. They are combing through the property to get a clear picture of just how many birds, frogs, and mammals call the property home. After that, they will start work on a long-term conservation plan, looking at A brolga wades through the wetlands tasks such as tackling the woody weed problem and eradicating feral pigs and at Naree. goats. http://au.news.yahoo.com/latest/a/-/latest/16831994/unspoilt-stretch-of- murray-darling-to-be-conserved/ Lucy McNally Bush Heritage is a national non-profit organisation that protects Australia’s unique animals, plants and their habitats. They do this by acquiring and managing land of outstanding conservation value, or by working in partnership with other landowners. Their vision for 2025 is to protect 1 per cent of Australia. “This is an exciting time for Bush Heritage – built on 20 years of extraordinary achievements.” Louise Sylvan, President Bush Heritage is a non-profit conservation organisation dedicated to protecting Australia's unique animals, plants and their habitats. Our work is funded by donations and bequests from people like you 2408 Hectares - NSW Reserves – .http://www.bushheritage.org.au/ Bush Heritage Australia P3 Frogcall 129 February 2014 2014 ROYAL EASTER SHOW FROG LOOKING FOR A SAFE ALTERNATIVE TO GOLDFISH? AND REPTILE EXPO 22 April for Lizards and Frogs 23 April for Snakes and Frogs f you are new to entering an animal Ior need a refresher, please visit the Competition Rules for all the details on what is involved.