Research Article

The use of translocations for conservation management has increased in frequency over recent decades. Though many early translocations were carried out as one-off management exercises, the need to test release strategies and gain knowledge in order to improve future reintroductions has been recognised. This study examined both the movements and survival of 101 Leiopelma hamiltoni (Anura: Leiopelmatidae) translocated to Long Island, New Zealand, and the response of the source population on Te Pākeka/Maud Island to the removal of a discrete subset of frogs.

Amphibians are considered susceptible to a range of potential effects generated by climate change. We applied species distribution model (SDM) techniques to predict future areas of climatic suitability for Archey’s and Hochstetter’s frogs under two different climate change scenarios using climate variables derived from their existing geographic extent. For Hamilton’s frog their current range was too restricted to model future range, so we used past climate data from current strongholds to establish that these sites may not be suitable for this species in the long-term.

While most anurans lay their eggs in or near water, there is a wide diversity of species that lay their eggs on the ground, under rocks, or in burrows. For these terrestrial-breeding species, identifying the habitat requirements of oviposition sites is particularly useful for conservation and management planning, given that oviposition in anurans is strongly related to the environmental characteristics in which they live. Leiopelma archeyi is an endemic New Zealand frog that reproduces on moist substrates.

The miniaturisation of very high frequency transmitters over the last 20 years has allowed researchers to use radio telemetry to study the movements and behaviors of increasingly smaller animals. However, the sensitive skin of many amphibians has continued to make fitting telemetry packages difficult. Here we describe the application of a waist-harness style radio telemetry package for use on two of New Zealand’s native terrestrial frogs (Leiopelma archeyi and L. hamiltoni).

A chytrid fungus (Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis; Bd) has been a cause of amphibian declines worldwide. Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis was first detected in New Zealand on an introduced frog species in 1999 and two years later was associated with morbidity in Leiopelma archeyi, one of the three native New Zealand frog species. In this study, we aimed to document the prevalence of Bd in native frog species in New Zealand from 2014–2021.

Control of introduced predators is part of the management strategy for many conservation programs. However, when such programs are designed to protect a single species, the benefits to sympatric native species are usually not assessed. We used site occupancy modelling to investigate whether predator control implemented to protect a native bird species (North Island kōkako) in the Hūnua Ranges, New Zealand also benefits the sympatric native Hochstetter’s frog population.

Predation by introduced mammals is considered a primary threat to New Zealand’s native frog populations. Rats are known predators of the terrestrial Archey’s frog (Leiopelma archeyi), New Zealand’s smallest Leiopelmatid frog. During a 12 year study in Whareorino Conservation Area, we investigated effects of sustained rat control on survival, number of independent juveniles per adult, and abundance of Archey’s frog. Frogs were monitored following a capture-recapture robust design at four grids, split between a 300-ha ‘nontreatment’ area and a 300-ha rat control ‘treatment’ area.

Post-metamorphic body growth and longevity of two archaic terrestrial frogs (Anura: Leiopelmatidae) endemic to New Zealand are described using data from long-term capture-recapture studies and measurements of snout-vent length. Population studies of Hamilton's frog (Leiopelma hamiltoni) on Te Pākeka/Maud Island, Marlborough Sounds, have been undertaken since 1976 and Archey's frog (L. archeyi) in the Coromandel Ranges since 1982.

Habitat disturbance is a significant factor contributing to biodiversity decline worldwide. Amphibians are particularly vulnerable because of their specific microclimatic and microhabitat requirements. In Aotearoa New Zealand, Archey’s frogs (Leiopelma archeyi) have shown some degree of resilience to severe habitat disturbance historically. However, it is unknown how much L. archeyi populations are currently being impacted by historical and ongoing mining activities and development within their range.

Sampling bias can have dire consequences for research. One potential source of bias is combining different sampling methods in the same study. However, combining methods can be unavoidable, for instance, when sampling method selection depends upon factors such as population density or terrain. A case at hand is the use of night-time encounter catching by people or daytime catching using certified dogs for studies of Apteryx mantelli, North Island brown kiwi, in Aotearoa New Zealand.