Impact of a Chytrid-related mortality event on a population of the Green and Golden Bell Frog Litoria aurea

Chytridiomycosis is considered a key threatening process under Commonwealth legislation. Little is known of the impact of this pathogen within wild populations. The Green and Golden Bell Frog Litoria aurea is a threatened species that is thought to be affected by this disease. Here we present an example of a chytrid related mortality event within an apparently healthy population of this species. The individuals were found to be carrying chytrid and we suggest that this was the proximal cause of mortality. Monitoring was conducted across Sydney Olympic Park between 1998 and 2005. In a small group of ponds in 1999, 23 individuals were found dead with 17 of these confirmed to have died as a result of chytrid infection within a short period of time. However, the number of frogs located within the complex remained at similar levels for the duration of the monitoring program. Management of wild populations of the Green and Golden Bell Frog should maximise the area of available habitat for this species and the connectivity between habitats in an attempt to minimise the impact of disease outbreaks.