CR

Litoria castanea

DecliningCRAUCRAU

Overview

A detailed profile for this species is sourced from the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species as assessments become available.

Litoria castanea faces severe population decline primarily due to chytrid fungal disease (Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis), which has devastated amphibian populations across eastern Australia. Habitat degradation from urban development and agricultural expansion has further reduced available breeding sites and terrestrial refugia. Climate change exacerbates these pressures through altered precipitation patterns that affect breeding pond availability and increased temperature stress.

Threat summary

Habitat

This species inhabits montane and sub-montane forests, particularly areas with permanent or semi-permanent water bodies for breeding. It requires both aquatic environments for reproduction and adjacent terrestrial forest habitats with adequate moisture and shelter for adult survival.

Conservation measures underway

Site/area protectionSpecies managementSpecies recoverySpecies reintroductionEx-situ conservation

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Frequently asked questions

Why is Litoria castanea classified as Critically Endangered?
Litoria castanea is classified as Critically Endangered — facing an extremely high risk of extinction in the wild — because population sizes are very small, declining sharply, or restricted to a tiny range. Litoria castanea faces severe population decline primarily due to chytrid fungal disease (Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis), which has devastated amphibian populations across eastern Australia. Habitat degradation from urban development and agricultural expansion has further reduced available breeding sites and terrestrial refugia. Climate change exacerbates these pressures through altered precipitation patterns that affect breeding pond availability and increased temperature stress.
Where does Litoria castanea live?
Litoria castanea occurs in Australia. Country-level distribution data is sourced from the IUCN Red List and cross-referenced with GBIF occurrences.
What are the main threats to Litoria castanea?
The main threats to Litoria castanea are 11.1, 11.4, 2.1, and 8.1. The full IUCN-classified threat record for this species is detailed on the species page.

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