Distribution and Habitat

Population and Distribution
Mixophyes iteratus is distributed form Belli Ck near Eumundi, s.e. Qld, s. to Warrimoo mid-e. NSW (Hines et al. 1999). The area of occurrence of the species is approximately 110 000 km2 (map in Hines et al. 1999). Mixophyes iteratus is currently known from mid to low altitudes below 520 m (Goldingay et al. 1999; White 2000; H. Hines & L. Shoo unpubl. data). In s.e. Qld, M. iteratus is currently known from scattered locations in the Mary R. catchment downstream to about Kenilworth, Upper Stanley R., Caboolture R. and Coomera R. (Hines et al. 1999). During the early 1980’s M. iteratus declined and disappeared from at least two streams in the Conondale Range (Corben in McDonald 1991). The Bunya Mt (Straughan 1966) and Cunningham’s Gap (Straughan 1966) previously supported M. iteratus but these and nearby sites have recently been the subject of targeted surveys and intensive monitoring without locating the species (Hines et al. 1999). Assessing the extent of the decline is difficult because of the lack of baseline data on its distribution and abundance (Hines et al. 1999). Mixophyes iteratus has suffered major declines in the southern portion of its range in the Sydney Basin Region (Hines et al. 1999; White 2000) where extant populations were recorded at only 2 of the 14 historical sites surveyed (White 2000). There are no recent records from the Blue Mt and the species is currently only known from a five populations in the Watagan Mt area (White 2000). A population was recently located in the southern Nambucca River catchment (NSW NPWS 1994). North of this there is currently a large population in the Dorrigo-Coffs Harbour area, North Washpool and Bungawalbin SF (Hines et al. 1999). In far n.e. NSW, M. iteratus is known from only three broad areas (Mebbin, Whian Whian and Richmond Range), despite intensive surveys (Goldingay et al. 1999). Goldingay et al. (1999) reported that the density of these populations was relatively low with an average abundance of 4.2 individuals per 100 m of stream transect between 1997 and 1998 and an average of 3.4 individuals over the same transects in 1999 (Goldingay et al. 1999).
Mixophyes iteratus is known from Qld: Conondale, Lamington, Main Range NP, Ingelbar, Kenilworth, Spicer’s Gap SF (Tyler 1997), Blackall (M. Hero pers. comm.); and from NSW: Gibraltar Range, Guy Fawkes R., Nightcap, Washpool NP, Wild Cattle Ck, Kangaroo R., Orara West and Orara East SF (Tyler 1997), Clouds Ck., Doubleduke, Ewingbar SF (K. McCray pers. comm.), Bril Bril, Ingelba, Maria R., McPherson, Mt Boss, Watagan, Wyong NP (F. Lemckert pers. comm.), Mebbin, Mt Warning, Richmond Range NP, Whian Whian SF (Goldingay et al. 1999), Upper Allyn R, Middle Brother SF, Numbucca R. catchment, Bungawalbin, Washpool SF (Hines et al. 1999), Olney SF (White 2000). Habitat
Mixophyes iteratus occurs in uplands and lowlands in rainforest and wet sclerophyll forest, including farmland (Ingram & McDonald 1993). Populations have been found in disturbed areas with vegetated riparian strips in cattlefarms and regenerating logged areas (Hero & Shoo pers. obs.). Tadpoles do occur with many species of native fish, however no introduced fish species have been observed in sympatry with M. iteratus (Mahony et al. 1997).