Breeding observations of the Southern Giant Burrowing Frog <i>Heleioporus australiacus flavopunctatus</i> in East Gippsland, Victoria

ABSTRACT The Giant Burrowing Frog Heleioporus australiacus is a rare, secretive and threatened amphibian restricted to fragmented forest habitats in south-eastern Australia. Knowledge of the species’ breeding biology is limited, particularly in Victoria. This study documents breeding behaviours of the southern subspecies, H. a. flavopunctatus, including amplexus and spawning, breeding microhabitat, and associated environmental conditions at a site in East Gippsland. Frogs were observed breeding in an ephemeral second-order stream following heavy rainfall, with oviposition occurring in a concealed cavity under the stream bank. Additional observations included tadpole emergence and vocal interactions between males. These findings provide rare insights into the reproductive biology of H. a. flavopunctatus, highlight its dependence on specific stream microhabitats, and emphasise the vulnerability of breeding sites to various threats such as drought and habitat degradation.