Unlike the three other Leiopelma species, L. hochstetteri is semi-aquatic with a stream-dwelling larval stage, and as such has a higher reliance on the presence of watercourses. This species is found predominantly in native forest, but is also able to survive in modified habitats such as in exotic plantation forests, at least in the short term (Easton 2015). There is a continuing decline in habitat quality e.g. when pine plantations are logged it is likely that streams will be rendered un-liveable for this species due to disturbance and siltation. Mature pine plantations have a slightly lower habitat quality compared to native forests (Easton et al. in review). Furthermore, invasive pigs, goats and deer reduce the quality of native forest habitat for Leiopelma hochstetteri (L. Easton pers. comm. July 2015).

L. hochstetteri has a slightly shorter development period compared to the other frog species native to New Zealand and is estimated to have a generation length of approximately 12 years. It lays small clutches of eggs under stones or vegetation alongside creeks; on hatching, the larvae are active, but do not feed until after metamorphosis (Bell 1985)

Conservation Actions In Place

Through its Native Frog Recovery Group and 2013-2018 Native Frog Recovery Plan (Bishop et al. 2013), the NZ Department of Conservation (DOC) administers conservation management of this species and permits appropriate species research. At some sites NGOs and local communities are involved with conservation management.

New occupancy monitoring methods are being implemented for this species, which will allow comparisons between sub-populations that have not been possible up to now due to variation in methods used.

Invasive predator control programmes are in place at some sites within the range of L. hochstetteri and have been shown to benefit the species, although existing control covers only a small portion of this species’ range.

Ex-situ populations are held by the University of Otago and Hamilton Zoo, where husbandry techniques are being refined for effective captive breeding.  

Some sub-populations have been tested for amphibian chytrid fungus, and this should continue, especially at sites where L. archeyi has tested positive.

Conservation Needed

Expansion of non-native predator control would be of benefit to this species, and habitat restoration could be of benefit at some sites.

Successful translocations have been carried out for the other three Leiopelma species, and translocation of L. hochstetteri to a fully protected site could be of benefit for this species, particularly in cases where populations are likely to be driven locally extinct e.g. during the logging of pine plantations. 

Lack of public awareness of cryptic native frogs does not aid conservation efforts; increased public awareness of this species would be of benefit, particularly at sites where L. hochstetteri are found beyond protected habitats. 

Research Needed

Research into speciation within this group is necessary to define whether a species complex exists; should this taxon be split into several species this will have massive implications on the conservation status of species in the group, which will need to be reassessed. Management should maintain these distinctive populations until further research into speciation within the group has been carried out.

Further research on basic life-history parameters is also required, which would be of great benefit for management when population modelling could be of assistance in conservation planning.

Ongoing work to refine captive husbandry and breeding techniques needs to be maintained for the ex-situ populations to act as an effective insurance population.

More research into the benefits of trapping non-native mammalian predators would be of benefit, so that this intervention can be implemented to maximum effect.