Scientists have sequenced the harmful southern corrupt frogs (one of Australia's most threatened amphibians) in a hope that the information can be used to help them recover.

The striking alpine frog with unique yellow and black marks is threatened by disease, causing the dryness of its habitat due to climate change that it is considered “functionally extinct.” The species survives in temporary pools and peat swamps in Kosciuszko National Park in New South Wales and is assisted by zoo breeding and reintroduction programs.

"They are very unique frogs. They belong to this ancient frog family, and they also belong to Australia," said conservation biologist Dr Tiffany Kosch of the University of Melbourne.

"They're about 10 million years old."

The frog's genome is equally striking. Despite its small size, the researchers found that their genome was huge—three times that of humans and the largest size of frogs.

"Many other frogs in the family have smaller genomes, including one of the smallest frog genomes on record," Kosch said.

Her genomes are also "filled with non-coding DNA" - genetic material, not directly encoded for proteins - repeat elements. “We are still exploring what this means for species and other amphibians.”

Mapping the genome takes 10 years of work. Frog tissue collected in Australia must be shipped to New York at a temperature of -80c. Once there, extract and cut the DNA into "tiny puzzles," Kosch said.

Kosch has since conducted new research – the genome makes it possible, which aims to explore and understand the species’ sensitivity to chytrid fungal disease.

"We are trying methods such as selective breeding and genetic engineering of frogs in a way that will increase their resistance. So that will be our work for the next five to ten years," she said.

"Hope is that working with the South's identified frogs can be used as a proof of concept for other frogs threatening to the chytrid fungus, and other species that may be threatened by climate change. The genome is really just the first step to help us get there."

Dr. Simon Clulow, associate professor of conservation ecology at the University of Canberra, is not involved in the study, saying having a complete genome sequence makes it easier to ask and answer questions about the species.

"The main effect on the sour early frogs, like many frogs in the world, is now the most threatened vertebrate class on the planet, is an invasive disease called the chytrid fungus," Crullo said.

He said one potential way to help the species overcome the disease is to identify anti-genetic traits, and mapping the genome is "a very useful step towards this goal."

Professor Nicki Mitchell of the University of Western Australia said Frog Genome Research is in its early stages of development.

"Frogs have been one of the slowest groups in the vertebrate world for a variety of reasons, making the genome complete," she said.

This is partly because the frog genome is relatively large than other vertebrates, and some species carry "extra genetic luggage", such as double folding of chromosomes.

Mitchell said it was “our most famous amphibian on the cliff of extinction” and that the corrupt frogs in the south may be the highest priority for the Australian frog genome.

Although the frog is one of the 110 priority species identified and supported by the Government's Threatened Species Action Plan, approximately 2,200 species are listed as threats under the Environmental Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act.

Mitchell said biodiversity funding is “insignificant compared to what we need”. The Biodiversity Commission calls for increased natural spending, equivalent to at least 1% of the federal budget.

“In some ways, this species is a symbol of our twin crisis as a globe, climate change and biodiversity loss.”