Conservation status of New Zealand reptiles, 2009

Hitchmough, Rodney A.; Hoare, JM; Jamieson, Halema; Newman, Donald G.; Tocher,; Anderson, PJ; Lettink, Marieke; Whitaker, AH

doi:10.1080/03014223.2010.496487

Cited by 62 publications

(77 citation statements)

References 20 publications

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“…Among New Zealand lizards, extinction risk appears to increase with body size (Hitchmough et al 2010). Smaller species have an advantage over their larger counterparts because they are able to breed at a younger age, appear to produce more offspring (e.g.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The New Zealand lizard fauna currently consists of 100 described and proposed species, comprising 57 skink and 43 gecko taxa (Hitchmough et al 2010). All taxa are endemic to New Zealand except for one skink species that was introduced from Australia (Chapple et al 2009).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The Open Bay Island skink is one of six lizard species regarded as Nationally Critical*a threat status assigned to species with the highest risk of extinction (Townsend et al 2008;Hitchmough et al 2010). This high threat ranking reflects their extreme rarity, relict distribution and the ongoing threat of predation by weka (Gallirallus australis), a native flightless rail thought to have been introduced to the Open Bay Islands c. 100 years ago (Whitaker & Lyall 2004;Chapple & Patterson 2007).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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A significant range extension and sanctuary for the rare Open Bay Island skink (Oligosoma taumakae)

Lettink¹,

Hopkins

Wilson³

2013

New Zealand Journal of Zoology

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 1 more Smart Citation

A significant range extension and sanctuary for the rare Open Bay Island skink (Oligosoma taumakae)

Lettink¹,

Hopkins

Wilson³

2013

New Zealand Journal of Zoology

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“…Recaptured animals were released quickly after recording their toe-code. Otago skinks, which are nationally endangered (Hitchmough et al 2013), were released promptly with no marking or measuring.…”

Section: Sampling Pointsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Predatory mammals are managed with both exclusion fencing and extensive trapping in mixed grassland-shrubland habitat near Macraes Flat in eastern Otago, South Island, to protect remnant populations of the endangered grand skink (Oligosoma grande) and Otago skink (O. otagense) (Reardon et al 2012 inconspicuum; nomenclature based on Hitchmough et al (2013) and Bell (2014)) are common in this region. In 2006, we used artificial retreats (also known as cover boards or artificial cover objects) to sample these small skinks in three different predator management treatments at Macraes Flat (Wilson et al 2007).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Assessing and comparing population densities and indices of skinks under three predator management regimes

Wilson¹,

Mulvey²,

Clarke³

et al. 2017

NZ J Ecol

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Introduced mammalian predators threaten populations of endemic New Zealand skinks. Their effects on skink populations have been not often quantified on the mainland and are known primarily from skink population increases on islands from which mammals have been eradicated. Estimating skink population density with capture-recapture trapping is time-consuming and costly. Counting skinks in artificial retreats in specific weather conditions may be a useful and relatively quick way to index population density, but needs calibration for different habitats and species. In 2007 and 2009, we estimated the population density of small terrestrial skinks (McCann's skink Oligosoma maccanni, southern grass skink O. aff. polychroma clade 5 and cryptic skink O. inconspicuum), based on spatially explicit capture-recapture (SECR) in pitfall traps in three mammal-management treatments at Macraes Flat, Otago. The treatments were eradication of large predators and near-eradication of rodents inside a mammal-resistant fence, suppression of mammalian predator populations through continuous trapping (two locations within an extensive area), and no mammal management. We tested for relationships between the estimated population densities and dawn and late-morning counts of skinks in artificial retreats. Skink density (three species combined) ranged from c. 1200 per ha at the experimental control site to c. 4000 per ha at the fenced site. These treatment differences in skink density may be the combined effect of predator management and pre-existing differences due to habitat characteristics and farming practices. Skink counts done in late morning (2009) were related to estimated skink densities but did not differ significantly between treatments. Skink counts done at dawn (both years) were not related to densities. Counts, but not densities, were significantly higher at locations with a more northerly aspect. We recommend further investigation of the utility of skink counts in artificial retreats for monitoring skink density at this location, with careful control of ambient temperature during sampling, and of aspect, habitat and device placement.

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Sexual Dimorphism of Digit‐Length Ratio in a Viviparous Lizard: Influence of Age, but not Preservation State or Sex of Interuterine Twin

Woodhead

Hare

Cree

2018

The Anatomical Record

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The existence of sex differences in digit-length ratio (especially between the second and fourth digits, 2D:4D) is well established for humans from fetal life onwards, and has been linked with later performance. In rodents, the ratio is affected prenatally by exposure to androgens and estrogens, with some research suggesting an influence from sex of the neighbouring intrauterine fetus. However, the ubiquity and ontogenetic development of sexual dimorphism in digit ratios is not well established among wild amniotes. We report the first digit ratios for a gekkotan lizard, representing a speciose lineage in which viviparity has evolved independently from mammals and other reptiles. For the gecko Woodworthia "Otago/Southland", in which up to two embryos develop in separate uteri, we found: (1) significant sexual dimorphism in adults in 2D:3D of the right hindlimb only (larger in males), but not in 2D:4D for any limb; (2) no dimorphism in ratios for young juveniles, with no influence of sex of the interuterine twin, and no relationship with sprint speed; (3) in preserved tissues of the same juveniles, no sexual dimorphism in ratios, but a change in relative lengths of some digits with preservation. The ontogenetic pattern might be explained by altered sex-steroid exposure at the transition to adulthood rather than during prenatal development. Our results support a phylogenetic hypothesis that sauropsids (birds and reptiles) differ from mammals in the direction of sex difference, if present. Experiments are needed to establish the roles of androgens and estrogens in establishing these sex differences in lizards. Anat Rec, 2018. © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

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Conservation status of New Zealand reptiles, 2009

Cited by 62 publications

References 20 publications

A significant range extension and sanctuary for the rare Open Bay Island skink (Oligosoma taumakae)

A significant range extension and sanctuary for the rare Open Bay Island skink (Oligosoma taumakae)

Assessing and comparing population densities and indices of skinks under three predator management regimes

Sexual Dimorphism of Digit‐Length Ratio in a Viviparous Lizard: Influence of Age, but not Preservation State or Sex of Interuterine Twin

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