Removal of introduced predators, but not artificial refuge supplementation, increases skink survival in coastal duneland

Lettink, Marieke; Norbury, Grant; Cree, Alison; Seddon, Philip J.; Duncan, Richard P.; Schwarz, Carl

doi:10.1016/j.biocon.2009.09.004

Cited by 46 publications

(26 citation statements)

References 34 publications

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Order By: Relevance

“…Practitioners should seriously consider, and where possible scientifically examine, whether conservation funds are better spent by implementing lethal control programs that require continuous interventions (particularly on non-island ecosystems, see below), or whether such funds would be better committed to long-term projects aimed at improving the capacity of native fauna to persist alongside invasive predators. In some cases, the use of artificial refuges may provide a stopgap to temporally diminish predation pressure (Arthur et al, 2005), although their effectiveness should be assessed experimentally (Lettink et al, 2010).…”

Section: Maintaining Habitat Complexitymentioning

confidence: 99%

Multiple threats, or multiplying the threats? Interactions between invasive predators and other ecological disturbances

Doherty

Dickman

Nimmo

et al. 2015

Biological Conservation

218

202

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Section: Maintaining Habitat Complexitymentioning

confidence: 99%

Multiple threats, or multiplying the threats? Interactions between invasive predators and other ecological disturbances

Doherty

Dickman

Nimmo

et al. 2015

Biological Conservation

218

202

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

“…Species and age (indicated by body length) of skinks also seem likely sources of variation in capture probability, but these models were not supported. However, Lettink et al (2010Lettink et al ( , 2011 found positive relationships between SVL and capture probabilities of McCann's skinks and southern grass skinks, and it is possible that our categorical skink size-class variable masked differential capture probabilities for the smallest or largest animals. Finally, heterogeneity in capture probability could also arise from some unmeasured characteristic of traps or their surroundings (Royle et al 2013;Efford 2014), such as proximity to cover (Lettink & Seddon 2007) or aspect.…”

Section: Behavioural Responses Of Skinks To Capturementioning

confidence: 78%

“…More recently, studies on the New Zealand mainland have shown that removing or excluding mammals can increase the survival and/or abundance of skinks (Oligosoma spp.) (Lettink et al 2010;Reardon et al 2012;Jones et al 2013;Norbury et al 2013Norbury et al , 2014.…”

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

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

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.

show abstract

“…This strategy is risky because wēkā may learn to preferentially hunt in the vicinity of artificial structures if skinks are regularly seen there. In the only New Zealand study to have formally tested the effects of refuge supplementation on lizards, the addition of (Onduline) artificial retreats failed to increase survival of McCann's skinks (Oligosoma maccanni) inhabiting coastal duneland in Canterbury (Lettink et al 2010). Worldwide, we are aware of only one study that has demonstrated an increase in reptile abundance following refuge supplementation.…”

Section: Refuge Supplementationmentioning

confidence: 86%

Conservation status, threats and management options for the Open Bay Island skink (Oligosoma taumakae)

Lettink¹,

Hopkins²,

Mayhew³

2010

New Zealand Journal of Zoology

Self Cite

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

The Open Bay Islands are a Māori-owned Wildlife Refuge located in South Westland (South Island) and support two of the rarest lizard species in New Zealand: the Open Bay Island skink and the Open Bay Island gecko. Both species have been assigned a threat status of Nationally Critical Á the highest priority for conservation action. The terrestrial and diurnal habits of the skink make it particularly vulnerable to predation by wēkā, a flightless rail native to New Zealand but introduced to the Open Bay Islands c. 100 years ago. Here, we present results from a 5-day survey of the two main islands (14.7-ha Taumaka and 2.2-ha Popotai) and consider options for reducing the negative impacts of wēkā on skinks and other terrestrial fauna (wēkā removal, exclosure fencing and refuge supplementation; all subject to iwi approval). In total, 19 skinks were caught over 125 trap-days. The majority (16 individuals) were caught on Popotai Island, from which skinks had not been previously recorded. We conclude that removing wēkā from both islands is the only option guaranteed to increase skink abundance, with collateral benefits to other terrestrial fauna on the Open Bay Islands.

show abstract

Removal of introduced predators, but not artificial refuge supplementation, increases skink survival in coastal duneland

Cited by 46 publications

References 34 publications

Multiple threats, or multiplying the threats? Interactions between invasive predators and other ecological disturbances

Multiple threats, or multiplying the threats? Interactions between invasive predators and other ecological disturbances

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

Conservation status, threats and management options for the Open Bay Island skink (Oligosoma taumakae)

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About