Survey and monitoring methods for New Zealand lizards

Lettink, Marieke; Monks, Joanne M.

doi:10.1080/03036758.2015.1108343

Cited by 19 publications

(12 citation statements)

References 28 publications

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“…This is especially true where multiple time series have been collated for a species, therefore allowing inferences of trends over time at the species level. Widely sharing best-practice techniques for sampling reptile abundances (e.g., Henderson et al 2016;Lettink and Monk, 2016;Willson, 2016;) and the adaptation of available technology to reptile monitoring (e.g., camera trapping for reptiles, Welbourne et al 2017) may enhance our ability to gather meaningful population data for reptiles and to address data biases.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Tracking Global Population Trends: Population Time-Series Data and a Living Planet Index for Reptiles

Saha

McRae

Dodd

et al. 2018

Journal of Herpetology

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Effective conservation action relies on access to the best-available species data. Reptiles have often been overlooked in conservation prioritization, especially because of a paucity of population data. Using data for 549 reptile populations representing 194 species from the Living Planet database, we provide the first detailed analysis of this database for a specific taxonomic group. We estimated an average global decline in reptile populations of 54-55% between 1970 and 2012. Disaggregated indices at taxonomic, system, and biogeographical levels showed trends of decline, often with wide confidence intervals because of a prevalence of short time series. We assessed gaps in our reptile time-series data and examined what types of publication they primarily originated from to provide an overview of the range of data sources captured in the Living Planet database. Data were biased toward crocodilians and chelonians, with only 1% and 2% of known lizard and snake species represented, respectively. Population time-series data stemmed primarily from published ecological research (squamates) and data collected for conservation management (chelonians and crocodilians). We recommend exploration of novel survey and analytical techniques to increase monitoring of reptiles, especially squamates, over time. Open access publication and sharing of data sets are vital to improve knowledge of reptile status and trends, aided by the provision of properly curated databases and data-sharing agreements. Such collaborative efforts are vital to effectively address global reptile declines.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Tracking Global Population Trends: Population Time-Series Data and a Living Planet Index for Reptiles

Saha

McRae

Dodd

et al. 2018

Journal of Herpetology

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“…At an adjacent site, we sampled emerged geckos at night to measure field body temperatures in each season. Using spotlights for the 5 h after dusk, we detected geckos from a distance by eye-shine or from their bodies at closer approach ( Lettink and Monks, 2016 ). We measured skin surface temperature (dorsal abdomen) using a thermal infrared camera (IRC, Flir i60) or with a mini-infrared thermometer without touching or disturbing the gecko ( Chukwuka et al, 2019 ).…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Extreme tolerance for nocturnal emergence at low body temperatures in a high-latitude lizard: implications for future climate warming

Chukwuka

Monks

Cree

2023

Conservation Physiology

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High-latitude lizards live in environments where ambient air temperature at night is frequently below retreat temperatures, which likely has implications for nocturnal emergence and activity. However, patterns of lizard activity at night under current temperate climates are poorly understood, a situation that limits our understanding of potential effects of climate change. We investigated patterns of nocturnal emergence and activity in the cold-adapted, viviparous gecko (Woodworthia ‘Otago/Southland’). We measured operative environmental temperature (Te) available to geckos that emerged at night and simultaneously assessed nighttime emergence activity using time-lapse trail cameras. Also, we assessed field body temperature (Tb) of emerged geckos of various life history groups at night using thermography to understand how current weather conditions affect field Tb of emerged geckos. Our results show that Te, nocturnal emergence activity and field-active Tb increased with nighttime air temperature. Nocturnal emergence was highest in spring and summer but also occurred in autumn and (unexpectedly) in winter. Geckos were active over a broad range of Tb down to 1.4°C (a new record low for lizards) and on rock surfaces typically warmer than air temperature or Tb. We conclude that this nocturnal, high-latitude lizard from the temperate zone is capable of activity at low winter temperatures, but that current climate limits emergence and activity at least in autumn and winter. Activity levels for cool-temperate reptiles will probably increase initially as climates warm, but the consequences of increased nocturnal activity under climate change will probably depend on how climate change affects predator populations as well as the focal species’ biology.

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“…Tracking tunnels baited with peanut butter as an attractant are suitable for monitor- Journal of orthoptera research 2017, 26(2) ing wētā (Watts et al 2008c) but their use for monitoring lizards is still under investigation. Geckos and skinks are attracted to peanut butter although there are better baits, and preliminary evidence indicates that tracking tunnels may be suitable for monitoring skink abundance (Siyam 2006, Lettink andMonks 2016). The tracking cards with fresh peanut butter were placed in the tunnels just before dusk each evening and removed soon after dawn.…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The use of tracking tunnels for monitoring reptiles is still being investigated: both the tunnels and tracking cards may require modification for detecting reptiles and more attractive bait may be required, such as tinned pears or honey for geckos and fish-based tinned cat food for skinks (e.g. Whitaker 1967, Siyam 2006, Lettink and Monks 2016.…”

Section: Observed Distributions Of Geckos and Skinks On Matiu/somes Imentioning

confidence: 99%

Population expansion by Cook Strait giant wētā, Deinacrida rugosa (Orthoptera: Anostostomatidae), following translocation to Matiu/Somes Island, New Zealand, and subsequent changes in abundance

Watts¹,

Thornburrow²,

Stringer³

et al. 2017

JOR

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Wētā, large wingless anostostomatid orthopterans, have been the most frequently translocated insects in New Zealand. Until recently, such translocations were only monitored intermittently to confirm presence. We investigate the spread of Cook Strait giant wētā (Deinacrida rugosa Buller, 1871) after its release on Matiu/Somes Island, Wellington, New Zealand, in 1996. Adult wētā were surveyed from 2008 to 2016 using footprint tracking tunnels and/or searching with spotlights at night. The population underwent a reversal in distributional abundance after 2008. In 2008, they were abundant in the north and rare in the south but by 2013 and 2015 they were relatively less abundant in the north and common in the south. Why they diminished in the north remains unknown but possible causes are predation on juvenile wētā by nocturnal geckos (detected in the north and east but not in the south), by some habitat change (mostly reduction of some lawn), or by a combination of these together with removal of wētā from the north for translocation elsewhere. Further research is required to confirm which of these factors affect wētā abundance, if there are other causes, and if any further change in distributional abundance occurs.

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Survey and monitoring methods for New Zealand lizards

Cited by 19 publications

References 28 publications

Tracking Global Population Trends: Population Time-Series Data and a Living Planet Index for Reptiles

Tracking Global Population Trends: Population Time-Series Data and a Living Planet Index for Reptiles

Extreme tolerance for nocturnal emergence at low body temperatures in a high-latitude lizard: implications for future climate warming

Population expansion by Cook Strait giant wētā, Deinacrida rugosa (Orthoptera: Anostostomatidae), following translocation to Matiu/Somes Island, New Zealand, and subsequent changes in abundance

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