A5078525200- Amphibian and Reptile Biology
- Wildlife Ecology and Conservation
- Species Distribution and Climate Change
- Turtle Biology and Conservation
- Animal Behavior and Reproduction
- Rabies epidemiology and control
- Reproductive biology and impacts on aquatic species
- Plant and animal studies
- Sperm and Testicular Function
- Avian ecology and behavior
- Animal and Plant Science Education
- Fish Ecology and Management Studies
- Rangeland and Wildlife Management
- Wildlife-Road Interactions and Conservation
- Agriculture and Rural Development Research
- Animal Nutrition and Physiology
- Urban and spatial planning
- Microbial infections and disease research
- Environmental DNA in Biodiversity Studies
- Survey Sampling and Estimation Techniques
- Yersinia bacterium, plague, ectoparasites research
- Veterinary Orthopedics and Neurology
- Aquaculture Nutrition and Growth
- Aquaculture disease management and microbiota
- Ecology and Vegetation Dynamics Studies
Department of Conservation
2019-2023
University of Otago
2007-2023
San Diego Zoo Institute for Conservation Research
2011-2022
Memphis Zoo
2011-2021
Zoological Society of San Diego
2011-2015
Desert Springs Hospital
2011
The intentional translocation of animals is an important tool for species conservation and ecosystem restoration, but reported success rates are low, particularly threatened endangered species. Publication bias further distorts because the results successful translocations may be more likely to published than failed translocations. We conducted first comprehensive review all unpublished herpetofauna in New Zealand assess publication bias. Of 74 29 25 years, 35 have been literature, outcomes...
Camouflage via animal coloration and patterning is a broadly important antipredator strategy. Behavioral decision making an influential facet of many camouflage strategies; fitness benefits often are not realized unless organism selects suitable backgrounds. Controlled experimental studies behavioral strategies in selection backgrounds conferring camouflage, however, rarely paired with observations wild populations. In order to investigate how substrate composition influenced habitat...
As mitigation- and conservation-driven translocations of declining species escalate, establishing best practices for conservation practitioners is critical. A variety factors, such as individual behaviour, may influence post-release behaviour survival. Here, we explored the role personality in predicting post-translocation survival juvenile desert tortoises (Gopherus agassizii). Using an experimental design with captive tortoises, found that displayed clear personalities along bold-shy...
Species-specific differences in breeding strategies and physiology have limited the application of assisted reproductive technologies (ART) for critically endangered amphibians captive assurance colonies. In 2006, Memphis Zoo (MZ) initiated a program to develop ART Mississippi gopher frog after natural failed. Standard gamete collection IVF developed by MZ reproducing toads such as Wyoming or boreal toad were applied with little success, especially hormonal therapy sperm production. Using...
Conservation translocations are occurring at ever-increasing rates (Seddon, Armstrong & Maloney, 2007). These include reintroduction, reinforcement and more recently, ecological replacement assisted colonization (Seddon et al., 2014). Additionally, over the past two decades, there has also been an increase in movements of animals as minimization or mitigation for human development (Miller, Bell Germano, 2014; Germano Sullivan, Nowak Kwiatkowski, Alongside overall number conservation...
Upper respiratory tract disease (URTD) caused by Mycoplasma agassizii is considered a threat to desert tortoise populations that should be addressed as part of the recovery species. Clinical signs can intermittent and include serous or mucoid nasal discharge difficulty when nares are occluded. This congestion may result in loss olfactory sense. Turtles known use olfaction identify food items, predators, conspecifics; therefore, it likely URTD affects not only their physical well-being but...
In New Zealand, it is a legal requirement to involve local Maori people in making decisions about the management of treasured species, and carrying out that management.This requires safe space which both perspectives western scientific on how protect these species can be included.Yet, full benefits having such partnership are usually overlooked, protocols strategies applied have often failed incorporate culture creation knowledge maintaining relationship.Here we propose novel framework for...
Otago Skinks (Oligosoma otagense) are some of New Zealand's largest and most rare lizards. The movements home ranges these skinks were investigated using radio-telemetry at the Redbank Reserve near Macraes Flat, Central Otago, Zealand. Thirteen tracked from December 2003 through April 2004 for 26–111 days. There was no significant difference in distance or frequency between sexes. Home estimated all individuals 100% Minimum Convex Polygon method varied 200–5,400 m2. Male significantly larger...
The use of translocations for conservation management has increased in frequency over recent decades.Though many early were carried out as one-off exercises, the need to test release strategies and gain knowledge order improve future reintroductions been recognised.This study examined both movements survival 101 Leiopelma hamiltoni (Anura: Leiopelmatidae) translocated Long Island, New Zealand, response source population on Te Pākeka/Maud Island removal a discrete subset frogs.An experimental...
Amphibians are considered susceptible to a range of potential effects generated by climate change.We applied species distribution model (SDM) techniques predict future areas climatic suitability for Archey's and Hochstetter's frogs under two different change scenarios using variables derived from their existing geographic extent.For Hamilton's frog current was too restricted range, so we used past data strongholds establish that these sites may not be suitable this in the long-term.Model...
Using data from six wild Mojave Desert Tortoise (Gopherus agassizii (Cooper, 1861)) populations, we quantified seasonal differences in immune system measurements and microbial load the respiratory tract, pertinent to this species’ susceptibility upper tract disease. We bacteria-killing activity of blood plasma differential leukocyte counts detect trends temporal variation function. used centered log-ratio (clr) transformations stress that such are necessary for compositional data. tested...
Amidst a global amphibian decline, captive breeding has become an important component of many conservation management programs. Some species fail to readily reproduce in captivity, including leiopelmatid frogs, archaic lineage endemic New Zealand. Assisted reproductive technologies can improve the potential and genetic Herein we describe efforts induce spermiation mating threatened Hamilton's frog Leiopelma hamiltoni using gonadotrophin-releasing hormone agonist human chorionic...
Translocations of kiwi (Apteryx spp.) are one the most common and growing types conservation translocations in New Zealand.However, their outcomes remain mostly unpublished, which does not allow for sharing lessons learnt from past developments.We reviewed 102 19th century until 2018, identified factors affecting outcome.North Island brown (A.mantelli) was translocated species, but highest impact on improvement status rarest taxa: little spotted (A.owenii), rowi (A.rowi), Haast tokoeka...