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A Review of Reptile Research and Conservation Management on Tiritiri Matangi Island, New Zealand

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A Review of Reptile Research and Conservation Management on Tiritiri Matangi Island, New Zealand 272 AvailableNew on-lineZealand at: Journal http://www.newzealandecology.org/nzje/ of Ecology, Vol. 37, No. 3, 2013 A review of reptile research and conservation management on Tiritiri Matangi Island, New Zealand Marleen Baling1, 2, *, Dylan van Winkel1, 3, Melinda Rixon (née Habgood)4, 5, Jonathan Ruffell6, 7, Weihong Ji1 and Graham Ussher8 1Institute of Natural and Mathematical Sciences, Massey University, Private Bag 102904, Auckland 0745, New Zealand 2Pacific Invasives Initiative, IUCN Invasive Species Specialist Group,The University of Auckland, Private Bag 92019, Auckland 1142, New Zealand 3Bioresearches Group Ltd, P.O. Box 2828, Auckland 1140, New Zealand 4Auckland Council, Private Bag 92300, Auckland 1142, New Zealand 5Te Ngahere Ltd, P.O. Box 71109, Rosebank Post Centre, Auckland 1348, New Zealand 685 David Avenue, Manurewa, Auckland 2102, New Zealand 7Boffa Miskell Ltd, P.O. Box 91250, Auckland 1142, New Zealand 8Tonkin and Taylor Ltd, P.O. Box 5271, Auckland 1141, New Zealand *Author for correspondence. (Email: [email protected]) Published online: 18 November 2013 Abstract: Tiritiri Matangi Island is one of the oldest community-driven island restoration projects in New Zealand. While great effort has been directed towards recovery of vegetation and avian communities since the 1980s, restoration of the island’s reptile fauna has not been initiated until early 2000s. Tiritiri Matangi supports only three remnant reptile species, which is considerably low given the island’s size and geographic location. In recognition of this and the importance of reptiles in ecosystem function, translocations of several reptile species have been undertaken. The translocations presented opportunities for integrating in-depth scientific studies in regard to applied conservation management of native reptiles with experimental approaches. This review summarises research efforts on Tiritiri Matangi to date, including post-graduate studies that have contributed to: (1) baseline information on resident species (Oligosoma moco, O. aeneum, Woodworthia maculata, O. smithi & Naultinus elegans); (2) understanding the importance of seabird co-habitation for Sphenodon punctatus; (3) post-release behaviours (dispersal and habitat selection) of Hoplodactylus duvaucelii; (4) body colour adaptation of O. smithi following translocation; (5) quantifying avian predation on lizard populations; and (6) measuring the short-term success of all translocations. Numerous research opportunities remain, either on existing populations or future translocations to the island. Emphasis has been placed on the involvement of public and local community volunteers in all reptile research. These groups are key stakeholders in the restoration of Tiritiri Matangi. Measurement of translocation success for New Zealand reptiles is dependent on long-term monitoring (> 10 years) and research, since these endemic reptiles exhibit distinctive characteristics such as slow maturity, low reproductive rates, and very high longevity. The process of restoration of a fully functioning New Zealand ecosystem is similarly slow, therefore, long-term study or monitoring will also enable assessment of the island’s restoration outcome over time. Keywords: island restoration; translocation; Oligosoma; Woodworthia; Sphenodon punctatus; Hoplodactylus; Naultinus; avian predation; monitoring Introduction (Towns et al. 2007); and Little Barrier Island (Rayner et al. 2007; Bellingham et al. 2010)). As few of these important The reptile fauna of New Zealand has suffered severe range offshore islands offer opportunities for easy access to rare contractions and dramatic reductions in abundance since the species, research efforts have been somewhat limited. arrival of humans, c. 1000 years ago (Davidson 1984; Towns One exception is Tiritiri Matangi Island, an Open 1994; Craig et al. 2000). Once widespread throughout the Scientific Reserve located approximately 4 km off the coast country, many endemic species are now restricted to small, of the mainland Whangaparaoa Peninsula in the Hauraki Gulf remnant, pseudo-endemic populations confined to predator- (Fig. 1), which allows easy and frequent access for both the free offshore islands (Towns & Robb 1986; Daugherty et al. public and scientists. The island is historically important as 1990; Towns & Daugherty 1994). Currently, over half of one of the oldest community-driven island restoration projects New Zealand’s islands are legally protected and those that are in New Zealand. Removal of mammalian pests by 1993 and ecologically significant (and therefore of high conservation establishment of a community-driven replanting programme value) are designated as Nature Reserves (Towns 1983). since the 1980s have resulted in extensive forest regeneration Introduced mammals have been eradicated from some of these on the island (Drey et al. 1982; Mitchell 1985; Galbraith & island reserves and restrictions on public access ensures that Hayson 1994; Hawley 1997; Veitch 2002). Various faunal the islands’ biota, including reptiles, can survive and regenerate translocations to the island have led to establishment of naturally (e.g. Mercury Islands (Towns 1991); Marotere Islands new populations of threatened species (Galbraith & Hayson New Zealand Journal of Ecology (2013) 37(3): 272-281 © New Zealand Ecological Society. Baling et al.: Reptile research and conservation on Tiritiri Matangi Island 273 Figure 1. Location of Tiritiri Matangi Island in the Hauraki Gulf, Auckland, New Zealand. 1994), while associated scientific research projects have 2003, Clarke 2003). Habgood’s (2003) study estimated that provided information on the biology, ecology and successional population densities for both species were highest in the open changes in vegetation (West 1980; Craig & Stewart 1988; grassland areas, followed by those in young mixed-species Cashmore 1995), invertebrate (Green 2002; Clarke 2003), planting areas. These two skink species have benefited from reptile (Habgood 2003; Ruffell 2005; van Winkel 2008; van the eradication of mammalian predators and they appear to Winkel & Ji 2012; Baling et al. 2013) and bird communities be capable of maintaining high population densities despite (e.g. Galbraith & Hayson 1994; Armstrong & Ewen 2001; the high abundance of avian predators that are present on the Ortiz-Catedral & Brunton 2009). island (Habgood 2003). The level of research for restoration of reptile communities A remnant population of W. maculata was detected on Tiritiri Matangi has been relatively low and has largely been relatively recently (2004) during routine biosecurity monitoring overshadowed by studies on more charismatic avian taxa (e.g. on the island. The discovery of gecko footprints in a rodent Colbourne & Robertson 1997; Ryan & Jamieson 1998; Jones tracking tunnel initiated a survey on the eastern cliffs (The 2000; Brunton & Stamp 2007). Additionally, early restoration Arches) and confirmed the presence of this species. Another management of Tiritiri Matangi (Drey et al. 1982) did not reptile survey in 2006 identified additional sites that extended take an ecosystem-wide approach and failed to recognise the distribution of W. maculata along the eastern coast of reptiles as important elements of the environment, and thus the island (Ussher & Baling 2007). Periodic surveys of the as candidates for translocation (with the exception of northern population are conducted by Massey University to determine tuatara, Sphenodon punctatus). There has been an increase the population density and genetic structure. Initial results from in support for and recognition of the role of reptiles within a mark-recapture study indicate the W. maculata population size New Zealand ecosystems, including plant-animal interactions is larger than previously expected (W. Ji, unpub. data). This (Whitaker 1987; Lord & Marshall 2001; Wotton 2002; Smith remnant population has persisted in the presence of introduced 2009), predator-prey dynamics (Markwell 1998; Ball & Parrish predators, particularly kiore (Rattus exulans), by surviving in 2005), and island nutrient cycling (Mulder & Keall 2001). the crevices of the coastal cliffs. However, the recovery rate This has prompted many restoration groups to focus their of W. maculata seems to be slow, with the population still conservation initiatives on restoring and monitoring reptile largely confined to coastal cliffs 11 years after all kiore were communities (e.g. Ritchie 2000; Gardner-Gee et al. 2007). removed from the island. The purpose of this paper is to describe the variety of The three other species that are either unconfirmed or projects that have been initiated for reptile conservation considered extinct on Tiritiri Matangi are S. punctatus, shore on Tiritiri Matangi, to discuss the scientific drivers behind skink (O. smithi) and Auckland green gecko (Naultinus population restoration efforts and the role of public involvement elegans). Evidence for the past existence of S. punctatus on in the long-term monitoring of scientific programmes. the island is derived from a single bone found in a midden site (pre-dating the apparent Maori settlement on the island) during excavations for wharf structures in the 1990s (R. Brassey, Baseline information on resident reptiles pers. comm.). Additionally, accounts by a lighthouse keeper of handling a live tuatara while stationed on the island in the Prior to planning the restoration of reptile communities for a early 1900s, adds further support for the historical presence given island, baseline knowledge
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