Estimating Abundance, Age Structure and Sex Ratio of a Recently Discovered New Zealand Tusked Weta Motuweta Riparia (Orthoptera
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McCARTNEYAvailable on-line ET at: AL http://www.nzes.org.nz/nzje: ESTIMATING ABUNDANCE OF TUSKED WETA 229 Estimating abundance, age structure and sex ratio of a recently discovered New Zealand tusked weta Motuweta riparia (Orthoptera, Anostostomatidae), using mark-recapture analysis. Jay McCartney1*, Doug P. Armstrong1, Darryl T. Gwynne2, Clint D. Kelly2, and Richard J. Barker3 1Ecology Group, Institute of Natural Resources, Massey University, Private Bag 11-222, Palmerston North, New Zealand 2Biology Department, University of Toronto, Mississauga, Ontario, L5L 1C6, Canada 3Department of Mathematics and Statistics, University of Otago, P.O. Box 56, Dunedin, New Zealand *Author for correspondence (E-mail: [email protected]) Published on-line: 20 March 2006 ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Abstract: Estimates of abundance, age structure and sex ratio are essential for monitoring the status of populations. We report the first attempt to reliably estimate these parameters in a population of the recently discovered Raukumara tusked weta (Motuweta riparia), which is found almost entirely near streams. On two occasions we searched a 211-m section of creek for 4–5 successive nights and individually marked all weta. We estimated abundance of adults and juveniles using closed-population mark-recapture analysis. The choice of mark-recapture model made a substantial difference to the estimated abundance (116–238) and proportion of juveniles (32–72%). However, no single model was clearly better supported than any other. We therefore used model averaging to account for uncertainty in model choice, giving an estimate of 142 (95% CI 105–231) weta including 56 (95% CI 41–234) adults and 77 (95% CI 46–209) juveniles. This corresponds to a density of 0.11 (95% CI 0.08–0.18) weta per m2, assuming 3 m of habitat on either side of the creek. Recapture probability was much lower for adults (n = 2) than juveniles (n = 10), possibly caused by a difference in handling (adults were held overnight whereas juveniles were not). Slightly more juvenile males (n = 22) were caught than juvenile females (n = 21), but more adult females (n = 51) were caught than adult males (n = 31), suggesting a potentially higher mortality in males. An initial assessment of population size is crucial when considering the conservation status and management strategy of rare animals, such as the highly endangered Middle Island tusked weta. The immediate practical benefit of the methods developed here is therefore clear. In the long-term, these methods also have important implications for the continued monitoring of trends in other threatened invertebrate populations. ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Keywords: age structure; density; invertebrate conservation; mark-recapture analysis; New Zealand; sex ratio. Introduction (Moller, 1978; Moors et al., 1992; Sherley, 1998, 2001; Gibbs, 1998b). A new species of large tusked weta was recently Motuweta riparia is currently considered ‘secure discovered in the Raukumara Ranges of New Zealand in the medium term’, meaning no immediate (Gibbs, 1998a). Described as the Raukumara tusked conservation action is required (Sherley, 1998). weta (Motuweta riparia Gibbs, Orthoptera: Although its distribution has probably diminished due Anostostomatidae) (Gibbs, 2002), it is one of three to deforestation (Sherley, 1998), M. riparia has now endemic tusked weta and is most closely related to the been reported from at least 25 locations and is believed endangered Middle Island tusked weta (Motuweta to exist in large numbers over a wide area (Gibbs, isolata Johns) (Johns, 1997). Motuweta riparia are 2002; J. McCartney, pers. obs.). A wide distribution typically only found within a few metres of small and assumed resilience has led to the conclusion that streams, and often jump into the water when disturbed the Raukumara tusked weta is locally abundant (Burge, (Gibbs, 1998a; McIntyre, 1998). This behaviour may 2002). However, the status of local populations is explain its survival on the mainland given that large unknown, as research to date has been restricted to a terrestrial invertebrates have largely been extirpated handful of field observations (Gibbs, 1998a, 2002; by introduced mammals, such as rats, cats and stoats McIntyre, 1998), and two studies on behaviour and reproductive biology (Burge, 2002, 2005). New Zealand Journal of Ecology (2006) 30(2): 229-235 ©New Zealand Ecological Society 230 NEW ZEALAND JOURNAL OF ECOLOGY, VOL. 30, NO. 2, 2006 In this paper we use mark-recapture analysis to as far from the stream as we could without straying obtain the first reliable estimates of population density, more than 3 m from its edge. We were careful not to sex ratio and age structure for a Raukumara tusked disturb the area, and tried to focus our lights no more weta population. Such estimates are needed for than a few metres in front of us. Every 5 m we looked monitoring future trends in population structure (or back for weta that may have been missed. We placed health), and provide the first step toward developing a marker (labelled flagging tape on a 30 cm galvanised models that can be used to predict populations’ steel peg) every 5 m along the stream, and used these responses to management. While this research is to define the searched area. relevant to the population under study, it also provides methods that can be extrapolated to other populations Capture, marking and re-sighting of the same or related species. In particular, methods We captured weta by grasping the pronotum or by developed here may be utilized to assess and monitor placing a container over the weta and scooping it up. primary or translocated populations of rare species Newly found juveniles were held in a cloth, measured such as the highly endangered Middle Island tusked and marked (see below for details), and then released weta. where they were found. Adults were more difficult to process than juveniles (due to the precision required for measuring secondary sexual organs) so we collected Methods them into small plastic aerated containers containing some damp fern or moss. We inserted a galvanised Study site steel peg into the ground where each new weta was The study site is in indigenous bush on private land in captured or sighted and marked each weta’s the Wairata area of the Waioeka Gorge Road, at the identification number on a label and attached it to the South Western edge of the Raukumara Ranges, Bay of peg. The pegs had two functions: they were used to Plenty, North Island, New Zealand (38° 18'S, 177° ensure weta were released exactly where captured and 20'E). We restricted the study site to 3 m from the also as marking points to measure movement distances stream (at normal flow) because previous studies for when weta were later recaptured. The adult weta (Gibbs, 1998a; McIntyre, 1998) indicated that weta were then taken back to our hut (shearing quarters at were unlikely to be found further away. Wairata Forest Farm) where they were marked and Our site was centred on Weta Creek, a previously measured the following day. unnamed first/second order tributary to the Wairata For marking weta, we used a ‘White Out’ pen to Stream, and extended 3 m from the creek on each side. cover a substantial area of the pronotum (Trewick and The stream is in a narrow valley, with near-vertical Morgan-Richards, 2000; Christensen, 2003) with white sides 0–4 m from the stream’s edge. From its junction correcting fluid. When dry, we wrote an identification with Wairata Stream, Weta Creek runs for 211 m number on the white patch with a fine black permanent before it reaches a large 4-m tall waterfall, which we marker. Only one weta from 11 had been recaptured deemed the upper limit of our site. The defined study between field trips (21 days) and although the label area is therefore 1266 m2 excluding the stream itself. seemed undamaged we subsequently tested the marking The area around the stream consists of broadleaf technique in the laboratory on five captive tusked weta forest, similar to other sites where tusked weta are (three females and two males). The environment was found (Gibbs, 1998a; McIntyre, 1998; Burge, 2002), reconstructed realistically with gravel and stones from and the stream has unstable slopes and small flood the actual field site and a flowing river. We found that terraces similar to those described by Burge (2002) labels lasts at least three months without visible damage and Gibbs (2002). The stream has an average gradient to either the weta or marking (J. McCartney, unpubl. of about 5°. data). Additionally, we recorded the age (adult/juvenile) Field surveys and sex of each weta (see Gibbs, 1998a; McIntyre, We visited the study area from 15–19 May 2002 and 1998; and Stringer and Carey, 2001, for characteristics), 11–14 June 2002. Each night we started searching at and released them that night at their exact capture the base of Weta Creek and worked our way to the locations. When a marked weta was encountered, its waterfall. Searches started between 1800 and 1900 (1– identity was recorded along with the date and location, 2 h after dusk), irrespective of weather conditions, and but it was not disturbed. They were therefore took about 3–4 h. We carefully scanned the banks and “recaptured” in terms of mark-recapture analysis but surrounding vegetation using headlamps, with one were not literally recaptured. observer on each side of the stream. We were also careful to scan isolated rocks in the stream, and looked McCARTNEY ET AL: ESTIMATING ABUNDANCE OF TUSKED WETA 231 Analysis We considered three factors that could affect the We used closed-population mark-recapture analysis to probability of a weta being captured or detected: age, estimate the number of adults and juveniles within the a (adults or juvenile); time, t (differences among study area, and then divided by the area to obtain nights); and behaviour, b.