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Bradley HS, Craig MD, Cross AT, Tomlinson S, Bamford MJ, Bateman PW. Revealing microhabitat requirements of an endangered specialist lizard with LiDAR. Sci Rep 2022; 12:5193. [PMID: 35338156 PMCID: PMC8956745 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-08524-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/03/2021] [Accepted: 02/17/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
A central principle of threatened species management is the requirement for detailed understanding of species habitat requirements. Difficult terrain or cryptic behaviour can, however, make the study of habitat or microhabitat requirements difficult, calling for innovative data collection techniques. We used high-resolution terrestrial LiDAR imaging to develop three-dimensional models of log piles, quantifying the structural characteristics linked with occupancy of an endangered cryptic reptile, the western spiny-tailed skink (Egernia stokesii badia). Inhabited log piles were generally taller with smaller entrance hollows and a wider main log, had more high-hanging branches, fewer low-hanging branches, more mid- and understorey cover, and lower maximum canopy height. Significant characteristics linked with occupancy were longer log piles, an average of three logs, less canopy cover, and the presence of overhanging vegetation, likely relating to colony segregation, thermoregulatory requirements, and foraging opportunities. In addition to optimising translocation site selection, understanding microhabitat specificity of E. s. badia will help inform a range of management objectives, such as targeted monitoring and invasive predator control. There are also diverse opportunities for the application of this technology to a wide variety of future ecological studies and wildlife management initiatives pertaining to a range of cryptic, understudied taxa.
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Affiliation(s)
- Holly S Bradley
- ARC Centre for Mine Site Restoration, School of Molecular and Life Sciences, Curtin University, Kent Street, Bentley, Perth, WA, 6102, Australia.
| | - Michael D Craig
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Western Australia, Crawley, WA, 6009, Australia.,School of Veterinary and Life Sciences, Murdoch University, Murdoch, WA, 6150, Australia
| | - Adam T Cross
- ARC Centre for Mine Site Restoration, School of Molecular and Life Sciences, Curtin University, Kent Street, Bentley, Perth, WA, 6102, Australia.,EcoHealth Network (http://ecohealthglobal.org), 1330 Beacon St, Suite 355a, Brookline, MA, 02446, USA
| | - Sean Tomlinson
- School of Molecular and Life Sciences, Curtin University, Kent Street, Bentley, Perth, WA, 6102, Australia.,Kings Park Science, Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions, Kattij Close, Kings Park, WA, 6005, Australia.,School of Biological Sciences, University of Adelaide, North Terrace, Adelaide, SA, 5000, Australia
| | - Michael J Bamford
- Bamford Consulting Ecologists, Plover Way, Kingsley, WA, 6026, Australia
| | - Philip W Bateman
- Behavioural Ecology Laboratory, School of Molecular and Life Sciences, Curtin University, Kent Street, Bentley, Perth, WA, 6102, Australia
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Hansen NA, Driscoll DA, Michael DR, Lindenmayer DB. Movement patterns of an arboreal gecko in fragmented agricultural landscapes reveal matrix avoidance. Anim Conserv 2019. [DOI: 10.1111/acv.12505] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- N. A. Hansen
- Fenner School of Environmental and Society The Australian National University Canberra ACT Australia
| | - D. A. Driscoll
- School of Life and Environmental Sciences Deakin University Melbourne VIC Australia
| | - D. R. Michael
- Fenner School of Environmental and Society The Australian National University Canberra ACT Australia
| | - D. B. Lindenmayer
- Fenner School of Environmental and Society The Australian National University Canberra ACT Australia
- Sustainable Farms Fenner School of Environmental and Society The Australian National University Canberra ACT Australia
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Triska MD, Craig MD, Stokes VL, Pech RP, Hobbs RJ. Conserving reptiles within a multiple-use landscape: determining habitat affiliations of reptile communities in the northern jarrah forest of south-western Australia. AUST J ZOOL 2017. [DOI: 10.1071/zo16074] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
Disturbed landscapes can provide habitat for a variety of species; however, for fauna, a strong understanding of their habitat affiliations is critical both to detect species and to develop management prescriptions to maintain their populations. We assessed habitat affiliations of common, uncommon and rare reptile species in a multiple-use landscape, the northern jarrah forest of south-western Australia. To identify predictors of reptile occurrence, we related reptile presence/absence, or relative abundance, to habitat, climatic and seasonal variables. Because the reptiles studied have cryptic behaviours and low numbers of detections, we used a combination of analyses including non-metric multi-dimensional scaling, occupancy and regression models. We identified specific habitat affiliations for the most common species and potential linkages with vegetation structure for most uncommon species. There were insufficient detections to determine habitat affiliations accurately for most rare species. Often species were detected too infrequently to determine specific habitat variables that influence occupancy and detection, and altering survey time and scale may increase detections so that habitat affiliations can be determined. However, in highly speciose landscapes, like our study area, we may not be able to wait until we have enough detections to define the habitat affiliations of all reptiles before we make management decisions. Therefore management activities that maintain habitat heterogeneity and complexity is likely to be the best strategy to conserve the most reptile species.
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Craig MD, Stokes VL, Hardy GES, Hobbs RJ. Edge effects across boundaries between natural and restored jarrah (Eucalyptus marginata) forests in south-western Australia. AUSTRAL ECOL 2014. [DOI: 10.1111/aec.12193] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Michael D. Craig
- School of Veterinary and Life Sciences; Murdoch University; Murdoch WA 6150 Australia
- School of Plant Sciences; University of Western Australia; Nedlands West Australia Australia
| | | | - Giles E. StJ. Hardy
- School of Veterinary and Life Sciences; Murdoch University; Murdoch WA 6150 Australia
| | - Richard J. Hobbs
- School of Plant Sciences; University of Western Australia; Nedlands West Australia Australia
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Christie K, Stokes VL, Craig MD, Hobbs RJ. Microhabitat Preference ofEgernia napoleonisin Undisturbed Jarrah Forest, and Availability and Introduction of Microhabitats to Encourage Colonization of Restored Forest. Restor Ecol 2013. [DOI: 10.1111/rec.12002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Kimberley Christie
- School of Plant Biology; The University of Western Australia; Crawley WA 6009 Australia
| | - Vicki L. Stokes
- Alcoa World Alumina Australia Ltd; PO Box 172 Pinjarra WA 6208 Australia
| | - Michael D. Craig
- School of Plant Biology; The University of Western Australia; Crawley WA 6009 Australia
- School of Biological Sciences and Biotechnology; Murdoch University; 90 South Street Murdoch WA 6150 Australia
| | - Richard J. Hobbs
- School of Plant Biology; The University of Western Australia; Crawley WA 6009 Australia
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Craig MD, Hardy GESJ, Fontaine JB, Garkakalis MJ, Grigg AH, Grant CD, Fleming PA, Hobbs RJ. Identifying unidirectional and dynamic habitat filters to faunal recolonisation in restored mine-pits. J Appl Ecol 2012. [DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-2664.2012.02152.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
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Duckett PE, Stow AJ. Levels of dispersal and tail loss in an Australian gecko (Gehyra variegata) are associated with differences in forest structure. AUST J ZOOL 2011. [DOI: 10.1071/zo11055] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
Corridors of natural habitat are often sought to maintain dispersal and gene flow among habitat patches. However, structural changes in natural habitat over space and time may influence connectivity. Here we investigate whether differences in forest structure and the frequency of potential retreat sites is associated with the genetic structure of a tree-dwelling Australian gecko (Gehyra variegata). We sampled 113 adult geckos from multiple state forest and adjacent reserve locations within the Pilliga forest, New South Wales, Australia. Individuals were genotyped at 14 microsatellite loci and levels of dispersal were inferred by the degree of genetic structuring observed in state forest and reserve. A greater proportion of dead trees and tree debris (features that are used as retreat sites by G. variegata) were present within the state forests than in the reserve locations (P < 0.05). This reduction in frequency of retreat sites in reserves was associated with significantly less genetic structuring of G. variegata, implying higher levels of dispersal. Tail loss was also significantly higher in G. variegata sampled in reserves than in the state forests. We conclude that dispersal characteristics in G. variegata are associated with structural changes to natural habitat and that this may influence rates of predation.
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Christie K, Craig MD, Stokes VL, Hobbs RJ. Movement patterns by Egernia napoleonis following reintroduction into restored jarrah forest. WILDLIFE RESEARCH 2011. [DOI: 10.1071/wr11063] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
Context
The value of animal reintroduction as a conservation tool is debated. This is largely because the limited quantity of research that has been conducted on animal reintroductions has shown varying degrees of success in establishing new populations. The reasons why some reintroductions are successful, whereas others are not, are often not clear.
Aims
The present research aims to determine whether reptile reintroduction into restored mine pits is a potential management technique for managing and conserving reptile populations within a mined landscape.
Methods
Twelve Napoleon’s skinks were trapped then fitted with 0.9-g transmitters. Half were reintroduced into 5-year-old restored mine pits and the other half into unmined forest. Bodyweights, movement patterns and macro-habitat selection were recorded weekly during November and then monthly until March.
Key results
Skinks reintroduced into restored sites quickly moved into unmined forest. Both groups of skinks moved large distances, but those reintroduced into restored sites travelled further than did control skinks and took longer to reduce their distances travelled, showing possible stress as a result of release into unsuitable habitat. Eventually, almost all skinks found suitable habitat in unmined forest and settled into these areas while continuing to gain weight.
Conclusions
Reintroduction was an ineffective technique for facilitating colonisation of restored minesites by Napoleon’s skink. Lack of suitable micro-habitats within restoration areas, such as ground logs and coarse, woody debris piles, is likely limiting the use of these areas by Napoleon’s skinks and is likely to be the cause of their failure to remain or settle in restored sites after reintroduction.
Implications
Determining the habitat requirements of skinks and replicating this in restoration sites would seem the more appropriate management option than is reintroduction, and this may be the case for other reptiles and habitat specialists.
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