Extended gestation with late‐autumn births in a cool‐climate viviparous gecko from southern New Zealand (Reptilia: Naultinus gemmeus)

Abstract Female viviparous lizards from temperate locations in the Southern Hemisphere (New Zealand, Tasmania (Australia), South Africa and South America) often have reproductive activity spanning many months of the year. In contrast, vitellogenesis and pregnancy are often confined to the spring/summer months in viviparous species from temperate zones of the Northern Hemisphere. An extreme Southern Hemisphere example is the nocturnal common gecko from New Zealand, Hoplodactylus maculatus (Gray 1845), in which females exhibit biennial reproduction with pregnancy lasting up to 14 months in a cool‐climate population. Here, we examined whether such an extended reproductive cycle also occurs in a diurnal species, the jewelled gecko Naultinus gemmeus (McCann 1955), at a similar latitude. Palpation was used to assess reproductive condition non‐invasively. In contrast to the nearby higher‐altitude population of H. maculatus, N. gemmeus reproduces annually. Vitellogenesis occurs from autumn to spring in both species, but pregnancy ends after about 7 months in N. gemmeus. Birth occurs in the seemingly unpropitious season of mid‐ to late autumn, a pattern that may be unique for lizards from cool‐temperate zones. We hypothesize that there are major differences between populations of N. gemmeus and H. maculatus with respect to survival of autumn‐born neonates and/or costs to females from remaining pregnant over winter. Museum specimens of N. gemmeus support anatomical inferences from palpation; they also suggest that vitellogenesis may begin before the end of pregnancy (which may be essential to completing each reproductive cycle within a year) and that some populations may show gestation in utero over winter, as in H. maculatus. Extended gestation appears to be a common response to cool climates for Southern Hemisphere lizards that have independently evolved viviparity.     

The formulation of a national strategy for biological control of possums and bovine Tb

Abstract

The Government has designated the control of possums and bovine Tb a National Science Strategy (NSS) research area. An NSS Committee has been appointed by the Ministry of Research Science and Technology, commissioned to “identify, coordinate and promote national priorities for possum and tuberculosis (Mycobacterium bovis) related research in order that threats both to New Zealand's export markets and to conservation values can be eliminated”.     

Attempting to Manage Complex Predator-Prey Interactions Fails to Avert Imminent Extinction of a Threatened New Zealand Skink Population

Abstract: The current primary threats to biodiversity on a global scale are species invasions and habitat modification. Management of vulnerable populations often involves a lengthy sequence of 1) research to identify threats and recommend management strategies, 2) active management, and 3) results monitoring to assess effectiveness of management. The last mainland population of the large, endemic New Zealand skink (Whitaker's skink [Cyclodina whitakeri]) provides an opportunity to test this process in a system where the synergistic effects between invasive species (introduced rodents and grasses) have predicted outcomes. A low abundance of Whitaker's skink at the Pukerua Bay Scientific Reserve in the 1980s prompted management recommendations to remove grazing stock and revegetate the site to simultaneously restore habitat and provide protection against introduced mammalian predators. Since Whitaker's skink have low detectability, it was recommended that sympatric copper skink (C. aenea) be used an indicator species of management effectiveness. Grazing stock were removed in 1987, but efforts to revegetate the site were ineffective. Long-term monitoring (1984-2006) of the Whitaker's skink population and 4 other sympatric lizard species within a 336-m² area at the site resulted in 1,693 lizard captures over 7,597 trap days. Whitaker's skink represented 2.8% of all captures in 1984-1988, but declined relative to other species to represent only 0.2% of captures in 2000-2006 (representing 2 individuals). Congeneric copper skink showed a similar decline with capture rates also approaching zero by 2006. Removing grazing stock did not result in an increased abundance of Whitaker's skink or copper skink through improved habitat quality, as was intended by the management recommendation. Instead, reduced grazing has allowed introduced seeding grasses to proliferate, which may have led to periodic rodent irruptions, supporting a guild of introduced mammalian predators and depleting populations of Whitaker's skink and copper skink. In this instance, attempted protection may have driven a vulnerable population towards extinction. We recommend investigating the feasibility of constructing a mammal-proof fence around the core Whitaker's skink habitat, as the last remaining management option to salvage the population.     

Tetrameres tarapungae n.sp. (Nematoda: Spirurida), a parasite of the red-billed gull,Larus novaehollandiae scopulinus

Abstract

Tetrameres (Tetrameres) tarapungae n.sp. is described from specimens from the proventriculus of juvenile red-billed gulls from Kaikoura, New Zealand. The male is characterised by having two short rows of lateral cervical cuticular spines that do not extend beyond the middle of the oesophagus, a body length of 2.2–2.6 mm, and the larger spicule longer than half the body length. The male tail bears four pairs of subventral papillae and two pairs of lateral papillae. The pathology of the infections is described briefly.     

The proper latin designation of Duvaucel’s gecko,with comments on specimens of historical note

Abstract

Duvaucel’s gecko is properly referred to as Hoplodactylus duvaucelii; other renderings of the specific epithet are incorrect. The existence of some historically important specimens of the species, including a newly rediscovered syntype, is noted.     

Pest problems: The view of the New Zealand Forest Owners' Association

Abstract

Plantation forests are very important to the New Zealand economy. They cover 1.3 million hectares (5% of the total land area) of New Zealand; 72% of all planted production forests are in the North Island, 40% in the central North Island. The total log volume cut is 14.8 million m³/yr, and the foreign exchange earnings from plantation forestry is $1.9 billion.     

Organising pest control by contract

Abstract

The Otago Regional Council uses contractors for control of both possums and rabbits. There is now a much greater emphasis on involving farmers in control work.

In Central Otago, rabbit poisoning operations are carried out under negotiated contracts; landholders provide much of the labour, and Council staff the 1080 and job supervision. This year we are trying a pilot programme for possum control, under which the Council will buy the skins and pay a bonus if a 75% reduction in possum numbers is achieved over a defined area in a certain time.

This paper discusses the details of the various contracts and the practical changes made to improve the job management programme.     

Hair follicle mites (Demodex spp.) in New Zealand

Reports of demodicids in New Zealand are reviewed to 1972. Skin scrapings from 516 individual mammals of 21 species were examined for Demodex spp. Thirteen species were recovered from 10 host species; 8 are demodicids not previously reported from New Zealand. Six domestic mammal species examined had an incidence of demodicidosis from 4% to 60%. Peculiar small demodectic lesions are reported from cattle eyelids. Histological sections of swine eyelids showing no gross signs of infestation revealed a typical granulomatous response. Demodectic infestations are of some economic concern in New Zealand, and are more common and important than had been supposed.     

Hoplodactylus rakiurae n.sp. (Reptilia: Gekkonidae) from Stewart Island,New Zealand,and comments on the taxonomic status of Heteropholis nebulosus McCann

Abstract

Hoplodactylus rakiurae n.sp. is described, and some aspects of its ecology arc noted. It has enlarged apical plates on all digits, and is the most brightly coloured Hoplodactylus. Heteropholis nebulosus McCann, also from Stewart Island, is synonymised with Hoplodactylus granulatus (Gray), for which an updated synonymy is listed and discussed.