The robust grasshopper Brachaspis robustus Jennifer Schori Tara - - PowerPoint PPT Presentation
The robust grasshopper Brachaspis robustus Jennifer Schori Tara Murray (UC Forestry) & Tammy Steeves (UC SBS) Conservation translocation The intentional movement and release of a living organism where the primary objective is a
Jennifer Schori Tara Murray (UC Forestry) & Tammy Steeves (UC SBS) Brachaspis robustus
Achieving a conservation benefit
“ The intentional movement and release of a living organism where the primary objective is a conservation benefit ”
– IUCN 2013
Achieving a conservation benefit
“ The intentional movement and release of a living organism where the primary objective is a conservation benefit ”
– IUCN 2013
Males and females mate with multiple individuals of the opposite sex
season (probably more)
and 35 eggs
Achieving a conservation benefit
“ The intentional movement and release of a living organism where the primary objective is a conservation benefit ”
– IUCN 2013
Nocturnal behaviour of adult females is highly vulnerable to predation by nocturnal mammals
No predator control Predator control
50 100 150 200 2007 2009 2011 2013 2015 2017 Max count
Upper Ohau
50 100 150 200 2007 2009 2011 2013 2015 2017 Max count
Tekapo
50 100 150 200 2007 2009 2011 2013 2015 2017 Max count
Lower Ohau
Counted 14 more individuals on average each year
p = 0.06 p = 0.34 p = 0.16
10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100 Feb Feb Feb Mar Mar Apr Sep Oct Oct Nov Nov Dec Dec Jan Jan Jan Feb
Population Size Recapture Occasion Observed: PRA Observed: Non PRA PRA = Predator Reduced Area Non PRA = Non Predator Reduced Area
10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100 Feb Feb Feb Mar Mar Apr Sep Oct Oct Nov Nov Dec Dec Jan Jan Jan Feb
Population Size Recapture Occasion Observed: PRA Observed: Non PRA Estimated: PRA Estimated: Non PRA PRA = Predator Reduced Area Non PRA = Non Predator Reduced Area
Minnow trapping:
Only caught 2 lizards!
https://www.jonesfish.com/ Minnow trapping:
Only caught 2 lizards!
Visual searches:
In PRA In Non PRA
https://www.jonesfish.com/ Minnow trapping:
Only caught 2 lizards!
Visual searches: Tracking tunnels:
Fewer hedgehogs in PRA
(p=<0.001, df=)
10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90
Cat Hedgehog Mouse Mustelid Skink Gecko Tracking rate
PRA Non PRA
*
In PRA In Non PRA
https://www.jonesfish.com/ http://sciencelearn.org.nz/ Stress, dispersal, starvation
Only hedgehogs present in significantly lower abundance
Birds, skinks, predatory invertebrates
Continuous moulting, highly cryptic
Conclusion: Moderate predator control not sufficient
Stress, dispersal, starvation
Only hedgehogs present in significantly lower abundance
Birds, skinks, predatory invertebrates
Continuous moulting, highly cryptic
Many thanks to: Tara Murray, Tammy Steeves, Carol Burke, Richard Maloney and DOC Twizel staff Department of Conservation Environment Canterbury Forest and Bird, JS Watson Trust, Stocker Scholarship NZFGW Canterbury Branch, Sadie Balkind Award University of Canterbury, Doctoral Scholarship And everyone else who has helped along the way!