Issues
BioGecko Issue 1 (May 2012)
We outline our articles in press here. Pre-press PDFs are not available, and page numbers are not yet affixed.
--BELL, TRENT. Editorial.
--HERBERT, SARAH. Associate-Editor’s Comment.
--NÁJERA-HILLMAN, EDUARDO.
Evaluation of endemic frog (Leiopelma hochstetteri) habitat through a spatial decision support system.
Abstract: Although several Leiopelma hochstetteri population studies have provided information about the habitat-use of the species, little effort has been made to convert much of this knowledge into a model of spatial habitat value useful for planning. This work proposes a method for translating L. hochstetteri habitat-use information into geographic digital data, which is processed with a spatial decision support system to calculate habitat suitability scores for specific areas within a particular region. This approach has the potential to calculate Hochstetter’s frog habitat suitability scores for different locations and scenarios within a particular area and is useful to produce habitat suitability maps. Moreover, the flexibility of this method offers the possibility of producing models for the evaluation of habitat quality for different species around the world.
--BELL, TRENT; WILSON, CRAIG & HERBERT, SARAH.
Determining a conservation threat classification for the Nevis skink, Oligosoma toka.
Abstract: A survey was undertaken during October 2011 in order to assign the Data Deficient Nevis skink (Oligosoma toka) a conservation threat classification. We recommend that this species be assigned the new threat category of ‘Naturally Uncommon (One Location, Data Poor)’, since this rank appears to be the best fit for this species, in accordance to currently available information on range and abundance. The qualifier ‘One Location’ is based on the following considerations: (a) the Nevis skink appears to be unique to the Nevis Valley—a geographically distinct intermontaine basin, (b) the entire skink population should be considered as one large meta-population, and (c) the range of the Nevis skink is not known to exceed 8,900 hectares. In this scenario, a single event (such as a predator irruption or further habitat loss) could affect all individuals in the meta-population. The qualifier ‘Data Poor’ is included due to the uncertainty of population numbers and trends, although we have crudely estimated the population to be around 20,000 individuals.
--FRANK, HERMANN
Rediscovery of the spotted skink Oligosoma aff. lineoocellatum ‘Central Canterbury’ in lowland South Canterbury, New Zealand.
Abstract: Abstract to come.
--Brevities
--MELGREN, PHILIP. Recollections of observations of the goldstripe gecko, Woodworthia chrysosireticus Robb 1980, in suburban New Plymouth.
--NELSON-TUNLEY, MONIQUA & BLAYNEY, ANDREW. Small-scaled skink society; an interesting research topic?
--Photo Galleries
--BLAYNEY, ANDREW & BELL, TRENT. The Strange Case of the Macabre Geckos of Central Otago, And, Other Stories.
--STEPHENSON, BRENT. Suter’s skink (Oligosoma suteri) scavenging from a dolphin carcass.
--STEPHENSON, BRENT. Moko skinks (Oligosoma moco) feeding from flowers of the coastal ngaio (Myoporum laetum).
--JAN KELLY. A cautionary tale—Discarded bottle entraps skinks to their demise.