Glossary Critical thermal limits (CTL): CTLs are a suite of commonly used measures of the maximum and minimum temperatures at which organisms can viably function. Individuals are exposed to either static stressful temperatures or gradually ramping temperatures and observed for physiological failure; e.g., uncoordinated movement, heat coma, or death [1]. Typically, either the duration of exposure or the temperature at which loss of viability is observed is recorded as the thermal limit. Fecundity: The total number of offspring an individual can produce across a set interval or lifetime. Fertility: The ability of an organism to produce viable offspring. Fertility can be measured in a number of ways but always reaches its lower limit when conditions prevent an individual from producing any offspring (i.e. sterility). Hardening: Increased thermal tolerance shown by organisms after a short period of exposure to a stressful but non-lethal temperature within the same life stage. Hardening tests are one component of a species plastic response when exposed to stressful temperatures [2]. Sterility: Describes an individual that cannot produce any offspring over a defined period, and thus is synonymous with complete infertility. Thermal fertility limits (TFL): Outlined here for the first time, TFLs refer to a level and duration of thermal stress that renders individuals unable to reproduce. For populations and species this can be defined as the temperature at which a given proportion of individuals are qualitatively sterile and it includes both higher (TFMAX) and lower (TFMIN) thermal stress
Since 1986 the Conservation Commission of the Northern Territory has operated a programme to
remove 'problem' saltwater crocodiles from waters in and adjoining the township of Nhulunbuy.
Over a period of five years, 52 different saltwater crocodiles (44 male) were captured. Most (48) were
released at remote sites designated by the traditional Aboriginal owners of the surrounding lands.
Release distances from the township varied from 17 to 282 km (by coastline). Many crocodiles (47.9%),
including those released at the most distant sites, returned to, and were subsequently recaptured at, the
township. Total capture rates (initial captures and recaptures pooled) varied seasonally, with fewer
crocodiles being caught in the cooler dry season. During the wet season capture rates remained high,
but relatively fewer 'new' crocodiles were caught. Probability of recapture could not be related to
distance and direction of release from the township, nor size and sex of the released crocodile.
Frequency of capture of individual crocodiles (1-8 times) was also unrelated to these variables. The
high rates of return indicate that relocation is unlikely to be an effective strategy for managing humancrocodile
interactions, at least in areas where potential release sites already support saltwater crocodile
populations near carrying capacity.
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