Reproductive patterns of a biologically invasive species: the brown tree snake (<i>Boiga irregularis</i>) in eastern Australia

Whittier, Joan M.; Limpus, Duncan J.

doi:10.1111/j.1469-7998.1996.tb05416.x

Cited by 18 publications

(17 citation statements)

References 8 publications

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“…Moulting also takes about 7 days in B. irregularis , but occurs only 2–4 times per year (Collins & Rodda 1994). Reproduction is likely to occur over an appreciably longer period (Whittier & Limpus 1996). As many snakes probably did not become sated in association with the 7‐day period observed (attractant mice were protected in their own cages), it is possible that 7 days represent the optimal time investment before a snake changes foraging location.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Evaluation of trap capture in a geographically closed population of brown treesnakes on Guam

Tyrrell

Christy

Rodda

et al. 2009

Journal of Applied Ecology

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Summary 1.Open population mark-recapture analysis of unbounded populations accommodates some types of closure violations (e.g. emigration, immigration). In contrast, closed population analysis of such populations readily allows estimation of capture heterogeneity and behavioural response, but requires crucial assumptions about closure (e.g. no permanent emigration) that are suspect and rarely tested empirically. 2. In 2003, we erected a double-sided barrier to prevent movement of snakes in or out of a 5-ha semi-forested study site in northern Guam. This geographically closed population of >100 snakes was monitored using a series of transects for visual searches and a 13 × 13 trapping array, with the aim of marking all snakes within the site. Forty-five marked snakes were also supplemented into the resident population to quantify the efficacy of our sampling methods. We used the program mark to analyse trap captures (101 occasions), referenced to census data from visual surveys, and quantified heterogeneity, behavioural response, and size bias in trappability. Analytical inclusion of untrapped individuals greatly improved precision in the estimation of some covariate effects. 3. A novel discovery was that trap captures for individual snakes consisted of asynchronous bouts of high capture probability lasting about 7 days (ephemeral behavioural effect). There was modest behavioural response (trap happiness) and significant latent (unexplained) heterogeneity, with small influences on capture success of date, gender, residency status (translocated or not), and body condition. 4. Trapping was shown to be an effective tool for eradicating large brown treesnakes Boiga irregularis (>900 mm snout-vent length, SVL). 5. Synthesis and applications. Mark-recapture modelling is commonly used by ecological managers to estimate populations. However, existing models involve making assumptions about either closure violations or response to capture. Physical closure of our population on a landscape scale allowed us to determine the relative importance of covariates influencing capture probability (body size, trappability periods, and latent heterogeneity). This information was used to develop models in which different segments of the population could be assigned different probabilities of capture, and suggests that modelling of open populations should incorporate easily measured, but potentially overlooked, parameters such as body size or condition.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Evaluation of trap capture in a geographically closed population of brown treesnakes on Guam

Tyrrell

Christy

Rodda

et al. 2009

Journal of Applied Ecology

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“…For example, species in which isolated individuals can self-fertilize are generally good colonists (Baker 1965). Self-fertility is especially common in plants, but some female insects and vertebrates can store sperm and also colonize from a single introduction (Simberloff 1989, Whittier & Limpus 1996. Species with multiple reproductive strategies (e.g., both vegetative reproduction and seeds) (Huenneke & Vitousek 1990) or plants with multi-seeded fruits may also be good colonists.…”

Section: Initial Colonization Characteristics and Successful Establismentioning

confidence: 98%

The Population Biology of Invasive Species

Sakai

Allendorf

Holt

et al. 2001

Annu. Rev. Ecol. Syst.

3,223

2,864

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Contributions from the field of population biology hold promise for understanding and managing invasiveness; invasive species also offer excellent opportunities to study basic processes in population biology. Life history studies and demographic models may be valuable for examining the introduction of invasive species and identifying life history stages where management will be most effective. Evolutionary processes may be key features in determining whether invasive species establish and spread. Studies of genetic diversity and evolutionary changes should be useful for 0066-4162/01/1215-0305$14.00 305 Annu. Rev. Ecol. Syst. 2001.32:305-332. Downloaded from www.annualreviews.org by NORTH CAROLINA STATE UNIVERSITY on 09/26/12. For personal use only. 306 SAKAI ET AL.understanding the potential for colonization and establishment, geographic patterns of invasion and range expansion, lag times, and the potential for evolutionary responses to novel environments, including management practices. The consequences of biological invasions permit study of basic evolutionary processes, as invaders often evolve rapidly in response to novel abiotic and biotic conditions, and native species evolve in response to the invasion.

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“…A well-established population of H. mabouia was found living in an outcrops non-urban environment of Valinhos municipality (22°56'S; 46°55'W), in state of São Paulo, Brazil. The knowledge about the reproductive process of an invasive species is the key to understand its success as an invader, as well as to control established populations (WHITTIER & LIMPUS, 1996). Hemidactylus mabouia has a "fixed" clutch size, producing two eggs per clutch, with a yearround reproduction (VITT, 1986;MESHAKA, 1994;but see BONFIGLIO et al, 2005).…”

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confidence: 99%

Reproductive ecology of the invader species gekkonid lizard Hemidactylus mabouia in an area of southeastern Brazil

Anjos

Rocha

2008

Iheringia, Sér. Zool.

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ABSTRACT. Hemidactylus mabouia Moreau de Jonnés, 1818 is a "fixed" clutch size exotic species well established in Brazil. In this paper we investigate some reproductive strategies adopted to minimize the costs of invariant clutch size to this invader species living in an environment with marked climatic seasonality in Southeastern Brazil (22°56'S; 46°55'W). The study was carried out from April 2002 to March 2003. Females and males attain maturity at 47.9mm and 46.9mm SVL, respectively. Larger females tended to produce larger eggs. The reproduction occurred throughout the year, but only at the wet season the females increase the clutch frequency. There was a significant variation in mean testis volume among the months throughout the year and the largest means were recorded between August and December. Maternal investment on egg size, increase on clutch frequency and seasonal increase on testis volume can represent important reproductive strategies of this invader species living in an non-urban habitat whit climatic seasonality (dry and cold weather season). KEYWORDS.Hemidactylus, exotic species, reproduction, egg size relationships.RESUMO. Ecologia reprodutiva da espécie de lagarto gekkonídeo invasora Hemidactylus mabouia em uma área do sudeste do Brasil. Hemidactylus mabouia Moreau de Jonnés, 1818 é uma espécie exótica, com tamanho fixo de ninhada e bem estabelecida no Brasil. Neste estudo foram investigadas algumas estratégias reprodutivas adotadas no sentido de minimizar os custos do tamanho fixo de ninhada nesta população que vive em uma região onde há uma marcada sazonalidade climática. O estudo foi realizado entre abril de 2002 e março de 2003 em Valinhos (22°56'S; 46°55'W; sudeste do Brasil). Os resultados indicaram que as fêmeas atingem a maturidade sexual com 47,9mm enquanto que os machos com 46,9mm. As fêmeas maiores tendem a produzir ovos maiores. A reprodução ocorre ao longo do ano todo, mas somente durante a estação úmida as fêmeas aumentam a freqüência reprodutiva. O tamanho médio dos testículos sofre uma variação ao longo do ano e as maiores médias foram registradas entre os meses de agosto e dezembro. Investimento maternal no tamanho do ovo, aumento na freqüência reprodutiva e aumento sazonal no volume médio dos testículos podem representar uma importante estratégia reprodutiva desta espécie invasora que habita um campo ruderal com sazonalidade climática marcada (estação fria e seca bem definida). PALAVRAS-CHAVE.Hemidactylus, espécie exótica, reprodução, tamanho de ovo.

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Reproductive patterns of a biologically invasive species: the brown tree snake (Boiga irregularis) in eastern Australia

Cited by 18 publications

References 8 publications

Evaluation of trap capture in a geographically closed population of brown treesnakes on Guam

Evaluation of trap capture in a geographically closed population of brown treesnakes on Guam

The Population Biology of Invasive Species

Reproductive ecology of the invader species gekkonid lizard Hemidactylus mabouia in an area of southeastern Brazil

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