Hoplodactylus granulatus

About: Hoplodactylus granulatus is a research topic. Over the lifetime, 5 publications have been published within this topic receiving 167 citations.

The detection and identification of tuatara and gecko scents by dogs

Abstract: This study examined the ability of dogs (Canis familiaris) to detect the scent of tuatara (Sphenodon punctatus), Marlborough green gecko (Naultinus manukanus), and forest gecko (Hoplodactylus granulatus). Tuatara and gecko are endemic New Zealand reptiles, and many of their populations are managed in the field for conservation reasons. This research aimed to assess the potential of detection dogs to be used for reptile conservation. Twenty dogs were recruited from 2 dog training clubs to participate in 2 studies: one using tuatara scents and the other using gecko scents. Within each study, the dogs' ability to detect scents was evaluated in a series of experiments which required them to identify a target scent. Target scents included human scent, tuatara and gecko scats (feces), sloughed skins, and paper towels on which captive reptiles had sat. The dogs identified human, tuatara, and gecko scents with average success rates of up to 97.8%, 97.8% and 86.7%. The dogs could detect fresh and old reptile scats and discriminate between different reptile scents. The detection successes were significantly higher than expected if the dogs were selecting scents at random. This research shows that dogs can detect tuatara and gecko scents and could be used in conservation work. Dogs may complement or provide an alternative to the visual methods currently used to locate these reptiles.

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.

Redescription of Neotrombicula naultini (Dumbleton, 1947) and descriptions of two new species of chiggers from New Zealand (Acari: Trombiculidae)

Abstract: Neotrombicula naultini (Dumbleton, 1947) was redescribed from the type specimen and additional specimens collected off Hoplodactylus granulatus (= Dactylocnemus granulatus), Hoplodactylus maculatus, and Hoplodactylus pacificus in New Zealand. Neotrombicula sphenodonti and Microtrombicula hoplodactyla were described, as new species, from specimens collected from New Zealand reptiles.

The use of dogs to detect New Zealand reptile scents : a thesis presented in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Science in Zoology at Massey University, Palmerston North, New Zealand

Abstract: This study examined the abil i ty o f domest ic dogs ( Canisfamiliaris) to detect the scent o f t h e Cook Strait tuatara (Sphenodon puncta/us) , Marlborough green gecko (Naultinus manukanus) and forest gecko (Hoplodactylus granulatus) . H andlers from two local dog training clubs with a total of 20 dogs participated in this study. The dogs ' capacity to detect human and rept i les scents was evaluated in a series of tria ls . Each trial required the dogs to ident i fy a d i fferent target scent, and consist ed of nine rep l icate scent discriminat ion exerc ises. In the exercises the dogs were presented with a l ine of c loths. One or more of the c loths contained scent and the dogs were commanded to locate a spec ific scented c loth. Tuatara and gecko seats, s loughed skins and paper towels capt ive individuals had been s itt ing on were used to imbue the c loths with rept i le scent . The dogs were able to ident ify human, tuatara and gecko scents with average success rates o f up to 96. 3%, 93 . 7% and 86. 7%, respective ly. The dogs could detect fresh repti le seats, seats that had been exposed in nat ive forest for two weeks and discriminate between several di ffcrcnt rept i le scents. The detection successes were signi ficantly h igher than would be expected if the dogs were select ing c lo ths at random (p = 0.05). The average results of each tria l and the success rates of ind iv idual dogs were s ignificantly d i fferent at both dog c lubs (p = 0.000). The results indicate that the methods used in th is study arc a good model for scent discrimination research, and dogs cou ld be used to detect tuatara and gecko species for conservation work. Dogs may provide an alternat ive to the visual methods currently used to locate these rept i les .