Zealand Endemics Research Articles

Taxonomic revision of the New Zealand endemic parasitoid genus Rhyssaloides Belokobylskij, 1999 (Hymenoptera: Braconidae)

AbstractThe New Zealand cyclostome braconid fauna is poorly studied but has a high diversity of Mesostoinae compared to other regions. We redescribe the endemic New Zealand genus Rhyssaloides Belokobylskij, 1999 and compare it to two morphologically similar New Zealand endemics, Zealastoa Quicke & Ward, 2020 and Doryctomorpha Ashmead, 1900. Two new species, Rh. maculatus sp. nov. and Rh. noyesi sp. nov., are described and illustrated. The species Rhyssaloides antipoda Belokobylskij, 1999, which is a parasitoid of the native cerambycid Ambeodontus tristis (Fabricius, 1775), is placed as a junior synonym of Rhyssaloides ambeodonti (Muesebeck, 1941), syn. nov. A key for determining the three known species is provided.

Field Assessment of Parasitism on the New Zealand Endemic Nyctemera Annulata by Cotesia Urabae: Can Non-Target Impacts Be Ruled Out?

Field Assessment of Parasitism on the New Zealand Endemic Nyctemera Annulata by Cotesia Urabae: Can Non-Target Impacts Be Ruled Out?

The Evolutionary History of New Zealand Deschampsia Is Marked by Long-Distance Dispersal, Endemism, and Hybridization.

Simple SummaryThe evolution of the flora of New Zealand has been the subject of many debates, including trans-oceanic dispersal and vicariance. Deschampsia, which is a grass genus distributed in cold–temperate regions of both hemispheres, includes the cosmopolitan D. cespitosa and several endemic species in New Zealand. We applied Restriction Site Associated DNA sequencing, plastid genome, and morphological data to study the evolution of Deschampsia in New Zealand. Native New Zealand D. cespitosa was found in a northern hemisphere clade together with samples of Europe, Canada, Russia, China, Korea, whereas the three endemics were found in a southern hemisphere clade, together with D. antarctica of Argentina and Antarctica. We hypothesize that the endemics diverged from a common ancestor with D. cespitosa in the late Miocene or Pliocene. Hybridization between D. cespitosa and the endemic D. chapmanii was confirmed. Our study qualifies as a model of thorough analyses for a non-model group and provides evidence for the evolutionary history of this widespread genus in New Zealand.The contrasting evolutionary histories of endemic versus related cosmopolitan species provide avenues to understand the spatial drivers and limitations of biodiversity. Here, we investigated the evolutionary history of three New Zealand endemic Deschampsia species, and how they are related to cosmopolitan D. cespitosa. We used RADseq to test species delimitations, infer a dated species tree, and investigate gene flow patterns between the New Zealand endemics and the D. cespitosa populations of New Zealand, Australia and Korea. Whole plastid DNA analysis was performed on a larger worldwide sampling. Morphometrics of selected characters were applied to New Zealand sampling. Our RADseq review of over 55 Mbp showed the endemics as genetically well-defined from each other. Their last common ancestor with D. cespitosa lived during the last ten MY. The New Zealand D. cespitosa appears in a clade with Australian and Korean samples. Whole plastid DNA analysis revealed the endemics as members of a southern hemisphere clade, excluding the extant D. cespitosa of New Zealand. Both data provided strong evidence for hybridization between D. cespitosa and D. chapmanii. Our findings provide evidence for at least two migration events of the genus Deschampsia to New Zealand and hybridization between D. cespitosa and endemic taxa.

A giant Oligocene fossil penguin from the North Island of New Zealand

ABSTRACT Penguins (Sphenisciformes) have arguably the most complete and continuous fossil record of any avian clade, offering an ever-improving understanding of penguin phylogeny, biogeography, and the evolution of wing-propelled diving. Yet, our knowledge of the precise body proportions of stem-group penguins remains poor due to a dearth of articulated specimens. Here, we describe Kairuku waewaeroa sp. nov., a new giant penguin species from the Glen Massey Formation (Whaingaroan stage, 34.6–27.3 Ma). The holotype skeleton, discovered in Kawhia Harbour, North Island, New Zealand, is one of the most complete skeletons of a giant penguin yet uncovered. Our phylogenetic analysis recovers a clade uniting the New Zealand endemics Kairuku waewaeroa, Kairuku waitaki, and Kairuku grebneffi, which is supported by synapomorphies including a stout femoral shaft and tibiotarsi with a distinctly convex medial condyle. Kairuku waewaeroa is unique among stem penguins in having elongate tibiotarsi, revealing a new long-legged stem penguin body plan. The discovery of Kairuku waewaeroa contributes yet another penguin species to an Oligocene avifauna for Zealandia that is replete with giant birds.

Biology and Management of the New Zealand Endemic Wheat Bug, Nysius huttoni (Hemiptera: Lygaeidae)

Abstract The wheat bug, Nysius huttoni White, mainly reported as a pest of wheat and forage brassicas, is native to New Zealand. This pest has been accidentally introduced into The Netherland and Belgium during apple exports from New Zealand. The bug population is abundant in open sparse vegetations and hot-dry habitats, and feeds on dropping seeds. It damages wheat grains during milk-ripe stage by piercing through the glumes into the developing grains that can reduce gluten protein and reduce baking quality. Bugs also suck phloem fluid from seedlings, which can reduce plant establishment in forage brassicas. Early scouting and field monitoring are suggested before making pest management decisions. Seed treatment with neonicotinoids, permethrin, and chlorpyrifos spray in the standing crops are chemical methods of management in New Zealand. These conventional synthetic pesticides have nontarget effects on human health, the environment, and biodiversity. However, preventive measures such as the use of less-susceptible cultivars, and using potential trap crops is other important pest management options. Alyssum (Lobularia maritima L. Desv. Brassicales: Brassicaceae) and wheat (Triticum aestivum L. Poales: Poaceae) are two potential trap crops of wheat bug. Kale (Brassica oleracea L.) cultivars, such as Corka and Regal, and wheat (Triticum aestivum) cultivars, such as Batten, Domino, and Oroua, are less-susceptible cultivars. Understanding the biology and ecology of the pest, and utilizing preventative pest management measures such as the use of trap crops and less-susceptible cultivars, and integrating these with ‘soft’ chemicals make a suitable integrated pest management strategy for this pest.

A revision of Australian Plagiochila (Lophocoleinae: Jungermanniopsida)

Fifty-five Plagiochila species are recognized for Australia and New Zealand. Nine of these are new, all from Australia eight of which come from the Wet Tropics Bioregion of north east Queensland and one from the south-eastern mesic archipelago. Four of the new species belong in the challenging, and neglected, section Vagae. Three species are new Australian records, P. daviesiana, P. monospiris, and P. streimannii; and one species, P. alta, is a new record for New Zealand. Six species, P. annotina, P. circumdentata, P. colensoi, P. deltoidea, P. gigantea and P. ramosissima, are excluded from Australia as these are all New Zealand endemics reported in error for Australia. One New Zealand species is reported new for Australia (P. baylisii). Four species are excluded from Australia, P. furcata, P. inflata, P. renitens and P. sciophila, as they are based on misidentifications or are not supported by voucher material or both. Another interpretation of the confusion surrounding the name Plagiochila baileyana is presented, wherein Plagiochila baileyana is accepted as a species distinct from P. gigantea, while Plagiochila aculeata is returned to synonymy of P. fasciculata, and Plagiochila subfasciculata Colenso is reinstated. The number of Plagiochila species in Australia increases from 32 to 41, but the number of species in New Zealand decreases from 28 to 27 as a result of this study. New combinations at species level are also proposed for a variety of P. blepharophora from Fiji and two varieties of P. gymnoclada from Sumatra and Java, two species which morphological data suggests are grossly polyphyletic as currently circumscribed.

The Molecular Phylogeny of the New Zealand Endemic Genus Hadramphus and the Revival of the Genus Karocolens

The delineation of species is important to the fields of evolution, ecology and conservation. The use of only a single line of evidence, e.g., morphology or a single gene sequence, may underestimate or overestimate the level of diversity within a taxon. This problem often occurs when organisms are morphologically similar but genetically different, i.e., for cryptic species. The Hadramphus genus contains four endangered, morphologically similar species of weevils, each endemic to a specific New Zealand region (Hadramphus spinipennis Chatham Islands, H. stilbocarpae Fiordland, H. tuberculatus McKenzie Country, H. pittospori Poor Knights Islands). The systematic relationships among these species are unclear. We used samples from these species and a closely related genus, Lyperobius huttoni, to obtain data from the mitochondrial gene cytochrome c oxidase subunit I and the nuclear gene internal transcribe spacer 2. In addition to the multi-locus coalescent approach, we modelled morphological characteristics combined with the genetic data. We found that H. spinipennis, H. tuberculatus and H. stilbocarpae were a closely related clade. Despite a strong morphological similarity, Hadramphus pittospori was found to be genetically distinct from the other Hadramphus species, which supports the resurrection of the monotypic genus Karocolens for this species.

Native arthropods on exotic sand dune flowers: consideration of sample size and number for investigating rare species and sparse communities

When studying arthropod visitors of flowers, the sampling unit (individual flowers, groups of flowers, areas of plants, timed visits, etc.) depends upon the aim of the study and the sampling method employed. In this study, arthropods using flowers of the ice plant, Carpobrotus edulis, were recorded on the sand dunes at New Brighton in the south island of New Zealand. Of 3600 flowers, only 10% contained invertebrates and only 478 specimens were recorded in total. Of 32 arthropod species observed on this exotic plant, we consider at least 20 to be native to New Zealand and five species are probably New Zealand endemics. Based on an occupation rate of individual flowers of 10%, a binomial model indicated that a sample of 100 flowers would have <0.003% chance of containing no specimens, and 96% chance that 5–16 flowers would contain some animals. Species accumulation models (e.g. bootstrap, Chao and rarefaction) and models examining the likelihood of recording rare species indicated that after examining 2000 flowers, 80% of arthropod species would be recorded, and that only the rarest species in our study would fall below an 80% statistical power of detection. The results suggest that for this flower–invertebrate system, a scheme that involved 20 independent samples, each consisting of 100 flowers, would provide a good chance of (1) avoiding totally empty samples (2) collecting a high proportion of the total species present and (3) recording all but the very rarest species that occur in this system.

Evidence of a Strong Domestication Bottleneck in the Recently Cultivated New Zealand Endemic Root Crop, Arthropodium cirratum (Asparagaceae).

We use chloroplast DNA sequencing to examine aspects of the pre-European Māori cultivation of an endemic New Zealand root crop, Arthropodium cirratum (rengarenga). Researching the early stages of domestication is not possible for the majority of crops, because their cultivation began many thousands of years ago and/or they have been substantially altered by modern breeding methods. We found high levels of genetic variation and structuring characterised the natural distribution of A. cirratum, while the translocated populations only retained low levels of this diversity, indicating a strong bottleneck even at the early stages of this species’ cultivation. The high structuring detected at four chloroplast loci within the natural A. cirratum range enabled the putative source(s) of the translocated populations to be identified as most likely located in the eastern Bay of Plenty/East Cape region. The high structuring within A. cirratum also has implications for the conservation of genetic diversity within this species, which has undergone recent declines in both its natural and translocated ranges.

Algal Parasite Herpodiscus durvillaeae (Phaeophyceae: Sphacelariales) Inferred to have Traversed the Pacific Ocean with its Buoyant Host.

The parasitic phaeophycean endophyte Herpodiscus durvillaeae (Lindauer) G. R. South has previously only been recorded from New Zealand, in association with a single host species, Durvillaea antarctica (Chamisso) Hariot (southern bull-kelp). Here we use DNA sequence data from plastid and nuclear markers (chloroplast rbcL, ribosomal LSU, and a nuclear pseudogene copy of COI) to test for the presence of H.durvillaeae beyond the New Zealand region, and on host species other than D.antarctica. Analyses of samples from the Falkland Islands confirm the first record of H.durvillaeae from the Atlantic Ocean. We report that Falkland Islands H.durvillaeae are genetically indistinguishable from samples of this species from New Zealand's sub-Antarctic Campbell Island, suggesting recent dispersal of the parasite across the Pacific Ocean, presumably by rafting with its buoyant macroalgal host. We also here record H.durvillaeae from New Zealand endemics Durvillaea poha Fraser etal. and D.willana Lindauer.

Antitropical distribution of Lobelia species (Campanulaceae) between the Ryukyu Archipelago of Japan and Oceania as indicated by molecular data

We tested the antitropical distribution of Lobelia loochooensis, endemic to the Ryukyu Archipelago of Japan, and its putative sister species of the same section Hypsela in Oceania (Australia and New Zealand). Molecular phylogenetic analyses based on cpDNA sequences were conducted for 41 Lobelia species of 11 sections including all the species of sect. Hypsela investigated in Asia and Malesia and 32 species of 16 allied genera of family Campanulaceae, because the genus Lobelia is known to be polyphyletic. In the result, L. loochooensis and an Australian endemic L. fluviatilis formed a clade, and this clade was sister to a clade of four New Zealand endemics: L. carens, L. fatiscens, L. fugax and L. ionantha. These two clades were nested in a clade with two other Australian congeners. We conclude that: (1) the lineage of L. loochooensis and the five Lobelia species occurring in Oceania demonstrate an antitropical distribution pattern; and (2) L. loochooensis has likely originated from a dispersal event from Australia to the Ryukyu Archipelago.

Mutualism or opportunism? Tree fuchsia (Fuchsia excorticata) and tree weta (Hemideina) interactions

AbstractMutualisms or interspecific interactions involving net mutual benefits, are an important component of ecological theory, although effectively demonstrating mutualism is notoriously difficult. Among two New Zealand endemics, a slightly elevated germination rate of Fuchsia excorticata (Onagraceae) seeds after passage through tree weta (Orthoptera: Anostostomatidae) compared with seeds manually extracted from fruit, led to the proposal that a mutualistic relationship exists between this plant and animal. An improved germination rate, or any other single trait, however, does not alone constitute evidence for mutualism; the relative costs and benefits of numerous components of the interaction need to be accounted for. We considered the costs and benefits to F. excorticata of the putative seed dispersal mutualism with tree weta. Tree weta provided with F. excorticata fruits destroyed 78% of the seeds they consumed, did not move fruit; and faeces containing seeds were deposited near their roost holes (which are naturally in trees). The seeds remaining after fruit consumption and those that are ingested but survive gut passage are unlikely to be deposited in suitable habitat for seedling survival. Plant food preferences of captive tree weta assessed using pairwise leaf choice tests showed that the leaves of F. excorticata were the least preferred of six commonly encountered plants. In addition, we found that tree weta did not show a preference for F. excorticata fruit over a standard leafy diet, indicating they are unlikely to be actively seeking fruit in preference to other sources of food. These observations indicate that any interaction between tree weta and F. excorticata is likely to be opportunistic rather than mutualistic, and highlight the difficulty of characterizing such interactions.

Amplified Fragment Length Polymorphism Data Reveal a History of Auto- and Allopolyploidy in New Zealand Endemic Species of Plantago (Plantaginaceae): New Perspectives on a Taxonomically Challenging Group

Amplified fragment length polymorphism (AFLP) data were generated for most of the ∼12 species and subspecies of endemic New Zealand Plantago (Plantaginaceae) to test species boundaries and interpret polyploid origins. Phylogenetic, network, principal-coordinates, structure, and quantitative analyses of the AFLP data were generally congruent and complementary regarding the main lineages, and the incongruences allowed some inferences of alloploidy and hybridization. Within the largely diploid group III, P. novae-zelandiae, P. lanigera, P. obconica, and P. aucklandica were genetically distinct. Within group II, there was little genetic differentiation between octoploids P. masoniae and P. triandra, and multiple alloploid origins were inferred for decaploid and dodecaploid cytotypes of P. unibracteata. Within group I, the 16-ploid P. sp. “Sylvester” is suggested to be an autoploid of octoploid P. raoulii, octoploid P. picta is clearly a genetically distinct entity, and species boundaries of octoploids P. raoulii, P. spathulata, and P. aff. spathulata are unclear. Additional genetic and molecular cytogenetic studies on New Zealand species and their close relatives from Australia and southern South America are needed to further investigate polyploid origins. AFLP is a useful tool for elucidating the origins and evolutionary history of closely related polyploid species in taxonomically challenging groups such as endemic New Zealand Plantago.

Anzygina, a new genus for some Australasian microleafhopper species formerly placed in the genusZyginaFieber (Cicadellidae: Typhlocybinae: Erythroneurini)

AbstractSpecies of Erythroneurini (Cicadellidae: Typhlocybinae) currently placed in the genusZyginaand found in Australia, New Zealand and some neighbouring islands are transferred to the new genusAnzygina, type speciesErythroneura sidnicaKirkaldy, following comparison with the type species of the genus:Typhlocyba niveaMulsant and Rey. New combinations areAnzygina sidnica(Kirkaldy),Anzygina honiloa(Kirkaldy),Anzygina melanogaster(Kirkaldy) andAnzygina sativae(Evans) from Australia,Anzygina toetoe(Cumber),Anzygina agni(Knight),Anzygina dumbletoni(Ghauri) andAnzygina ramsayi(Knight) from New Zealand,Anzygina zealandica(Myers) from Australia and New Zealand,Anzygina jowettae(Knight) from Norfolk Island andAnzygina medioborealis(Ghauri) from Papua New Guinea. Lectotypes are designated forErythroneura honiloaKirkaldy andE. sidnicaKirkaldy.Anzygina billisp.n. is described from SE Qld, andAnzygina barrattaesp.n. is described from the South Island of New Zealand.A. agniis a new record for Australia and is presumed to be Australian in origin.A. dumbletonihas a distribution which suggests that it also is introduced to New Zealand although its origins are not known.A. ramsayi, A. barrattaeandA. toetoe, all of which appear to be New Zealand endemics, show affinity with each other based on aedeagal structure. A key to these species, based on males, is provided. The lack of male syntypes forErythroneura honialaKirkaldy andErythroneura lubraKirkaldy precludes establishment of their identities relative to other species of the genus, and both names are regarded as havingnomen dubiumstatus. Australian species not transferred toAnzyginaareZygina evansi(Ross) andZygina ipoloa(Kirkaldy), both of which belong elsewhere.

Deepwater crabs from seamounts and chemosynthetic habitats off eastern New Zealand (Crustacea: Decapoda: Brachyura)

Deepwater crabs from seamounts and chemosynthetic habitats off eastern New Zealand are reported. Of the 30 species reported, eight are new to science: Cymonomus clarki sp. nov. (Cymonomidae), Dicranodromia delli sp. nov. (Homolodromiidae), Ethusina castro sp. nov. and E. rowdeni sp. nov. (Dorippidae), Trichopeltarion janetae sp. nov. (Atelecyclidae), Mathildella mclayi (Mathildellidae), Neopilumnoplax nieli sp. nov. (Mathildellidae), and Garthambrus tani sp. nov. (Parthenopidae). The dorippids, parthenopids and mathidellids reported here are the first members of these families to be described from New Zealand. Three previously described species are recorded for the first time from New Zealand waters: Dicranodromia spinulata Guinot, 1995 (Homolodromiidae), Intesius richeri Crosnier &amp; Ng, 2004 (Mathildellidae) and Miersiograpsus australiensis Türkay, 1978 (Plagusiidae). The majority of brachyurans from New Zealand seamounts and chemosynthetic habitats are ‘typical’ deepwater forms of which thirteen species are presently unique to New Zealand. At species level, 43% of the seamount and cold-seep brachyurans are apparent New Zealand endemics, with strongest affinities with the eastern Australian fauna (37%). At the generic level, however, congeners of most species reported herein occur widely in the Indo-West Pacific (including eastern Australia and New Caledonia), suggesting that the New Zealand seamount and cold-seep brachyuran fauna is an extension of the tropical Indo-West Pacific fauna. Thirty-three percent (10 of 30 species) of the known New Zealand seamount and cold-seep brachyurans have only been recently discovered indicating that species richness is probably strongly underestimated. A key to the Brachyura known from New Zealand seamounts and chemosynthetic habitats is given.

Revision of the net‐winged midge genus Horaia Tonnoir and its phylogenetic relationship to other genera within the tribe Apistomyiini (Diptera: Blephariceridae)

Abstract Based partly on recent collections from Nepal and northern Thailand, new data are added to the knowledge of Horaia Tonnoir. Pupal and larval stages of H. montana Tonnoir are re‐described, larval descriptions for H. manaliella (Kaul) are provided, and two new species, H. diminutiva and H. namtoki, and a new subspecies, H. montana piedmonti, are described. Dichotomous keys to adults, pupae and instar IV larvae of blepharicerid genera from south‐east Asia and of all known species of the genus Horaia are provided. Phylogenetic analysis of the tribe Apistomyiini suggests that Horaia is a monophyletic genus closely related to a clade containing Apistomyia Bigot and Parapistomyia Zwick. This clade is, in turn, sister to a weakly supported clade comprising Theischingeria Zwick +Austrocurupira Dumbleton. The New Zealand endemics Peritheates Lamb +Neocurupira Lamb are proposed as sister group to other apistomyiines, within which Nothohoraia Craig + (Curupirina Stuckenberg +Nesocurupira Stuckenberg) is sister group to the remaining genera. The proposed phylogeny supports Zwick’s Antarctic origin hypothesis for the biogeography of the Apistomyiini in Asia and Australasia.

Excelsione, a Depsidone from an Endophytic Fungus Isolated from the New Zealand Endemic Tree Knightia excelsa

A new tetracyclic depsidone, excelsione (1), was isolated from the extract of an unidentified fungal endophyte obtained from the New Zealand endemic tree Knightia excelsa. The structure was elucidated by X-ray crystallography and NMR spectroscopy.

Distribution and Biology of the New Zealand Endemic Catshark, Halaelurus dawsoni

Halaelurus dawsoni has a restricted geographic range, occurring only in south-eastern New Zealand. It is primarily a demersal inhabitant of the upper continental slope, plateaus, and ridges at 250–800 m depth. Halaelurus dawsoni is a voracious carnivore that feeds on a wide variety of crustaceans and fishes. Maximum recorded length is 418 mm total length, and males and females grow to similar maximum lengths. Length at 50% maturity is about 340–350 mm for males and 330–360 mm for females. The reproductive mode of H. dawsoni is single oviparity, with one leathery egg case being carried per uterus. It appears that most embryonic development occurs after egg cases are deposited on the seabed. The reproductive mode of species of Halaelurus in the subgenus Halaelurus is multiple oviparity, whereas for those in the subgenus Bythaelurus it is single oviparity or aplacental viviparity. It has been suggested that single oviparity is a primitive reproductive mode, and that aplacental viviparity evolved from it via the intermediate stage of multiple oviparity. However, the relationship between reproductive mode and Halaelurus subgenus suggests that aplacental viviparity may have evolved directly from single oviparity in the subgenus Bythaelurus without passing through a multiple oviparous stage.

The Mechanics of Duetting in a New Zealand Endemic, the Kokako (Callaeas cinerea wilsoni): Song at a Snail's Pace

AbstractNew Zealand's endemic, duetting kokako (Callaeas cinerea wilsoni) produce one of the longest known bird songs (ca 30 s) and duets that differ strikingly from those of most duetters in their unusual length and non‐repetitive structure, long pauses between component phrases, and the great flexibility in sex roles. Here we present a structural analysis of the vocalizations of 17 kokako pairs collected during natural song bouts and in response to conspecific playback, to gain insight into the functional role of this extraordinary vocal behavior. Males tend to sing a greater proportion of the duet than females. Like many duetting species, kokako have a moderately sized repertoire of phrases (mean repertoire size =18) and pair members tend to sing antiphonally rather than in unison. Sharing of phrase types is high among neighboring kokako ( = 86%) and repertoires are not sex specific, as is typical of some but not all duetting species. Timing characteristics, broad sharing of phrase types, and countersinging behavior strongly suggest that kokako duets play an important role in territory defense. Additionally, differences in pairs’ sex role and phrase sequence flexibility suggest that these aspects of duet performance may reflect pair‐bond length or commitment, and require a time investment by pair members.

Evaporative Water Loss as a Restriction on Habitat Use in Endangered New Zealand Endemic Skinks

Conservation efforts for two endangered lizard species, the chevron skink (Oligosoma homalonotum) and the striped skink (Oligosoma striatum), have been hindered by a lack of knowledge on their habitat preferences. Reports of some individuals being found in moist microenvironments has led to speculation that both species may be physiologically restricted to such habitats. Estimates of water loss in these two species were compared with water loss in two relatively common species, the speckled skink (Oligosoma infrapunctatum) and Falla's skink (Oligosoma fallai), that are inhabitants of semiarid habitats. When the effect of body size was accounted for using analysis of covariance, results indicated that chevron and striped skinks lost 34% more water through evaporation than the semiarid inhabiting species did. When compared to water loss rates in lizards elsewhere, all New Zealand species had relatively high rates of loss for their size. It is predicted that high rates of water loss in chevron and striped skinks would lead to these species preferentially inhabiting moist sites. Recommendations include that future survey effort for both species should be focused on areas with high moisture content. The results also raise implications for land management on Great Barrier Island and provide insight into the current distribution of chevron and striped skinks.