Hi everyone,

As promised, the results of my research are now available. Table of contents listed below. If you're interested in the full document, PM me your email address and I can send you a copy. I'd be keen to hear what you think.

Cheers,

Heidy.

Table of contents:

Chapter 1: Exotic reptiles in New Zealand: Introduction and Overview 11

Invasive species 11

Stages of Invasion 13

Predicting invasions 14

Invasive reptiles 17

Invasive reptiles in New Zealand 19

Some potential threats posed by invasive reptiles to New Zealand 25

Thesis structure 26

Statement of Authorship 29

Literature cited 30

Chapter 2: Using online trading tools as a method of estimating propagule pressure of an invasive species: A case study using red-eared slider turtles in New Zealand 38

Abstract 38

Introduction 39

Methods 41

Study Species 41

Data collection 42

Results 43

Discussion 48

Turtle sales and losses 48

Usefulness of online trading tools 50

Literature cited 52

Chapter 3: Minimising false-negatives when predicting the potential distribution of an invasive species: a bioclimatic envelope for the red-eared slider at global and regional scales 54

Abstract 54

Introduction 55

Methods 58

Data sources 58

Bioclimatic modelling 59

Results 64

Discussion 70

Global predictions and the climate envelope for RES 70

Assessing potential for establishment at a regional level (New Zealand) 71

Climate Envelope Approach 73

Choice of model metrics 73

Conservation and Management Implications 75

Conclusion 76

Literature cited 77

Chapter 4: Predicting the potential for exotic reptile establishment in New Zealand using bioclimatic models 82

Abstract 82

Introduction 83

Methods 84

Study species 84

Data sources 90

Bioclimatic modelling 91

Results 94

Discussion 142

Climatic factors important in predicting distribution range 142

Other factors to consider when predicting establishment risk 146

Conservation Implications 147

Chapter 5: Developmental degree-day models to assess the establishment potential of red-eared slider turtles and other exotic reptiles in New Zealand 151

Abstract 151

Introduction 152

Methods 153

Study species 153

Data sources and analysis 155

Degree-day measurements from the environment 156

Results 157

Degree-day models 157

Degree-day measurements from the environment 159

Discussion 163

Red-eared slider turtles 163

Other exotic reptile species 165

Successful incubation requirements 166

Conservation Implications 167

Literature cited 169

Chapter 6: Salmonella prevalence and detected serovars associated with captive exotic reptiles in New Zealand 173

Abstract 173

Introduction 175

Materials and methods 177

Results 180

Discussion 186

Acknowledgements 192

Literature cited 193

Chapter 7: Overall establishment risk assessment of exotic reptiles in New Zealand 197

Abstract 197

Introduction 198

Methods 201

Study species 201

Selection of criteria and methods for risk assessment 202

Results 206

Discussion 214

Establishment risk of exotic reptiles in New Zealand 215

Other factors to consider in risk analyses 217

Future research directions 219

Recommendations to prevent the establishment of exotic reptiles in New Zealand 221

Literature cited 226

Appendix 1: Red-eared slider turtle (Trachemys scripta elegans) 230

Appendix 2: Snake-neck turtle (Chelodina longicollis) 239

Appendix 3: Reeves turtle (Chinemys reevesii) 245

Appendix 4: Blue-tongue skink (Tiliqua spp.) 249

Appendix 5: Bearded dragon (Pogona spp.) 255

Appendix 6: Australian waterdragon (Physignathus lesueurii) 261

Appendix 7: Tortoises (Testudo spp.) 266

Appendix 8: Leopard gecko (Eublepharis macularius) 270

Appendix 9: Supplementary Information for Chapter 3 273

Appendix 10: Supplementary Information for Chapter 4 282

Appendix 11: Supplementary Information for Chapter 5 301

Congratulations Heidy!!!

If you send me a copy heidi, I might be able to attach it as a document for people to download. I would protect the document if I were you.

Nice one

I would protect the document if I were you.

Good advice, and much appreciated. However as the thesis is publicly available through the uni library, I just thought I would make it easier for people who might be interested to access it.

"If you love something, Set it free…”

This phrase is no longer relevant in today‟s day and age. If you love your pet, but it has become an inconvenience, for goodness sake, DO NOT let it go. It will either die a horrible death or establish an invasive population.

Good advice, and much appreciated. However as the thesis is publicly available through the uni library, I just thought I would make it easier for people who might be interested to access it.

I suspect he meant releasing it in PDF form instead of an editable word doc or similar. Maybe I'm wrong though...

I liked the"..were inspirational in the decision to persue my Phd...though some days I was more thankful than others"... bit

LOL

...though some days I was more thankful than others"...

Very true. Now I'm thankful to be done, although being unemployed is something else to be concerned about...At least I finally have time to build the turtle pond now