Herpetofauna survey of geothermal ecosystems in the Waikato region

Abstract

The indigenous ground dwelling fauna of geothermal ecosystems in the Taupo Volcanic Zone is relatively poorly understood. A tracking tunnel survey was conducted with the aim of identifying the ground-dwelling vertebrates living in geothermal habitats at four sites in the Taupo Volcanic Zone, with the specific intent of locating and identifying native lizard populations at these sites. 162 tracking cards were collected from a total of 60 tracking tunnels over a period of 40 days. The tracks recorded on the tracking cards were identified, and Chi squared (X²) analysis was performed to identify the strength of the relationships between the type of prints detected, the vegetation type at the tunnel, and the site from which the tunnels were collected. In total, the prints of six different terrestrial vertebrate species and groups of vertebrates were identified. The common brushtail possum (Trichosurus vulpecula), the European hedgehog (Erinaceus
europaeus), various rat species (Rattus sp.), an unidentified mustelid species (Mustela sp.), house mice (Mus musculus) and an unidentified skink species, likely indigenous, (Oligosoma sp.) were detected at these sites. Print detection exhibited a relationship with both site and with vegetation type, though it was unclear whether site related factors or vegetation related factors had the more significant effect on the distribution of terrestrial vertebrates. This study is the first of its kind to find evidence of a lizard association with a geothermal habitat in New Zealand. Additional research will be necessary to identify the species of the lizard detected.