Morgan-Richards: Taxonomic status of tree weta from Stephens Is.

Morgan-Richards, M., Daugherty, C.H. and Gibbs, G.W. 1995 Taxonomic status of tree weta from Stephens Island, Mt. Holdsworth and Mt. Arthur, based on allozyme variation. Journal of the Royal Society of New Zealand Vol 25(2) June 1995: 301-312. (3 copies)

Sort of a tedious account of genetic relationships. Researchers undertook an analysis of allozyme variation of tree weta from 13 sites including Stephens Island to find out whether the tree weta on that island should be viewed as a separate species. They came to the conclusion that the population is sufficiently different to warrant taxonomic recognition.

Atkinson, Simberloff, Towns..Restoration of New Zealand Islands

Atkinson, I., Simberloff, D & Towns, D. (1997). Restoration of New Zealand islands: redressing the effects              of introduced species. Pacific Conservation Biology, 3, 99-123

·         This article is all about the effects of each individual introduced species on native flora and fauna.  This article goes into specific examples of Mangere Island and Chatham Island.

·         Goes over the pitfalls of exotic keystone species introduction

·         Abstract: Ecological restoration of New Zealand islands has potential to replace damaged or lost communities, expand the ranges of relict populations, reduce the selective influence of exotic (keystone) species on indigenous species, help in understanding how the systems are formed, provide opportunities for educational and scientific investigation, and act as a testing ground for new technologies against pests.

·         Goes over the effects of herbivores on native populations, good segment and could pertain to our topic.  Essentially goes over all of the negative ecological effects, predation, habitat modification, harvesting etc.

·         Article is slightly older so you may have to do some research as to if the methods have changed, but the ecological aspects should all be good for use in our presentations.

Tags: introduced species

Craig. potential for ecological restoration

Craig, J.L. (1990). Potential for ecological restoration of islands for indigenous fauna and flora. Pa              156-165 in Towns, D.R., Daugherty, C.H., &Atkinson, I.A.E. (Eds). (1990). Ecological restoration of  New Zealand islands, Conservation Sciences Publication 2, Department of Conservation, Wellington, New Zealand

·         This article outlines Island restoration policy.  It gives examples of five island groups whose general restoration plans are offered to represent a spectrum of likely public accessibility and participation as well as revenue generation.

·         This article is older so it will give good insight into the development of island ecosystems as nature preserves for introduction.  As far as info pertaining to Weta I think it might be a bit useless.

Tags: island restoration

Moller H. Tree Wetas

Moller, H. 1984 Tree wetas (Hemideina crassicruris) (Orthoptera: Stenopelmatidae) of Stephens Island, Cook Strait. New Zealand Journal of Zoology: 1985 Vol 12: 55-69.

·         Talks about two separate island restoration projects with tree weta populations, stephens island and

·         Tuataras important native predator of weta on these island reserves and they probably stop the tree weta from moving to the forest floor. Very well outlined in this article

·         This article is good because it is all about another experiment and goes into several monitoring methods as well as results.  However, it is very old (1984) and some of the claims that Mr. Moller makes have been disproven.  If you use something from this article make sure to fact check it with current information.

Tags: tree weta, monitoring method, food, behavior, habitat type, introduced species, island restoration

Rufaut, C. G., & Gibbs, G. W. (2003). Responses of a Tree Weta Population (Hemideina crassidens) After Eradication of the Polynesian Rat from a New Zealand Island. Restoration Ecology, 11(1), 13-19. (3 copies)

• Measures changes in a population of tree weta on an offshore island after removal of rats. 
• Found that weta density didn’t change, but proportion of adults changed, and weta spent more time closer to the ground and less time in tree refuges. 
• The study concludes that weta are able to withstand rat predation, but live a more relaxed lifestyle in their absence.