Dianne H. Brunton

(1) The importance of social structure and dominance hierarchies in cooperative-breeding species is well-documented, yet the inclusion of these processes in conservation translocation planning remains limited. Here, we empirically measured the social networks of three populations of the endangered Floreana Mockingbird, then used model simulations of different translocation scenarios to test the effects of social disruption on the social networks. (2) We used social network analysis and Exponential Random Graph Models (ERGMs) to characterise dominance hierarchies, group structure, and the consequences of selectively removing individuals from family groups. (3) Dominance hierarchies were strongly transitive, with age emerging as the primary determinant of dominance relationships. Simulated removals demonstrated that the loss of individuals occupying different network positions produced variable levels of social disruption. (4) Although age is the principal driver of antagonistic interactions, network properties such as high betweenness centrality and the presence of a broker (individuals that occupy a strategic position) are also critical considerations for translocation design. Incorporating social network structure into management strategies can minimise group disruption and enhance the success of conservation translocations for endangered cooperative breeders.

Seabirds are increasingly threatened by habitat loss, predation, disturbance, and climate change. Artificial nesting structures, such as floating rafts, elevated platforms, and dredge islands, have been trialled to mitigate these pressures, but effectiveness varies across species and contexts. Evaluating these interventions is crucial for developing evidence-based strategies, particularly for the critically endangered New Zealand fairy tern (tara iti, Sternula nereis davisae). This article reviews 33 studies on the uptake and breeding outcomes of artificial nesting structures, with implications for enhancing breeding success of tara iti. Floating rafts were the most common artificial structures and were generally effective for colonial terns when stabilised and maintained, but there was little to no evidence for their use by solitary or low-density breeding species. Elevated platforms had mixed success yet may support semi-colonial or solitary species when designed with natural substrates and predator protect

The New Zealand fairy tern/tara iti (Sternula nereis davisae) (hereafter; tara iti) is Aotearoa’s rarest indigenous breeding bird. Knowledge of tara iti foraging behaviour is limited. We used coordinated observations of adult movements between nesting sites and foraging territories to quantify foraging trips during chick provisioning at Mangawhai, Northland, in the 2021/22 breeding season. Complete foraging trips (n = 88) of five females and four males were observed. Males (n = 60 trips) undertook more foraging trips than females (n = 28 trips). Overall, foraging trip durations were 17.0 ± 1.0 mins (x ± se) and adults foraged for 98.7% of the time they were observed on territory. No differences in either foraging duration or time spent foraging were detected between sexes or with foraging territory distance from nests. However, the pair on the territory closest to the nesting area had the longest trip durations; this estuarine area also had the highest human use. Foraging trips were significantly shorter for

Studies in movement ecology are crucial for understanding how physical performance affects an animal's ability to find resources, including new ranges or mating opportunities. Invasive species frequently exhibit high levels of boldness and exploratory behaviour, enhancing their ability to establish and spread in new environments. Our study compared the locomotor performance and exploration behaviour of adult male endemic katipō ( Latrodectus katipo ) and adult male invasive false katipō ( Steatoda capensis ) spiders collected from a sympatric population. We compared the locomotory and exploration behaviour of these two spider species within the context of differences in their distribution patterns and conservation classification. We conducted three laboratory assays (maze, pole and track) to compare exploration, climbing and running behaviours, respectively. We found that male false katipō are more exploratory than katipō. This aligns with the false katipō's broader habitat range. Male katipō and false katipō had similar pole climbing behaviours, which may reflect the similar use of vertical space within refuges of the two species. False katipō completed the running track faster and more often without stopping when compared to katipō. In contrast, katipō would occasionally freeze while being followed down the track with a paintbrush. Our study provides insight into the comparative locomotor performance of katipō and false katipō, highlighting the potential impacts of physical and behavioural traits on invasive species success and native species decline.

Sex and population density, among other factors, affect individual dispersal distances, therefore affecting the spatial genetic structure (SGS) of the species. However, the dispersal pattern of subterranean mammals and its influence on SGS is less known. In this study, we investigate the influence of sex and population density on the dispersal distance of individuals and the SGS of subterranean rodents using Plateau Zokor (Eospalax baileyi) as a model. We genotyped adult Plateau Zokor populations at varying densities (low, medium, and high) using 12 microsatellite loci during the pre-overwintering period. Based on genetic diversity estimates, we found evidence of male-biased dispersal in 6 zokor populations. Our analysis of individual-based spatial autocorrelation showed no SGS in either sex in populations at low and medium density. In contrast, at high density, populations exhibited positive SGS at 55 m in females, but positive SGS at 110 m was observed in males. Our data indicate that females and males at higher population densities had shorter dispersal distances, leading to the formation of SGS within local zokor populations. Our study contributes to understanding how population density influences dispersal behavior and the resulting genetic structure of subterranean species.

Context: Cultural divergence refers to changes over time in behavioural traits. These cultural changes could have important implications for conservation planning, and impact the success of conservation efforts such as translocations. Aims: Here, we investigate the extent, and potential impacts, of cultural divergence in two isolated populations of the Floreana mockingbird (Mimus trifasciatus) on the Galápagos Islands. Methods: Using contemporary recordings of vocalisations we test for spatial vocal differentiation between mockingbird populations. Furthermore, we explore the potential drivers of change using morphological measurements and historical recordings of the species. Key results: We found evidence of spatial and temporal differentiation in vocalisations between the two populations of the Floreana mockingbird. We accurately classified over 75% of the birds to the correct populations based on multivariate measures of audio recordings using canonical analysis of principal coordinates (CAP). We also found significant differences in morphometrics between populations; specifically, beak depth was associated with frequency modulation, an acoustic measure that is significantly different between populations. Furthermore, we found evidence of change in the complexity of the vocalisations over a period of 57 years. Conclusions: Cultural divergence was found in the two remaining populations of this endangered species. Factors such as changes in morphology and cultural drift might have been influenced the change in vocalisation across time and populations. Implications: We highlight the importance of considering behavioural factors when planning reintroductions of endangered species where there is a need to minimise the risk of assortative mating so as to maximise genetic diversity.

Dolphins are social animals that depend on sound to communicate, navigate, and find food. The aim of our research was to describe dolphin whistle characteristics and compare whistles between two isolated populations of bottlenose dolphins in New Zealand. We focused on three aspects of dolphin bioacoustics (1) classification of whistles; (2) comparison of the whistles of two discrete bottlenose dolphin populations; and (3) comparison of whistles of dolphin populations from around the world. At Great Barrier Island, the most common type of whistle was upsweep followed by sine , while at Doubtful Sound, convex and sine whistles were the most common whistle types. Random Forest models discriminated between whistles from the two populations with an estimated accuracy of 90%. The key differences were whistle‐type contour, duration, and end frequency. Linear Mixed models show that whistle acoustic parameters were influenced by location but not by group size or the presence of immatures. Whistle parameters of both populations fell within the range of multiple populations from around the world. This studyprovides a benchmark for future research into drivers of geographic variation in dolphin vocal communication.

Biological invasions are a multi-stage process (i.e., transport, introduction, establishment, spread), with each stage potentially acting as a selective filter on traits associated with invasion success. Behavior (e.g., exploration, activity, boldness) plays a key role in facilitating species introductions, but whether invasion acts as a selective filter on such traits is not well known. Here we capitalize on the well-characterized introduction of an invasive lizard (Lampropholis delicata) across three independent lineages throughout the Pacific, and show that invasion shifted behavioral trait means and reduced among-individual variation—two key predictions of the selective filter hypothesis. Moreover, lizards from all three invasive ranges were also more behaviorally plastic (i.e., greater within-individual variation) than their native range counterparts. We provide support for the importance of selective filtering of behavioral traits in a widespread invasion. Given that invasive species are a leading driver of global biodiversity loss, understanding how invasion selects for specific behaviors is critical for improving predictions of the effects of alien species on invaded communities.