Estimating population parameters for the Critically Endangered Bermuda skink using robust design capture-mark-recapture modelling

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Estimating population parameters for the Critically
            Endangered Bermuda skink using robust design
            capture–mark–recapture modelling
                                                                                                    HELENA TURNER, RICHARD A. GRIFFITHS
                                                                                               M A R K E . O U T E R B R I D G E and G E R A R D O G A R C I A

            Abstract Reliably estimating population parameters for                                         survival (Krebs, ; Besbeas et al., ), which are critical
            highly secretive or rare animals is challenging. We report                                     determinants of population viability (White & Burnham,
            on the status of the two largest remaining populations of                                      ). Conventionally, marking is used to uniquely identify
            the Critically Endangered Bermuda skink Plestiodon lon-                                        individuals in successive samples. For lizards, photographic
            girostris, using a robust design capture–mark–recapture                                        identification using natural markings (Sacchi et al., ),
            analysis. Skinks were tagged with passive integrated trans-                                    tagging with passive integrated transponders (Germano &
            ponders on two islands and captured on  sampling occa-                                       Williams, ) and individual recognition from DNA sam-
            sions per year over  years. The models provided precise                                       pling (Moore et al., ) have increased the utility and
            estimates of abundance, capture and survival probabilities                                     application of the capture–mark–recapture approach.
            and temporary emigration. We estimated skink abundance                                             The Bermuda skink Plestiodon longirostris is the coun-
            to be  ± SE . on Southampton Island and  ± SE .                                    try’s only extant endemic reptile (Bacon et al., ). The
            on Castle Island. The populations do not appear to be stable                                   species primarily feeds on terrestrial and leaf litter arthro-
            and fluctuated at both sites over the -year period. Although                                  pods such as ants and woodlice (Wingate, ) but also
            the populations on these two islands appear viable, the                                        on a variety of other food sources such as prickly pear cactus
            Bermuda skink faces population fluctuations and remains                                        Opuntia sp. and fruits (Wingate, ; Davenport et al., ,
            threatened by increasing anthropogenic activities, invasive                                    ; Edgar et al., ). Unlike many other reptiles, the
            species and habitat loss. We recommend these two popula-                                       skinks are scavengers with a keen sense of smell that attracts
            tions for continued monitoring and conservation efforts.                                       them to carrion (Garber, ; Davenport et al., ), and
                                                                                                           will make use of seasonally abundant food sources such as
            Keywords Bermuda skink, capture–mark–recapture ana-
                                                                                                           broken eggs, dead chicks and dropped fish from nesting col-
            lysis, conservation, Plestiodon longirostris, population moni-
                                                                                                           onies of the native white-tailed tropicbird Phaethon lepturus
            toring, reptile, robust design, survival
                                                                                                           catesbyi and the endemic Bermuda petrel Pterodroma cahow
            Supplementary material for this article is available at                                        (Garber, ; Edgar et al., ).
            https://doi.org/./S                                                          The skinks were once common throughout the islands of
                                                                                                           Bermuda but populations have undergone significant de-
                                                                                                           clines since the s when they were reportedly rarely
                                                                                                           seen on the mainland because of increased anthropogenic
            Introduction                                                                                   disturbance, habitat loss and degradation, and the intro-
                                                                                                           duction of invasive flora and fauna (Davenport et al., ;
            M     any threatened species are cryptic, elusive and chal-
                  lenging to survey. The development of efficient
            survey methods to detect them is vitally important for
                                                                                                           Glasspool & Outerbridge, ). The species is now re-
                                                                                                           stricted to the edges of rocky coastal habitat and is cate-
            conservation management. A wide variety of methods                                             gorized as Critically Endangered on the IUCN Red List
            have been used in monitoring studies, including capture–                                       (Conyers & Wingate, ), with , , individuals
            mark–recapture techniques to estimate abundance and                                            thought to be left on Bermuda (Edgar et al., ; Turner,
                                                                                                           ). Recent surveys have confirmed skinks at only 
                                                                                                           sites within nature reserves and offshore islands (Turner,
            HELENA TURNER (Corresponding author,         orcid.org/0000-0002-6067-888X)                    ), and the continued threats are likely to have a
            and RICHARD A. GRIFFITHS (          orcid.org/0000-0002-5533-1013) Durrell
            Institute of Conservation and Ecology, School of Anthropology and
                                                                                                           major impact on the remaining fragmented and isolated
            Conservation, University of Kent, Canterbury, UK                                               populations.
            E-mail hturnerjsy@hotmail.com                                                                      We used a robust design model to monitor trends in
            MARK E. OUTERBRIDGE Government of Bermuda, Department of Environment                           abundance, survival, capture probabilities and temporary
            and Natural Resources, Flatt’s Village, Bermuda
                                                                                                           emigration of the two largest skink populations on
            GERARDO GARCIA (          orcid.org/0000-0002-3007-8998) Chester Zoo, Cedar                    Bermuda. The robust design model of Pollock () is an
            House, Chester, UK
                                                                                                           extension of the Cormack–Jolly–Seber model and has
            Received  July . Revision requested  September .
            Accepted  December .                                                                      become increasingly popular as it combines the advantages

            This is an Open Access article, distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution licence (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/), which permits unrestricted re-use,
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2         H. Turner et al.

             of the live-recapture model and the closed-capture models.                            (M. Outerbridge, , pers. comm.) and because reaching
             The model and its assumptions are described in detail by                              the islands in adverse weather was challenging. On both is-
             Cormack (), Otis et al. (), Seber (, ) and                            lands we collected data over a -day period per month during
             Kendall et al. (). The current management plan for                                May–July of ,  and , resulting in a total of  sam-
             the Bermuda skink calls for monitoring every – years                                pling occasions per island and year. Each sampling occasion
             (Edgar et al., ) but the last capture–mark–recapture sur-                         consisted of five trap checks per day, with a total trapping
             veys were undertaken in , on Southampton Island, and                              time of  hours per year per island (Supplementary Table ).
             the current status of the population was unknown. More fre-                              We weighed all captured individuals and measured their
             quent estimates of population parameters will be necessary                            snout–vent length, tagged unmarked animals and recorded
             to inform conservation management and future monitoring                               tags of recaptured ones. All individuals in good health
             programmes.                                                                           (excluding gravid females, and juveniles with a snout–vent
                                                                                                   length ,  mm or body mass , . g) were tagged with
                                                                                                   passive integrated transponders ( × . mm,  mg, model
             Study area                                                                            IDB FDX-B; Trovan, Douglas, Isle of Man) operating at a
                                                                                                   frequency of . kHz. Tags were inserted subcutaneously
             This study was undertaken at two sites in Castle Harbour,
                                                                                                   in either the left or right side of the body with a syringe
             Bermuda: the . ha Southampton Island and . ha
                                                                                                   implanter and .-inch -gauge sterile disposable hypo-
             Castle Island (Fig. ). We chose these two sites because
                                                                                                   dermic needle. Prior to tagging, the injection site was
             they are thought to harbour the largest known Bermuda
                                                                                                   wiped with antiseptic. Immediately after injection, a drop
             skink populations, are both within protected nature reserves
                                                                                                   of cyanoacrylate glue was applied over the injection site
             and are considered the most suitable areas for targeted con-
                                                                                                   to prevent tag loss and aid wound healing (Germano &
             servation efforts. The islands are separated by a  m wide
                                                                                                   Williams, ; Gibbons & Andrews, ). Once implanted,
             water channel and their abiotic factors are similar. Castle
                                                                                                   the tags were checked using a tag reader that revealed the
             Island is closer to the main island ( m) and faces more
                                                                                                   individual’s unique identification code. Even though tagging
             threats from invasive species and anthropogenic activities,
                                                                                                   may induce temporary stress (Langkilde & Shine, ), if
             which have been the main reasons for the skink’s decline
                                                                                                   inserted properly the tags do not otherwise affect the animals
             at this location. We surveyed additional sites across Bermuda
                                                                                                   (Gibbons & Andrews, ; Connette & Semlitsch, ).
             but sample sizes were too small (,  individuals) to provide
                                                                                                   Once processed, we immediately released individuals at the
             reliable estimates of abundance.
                                                                                                   capture site.

             Methods
                                                                                                   Statistical analyses
             Skink capture and marking                                                             We compiled capture histories as time series of binary va-
                                                                                                   lues, with captures coded as  and non-captures as , using
             We adapted methods from Davenport et al. () and used
                                                                                                   a standard x-matrix format (Otis et al., ; Nichols, ).
             a consistent survey protocol across the two locations. We
                                                                                                   Rows represented capture histories of each captured individ-
             used  glass jars (c.  ×  mm, volume . l) as traps,
                                                                                                   ual and columns represented capture occasions.
             set up in  ×  m grid networks (skink home ranges are
                                                                                                       We based the capture–mark–recapture modelling on a ro-
             c.  m; Davenport et al., ). Traps were mounted at a
                                                                                                   bust design model (Nichols, ), which assumes population
             –° angle, with rocks or vegetation placed at the opening
                                                                                                   closure between secondary sampling occasions or days (i.e. no
             so skinks could gain access. We used flagging tape to label
                                                                                                   births, deaths, emigration or immigration during each -day
             each trap, recorded locations with a handheld GPS and
                                                                                                   sampling period), but assumes a population open to demo-
             used dried palmetto Sabal bermudana fronds and small
                                                                                                   graphic changes between primary sampling occasions or
             towels to shade the traps. The pitfall traps were baited daily
                                                                                                   years (over  years, –; Fig. ). The resulting encounter
             with  ml of canned sardines, which were placed in a small
                                                                                                   history consisted of  capture occasions with unequal time
             sealed tea strainer to prevent consumption, which could af-
                                                                                                   spacing; i.e. the  days were not always consecutive, nor was
             fect recapture rates. We smeared  ml of cod liver oil around
                                                                                                   sampling undertaken on the same dates each year, because of
             the rim of each trap to prevent skinks escaping and to deter
                                                                                                   weather conditions and logistical challenges.
             ants (Davenport et al., ). Traps were checked hourly dur-
             ing .–. and were then closed by removing the bait
             and turning the jar upside down to prevent accidental cap-                            Model selection
             tures. We did not carry out surveys at temperatures ,  °C
             or when heavy rainfall or winds (.  km/h) were forecast                             To monitor population trends between the two skink popu-
             because the lizards are less active under such conditions                             lations, we constructed the robust design model to estimate

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Bermuda skink population modelling                       3

                                                                                                                                       FIG. 1 (a) Bermuda with the
                                                                                                                                       locations of Castle and
                                                                                                                                       Southampton Islands within
                                                                                                                                       Castle Harbour, and locations
                                                                                                                                       of traps for the Bermuda skink
                                                                                                                                       Plestiodon longirostris on
                                                                                                                                       (b) Castle Island and
                                                                                                                                       (c) Southampton Island.

           the probability of survival w, probability of capture p,                              heterogeneity effects Mth (the mean probabilities of cap-
           temporary emigration γ and population size N, using the                               ture for each occasion) and the null model with no time
           packages marked, descr and Rcapture in R .. (Rivest &                              or heterogeneity effects M (the capture probability at
           Baillargeon, ; R Core Team, ). We derived estimates                           any capture occasion; Rivest & Baillargeon, ). The
           of the demographic parameters using maximum likelihood                                Mth and Mh models were additionally fitted with four
           estimates of the loglinear parameters with the R function                             heterogeneity estimators: Chao (Chao, ), Poisson
           glm and calculated standard errors by linearization.                                  and Gamma (Rivest & Baillargeon, ) and Darroch
               Ten loglinear models were used to account for the time                            (Darroch et al., ). In addition, we tested temporary
           (t) and heterogeneity (h) effects of capture probabilities                            emigration (between  and ; and between 
           on the two islands. These included the model with hetero-                             and ) for each island, because the probability of cap-
           geneity effects Mh (the mean probability of capture), the                             turing an individual may vary between capture occasions.
           model with time effects Mt (the capture probabilities for                             The models were compared based on their Akaike infor-
           each capture occasion), the model with both time and                                  mation criterion (AIC) values.

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4         H. Turner et al.

                                                                                                                                 FIG. 2 Robust design example, with
                                                                                                                                 three primary trapping sessions each
                                                                                                                                 consisting of five secondary occasions.

             Results                                                                                and  temporary emigration was highest on
                                                                                                   Southampton Island but was not apparent on Castle
             Over  years (–) we captured a total of  skinks                            Island. Between  and  temporary emigration was
             at the study sites. We did not tag  individuals caught on                           higher on Southampton but also occurred on Castle
             Castle Island ( were too small and four escaped) and                              Island (Table ).
             individuals from Southampton Island ( were too small,
             four gravid and  escaped). Overall,  individuals were
             tagged and we used only these in further analyses. More                               Discussion
             than half of the marked skinks were recaptured over the
              years: .% ( of ) on Southampton Island and                                 Population trends over time
             .% ( of ) on Castle Island.
                 Applying a robust design model, the Mth model with                                This study provided precise estimates of abundance, capture
             Chao’s estimator for each period had the lowest AIC and                               and survival probabilities of a Critically Endangered lizard
             hence the best fit to the data for both islands (Table ).                            at two study sites. Our results demonstrate that passive
             According to the model, the estimated abundance was                                   integrated transponder tags provide a reliable method for
             N =  ± SE . on Southampton Island and N =  ± SE                              long-term marking of lizards, and that a robust design
             . on Castle Island. The robust design model provided                               model is effective for monitoring skink population trends.
             precise abundance estimates, which were calculated for                                   Previous population estimates of the Bermuda skink
             each location over  years (Fig. a). Estimates appeared to                           were calculated using the simple Lincoln–Petersen method,
             fluctuate between years on both islands. When comparing                               which may be subject to bias (Seber, ). Using a tempo-
             mean abundance between Southampton Island (mean =                                  rary marking method (acrylic paint spots) can lead to some
              ± SE ) and Castle Island (mean = . ± SE .) esti-                           recaptures going undetected and the population size being
             mates followed a normal distribution (P , .).                                      overestimated as a result. In addition, previous studies did
                 Estimates of annual capture probability derived using the                         not account for juveniles (because of the trapping method
             model Mth were slightly higher on Southampton Island                                  used), and some were undertaken during the breeding sea-
             (mean P = . ± SE .) compared to Castle Island (mean                             son (May–June), with brooding females assumed to be un-
             P = . ± SE .). Capture probabilities were lowest in                             available for capture. Davenport et al. () estimated the
              (Southampton Island: mean P = . ± SE .;                                    skink population on Southampton Island to be  in ,
             Castle Island: mean P = . ± SE .) and highest in                                and Glasspool & Outerbridge () derived an estimate of
              (Southampton Island: mean P = . ± SE .; Castle                              in . On Castle Island, Hammond () estimated
             island: mean P = . ± SE .). The estimates were very                              individuals in . Population estimates were also cal-
             precise (small standard errors) as a result of the relatively                         culated in  at four other sites on Bermuda;  individuals
             high capture probabilities (Fig. b).                                                 on Palm Island in Sandys Parish,  on Inner Pear Island and
                 Annual survival of skinks was higher on Southampton                                on Charles Island (both in St. George’s Parish), and 
             Island (w = . ± SE .) than on Castle Island (w = . ±                         at Spittal Pond, a mainland nature reserve in Smith’s Parish
             SE .). Survival was lower at both sites from  to                           (Raine, ; Wingate, ). Although these populations
             but increased by .% on Southampton Island and .%                             showed viable proportions of juveniles and adults with
             on Castle Island from  to .                                                   breeding potential at the time, there are now concerns for
                 When comparing models, the best fit models for both                               their long-term survival.
             islands included temporary emigration between years,                                     Estimating survival is important in demographic studies.
             indicating that a small number of individuals were not                                For example, if skink recruitment is low, then persistence,
             available for capture within the sampling areas. Between                              repeated breeding and longevity may be key factors for

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Bermuda skink population modelling                       5

           TABLE 1 Model selection criteria for Bermuda skink Plestiodon
           longirostris capture–mark–recapture data from Southampton Island
           and Castle Island, Bermuda. Table shows skink abundance
           estimate ± SE, Akaike information criterion (AIC), difference of
           AIC to best-performing model (ΔAIC), degrees of freedom (df)
           and deviance for each model.

           Model           Estimate ± SE       AIC        ΔAIC       df         Deviance
           Southampton Island
           Mth Chao     547.2 ± 63.5           571.53        0.00    32,740     332.39
           Mth Poisson 595.5 ± 80.4            574.31        2.78    32,743     336.17
           Mth Gamma 724.1 ± 91.6              574.44        2.91    32,745     340.30
           Mth Darroch 719.0 ± 86.3            576.44        4.91    32,745     337.30
           Mt           482.2 ± 43.5           589.20       17.67    32,746     357.06
           Mh Darroch 718.7 ± 86.2             607.07       35.54    32,757     396.93
           Mh Poisson 601.1 ± 81.7             609.85       38.32    32,755     395.72
           Mh Gamma 722.5 ± 91.3               609.86       38.33    32,757     399.72
           Mh Chao      555.2 ± 65.0           612.34       40.81    32,752     392.20
           M0           490.9 ± 44.7           622.94       51.41    32,758     414.80
           Castle Island
           Mth Chao     294.8 ± 31.5           416.95       0.00     32,745     249.36
           Mt           274.7 ± 27.5           418.64       1.69     32,747     251.66
           Mth Gamma 196.6 ± 41.8              420.45       3.50     32,743     247.36
           Mth Darroch 183.6 ± 24.1            421.06       4.11     32,743     247.79
           Mth Poisson 175.2 ± 30.7            421.55       4.60     32,743     248.27
           M0           292.7 ± 30.6           521.41     104.46     32,759     380.12
           Mh Gamma 193.8 ± 37.1               523.69     106.74     32,755     374.41
           Mh Chao      294.8 ± 31.5           523.73     106.78     32,757     378.45
           Mh Darroch 183.5 ± 24.1             523.99     107.04     32,755     374.71
           Mt Poisson   176.9 ± 32.5           524.27     107.32     32,755     374.98

           recovery. Although previous surveys state the Bermuda
           skink may live for up to  years (Davenport et al., ),
           the survival estimates from our study suggest shorter life
           spans, similar to the – years observed in other closely
           related Plestiodon species in the wild (Clark et al., ).
           At both sites survival was low between  and ,
           which resulted in a population decrease, followed by high
           survival between  and , which led to an increase
           in recruitment of the larger size classes. This was most likely                       FIG. 3 (a) Comparison of Mth Chao robust design model of
           the result of El Niño (a cyclic shift in atmospheric patterns;                        Bermuda skink abundance estimates with standard error
           Cai et al., ) between  and . Although few major                           (vertical bars) on Southampton Island and Castle Island,
           impacts such as tropical storms and hurricanes affected                               Bermuda, during –. (b) Comparison of Mth Chao
           Bermuda during that time, precipitation was increased                                 robust design model of Bermuda skink capture probability
                                                                                                 with standard error (vertical bars) on Southampton Island
           and winds were stronger compared to  (Bermuda
                                                                                                 and Castle Island, Bermuda, during –.
           Weather Service, ). These conditions would have been
           unfavourable for skinks, with a reduction in seasonal food
           abundance and fewer opportunities for foraging, basking,
           breeding and incubating eggs. In turn, these factors may                              plants (asparagus fern Asparagus densiflorus and casuarina
           have driven the population fluctuations on the two islands.                           trees Casuarina equisetifolia) and anthropogenic distur-
               Southampton Island continues to harbour the highest                               bance are largely absent. However, these threats are present
           density of skinks on Bermuda, mostly because landing is                               on Castle Island and may explain why populations there
           prohibited and threats such as introduced predators and                               take longer to recover from decreases (Fig. a). Studying
           competitors (rats Rattus sp., kiskadee flycatchers Pitangus                           population dynamics over a longer period may reveal
           sulphuratus, cats Felis catus, anolis lizards Anolis sp. and                          whether these estimates are cyclic or stable and may
           yellow-crowned night herons Nyctanassa violacea), invasive                            uncover factors limiting population growth.

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6         H. Turner et al.

             TABLE 2 Estimated P. longirostris survival probability and tempo-                         Overall, the  different models in this study produced a
             rary emigration, ± SE, on Southampton Island and Castle Island,                       broad range of abundance estimates, .–. individuals
             Bermuda, during –, using an Mth Chao robust design                            on Castle Island and .–. individuals on Southampton
             model.
                                                                                                   Island (both excluding juveniles). However, the abundance
             Sampling             Survival probability          Temporary emigration               estimates based on Mth are reliable and using Chao’s estima-
             period               w ± SE                        γ ± SE                             tor provided lower bound conservative estimates that pro-
             Southampton Island                                                                    duced better fits than other estimators such as Darroch,
             2015–2016     0.372 ± 0.08                         39.1 ± 32.2                        Poisson and Gamma, which can be highly variable (Rivest
             2016–2017     0.794 ± 0.19                         36.7 ± 49.8                        & Daigle, ), especially in small scale capture–mark–re-
             Castle Island                                                                         capture studies (Chao, ). To estimate abundance with lit-
             2015–2016     0.309 ± 0.06                          0.0 ± 0.0                         tle bias, capture probability must be relatively high (Otis et al.,
             2016–2017     0.490 ± 0.19                         26.0 ± 11.9
                                                                                                   ; Burnham & Overton, ). Skinks had a moderate
                                                                                                   probability of capture on both Southampton and Castle
                                                                                                   Island (.–. and .–., respectively), and therefore
                                                                                                   the trapping method is adequate to describe the dynamics
             Meeting model assumptions                                                             of these populations. In general, the Mth estimator works
                                                                                                   well if most individuals are captured many times and when
             Lizards may shift territories frequently during the breeding                          the population size is estimated to be .  individuals
             season (Ruby, ), or in response to fluctuations in food                           (Otis et al., ).
             availability (Hews, ). Consequently, animals are more                                 In , population sizes were low at both sites. However,
             likely to be captured at some locations and times than                                at this time capture probability was highest. Although a con-
             others. This violates the standard assumptions of basic                               siderable number of skinks were caught during this time
             capture–mark–recapture models (Seber, ; Hammond,                                  ( individuals in total), % were recaptured individuals
             ). However, the interval between the primary capture                              (compared to % in  and % in ), which explains
             trapping sessions (c.  year) was sufficiently long to ensure                         the lower abundance estimates.
             that gains (births and immigration) and losses (deaths and
             emigration) would occur and the sample size collected was
             large enough to detect heterogeneity and for the Mth model                            Conclusion
             to fit well.
                Temporary emigration may occur when a proportion                                   The Bermuda skink receives the highest legislative pro-
             of the population remains unavailable for capture. For ex-                            tection under the Protected Species Act (), and the
             ample, skinks often spend a considerable time in rock cre-                            Government of Bermuda’s Department of Environment
             vices where they are difficult to capture. During the breeding                        and Natural Resources is committed to undertaking
             season many females may be sedentary while guarding their                             conservation activities that ensure the continued survival
             nests (Glasspool & Outerbridge, ) and are therefore un-                           of this unique species.
             available for capture. If temporary emigration is not tested                             Although we identified two relatively large populations,
             for it can lead to negatively biased population estimates, and                        the fluctuations we observed suggest they remain vulnerable
             model assumptions may be violated (Hammond, ,                                     and may not be viable in the long term without management
             ).                                                                                (e.g. creation of artificial burrows for both seabirds and
                For the management of small, threatened populations, the                           skinks, predator control and habitat restoration), especially
             potential ramifications of underestimating (negative bias) or                         during periods of low abundance or when population
             overestimating (positive bias) abundance are clearly impor-                           growth is slow. We advise the continuation of passive inte-
             tant. As the robust design uses two levels of sampling it allows                      grated transponder tagging as a long-term marking method
             for more parameters to be estimated and for finer control                             and that capture–mark–recapture surveys are undertaken
             over the relative precision of each parameter (Kendall &                              annually, alternating between sites to monitor population
             Pollock, ; Kendall et al., ). The only major problem                          trends across Bermuda. Additionally, we recommend using
             associated with the robust design is the large trapping effort                        robust design models for evaluating population parameters
             required (Pollock, ); a minimum of  days at each site is                         when samples are taken over multiple days and years, as
             recommended (Otis et al., ; Nichols, ) and intensive                          these can provide timely insights into population trends
             sampling can be costly. We therefore recommend this design                            and the mechanisms driving them, with important implica-
             for future capture–mark–recapture studies aimed at estimat-                           tions for future conservation and research efforts.
             ing reptile demographic parameters, particularly for species                          Acknowledgements We thank the Government of Bermuda
             for which population declines need to be detected before they                         Department of Environment and Natural Resources for providing
             become critical.                                                                      the necessary permissions and for their continued support;

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Bermuda skink population modelling                         7

           J. Maderios, A. Copeland, M. Meijas, N. Wellman, J. Labisko,                               D AV E N P O R T , J., H I L L S , J., G L A S S P O O L , A. & W A R D , J. () A Study of
           S. Clayton-Green, D. Muldoon, N. Wright, J. Carney, D. D’Afflitto,                            Populations of the Bermudian Rock Lizard (Skink), Eumeces
           M. Alonso, S. Massey, M. Shailer, P. Drew, R. Frith, K. Trott,                                longirostris, Cope (), on the Islands of Nonsuch and
           R. Marirea, J.P. Rouja, P. Rouja and L. Thorne for assistance with                            Southampton, Bermuda. Government of Bermuda, Department of
           fieldwork; R. McCrea and E. Matechou for assistance with statistical                          Agriculture and Fisheries, Flatts, Bermuda.
           analyses; and the reviewers for their critiques. This research was funded                  D AV E N P O R T , J., H I L L S , J., G L A S S P O O L , A. & W A R D , J. () Threats
           by J. Summers Shaw, Chester Zoo, the States of Jersey, the British                            to the Critically Endangered endemic Bermudian skink Eumeces
           Herpetological Society and the Bermuda Zoological Society (Eric                               longirostris. Oryx, , –.
           Clee Fund). This is Contribution #278, Bermuda Biodiversity Project                        E D G A R , P., K I T S O N , L., G L A S S P O O L , A. & S A R K I S , S. () Recovery
           (BBP), Bermuda Aquarium, Museum and Zoo, Department of                                        Plan for the Bermuda Skink Eumeces longirostris. Government of
           Environment & Natural Resources.                                                              Bermuda, Department of Conservation Services, Flatts, Bermuda.
                                                                                                      G A R B E R , S. () Behaviour and ecology of the Endangered endemic
           Author contributions Analysis and writing: HT; experimental and                               Bermuda rock lizard (Eumeces longirostris). Rutgers University,
           statistical design: HT, RG; field work: HT, RG, MO, GG; revisions: RG,                        New Jersey, USA.
           GG, MO.                                                                                    G E R M A N O , D. & W I L L I A M S , D. () Field evaluation of using passive
                                                                                                         integrated transponder (PIT) tags to permanently mark lizards.
           Conflicts of interest None.                                                                   Herpetological Review, , –.
                                                                                                      G I B B O N S , J.W. & A N D R E W S , K.M. () PIT tagging: simple
           Ethical standards This research abided by the Oryx guidelines on                              technology at its best. BioScience, , –.
           ethical standards, was approved by Chester Zoo and the University                          G L A S S P O O L , A. & O U T E R B R I D G E , M. () A Population Re-Survey of
           of Kent Research and Ethics Committee and was conducted under                                 the Bermuda Skink, Eumeces longirostris Cope (), on
           permits issued by the Government of Bermuda’s Department of                                   Southampton Island, Castle Harbour. Bermuda Zoological Society,
           Environment and Natural Resources (DENR 15-06-12-27). Handling                                Flatts, Bermuda.
           and tagging of skinks were undertaken in accordance with the                               H A M M O N D , P.S. () Estimating the size of naturally marked whale
           conditions of the licence.                                                                    populations using capture–recapture techniques. Reports of the
                                                                                                         International Whaling Commission, , –.
                                                                                                      H A M M O N D , P.S. () Heterogeneity in the Gulf of Maine?
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