Assessing thermal suitability of translocation release sites for egg-laying reptiles with temperature-dependent sex determination: A case study with tuatara

Abstract

Suitable habitat for translocated animals should meet the candidate species' total abiotic and biotic needs through space and time and for all life stages. An important aspect of habitat assessment for reptile translocations is the thermal suitability of the release site. Here we provide a strategic framework for evaluating the thermal suitability of a release site for egg-laying reptiles with temperature-dependent sex determination (TSD). We apply the framework to a case study of tuatara Sphenodon punctatus reintroduced to the south-eastern South Island of New Zealand. Our approach allows the assessment of the thermal suitability of future translocation sites for tuatara, and can be readily modified for any translocation of a reptile species with TSD.