Research
Below are brief synopses of my research to date. Publications based on this research are available here. I have a number of other ideas that I am in the process of formulating, based on these areas of research. Click on the images to see larger versions.
Population ecology and conservation genetics of Coronella austriaca
Substantial losses and fragmentation of southern England's lowland heathland has occurred in recent times. This forms the primary habitat of the smooth snake (Coronella austriaca), Britain's rarest snake and yet research examining the population ecology and conservation genetics of this species in the UK remains limited. As a result, my PhD research was developed to fill this need. Based on three years study I used a combination of field studies, laboratory experiments, mathematical modelling and genetic analyses to examine:
- What factors determine smooth snake presence on heath patches following fragmentation.
- How does variation in the habitat of these remnant patches affect smooth snake abundance
- What factors determine the genetic structure of smooth snake populations at multiple spatial scales
- How female investment in reproduction varies and determining clutch paternity using genetic techniques
- The role chemoreception plays in prey and kin discrimination for newborn smooth snakes
Autecology of island endemics
The reptile fauna of Mauritius has suffered dramatic declines and species extinctions as a result of significant overexploitation, habitat loss and the introduction of non-native species. As part of my MSc programme I conducted a detailed ecological study of Telfair's skink (Leiolopisma telfairii) on Round Island, located 22.5 km off the north coast of Mauritius. The results of this research were used as the basis for an ongoing translocation programme to re-introduce these lizards to neighbouring islands that formed part of their historic range. This research resulted in publications in Herpetological Review and Acta Oecologica, the pdfs of which can be downloaded from my publications page. More recently I was involved in research examining the autecology of the orange-tail skink (Gongylomorphus sp.) endemic to Flat Island, Mauritius.In the future I hope to expand this area of research to incorporate studies of endemic reptiles and amphibians on other Indian ocean island ecosystems.
The global trade in live reptiles and amphibians
The popularity of reptiles and amphibians as "exotic pets" has increased dramatically in recent years. However, research examining the impact and sustainability of this trade remains limited. I have recently conducted a review of the dynamics of the global trade in monitor lizards (Varanus spp.) based on CITES trade figure which is available to download from my publications page.
In the future I intend to continue this research by examining how consumer attitudes could affect the establishment of a sustainable trade in live reptile and amphibian species.
