Marleen Baling

Thesis Title
Functional significance of highly variable colouration in the shore sink (Oligosoma smith)

Read article at Massey Research Online:

Animal colouration can serve several biological functions, a key one being camouflage. However, achieving perfect colour-matching of animal to its background for camouflage can be challenging in heterogeneous habitats, especially if body colouration is also used for social signalling and thermoregulation. Ms Baling investigated factors that can affect camouflage colouration in a New Zealand native lizard, and if it conflicts with conspicuous colouration for social interaction or thermoregulation. She found that degree of camouflage colouration was influenced by microhabitat and predator search image, and colouration for social signalling did not affect camouflage within a population. However, the influence of thermoregulation was stronger among populations, with body brightness colour of the species consistent with averaged maximum temperature of its habitats. Ms Baling’s thesis provided new insights on how different selection processes maintain dramatic colouration within a species, and marks the first quantitative research on colouration in New Zealand reptiles.

Supervisors
Professor James Dale
Dr Devi Stuart-Fox
Professor Dianne Brunton

Parker, K. A., Adams, L., Baling, M. Kemp, L., Kuchling, G., Lloyd, B., Ruffell, J., Stringer, I., Watts, C., & Dickens, M. J. (in press). Practical guidelines for planning and implementing fauna translocations. In D. G. Armstrong, M. W. Hayward, D. Moro, P. J. Seddon (Eds.) Advances in reintroduction biology of Australian and New Zealand fauna. Melbourne, CSIRO Press.

Baling, M. (2015). Woodworthia maculata (common gecko). Leucism. Herpetological Review, 46(1), 97-98.

Baling, M., van Winkel, D., Rixon (née Habgood), M., Ruffell, J., Ji, W., & Ussher, G. (2013). A review of reptile research and conservation management on Tiritiri Matangi Island, New Zealand. New Zealand Journal of Ecology, 37(3), 272-281.

Baling, M., & Nagle, B. (2013). Island biosecurity training Fiji, June 2010. In Conservation International Pacific Islands Program (Ed.), Biodiversity Conservation Lessons Learned Technical Series 17: Long term capacity for invasive species management (pp. 17-24). Apia, Samoa: Conservation International.

Baling, M., & Nagle, B. (2013). Island biosecurity training Samoa, March 2010. In Conservation International Pacific Islands Program (Ed.), Biodiversity Conservation Lessons Learned Technical Series 17: Long term capacity for invasive species management (pp. 12-16). Apia, Samoa: Conservation International.

Baling, M., Gartrell, B., Ji, W., & Brunton, D. H. (2013). Detection of Salmonella during the translocation of two endemic New Zealand lizard species within the Hauraki Gulf. New Zealand Journal of Zoology, 40(3), 249-254. doi: 10.1080/03014223.2012.747970

Barré, N., Baling, M., Baillon, N., Le Bouteiller, A., Bachy, P., Chartendrault, V., & Spaggiari, J. (2012). Survey of fairy tern Sterna nereis exsul in New Caledonia. Marine Ornithology, 40(1), 31-38.

Baling, M., & Ji, W. (2010). Abstracts of papers presented at the Second Meeting of Australasian Societies for Herpetology (Society for Research on Amphibians and Reptiles in New Zealand and the Australia Society for Herpetologists), Massey University, Auckland, New Zealand, 20-22 February 2009. New Zealand Journal of Zoology, 37(1), 59-106. doi: 10.1080/03014221003602208

Rixon, M., van Winkel, D., & Baling, M. (2010). Monitoring plan for shore skink, Duvaucel’s gecko and tuatara on Tiritiri Matangi and Motuora Islands, Hauraki Gulf, Auckland. Auckland: Supporters of Tiritiri Matangi Inc. and Motuora Restoration Society.

van Winkel, D., Baling, M., Barry, M., Ji, W., & Brunton, D. (2010). Translocation of Duvaucel’s geckos to Tiritiri Matangi and Motuora Islands, Hauraki Gulf, as part of island ecological restoration initiatives. In P. Soore (Ed.), Global re-introduction perspectives: additional case-studies from around the globe (pp. 113-115). Abu Dhabi, UAE: IUCN/ SSC Re-introduction Specialist Group.

Baling, M., Wedding, C., Barry, M., Ji, W., & Brunton, D. H. (2010). Re-introduction of shore skinks to offshore islands in the Auckland region, New Zealand. In P. S. Soore (Ed.), Global re-introduction perspectives: additional case-studies from around the globe (pp. 88-91). Abu Dhabi, UAE: IUCN/ SSC Re-introduction Specialist Group.

Baling, M., Jeffries, D., Barré, N., & Brunton, D. H. (2009). A survey of fairy tern (Sterna nereis) breeding colonies in the Southern Lagoon, New Caledonia. Emu, 109, 57-61.

Baling, M. (2008). Conservation of the fairy tern (Sternula nereis spp.) via subspecies level management. Endangered Species Update, 25(3), 86-93.

Baling, M., Brunton, D. H., & Jeffries, D. (2008). Marine and coastal bird survey of islands in the Southern Lagoon, New Caledonia. Notornis, 55, 111-113.

Baling, M., & Brunton, D. (2005). Conservation genetics of the New Zealand fairy tern (pp. 1-32). Auckland: Auckland Uniservices Ltd (The University of Auckland).

Baling, M. (2003). The habitat use, behaviour and population genetic structure of the chevron skink (Oligosoma homanolotum) from Great Barrier Island. (MSc), The University of Auckland, Auckland.