A funnel trap for capture of small arboreal reptiles

2008 ◽  
Vol 29 (3) ◽  
pp. 413-423 ◽  
Author(s):  
Giles Hardy ◽  
Patricia Fleming ◽  
Michael Craig ◽  
Christine Davis ◽  
Andrew Grigg
Keyword(s):  
Acoustic Cues ◽  
Critical Factors ◽  
Transparent Material ◽  
Trap Design ◽  
Drift Fence ◽  
Funnel Trap

Abstract Small arboreal reptiles can be difficult to capture, except in traps, and the physical trap characteristics, drift-fence and bait are critical factors that can influence the efficacy of any trap. We conducted experiments on marbled geckoes (Christinus marmoratus, Gekkonidae) and wall skinks (Cryptoblepharus plagiocephalus, Scincidae) that examined bait preferences, attractiveness of different visual and acoustic cues and efficacy of different drift-fence materials to develop a trap for small arboreal reptiles. The experiments showed that both marbled geckos and wall skinks preferred crickets as bait, that wall skinks avoided darkness/cover and that both species had difficulty climbing flashing material covered in oil. This led us to develop an arboreal trap that was made from transparent material, used crickets as bait and had drift-fences constructed from flashing material. When used in the field, the final trap design was effective in capturing arboreal reptiles.

Influence of pit-trap design on sampling of reptiles in arid spinifex grasslands

1994 ◽  
Vol 21 (5) ◽  
pp. 483 ◽  
Author(s):  
TJ Hobbs ◽  
SR Morton ◽  
P Masters ◽  
KR Jones
Keyword(s):  
Trap Design ◽  
Drift Fence ◽  
Straight Line ◽  
Central Australia ◽  
Effective Design

Eight different pit-trap designs were compared to determine the most effective design for capturing reptiles in arid spinifex grasslands of central Australia. Results from seven surveys within two studies showed that more complicated designs with cross fences did not significantly increase trapping success. A simple straight line of pit-traps and drift fence with buckets approximately 7 m apart is the most effective design and is recommended for sampling reptiles in arid Australia.

Effectiveness of three seed-trap designs

2002 ◽  
Vol 50 (5) ◽  
pp. 587 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. J. Page ◽  
L. Newlands ◽  
J. Eales
Keyword(s):  
Seed Production ◽  
Reproductive Potential ◽  
Seed Rain ◽  
Individual Species ◽  
Monitoring Methods ◽  
Vegetation Community ◽  
Vegetation Monitoring ◽  
Trap Design ◽  
Funnel Trap ◽  
Seed Trap

Vegetation monitoring is essential to evaluate management and assess condition. However, methods that have been used cannot assess the viability of the community or provide indicators of future condition. Seed traps can be used to measure reproductive potential of a vegetation community via seed rain. This study evaluates three different seed-trap designs and compares their effectiveness in terms of the diversity and abundance of seed captured, the presence of seed-predating insects, cost, manufacturing ease and serviceability. Field trials were conducted in open, grassy woodlands in south-western and south-eastern Queensland. The results showed that the tall funnel-trap design was the least effective, while the wet wind trap and pitfall funnel trap proved more effective. On the basis of the results of this study, further investigations are recommended for testing trap performance in different vegetation communities, seed predation in relation to seed production and variation in seed production over time. Seed traps that monitor seed rain are potentially useful in assessing the health and viability of a vegetation community. Used in conjunction with other monitoring methods, they may offer valuable insights about the dynamics of entire communities and/or individual species, and therefore appropriate management strategies.

scholarly journals Allyl isothiocyanate baited traps to monitor cabbage flea beetles (Phyllotretra spp., Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae)

2005 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
P. Benedek ◽  
F. Bakcsa ◽  
M. Tóth ◽  
E. Csonka
Keyword(s):  
Field Experiments ◽  
Flea Beetle ◽  
Allyl Isothiocyanate ◽  
Trap Design ◽  
Local Composition ◽  
Flea Beetles ◽  
Specific Composition ◽  
Baited Traps ◽  
Field Samples ◽  
Funnel Trap

A new trapping concept has been proposed based on a volatile compound, allyl isothyocianate, known to be attractant to some of these insects for a long time. (l) The first question was whether this compound is effectively attractive to all flea beetle species attacking cabbage under our conditions? Field experiments were made at different localities with non-sticky baited traps early and late spring. Eleven Phyllotreta species attacking cabbages were captured at baited traps most of them were first observed at this bait. So the bait has proved to be sufficient for use for trapping purposes effectively. Based on these findings a second question arose whether the captured samples reflected the specific composition of natural flea beetle populations at trapping localities? To reply the question field samples were taken at four different kinds of cabbage crops and at a fallow ground in the close vicinity by a manual sampler device suitable to detect the local composition of flea beetles and trapping was made parallel with baited and unbaited traps from early spring to early autumn. No significant differences were found between the specific structures of Phyllotreta assemblages sampled with the different methods applied. This means baited traps reflected the specific composition of local Phyllotreta populations fairly well. Thirdly, the most effective trap design was searched for. Some sticky and non-sticky trap designs which had been developed to capture other insects were compared. The tested sticky and funnel trap designs baited with allyl isothiocyanate captured large numbers of flea beetles attacking cabbages. Results showed that non-sticky funnel traps were more effective than sticky delta traps. Accordingly, non-sticky funnel trap designs can advantageously be used and could possibly be recommended in plant protection practice to monitor flea beetles attacking cabbages as their catching capacity is considerably greater than that of the delta type and additionally captured beetles are much cleaner, more intact and consequently their identification is much easier.

Pitfall trap designs to maximize invertebrate captures and minimize captures of nontarget vertebrates

2005 ◽  
Vol 137 (2) ◽  
pp. 233-250 ◽  
Author(s):  
J.L. Pearce ◽  
D. Schuurman ◽  
K.N. Barber ◽  
M. Larrivée ◽  
L.A. Venier ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Small Mammal ◽  
Pitfall Trap ◽  
Carabid Beetle ◽  
Carabid Beetles ◽  
Pitfall Traps ◽  
Shallow Trap ◽  
Trap Design ◽  
Mesh Screen ◽  
Funnel Trap ◽  
Incidental Catch

AbstractPitfall traps containing a preservative have become the standard method of sampling for epigeal invertebrates such as carabid beetles and cursorial spiders. However, they often result in high levels of mortality for small mammals and amphibians. We compared the carabid, spider, and vertebrate captures within five pitfall trap types (conventional trap, funnel trap, shallow trap, Nordlander trap, and the ramp trap) to determine the trap type that would reduce vertebrate incidental catch without compromising the capture of invertebrates. We also examined the effect of a mesh screen over pitfall traps on carabid beetle and vertebrate catches. All modifications to the conventional trap design resulted in a reduction in both small mammal and amphibian captures. The shallow pitfall trap and the funnel trap captured a carabid beetle and spider fauna similar to that captured by the conventional trap. The species compositions of the ramp trap and the Nordlander trap were different from those of the other trap types, but these traps were more efficient, capturing more species per individual captured. The ramp trap appeared to be the method of choice for sampling epigeal spiders. Thus, the choice among trap designs for invertebrates depends on the objectives of the study. However, an alternative to the conventional trap design should always be considered to reduce small mammal mortality.

An Improved Funnel Trap for Drift-Fence Surveys

2010 ◽  
Vol 55 (3) ◽  
pp. 457-460 ◽  
Author(s):  
Vincent R. Farallo ◽  
Donald J. Brown ◽  
Michael R. J. Forstner
Keyword(s):  
Drift Fence ◽  
Funnel Trap

The effect of funnel trap type and size of pitfall trap on trap success: implications for ecological field studies

2007 ◽  
Vol 28 (3) ◽  
pp. 321-328 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bryan Maritz ◽  
Gavin Masterson ◽  
Darian Mackay ◽  
Graham Alexander
Keyword(s):  
Field Studies ◽  
Pitfall Trap ◽  
Trap Design ◽  
Traditional Design ◽  
Extensive Field ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Funnel Trap ◽  
Trap Size ◽  
Installation Time ◽  
Capture Rates

Abstract Funnel and pitfall traps that are set in association with drift fences are powerful tools for field herpetologists. Innovations in trapping techniques continue to improve capture rates, portability and affordability of trap materials, and to decrease construction and installation time. In this paper we test a new design for funnel traps and test the effect of pitfall trap size on trap success. Our new funnel trap design was significantly easier and quicker to construct, but captured fewer specimens than the traditional design. There was no significant difference in the capture rates of the two sizes of pitfall trap that we tested. This finding was confirmed by a second, more extensive field survey. The implications of trap efficacy on ecological investigations are discussed.

Refining our understanding of the “elephant in the room”

2020 ◽  
Vol 43 ◽  
Author(s):  
Andrew Whiten
Keyword(s):  
Social Cognition ◽  
Cultural Evolution ◽  
Cognitive Abilities ◽  
Critical Factors ◽  
Technological Culture

Abstract The authors do the field of cultural evolution a service by exploring the role of non-social cognition in human cumulative technological culture, truly neglected in comparison with socio-cognitive abilities frequently assumed to be the primary drivers. Some specifics of their delineation of the critical factors are problematic, however. I highlight recent chimpanzee–human comparative findings that should help refine such analyses.

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