Environmental and evolutionary influences on gestation length
Sex determination and sexual differentiation
Conservation of New Zealand reptiles
Current Projects
Reintroduction of tuatara (Sphenodon punctatus) to the cool climate of Orokonui Ecosanctuary in Otago
Thermal ecology of a viviparous, nocturnal gecko (Mokopirirakau) in the alpine zone of southern Aotearoa NZ
Relationships between reproductive frequency and changing climate in a viviparous gecko (Woodworthia) from Otago's subalpine zone
Recent Research students
Christian Chukwuka: Microhabitat use by the nocturnal, cool-climate gecko Woodworthia "Otago/Southland" in the context of global climate change (PhD 2020, co-supervised Dr Jo Monks, Department of Conservation)
Aaron Bertoia: Thermal ecology of an alpine gecko: implications for management (MSc 2019, co-supervised by Dr Jo Monks, Department of Conservation)
Jemima Gardiner-Rodden: Nesting ecology and behaviour of tuatara (Sphenodon punctatus) at Ōrokonui Ecosanctuary (MSc 2019, co-supervised by Prof Nicola Nelson, Victoria University of Wellington and Dr Stephanie Godfrey, University of Otago)
Alison Cree (left) and Jade Christiansen after witnessing tuatara hatching at Orokonui Ecosanctuary in 2021. Jade (Ngāpuhi, Samoa) was a previous holder of a Te Ngaru Paewhenua: Māori and Pacific Science Summer Studentship with Alison's group. For more information, see https://www.otago.ac.nz/news/news/otago826220.html
Virens, E., & Cree, A. (2022). Wind of change: A diurnal skink thermoregulates between cooler set-points and for an increased amount of time in the presence of wind. Journal of Experimental Biology, 225, jeb244038. doi: 10.1242/jeb.244038
Journal - Research Article
Chukwuka, C. O., Mello, R. S. R., Cree, A., & Monks, J. M. (2021). Thermal heterogeneity of selected retreats in cool-temperate viviparous lizards suggests a potential benefit of future climate warming. Journal of Thermal Biology, 97, 102869. doi: 10.1016/j.jtherbio.2021.102869
Journal - Research Article
Jarvie, S., Worthy, T. H., Saltré, F., Scofield, R. P., Seddon, P. J., & Cree, A. (2021). Using Holocene fossils to model the future: Distribution of climate suitability for tuatara, the last rhynchocephalian. Journal of Biogeography, 48, 1489-1502. doi: 10.1111/jbi.14092
Journal - Research Article
Bertoia, A., Monks, J., Knox, C., & Cree, A. (2021). A nocturnally foraging gecko of the high-latitude alpine zone: Extreme tolerance of cold nights, with cryptic basking by day. Journal of Thermal Biology, 99, 102957. doi: 10.1016/j.jtherbio.2021.102957
Journal - Research Article
Chukwuka, C. O., Monks, J. M., & Cree, A. (2020). Heat and water loss vs shelter: A dilemma in thermoregulatory decision making for a retreat-dwelling nocturnal gecko. Journal of Experimental Biology, 223, jeb231241. doi: 10.1242/jeb.231241
Journal - Research Article
Moore, G., Penniket, S., & Cree, A. (2020). Greater basking opportunity and warmer nights during late pregnancy advance modal birth season in a live-bearing gecko, lowering the risk of reduced embryonic condition. Biological Journal of the Linnean Society, 130, 128-141. doi: 10.1093/biolinnean/blaa017
Journal - Research Article
Hare, J. R., Holmes, K. M., Wilson, J. L., & Cree, A. (2009). Modelling exposure to selected temperature during pregnancy: The limitations of squamate viviparity in a cool-climate environment. Biological Journal of the Linnean Society, 96(3), 541-552. doi: 10.1111/j.1095-8312.2008.01151.x
Journal - Research Article
Hare, K. M., Yeong, C., & Cree, A. (2011). Does gestational temperature or prenatal sex ratio influence development of sexual dimorphism in a viviparous skink? Journal of Experimental Zoology Part A: Ecological Genetics & Physiology, 315A(4), 215-221. doi: 10.1002/jez.667
Journal - Research Article
Towns, D. R., Parrish, G. R., Tyrrell, C. L., Ussher, G. T., Cree, A., Newman, D. G., … Westbrooke, I. (2007). Responses of tuatara (Sphenodon punctatus) to removal of introduced Pacific rats from islands. Conservation Biology, 21(4), 1021-1031.
Journal - Research Article
Connolly, J. D., & Cree, A. (2008). Risks of a late start to captive management for conservation: Phenotypic differences between wild and captive individuals of a viviparous endangered skink (Oligosoma otagense). Biological Conservation, 141(5), 1283-1292. doi: 10.1016/j.biocon.2008.02.026
Journal - Research Article
Besson, A. A., & Cree, A. (2010). A cold-adapted reptile becomes a more effective thermoregulator in a thermally challenging environment. Oecologia, 163, 571-581. doi: 10.1007/s00442-010-1571-y
Journal - Research Article
Hare, K. M., Caldwell, A. J., & Cree, A. (2012). Effects of early postnatal environment on phenotype and survival of a lizard. Oecologia, 168, 639-649. doi: 10.1007/s00442-011-2145-3
Journal - Research Article
Gaby, M. J., Besson, A. A., Bezzina, C. N., Caldwell, A. J., Cosgrove, S., Cree, A., … Hare, K. M. (2011). Thermal dependence of locomotor performance in two cool-temperate lizards. Journal of Comparative Physiology A, 197(9), 869-875. doi: 10.1007/s00359-011-0648-3
Journal - Research Article
Germano, J. M., Molinia, F. C., Bishop, P. J., Bell, B. D., & Cree, A. (2012). Urinary hormone metabolites identify sex and imply unexpected winter breeding in an endangered, subterranean-nesting frog. General & Comparative Endocrinology, 175(3), 464-472. doi: 10.1016/j.ygcen.2011.12.003
Journal - Research Article
Cree, A., & Hare, K. M. (2010). Equal thermal opportunity does not result in equal gestation length in a cool-climate skink and gecko. Herpetological Conservation & Biology, 5(2), 271-282.
Journal - Research Article
Hare, K. M., & Cree, A. (2010). Exploring the consequences of climate-induced changes in cloud cover on offspring of a cool-temperate viviparous lizard. Biological Journal of the Linnean Society, 101(4), 844-851. doi: 10.1111/j.1095-8312.2010.01536.x
Journal - Research Article
Lettink, M., Norbury, G., Cree, A., Seddon, P. J., Duncan, R. P., & Schwarz, C. J. (2010). Removal of introduced predators, but not artificial refuge supplementation, increases skink survival in coastal duneland. Biological Conservation, 143(1), 72-77. doi: 10.1016/j.biocon.2009.09.004
Journal - Research Article
Preest, M. R., & Cree, A. (2008). Corticosterone treatment has subtle effects on thermoregulatory behavior and raises metabolic rate in the New Zealand common gecko, Hoplodactylus maculatus. Physiological & Biochemical Zoology, 81(5), 641-650. doi: 10.1086/590371
Journal - Research Article
Hare, J. R., Whitworth, E., & Cree, A. (2007). Correct orientation of a hand-held infrared thermometer is important for accurate measurement of body temperatures in small lizards and tuatara. Herpetological Review, 38(3), 311-315.
Journal - Research Article
Ellenberg, U., Setiawan, A. N., Cree, A., Houston, D. M., & Seddon, P. J. (2007). Elevated hormonal stress response and reduced reproductive output in Yellow-eyed penguins exposed to unregulated tourism. General & Comparative Endocrinology, 152, 54-63.
Journal - Research Article
Wilson, J., & Cree, A. (2003). Extended gestation with late-autumn births in a cool-climate viviparous gecko from southern New Zealand (Reptilia: Naultinus gemmeus). Austral Ecology, 28, 339-348.
Journal - Research Article
Cree, A., Tyrrell, C. L., Preest, M. R., Thorburn, D., & Guillette, Jr, L. J. (2003). Protecting embryos from stress: Corticosterone effects and the corticosterone response to capture and confinement during pregnancy in a live-bearing lizard (Hoplodactylus maculatus). General & Comparative Endocrinology, 134, 316-329.
Journal - Research Article
Towns, D. R., Daugherty, C. H., & Cree, A. (2001). Raising the prospects for a forgotten fauna: A review of ten years of conservation effort for New Zealand reptiles. Biological Conservation, 99, 3-16.
Journal - Research Article
Rock, J., Andrews, R. M., & Cree, A. (2000). Effects of reproductive condition, season, and site on selected temperatures of a viviparous gecko. Physiological & Biochemical Zoology, 73(3), 344-355. doi: 10.1086/316741
Journal - Research Article
Tyrrell, C. L., & Cree, A. (1998). Relationships between corticosterone concentration and season, time of day and confinement in a wild reptile (tuatara, Sphenodon punctatus). General & Comparative Endocrinology, 110, 97-108.
Journal - Research Article
