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Science Advisor EcosystemsClement-Lagrue
Department of Conservation
Dunedin Office

Emails: clagrue@doc.govt.nz / clement.lagrue@otago.ac.nz
Phone: 64-27-340-7610

Google Scholar profile

ORCID Profile

Research Interests

  • Parasite diversity in marine and freshwater birds
  • Effects of introduced pests 9especially hedgehogs and rodents) in small ecosystems
  • Naturally rare ecosystem conservation and restoration
  • Effects of invasive weeds on small ecosystem communities
  • Native invertebrate diversity, ecology and conservation
  • Restoration of braided rivers (effects on birds and freshwater communities)

I am a conservation ecologist and parasitologist (from a previous life…) working on a diversity of ecosystems and leading research projects addressing a range of applied ecological issues. My work focuses on what is defined as naturally rare ecosystems; small discrete ecosystems representing less than 0.05% of New Zealand's surface area. Despite their small size, such ecosystems hold comparatively high ecological values and many specific and endangered taxa, both plants and animals. My current projects focus on limestone, saline, coastal turf and freshwater spring ecosystems.

I also collaborate with researchers and students in the Zoology Department on different projects (limestone microsnails and invertebrates, seabird parasites, braided river restoration) and would welcome interest from students looking for research projects in collaboration with DOC. My main focuses currently are braided river pest predators, rank grass effects in limestone ecosystems and interactions with rodents, impacts of hedgehogs on limestone lizards and invertebrates.
Lagrue-outcrop

Lagrue-trapdoorLagrue-spider

Limestone outcrop (Castle Rock, Southland) and one of the cool critters found on limestone (trap-door spiders).

Publications

Poulin, R., Bennett, J., Blasco-Costa, I., de Angeli Dutra, D., Doherty, J.-F., Dowle, E., … Lagrue, C., … Li, C.-H., … Presswell, B., … Selbach, C. (2026). Scientists' warning on the rapid evolution of parasites in the anthropocene. Evolutionary Applications, 19, e70244. doi: 10.1111/eva.70244 Journal - Research Other

De Jong, E. C., Ingram, T., Boddy, N. C., & Lagrue, C. (2025). Unearthing a new approach to gravel extraction: Can it restore freshwater fish habitat and improve their population health? River Research & Applications. Advance online publication. doi: 10.1002/rra.70078 Journal - Research Article

Bennett, J., Presswell, B., Little, M., Lagrue, C., Webster, T., Dutoit, L., Poulin, R., … Hutson, K. S. (2025). Endoparasite communities of New Zealand penguins differ over time and among species. Marine Biology, 172, 94. doi: 10.1007/s00227-025-04651-2 Journal - Research Article

Buschang, K. E., Bennett, J., Lagrue, C., & Poulin, R. (2025). Global analysis of Toxoplasma gondii prevalence in wild avian hosts: Effects of phylogeny, ecology, and detection methods. International Journal for Parasitology. Advance online publication. doi: 10.1016/j.ijpara.2025.06.007 Journal - Research Article

Buschang, K., Lagrue, C., Bennett, J., & Poulin, R. (2024). Toxoplasma gondii in avian hosts: Testing methods of detection and the drivers of infection in New Zealand and across the world. Proceedings of the Australian and New Zealand Societies for Parasitology and the 7th International Conference on Anaerobic Protists: Parasites in the Pacific. (pp. 39-40). Retrieved from https://www.parasite.org.au/aspconference/ Conference Contribution - Published proceedings: Abstract

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