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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

Shanebeck, K. M., Bennett, J., Green, S. J., Lagrue, C., & Presswell, B. (2024). A new species of Versteria (Cestoda: Taeniidae) parasitizing Neogale vison and Lontra canadensis (Carnivora: Mustelidae) from Western Canada. Journal of Helminthology, 98, e4. doi: 10.1017/S0022149X23000895

Galipaud, M., Bollache, L., & Lagrue, C. (2021). Cryptic diversity and sexual selection. In R. Cothran & M. Thiel (Eds.), Reproductive biology: The natural history of the crustacea. (pp. 447-471). New York, NY: Oxford University Press. doi: 10.1093/oso/9780190688554.003.0016

Friesen, O., Poulin, R., & Lagrue, C. (2021). Temperature and multiple parasites combine to alter host community structure. Oikos, 130, 1500-1511. doi: 10.1111/oik.07813

Shanebeck, K. M., Presswell, B., & Lagrue, C. (2020). Missing link: California rock crabs serve as intermediate hosts for the parasite Helicometrina nimia. Journal of Helminthology, 94, e143. doi: 10.1017/s0022149x20000218

Friesen, O. C., Goellner, S., Poulin, R., & Lagrue, C. (2020). Parasites shape community structure and dynamics in freshwater crustaceans. Parasitology, 147, 182-193. doi: 10.1017/s0031182019001483

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