I grew up in Michigan, USA, where I developed a great appreciation for all things wild. I have a particular interest in reptiles, which led me to complete my undergraduate and Master’s research on snake ecology (particularly green anacondas and eastern massasauga rattlesnakes). I am currently focusing on the mating system and reproductive ecology of tuatara in New Zealand.

Contact me at Jennifer.Moore@vuw.ac.nz)
phone: 64 4 463 7443

Current Research
I’m primarily interested in sexual selection, mating systems and behavioural ecology of reptiles. My PhD research is on the social and genetic mating system of tuatara (Sphenodon punctatus), with an integration of observational mating and behaviour data, GIS territory mapping, and genetic techniques based on microsatellite analyses. My lab work is based in the Allan Wilson Centre at Victoria University of Wellington, and most of my field work takes place on Takapourewa/Stephens Island, in the Marlborough Sounds.

Publications

1. Moore JA , JM Hoare, CH Daugherty & NJ Nelson. 2007. Waiting reveals waning weight: Monitoring over 54 years shows a decline in body condition of a long-lived reptile (tuatara, Sphenodon punctatus). Biological Conservation 135 : 181-188.
2. Moore JA & S Godfrey. 2006. Sphenodon punctatus (common tuatara). Opportunistic predation. Herpetological Review 37(1): 81-82.
3. Moore JA & JC Gillingham. 2006. Spatial ecology and multi-scale habitat selection by a threatened rattlesnake: the eastern massasauga (Sistrurus catenatus catenatus). Copeia 2006(4): 741-751.

Research Funding & Support
Funding and support for my research has been provided by the following people and organizations:

• Allan Wilson Centre for Molecular Ecology and Evolution
• Education New Zealand
• New Zealand Department of Conservation
• Ngati Koata iwi
• Zoological Society of San Diego CRES
• Society for Research on Amphibians and Reptiles in New Zealand
• Victoria University of Wellington
• Weta Workshop