Frog Research > University of Otago Frog Group > Bastian Egeter
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Bastian Egeter Bas is currently working on his PhD which focuses on predation of frogs in New Zealand. He has developed DNA-based techniques for identifying frog remains in predator stomach and faecal contents. Using these techniques he has identified pigs and hedgehogs as predators of introduced frogs and ship rats as predators of the endangered Archey’s frog. Confirming which pest species are impacting native frogs will enable conservation managers to make informed decisions regarding predator control strategies. Bas also hopes to extend the reach of his project to an international level by obtaining various mammal stomach and faecal samples from around the world and using the newly developed techniques to survey for evidence of frog predation. Bas has completed a postgraduate diploma in wildlife management which included an assessment of Orokonui Ecosanctuary, Dunedin as a potential target translocation site for Maud Island frogs (Leiopelma pakeka) and Hochstetter’s frogs (L. hochstetteri). Before coming to New Zealand he worked in Ireland as an ecological consultant, surveying for mammals and amphibians, and designing mitigation measures for the protection of native fauna affected by major national construction schemes.
Curriculum Vitae
Email: egeba296@student.otago.ac.nz  Citizenship: German Education PhD Zoology, 2009 – present, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand • Thesis: DNA-Based Detection of Frog Predation by Small Mammals. • Supervisors: Dr. Phil Bishop and Dr. Bruce Robertson PgDip Wildlife Management, 2008 – 2009, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand • Research project: Assessment of habitat suitability at Orokonui Ecosanctuary, for the translocation of Maud Island frogs (Leiopelma pakeka) and/or Hochstetter’s frogs (L. hochstetteri). Graduated with distinction BSc (Hons) Natural Science, with a moderatorship in Botany, 2000 – 2004, Trinity College, Dublin, Ireland • Thesis: Colonisation of dead wood by lower plants under coniferous forest canopy and in adjacent areas. • Supervisor: Dr. Daniel Kelly Work experience  Demonstrator, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand, 2009
• Postgraduate wildlife management: Introduction to home range software and analyses
• First year undergraduate animal biology: Lab demonstrator
• Third year undergraduate freshwater ecology: Project manager
• First year undergraduate animal biology: Senior demonstrator
University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand, 2008 • Freshwater ecology laboratory-based research Ecological consultant Self-employed, Wicklow, Ireland, 2000 - 2008 • Conducted detailed wildlife surveys • Habitat mapping • Prepared environmental impact assessments • Designed and implemented detailed mitigation measures for fauna affected by major construction schemes, including national infrastructure • Over 60 final reports prepared for private developers and government agencies  • Consultation with the public Scholarships
• University of Otago Postgraduate Scholarship (for MSc studies, tuition plus stipend of NZ$13,000), 2009 – 2010
• University of Otago Postgraduate Scholarship (for PhD studies, tuition plus stipend of NZ$20,000), 2010 – 2012
• Australian Academy of Science: Award for Research on the Conservation of Endangered Australian Vertebrate Species (AU$1300), 2009 • Society for the Study of Reptiles and Amphibians: Student Travel Award (US$400), 2010 • American Society of Ichthyologists and Herpetologists: Graduate Student Travel Award (US$500), 2010 • University of Otago, Department of Zoology: Student Conference Grant (NZ$500), 2010 • Ecology Research Group: Student Conference Travel Grant (NZ$250), 2010 • Royal Forest and Bird Protection Society of New Zealand: Hutton Fund (NZ $400), 2010 • M.J. & B.J. Marples: The Ecology Fund (NZ $380), 2011
• Society for Research on Amphibians & Reptiles in New Zealand: Herpetological Research Award (NZ $500)
• University of Otago, Department of Zoology: Student Conference Grant (NZ $300), 2011
Conference Presentations
• B. Egeter, P.J. Bishop & B. C. Robertson. DNA-Based Detection of Frog Predation by Small Mammals. 25th International Congress for Conservation Biology, Auckland, New Zealand, 2011 (Scheduled poster presentation)
• B. Egeter, P.J. Bishop & B. C. Robertson. DNA-Based Identification of Litoria raniformis in Norway Rat and Hedgehog Stomach Contents. 14th Biennial Conference of the Society for Research on Amphibians & Reptiles in New Zealand, Catlins, New Zealand, 2011 (Oral Presentation – Award for best student talk on a conservation topic)
• B. Egeter, P.J. Bishop & B. C. Robertson. A DNA-Based Method to Identify Southern Bell Frog Prey Remains in Norway Rat and Hedgehog Stomach Contents. Joint Meeting of Ichthyologists and Herpetologists, Rhode Island, USA, 2010 (Oral presentation)
• B. Egeter, B. C. Robertson & P.J. Bishop. Can Forensics Find the Foes of Native Frogs? University of Otago Zoology Symposium, Dunedin, New Zealand, 2009 (Poster presentation)
• B. Egeter & D. Kelly. Colonisation of dead wood by lower plants under coniferous forest canopy and in adjacent areas. Trinity College Dublin Botany Department Symposium, Dublin, Ireland, 2004 (Oral presentation)
Community activities • Volunteer at Orokonui Ecosanctuary • Volunteer for Forest and Bird wilding pine removal group Professional societies Member of the following societies: • Society for Research on Amphibians and Reptiles in New Zealand • Society for the Study of Amphibians and Reptiles • American Society of Ichthyologists and Herpetologists • Society for Conservation Biology Unpublished frog reports Egeter, B. 2009. Assessment of habitat suitability at Orokonui Ecostanctuary for the translocation of Maud Island frogs and/or Hochstetter's frogs. Wildlife Management Report 222. University of Otago: Dunedin |