Melia Nafus, PhD
Melia Nafus is a Research Ecologist at the Pacific Island Ecosystems Research Center.
Melia leads the USGS Brown Treesnake Project based in the Marianas where her research is focused on improving detection and capture of cryptic reptiles at low densities, potential ecological effects of snake control, and development and implementation of control measures to enact population suppression on Guam and prevent their spread to other Pacific Islands. She also develops and collaborates on research designed to inform ecology and species recovery needs in the Pacific and elsewhere, as well as invasive reptile ecology. Broadly speaking, Melia is interested in factors that affect persistence of herpetofaunal populations including behavior, habitat selection, population dynamics, and spatial use.
Professional Experience
2016 to Present, Research Ecologist, U.S. Geological Survey
2014 to 2016, Researcher, San Diego Zoo Global Institute for Conservation Research, Escondido California
Education and Certifications
Ph.D. Ecology, Graduate Group in Ecology, University of California Davis, 2014
B.S. Biology, Department of Biological Sciences, University of Idaho, 2007
Science and Products
Filter Total Items: 21
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Filter Total Items: 43
Brown treesnake mortality after aerial application of toxic baits Brown treesnake mortality after aerial application of toxic baits
Quantitative evaluation of control tools for managing invasive species is necessary to assess overall effectiveness and individual variation in treatment susceptibility. Invasive brown treesnakes (Boiga irregularis) on Guam have caused severe ecological and economic effects, pose a risk of accidental introduction to other islands, and are the greatest impediment to the reestablishment of
Authors
Scott Michael Goetz, Eric T. Hileman, Melia G. Nafus, Amy A. Yackel Adams, Amanda R Bryant, Robert Reed, Shane R. Siers
Surface material and snout-vent length predict vertical scaling ability in brown treesnakes:an evaluation of multispecies barriers for invasive species control on Guam Surface material and snout-vent length predict vertical scaling ability in brown treesnakes:an evaluation of multispecies barriers for invasive species control on Guam
The combination of snake-proof barriers and an aerial toxicant delivery system for snake suppression may allow large-scale control of invasive brown treesnakes (Boiga irregularis) on Guam. However, suppression or local eradication of several other species (e.g., introduced ungulates, cats, rodents) may be required for successful restoration and recovery of forest habitat and...
Authors
Eric T. Hileman, Bradke, Melia G. Nafus, Amy A. Yackel Adams, Robert Reed
Using enclosed Y-mazes to assess chemosensory behavior in reptiles Using enclosed Y-mazes to assess chemosensory behavior in reptiles
Reptiles utilize a variety of environmental cues to inform and drive animal behavior such as chemical scent trails produced by food or conspecifics. Decrypting the scent-trailing behavior of vertebrates, particularly invasive species, enables the discovery of cues that induce exploratory behavior and can aid in the development of valuable basic and applied biological tools. However...
Authors
M. Rockwell Parker, Andrea Faye Currylow, Eric A. Tillman, Charlotte J. Robinson, Jillian Maureen Josimovich, Isabella M.G. Bukovich, Lauren A. Nazarian, Melia G. Nafus, Bryan M. Kluever, Amy A. Yackel Adams
Evaluating lethal toxicant doses for the largest individuals of an invasive vertebrate predator with indeterminate growth Evaluating lethal toxicant doses for the largest individuals of an invasive vertebrate predator with indeterminate growth
The brown treesnake (Boiga irregularis) was accidentally introduced to Guam and caused severe ecological and economic damages. Acetaminophen is an effective, low-risk oral toxicant for invasive brown treesnakes, and an automated aerial delivery system (ADS) has been developed for landscape-scale toxic bait distribution. A fixed dose of 80 mg of acetaminophen within a tablet inserted into...
Authors
Shane R. Siers, Scott Michael Goetz, Rachel M. Volsteadt, Melia G. Nafus
Evidence for an established population of tegu lizards Salvator merianae in southeastern Georgia, USA Evidence for an established population of tegu lizards Salvator merianae in southeastern Georgia, USA
Documenting emergence of invasive species in new areas is vital to understanding spatiotemporal patterns of invasions, propagule pressure, and the risk of establishment. Salvator merianae (Argentine Giant Tegu) has established multiple unconnected populations in southern and Central Florida, and additional sightings have been reported elsewhere in the state. In 2018, land managers in...
Authors
Daniel Haro, Lance McBrayer, John B Jenson, James Gillis, Lea R. Bonewell, Melia Gail Nafus, Stephen E. Greiman, Robert Reed, Amy A. Yackel Adams
Hemidactylus cf. platyurus (Asian flat-tailed house gecko) Hemidactylus cf. platyurus (Asian flat-tailed house gecko)
No abstract available.
Authors
K. L. Kabat, D. V. Young, N. B. Van Ee, P. X. Xiong, D. R. Bradke, Melia G. Nafus, Eric Thomas Hileman
Hemidactylus tenkatei (Spotted house gecko) Hemidactylus tenkatei (Spotted house gecko)
No abstract available.
Authors
N. B. Van Ee, P. X. Xiong, D. V. Young, K. L. Kabat, D. R. Bradke, Eric Thomas Hileman, Melia G. Nafus
Behavior, size, and body condition predict susceptibility to management and reflect post-treatment frequency shifts in an invasive snake Behavior, size, and body condition predict susceptibility to management and reflect post-treatment frequency shifts in an invasive snake
Foraging behavior can have population-level effects that are of interest for wildlife management. For invasive species, foraging behavior has been tied to establishment ability and rate of spread and is generally of import in understanding invasion biology. A major method for controlling invasive vertebrates is using food-based baits as attractants. Tool efficacy is therefore partially...
Authors
Melia G. Nafus, Amy A. Yackel Adams, S. M. Boback, Siers, Robert Reed
Landscape dominance of introduced herpetofauna on an oceanic island Landscape dominance of introduced herpetofauna on an oceanic island
Habitat loss and fragmentation can negatively impact native wildlife and facilitate establishment of introduced species. On islands, introduced species are a primary cause of extinction and can alter community membership through predation or competition for resources. Consequently, elucidating the distribution of introduced and native species can improve understanding of the potential...
Authors
Eric Thomas Hileman, Bradley A. Eichelberger, Jill Liske-Clark, Patrick D Barnhart, Robert Reed, Amy A. Yackel Adams, Melia G. Nafus
Estimating detection probability for Burmese Pythons with few detections and zero recapture events Estimating detection probability for Burmese Pythons with few detections and zero recapture events
Detection has been a long-standing challenge to monitoring populations of cryptic herpetofauna, which often have detection probabilities that are closer to zero than one. Burmese Pythons (Python bivittatus =Python molurus bivittatus), a recent invader in the Greater Everglades Ecosystem of Florida, are cryptic snakes that have long periods of inactivity. In addition, management actions...
Authors
Melia G. Nafus, Frank J. Mazzotti, Robert Reed
Use of visual surveys and radiotelemetry reveals sources of detection bias for a cryptic snake at low densities Use of visual surveys and radiotelemetry reveals sources of detection bias for a cryptic snake at low densities
Transect surveys are frequently used to estimate distribution and abundance of species across a landscape, yet a proportion of individuals present will be missed because either they were out of view and unavailable for detection or they were available but not detected because the surveyors missed them. These situations lead to availability and perception bias, respectively, and can...
Authors
SM Boback, Melia G. Nafus, Amy A. Yackel Adams, Robert Reed
Using incidental mark-encounter data to improve survival estimation Using incidental mark-encounter data to improve survival estimation
Obtaining robust survival estimates is critical, but sample size limitations often result in imprecise estimates or the failure to obtain estimates for population subgroups. Concurrently, data are often recorded on incidental reencounters of marked individuals, but these incidental data are often unused in survival analyses.We evaluated the utility of supplementing a traditional survival...
Authors
Seth M. Harju, SM Cambrin, R.C. Averill-Murray, Melia G. Nafus, Kimberleigh J Field, Linda J. Allison
Non-USGS Publications**
Nafus MG, Todd BD, Buhlmann KA, and Tuberville TD (2015) Consequences of maternal effects on offspring size, growth and survival in the desert tortoise. Journal of Zoology, London, 297:108-114. http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/jzo.12250
Nafus MG (2015) Indeterminate growth in desert tortoises. Copeia, 103: 520-524. http://dx.doi.org/10.1643/CH-14-192
Peaden JM, Tuberville TD, Buhlmann KA, Nafus MG, and Todd BD (2015) Delimiting road-effect zones for threatened species: implications for mitigation fencing. Wildlife Research, 42: 650-659. http://dx.doi.org/10.1071/WR15082
Nafus MG, Tuberville TD, Buhlmann KA, and Todd BD (2013) Occurrence and demographic structure of Agassiz’s desert tortoise (Gopherus agassizii) along roads of varying size and traffic volume. Biological Conservation, 162: 100-106. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.biocon.2013.04.009
Bunting JE, Giles DA, Nafus MG, Nemeth Z, Poletto JB, Roe SM, Thomas RE, VanderWaal K, Caro T. (2011) A primer of conservation behavior. Animal Behaviour, 81: 353-355. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.anbehav.2010.10.011
**Disclaimer: The views expressed in Non-USGS publications are those of the author and do not represent the views of the USGS, Department of the Interior, or the U.S. Government.
Science and Products
Filter Total Items: 21
No Result Found
Filter Total Items: 43
Brown treesnake mortality after aerial application of toxic baits Brown treesnake mortality after aerial application of toxic baits
Quantitative evaluation of control tools for managing invasive species is necessary to assess overall effectiveness and individual variation in treatment susceptibility. Invasive brown treesnakes (Boiga irregularis) on Guam have caused severe ecological and economic effects, pose a risk of accidental introduction to other islands, and are the greatest impediment to the reestablishment of
Authors
Scott Michael Goetz, Eric T. Hileman, Melia G. Nafus, Amy A. Yackel Adams, Amanda R Bryant, Robert Reed, Shane R. Siers
Surface material and snout-vent length predict vertical scaling ability in brown treesnakes:an evaluation of multispecies barriers for invasive species control on Guam Surface material and snout-vent length predict vertical scaling ability in brown treesnakes:an evaluation of multispecies barriers for invasive species control on Guam
The combination of snake-proof barriers and an aerial toxicant delivery system for snake suppression may allow large-scale control of invasive brown treesnakes (Boiga irregularis) on Guam. However, suppression or local eradication of several other species (e.g., introduced ungulates, cats, rodents) may be required for successful restoration and recovery of forest habitat and...
Authors
Eric T. Hileman, Bradke, Melia G. Nafus, Amy A. Yackel Adams, Robert Reed
Using enclosed Y-mazes to assess chemosensory behavior in reptiles Using enclosed Y-mazes to assess chemosensory behavior in reptiles
Reptiles utilize a variety of environmental cues to inform and drive animal behavior such as chemical scent trails produced by food or conspecifics. Decrypting the scent-trailing behavior of vertebrates, particularly invasive species, enables the discovery of cues that induce exploratory behavior and can aid in the development of valuable basic and applied biological tools. However...
Authors
M. Rockwell Parker, Andrea Faye Currylow, Eric A. Tillman, Charlotte J. Robinson, Jillian Maureen Josimovich, Isabella M.G. Bukovich, Lauren A. Nazarian, Melia G. Nafus, Bryan M. Kluever, Amy A. Yackel Adams
Evaluating lethal toxicant doses for the largest individuals of an invasive vertebrate predator with indeterminate growth Evaluating lethal toxicant doses for the largest individuals of an invasive vertebrate predator with indeterminate growth
The brown treesnake (Boiga irregularis) was accidentally introduced to Guam and caused severe ecological and economic damages. Acetaminophen is an effective, low-risk oral toxicant for invasive brown treesnakes, and an automated aerial delivery system (ADS) has been developed for landscape-scale toxic bait distribution. A fixed dose of 80 mg of acetaminophen within a tablet inserted into...
Authors
Shane R. Siers, Scott Michael Goetz, Rachel M. Volsteadt, Melia G. Nafus
Evidence for an established population of tegu lizards Salvator merianae in southeastern Georgia, USA Evidence for an established population of tegu lizards Salvator merianae in southeastern Georgia, USA
Documenting emergence of invasive species in new areas is vital to understanding spatiotemporal patterns of invasions, propagule pressure, and the risk of establishment. Salvator merianae (Argentine Giant Tegu) has established multiple unconnected populations in southern and Central Florida, and additional sightings have been reported elsewhere in the state. In 2018, land managers in...
Authors
Daniel Haro, Lance McBrayer, John B Jenson, James Gillis, Lea R. Bonewell, Melia Gail Nafus, Stephen E. Greiman, Robert Reed, Amy A. Yackel Adams
Hemidactylus cf. platyurus (Asian flat-tailed house gecko) Hemidactylus cf. platyurus (Asian flat-tailed house gecko)
No abstract available.
Authors
K. L. Kabat, D. V. Young, N. B. Van Ee, P. X. Xiong, D. R. Bradke, Melia G. Nafus, Eric Thomas Hileman
Hemidactylus tenkatei (Spotted house gecko) Hemidactylus tenkatei (Spotted house gecko)
No abstract available.
Authors
N. B. Van Ee, P. X. Xiong, D. V. Young, K. L. Kabat, D. R. Bradke, Eric Thomas Hileman, Melia G. Nafus
Behavior, size, and body condition predict susceptibility to management and reflect post-treatment frequency shifts in an invasive snake Behavior, size, and body condition predict susceptibility to management and reflect post-treatment frequency shifts in an invasive snake
Foraging behavior can have population-level effects that are of interest for wildlife management. For invasive species, foraging behavior has been tied to establishment ability and rate of spread and is generally of import in understanding invasion biology. A major method for controlling invasive vertebrates is using food-based baits as attractants. Tool efficacy is therefore partially...
Authors
Melia G. Nafus, Amy A. Yackel Adams, S. M. Boback, Siers, Robert Reed
Landscape dominance of introduced herpetofauna on an oceanic island Landscape dominance of introduced herpetofauna on an oceanic island
Habitat loss and fragmentation can negatively impact native wildlife and facilitate establishment of introduced species. On islands, introduced species are a primary cause of extinction and can alter community membership through predation or competition for resources. Consequently, elucidating the distribution of introduced and native species can improve understanding of the potential...
Authors
Eric Thomas Hileman, Bradley A. Eichelberger, Jill Liske-Clark, Patrick D Barnhart, Robert Reed, Amy A. Yackel Adams, Melia G. Nafus
Estimating detection probability for Burmese Pythons with few detections and zero recapture events Estimating detection probability for Burmese Pythons with few detections and zero recapture events
Detection has been a long-standing challenge to monitoring populations of cryptic herpetofauna, which often have detection probabilities that are closer to zero than one. Burmese Pythons (Python bivittatus =Python molurus bivittatus), a recent invader in the Greater Everglades Ecosystem of Florida, are cryptic snakes that have long periods of inactivity. In addition, management actions...
Authors
Melia G. Nafus, Frank J. Mazzotti, Robert Reed
Use of visual surveys and radiotelemetry reveals sources of detection bias for a cryptic snake at low densities Use of visual surveys and radiotelemetry reveals sources of detection bias for a cryptic snake at low densities
Transect surveys are frequently used to estimate distribution and abundance of species across a landscape, yet a proportion of individuals present will be missed because either they were out of view and unavailable for detection or they were available but not detected because the surveyors missed them. These situations lead to availability and perception bias, respectively, and can...
Authors
SM Boback, Melia G. Nafus, Amy A. Yackel Adams, Robert Reed
Using incidental mark-encounter data to improve survival estimation Using incidental mark-encounter data to improve survival estimation
Obtaining robust survival estimates is critical, but sample size limitations often result in imprecise estimates or the failure to obtain estimates for population subgroups. Concurrently, data are often recorded on incidental reencounters of marked individuals, but these incidental data are often unused in survival analyses.We evaluated the utility of supplementing a traditional survival...
Authors
Seth M. Harju, SM Cambrin, R.C. Averill-Murray, Melia G. Nafus, Kimberleigh J Field, Linda J. Allison
Non-USGS Publications**
Nafus MG, Todd BD, Buhlmann KA, and Tuberville TD (2015) Consequences of maternal effects on offspring size, growth and survival in the desert tortoise. Journal of Zoology, London, 297:108-114. http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/jzo.12250
Nafus MG (2015) Indeterminate growth in desert tortoises. Copeia, 103: 520-524. http://dx.doi.org/10.1643/CH-14-192
Peaden JM, Tuberville TD, Buhlmann KA, Nafus MG, and Todd BD (2015) Delimiting road-effect zones for threatened species: implications for mitigation fencing. Wildlife Research, 42: 650-659. http://dx.doi.org/10.1071/WR15082
Nafus MG, Tuberville TD, Buhlmann KA, and Todd BD (2013) Occurrence and demographic structure of Agassiz’s desert tortoise (Gopherus agassizii) along roads of varying size and traffic volume. Biological Conservation, 162: 100-106. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.biocon.2013.04.009
Bunting JE, Giles DA, Nafus MG, Nemeth Z, Poletto JB, Roe SM, Thomas RE, VanderWaal K, Caro T. (2011) A primer of conservation behavior. Animal Behaviour, 81: 353-355. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.anbehav.2010.10.011
**Disclaimer: The views expressed in Non-USGS publications are those of the author and do not represent the views of the USGS, Department of the Interior, or the U.S. Government.