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5,312 results for “New Zealand”
Data from: A new species of Pittosporum described from the Poor Knights Islands, Northland, Aotearoa/New Zealand
Here we describe Pittosporum roimata Gemmill & S.N. Carter, the only vascular plant endemic to the Poor Knights Islands, Northland, Aotearoa/New Zealand. This new species has previously been referred to as a distinct variant of Pittosporum cornifolium (tāwhiri karo, wharewhareatua), a morphologically similar epiphytic shrub known from both main islands of New Zealand as well as other off shore islands. We have segregated this new species from P. cornifolium based on morphology, DNA sequence variation, as well as distribution. Pittosporum roimata is distinguished from P. cornifolium by a number of characters, including having larger thicker leaves with shorter petioles, flowers with yellow petals, larger inflorescences, and producing several terminal fruits per stem. Pittosporum roimata is locally common on the islands of Tawhiti Rahi, Aorangi, and Aorangaia, growing on rocky substrates associated with Xeronema callistemon (raupo taranga) and Metrosideros excelsa (pōhutukawa). Using the current New Zealand Threat Classification System, we suggest a preliminary classification of this new species as 'At Risk / Naturally Uncommon' qualified DP [Data Poor), OL [One Location].
Data from: Population biology of establishment in New Zealand hedgehogs inferred from genetic and historical data: conflict or compromise?
The crucial steps in biological invasions, related to the shaping of genetic architecture and the current evolution of adaptations to a novel environment, usually occur in small populations during the phases of introduction and establishment. However, these processes are difficult to track in nature due to invasion lag, large geographic and temporal scales compared with human observation capabilities, the frequent depletion of genetic variance, admixture and other phenomena. In this study, we compared genetic and historical evidence related to the invasion of the West European hedgehog to New Zealand to infer details about the introduction and establishment. Historical information indicates that the species was initially established on the South Island. A molecular assay of populations from Great Britain and New Zealand using mitochondrial sequences and nuclear microsatellite loci was performed based on a set of analyses including approximate Bayesian computation, a powerful approach for disentangling complex population demographies. According to these analyses, the population of the North Island was most similar to that of the native area and showed greatest reduction in genetic variation caused by founder demography and/or drift. This evidence indicated the location of the establishment phase. The hypothesis was corroborated by data on climate and urbanization. We discuss the contrasting results obtained by the molecular and historical approaches in the light of their different explanatory power and the possible biases influencing the description of particular aspects of invasions, and we advocate the integration of the two types of approaches in invasion biology.
Data from: Inadvertent biological control: an Australian thrips killing an invasive New Zealand tree in California
Transport hubs of international trade and tourism are sites of unprecedented long-distance dispersal of species and novel ecological interactions. In cases of invasive plants released from their specialist natural enemies, novel interactions with both resident enemies and new arrivals can accumulate and potentially reduce weed competitiveness. I present here one dramatic example of this, where an invasive woody weed in southern California is being rapidly controlled by an accidentally introduced genus-specialist herbivorous insect. The New Zealand native shrub/small tree, Myoporum laetum, is a long-time popular ornamental plant in California and has become an invasive woody weed. In 2005, a Myoporum-specific thrips, Klambothrips myopori, was discovered (and described) in California feeding on M. laetum leaves. Several searches have failed to find K. myopori in New Zealand and a population has recently been discovered in Tasmania, Australia, feeding on Myoporum insulare. In 5 years, K. myopori has killed off about half of southern Californian M. laetum with almost all surviving individuals being gradually defoliated. Inadequate border biosecurity has resulted in inadvertent biological control, in a rapid timeframe, caused by a novel enemy. Unfortunately, K. myopori has subsequently been accidentally transported from California to Hawaii where it is now killing off Hawaiian native Myoporum sandwicense. Transport hubs can both connect weeds with natural enemies and disperse those enemies more widely.
Data from: Breaking and remaking a seed and seed predator interaction in the introduced range of Scotch Broom (Cytisus scoparius) in New Zealand
Introduced plants may initially experience enemy release but some of those interactions may be reinstated through biological control. These cases provide opportunities to explore the dynamics of broken and re-made consumer-resource interactions. The European shrub broom (Cytisus scoparius) was introduced to New Zealand without a specialist seed predator (Bruchidius villosus) until a biological control programme reinstated this interaction in 1988. Broom produces substantially larger seeds throughout its non-native range and there are differences in seedling establishment beneath broom canopies between the native and introduced ranges. We hypothesised that large broom seeds produce seedlings with a survival advantage in shaded conditions, consistent with establishment under broom canopies in the introduced range. We also predicted that the seed-feeding beetle would experience increased fitness in larger seeds. We found that seedling survival was correlated with seed weight in shaded conditions, consistent with the observed establishment of seedlings beneath broom stands in the non-native range. Beetle size was positively correlated with seed weight and female fecundity increased with body size. Comparison of the size distributions of beetle populations before and after hibernation provided indirect evidence that overwintering survival of beetles is also size-dependent. These findings are consistent with observed higher levels of abundance of B. villosus in New Zealand, compared to native habitats. Selection gradients for seed size-dependent seedling survival on broom occupancy were explored using the Rees-Paynter population model, demonstrating that a fitness benefit to the plant of large seed size through enhanced seedling survival beneath the parental canopy is only likely under low disturbance scenarios and moderate fecundity levels. Synthesis. The dynamics of biocontrol systems provide an under-exploited opportunity to examine the impact of removal and reinstatement of species interactions. Differences in seed size between native and non-native ranges may result from varying intensities of conflicting selection pressures acting on seed size. It remains to be seen whether a decline in seed size towards that seen in the native range will result from the biocontrol agent introduction, as we have demonstrated that selection pressures on seed size vary with disturbance mediated population turnover and fecundity.
Figure 3 in A new fossil species of Procellaria (Aves: Procellariiformes) from the Pliocene of New Zealand
Figure 3. General location in Taranaki where the fossil was found.
Figure 1 in A new fossil species of Procellaria (Aves: Procellariiformes) from the Pliocene of New Zealand
Figure 1. Plate illustrating how each bone element was measured.
Data from: Light limitation within southern New Zealand kelp forest communities
Light is the fundamental driver of primary productivity in the marine environment. Reduced light availability has the potential to alter the distribution, community composition, and productivity of key benthic primary producers, potentially reducing habitat and energy provision to coastal food webs. We compared the underwater light environment of macroalgal dominated shallow subtidal rocky reef habitats on a coastline modified by human activities with a coastline of forested catchments. Key metrics describing the availability of photosynthetically active radiation (PAR) were determined over 295 days and were related to macroalgal depth distribution, community composition, and standing biomass patterns, which were recorded seasonally. Light attenuation was more than twice as high in shallow subtidal zones along the modified coast. Macroalgal biomass was 2–5 times greater within forested sites, and even in shallow water (2m) a significant difference in biomass was observed. Long-term light dose provided the best explanation for differences in observed biomass between modified and forested coasts, with light availability over the study period differing by 60 and 90 mol photons m−2 at 2 and 10 metres, respectively. Higher biomass on the forested coast was driven by the presence of larger individuals rather than species diversity or density. This study suggests that commonly used metrics such as species diversity and density are not as sensitive as direct measures of biomass when detecting the effects of light limitation within macroalgal communities.
Data from: Low spatial genetic differentiation associated with rapid recolonization in the New Zealand fur seal Arctocephalus forsteri
Population declines resulting from anthropogenic activities are of major consequence for the long-term survival of species because the resulting loss of genetic diversity can lead to extinction via the effects of inbreeding depression, fixation of deleterious mutations, and loss of adaptive potential. Otariid pinnipeds have been exploited commercially to near extinction with some species showing higher demographic resilience and recolonization potential than others. The New Zealand fur seal (NZFS) was heavily impacted by commercial sealing between the late 18th and early 19th centuries, but has recolonized its former range in southern Australia. The species has also recolonized its former range in New Zealand, yet little is known about the pattern of recolonization. Here, we first used 11 microsatellite markers (n = 383) to investigate the contemporary population structure and dispersal patterns in the NZFS (Arctocephalus forsteri). Secondly, we model postsealing recolonization with 1 additional mtDNA cytochrome b (n = 261) marker. Our data identified 3 genetic clusters: an Australian, a subantarctic, and a New Zealand one, with a weak and probably transient subdivision within the latter cluster. Demographic history scenarios supported a recolonization of the New Zealand coastline from remote west coast colonies, which is consistent with contemporary gene flow and with the species' high resilience. The present data suggest the management of distinct genetic units in the North and South of New Zealand along a genetic gradient. Assignment of individuals to their colony of origin was limited (32%) with the present data indicating the current microsatellite markers are unlikely sufficient to assign fisheries bycatch of NZFSs to colonies.
Data from: Human-mediated extirpation of the unique Chatham Islands sea lion and implications for the conservation management of remaining New Zealand sea lion populations
While terrestrial megafaunal extinctions have been well characterized worldwide, our understanding of declines in marine megafauna remains limited. Here, we use ancient DNA analyses of prehistoric (<1450–1650 AD) sea lion specimens from New Zealand's isolated Chatham Islands to assess the demographic impacts of human settlement. These data suggest there was a large population of sea lions, unique to the Chatham Islands, at the time of Polynesian settlement. This distinct mitochondrial lineage became rapidly extinct within 200 years due to overhunting, paralleling the extirpation of a similarly large endemic mainland population. Whole mitogenomic analyses confirm substantial intraspecific diversity among prehistoric lineages. Demographic models suggest that even low harvest rates would likely have driven rapid extinction of these lineages. This study indicates that surviving Phocarctos populations are remnants of a once diverse and widespread sea lion assemblage, highlighting dramatic human impacts on endemic marine biodiversity. Our findings also suggest that Phocarctos bycatch in commercial fisheries may contribute to the ongoing population decline.
Data from: Rautangaroa, a new genus of feather star (Echinodermata: Crinoidea) from the Oligocene of New Zealand
We describe a nearly complete, and thus extremely rare, featherstar (Crinoidea, Comatulida) from Oligocene strata of North Otago/South Canterbury, New Zealand. A detailed analysis of this specimen, as well as newly recovered material and previously described fragmentary remains from nearby contemporaneous sedimentary units, in addition to relevant historical specimens, lead us to conclude that it cannot be placed in any currently established genus. A new genus, Rautangaroa, is proposed to accommodate it. This intact specimen of Rautangaroa aotearoa (Eagle, 2007), new combination, provides rare data on the morphology of arms and cirri. It represents the first example of arm autotomy and regeneration in a fossil featherstar, and thus has bearing on the importance of predation to the evolutionary history of this group.
FIGURES 2528 in A new Rakaia species (Opiliones, Cyphophthalmi, Pettalidae) from Otago, New Zealand
FIGURES 2528. Rakaia macra sp. nov. apex of penis. 25. Dorsal view; 26. Dorsal view showing movable fingers (mf); 27. Ventral view; 28. Light microscope image, dorsal view. Scale bar 100 µm for all.
FIGURES 1-2 in A new Rakaia species (Opiliones, Cyphophthalmi, Pettalidae) from Otago, New Zealand
FIGURES 1-2. Rakaia macra sp. nov. 1. Dorsal view of male holotype; 2. Ventral view of male holotype. Total length: 2.25 mm.
FIGURES 67 in A new Rakaia species (Opiliones, Cyphophthalmi, Pettalidae) from Otago, New Zealand
FIGURES 67. Rakaia macra sp. nov., lateral view. 6. Male holotype; 7. Female paratype. Scale bar 1 mm.
FIGURES 2324 in A new Rakaia species (Opiliones, Cyphophthalmi, Pettalidae) from Otago, New Zealand
FIGURES 2324. Rakaia macra sp. nov. male paratype anal region. 23. Posterior view of anal region, showing scopulae on margin of the anal plate and on lobes of tergite 8 (scale bar 200 µm); 24. Dorsal angle, showing lobes and scopulae of tergite 8 (scale bar 300 µm).
FIGURES 1722 in A new Rakaia species (Opiliones, Cyphophthalmi, Pettalidae) from Otago, New Zealand
FIGURES 1722. Rakaia macra sp. nov. 17. Ozophore of male paratype (scale bar 50 µm); 18. Spiracle (scale bar 20 µm); 19. Gonostome of male paratype (scale bar 100 µm); 20. Gonostome of female paratype (scale bar 100 µm); 21. Anal region of male paratype (scale bar 400 µm); 22. Anal region of female paratype (scale bar 300 µm).
FIGURES 1216 in A new Rakaia species (Opiliones, Cyphophthalmi, Pettalidae) from Otago, New Zealand
FIGURES 1216. Rakaia macra sp. nov. tarsi. 12. Male left tarsus I (scale bar 300 µm) (12); 13. Male left tarsus II (scale bar 300 µm); 14. Male left tarsus III (scale bar 200 µm); 15. Male left tarsus IV (scale bar 300 µm); 16. Female left tarsus IV (scale bar 200 µm).
FIGURES 45 in A new Rakaia species (Opiliones, Cyphophthalmi, Pettalidae) from Otago, New Zealand
FIGURES 45. Rakaia macra sp. nov. 4. Ventral view of male paratype (scale bar 1mm); 5. Ventral view of female paratype (scale bar 1 mm).
FIGURES 811 in A new Rakaia species (Opiliones, Cyphophthalmi, Pettalidae) from Otago, New Zealand
FIGURES 811. Rakaia macra sp. nov. 8. External view of left chelicera of male (scale bar 500 µm); 9. Dentition of chelicera (scale bar 100 µm); 10. Left palp of male (scale bar 500 µm); 11. Trochanter of palp (scale bar 100 µm).
FIGURES 2930 in A new Rakaia species (Opiliones, Cyphophthalmi, Pettalidae) from Otago, New Zealand
FIGURES 2930. Rakaia macra sp. nov. ovipositor. 29. Entire ovipositor structure (scale bar 400 µm); 30. Ovipositor tip (scale bar 200 µm).
Data from: Species radiation by niche shifts in New Zealand's rockcresses (Pachycladon, Brassicaceae)
Adaptive radiations such as the Darwin finches in the Galapagos or the cichlid fishes from the Eastern African Great Lakes have been a constant source of inspiration for biologists and a stimulus for evolutionary thinking. A central concept behind adaptive radiation is that of evolution by niche shifts, or ecological speciation. Evidence for adaptive radiations generally requires a strong correlation between phenotypic traits and the environment. But adaptive traits are often cryptic, hence making this phenotype-environment approach difficult to implement. Here we propose a procedure for detecting adaptive radiation that focuses on species' ecological niche comparisons. It evaluates whether past ecological disparity in a group fits better a neutral Brownian motion model of ecological divergence or a niche shift model. We have evaluated this approach on New Zealand rockcresses (Pachycladon) that recently radiated in the New Zealand Alps. We show that the pattern of ecological divergence rejects the neutral model and is consistent with that of a niche shift model. Our approach to detect adaptive radiation has the advantage over alternative approaches that it focuses on ecological niches, a key concept behind adaptive radiation. It also provides a way to evaluate the importance of ecological speciation in adaptive radiations and will have general application in evolutionary studies. In the case of Pachycladon, the high estimated diversification rate, the distinctive ecological niches of species, and the evidence for ecological speciation suggest a remarkable example of adaptive radiation.
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