Estimating regional population size and annual harvest intensity of the sooty shearwater in New Zealand

Abstract

Recent comprehensive survey data from multiple New Zealand offshore islands were combined with demographic population models to produce the first formal estimate of the total population of sooty shearwaters within New Zealand territory. We estimated the total population over 1994–2005 to be 21.3 (19.0–23.6) million individual birds in the New Zealand region. This population consisted of 12.8 (12.0–13.6) million adults, 2.8 (2.5–3.1) million chicks, and 4.4 (4.2–4.7) million breeding pairs. Breeding sooty shearwaters were concentrated primarily around the southern islands of New Zealand, with 53% breeding in the Titi Islands surrounding Rakiura (Stewart Island). Rakiura Maori muttonbirders were estimated to harvest 360 000 (320 000–400 000) sooty shearwaters per year, equivalent to 18% of the chicks produced in the harvested areas and 13% of chicks in the New Zealand region. Overall, 11% of the chicks within the Titi Islands live on unharvested ground. Systematic and widespread surveys of breeding colonies in South America are needed before a reliable global sooty shearwater population estimate can be calculated.     

Evolution and phylogeny of the New Zealand cicada genus Kikihia Dugdale (Homoptera: Auchenorrhyncha: Cicadidae) with special reference to the origin of the Kermadec and Norfolk Islands' species

Aim Determine the phylogeny and dispersal patterns of the cicada genus Kikihia in New Zealand and the origin of the Norfolk, Kermadec, and Chatham Island cicadas. Location New Zealand, Norfolk Island, Kermadec Islands and Chatham Island. Methods DNA sequences from 16 species and four soon to be described species of cicadas from New Zealand and Norfolk Island (Australia) were examined. A total of 1401 base pairs were analysed from whole genome extraction of three mitochondrial genes (cytochrome oxidase subunit II, ATPase6 and ATPase8). These DNA sequences were aligned and analysed using standard likelihood approaches to phylogenetic analysis. Dates of divergences between clades were determined using a molecular clock based on Bayesian statistics. Results Most species in the genus Kikihia diverged between 3 and 5 million years ago (Ma) coincident with a period of rapid mountain building in New Zealand. Cicada species on the Kermadec and Norfolk Islands invaded recently from New Zealand and are closely related to the New Zealand North Island species Kikihia cutora. Main conclusions Speciation in the genus Kikihia was likely due in large part to the appearance of new habitats associated with the rise of the Southern Alps, starting c. 5 Ma. Dispersal of Kikihia species within mainland New Zealand probably occurred gradually rather than through long‐distance jumps. However, invasion of Norfolk, the Kermadecs and Chatham Islands had to have occurred through long‐distance dispersal.     

A pseudodontorn (Pelecaniformes: Pelagornithidae) from the middle Pliocene of Hawera,Taranaki, New Zealand

Abstract

The distal portion of a right humerus and the proximal end of a radius, belonging to a ‘bony-toothed bird’ (family Pelagornithidae), were collected from marine sediments at Hawera, North Island, New Zealand, and are of Waipipian age (middle Pliocene). This is the first record of a pseudodontorn from the North Island, the third for New Zealand. These specimens extend the world geological time range for this family of extinct birds (previously early Eocene to late Miocene) into the middle Pliocene.     

Kiore (Rattus exulans) distribution and relative abundance on a small highly modified island

ABSTRACT

Kiore (Pacific rat; Rattus exulans) is both a target for eradication and a taonga or highly valued species in New Zealand, and its abundance and distribution vary considerably throughout the country. We investigated reports of an abundant kiore population on Slipper Island (Whakahau), off the east coast of New Zealand’s North Island, in March 2017. We trapped kiore to examine their distribution across a range of habitats with varying degrees of human activity. Kiore were captured in all habitats, with particularly high abundance at a campground with a fruiting fig tree (50 kiore per 100 trap nights corrected for sprung traps). We found no evidence of other rat species; Slipper Island appears to remain one of few New Zealand islands with kiore but without ship rats (Rattus rattus) and Norway rats (R. norvegicus), the two other rat species present in New Zealand. Slipper Island potentially provides opportunities to research kiore behaviour and population dynamics in a New Zealand commensal environment, and genetics of an isolated island population.     

Invertebrate survey of coastal habitats and podocarp forest on Ulva Island,Rakiura National Park,New Zealand

Abstract

Inventory of the invertebrate fauna is important to establish taxonomic diversity, abundance and distribution, and hence the conservation of indigenous biodiversity. Invertebrate assemblages have been documented in some broadleaf‐podocarp forests and grassland habitats in New Zealand, but not in dense stands of coastal forest or in mature podocarp forest. This survey aimed to provide a taxonomic inventory of terrestrial invertebrates and their habitat associations on Ulva Island (Rakiura National Park, Stewart Island), an off‐shore sanctuary of significant conservation value in New Zealand. We systematically documented the invertebrate assemblages collected in ground litter and on tree trunks on the island. The invertebrate specimens identified represented 4 phyla, 6 classes, 25 orders and 62 species. The invertebrate fauna reported in this survey was distinct from those of lowland shrubland and broadleaved‐Nothofagus forests on the mainland, but shared species with that reported from another similar off‐shore island, Codfish Island (Whenua Hou).     

Occurrence of the Australian bee Hyleoides concinna (Hymenoptera: Colletidae) in New Zealand

Abstract

The Australian bee Hyleoides concinna (Fabricius) has recently established itself near Gisborne and Napier on the east coast of the North Island, and is likely to extend its range in future. Nine bee genera and about 49 species are now known from New Zealand.     

Beetles in the diet of six species of deep‐sea fish

Abstract

Four scarab beetles (Acrossidius tasmaniae) and two unidentified weevils were recovered from the guts of a single individual of six deep‐sea fishes trawled from depths of 326–418 m, c. 30–40 km off the Wairarapa coast, North Island, New Zealand. These constitute the first records of terrestrial arthropods in the diet of deep‐sea fishes from the New Zealand region. Possible reasons describing how these terrestrial beetles came to be eaten by these fishes are discussed.     

Unionicola (Pentatax) billieaehonore n. sp. a sponge-associated Hydracarina (Acari: Unionicolidae) from New Zealand

Abstract

Records of sponge-associated Hydracarina from the Southern Hemisphere are uncommon. Unionicola (Pentatax) billieaehonore n. sp. has been found in association with the freshwater sponge Ephydatia kakahuensis in Lake Rotoiti (North Island) and Lake Taupo in New Zealand. Differences in palpal characteristics and in setal patterns of the epimera distinguish this species from the holotype of Unionicola longiseta Walter 1915 which was reported from New Zealand by Schröder (1935).     

New genera and species of Leptophlebiidae (Ephemeroptera) from New Zealand

Abstract

New genera Isothraulus, Arachnocolus, and Penniketellus are established for three species of leptophlebiid mayfly from New Zealand. Each genus is monotypic and endemic to New Zealand. Isothraulus and Arachnocolus are known only from the northern North Island, and Penniketellus is known only from the Arthur's Pass area of the central South Island. The male and female imago, nymph, and egg of Isothraulus abditus n.sp., the male imago, male subimago, and nymph of Arachnocolus phillipsi n.sp., and the male and female imago, female subimago, and egg of Penniketellus insolitus n.sp. are described. The relationships of each genus and the ecology of nymphs of each species are discussed.     

Population genetic connectivity of an endemic New Zealand passerine after large‐scale local extirpations: a model of re‐colonization potential

Little is known about how a 70% loss of native forests has affected the genetic connectivity of remnant bird populations in New Zealand. We use the common and widely distributed New Zealand Bellbird Anthornis melanura as an indicator species of population connectivity for well‐flighted birds. Using eight microsatellite loci, we identified five main genetic populations in the North Island, South Island, sub‐Antarctic Auckland Islands and two small remnant island populations adjacent to a large region of avian extirpations in northern North Island. Only one remnant island population, on a 30‐year‐old conservation reserve at Tiritiri Matangi, displayed a clear signature of recent genetic bottleneck. The 7% migration rate at Tiritiri Matangi indicates that bottlenecks can be maintained despite habitat rehabilitation, possibly through behavioural barriers to gene flow. Adjacent to the same extirpation zone, Bellbirds on the Poor Knights Islands were found to have low genetic diversity and low re‐colonization potential. Two gaps concordant with deforestation patterns separated the Kapiti Coast of southern North Island from populations to both the north and the south. In summary, we identified linked avian habitats, as well as isolated and inbred populations and suggest that Bellbirds are good re‐colonizers. We emphasize the importance of genetic studies that assess animal dispersal among newly rehabilitated habitat patches.     

A reappraisal of Athoracophorus bitentaculatus,with comments on the validity of genus Reflectopallium (Gastropoda: Athoracophoridae)

Abstract

The slug Athoracophorus bitentaculatus (Quoy & Gaimard, 1832) is redescribed from material collected in the northern third of the North Island of New Zealand. Its anatomy is described and figured, local variation in the condition of the lateral grooves and mantle is figured, and supplementary information on its biology and distribution is given. Its identity and taxonomy are discussed in the context of earlier work on the species. Evidence is presented for the reduction of Reflectopallium Burton, 1963 to synonymy with Athoracophorus Gould, 1852. A revised key to New Zealand and subantarctic genera of Athoracophoridae is given.     

Study of COI sequences from endemic New Zealand aphids highlights high mitochondrial DNA diversity in Rhopalosiphina (Hemiptera: Aphididae)

Focussed searches were made across New Zealand between 2013 and 2016, for endemic aphids from the Schizaphis (Rhopalosiphina) genus, which is currently represented by two putative, undescribed species from the endemic host plants Aciphylla and Dracophyllum. Cytochrome c oxidase I (COI) gene sequences (48 in total) from the Schizaphis were analysed together with those from a broader collection of New Zealand endemic aphids that has been assembled since the year 2000. The bulk of the Schizaphis belonged to two clusters corresponding to the host plant genera. Two aphids from central North Island Dracophyllum represented a much diverged lineage without clear affiliations to other New Zealand Schizaphis. Inter-population variation in the New Zealand Schizaphis was high compared with that seen in international studies of Aphidinae and among populations of other endemic New Zealand Aphidina. Within Schizaphis from Dracophyllum, geography played an apparent role in genetic structuring, with populations from Taranaki (North Island) and especially Mt Lyford (South Island) being divergent from those on the South Island main divide. Two distinct lineages of Schizaphis, which co-occurred at some sites, were found on Aciphylla. Our sequence comparisons, including GMYC analyses, indicated up to five New Zealand Schizaphis lineages, and two newly discovered endemic Aphis species from the host plants Clematis and Hebe.     

One haploid parent contributes 100% of the gene pool for a widespread species in northwest North America

The monoicous peatmoss Sphagnum subnitens has a tripartite distribution that includes disjunct population systems in Europe (including the Azores), northwestern North America and New Zealand. Regional genetic diversity was highest in European S. subnitens but in northwestern North America, a single microsatellite‐based multilocus haploid genotype was detected across 16 sites ranging from Coos County, Oregon, to Kavalga Island in the Western Aleutians (a distance of some 4115 km). Two multilocus haploid genotypes were detected across 14 sites on South Island, New Zealand. The microsatellite‐based regional genetic diversity detected in New Zealand and North American S. subnitens is the lowest reported for any Sphagnum. The low genetic diversity detected in both of these regions most likely resulted from a founder event associated with vegetative propagation and complete selfing, with one founding haploid plant in northwest North America and two in New Zealand. Thus, one plant appears to have contributed 100% of the gene pool for the population systems of S. subnitens occurring in northwest North America, and this is arguably the most genetically uniform group of plants having a widespread distribution yet detected. Although having a distribution spanning 12.5° of latitude and 56° of longitude, there was no evidence of any genetic diversification in S. subnitens in northwest North America. No genetic structure was detected among the three regions, and it appears that European plants of S. subnitens provided the source for New Zealand and northwest North American populations.     

Distribution and abundance of the hedgehog (Erinaceus europaeus) L. in New Zealand, 1869–1973

An account is given of early liberations and the spread of hedgehogs throughout New Zealand between 1869 and 1973. Evidence, gathered largely from questionnaires and personal observations, is summarised in tables and maps to show the present range and abundance of the species. Hedgehogs dispersed from many points of liberation; their numbers increased dramatically in the South Island between 1910 and 1940, and in the North Island between 1920 and the 1950s. By the 1940s they had colonised most of the lowland areas, and their range had extended to the foot of the bushed mountainous regions; a few were found at altitudes of 2000 m. Since 1948 they have extended their range a little to include parts of the central volcanic plateau of the North Island, areas of inland Nelson, and northern Westland. Their numbers appear to have stabilised over the past 25 years. Today, hedgehogs are most abundant in intensively farmed lowland districts, towns, and suburbs. They become less numerous with increasing altitude, and few are encountered above 800 m or in wet, bushed areas. They are absent from areas where rainfall exceeds 250 cm/year or where more than 250 frosts occur annually. Factors limiting the abundance of hedgehogs in New Zealand are discussed.     

Moss biogeography in the Tasman Sea region

Abstract

Panbiogeographic track analysis is applied to the distribution of several groups of mosses which occur in the New Zealand region. The analysis highlights areas of biogeographic interest (nodes) in the New Zealand region as follows: 1. New Guinea, 2. New Caledonia, 3. New South Wales/Queensland border in Australia, 4. northern New Zealand, 5. Rapa Island, 6. subantarctic New Zealand.

New Zealand is connected to these nodes by the following standard tracks: 1. New Guinea—New South Wales/Queensland border—Tasmania—subantarctic New Zealand, 2. New Guinea—New Caledonia—New Zealand—subantarctic New Zealand, 3. a central Tasman Sea transversal track; New South Wales/Queensland border—New Caledonia. Rapa Island is connected to the Tasman region by northern New Zealand and New Caledonia.     

Rhododrilus sexpapillatus n.sp. (Oligochaeta: Megascolecidae) from New Zealand

Abstract

A new earthworm species belonging to the acanthodriline genus Rhododrilus is described from the North Island of New Zealand, elevating the generic total (excluding Australian forms) to 30 species. The new taxon forms part of the species-group with incomplete fusion of the male and prostatic terminalia. Its most closely related congener is the geographically proximate R. papaensis. Though exhibiting great heterogeneity, suggestive of polyphyly, the genus remains taxonomically convenient. It probably encompasses convergent forms, the ancestral affinities of which may never be ascertained.     

Protura in native and exotic forests in the North Island of New Zealand

Abstract

This study provides data on population and community ecology of Protura in native forests and Pinus radiata plantations in New Zealand. Abundance, age structure, sex ratios, biodiversity, and relationship with soil chemistry are discussed. Protura were significantly more abundant in pine plantations in comparison to native forests. Among native forests, Protura were most abundant under Southern beech (Nothofagus solandri). The abundance patterns may reflect the association between Protura and fungal communities in the soil. No correlation was found between soil organic matter, nitrogen, phosphorous, pH, cation exchange capacity, and the density of Protura. Protura assemblage composition was significantly related to forest type. New Zealand endemic species were associated with native forests; species with distribution outside New Zealand dominated in pine plantations. The distribution records within New Zealand were expanded for five species. The Protura fauna of New Zealand was increased to 18 species. Berberentulus capensis, Eosentomon australicum and Australentulus tillyardi are new records for New Zealand fauna.     

A structural comparison of New Zealand and south-east Australian rain forests and their tropical affinities

An ecological comparison, with special reference to tropical affinities, is made between the rain forests of New Zealand and south-east Australia, based on the distribution of seventy physiognomic-structural attributes in mature forests at selected sites (ten in New Zealand, twenty in Australia, and four in New Guinea to represent authentic humid tropical lowland rain forest). The structural data were recorded in a standard pro forma and subjected to classification, ordination and two-parameter analysis. In the classification, the Australian and New Zealand sites, with two exceptions, separated at the four-group level. The more complex (cool subtropical) Australian types were the least related to the New Zealand forests, which are closest to Australian simple (submontane) types. There was a similar distinction in the ordination, in which the trend along the first two vectors was latitudinal, correlated with extremes of temperature and with moisture availability. The relative contributions of the structural attributes to the various site groupings in the classification and ordination are enumerated, and provide an objective scale of comparison of the forests. Structural attributes designated by analysis as exclusively or preferentially tropical by reference to the New Guinea sites are then used to assess degree of tropical affinity. The simplified cool temperate (montane) forests dominated by one species of Notho-fagus in New Zealand and Australia are closely related. The Australian forests of the sub-montane zone (mean annual temperature 12–15° C) which are typically dominated by Ceratopetalum apetalum, Nothofagus moorei or Doryphora sassafras, are similar to the podocarp-broadleaf forests, with or without kauri, of New Zealand. The Australian forests of the cool subtropical zone (mean annual temperature 15–17°C) which have mixed dominants, have some affinities with the kauri-podocarp-broadleaf forests of North Auckland. In New Zealand, a broadleaf type in which kauri is absent or rare on basalt in North Auckland (lat. 35° S) was the most complex forest sampled and is marginally subtropical.     

Use of ISSR profiles and ITS-sequences to study the biogeography of alpine cushion plants in the genus Raoulia (Asteraceae)

Nuclear ITS sequences and ISSR profiles provide evidence that Raoulia rubra is endemic to the Tararua Range in the southern part of the North Island of New Zealand. Populations in the South Island previously ascribed to R. rubra are better ascribed to R. eximia. Our findings suggest that glaciation of the central mountains of the South Island during the last ice age have had a major impact on the evolution of the South Island cushion Raoulia species in New Zealand. However, simple hypotheses accounting for the effect of Pleistocene climate change are insufficient to explain patterns of endemism in the group.