Multi‐gene phylogenetic analyses of New Zealand coralline algae: Corallinapetra Novaezelandiae gen. et sp. nov. and recognition of the Hapalidiales ord. nov.

Coralline red algae from the New Zealand region were investigated in a study focused on documenting regional diversity. We present a multi‐gene analysis using sequence data obtained for four genes (nSSU, psaA, psbA, rbcL) from 68 samples. The study revealed cryptic diversity at both genus and species levels, confirming and providing further evidence of problems with current taxonomic concepts in the Corallinophycidae. In addition, a new genus Corallinapetra novaezelandiae gen. et sp. nov. is erected for material from northern New Zealand. Corallinapetra is excluded from all currently recognized families and orders within the Corallinophycidae and thus represents a previously unrecognized lineage within this subclass. We discuss rank in the Corallinophycidae and propose the order Hapalidiales.     

美蓝蚜蝇属二新种记述(双翅目,蚜蝇科)

在整理美蓝蚜蝇属标本时发现2新种：缺纹美蓝蚜蝇Melangyna evittata sp.nov.,秦岭美蓝蚜蝇Melangyna qinlingensis sp.nov.,模式标本保存于陕西理工学院资源生物重点实验室,文中列出中国已知种的检索表。 缺纹美蓝蚜蝇,新种Melangyna evittata sp.nov.（图1 ～3） 雌性 未知。 ♂体长12mm;翅长10mm。 正模♂, 2004-05-05,陕西长安（太兴森林公园） ,霍科科采。 本种近似于Melangyna olsufjevi Violovitsh,但新种颜面暗棕褐色,缺黑色条纹,各足胫节棕褐色,缺亚端暗色环。新种以颜面暗棕褐色,缺暗色条纹命名,取拉丁字e（x）-（失去）和（vittatus）（具条纹的）构成新种名。 讨论新种颜面不具暗色条纹,符合亚属Meligramma特征,但后足基节后腹端角具毛簇,与该亚属特征不符;另一方面,后足基节后腹端角具黑色毛簇,符合亚属Melangyna特征,但颜面无黑色中条,与该亚属特征不符。所以其特征介于亚属Melangyna和Meligramma之间,其分类地位还有待进一步研究。 秦岭美蓝蚜蝇,新种Melangyna qinlingensis sp.nov.（图4 ～11） 雌性 未知。 ♂体长9.5mm;翅长9mm。 正模♂, 2002-07-07,陕西眉县（太白山） ,霍科科采。 本种近似于Melangyna olsufjevi Violovitsh,但新种复眼裸,颜面中条伸达触角基部,宽,小盾片被毛全黑色,足主要黑色,尾器不同。 新种以模式产地命名。     

Captive breeding for reintroduction: influence of management practices and biological factors on survival of captive kaki (black stilt)

An important component of the restoration strategy for the critically endangered kaki or black stilt (Himantopus novaezelandiae) is captive breeding for release. Since 1981 1,879 eggs were collected from wild and captive pairs, with birds laying up to four clutches. Eggs were incubated artificially and most chicks reared by hand until released as juveniles (about 60 days) or sub‐adults (9–10 months). Because survival in captivity is a significant determinant of the number of birds available for release, we wished to identify sources of variation in mortality to assess potential impacts of management on productivity. Hatchability was 78% for captive‐laid eggs and 91% for wild‐laid eggs. Survival of hatched eggs was 82% by 10 months of age for both wild and captive birds. Most egg mortality occurred early in incubation and around hatching: the timing of mortality was unaffected by whether birds were captive or wild, hybrid or pure kaki, or when eggs were laid. Heavier hatchlings showed higher initial survival, as did chicks from wild parents. Hatchlings from fourth‐laid eggs showed lowest survival, even though hatchling mass tended to increase with hatch order. Survival of chicks subjected to major health interventions was 69% after 4 months. No differences in survival were found between different genders, hybrids and pure kaki, hand‐reared or parent‐reared birds, chicks hatching early or late in the season, different seasons, different‐sized groups of chicks, chicks reared in different brooders, juveniles kept in different aviaries, and chicks from subsequent clutches. Birds subjected to minor health interventions were equally likely to survive as healthy chicks (82%). Survival was high despite aggressive management (quadruple clutching and collecting late in the season). Differences between captive and wild birds suggest further improvements could be made to captive diet. Wide variation in hatchability between parent pairs substantiates the practice of breaking up poorly performing pairs. Zoo Biol 0:1–16, 2005. © 2005 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.     

The role of odour and visual cues in the pan-trap catching of hoverflies (Diptera: Syrphidae)

Coloured pan traps are frequently used to attract and catch insects, such as in the monitoring of populations of beneficial insects in classical or conservation biological control. They are also used in the evaluation of the recovery of insect populations after disturbance and in many other situations where an estimate of relative insect numbers is required. However, the fact that traps may be visible to the insects over a considerable distance can influence the interpretation of catch data. This difficulty may arise, for example, if traps along a transect can attract insects from some or all of the other transect positions. This study compared the effect of different coloured traps on attraction and catch of hoverflies. The hypothesis was that completely yellow traps would attract hoverflies from a distance, while traps that were green outside and yellow inside would catch fewer flies because only those from above or near the trap can see the yellow stimulus. A subsidiary hypothesis was that rose water would enhance hoverfly capture rates. For the two main hoverfly species captured, Melanostoma fasciatum (Macquart) and Melangyna novaezelandiae (Macquart), significantly more individuals were caught in completely yellow traps than in yellow and green or in completely green traps. Moreover, the addition of rose water increased the number of hoverflies caught significantly. It is suggested that if a measure of hoverfly numbers relating to a particular distance along a transect is required, consideration should be given to the ability of hoverflies to see yellow traps from a distance. The use of traps that are green outside would more accurately reflect the local abundance of hoverflies. If higher trap catches of hoverflies are needed for statistical purposes, rose water can enhance catches.     

Two new genera and twelve new species of Anthuridea (Crustacea: Isopoda) from off the West Coast of New Zealand

Abstract

From the shelf and upper slope off the West Coast of the South Island of New Zealand, the following new taxa of Isopoda Anthuridea (Crustacea) are described: Kupellonura proberti n. sp. (Hyssuridae); Quantanthura pacifica n. sp., Haliophasma platytelson n. sp. and H. novaezelandiae n. sp. (Anthuridae) Albanthura stenodactyla n. gen. et sp., A. rotunduropus n. sp., Bullowanthura crebrui n. sp., Leptanthura tmncatitelson n. sp., L. exilis n. sp., L. profundicola n. sp., Paranthura longa n. sp., and Psittanthura egregia n. gen. et sp. (Paranthuridae). Most of these are blind, unpigmented species, adapted to life in deep water. Albanthura n. gen. is blind, has a single telsonic statocyst, short flagella of the antennae, a maxilliped with 3 palpal articles, and a triangular carpus on pereopods 4 to 7. Psittanthura n. gen. is also blind, with very unusual, enlarged subchelae of pereopods 1 and 2, a large, rectangular telson with a single statocyst; the maxillipedal palp is composed of 1 large and 1 small, distal article; a mandibular palp is absent.     

Genetic tags in the New Zealand hoki Macruronus novaezelandiae1

Twelve enzymes and liver proteins were examined by starch and cellulose acetate electrophoresis in two samples of hoki Macruronus novaezelandiae from New Zealand. Two polymorphic enzymes, a-glycerophosphate dehydrogenase and sorbitol dehydrogenase, were found giving a mean heterozygosity of 0.027 over 12 enzyme loci or 0.016 over 15 protein loci. No differences in gene frequency were detected in nine regional samples collected from the New Zealand 200-mile exclusive economic zone. Together with existing biological information on spawning grounds these data suggest that hoki in the New Zealand fishery form one stock.     

Iodine deficiency affects hatchability of endangered captive kaki (Black Stilt,Himantopus novaezelandiae)

A significant increase in hatching and late‐incubation deaths during two breeding seasons in a captive population of endangered black stilts (kaki, Himantopus novaezelandiae) prompted an investigation into the potential role of iodine deficiency. During the 1997 and 1998 breeding seasons, the survival rate of captive‐laid eggs during artificial incubation and hatching was lower than that of eggs laid by wild kaki, which were collected and incubated artificially in the same environment. Necropsy results revealed abnormalities in thyroid structure. These abnormalities had been occurring in captive birds since 1994, but they peaked in 1997 and 1998 at 30% and 81%, respectively, of all diagnosed necropsies. Necropsies of pied stilts, hybrids, and one kaki from the wild revealed no thyroid abnormalities. Gross morphological symptoms observed at hatching in chicks that died were consistent with those described for iodine deficiency in poultry. Serum levels of thyroxine (T4) were considerably higher in wild pied stilts and hybrid chicks than in captive adult, subadult, and kaki chicks. In five individuals from the captive population, serum levels increased after about 160 days of iodine supplementation and approached values in the wild. The constraints associated with working with such a critically endangered species (e.g., small sample size and an urgent need to effect changes) precluded the use of an experimental approach to determine the role iodine deficiency played in peri‐hatching deaths. However, we believe the evidence presented here strongly supports a case for the impact of iodine on survival within the captive population. Our experience also highlights the need for vigilance in captive programs with respect to potential dietary deficiencies when endangered species are raised in captivity for conservation purposes. Zoo Biol 23:1–13, 2004. © 2004 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.