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The history of the introduction of stoats (Mustela erminea) and weasels (M. nivalis) to New Zealand is a paradigm example of how the course of history can turn on a sequence of simple, unconnected events. When Victorian pastoralists were faced with the dilemma that rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus) were thriving better than their sheep, they sought to enlist the rabbits' natural enemies to save them from crippling economic losses. An improbable series of circumstances linked four principal characters whose dramatic anti-rabbit policies seemed reasonable to them but have had catastrophic consequences. A Lincolnshire farmer, Samuel Grant, visiting New Zealand in 1880, met Francis Rich, a pastoralist suffering rabbit damage; Rich and Grant organised a trial shipment of stoats and weasels escorted by Lincolnshire trapper Walter Allbones in 1883. Supervising Rabbit Inspector Benjamin Bayly authorised thousands more over 1884–1889, until imports stopped in 1892. This paper describes why only the four principal players could have made each necessary link in the chain, and how easily it could have been broken. Legal attempts to stop the importations failed in 1876, but within another 25 years, the 'natural enemies' policy was recognised as a tragic mistake, and its proponents were widely discredited. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The ongoing use of 1080 toxin for the control of mammal pests in New Zealand remains highly contentious. Several reviews over the last 25 years identified information gaps and areas of concern, both social and scientific. In this paper these areas of concern are discussed and the extensive scientific and social research that has been undertaken to clarify and address them is reviewed. Although there has been a major national investment in research aimed at finding an alternative to 1080, that has not yet been fully achieved because of low or inconsistent efficacy and/or low cost-effectiveness of alternatives, regulatory difficulties in obtaining approval for aerial delivery of any alternative, and toxic residue concerns. Finding an alternative that has similar efficacy while satisfying the demands for species-selectivity, no residues, and humaneness is a continuing challenge. The most promising prospect appears to be through understanding the genome of the target animals and opportunities for genetic manipulation, either by developing species-specific designer lethal toxicants based on genome mining, or by gene editing to develop non-lethal technologies. Both will require considerable time and funding for research, and considerable effort and engagement to address social and regulatory hurdles. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cats are known predators of bats, but there are few published accounts of predation attempts. In this paper we report on two recent examples of bats being attacked by cats (Felis catus) in New Zealand. We found a Central lesser short-tailed bat (Mystacina tuberculata rhyacobia) in the gastrointestinal tract of a feral cat that was trapped in indigenous forest. We also report on a case where seven long-tailed bats (Chalinolobus tuberculatus) were killed or injured over two years by a companion cat living in a rural landscape. We confirmed cat attack/predation using diet analyses, and pathological assessment and identification of the predator using DNA. We consider that depredation of bats by feral, stray, and companion cats is likely to be substantial and occur within all habitats where bats and cats overlap. LSID: urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:8933333F-D145-41CF-BA20-3AE73D3B86B4 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To identify trends in research on pure ethology (fundamental issues in animal behaviour) in New Zealand, we combined manual and database searches of the five ethological journals with the greatest impact factors (Animal Behaviour, Behavioral Ecology, Behavioral Ecology and Sociobiology, Ethology and Behaviour) published from 1937 to (and including) 2007. We counted all articles giving a New Zealand address for the first-listed and/or reprint author. Our analyses showed (1) a total of 131 articles in the five journals, with Animal Behaviour, the journal of preference, containing nearly half of the articles collected; (2) a sharp and steady increase in articles published per year; (3) all four of Tinbergen's questions received attention, with mechanistic and functional studies being more common than studies of development and evolutionary history; (4) a recent resurgence of mechanistic research, representing 67% of all studies in the period from 2003--07; (5) a balance in research focusing on the proximate and ultimate causes of behaviour, shifting towards proximate research in the early 1990s; (6) many New Zealand institutions published papers in the five journals, although universities were the main contributors; (7) only a small subset of the research (28.8%) was done with overseas collaboration; (8) a total of 139 authors were involved in the research reviewed (when all authors for each paper were considered without taking address into account); (9) a maturation of the sampled research by the early 1990s (i.e., when "descriptive" and "explanatory" papers were supplemented with "synthesis" papers); and (10) a large number of investigations (55%) used birds as the study subject. Ethology in New Zealand, as represented in the five leading animal behaviour journals, was found to be a diverse, dynamic and growing field. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Taxonomic information for New Zealand mosquito species is predominantly morphological with very few molecular data available to date. In this study, the mitochondrial COI gene and nuclear ITS1 were amplified and sequenced from DNA templates representing 17 species; 15 previously known New Zealand species, a newly discovered undescribed Aedes species from the Chatham Islands and a recently eradicated invader, Ae. camptorhynchus. This paper provides DNA barcoding sequences for the entire known New Zealand mosquito fauna, the first for the majority of these species. Phylogenetic analysis of COI and ITS1 indicated that the endemic species are all genetically distinct from the exotic species examined including vector species of pathogens of human diseases. The genus Opifex is distant from the genus Aedes based on analysis of ITS1 sequences, and Ae. chathamicus is more closely related to species within Aedes than to the genus Opifex. Results show Culex asteliae to be a valid species but Cx. rotoruae is not necessarily so. The Aedes species appears to be closely related to Ae. subalbirostris. The introduced Cx. quinquefasciatus was clearly shown to be related to Cx. pipiens; however, the endemic Cx. pervigilans was not. No evidence of population variation based on geographic location was detected. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper records the abstracts of the presentations given at the 11th Oamaru Penguin Symposium, held at the Opera House, Oamaru, New Zealand, 3 and 4 May, 2018. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A foreword to the September 2009 issue of "New Zealand Journal of Zoology" is presented.

This paper records the abstracts of the presentations given at the 9th Oamaru Penguin Symposium, held at the Opera House, Oamaru, New Zealand, 10 and 11 July 2014. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Internationally, birds of prey are often reported as being relatively prone to collision with wind turbines in comparison to other groups of birds. However, as yet it is unclear to what extent New Zealand's only endemic bird of prey, the New Zealand falcon (Falco novaeseelandiae), is at risk. In this paper we summarise the potential for wind farms to impact New Zealand falcon, evaluate the efficacy of a range of risk assessment and post-consent monitoring practices, and present options for mitigating and/or offsetting any residual effects. We conclude that the lack of knowledge on the effects of wind farms on New Zealand falcon is the result of inconsistency in the assessment methods thus far employed and the absence of a coordinated approach to monitoring methods and the dissemination of results. To remedy this we present a risk assessment framework that, if adopted, will provide the information necessary to ensure alternative energy targets can be met without compromising the conservation of this threatened species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The second species of the genus, Macroasteropteron chathamensis sp. nov. is described in the present paper. It was collected from 1000 m depth during the New Zealand national biodiversity programme Ocean Survey 20/20 to the Chatham Rise and the Challenger Plateau. To accommodate this genus, a new subfamily Macroasteropteroninae is described herein. It is defined by the following autapomorphies: locking system on the shell; very small second segment on the second antenna (bearing no dorsal bristles); square shaped third and fourth segments on the same appendage; absence of dorsal bristles on the third segment of the male clasping organ; reverse position of the alpha and beta bristles on the maxillula; almost square shaped skirt on the sixth limb; and a bulbous terminal part of the seventh limb, which, in addition, does not have any bell-bearing bristles. A key to the four subfamilies of Cylindroleberididae is provided. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

This paper records the abstracts of the presentations given at the 7th Penguin Symposium, held at the Kingsgate Brydone Hotel, Oamaru, New Zealand, 24 and 25 June 2010. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A rare species, Doryphoribius zyxiglobus, was found in mosses in New Zealand. So far, it has been cited only three times; from Australia, New Zealand and central China. The original description is very brief and is insufficient by today's taxonomic standards and seems not to be based on the holotype. A photograph of the slide mounted holotype (obtained from The Museum of New Zealand) showed it to be so poorly preserved and oriented that it was deemed probable that little would be gained by its further examination. Consequently, the redescription was based on a few limited measurements from the photograph of the holotype with a complete set of measurements of a paratype and supported by morphometric analysis of a set of topotypes—all borrowed from The Museum of New Zealand. A comparison between sets of specimens from three countries (New Zealand, Australia and China) and a single specimen from South Africa permitted an evaluation of the geographic variation of this species. This paper thus redescribes D. zyxiglobus, reports on populations from widely separated locales and extends its geographical range. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Canterbury knobbled weevil, Hadramphus tuberculatus (Coleoptera: Curculionidae: Molytini), was once widespread in the Canterbury plains, foothills and fringing ranges, ranging from oxford in the north to Waimate in the south. Habitat degradation, reduction in host plant numbers through grazing and predation by rodents are thought to be responsible for the decline in its numbers and distribution. in December 2004, more than 80 years since the last sighting of H. tuberculatus in 1922, a single individual was found at Burkes Pass Scenic Reserve. This paper records the rediscovery of H. tuberculatus, reviews the historical distribution records for H. tuberculatus, discusses them with respect to changes in host plant habitat in the eastern South island, and suggests conservation strategies to protect this and other relictual populations that might be found in future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper presents the first detailed study of the timing and breeding success of an apparently declining population of blue penguins (Eudyptula minor) on the West Coast, South island, New Zealand. Nest contents of 138 natural burrows and 19 nest boxes were determined at regular intervals during the 2006 breeding season. Hatching, fledging, and overall breeding success rates were comparatively high at 78.9, 83.9, and 66.2%, respectively, suggesting that the apparent population decline cannot be explained solely by low breeding success. With 1.18 fledglings produced per pair, productivity was lower than on the east coast of the South island, possibly due to the absence of double clutching. The high incidence of road kills suggests that road traffic may be a major contributing factor to the decline of the blue penguin population in the study area. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Invasive carnivores are threatening the indigenous fauna of Aotearoa, but impacts vary with time, space and species. Conservation strategies require knowledge of predator-prey dynamics specific to different ecosystems and allowing for long-term guild shifts. To build this knowledge, we model the survivorship of the kea, a long-lived, ground-nesting parrot with an expansive species-range, using a dataset spanning two decades (1998–2021) and spanning several forest-dominated South Island montane ecosystems. Kea survivorship was lower in eastern ecosystems compared to western ones, depressed during carnivore irruptions, and elevated after predator control. Kea of all ages and both sexes fell prey to stoats and feral cats whilst foraging and roosting, not whilst nesting. Stoat depredation happened in all ecosystems, whereas feral cats featured more in eastern ones. Annual survivorship was high in most contexts (adults > 90%, juveniles > 70%), but a peak in stoat and feral cat predation in eastern ecosystems during 2020–2021 reduced adult survival to <60%. This predation peak followed a rodent population crash, the primary prey of carnivores in eastern beech forests. We conclude that predator impacts on kea are concentrated into post-mast years. Recommendations for management are provided. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study examines the shape of scales from eleven fish species belonging to four fish families to infer whether the family, species and the geographic origin of fishes could be determined using scale shape. Site differentiation was analyzed only for the Cyprinidae since from the five species of this family three occurred in New Zealand and two in Turkey. Morphometric analysis was used because it allows standard multivariate analyses while preserving information about scale shape. Generalized Procrustes Analysis was used to analyse the data on scale shape. Principal components scores were submitted to canonical discriminant analysis to determine the efficacy of discrimination by families, species and geographic variants. The significance of classifications was assessed by MANOVA. MANOVA showed differences in the scale shape for the geographic location as well as by families and species. Families, species and geographic variants explained 91.7%, 82.4% and 95.8%, of the variation respectively. Each geographic location was correctly classified in 92.9% for Turkish and 98.4% New Zealand specimens. Fish scale shape was less effective in discriminating species from distantly related members, but better when the discrimination was among fish families, and best between fish scales for the same family but different body shapes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The new Australo-Pacific orb-weaving spider genus Socca is established to include 12 species from Australia: Socca pustulosa (Walckenaer, 1841) comb. nov. (type species; also present in New Zealand); S. arenasp. nov., S. australissp. nov.S. caigunasp. nov., S. elvispresleyisp. nov., S. eugenisp. nov., S. johnnywarrenisp. nov., S. kullmannisp. nov., S. levyashinisp. nov., S. pleiasp. nov., S. senicaudata (Simon, 1908) comb. nov. (= Araneus senicaudatus simplex Simon, 1908 syn. nov.) and S. sydneyica (Keyserling, 1887) comb. nov. (= Epeira inquieta Keyserling, 1887 syn. nov.). Soccagen. nov. includes medium-sised, nocturnal orb-weaving spiders. It differs from other backobourkiine genera by five tubercles posteriorly on the abdomen and a tri-partite terminal apophysis of the male pedipalp. The epigyne plate in females is about as wide as long and the scape elongate and reaches posteriorly beyond the epigyne plate. Specimens of five Soccagen. nov. species were sequenced for the mitochondrial gene cytochrome c oxidase subunit 1 (COI). The preliminary phylogeny supports our morphological species but does not confirm species-groups based on morphology and suggests that New Zealand S. pustulosacomb. nov. populations originate from south-eastern Australia. Zoobank LSID: [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The fossil record of Leiopelma frogs in New Zealand is patchy, with remains previously reported only from the early Miocene (16–19 Mya) and late Quaternary (past 20 Ka). Here we describe Leiopelma bishopi n. sp. from the late Pliocene (3.7–2.4 Ma) of the eastern South Island. The subsequent extinction of frogs in this region is likely due to increased aridity following uplift of the Southern Alps and cooling associated with the Pleistocene Ice Ages. Discoveries from this unique Pliocene terrestrial fossil locality provide new and significant insights into how the dynamic climatic and geological history of Zealandia has shaped the evolution of its recent biota, especially for groups with a poor pre-Quaternary fossil record. LSID: Abbreviations: SVL: snout-vent length; NMNZ: Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa, Wellington, New Zealand; WO: Waitomo Caves Museum, Waitomo, New Zealand [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Leg-hold or foot-hold traps have been used in New Zealand for trapping brushtail possums (Trichosurus vulpecula) since the 1920s. In the mid-1990s, when the National Pest Control Agencies (NPCA) developed a national protocol for monitoring possums, they standardised how traps should be set, which lure to use and where to place it. These recommendations aimed to achieve standardisation (important for population monitoring), not necessarily high capture rates. Recent use of trail cameras has revealed possums eating the lure, but then walking away without stepping on the trap, suggesting that modifications to the way traps are set or lured might enable increased capture rates of possums. We compared the capture rate of four alternative trap sets (i.e. double sets, covered traps, hazed traps, enlarged trigger plates) with standard NPCA-recommended sets. None of these modified sets increased the captures rates. We then compared the capture rate of traps with the lure placed on the ground encircling the trap (including a vertical visual lure) against the NPCA-recommended method of placing the lure behind the trap. This modification resulted in a 33% increase in capture rate suggesting modifications to the luring method can increase capture rates and make ground-based possum control more effective. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Male competition for females can often take the form of direct physical contests. The outcome of a given contest or the decision to persist is determined by the resource holding potential (RHP) of rivals, which often corresponds to body size or weapon size. Males of the endemic New Zealand sheet-web spider Cambridgea plagiata Forster & Wilton 1973 have exaggerated chelicerae that are used in contests to gain access to females. We staged male–male contests in the field to determine the factors contributing to contest duration and outcome. The current models which describe how individuals make decisions to persist in a contest fall broadly into (i) energetic war of attrition or pure self-assessment, (ii) mutual assessment, and (iii) cumulative assessment. Our results showed that male body size was the key predictor in determining the winner of a given contest. The durations of contests were more consistent with predictions from either mutual or cumulative assessment models. We highlight that staging contests in the field may result in more realistic results and natural behaviours. Similar to the congener C. foliata, it appears that further development of current contest models may be required to understand male contests in sheet-web spiders. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We studied the behaviour of 15 captive brown kiwi (Apteryx mantelli), and the effects of disturbance on their behaviour. They were all held in nocturnal display facilities, known in New Zealand as Kiwi Houses and referred to here as enclosures 1–4. Our detailed study first compiled a baseline assessment of normal behaviours of captive kiwi from which to define the abnormal. We found that abnormal behaviours (pacing and startle responses) were usually stimulated by one of three different sources of disturbance: noise generated by visitors viewing the kiwi through glass-viewing windows, noise resulting from heavy rainfall, and keeper interactions. As noise was a major contribution to disturbance, we quantified the volume of sound that reached the interior of the kiwi display spaces within each enclosure, and correlated it with kiwi behaviour. Our results show how abnormal behaviours among captive kiwi can be minimised by eliminating or reducing disturbances, and we suggest how the design and structure of the enclosures can be improved in the future by mitigating noise disturbance, (1) from visitors by installation of double or triple glazed window joinery, and (2) from outside by greater insulation in the roof and walls. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

New Zealand's native shortfin eel (Anguilla australis) and endemic longfin eel (Anguilla dieffenbachii) have been negatively affected by wetland habitat loss. However, in Southland, open water wetland habitat has been created by hunters in the form of waterfowl hunting wetlands (duck ponds), habitat which can be utilised by eels. The aim of this study was to estimate the number and biomass of eels supported by Southland duck ponds to highlight the value of hunter-created wetlands as eel habitat. Eel population surveys were conducted in 56 duck ponds located on private agricultural land across Southland. Shortfin eels were found in 28 ponds with an average population size of 22 and biomass of 9.3 kg. Longfin eels were found in 26 ponds with an average population size of nine and biomass of 7.6 kg. Estimates indicate there are 7,013 ± (1761) duck ponds in Southland and they collectively support 36,000 shortfin eels weighing 15,500 kg and 60,000 longfin eels weighing 53,000 kg. Results from this study show that duck hunting ponds are utilised by shortfin and longfin eels. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We assessed the usefulness of environmental DNA (eDNA) for monitoring the introduced pest fish Gambusia affinis by filtering water samples from streams in the Nelson and Tasman regions, South Island, New Zealand, known to contain G. affinis, and from streams where G. affinis were absent. We used the Smith Root DNA sampler backpack with two types of filters (1.2 and 5 µm pores), to filter water and capture eDNA, and used quantitative polymerase chain reactions (qPCR), and digital droplet PCR (ddPCR) to measure the amount of G. affinis DNA collected by the two filter sizes. We also used high throughput (Illumina MiSeq) sequencing (HTS) to detect G. affinis. Results from the two PCR methods and the high throughput sequencing were compared to hand net counts of G. affinis. We found that all three methods were equally successful at detecting G. affinis when four replicates were taken from each site, but that sensitivity over all replicates was ddPCR > qPCR > HTS. We conclude that the use of environmental DNA to detect the presence of G. affinis is a useful tool to assist in mapping the distribution of G. affinis and will aid in the control of this invasive species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We describe the ocular features and normal physiological parameters of the South Island takahe (Porphyrio hochstetteri), using three birds. Both eyes face slightly forward such that there is some anatomic possibility of binocular vision but with restriction particularly of the superior and posterior visual fields. The pupil is round under both dim room light and very high illumination and the centre of the pupil is displaced <= 0.5 mm nasally with regard to the corneal centre. The iris is light brown and has several areas of more prominent vascularity. Their refractive error in the distance by retinoscopy is between 0 and +1 dioptre, although they sometimes accommodate down to -1 dioptre during examination. The average intraocular pressure is 6.75 +/- 0.88 mmHg using an iCare tonometer and the average corneal thickness is 340 +/- 32 mm. The average corneal curvature is 73.63 +/- 0.82 dioptres. On B scan the eye appears flattened in its antero-posterior axis; the axial length is 13.67 +/- 0.61 mm, the width 16.36 +/- 0.30 mm. The distance from the posterior pole of the lens to the retina is 7.37 +/- 0.26 mm. The pecten is visible inferiorly but no os opticus can be identified. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sustainable management of wild fisheries requires accurate delineation of reproductively isolated stocks to avoid depletion of a commercially and ecologically important resource. However, there is still a lack of reliable information on stock structure for most fishery species in New Zealand. DNA markers can assist in the delineation of stocks, but they also can provide significant insights into other areas related to the genetic diversity and the response to pressures. In this review, we first provide a detailed summary of the population genetic studies of New Zealand fish species, with a particular focus on hoki, orange roughy, snapper, ling, and blue cod. We find that genetic data is uniformly lacking for most species. We then discuss how the global shift from low resolution markers to genomics in fisheries genetics has far reaching consequences for the sustainable management of our aquatic resources, by allowing us to address multiple important pressures that wild fisheries are currently facing, and we introduce some of these briefly. We conclude by emphasising the need for a more systematic and holistic approach for the use of genomics in New Zealand fisheries management, so that the best evidence is available to inform the decisions of policy makers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Monitoring is an important component of pest species management in New Zealand. Chew cards are increasingly used for mammalian pest monitoring. They are effective for measuring the relative abundance of rats (Rattus spp.), but their effectiveness for measuring hedgehog (Erinaceus europaeus) relative abundance has not been tested. Camera traps are also increasingly used as a monitoring tool, but there has been little calibration with other methods. We investigated whether chew card indices and camera indices for hedgehogs and rats gave consistent monitoring results. We also explored the relationship between the relative abundance of rats and hedgehogs using these indices. Hedgehog and rat chew card indices both showed a positive relationship with the respective camera indices for each taxon. However, cameras had fewer detections than chew cards when relative abundance was low (particularly for rats). Interference by rats did not appear to affect detection of hedgehogs with chew cards. Although not a strongly supported result in our study, the relationship between rat and hedgehog relative abundances requires further study and is a reminder that single-species pest control may not produce desired biodiversity outcomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The 2018 conservation status assessment of freshwater invertebrate taxa was the most comprehensive to date. Of the Threatened and At Risk taxa in 2018 (177 taxa), 48 were listed as Nationally Critical, 14 as Nationally Endangered, 16 as Nationally Vulnerable, 10 as Declining, and 89 as Naturally Uncommon. Most taxa were listed as either Not Threatened (315 taxa) or required more information for assessment (Data Deficient; 178 taxa). Analyses of temporal changes in conservation status since 2002 revealed that the majority of changes were due to greater understanding of taxa distributions, rather than gains or losses in population sizes or area of occupancy. Insufficient data on taxa distributions, along with a lack of autecological information, are two of the major knowledge gaps facing freshwater invertebrate conservation in New Zealand. Further impediments to conservation include (i) a lack of systematics research, (ii) a large number of species remain undiscovered and undescribed, and (iii) the status and trend of populations is unknown for most taxa. We also provide an analysis of the habitats that harbour many of the rarer taxa. Finally, we conclude by recommending a number of actions that should, collectively, help fill these knowledge gaps and address these issues. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The earliest concerns New Zealand farmers had about ticks are chronicled here, together with the eventual invasion and establishment of Haemaphysalis longicornis, which, still today, remains the only livestock tick parasite in this country. Early attempts, legislative and practical, to restrict the spread of the tick, and later attempts to manage a permanent problem are presented and discussed. Brief biographies of many of the main persons mentioned in this history are presented in an Appendix, as is a reconsideration of how the tick may have arrived. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

With the development and implementation of tracking technology, we are now able to monitor the foraging behaviour of seabirds while at sea. Time-Depth Recorders (TDRs) were fitted to Hutton's shearwaters (Puffinus huttoni), an endangered endemic New Zealand species, to measure how diving behaviour varies over the breeding cycle. Hutton's shearwaters (∼350 g) dive up to 339 times per day (average 68.8) at depths to 35 m (average 5.6 m), and for periods up to 60 s (average 19.2 s). Incubating birds dived deeper than birds feeding chicks, and a significant difference in diving depth and dive duration were detected at different times of the day. Neither dive frequency nor dive duration differed significantly between years, but there was some annual variation in dive depths. The temporal variation we observed in the diving behaviour of Hutton's shearwaters suggests they are likely to exploit different types of pelagic prey at different stages in their breeding cycle. With on-going changes in the marine environment, monitoring changes in feeding behaviour using TDRs may provide a way to assess environmental change and improve the conservation of this species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Predation by introduced mammals frequently limits abundance of New Zealand's native invertebrates. We investigated responses of beetle and wētā communities to mammal eradication at two fenced forest sites at Maungatautari. Ground-dwelling beetle abundance, but not species richness, increased inside the southern exclosure two years after all mammals were eradicated. In the next 5 years, when all mammals except mice were eradicated from all of Maungatautari, beetle abundance and species richness were frequently higher in the mouse-free southern exclosure. Beetle community composition changed after mammal eradication, and over time with increasing mice densities outside the southern exclosure. Large, predatory, and native beetles showed the most differences between inside and outside the southern exclosure over some years. Wētā were more responsive to mammal removal than beetles. Wētā abundances both inside and outside the southern exclosure were similar when most mammals were eradicated and mice were controlled to low numbers. However, wētā declined in the following 2 years outside the southern exclosure when mouse abundance increased. Abiotic and biotic factors affecting the beetle and wētā communities are complex and interactions poorly understood. This study indicates that climate and predation by native fauna are likely to be important factors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The presence of bat species is commonly determined by placing acoustic bat detectors that record bat echolocation calls in the habitat they are likely to use. Detection rates are affected by variables including type of detection unit used. We compared detection rates of long-tailed bat (Chalinolobus tuberculatus) echolocation calls between two types of automated bat detectors: Wildlife Acoustics SMZC Zero Crossing Bat Recorders (ZC), and Frequency Compression Automated Bat Monitoring units (FC) produced by New Zealand's Department of Conservation. Units were placed in locations where bats were known to be present, but not all detected bats. The median number of bat passes recorded by FC units over 10 nights was 20 compared with a median of 3 bat passes for ZC units. ZC units also detected bats over significantly fewer nights than FC units. These results suggest FC units are more sensitive and therefore better to use where long-tailed bats are expected to be at low abundance or only present infrequently. Because of inconsistencies in detection rates, we recommend the use of only one model of the detector within a monitoring project. Our data also suggests that surveys should take place over long periods to maximise likelihood of detecting bats, if present. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

One new genus and ten new species of antipatharian corals are described from the New Zealand region. Differential diagnoses are given and comparisons are made to related nominal species. Described as new is the genus Acanthosaropathes and the following species: Antipathes coronata, A. dicrocrada, A. polyhedra, Acanthosaropathes uniseriata, Phanopathes ctenocrada, Cupressopathes simplex, Stylopathes stenotes, Stauropathes stellata, Telopathes tasmaniensis, and Heteropathes intricata. This research highlights the diversity of deepsea corals for the region, improves knowledge of the distributional limits of species, which in turn can inform assessments of species prevalence for conservation initiatives and management decisions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pselaphotumulus Owens and Carlton, gen. nov., is described as the sixth genus in the tribe Pselaphini known from New Zealand. Three new species are described: Pselaphotumulus aorerei, sp. nov., Pselaphotumulus dubius, sp. nov. and Pselaphotumulus unus, sp. nov.. Three species, Pselaphus cavelli (Broun 1893), Pselaphus oviceps (Broun 1917) and Pselaphus urquharti (Broun 1917) are transferred to Pselaphotumulus, nov. combs. Lectotypes from type series in the New Zealand Broun Collection (Natural History Museum, London) are designated for these three species. Habitus photographs, distributional maps and line drawings of diagnostic characters are provided for each species. A key to species is provided. Searches of museum collections have not yielded representatives outside of New Zealand, suggesting that this is the first endemic genus in the tribe Pselaphini described from the New Zealand's main islands, specifically, the South Island. Pselaphotumulus species exhibit restricted distribution patterns that approximately coincide with the Pacific/Indo Australian Plate boundary. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Potent second-generation anticoagulant rodenticides such as brodifacoum have been used as more effective alternatives to first-generation anticoagulants, such as warfarin. A combination of diphacinone at 0.005% and cholecalciferol at 0.06% produces a slow-acting bait that is effective at killing possums (Trichosurus vulpecula) and rodents. Cage trials with groups of possums and ship rats (Rattus rattus) achieved a mortality of 87% and 86% for possums and ship rats, respectively. Two field trials, each 200 hectares in size, targeting possums, ship rats and mice achieved an average reduction in the abundance of 94% for possums, 94% for ship rats and 80% for mice. The combination of diphacinone and cholecalciferol appears effective and has a favourable risk profile compared with second-generation anticoagulant rodenticides, such as brodifacoum. Approval of this new bait by the New Zealand Environmental Protection Agency was granted in 2018 and final registration obtained from the Ministry of Primary Industries in 2019. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Wild mammalian herbivores can compete with domestic livestock and damage other types of production systems. We reviewed damage by wild mammalian herbivores, excluding rodents, to primary production in New Zealand and assessed whether primary producers alter stocking rates in response to changes in forage availability following pest control. Given the dearth of information on the damage caused by wild mammalian herbivores to many production systems, we primarily focused on their damage to agriculture. With the exception of the substantial damage that brushtail possums (Trichosurus vulpecula) and European rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus) cause, there are no quantitative estimates of pasture depletion by other wild mammalian herbivores on New Zealand farmland. Estimates of dry matter consumption by wild mammalian herbivores, converted to stock unit equivalents, suggest that several species can substantially reduce stocking rates when they occur on farmland. Quantitative data on the damage they cause to horticulture and silviculture are lacking, but damage to coniferous seedlings has been recorded for possums, wallabies (Notamacropus spp.), and some species of deer (Cervus spp., Rusa spp., and Dama dama). The process that primary producers use to decide whether to control wild mammalian herbivores includes complex social and economic factors, but quantitative information is important for weighing up the expected costs and benefits of pest control. However, it is unclear how primary producers manage livestock in response to increases in forage availability following pest control. The paucity of quantitative data on wild mammalian herbivore damage to production assets is a substantial knowledge gap. Key research priorities are (i) understanding how damage varies with pest density (critical information for effective pest management) and (ii) and how primary producers alter stocking rates following reductions in pest density. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Biodiversity is unevenly distributed worldwide in terms of both species diversity and species endemism. Although centres of endemism are a conservation priority, both patterns and drivers of endemism are poorly understood in New Zealand. Here we explore whether invertebrate species distribution records in New Zealand represent the complete geographic range of species. We use distribution records of 2,322 invertebrate species to survey variation in range size and regional-endemism among 28 New Zealand regions, and explore the correlates of diversity and regional-endemism. Our data suggest patterns of regional-endemism in New Zealand invertebrates are not artefacts of sampling effort and the majority of species are not widespread. We found that endemism-score (which is a measure that corrects for species diversity) correlates positively with the relative size of the region three million years ago. Five variables (and their interactions) contributed to the relative level of invertebrate species endemism within a region (in a generalised linear model). Level of endemism tends to be lower in regions with greater geographic connectivity. This suggests that high levels of regional-endemism are not simply the product of the accumulation of species over time, but depends on the ability of a region to retain local species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A new species of quill mite of the family Syringophilidae (Acariformes: Prostigmata), Peristerophila nestoriae sp. nov. from New Zealand Kaka, Nestor meridionalis (Gmelin) (Psittaciformes: Strigopidae) is described. This new species is morphologically similar to Peristerophila falcophila [Skoracki M, Hromada M, Kaszewska K, Unsoeld M. 2018. Peristerophila falcophila sp. nov., a new species and first record of quill mites (Acariformes: Syringophilidae) parasitizing birds of the order Falconiformes. Acta Parasitologica. 63:744–749. https://doi.org/10.1515/ap-2018-0088], and differs from it as follow: the stylophore is 130–140 long (vs. 150–160 long); the propodonotal shield bear bases of setae ve, si, and c1 (vs. only ve and si on the propodonotal shield); fan-like setae p′ and p″ of legs III and IV with 11–13 tines (vs. 10 tines); the lengths of setae ag2 40–50 (vs. 55–70). Our finding is the first record of the presence of syringophilid mite on host of the family Strigopidae and first report of the member of Peristerophila on psittaciform birds. So far, the syringophilids mites have not been found in New Zealand. LSID: [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The new species Quinquelaophonte aurantius sp.nov. is described, based on specimens collected in Portobello Bay, New Zealand. The species is distinguishable for having long fine setules in the anal operculum distal edge, a breadth ratio of caudal rami length above 3.5, and a rudimentary antenna abexopodal spine. This new species differentiates from Q. parasigmoides and Q. wellsi on the following autapomorphs; short spine-like outer seta in segment 2 of females P3 endopod and the partial reduction of setae in spines from male P3 and P4, longer V-shaped caudal rami, an almost non-existent terminal portion of the antenna exopod with short lateral setae. Phylogenetic analyses demonstrate the position of Quinquelaophonte within the family Laophontidae. Publication LSID: LSID for Q. aurantius: [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Australian redback spider, Latrodectus hasseltii preys on at least 10 endemic species in New Zealand, highlighting a need for control. Male redbacks are attracted to virgin females by an airborne pheromone. The aim of this study was to analyse the response of male redback spiders to two volatile chemicals found on the silk of virgin but not mated females, to determine whether these compounds constitute components of the airborne pheromone. Mature male redback spiders were placed in an olfactometer where they had a choice of two stimuli. We compared their response to paired combinations of a control, virgin silk, butyric acid and isovaleric acid. Male redbacks responded equally strongly to butyric acid and virgin silk, in terms of time spent near the stimulus. The identification of butyric acid as a component of the airborne sex pheromone of L. hasseltii provides the groundwork for developing a pheromone-based control. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A combined list of additions to previously published checklists of helminth and protozoan parasites of terrestrial mammals and birds in New Zealand is provided. These additions include a total of 21 new host parasite records (11 helminth, 10 protozoan) from 12 mammalian hosts and 82 new records (26 helminth, 56 protozoan) from 43 birds. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Determining pest mammal impacts and abundance in forests requires an understanding of how target species use vegetation compared with the ground. We used a novel device combining footprint tracking with bite detection to survey for mammals at four levels in New Zealand forests that had house mice (Mus musculus) alone, and all widespread New Zealand mammals, including house mice, ship rats (Rattus rattus) and brushtail possums (Trichosurus vulpecula). When alone, house mice were detected at 93%, 35%, 17% and 0% of devices on the ground, in shrubs, in the subcanopy and canopy, respectively, but in a pilot study at one site were detected 11 m above ground. When all small pest mammals were present, house mice were scarce and none were detected up trees. Ship rats and possums were detected mostly on the ground, but also at all surveyed heights. The study confirms that mice, ship rats and possums are all potential above-ground predators, but suggests that targeting them for control and monitoring can reasonably be undertaken on the ground. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Rodenticide and vertebrate pesticide registrations have declined worldwide over the last 30 years. New Zealand has not followed this trend, instead retaining essential toxins and traps, improving their use and exploring new mammal control tools. Looking to the immediate future, as well as continuing to improve the use of existing tools, there are opportunities for further advances in emerging technologies such as wireless technology for species recognition and aiding trapping programmes, self-resetting traps and toxin-delivery systems to be enhanced with advanced lures, and new toxins which increasingly combine ‘low-residue’ characteristics with selectivity and humaneness. More selective baiting and delivery systems will enable more targeted control of possums, mustelids and rodents. The use of new toxins with advantages in specific settings should be complemented by improvements in resetting trap technology, barrier approaches, and novel biocontrol and genetic concepts. Sodium fluoroacetate (1080) and other important tools have been retained; we have the ingredients for transformational change, and new tools are emerging from a research and development pipeline. However, there has been limited practical experience with emerging technologies compared with traditional or 1080 baits. Additional investment and practical experience is imperative, at this stage, to enable the potential of new toxins and other tools to reach their potential. It is also important for the future of New Zealand’s biodiversity that research continues to be focused on emerging technologies as well as on completely novel ideas. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A correction to the article "Trends in lizard translocations in New Zealand between 1988 and 2013," that was published in the 2016 issue is presented.

Based on institutional collections, database records, literature and new field collections, 247 breeding host associations were found in New Zealand for the four species of the subfamily Panchaetothripinae. The endemicSigmothrips aotearoanabred only on indigenous plants (21 species). The three adventive species,Heliothrips haemorrhoidalis,Hercinothrips bicinctusandParthenothrips dracaenae, bred on indigenous plants in native ecosystems and on other plants in and outside native ecosystems; 165, 52 and 9 species, respectively. Of the 172 plant genera, only 17 hosted more than one species. Several plant families and orders hosted only one thrips species; notably,S. aotearoanaon Orchidaceae and Loganiaceae;Hercinothrips bicinctuson Compositae (Asteraceae) and Solanales;Heliothrips haemorrhoidalison Cornales, Ericales, Fagales, Malvales, Poales, Pinales, Rosales and Vitales. The robustness and usefulness of the patterns of host plant associations for predicting plant species at risk could be tested by observations in countries with other species of Panchaetothripinae.ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHERCopyright of New Zealand Journal of Zoology is the property of Taylor & Francis Ltd and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Diagnostic morphological characters of the juvenile Panchaetothripinae in New Zealand are illustrated. Keys developed enable colonies with only immature stages to be identified without needing to rear adults. Live larvae or larvae in ethanol are distinguished by the presence of expanded tips of body setae (Parthenothrips dracaenae), the absence of setae at the abdomen tip (Hercinothrips bicinctus), setae at abdomen tip not longer than abdominal tip width (Heliothrips haemorrhoidalis) and abdominal tip setae longer than abdominal tip width (Sigmothrips aotearoana, endemic species). The presence or absence of spine-like setae on abdominal segments 9 and 10, and the number and length of setae on the wing buds, enable identification of pupae. Abdominal spine-like setae were on the prepupa and pupa ofH. bicinctusandS. aotearoana, species that pupate off the plant, and are probably defensive structures. This is the first record of spine-like setae on segment 10 of terebrantian pupae. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article presents a debate on issues concerning dynamic taxonomy and field identification. Publication of the book "A Photographic Guide to Reptiles and Amphibians of New Zealand," by Tony Jewell, with photographs by Rod Morris, raised important questions about the ability of authors to provide accurate taxonomy guides when nomenclature changes are so frequent. According to the article, the process of updating technical nomenclature is lengthy. It states that although local tag names are not perfect, they are the best option until formal revisions are produced.

There is growing concern about mitigation-driven translocations that move animals from anthropogenic threats at donor sites because of their failure rate and lack of application of scientific principles and best practice. We reviewed all known lizard translocations in New Zealand between 1988 and 2013 and identified 85 translocations of 30 lizard taxa to 46 release sites. Most translocations (62%) were motivated by conservation goals for the species or the release site, and one-third were mitigation-driven translocations, typically motivated by habitat loss due to development. Mitigation-driven translocations began in 2003, and since that time have equalled the number of conservation-motivated translocations. Conservation-motivated translocations usually released lizards on islands without mammalian predators, whereas mitigation-driven translocations usually relocated lizards to mainland sites with introduced predators. Long-term monitoring has been sparse and often rudimentary. Eight lizard translocations have recorded population growth, including one mitigation-driven translocation that was into a fenced reserve. Research on commonly used management techniques to mitigate human-related impacts is recommended to establish whether these techniques benefit lizards in the long term. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Natural habitat is not always available for translocations due to habitat modification or pressure from introduced predators. We followed the release of 30 captive-bred Otago skinks (Oligosoma otagense) into a 109 m2 outdoor enclosure of artificial habitat at Orokonui Ecosanctuary in southeastern New Zealand. We evaluated the short-term success of the translocation by assessing visibility and survival of the skinks over the 3 summer months following release in spring 2013, plus survival the following spring. Skinks were visible most days, especially in warm, dry conditions. Survival was high over the first summer; 80% of skinks were seen at least once during February 2014. The following spring 63% of skinks were resighted during three surveys and breeding has since been reported. Thus, it is feasible to maintain captive-bred adults of this Nationally Endangered skink in artificially constructed, outdoor habitat in a coastal location. However, to avoid predation of juveniles by adult skinks, future translocations should avoid releasing juveniles close to adults. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We sampled populations of forest-floor dwelling cave and ground wētā using footprint tracking tunnels and spotlight transect counts in southern beech forest, New Zealand. Samples were compared to estimates of wētā density based on mark–recapture estimates from 25 m2enclosures. Both activity indices captured variability in cave wētā in time and space, were strongly correlated with each other, and have the potential for monitoring cave wētā activity levels. Comparisons between indices and cave wētā density estimates were equivocal, as recapture rates were too low to calculate high-resolution density estimates. We also found that cave wētā counts had a curved relationship increasing with temperature, and a negative relationship with increasing shrub and woody debris cover. Based on these preliminary results, tracking tunnels could be a viable method of monitoring cave wētā as they appear more efficient than transect counts and are relatively inexpensive. However, further calibration trials are needed to determine if indices mirror robust population density estimates. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

The New Zealand checklist of Collembola was prepared 10 years ago but only published in 2012 (Greenslade P 2012. Collembola. In: Gordon DP ed. The New Zealand inventory of biodiversity: a species 2000 symposium review. Volume 1, Animalia. Christchurch, Canterbury University Press. Pp. 237–243). Since 2004, a number of changes in the species list, both additions and deletions, have been published but they are scattered in disparate journals. Also, new synonymies and new combinations have become evident. Here, I gather these findings together in a single article, thus making them available. I synonymiseSminthurus multidentatuswithS. viridisand remove the subfamily Uchidanurinae from the list, transferring its New Zealand and Australian species to the subfamily Pseudachorutinae. Other already published new records, corrected identifications and new combinations are listed here including some additions to the description of the type and only speciesClavaphorura septemsetaof its New Zealand endemic genus. The total number of species known from New Zealand is now 350, with 101 genera. The number of families remains at 18 but the number of subfamilies falls from six to five. I document them here with a new synonym and combination. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]