Pub Date : 2021-10-04DOI: 10.1080/03014223.2021.1978510
Kaylyn A. Pinney, J. Ross, A. Paterson
ABSTRACT A 2014 carcass search survey confirmed that Tiakina Ngā Manu aerial 1080 operations, undertaken to protect resident mohua (Mohoua ochrocephala) from increases to predator populations following substantial beech (Nothofagus sp.) mast events, cause mortality for Wakatipu white-tailed deer. Non-target by-kill of deer generates significant public opposition to predator control operations. We assessed if a current deer repellent (EDR) and a repellent in development (Pestex-DR) were effective at repelling captive white-tailed deer from consumption of nontoxic baits, commonly used in Tiakina Ngā Manu operations. Both repellents were found to significantly decrease bait consumption, and we observed clear displays of aversion to repellent baits by captive deer. Ten GPS collared wild white-tailed deer were then monitored following a Tiakina Ngā Manu operation using EDR in 2016. One collared deer was poisoned following the operation, confirming that EDR is not 100% effective. We recommend the most effective available deer repellent be used for future Tiakina Ngā Manu operations over the Wakatipu white-tailed deer habitat to minimise public opposition to these predator control operations. In addition, our results suggest that differences in the boundary size and shape of operations may account for some of the variability in non-target by-kill observed between studies.
{"title":"Assessing EDR and a novel deer repellent for reducing by-kill of white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus), during aerial 1080 operations","authors":"Kaylyn A. Pinney, J. Ross, A. Paterson","doi":"10.1080/03014223.2021.1978510","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1080/03014223.2021.1978510","url":null,"abstract":"ABSTRACT A 2014 carcass search survey confirmed that Tiakina Ngā Manu aerial 1080 operations, undertaken to protect resident mohua (Mohoua ochrocephala) from increases to predator populations following substantial beech (Nothofagus sp.) mast events, cause mortality for Wakatipu white-tailed deer. Non-target by-kill of deer generates significant public opposition to predator control operations. We assessed if a current deer repellent (EDR) and a repellent in development (Pestex-DR) were effective at repelling captive white-tailed deer from consumption of nontoxic baits, commonly used in Tiakina Ngā Manu operations. Both repellents were found to significantly decrease bait consumption, and we observed clear displays of aversion to repellent baits by captive deer. Ten GPS collared wild white-tailed deer were then monitored following a Tiakina Ngā Manu operation using EDR in 2016. One collared deer was poisoned following the operation, confirming that EDR is not 100% effective. We recommend the most effective available deer repellent be used for future Tiakina Ngā Manu operations over the Wakatipu white-tailed deer habitat to minimise public opposition to these predator control operations. In addition, our results suggest that differences in the boundary size and shape of operations may account for some of the variability in non-target by-kill observed between studies.","PeriodicalId":19208,"journal":{"name":"New Zealand Journal of Zoology","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":1.3,"publicationDate":"2021-10-04","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"49431180","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2021-10-04DOI: 10.1080/03014223.2021.1977345
B. Warburton, C. Eason, P. Fisher, N. Hancox, B. Hopkins, G. Nugent, S. Ogilvie, T. Prowse, J. Ross, P. Cowan
ABSTRACT 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.
{"title":"Alternatives for mammal pest control in New Zealand in the context of concerns about 1080 toxicant (sodium fluoroacetate)","authors":"B. Warburton, C. Eason, P. Fisher, N. Hancox, B. Hopkins, G. Nugent, S. Ogilvie, T. Prowse, J. Ross, P. Cowan","doi":"10.1080/03014223.2021.1977345","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1080/03014223.2021.1977345","url":null,"abstract":"ABSTRACT 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.","PeriodicalId":19208,"journal":{"name":"New Zealand Journal of Zoology","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":1.3,"publicationDate":"2021-10-04","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"59277939","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2021-10-02DOI: 10.1080/03014223.2021.1961562
D. Gleeson
Environmental DNA (eDNA) monitoring has revolutionised the way biodiversity is surveyed over the past decade. There is now a myriad of eDNA protocols and techniques developed to improve eDNA isolation from environmental samples, greatly diversifying eDNA applications in the types of species surveillance that can now be undertaken. As the breadth of those applications increase and more studies show the promise of these tools to inform environmental management, there is greater impetus in the uptake by end-use agencies as part of routine monitoring. Indeed, the question is no longer if these eDNA methods work, but rather if reproducibility can be achieved to inform management decisions. There is now an increasing tendency to use the technology, either alone or in tandem with conventional techniques, in biodiversity assessments and in detection of single species such as threatened or invasive species. However, due to eDNA being an indirect form of detection, there are still uncertainties associated with eDNA monitoring and managers still struggle with how to use eDNA results in confident decision-making and management. In order for eDNA to become a routine tool for legislative requirements such as national State of the Environment (SoE) Reporting, there is a need to bridge the gap between research and management. In particular, stringent and highly scrutinised workflows are needed to deliver consistent and repeatable molecular results that can reliably inform management. In New Zealand, a number of studies have highlighted the potential for eDNA to be applied to a variety of different environments for a range of purposes. New Zealand also faces the same environmental pressures seen globally such as invasive species, habitat fragmentation, climate change, declining water quality as just a few examples. There is a great benefit for agencies to be adopting these eDNA tools as they can be more cost-effective, be widely distributed and enable greater consistency in the data received if applied appropriately. This special issue is a significant step forward in providing the necessary data that can inform the appropriate methods to apply for a particular purpose and to also understand some of the limitations and gaps that still need to be addressed before these tools are widely adopted. Readers looking to design their own eDNA studies would be well advised to consult some review papers discussing such aspects of eDNA studies as: experimental design e.g., (Goldberg et al. 2016), recording metadata e.g., (Nicholson et al. 2020); choice of DNA extraction method e.g. (Lear et al. 2018; Jeunen et al. 2019); selection of genome regions appropriate for the research question being asked e.g., (Drummond et al. 2015; Jeunen et al. 2019); reporting requirements for qPCR studies e.g. (Bustin et al. 2009); the pros and cons of the different techniques used in eDNA studies (Zaiko et al. 2018); limitations of eDNA studies (Kelly et al. 2019); and the tools needed before
在过去的十年中，环境DNA (eDNA)监测已经彻底改变了生物多样性的调查方式。现在有无数的eDNA协议和技术开发，以提高eDNA从环境样本中分离，大大多样化了eDNA在物种监测类型中的应用，现在可以进行。随着这些应用范围的扩大和更多的研究表明这些工具有希望为环境管理提供信息，最终用途机构更有可能将其作为日常监测的一部分加以采用。事实上，问题不再是这些eDNA方法是否有效，而是能否实现可重复性，从而为管理决策提供信息。现在越来越多的趋势是单独或与传统技术结合使用这项技术来评估生物多样性和探测单一物种，如受威胁物种或入侵物种。然而，由于eDNA是一种间接的检测形式，因此与eDNA监测相关的不确定性仍然存在，管理人员仍在努力解决如何使用eDNA结果来进行自信的决策和管理的问题。为了使eDNA成为诸如国家环境状况(SoE)报告等立法要求的常规工具，有必要弥合研究和管理之间的差距。特别是，需要严格和高度审查的工作流程来提供一致和可重复的分子结果，从而可靠地告知管理层。在新西兰，一些研究强调了将eDNA应用于各种不同环境以实现一系列目的的潜力。新西兰也面临着与全球相同的环境压力，例如物种入侵、栖息地破碎、气候变化、水质下降等等。各机构采用这些eDNA工具有很大的好处，因为如果应用得当，它们可以更具成本效益，广泛分发，并使收到的数据更加一致。这一特殊问题是向前迈出的重要一步，提供了必要的数据，可以为适用于特定目的的适当方法提供信息，并了解在广泛采用这些工具之前仍需要解决的一些限制和差距。希望设计自己的eDNA研究的读者最好参考一些讨论eDNA研究方面的综述论文，如:实验设计，例如(Goldberg et al. 2016)，记录元数据，例如(Nicholson et al. 2020);DNA提取方法的选择，例如(Lear et al. 2018;Jeunen et al. 2019);选择适合研究问题的基因组区域，例如(Drummond et al. 2015;Jeunen et al. 2019);qPCR研究的报告要求，例如(Bustin et al. 2009);eDNA研究中使用的不同技术的利弊(Zaiko et al. 2018);eDNA研究的局限性(Kelly et al. 2019);并且可以将eDNA监测所需的工具嵌入管理计划(Sepulveda et al. 2020)。利用直接来自环境的DNA作为通过宏基因组学了解微生物多样性的手段是一项历史最悠久的技术。
{"title":"Zoological applications for environmental DNA: detection, diversity, and health","authors":"D. Gleeson","doi":"10.1080/03014223.2021.1961562","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1080/03014223.2021.1961562","url":null,"abstract":"Environmental DNA (eDNA) monitoring has revolutionised the way biodiversity is surveyed over the past decade. There is now a myriad of eDNA protocols and techniques developed to improve eDNA isolation from environmental samples, greatly diversifying eDNA applications in the types of species surveillance that can now be undertaken. As the breadth of those applications increase and more studies show the promise of these tools to inform environmental management, there is greater impetus in the uptake by end-use agencies as part of routine monitoring. Indeed, the question is no longer if these eDNA methods work, but rather if reproducibility can be achieved to inform management decisions. There is now an increasing tendency to use the technology, either alone or in tandem with conventional techniques, in biodiversity assessments and in detection of single species such as threatened or invasive species. However, due to eDNA being an indirect form of detection, there are still uncertainties associated with eDNA monitoring and managers still struggle with how to use eDNA results in confident decision-making and management. In order for eDNA to become a routine tool for legislative requirements such as national State of the Environment (SoE) Reporting, there is a need to bridge the gap between research and management. In particular, stringent and highly scrutinised workflows are needed to deliver consistent and repeatable molecular results that can reliably inform management. In New Zealand, a number of studies have highlighted the potential for eDNA to be applied to a variety of different environments for a range of purposes. New Zealand also faces the same environmental pressures seen globally such as invasive species, habitat fragmentation, climate change, declining water quality as just a few examples. There is a great benefit for agencies to be adopting these eDNA tools as they can be more cost-effective, be widely distributed and enable greater consistency in the data received if applied appropriately. This special issue is a significant step forward in providing the necessary data that can inform the appropriate methods to apply for a particular purpose and to also understand some of the limitations and gaps that still need to be addressed before these tools are widely adopted. Readers looking to design their own eDNA studies would be well advised to consult some review papers discussing such aspects of eDNA studies as: experimental design e.g., (Goldberg et al. 2016), recording metadata e.g., (Nicholson et al. 2020); choice of DNA extraction method e.g. (Lear et al. 2018; Jeunen et al. 2019); selection of genome regions appropriate for the research question being asked e.g., (Drummond et al. 2015; Jeunen et al. 2019); reporting requirements for qPCR studies e.g. (Bustin et al. 2009); the pros and cons of the different techniques used in eDNA studies (Zaiko et al. 2018); limitations of eDNA studies (Kelly et al. 2019); and the tools needed before ","PeriodicalId":19208,"journal":{"name":"New Zealand Journal of Zoology","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":1.3,"publicationDate":"2021-10-02","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"45699435","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2021-09-06DOI: 10.1080/03014223.2021.1967415
Ruth J. A. van Heerbeek, B. W. Brox, Anne C. Macaskill
ABSTRACT Many zoos provide the opportunity for visitors to interact with ambassador animals in their collections, but little is known about how these interactions impact on the animals themselves. The current study was the first to examine the effect of visitor interactions on the reptile species, tuatara (Sphenodon punctatus). This pilot project also developed the first complete ethogram describing tuatara behaviour (a permanent research resource). The ethogram was customised for individually housed tuatara. We used the ethogram to describe behaviour of three tuatara before (8:30–10:30), during (10:30–11:30) and after (11:30–15:30) visitor contact sessions (where visitors could interact with a tuatara and handler in a controlled environment), and on control days (at the same times but with no visitor contact). Tuatara demonstrated increased time out of sight or time inactive following visitor contact (compared to days with no visitor contact). The current study provides insight into individual variation between animals that participate in visitor contact sessions and can inform how zoos approach ambassador-animal programmes to support animal welfare.
{"title":"Using a novel ethogram of tuatara behaviour to evaluate the impact of interactions with zoo visitors","authors":"Ruth J. A. van Heerbeek, B. W. Brox, Anne C. Macaskill","doi":"10.1080/03014223.2021.1967415","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1080/03014223.2021.1967415","url":null,"abstract":"ABSTRACT Many zoos provide the opportunity for visitors to interact with ambassador animals in their collections, but little is known about how these interactions impact on the animals themselves. The current study was the first to examine the effect of visitor interactions on the reptile species, tuatara (Sphenodon punctatus). This pilot project also developed the first complete ethogram describing tuatara behaviour (a permanent research resource). The ethogram was customised for individually housed tuatara. We used the ethogram to describe behaviour of three tuatara before (8:30–10:30), during (10:30–11:30) and after (11:30–15:30) visitor contact sessions (where visitors could interact with a tuatara and handler in a controlled environment), and on control days (at the same times but with no visitor contact). Tuatara demonstrated increased time out of sight or time inactive following visitor contact (compared to days with no visitor contact). The current study provides insight into individual variation between animals that participate in visitor contact sessions and can inform how zoos approach ambassador-animal programmes to support animal welfare.","PeriodicalId":19208,"journal":{"name":"New Zealand Journal of Zoology","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":1.3,"publicationDate":"2021-09-06","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"48833059","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2021-09-02DOI: 10.1080/03014223.2021.1970585
B. Gill
ABSTRACT Moa eggshell fragments from 13 North Island sites (New Zealand), were 0.54–1.74 mm thick (n = 6036). Thicknesses with published DNA-identifications overlapped greatly between the four North Island species, but median thicknesses were separate: Pachyornis geranoides thinnest, Dinornis novaezealandiae thickest, and Euryapteryx curtus and Anomalopteryx didiformis in the middle, but with the former slightly thinner. Thickness histograms for regional samples of unidentified moa eggshell fragments, each had one of four thickness patterns: Type A (thin eggshell only), Type B (thick eggshell only), Type C (medium-thickness eggshell only), and Type D (all thicknesses present). The Gisborne site, poorly-known from moa bones, had a similar thickness profile (Type D, skewed towards thin shell) to North Cape and Tokerau Beach implying a similar moa fauna. Eggshell thicknesses suggested that D. novaezealandiae was absent at Port Jackson (Type A histogram) and that P. geranoides was absent at Whananaki (Type B pattern) and rare at Herbertville (Type D, skewed towards thick shell). Thickness analysis for eggshell from a Lake Taupo archaeological site suggested that few eggs of just one species were involved, whereas a wide spread of shell thicknesses for a Great Mercury Island site implied a contribution from several species.
{"title":"Thickness histograms of Holocene fossil eggshell fragments indicate diversity and relative abundance of moas (Aves: Dinornithiformes) at North Island sites","authors":"B. Gill","doi":"10.1080/03014223.2021.1970585","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1080/03014223.2021.1970585","url":null,"abstract":"ABSTRACT Moa eggshell fragments from 13 North Island sites (New Zealand), were 0.54–1.74 mm thick (n = 6036). Thicknesses with published DNA-identifications overlapped greatly between the four North Island species, but median thicknesses were separate: Pachyornis geranoides thinnest, Dinornis novaezealandiae thickest, and Euryapteryx curtus and Anomalopteryx didiformis in the middle, but with the former slightly thinner. Thickness histograms for regional samples of unidentified moa eggshell fragments, each had one of four thickness patterns: Type A (thin eggshell only), Type B (thick eggshell only), Type C (medium-thickness eggshell only), and Type D (all thicknesses present). The Gisborne site, poorly-known from moa bones, had a similar thickness profile (Type D, skewed towards thin shell) to North Cape and Tokerau Beach implying a similar moa fauna. Eggshell thicknesses suggested that D. novaezealandiae was absent at Port Jackson (Type A histogram) and that P. geranoides was absent at Whananaki (Type B pattern) and rare at Herbertville (Type D, skewed towards thick shell). Thickness analysis for eggshell from a Lake Taupo archaeological site suggested that few eggs of just one species were involved, whereas a wide spread of shell thicknesses for a Great Mercury Island site implied a contribution from several species.","PeriodicalId":19208,"journal":{"name":"New Zealand Journal of Zoology","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":1.3,"publicationDate":"2021-09-02","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"47585515","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2021-08-03DOI: 10.1080/03014223.2021.1951309
V. Framenau, C. Vink, Bryce N. McQuillan, A. H. Simpson
ABSTRACT A new monotypic orb-weaving spider (Araneidae Clerck, 1757) genus, Courtaraneus gen. nov., is described to accommodate the New Zealand species C. orientalis (Urquhart, 1887) comb. nov. This new genus is proposed, as the male pedipalp of the species is unique amongst orb-weaving spiders by the presence of two complex tibial apophyses and a heavily sclerotised cymbial lobe at the base of a strong, elongated paracymbium. The pedipalp bulb is complex with heavily sclerotised sclerites. The median apophysis is situated transverse, the radix strong and wedge-shaped and the terminal apophysis heavily sclerotised and flat, U-shaped. The embolus is accompanied by three terminal apophyses on the elongated stipes. The female epigyne scape forms a tongue, surrounded by an elevated rim, the spermathecae are spherical. The unique autapomorphic characters of the new genus make the phylogenetical placement of the genus difficult. Courtaraneus orientalis comb. nov. is one of the largest endemic orb-weaving spiders in New Zealand and has been found in multiple locations in the North Island in scrub and forest margins. The orb-web is vertical, large, and the catching threads are widely spaced; however, the hub is poorly structured and the orb often incomplete.
摘要描述了一个新的单型圆织蛛属（Araneidae Clerck，1757），Courtaraneus gen.nov.，以适应新西兰物种东方蛛（Urquhart，1887）的梳形。nov.提出了这个新属，因为该物种的雄性足须在球体编织蜘蛛中是独一无二的，因为它有两个复杂的胫骨突和一个坚固细长的副钹基部的严重硬化的钹叶。足须球复杂，有严重硬化的巩膜炎。中突位于横向，基部坚固且呈楔形，顶突严重硬化且平坦，呈U形。栓子在细长的托叶上伴有三个末端隆起。女性表观形成一个舌头，周围有一个凸起的边缘，受精囊是球形的。新属独特的自形态特征使该属的系统发育定位变得困难。东方Courtaraneus orientalis comb。nov.是新西兰最大的地方性球织蜘蛛之一，在北岛灌木丛和森林边缘的多个地方都有发现。球形网是垂直的、大的，并且捕捉线间隔很宽；然而，轮毂结构较差，球体往往不完整。
{"title":"A new genus for a large, endemic orb-weaving spider (Araneae, Araneidae) from New Zealand","authors":"V. Framenau, C. Vink, Bryce N. McQuillan, A. H. Simpson","doi":"10.1080/03014223.2021.1951309","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1080/03014223.2021.1951309","url":null,"abstract":"ABSTRACT A new monotypic orb-weaving spider (Araneidae Clerck, 1757) genus, Courtaraneus gen. nov., is described to accommodate the New Zealand species C. orientalis (Urquhart, 1887) comb. nov. This new genus is proposed, as the male pedipalp of the species is unique amongst orb-weaving spiders by the presence of two complex tibial apophyses and a heavily sclerotised cymbial lobe at the base of a strong, elongated paracymbium. The pedipalp bulb is complex with heavily sclerotised sclerites. The median apophysis is situated transverse, the radix strong and wedge-shaped and the terminal apophysis heavily sclerotised and flat, U-shaped. The embolus is accompanied by three terminal apophyses on the elongated stipes. The female epigyne scape forms a tongue, surrounded by an elevated rim, the spermathecae are spherical. The unique autapomorphic characters of the new genus make the phylogenetical placement of the genus difficult. Courtaraneus orientalis comb. nov. is one of the largest endemic orb-weaving spiders in New Zealand and has been found in multiple locations in the North Island in scrub and forest margins. The orb-web is vertical, large, and the catching threads are widely spaced; however, the hub is poorly structured and the orb often incomplete.","PeriodicalId":19208,"journal":{"name":"New Zealand Journal of Zoology","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":1.3,"publicationDate":"2021-08-03","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"42194891","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2021-06-03DOI: 10.1080/03014223.2021.1926292
B. Warburton, G. Morriss, S. Howard
ABSTRACT 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.
{"title":"Increasing the capture rates of brushtail possums in Victor #1 leg-hold traps","authors":"B. Warburton, G. Morriss, S. Howard","doi":"10.1080/03014223.2021.1926292","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1080/03014223.2021.1926292","url":null,"abstract":"ABSTRACT 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.","PeriodicalId":19208,"journal":{"name":"New Zealand Journal of Zoology","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":1.3,"publicationDate":"2021-06-03","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://sci-hub-pdf.com/10.1080/03014223.2021.1926292","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"48791237","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2021-05-06DOI: 10.1080/03014223.2021.1918730
C. Woolley, C. Knox, Michael Watson
ABSTRACT Live trapping (e.g. pitfall trapping or funnel trapping) is an important sampling tool for a wide range of small terrestrial animals and is one of the predominant methods for survey and monitoring of terrestrial lizards in New Zealand. As it results in the confinement of animals, methods using live trapping must mitigate risks to animal welfare. Foraging predators can kill or injure animals confined in pitfall traps (e.g. lizards); however, visitation rates of various predatory mammals are poorly understood and reported occurrences are largely anecdotal. Following an observation of a rat depredating a skink in a pitfall trap during a lizard salvage operation, we recorded the removal of bait (pear) from traps over a 24-h period and installed motion-detecting cameras to record trap visitation. Bait loss occurred rapidly over the observed period, with 77% removed after 24 h. Three rodent species were detected visiting a trap, with one ship rat (Rattus rattus) entering it and removing the bait. We suggest that operations involving live trapping of lizards should consider predator densities and carefully monitor and report trap disturbance. Further research should examine how different trapping methods (e.g. predator-exclusive trap design, baiting, and timing of trap checks) might reduce the risk of predation to trapped animals.
{"title":"Evaluating the risk of predation for lizards constrained in live traps","authors":"C. Woolley, C. Knox, Michael Watson","doi":"10.1080/03014223.2021.1918730","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1080/03014223.2021.1918730","url":null,"abstract":"ABSTRACT Live trapping (e.g. pitfall trapping or funnel trapping) is an important sampling tool for a wide range of small terrestrial animals and is one of the predominant methods for survey and monitoring of terrestrial lizards in New Zealand. As it results in the confinement of animals, methods using live trapping must mitigate risks to animal welfare. Foraging predators can kill or injure animals confined in pitfall traps (e.g. lizards); however, visitation rates of various predatory mammals are poorly understood and reported occurrences are largely anecdotal. Following an observation of a rat depredating a skink in a pitfall trap during a lizard salvage operation, we recorded the removal of bait (pear) from traps over a 24-h period and installed motion-detecting cameras to record trap visitation. Bait loss occurred rapidly over the observed period, with 77% removed after 24 h. Three rodent species were detected visiting a trap, with one ship rat (Rattus rattus) entering it and removing the bait. We suggest that operations involving live trapping of lizards should consider predator densities and carefully monitor and report trap disturbance. Further research should examine how different trapping methods (e.g. predator-exclusive trap design, baiting, and timing of trap checks) might reduce the risk of predation to trapped animals.","PeriodicalId":19208,"journal":{"name":"New Zealand Journal of Zoology","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":1.3,"publicationDate":"2021-05-06","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://sci-hub-pdf.com/10.1080/03014223.2021.1918730","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"46514389","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2021-05-04DOI: 10.1080/03014223.2021.1905007
K. Davison, R. Farrell, S. Miller, C. King
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. ARTICLE HISTORY Received 1 July 2020 Accepted 15 March 2021 First Published Online 21 April 2021 HANDLING EDITOR James Briskie
{"title":"Impacts of environmental and human disturbances on behaviour of captive kiwi (Apteryx mantelli)","authors":"K. Davison, R. Farrell, S. Miller, C. King","doi":"10.1080/03014223.2021.1905007","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1080/03014223.2021.1905007","url":null,"abstract":"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. ARTICLE HISTORY Received 1 July 2020 Accepted 15 March 2021 First Published Online 21 April 2021 HANDLING EDITOR James Briskie","PeriodicalId":19208,"journal":{"name":"New Zealand Journal of Zoology","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":1.3,"publicationDate":"2021-05-04","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://sci-hub-pdf.com/10.1080/03014223.2021.1905007","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"42866204","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2021-04-22DOI: 10.1080/03014223.2021.1908369
Brandon Breedt, C. King
ABSTRACT We used systematic arrays of camera traps combined with site-occupancy analyses to estimate the site-specific presence and probability of detection the principal target pests across the three main habitats of Waikato Region, classified by season. Cameras easily identified brushtail possums, hedgehogs, ship rats, wild house mice, and mustelids, i.e., stoats, feral ferrets and weasels taken as a group. The data comprise four sets of estimates, one set of 15 (five targets, three habitats) for each season of the year, total of 60. Of these, only 10 (17%) returned probabilities of detection of more than 50% for that species in that habitat at that season, given that at least one individual was present then. All pest species we monitored were present on pastoral land. Pasture makes up more than half of the land cover of the Waikato, so it supports large numbers even of species that are not abundant in that habitat. Hence, pest control operations intended to conserve indigenous species in protected forests need to allow for the important effects of rapid reinvasions of controlled areas from adjacent pasture.
{"title":"Distribution and detectability of mammalian pests in the Waikato Region","authors":"Brandon Breedt, C. King","doi":"10.1080/03014223.2021.1908369","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1080/03014223.2021.1908369","url":null,"abstract":"ABSTRACT We used systematic arrays of camera traps combined with site-occupancy analyses to estimate the site-specific presence and probability of detection the principal target pests across the three main habitats of Waikato Region, classified by season. Cameras easily identified brushtail possums, hedgehogs, ship rats, wild house mice, and mustelids, i.e., stoats, feral ferrets and weasels taken as a group. The data comprise four sets of estimates, one set of 15 (five targets, three habitats) for each season of the year, total of 60. Of these, only 10 (17%) returned probabilities of detection of more than 50% for that species in that habitat at that season, given that at least one individual was present then. All pest species we monitored were present on pastoral land. Pasture makes up more than half of the land cover of the Waikato, so it supports large numbers even of species that are not abundant in that habitat. Hence, pest control operations intended to conserve indigenous species in protected forests need to allow for the important effects of rapid reinvasions of controlled areas from adjacent pasture.","PeriodicalId":19208,"journal":{"name":"New Zealand Journal of Zoology","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":1.3,"publicationDate":"2021-04-22","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://sci-hub-pdf.com/10.1080/03014223.2021.1908369","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"48528419","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
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