Academic literature on the topic 'Reef ecology – New Zealand'

Gastropods play an important ecological role in kelp forests; however, this role is dependent on where exactly in such communities these animals are located. We assessed the spatial and temporal patterns in the utilisation of available reef and macroalgal substrates by three gastropods in a north-eastern New Zealand kelp (Ecklonia radiata (C. Agardh) J. Agardh, 1848) forest, focusing on predation as a factor influencing these patterns. Although kelp provided a large habitable surface area for gastropods, much of this area was under-utilised. During the day, gastropods on E. radiata were largely confined to the primary laminae. At night, gastropods on the reef migrated into the algal canopy where they occupied regions of the kelp that were not occupied during the day. Over a 36-day period, 93% of the gastropods tethered to the reef were consumed by predators, whereas none tethered in the algal canopy was consumed. We consider that night-time vertical migration and dispersion through the algal canopy may be primarily a response to predation by diurnally feeding fish and nocturnal benthic predators such as lobsters. Our research highlights the importance of considering diel changes in epifaunal distribution and abundance when assessing their ecological role.

The role of large predatory fish in coastal communities is generally unknown because of overfishing. In order to understand the direct and indirect impacts of these increased population sizes on coastal food chains, the effect of areas with more fish predators on the survival and behaviour of potential prey was assessed. Juvenile lobsters, Jasus edwardsii (10–20 mm carapace length), were tethered on rocky reefs inside and outside marine reserves in northeastern New Zealand to assess survival under differing predator densities. Since rocky reef habitats in northeastern New Zealand include zones of kelp forest and barren reef, a two-way factorial design was used to determine the effects of predators, habitat, and the interaction of these two factors on juvenile lobster survival. Overall, the results indicated that neither varying large fish density nor varying kelp density had direct impacts on the survival rate of juvenile lobsters. Laboratory manipulations demonstrated behavioural changes by juvenile lobsters such that when a large predatory fish was present, juvenile lobsters spent significantly less time moving, even when separated from the predator by a porous barrier. Thus areas with more fish predators may increase juvenile lobster survival but potentially at the cost of reduced feeding opportunities.

A new epiphytic species, Jania sphaeroramosa sp. nov., is described from rocky reef intertidal zones around the coast of New Zealand and associated islands. This species forms round tufts on a range of hosts. Thalli display a unique three-dimensional growth form, built up with multiple layers of dichotomous fronds. The thalli are dichotomously branched with intergenicula that are 190–330 µm long and 80–140 µm wide. Previously identified as Jania micrarthrodia in New Zealand, phylogenetic analyses of this epiphytic species, using psbA and nSSU genes, resolved New Zealand specimens separately from Australian specimens of Jania micrathrodia. This epiphyte does not conform to the description of any previously described species of Jania from New Zealand.

The dispersal and transport of larval New Zealand abalone Haliotis iris was simulated using coupled two-dimensional hydrodynamic and Lagrangian particle-trajectory models. The aim was to estimate pelagic larval dispersal potential along the open coast, as a starting point from which basic management questions can be made for this recreationally and commercially important species. Larval dispersal was simulated from representative spawning sites under a range of representative hydrodynamic conditions, including wave-induced circulation cells. Larval presence over near-shore reef habitat declined as the energy of the flow field and corresponding larval dispersal and transport increased. Thus, spawning during high-energy conditions will promote dispersal and transport but reduce successful recruitment on near-shore reefs. This indicates that seeding of the adjacent coast is likely to be sporadic, with existing populations necessarily being somewhat self-recruiting. Results suggest that an ideal management system would ensure that adult populations were maintained at intervals of 10–30 km along the coast to maintain larval supply to areas in between. Dispersal characteristics were specific to the release site, and the simulations suggest that marine reserves can be positioned to accordingly achieve desired functions: for example, optimal choices can be made for seeding areas, recruitment or self-maintaining areas.

This paper examines relationships amongst length, weight and growth parameters of teleost fishes found in shallow north-eastern New Zealand waters. Length–weight equations are presented for 51 species. Fish growth was described using the von Bertalanffy growth parameters L∞ (asymptotic length) and K (growth constant), which were available for 19 species. Literature-derived values for adult body length showed a strong positive correlation with L∞ (r2 = 0.89), which, after conversion to weight, was strongly negatively correlated with K (r 2 = 0.80). Regression equations describing these relationships can be used to predict L∞ and K for fish species lacking such growth data.

Interactions among large brown macroalgae, sea urchins, and fishes were investigated in northeastern New Zealand during the period 1988 - 1993. The Cape Rodney to Okakari Point Marine Reserve was the site of many of these investigations. The patterns of abundance of large brown macroalgae and urchins down depth gradients over a wide geographic range were compared with those reported from earlier studies, and 3 major trends were identified. First, the fucoid alga Carpophyllum flexuosum now occurs at many sites which are exposed to wave action, in contrast to earlier studies. This alga occurred most abundantly on urchin-grazed coralline flat areas. Second, at four sites in the Marine Reserve, the densities of the echinometrid urchin Evechinus chloroticus decreased with increasing depth, rather than reaching maximal densities at mid-depths, as had previously been described. Finally, at sites of decreased exposure to wave action, the coralline flats habitat did not occur at all, and dense stands of. C. flexuosum occurred, in conjunction with the ubiquitous laminarian alga, Ecklonia radiata. Following the discovery of this new algal component to exposed rocky reefs, a more detailed study of its population characteristics was initiated. The population size structure of C. flexuosum on coralline flat areas was markedly different from that of the same species in sites sheltered from wave action. These differences occurred at both offshore islands and sites near Leigh, suggesting that it was a general pattern. C. flexuosum plants on coralline flats were smaller than those from sheltered sites, and had a greater number of smaller laminae, heavier stipes, and a greater degree of branching. There was some evidence of temporal change in the morphology of C. flexuosum from coralline flats. Comparisons between a site with C. flexuosum and a site with coralline flats suggested that the activity of fish was 75% lower in the vegetated than in the unvegetated site, and the feeding rate in the vegetated site was less than 50% that in the unvegetated site. I speculate that future effects on fish activity of the invasion of C. flexuosum into a habitat which previously lacked macroalgal vegetation may depend on changes in the morphology of plants. An investigation of many aspects of the biology of E. chloroticus in different habitats was undertaken. Analysis of the body dimensions of E. chloroticus suggested that this species was relatively tall compared to other echinometrids (average ratio of test height: test diameter = 0.54), Comparisons among habitats with differing amounts of vegetation revealed only small differences in the relationship between test diameter and test height. Small E. chloroticus (<40 mm test diameter) lived in crevices, while larger individuals grazed freely over the substratum. In vegetated habitats, the crevice-dwelling habit was maintained at test diameters about l0 mm greater than in unvegetated habitats. Very small (<20 mm test diameter) E. chloroticus frequently covered themselves with shell. Population size structures of E. chloroticus within the Cape Rodney to Okakari Point Marine Reserve were bimodal; other localities had unimodal populations. Modal sizes varied among localities, with smallest modes (50-60 mm TD) being found at Inner Hauraki Gulf sites, and largest modes at the offshore Mokohinau Islands (70-80 mm TD). Habitat did not predictably affect population size structure. A bimodal population structure was maintained at Waterfall Reef rock flats throughout the 5-year study period. Gonad size showed seasonal fluctuations at several sites, being greatest in summer. There were few consistent differences in gonad size between biological habitats. Gonad colour varied among sites and habitats, with orange gonads generally being more prevalent in vegetated habitats, and black gonads being represented more in unvegetated habitats. Smaller urchins had greater proportions of orange gonads, while larger urchins had greater proportions of brown and black gonads. Although highly variable among individual urchins, movement of E. chloroticus was greater at unvegetated sites (0.7 m per 5 days) than at vegetated sites (0.4 m per 5 days), in the Marine Reserve. Feeding of E. chloroticus was studied at a number of sites in the Marine Reserve. Urchins frequently consumed drift algae, particularly E. radiata. C. flexuosum was consumed at less than half the rate of other macroalgae in several laboratory feeding experiments, and was chosen least frequently in a field assay of feeding preferences among 8 species of macroalgae. Boosting densities of E. chloroticus in stands of E. radiata to 60 m-2 led to destructive grazing of plants over a 2 month period - at lower densities, the urchins dispersed. Densities of C. flexuosum were effectively unchanged when urchin densities were increased to these elevated levels. As a result of these observations I speculate that feeding preferences of E. chloroticus may have a role in allowing C. flexuosum to survive on coralline flats. In a laboratory experiment, urchins from a feeding aggregation did not graze algae at higher rates than individuals from outside aggregations. Diets of both E. radiata and C. flexuosum consistently produced similar gonad volumes in urchins held in the laboratory, although gonad volumes produced were low. A preliminary experiment suggested that C. flexuosum from exposed sites was consumed at lower rates than C. flexuosum from sites which were sheltered from wave action. These differences in palatability are mirrored in the formation of stable borders between coralline flats and C. flexuosum of the sheltered morphology, and the ability of C. flexuosum of the exposed morphology to survive in the coralline flats habitat. The fish fauna of the Cape Rodney to Okakari Point Marine Reserve was shown to be different from that of a nearby area. A number of species were more abundant within the Marine Reserve. Subsequent surveys showed that there were differences in abundances of 3 large carnivorous fishes among sites within the Marine Reserve, and that population size structure and the distance within which divers could approach one species, (Pagrus auratus), clearly varied between areas within the Marine Reserve. Mean standard length of P. auratus in the central marine reserve was 40% larger than that of P. auratus outside the central marine reserve, and the average minimum approach distance was 70% less in the central marine reserve. Feeding of fish by humans in the central part of the Marine Reserve was suggested to be the main cause of the differences in responses to divers. Population size structure of, and crevice occupancy by, E. chloroticus, clearly differed between the Marine Reserve and an adjacent area, with bimodal population size structures and a 10 mm greater size of crevice occupancy occurring in the Marine Reserve. The implications of these findings for extrapolating from experiments done in one area to other areas are discussed. The major biological components of rocky reef habitats identified in this study were broadly similar to those identified in previous studies in northeastern New Zealand, and have parallels in overseas studies. Long term changes to the flora of rocky reefs in northeastern New Zealand have occurred, and appear to persist by a mechanism which had previously been discounted. Similar processes to those observed in overseas studies appear to maintain habitats (consistent recruitment of algae or urchins to habitats which they dominate), or cause them to change from one habitat state to another (e.g. grazing outbreaks by urchins). However, the predictability of the persistence of these habitats at a particular site appears to be low. Further, the precise mechanisms whereby habitats may change from one to another may also be unpredictable. I argue that there is little scope for general statements concerning the spatial and temporal occurrence, or mode, of habitat transitions on temperate subtidal reefs. This study emphasises the value of repeated descriptions of patterns of abundance, and highlights problems of extrapolation and generalisation in marine ecology. Insufficient information exists at present to comment adequately on the persistence of subtidal habitat types. This may in part stem from the types of information which have been collected in the past. Methodological problems with the use of quadrats to sample densities of organisms in areas of differing topography are therefore addressed. In conclusion, it is suggested that sampling protocols which incorporate a variety of information, gathered over as wide an area, and as intensively as possible, should be used in future research of this type.

Aspects of the ecology of hyporheic river communities in Canterbury, New Zealand were examined using field surveys in association with field and laboratory experiments. Seasonal pump-sampling of Ashley River tributaries revealed an invertebrate fauna dominated numerically by harpacticoid copepods, although insects (particularly Chironomidae and Polycentropodidae) dominated biomass. Dissolved oxygen (minimum concentration = 2.1 mg 1-1) was negatively related to invertebrate abundance in reaches receiving upwelling groundwater in summer, but not winter. Thus, seasonal limitation of dissolved oxygen may occur in river reaches where upwelling is prevalent. Colonisation pots embedded in the Waipara River collected a high proportion of epigean taxa, notably the snail Potamopyrgus antipodarum, whereas pump-samples were biased towards collecting non-insect taxa, including harpacticoids and mites. In colonisation pots, the hyporheic biota (15-45 cm depth) represented about 50% of total (0-45 cm) invertebrate abundance and community respiration. Willow leaves added to colonisation pot gravels increased invertebrate abundance and community respiration, but their effect declined with depth. Low concentrations of silt (<2.5 g per litre of sediment) appeared to enhance the food resource for some collector-filtering taxa (particularly oligochaetes and ostracods), whilst lessening its value to the grazers P. antipodarum and Hydora sp. (Elmidae). The epilithic microbial community found in the hyporheic zone was similar to that of heavily-shaded surface epilithon, and both had lower biomass and a less diverse microbiota (algae and fungi) than epilithon grown in full light. While the epigean caddisfly 0. Feredayi ingested hyporheic foods, it did not grow in the absence of either higher quality light-grown epilithon, or particulate organic matter. Fine sediment (<2 mm diameter) added to colonisation pot gravels (up to 23% of total sediment dry weight) reduced invertebrate abundance and community respiration (CR) at all depths (0-45 cm). However, invertebrate community composition was influenced more strongly by fine sediment at depths below 15 cm, indicating that conventional stream sampling may provide an inadequate measure of sediment effects on the benthos. Finally, my data indicate that the hyporheic zone is likely to be sensitive to human activities. Therefore, water managers need to consider the biota of surface and subsurface waters concomitantly, so that freshwater ecosystems can be understood, maintained and protected, effectively.

Effects of water chemistry and catchment afforestation on benthic invertebrates were investigated in acid brownwater and circumneutral clearwater streams in Westland, South Island, New Zealand. Annual dissolved organic carbon (DOC) budgets calculated for three North Westland wetland catchments (zero, two and five years post-afforestation) showed that forestry development resulted in a reduction of DOC export by up to 24 % and that recovery of DOC dynamics was linked to the time elapsed since the onset of development. The presence of high DOC concentrations in stream water (up to 41 g.m-3) resulted in lowering of pH to about 4.0. These highly acidic waters also contained high concentrations of dissolved aluminium, but only a small proportion (< 80 mg.m -3) was in the toxic labile (inorganic) monomeric form.

Bien que le coût énergétique de la reproduction contraigne les animaux à élever leur(s) jeune(s) pendant le pic d’abondance de ressource alimentaire au printemps et/ou en été, certaines espèces font exception en se reproduisant en hiver. Comment leurs besoins énergétiques élevés peuvent-ils être satisfaits pendant une période traditionnellement décrite par des conditions environnementales difficiles réduisant les ressources alimentaires ? Cette question a été peu étudiée jusqu’à présent. Cette stratégie originale de reproduction hivernale est adoptée par davantage d’espèces d’oiseaux marins en Nouvelle-Zélande qu’ailleurs dans le monde, avec une concentration sur la côte ouest de l’île du Sud. Dans ce contexte, cette thèse a eu trois objectifs. Tout d’abord, décrire le comportement de recherche alimentaire à fine échelle d’espèces d’oiseaux marins nicheuses en hiver clés du réseau trophique, sur la côte ouest de l’ile du Sud de la Nouvelle-Zélande. Ensuite, examiner les facteurs intrinsèques et extrinsèques déterminant leur comportement. Enfin, quantifier le recouvrement de leurs niches écologiques sur leur zone d’alimentation durant la période d’élevage du(des) jeune(s). Nous avons étudié la stratégie de recherche alimentaire sur une communauté d’espèces constituée de deux guildes : les oiseaux plongeurs (manchot du Fiordland Eudyptes pachyrhynchus) et de surface (pétrel de Westland Procellaria westlandica, albatros de Buller Thalassarche bulleri bulleri). L’approche s’est basée sur le déploiement de bio-loggers sur ces oiseaux (GPS, accéléromètre, enregistreur de plongée) et l’analyse isotopique (carbone, azote) de sang prélevé après leur voyage en mer. Les individus équipés se sont moins éloignés de leur colonie que leurs espèces congénères nichant en été, en utilisant majoritairement les eaux du talus continental et néritiques. Mâles et femelles ont eu des comportements de recherche alimentaire semblables, avec des différences spatiales concernant l’albatros de Buller. Des taux de rencontre de proies élevés ont été enregistrés chez les trois espèces, permettant un élevage du(des) jeune(s) avec un taux de succès élevé, et sans effort supérieur par rapport aux espèces nichant en été. Ces résultats suggèrent que les oiseaux marins nichant en hiver sur l’île du Sud de la Nouvelle-Zélande ont une phénologie de reproduction concordant avec des ressources alimentaires hivernales locales suffisantes. Des données supplémentaires issues de la littérature ont permis d’inclure le manchot bleu Eudyptula minor et le Cormoran tacheté Stictocarbo punctatus (espèces nichant aussi en hiver sur la même côte) dans l’étude de ségrégation de niche écologique. Cette communauté a montré un recoupement partiel de leur niche écologique, mais aussi un faisceau de divergences sur le plan des déplacements horizontaux, verticaux, de la distribution temporelle de l’activité de recherche alimentaire, du régime alimentaire et de la niche isotopique. Cette ségrégation écologique explique la coexistence de cette communauté avienne dans un même habitat. Par conséquent, la stratégie de reproduction hivernale peut être favorable aux oiseaux marins prédateurs supérieurs, lorsque des processus océanographiques locaux sont favorables. Sur le plan océanographique, un mélange vertical des eaux attire et garantit la persistance de proies au cours de l’hiver. En outre, la phénologie hivernale de la reproduction contribue aussi à l’émancipation du poussin au printemps. Ainsi, elle concorde avec le pic local de productivité primaire, en accord avec les prédictions. Ces espèces présentes en populations modestes, peuvent ainsi terminer leur cycle de reproduction hivernal avant que d’autres espèces beaucoup plus abondantes (comme les millions de Puffin fuligineux Puffinus griseus) rentrent de migration et s’engagent à leur tour dans leur reproduction estivale
Although the cost of reproduction constrains animals to breed during spring/summer when food availability peaks, exception exist in seabirds with few species engaged in breeding during winter months. How their elevated energy needs can be sustained during a period traditionally reported for food shortage and challenging at-sea conditions is poorly understood. In addition, this unusual breeding phenology is adopted by more species in New Zealand than elsewhere in the world, with a concentration on the South island west coast where several winter breeding species are reported to forage with overlap. Therefore, the objectives of this thesis were to: 1) describe the fine-scale foraging behaviour of winter-breeding species from the west coast of New Zealand’s South Island, 2) investigate the intrinsic and extrinsic factors driving their foraging, and 3) quantify their niche overlap as they exploit similar areas during elevated energetically demand. Using bio-logging data (GPS, accelerometer, dive recorder) combined with stable isotopes (carbon and nitrogen from whole blood), the winter foraging strategies of breeding males and females were investigated in a deep diver (Fiordland penguin Eudyptes pachyrhynchus) and two surface-feeders / shallow divers (Westland petrel Procellaria westlandica and southern Buller’s albatross Thalassarche b. bulleri). The tracked individuals foraged close to their colony compared to their summer breeding congenerics, using primarily the nearby shelf-slope and neritic waters. Males and females displayed similar foraging behaviour in penguins and petrels, while spatial sexual differences occurred for albatross. All three species encountered prey at a high rate, allowing raising offspring with good success and without higher foraging effort than their summer-breeding congeners.These findings suggest that winter-breeding species have a phenology matching a winter prey resource on the shelf of the west coast of New Zealand’s South Island. With additional data from literature for little penguin Eudyptula minor and spotted shag Stictocarbo punctatus, this winter-breeding community showed partial overlap of their foraging niche, but an accumulation of small divergences in home ranges, diving behaviour, temporal pattern of foraging, diet and trophic level is likely to explain their coexistence. Hence, winter-breeding can be a favourable phenology for high-level predators, which exploit shelf-slope and inshore waters undergoing winter mixing that insure fish and squids persistence through winter. In addition, winter-breeding also allow the matching of chick-fledging period with the spring (local primary production peak), and before the elevated needs of millions of summer-breeding species back from migration

Historically, lowland totara was a common forest tree throughout much of lowland New Zealand but is now confined to small, mainly protected, areas usually as the dominant species in mixed podocarp forest with matai and kahikatea. Lowland podocarp forest has suffered the most extensive reduction of all New Zealand forest types, with only circa 1% of the original forest cover remaining. The lowland totara dominated stands remaining therefore represent an highly fragmented population with relatively few individuals, making the collection of large data sets difficult. Sample sizes are small in some stands due to the limited area of to tara dominated forest (circa 1 hectare). The present study aims to describe the natural extent of lowland totara forest, document its reduction and current status, and to provide for the long-term survival of this species in the now fragmented forest environment. Literature relating to the ecology of Podocarpus totara is reviewed with respect to vegetative morphology and growth, reproductive biology, timber properties and· utilisation, and population dynamics. The ecological niche of lowland totara is defined, examining site characteristics and soil type. The distribution of lowland totara dominated stands is a function of several interlinked site characteristics such as climate, landform, drainage, disturbance regime, soil type, and altitude. Lowland totara appears to be confined to semi-fertile or fertile soils which are the result of landform and disturbance e.g. flood events on a river plain. Stand descriptions identify lowland totara forest as ranging from pure totara, to totara - matai, to totara - matai - kahikatea, to dense mixedpodocarps. The relative proportions of totara, matai, and kahikatea appear to be due to edaphic features such as fertility and drainage. In dense mixed podocarp forest, totara is confined in small populations to optimal sites such as terraces and ridges. The podocarps have differing nutrient, light, and disturbance regime requirements and these factors work together to partition the environment into optimal areas for the regeneration and persistence of each species. Totara dominated stands require high light to initiate and capture a high fertility site, and relatively free-draining ABSTRACT 3 fertile soils to remain dominant. Sub-optimal totara sites will see the dominance of other species such as rimu. Totara and kahlkatea dominate in catastrophically disturbed areas, miro responds to medium levels of disturbance such as tree fall, and rimu dominates in areas subject to continual disturbance such as canopy collapse. Regeneration of lowland totara dominated forest is seen to be a consequence of seedling dispersal to preferred microsites, and disturbance history. The broad scale forest pattern is detennined by the level of disturbance and the finer scale pattern of tree distribution is a result of light levels, parent and perch trees, and edaphic properties. There is no evidence that totara dominated stands are older than first generation, indicating that periodic catastrophic regeneration is required to reinitiate stands. The alteration of the natural disturbance regime by humans may pose problems for the future of lowland totara. There is no evidence that totara forest regenerates under a senescing totara canopy. Presently protected areas are therefore likely to undergo floristic composition change away from totara/matai/kahlkatea in the absence of disturbance. A landscape management plan is proposed as a mechanism for appropriate land use using ecological principles at catchment scale and to provide adequate areas for the long-term survival of totara dominated forest in a fragmented landscape. New Zealand's natural environment has been radically altered with the invasion of humans, introduced weeds and pests, and alteration of the natural disturbance regime. Restoration and revegetation are therefore options for the future survival of lowland totara in a fragmented landscape. Silvicultural plantations can provide timber (to tara heartwood being highly prized), income, and seed sources for regeneration. Land values such as water and soil quality will also benefit from artificial plantations. Stand spacing and age structure is described and can be used in the future when revegetation projects have the aim of approximating natural stands.

Social organization of dolphins in extensive societies has not been well studied. Off Kaikoura, New Zealand, thousands of dusky dolphins (Lagenorhynchus obscurus) gather, feeding nocturnally on deep scattering layer prey, resting and socializing diurnally. During 1997-2003, interval sampling was used to monitor large assemblages numbering hundreds (n=169), smaller mating groups (mean+s.e.=7+1.6 adults, n=42), mother-calf nurseries (mean+s.e.=13+1.6 adults, 1+0.5 juveniles, 4+0.7 calves and 1+0.4 neonates, n=41), and non-mating adult groups (mean+s.e.= 9+1.3 adults, 1+0.2 juvenile, n=37). Group size, distance from shore (east), ranging along shore (north), traveling, inter-individual distance, and noisy leaping peaked in winter (n=39), with dolphins maintaining closer proximity to each other in smaller, more restful groups, closer to shore during the spring-summer-autumn (n=234) reproductive seasons. Dolphin groups were found closest to shore (west) during early morning, spread out and leaping often. Resting peaked at midday in tight groups. Late in the day, dolphins spread out, moving eastward (offshore) in preparation for feeding. Large groups exhibited coordinated travel, with noisy leaps as a directional signal. "Mating of the quickest" occurred in groups of (median) 6 males chasing 1 female. Leaping rarely occurred in restful nurseries, which at times associated with Hector's dolphins (Cephalorhynchus hectori). Other mixed-species groups included common dolphins (Delphinus delphis), southern right whale dolphins (Lissodelphis peronii), long-finned pilot whales (Globicephala malaena), and bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus). Killer whales (Orcinus orca) elicited predator assessment and evasion. Whale riding occurred with larger whales. Residence was seasonal, with 1,969+814.9 from a population of 12,626 dolphins spending 103+38.0 days in Kaikoura (mean+s.e., mark-recapture mortality, single-season lagged-ID emigration models, n=153 weeks). Dolphins (n=39) summering in Kaikoura migrated to the Marlborough Sounds in winter, where small, coordinated groups foraged diurnally on schooling fishes in shallow bays, often associated with sea birds and New Zealand fur seals (Arctocephalus forsteri). Aquaculture may threaten dusky dolphin foraging habitat in Admiralty Bay, where an estimated 220 dolphins gathered to feed each winter. Photo-identification research, enhanced by digital techniques, demonstrated a structured fission-fusion society. Dusky dolphins associated with preferred long-term (>1,000 days) hunting companions in Admiralty Bay and non-random casual acquaintances (200 days) in Kaikoura (lagged-association models).

The importance of parental nutritional status on planktotrophic larvae was investigated in both laboratory-conditioned and field (populations) parents of two New Zealand echinoderms: the sea urchin Pseudechinus huttoni and the starfish Sclerasterias mollis. Three questions were addressed: (i) Does parental nutritional status affect the reproductive features (gonad index, gametogenesis, fecundity and biochemical composition) both in the laboratory and under natural conditions? (ii) Does parental nutritional status affect egg characteristics (diameter, number, dry weight, fertilization rate and biochemical composition)? (iii) Are the characteristics of larvae (growth, development, morphology, mortality rate and body composition) influenced by parental or larval nutrition (or both)? To answer the first question, adult P. huttoni and S. mollis were maintained in the laboratory with a low or high diet (in terms of quantity and quality for P. huttoni, and in terms of quantity for S. mollis) for one year. The effect of low and high diets on reproductive features was studied and the same parameters were studied in two parental populations with dissimilar food availability (for P. huttoni: Otago Shelf and Doubtful Sound populations; for S. mollis: Otago inshore and offshore populations). To address the second question, egg characteristics of the laboratory-held and field parents were measured. The third question was answered by rearing larvae of the laboratory and field parents with both low and high concentration planktonic diets. P. huttoni reared in the laboratory with a higher food ration had greater gonad indices and lipid concentration and larger oocyte area. Sea urchins from the Doubtful Sound population had higher food availability, greater gonad lipid concentration and larger oocytes. Parental nutrition had some effect on the characteristics of the egg in P. huttoni. The laboratory-held urchins fed a high diet produced larger eggs: P. huttoni from Doubtful Sound produced larger eggs with a greater carbohydrate concentration. P. huttoni larvae from low-fed laboratory and Otago Shelf parents had faster development The effect of larval nutrition was more important than parental food availability on larval growth and development. Feeding parents in the laboratory had no effect on larval morphology but larvae from Doubtful Sound, which had better food availability, had longer arms relative to body width. A higher cell concentration in the planktonic diet led to shorter larval arm relative to body width. In S. mollis reared in the laboratory, a higher food ration led to larger gonad and pyloric caeca indices. The starfish from an Otago inshore population mainly had a higher gonad index than those from an Otago offshore population. In the laboratory-held parents S. mollis, nutrition had no effect on the egg characteristics. In the field, starfish with higher food availability produced smaller eggs with lower carbohydrate concentration. There was no significant difference between development rates of S. mollis larvae from low and high fed laboratory parents. However, those from the Otago inshore parents, with better food availability, had faster development than the larvae from Otago offshore parents. In S. mollis larvae, the origin of the parents (either from the laboratory or the field) had no effect on larval shape. A higher concentration planktonic diet led to longer larvae relative to body width in larvae from high-fed laboratory parents. In both P. huttoni and S. mollis, parental and larval diet had no effect on rate of instantaneous larval mortality. In both P. huttoni and S. mollis larvae, biochemical composition of the larvae and the egg were different to each other. Egg reserves appear not to be a factor which affects larval characteristics in these species.

The terrestrial orchid Thelymitra matthewsii Cheeseman, uncommon in New Zealand, was studied to increase knowledge of the species life cycle, morphology and ecology. Results will enhance future conservation management for the species. New information related to the morphology of T. matthewsii was obtained. The species was found to emerge in one of four discrete life stages of distinctive morphology and height range that remained constant for the season, not developing into a more advanced life stage. The leaf of the three pre adult life stages designated a hook, a spiral, and a non flowering stage, did not inflate at the base, but rose smoothly from the tuber. Apparent morphological differences in the column between descriptions of the Australian taxon and the small New Zealand sample examined suggested further study was needed. Comprehensive monthly monitoring was carried out at five study sites in three locations in the Te Paki area of the Far North, from 2002 to 2004. No patterns emerged in plant life stage succession, flowering, and presence or absence at labels reinforcing the concept that variability was a common component of the population census. Seasonal and partial absence was a major component of the populations. An average of 32.8% of plants, over five study sites, were present throughout three seasons, while 66.9% were recorded as absent (not visible) at monitoring. New plants appearing in 2003 and 2004 showed a high percentage of subsequent absence (mean 85.7%). To determine population stability, recruitment and absence were compared. Plant absence exceeded recruitment by 7% (mean plant absence 30.5%; mean recruitment 23.4%). Plants continued to appear during the monitoring period, and labeled plants increased two-fold over commencement numbers. Adults recorded as 28% of labeled plants over three seasons, were out numbered by pre-flowering stages. Only 5% of population numbers exhibited succession from a smaller to a flowering plant. Life stage modeling indicated a life stage was more likely to be followed by the same stage than an expected successive stage. Thelymitra matthewsii was found to be present in four substrates in the Far North. The survey of vegetation found the indigenous species Kunzea ericoides and the exotic Hakea gibbosa dominant for both height, and cover. Litter and bare ground dominated ground cover. Differences in vegetation and ground cover, of sites supporting T. matthewsii and comparison sites that did not, were minor and suggested that another factor, for example a suitable fungal partner, influenced the species presence or absence. The results of the study indicated the present threat classification of Thelymitra matthewsii is inadequate in the light of the species relatively circumscribed, widely separated habitats, the small number of reproducing individuals and vulnerability to habitat modification.

My dissertation research focused on the behavior, movement patterns, and foraging ecology of dusky dolphins (Lagenorhynchus obscurus) off the east coast of New Zealand's South Island. Information on growth, morphometrics, parasites and life history was also collected. Movement patterns and foraging behavior of New Zealand dusky dolphins were much different from those of dusky dolphins observed off the Argentine coast by Bernd Wursig, the only other study of dusky dolphin behavior. Unlike the Argentine dolphins, which cooperatively herd anchovy to the surface and contain them there for feeding, New Zealand dusky dolphins behave and forage more like Hawaiian spinner dolphins (Stenella longirostris). In summer and fall, New Zealand dusky dolphins remain near shore in morning and early afternoon hours, then move into deeper water with greatly increased activity levels in late afternoon. In winter and spring they remain farther from shore at all times of day, are found in somewhat larger groups, and appear to travel along shore more often than in other seasons. In summer, dive times of radio-tagged dolphins also varied on a daily cycle, most long dives occurring during crepuscular and night periods. Stomach contents of incidentally-netted and beachcast dolphins contained primarily a demersal fish and a few types of mesopelagic fishes and squid. Acoustic surveys along the east coast of South Island show a dense layer of mesopelagic fishes and squid that move to within 50-100 m of the surface at night. Like Hawaiian spinners, New Zealand dusky dolphins feed primarily on prey in and associated with the vertically migrating layer, probably as a means of increasing foraging efficiency. External measurements of L. obscurus specimens were analyzed using canonical variate analysis, which revealed measurements useful in discrimination of age/sex classes, including dorsal fin dimensions, and positioning of dorsal fin and flipper insertions. Tooth-section age analysis of specimens allowed construction of growth curves; life span maximum was about 35 years. The very large size of active testes (over 1 kg each) during summer breeding represents a large proportion of total body weight. Along with observations of group composition variability, this suggests a promiscuous mating system and a fluid, extended-group social system.

ABSTRACT This thesis examines phylogenetic patterns in three New Zealand amphipod taxa in relation to current geographic distributions and historical climatic (e.g. glaciation, marine inundation) and geological (e.g. mountain building) events using DNA sequencing and distributional data. It also examines how recognition behaviour can be used to delineate potential species boundaries and to assess the role of sexual selection. The endemic genus Phreatogammarus has been found in only a limited number of sites and is not very abundant. An analysis of the genetic variation of two species within the genus using allozyme electrophoresis revealed high levels of genetic differentiation among populations but low levels within populations. This suggested that limited dispersal occurred among habitats with one population possibly representing a cryptic species. The endemic freshwater genus Paraleptamphopus is thought to contain a large number of undescribed species with a number of these existing in small waterbodies such as seepages. Examination of the phylogeographic patterns using both mtDNA (CO1) and nuclear DNA (28S) showed that a number of distinct genetic lineages exist, with CO1 revealing 21 haplotypes with genetic distance of over 20%. Using a molecular clock rate of 2.4%, most haplotypes diverged approximately 8-12 million years ago during the Miocene era, possibly as a result of greater land availability increasing habitat diversity or by allopatric speciation. Morphological and genetic differences were not congruent, with morphologically similar taxa appearing among highly genetically distinct lineages, and some morphologically distinct forms appearing within single lineages. The distribution and habitat variables of 419 sites were analysed to determine what was affecting the presence or absence of Paraleptamphopus. The presence of native vegetation in catchments had a positive affect on Paraleptamphopus distribution suggesting that large anthropogenic changes in catchment vegetation could have a negative effect on their abundance. I found smaller waterbodies to be more important than larger ones highlighting the need to study such sites as rare taxa may be ignored. A better understanding is needed on the role of small waterbodies in promoting overall species diversity in catchments. Examination of Paracalliope fluviatilis phylogenetic patterns using the mtDNA gene CO1 showed that a number of separate clades existed suggesting long term isolation and limited dispersal among catchments. Due to the large genetic divergences among some populations there was the possibility that cryptic species might exist. Species recognition experiments were conducted on seven populations to help determine whether cryptic species were present. For the three most genetically divergent crosses there was bias against inter-population pairings, suggesting that there were between two or three separate species. Using a combined field and laboratory approach, size assortative mating was examined in Paracalliope fluviatilis. The field study showed positive size assortative mating and that larger females carried more eggs, suggesting they were more fecund. A series of laboratory experiments examining four existing theories explaining the phenomenon found that none adequately explained positive size assortative mating in P. fluviatilis. I therefore presented two new explanations to explain size assortative mating: a combination of female resistance and size-related variation in a male's capacity to amplex larger females or a form of indirect intra-sexual competition.

Some years ago, in 1975, I presented a paper and a slide show at an earlier sailing yacht symposium in Annapolis. The subject was a four-year, 28,000 mile cruise I had made in the years 1965 - 1968 most of the way around the world: Hawaii and the South Pacific, New Zealand, Australia's Barrier Reef, the Indian Ocean, the Red Sea, the Mediterranean, including the Greek Islands, an Atlantic crossing to Barbados from the Canary Islands, the Caribbean, and home to the Chesapeake. The paper I wrote then was entitled "Extended Cruising: An Overview" and contained sketches and data from my logs. It was same 55 pages long and talked about many facets of cruising from my vantage point, primarily as seen from the decks of Mamari, the 28 foot ketch I had bought in New Zealand. Lest Mamari 's size appear too small, which perhaps would make me seen heroic, recognize that in displacement and accomodations Mamari was the equivalent of a 33 foot boat. To dispel one other misconception, be advised that I normally sailed with a crew of two, sometimes more, and only sailed two legs single-handed, of about 500 miles each, one from Tonga to Fiji in the Pacific, the other in the Gulf of Suez and from Port Said to the Greek Islands. The 1975 paper reflected my background as a naval architect, combined with my experience as a sailor. I told of things I learned from others. I analyzed log data, presented photographs, drawings and tables, and wrote a series of "yarns" such as sailors spin about their travels. The paper is touched with a flavor of the sea, a flavor of talk over run or coffee in a snug anchorage or on a shared night watch. That 1975 paper makes good reading, and much of the information is still valid. It could be reprinted and if there is enough interest l will do so (contact me). This present paper is a brief look at my experiences on a series of sailing trips, but in particular a one year voyage in a 37 foot yawl from Turkey to the Chesapeake via the West Indies in 1980-81. The paper answers the question posed at the 1975 symposium, would I do the trip again? Then, I thought so, but could not be sure, now my reply is, "of course."