A5049913815- Plant and animal studies
- Avian ecology and behavior
- Species Distribution and Climate Change
- Animal Behavior and Reproduction
- Wildlife Ecology and Conservation
- Amphibian and Reptile Biology
- Turtle Biology and Conservation
- Pacific and Southeast Asian Studies
- Fish Ecology and Management Studies
- Salmonella and Campylobacter epidemiology
- Ecology and Vegetation Dynamics Studies
- Bird parasitology and diseases
- Insect and Pesticide Research
- Plant Diversity and Evolution
- Ecology and biodiversity studies
- Coccidia and coccidiosis research
- Yersinia bacterium, plague, ectoparasites research
- Aquaculture disease management and microbiota
- Aquaculture Nutrition and Growth
- Marine Ecology and Invasive Species
- Identification and Quantification in Food
- Study of Mite Species
- Microbial infections and disease research
- Beetle Biology and Toxicology Studies
- Botany, Ecology, and Taxonomy Studies
Unitec Institute of Technology
2020-2024
Te Pūkenga
2023
University of Auckland
2009-2022
Massey University
2008-2021
This study examines the avifauna of Rēkohu / Wharekauri Chatham Island, a remote island group harbouring diverse range endemic, indigenous and introduced bird species. Here we report observations from Unitec visit to (8−17 February, 2024). During ten-day trip, were recorded 33 locations. Species diversity was compared between species using Shannon Diversity Index Evenness. Forty avian encountered, most commonly in open farmland coastal environments. The common starling (Sturnus vulgaris...
In heterogeneous habitats, camouflage via background matching can be challenging because visual characteristics vary dramatically across small spatial scales. Additionally, temporal variation in signaling functions of coloration affect crypsis, especially when animals use seasonally for intraspecific (e.g., mate selection). We currently have a poor understanding how wild prey optimize within continuously and whether this is affected by requirements biological seasons. Here, we quantified...
Multiple species translocations to the same site are becoming common practice in New Zealand restoration programmes. With every new translocation, risk of parasite transmission between populations can increase. The translocation Hoplodactylus duvaucelii and Oligosoma smithi provided opportunity 1) test for Salmonella Cryptosporidium occurrences; 2) compare this prevalence with results from avian at one release site, Tiritiri Matangi Island. Of six reptile tested, three skinks (O. aeneum, O....
The Fairy Tern Sternula nereis is an Australasian tern that breeds in Australia, New Caledonia and Zealand, with the last having smallest breeding population, listed as ‘Threatened – Nationally Critical’ by Zealand Department of Conservation. Here, we investigate genetic relatedness level endemism (gene flow) S. n. davisae population compared larger populations , Caledonia, exsul using NADH subunit 2 (ND2) region mitochondrial DNA. We found three main ( n = 86) were genetically distinct, a...
Endoparasites, such as helminths and protozoans, have been associated with mortality gastrointestinal disease in reptiles, particularly high prevalence observed pet reptiles. We conducted an observational study on six juvenile captive inland bearded dragons (Pogona vitticeps), to monitor the presence estimate abundance of intestinal endoparasite via faecal samples (egg counts using modified McMaster) over three months. detected two types endoparasites, coccidia Isospora sp. oxyurid...
The breeding success of Fairy Terns in New Caledonia is poorly known despite the species being considered nationally endangered. Between June and October 2004, we surveyed 22 islets coral banks Southern Lagoon at least once for presence (Sterna nereis). We present first reports Lagoon, compare it with populations Australia Zealand. observed a protracted nesting period (3 months) low overall rate (probability nest producing one fledging, P = 0.19) colonies on Îlot Kae Atire, higher fledging...
To assess the prevalence of carriage Salmonella spp. in wild reptiles translocated from multiple locations to a single island, and determine changes their body condition (BC) during quarantine.Between 2007 2009, six endemic reptile species (Oligosoma aeneum, O. moco, ornatum, smithi, Dactylocnemis pacificus, Woodworthia maculata) were caught several northern North Island New Zealand. Reptiles held quarantine for 14-41 days while being tested Morphometric data collected, scaled mass index...
The Kapitia skink (Oligosoma salmo) is only found on the west coast of South Island, New Zealand. This critically endangered has a moderately prehensile tail that would be expected to contribute an ability climb as part its natural history. However, current habitat, highly modified pasture, lacks vegetation or structures promote arboreal behaviour. We conducted pilot study investigating behavioural activity captive, wild-born at Auckland Zoo in 2020. Over 13 days (24 hours/day) focal...
Rēkohu / Wharekauri Chatham Island (hereafter Rēkohu) is the largest island in Islands group, 800 km east of Te Wai Pounamu South Island, Aotearoa New Zealand. This has an avifauna 170 taxa. Here, we present a list bird species encountered during eight-day undergraduate field trip February 2023. Based on visual encounters or via calls heard, 38 (two seabirds, eight coastal birds, six freshwater birds and 22 terrestrial birds) across 13 locations over days. The most common sighted were...
Pennantia J.R.Forst. & G.Forst. sect. Dermatocarpus Miers is elevated to subgenus rank on the basis of morphological distinctions and phylogenetic position between sole representative this section, cunninghamii Miers, other three members section Pennantia.