New Zealand Journal of Zoology

Spurr, E. B.; Jolly, S. E.

doi: 10.1080/03014223.1999.9518195pmid: N/A

Abstract Brushtail possums are generally solitary animals. They use a range of olfactory, auditory, visual, and tactile behaviour to achieve spacing between individuals and to establish dominance hierarchies. Existing descriptions of possum behaviour are either not widely available or incomplete, and the function of dominance hierarchies is unclear. Data presented here were collected incidentally during observations of captive possums to determine the effects on dominance status of suppression of reproduction for biological control. Dominant and subordinate behaviour are described and reviewed. The top‐ranking possums in dominance hierarchies were always females. Dominant possums displaced subordinates from food, water, and dens. In our captive setting, only dominant males attempted to mate with females, but dominant and subordinate females produced a similar number of pouch young. In the wild, where resources are limited, we predict that dominance behaviour should limit the frequency and success of breeding by both subordinate males and females.

Greene, Brenda

doi: 10.1080/03014223.1999.9518196pmid: N/A

Abstract Isozyme electrophoresis was used to reassess the taxonomic status of the endangered black stilt (Himantopus novaezelandiae) and the pied stilt (H. himantopus leucocephalus), Order Charadriiformes, in New Zealand. A total of 28 loci was scored from 17 enzyme systems from a total of 115 birds (43 pied stilts, 53 hybrids and 19 black stilts). G‐tests of the allele and genotype frequencies at the two polymorphic loci (Mpi and Pgd) showed significant differences when black stilts, hybrids and pied stilts were tested together, implying there were two separate populations. Genetic distance between the two species (D = 0.006) was small, but the genetic data confirm that pied and black stilts are distinct at the species level.

Sherley, Greg; Wakelin, Michael; McCartney, Jay

doi: 10.1080/03014223.1999.9518197pmid: N/A

Abstract We listed all invertebrate taxa found in contact with non‐toxic carrot and pollard baits commonly used for poisoning pest mammals with sodium monofluoroacetate ("1080") over two winters (1995 and 1996) at 12 sites in mixed podocarp and hardwood forest near Ohakune, central North Island, New Zealand. Invertebrates were found on 12% and 23% respectively of the 11 000 carrot and 6000 pollard baits observed. The usage of baits varied with time, peaking in October, and for pollard baits usage also varied between sites. Of the 113 taxa identified, ten taxa contributed ≥1% each of the total number of invertebrates, and three made up 66% of the total. The numbers of three of the four species most commonly found on baits did not correlate with the numbers of those species caught in nearby pitfall traps. The results suggest that at any time only a small proportion of baits have invertebrates on them, and the few individuals per bait represent a small section of the fauna present in the litter. Observations of the impact of 1080 on invertebrates were made at the same Ohakune site over two winters (1996 and 1997). Invertebrates were found on 43% of over 22 000 toxic and non‐toxic pollard baits examined. A total of 133 taxa was identified, of which only 13 taxa each comprised ≥ 1% each, and three taxa together accounted for 67% of the total number of invertebrates visiting baits. The proportion of baits with invertebrates on them, and the number of invertebrates per available bait, were both significantly lower when 1080 was present in a bait. Recovery of invertebrate numbers started within six days of toxic bait removal, but subsequent application of toxic baits further reduced the number of invertebrates observed. We did not determine whether the reductions in invertebrate numbers were due to poisoning or aversion to 1080. There was no reduction in invertebrate numbers on non‐toxic baits placed at 20 cm or more from a toxic bait. These results are relevant to assessments of the risk to non‐target species from primary and secondary poisoning while controlling pest mammals by aerially broadcasting baits laced with 1080.

Eyles, A. C.

doi: 10.1080/03014223.1999.9518198pmid: N/A

Abstract Diomocoris, a new genus to contain Lygus maoricus (Walker, 1873), and eight new species from the New Zealand subregion (Diomocoris fasciatus, D. granosus, D. ostiolum, D. punctatus, D. raoulensis, D. russatus, D. sexcoloratus and D. woodwardi), are described, figured, and keyed. A lectotype is designated for Leptomerocoris maoricus Walker, 1873. Lygus plebejus Reuter, 1908 is synonymised withD. maoricus (Walker, 1873), and a lectotype designated. Lygus Hahn, 1833, Lygocoris Reuter, 1875, Taylorilygus Leston, 1952, Agnocoris Reuter, 1875, and Orthops Fieber, 1858 (the subgenera studied by Leston 1952), and Niastama Reuter, 1904 (from Australia) are redescribed including colour habitus photos and details and figures of both male and female genitalia. Taylorilygus apicalis (Fieber, 1861) is recorded from New Zealand, Niue Island, the Kermadec Islands, Norfolk Island, and New Caledonia. Micromimetus n. gen. is described from the Cook Islands. A lectotype is designated for Lygus flavoscutellatus Distant, 1904, which is transferred from Taylorilygus to Dagbertus Distant, 1904. A key is provided to the genera of the Lygus‐com‐plex reviewed in this paper. Economic importance is discussed. A new perspective of the sigmoid process and associated “wings” (inter‐ramal sclerites) is presented.

Eyles, A. C.

doi: 10.1080/03014223.1999.9518199pmid: N/A

Abstract Six species of introduced Mirinae, Closterotomus norvegicus (Gmelin), Stenotus binotatus (F.), Sidnia kinbergi (Stål), Megaloceroea recticornis (Geoffroy), Trigonotylus tenuis (Reuter), and the recently discovered Taylorilygus apicalis (Fieber) are now known to be present in New Zealand. Descriptions, diagnoses and figures, including male and female genitalia are provided. Biology, host plants, and economic importance are reviewed, and the list of host plants updated. Sidnia kinbergi has been found breeding in high numbers in carrot seed crops.

Gordon, Dennis P.; Wear, Robert G.

doi: 10.1080/03014223.1999.9518200pmid: N/A

Abstract Triticella capsularis sp. nov. (Bryozoa, Ctenostomata) is newly described as an ectosymbiont of paddle crabs (Ovalipes catharus) in central New Zealand (Bay of Plenty to northern South Island). The bryozoan produces the longest zooids known in the genus Triticella, with colonies forming a “fur” up to almost 10 mm thick on large crabs, mostly males. The densest area of colonisation is the ventral anterior half of the crab. The bryozoan lives only on O. catharus and probably benefits from its “messy” and voracious feeding habits, opportunities for gene exchange during crab swarming behaviour, and dispersal. There is no synchrony between reproduction of the bryozoan and moulting cycles of the crab, as the bryozoan achieves reproductive colony size only on old terminal‐moult crabs. Although visually striking when dense, the bryozoan growth is only superficial and affects neither the behaviour of the crab nor the quality of its meat.

Trewick, S. A.

doi: 10.1080/03014223.1999.9518201pmid: N/A

Abstract Onychophora tend to be morphologically conservative. Several studies using molecular techniques have revealed the existence of cryptic species and population structuring. The application of allozyme electrophoresis to New Zealand peripatus that were thought to belong to a single widespread species (Peripatoides novaezealandiae) has revealed several undetected species, including a taxon specific to Dunedin (southern South Island, New Zealand). However, almost nothing is known about the geographic range and variability of this species, nor indeed whether it comprises one or more cryptic taxa. I used analysis of cytochrome oxidase I mtDNA sequences to explore these aspects of peripatus found in the vicinity of Dunedin. Eighteen different haplotypes were detected in 47 individuals from 21 locations. The sequence of a 540 bp COI fragment contained 64 parsimony informative sites and nucleotide diversity of up to 11% among ingroup taxa. Phylogenetic analyses, and genetic distance by geographic distance correlation, indicated probable species‐level divisions within the sample. Two principal groups with a boundary on the east coast of New Zealand near the mouth of the Taieri River can be defined, and these are denoted “Dunedin” and “Catlins” peripatus. There is a third, possibly distinct lineage at Piano Flat. A rearrangement of the mito‐chondrial genome, relating to the position of the tLEU rna gene, was detected in these and other New Zealand peripatus and may be present in all Onychophora.

Wouts, W. M.; Sturhan, D.

doi: 10.1080/03014223.1999.9518202pmid: N/A

Abstract Four Rotylenchus species are known from New Zealand: R. labiodiscus sp. n., R. buxophilus, R. robustus, and R. uniformis. R. labiodiscus has been found at one site only, and is the only species so far found associated with native vegetation. R. labiodiscus is characterised by the presence of males; both the female and the male have a flat lip cap, which is distinctly set off in the male; the female has a body length of 0.6–0.7 mm, a stylet length of 33–37 μm, a tail length of 14.5–29.5 μm, 7–9 lip annules, an almost hemispherical tail, and no longitudinal striation on the oesophageal part of the body. Illustrations, key features, and measurements of representative populations are given for each species.