Natural Sciences Journal Articles
Permanent URI for this collection
Browse
Recent Additions
Item Canine hookworm presence in Tongatapu, Tonga(American Society of Parasitologists, 2024-02-01) Harder, Kait; England, S.; Naden, Kristina; Unitec, Te PūkengaDogs are common in Tonga, where they exist in a close relationship with humans as pets and guard dogs and often are free-roaming due to limited property fencing and the need to scavenge for food. Little is known about the health status of these dogs and the type and level of pathogens carried by them. In this study, blood and fecal samples were analyzed to identify the presence of endoparasites and determine packed cell volume (PCV) values for dogs in Tonga. The current data deficit in this area made it necessary to develop a methodology and collect preliminary data to assist with future research in Tonga. Fecal analysis revealed hookworm in 73% of dogs, primarily those 4–12 mo old. Hematologic evaluation revealed low to borderline low PCV in 87% of dogs. The zoonotic nature of some of the pathogens identified poses a public health risk, with a particular risk for children.Item Monitoring of North Island fantail / pīwakawaka fantail (Rhipidura fuliginosa placabilis Bangs, 1921, Rhipiduridae) distribution on Tiritiri Matangi Island: Using several spatial methods for processing volunteer data(Unitec ePress, 2024-05-06) Aguilar, Glenn; Gailbraith, Mel; Cooper, H.; Unitec, Te Pūkenga; Supporters of Tiritiri Matangi Island (SoTM)The Aotearoa / New Zealand pīwakawaka / fantail, Rhipidura fuliginosa (Sparrman, 1787), Rhipiduridae, is an iconic species and conspicuous in a range of habitats. However, island populations of the species are said to fluctuate dramatically. This project set out to investigate the population dynamics of Te Ika a Māui / North Island subspecies Rhipidura fuliginosa placabilis Bangs, 1921 on Tiritiri Matangi Island using a volunteer-based monitoring scheme. To achieve this goal, we developed a pilot sampling grid and determined spatial-distribution characteristics using several approaches, including geostatistical tools in ArcMap, species distribution modelling (SDM) and occupancy modelling. Fantail presence data was recorded twice a year by volunteers assigned to specific grids at different seasons for two years on Tiritiri Matangi Island. Recorded count data shows distinctive differences between the sampling periods and different areas of the island. Significant hotspots, as well as clustering of abundance, show different patterns, with significantly higher abundance and widespread distribution during May compared to November. Spatial analysis identified vegetation, particularly replanted areas, as influencing the fantail counts. Results of SDM show areas of the island suitable for the species, and occupancy models further describe the seasonal spatial characteristics of fantail. The effort also highlights the importance of volunteers in providing bird-count data to generate the knowledge base required for the management of an island sanctuary.Item New combinations in Anthoxanthum (Poaceae) for Aotearoa / New Zealand taxa earlier placed in Hierochloe(MDPI (Multidisciplinary Digital Publishing Institute), 2024-08-29) de Lange, Peter; Campbell, James; Unitec, Te PūkengaNew combinations in Anthoxanthum (Poaceae) are provided for six endemic Aotearoa / New Zealand species earlier placed in Hierochloe: Anthoxanthum brunonis (Hook. f.) de Lange & C.J. James, comb. nov. (Hierochloe brunonis Hook. f.), A. cupreum (Zotov) de Lange & C.J. James, comb. nov. (H. cuprea Zotov), A. equisetum (Zotov) de Lange & C.J. James, comb. nov. (H. equiseta Zotov), A. fuscum (Zotov) de Lange & C.J. James, comb. nov. (H. fusca Zotov), A. novae-zelandiae Gand.) de Lange & C.J. James, comb. nov. (H. novae-zelandiae Gand.) and A. recurvatum (Hack.) de Lange & C.J. James, comb. nov. (H. fraseri Hook. f. var. recurvata Hack.). These six combinations were omitted from Schouten and Veldkamp (1985), in which the then recognised Hierochloe were transferred to Anthoxanthum and in subsequent treatments.Item Sirenophila macquariensis (Teloschistaceae): A new name for the lichen Caloplaca maculata(ePress, Unitec | Te Pūkenga., 2024-05) Søchting, U.; de Lange, Peter; University of Copenhagen; Unitec, Te PūkengaA new combination for Caloplaca macquariensis C.W. Dodge is made in Sirenophila Søchting, Arup & Frödén, S. macquariensis (C.W. Dodge) Søchting & de Lange. In the process we reduce the Aotearoa / New Zealand Caloplaca maculata D.J. Galloway into synonymy within the new combination, noting the lack of morphological distinctions between that species and S. macquariensis. Very little is known about S. macquariensis, which is known only from the type collected from Macquarie Island; however, we offer an update on the species ecology based on collections and observations of the species on the Chatham Islands – the eastern most extension of the Aotearoa / New Zealand archipelago.Item Canine hookworm presence in Tongatapu, Tonga(American Society of Parasitologists, 2024-02-13) Harder, Kate; England, S.; Naden, KristinaDogs are common in Tonga, where they exist in a close relationship with humans as pets and guard dogs and often are free-roaming due to limited property fencing and the need to scavenge for food. Little is known about the health status of these dogs and the type and level of pathogens carried by them. In this study, blood and fecal samples were analyzed to identify the presence of endoparasites and determine packed cell volume (PCV) values for dogs in Tonga. The current data deficit in this area made it necessary to develop a methodology and collect preliminary data to assist with future research in Tonga. Fecal analysis revealed hookworm in 73% of dogs, primarily those 4–12 mo old. Hematologic evaluation revealed low to borderline low PCV in 87% of dogs. The zoonotic nature of some of the pathogens identified poses a public health risk, with a particular risk for children.