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Item Attitudes to preventative healthcare for cats and dogs in Aotearoa / New Zealand in 20–30-year-olds(Unitec ePress, Te Pūkenga, 2023-12-20) Scott, Mikayla; Harvey, Laura; Cameron, Kristie; Unitec, Te PūkengaPet ownership has increased in Aotearoa / New Zealand over the last decade, with the largest jump in dog ownership attributed to 18–34-year-olds. With the transitional nature of this age group, considering the increase in independence and responsibility, this survey aimed to measure the attitudes of 20–30-year olds to preventative healthcare of their pets. A survey was disseminated through social media; respondents self-selected their participation and were asked questions about their living situation and management of components of preventative care in their animals, including vaccinations, parasite control and veterinary check-ups. There were 93 usable responses. The findings revealed that most pet owners were renting or were homeowners, with the number of cats owned and the incidence of dog ownership higher than expected in rented homes. Most respondents had knowledge about worm transmission, with living situation and number and type of pets affecting knowledge of worm and flea infestations. The responsibility of health management was assumed by those that made decisions about what types of preventative care was given and who paid for services and treatment. Overall, owners tended to know more about, and provided preventative care and treatment for, parasites that directly affect humans, such as worms, and two thirds of respondents would deworm the household, including pets and humans. Fewer respondents were aware of the effect of fleas, with a variety of treatments used. Knowledge of preventative care, in line with the standards of animal care in Aotearoa / New Zealand, by this age group is reassuring but there could be further compliance with increased awareness of the effects of worms and flea infestations on humans.Item Monitoring infection load of oxyurid (nematoda) and Isospora (coccidia) in captive inland bearded dragons (Pogona vitticeps)(Unitec ePress, Te Pūkenga, 2023-12) Pike, C.; Hsieh, Sally; Baling, Marleen; Unitec, Te Pūkenga; Applied Biosecurity Solution (Auckland, N.Z.)Endoparasites, such as helminths and protozoans, have been associated with mortality and gastrointestinal disease in reptiles, with particularly high prevalence observed in pet reptiles. We conducted an observational study on six juvenile captive inland bearded dragons (Pogona vitticeps), to monitor the presence and estimate the abundance of intestinal endoparasite via faecal samples (egg counts using modified McMaster) over three months. We detected two types of endoparasites, coccidia Isospora sp. and oxyurid Phyrngodon sp. Oxyurid nematode ova shed almost 2.5 times higher egg count per gram of faeces in the afternoon compared to the morning, but the estimated egg counts did not significantly vary from August to October 2022. In contrast, for Isospora, there was no difference in oocyst counts between the two times of day sampled, but the shedding of Isospora oocyst increased over the three months. Often Isospora sp. are recorded to be highly pathogenic and can cause mortality in juvenile reptiles, whereas oxyurid are regarded as beneficial to their host unless they are found in high burdens. In this study, we did not find any significant association between the estimated quantity of egg / oocyst and the body condition of the dragons during the three months. Further studies are required to investigate pathogenicity or benefit of oxyurid to their hosts at different development stages. Finally, the storage period between collection and egg / oocyst quantification varied in this study, which may affect the estimated count of the eggs or oocysts. However, we did not find any apparent influence on time when faecal samples were processed to the number of eggs / oocysts that we counted.Item Biological control of weeds in Aotearoa/New Zealand: History, science and achievements to date(Unitec ePress. Te Pūkenga, 2023-11-29) Matthews, Jade K.; Fraser, Diane; de Lange, Peter; Unitec, Te PūkengaAotearoa / New Zealand is the leading country globally in the use of biological control agents to combat introduced pest weed species. Here we review the history of biological control in Aotearoa / New Zealand, compile a list of current, self-introduced and accidentally introduced biocontrol agents, and list the agents currently under consideration for introduction to Aotearoa / New Zealand (accurate to 2021). We discuss the science and procedures in place for the safe introduction of a new biocontrol agent and discuss the public’s perception of biological control within Aotearoa / New Zealand. Since the 1920s there have been 79 control agents released; 68 of those species were deliberate introductions, eight self-introductions and three accidental introductions. Additionally, there have been eight reported occurrences of non-target-species attack by biological control agents in Aotearoa / New Zealand, all of which cause minor damage to their unintended hosts. Prior to their introduction to Aotearoa / New Zealand, potential biological control agents are required to undergo rigorous research and host-specificity testing to ensure that the agent does not pose a risk to indigenous taxa through non-target attack. This research is essential, as it ensures a precautionary approach is taken prior to introductions, which, in turn, provides the wider public with confidence in the validity of biocontrol agents as a means to manage weed species in Aotearoa / New Zealand.Item Distribution characteristics of the free-roaming dog population of the Western area of Tongatapu, Kingdom of Tonga: Developing a GIS for biosecurity and animal welfare projects(Unitec ePress, Te Pūkenga, 2023-12-01) Aguilar, Glenn; de Felice, V.; Unitec, Te PūkengaThe free-roaming dog population of Tongatapu, Kingdom of Tonga, is a ubiquitous, well-known and persistent feature of the island. Information on the quantity, condition and spatial distribution characteristics of these dogs is needed for projects aimed at improving biosecurity conditions in different impacted sectors of society, while addressing the management of an animal associated with humans. Health and safety of the human population, agriculture and biodiversity are directly affected by the presence of free-roaming dogs in Tongan communities. A survey conducted over western Tongatapu recorded locations of free-roaming dogs sighted when driving along the roads of 12 towns and villages. Locations were recorded using an iPad and the mobile application Collector for ArcGIS. A total of 1152 dogs was recorded, mostly within villages and residential roads. Patterns of spatial distribution of dog locations were described using kernel density, hotspot analysis, and cluster and outlier analysis tools available in ArcGIS Pro. Using the species distribution modelling algorithms Maxent and Random Forest (RF), the suitability of the entire island for free-roaming dogs was determined using as input the dog locations and environmental variables consisting of population, land use and road types. Results of both algorithms show that roads and residential areas consistently show the highest probability of free-roaming dog presence. The RF algorithm also produced maps that show predictions of the values of other variables collected during the survey, including body-condition scores, age group and sex types over the entire island. Overall, the maps produced and the database created contribute a baseline biosecurity knowledge-base supporting rational decision-making and governance for the island.Item Megalaria crispisulcans, a new isidiate species of Megalaria (Ramalinaceae) from Aotearoa / New Zealand(ePress, Unitec | Te Pūkenga., 2023-10-11) Marshall, Andrew; Blanchon, Dan; de Lange, Peter; Wells, Sarah; Fryday, A.M.; Tang, Tianyi; Knight, A.; Unitec, Te Pūkenga; Auckland Museum; Michigan State University; University of OtagoMegalaria crispisulcans A.J. Marshall, Blanchon & de Lange (Ramalinaceae) is described as a new species from populations in Te Ika a Māui / North Island of Aotearoa / New Zealand, and on Rēkohu / Wharekauri / Chatham Island, Aotearoa / New Zealand. The new species is morphologically closely allied to Megalaria orokonuiana, from which it is distinguished by its nrDNA ITS sequence and morphologically by the usual presence of a white prothallus, bright green (when fresh) isidiate thallus and dark black apothecia, whose rims are usually crinkled / undulose at maturity. A phylogeny based on nrDNA ITS sequences is presented that recovers Megalaria crispisulcans as sister to M. orokonuiana. The ecology, habitats and conservation status of M. crispisulcans is provided and an update on the conservation status of M. orokonuiana provided. A revised key to the Aotearoa / New Zealand species of Megalaria is provided.