Zoology collection
The mission of the Department of Zoology is to provide an environment, open to all sections of the community, for the extension, sharing and application of knowledge in zoology, through research and teaching of the highest international standard.
The Department of Zoology is distinctive internationally for its focus on whole organism biology (it is one of the few departments of zoology in universities throughout the world). Our staff have international reputations in their areas of expertise and make major contributions to answering fundamental questions in basic and applied research.
For further information go to the Department of Zoology.
Recent Deposits
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A comparison of site occupancy and morphology between Litoria raniformis in Central Otago, New Zealand and Victoria, Australia
Many amphibian species across the globe are at high risk of extinction. Alien species, overexploitation, land-use change, climate change, chemicals, and infectious diseases are all having devastating effects on amphibians. ... -
The behaviour of the banded dotterel, Charadrius bicinctus.
A comprehensive study has not previously been made of any aspects of the Banded Dotterel's ecology or behaviour. […] Two study areas were used for this research. One was the environs of Lake Wainono (Fig. 1), a small ... -
Does Size Matter? Using Osteology and Ancient DNA to Reconstruct Extinct Diversity in Duvaucel’s Gecko
The dynamic geology and climate of the New Zealand archipelago has had pronounced effects on the evolution of its endemic flora and fauna. However, contemporary biodiversity is depauperate, with previous studies revealing ... -
‘Bring me a shrubbery’: Assessing the habitat preference of mammalian predators in the urban green spaces of New Zealand cities
Within cities, areas of green space, such as patches of forest, play a vital role as habitat for wildlife, and can be especially important for supporting native biodiversity. As such, urban restoration efforts often aim ... -
Biomimetic leg design and passive dynamics of Dolomedes aquaticus
Spiders provide working models for agile, efficient miniature passive-dynamic robots. Joints are extended by haemoplymph (hydraulic) pressure and flexed by muscle-tendon systems. Muscle contraction in the prosoma leads to ... -
The impacts of marine tourism on the behaviour and movement patterns of dusky dolphins (Lagenorhynchus obscurus) at Kaikoura, New Zealand
The increase in human activities off the coast of Kaikoura, New Zealand may be altering the behaviour and movement patterns of dusky dolphins (Lagenorhynchus obscurus). The primary aim of this research was to assess the ... -
Distribution, population structure, social organisation, and behaviour of sperm whales off the Kaikoura Coast
The distribution, population structure, social organisation, and behaviour ofsperm whales (Physeter macrocephalus) was investigated off the Kaikoura coast between spring 1990 and summer 1992. Acoustic surveys of uniform ... -
Sperm whales at Kaikoura and the effects of whale-watching on their surface and vocal behaviour
Whale-watching has become a globally successful branch of the tourism industry. While there is ample information on its economic importance, there is only scant data on the environmental, social and cultural impact. Kaikoura, ... -
Microhabitat use by the nocturnal, cool-climate gecko Woodworthia “Otago/Southland” in the context of global climate change
Ectotherms, especially terrestrial squamates, rely on suitable microclimatic conditions to maintain critical physiological processes. Selection of appropriate microhabitat determines how well squamates will function in ... -
How mammal exclusion using pest-resistant fencing influences terrestrial invertebrate communities at a New Zealand ecosanctuary
Despite being such important components of healthy functioning ecosystems, invertebrates are often overlooked in ecosystem restoration research, plants usually being the main focal point. There are many factors that can ... -
The impact of sea cage salmon farming on the benthic environment of Big Glory Bay, Stewart Island
Rearing salmon in sea cages can have pronounced localised effects on benthic faunal assemblages and the physicochemical parameters of their environment. These effects result from sedimentation of pelleted feed and the ... -
Estimating population density and habitat selection of rats (Rattus spp.) and abundance of birds on the Otago Peninsula
The introduction of rats (Rattus spp.) and conversion of native forest and scrub have had a devastating effect on the biodiversity of New Zealand’s fauna and flora, threatening many native bird species with extinction. The ... -
Impacts of an eye invading parasite on the behaviour and ecology of its freshwater fish host
Parasites are increasingly shown to impact ecosystem processes such as population dynamics and food web interactions. This can be accomplished by altering the host’s behaviour as a side-effect of infection, a response of ... -
The response and recovery of benthic macroinvertebrates from water abstractions along the Manuherikia River, New Zealand
Water abstraction for irrigation during seasonal low discharge periods alters the natural flow regime of a river. The response of macroinvertebrates to a significantly altered flow regime due to summer water abstraction ... -
Call Me Loyal: Investigation of Bumble Bee (Bombus terrestris) Flower Constancy in a Semi-Field Environment
Flower constancy (the tendency of pollinators to restrict visits to one floral species) provides obvious benefits to plants, however, the benefits to pollinators remain unclear. For example, specialisation to a single ... -
Effects of interspecific interactions on individual specialisation
In many species, some individuals are specialist users of a subset of the total resources available to their population, a phenomenon known as individual specialisation. This intraspecific variation has long been suspected ... -
Predicting Possums: Modelling reinvasion of the common brushtail possum (Trichosurus vulpecula) within a New Zealand urban centre
Invasive mammalian pests threaten biodiversity globally across a diverse range of habitats. Recent interest in urban biodiversity enhancement has increased the need for effective urban pest control, however efforts are ... -
The effects of food rationing on phenotypic plasticity in reproductive resource allocation in female wild-type zebrafish, Danio rerio
Any resources obtained by an organism must be divided between life history components, namely growth, reproduction and survival. Resources are limited, thus creating trade-offs between competing traits. One trade-off is ... -
Lizards at elevation: thermal ecology and emergence activity of alpine lizards in Otago
The alpine zone is a rugged habitat that is difficult for any species to inhabit year-round. Many that do so are large mammals with specific behavioural or physiological adaptations that enhance survival in these high-elevation ... -
Using Stable Isotope Analysis to study the diet of stoats (Mustela erminea) in the alpine zone of New Zealand
Threats posed by alien invasive species are a leading cause of global biodiversity decline. In island archipelagos such as New Zealand, introduced mammalian predators prey heavily on endemic fauna that have evolved without ...