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 ... -
Tracing the lines of race & health online: A mixed-methods exploration of the African-American HIV/AIDS movement on Twitter
Although accounting for 13 percent of the American population, in 2017, African-Americans made up over 42 percent of people living with HIV or AIDS (PLWHA) in the United States. In addition to the highest prevalence, ... -
Laborastories: Creative Assessment for NCEA Science
The National Certificate of Educational Achievement (NCEA) is the main form of assessment used in New Zealand secondary schools. This system promotes fragmentation of knowledge and does not align with the values of the ... -
‘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 History of New Zealand/ Aotearoa Dolphins Cephalorhynchus hectori: Abundance and Distribution
Hector’s and Māui dolphins (Cephalorhynchus hectori) are endemic dolphins of Aotearoa New Zealand. This thesis documents how C. hectori have changed from being the most common dolphin species seen in New Zealand waters 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 Ideal Australian: The role of the gum tree in an Australian collective cultural identity
Gum trees, or eucalypts, encompass all species belonging to the genera Eucalyptus, Corymbia, Angophora, Stockwellia, Allosyncarpia, Eucalyptopsis and Arillastrum. They are the most abundant group of trees in Australia and ... -
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 ... -
Sharks and New Zealand News Media
Sharks could be the most feared animal in the world. They could also be the most misrepresented. Although traumatic, human-shark interactions are incredibly rare events. Yet historically, mass media disproportionately ... -
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 ... -
Awe and Pro-environmental Behaviour
Astronauts who have looked down at Earth from the vantage point of the International Space Station, which is over four hundred kilometres away, tell a similar story of an intense feeling that overcomes them. Known as the ... -
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 ...