scholarly journals Coprolites reveal ecological interactions lost with the extinction of New Zealand birds

2018 ◽  
Vol 115 (7) ◽  
pp. 1546-1551 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alexander P. Boast ◽  
Laura S. Weyrich ◽  
Jamie R. Wood ◽  
Jessica L. Metcalf ◽  
Rob Knight ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
New Zealand ◽  
High Throughput Sequencing ◽  
Terrestrial Ecosystems ◽  
Ecological Interactions ◽  
Parasite Communities ◽  
Eukaryotic Dna ◽  
New Zealand Birds ◽  
Vacant Niches ◽  
Key Aspects ◽  
Ancient Ecosystems

Over the past 50,000 y, biotic extinctions and declines have left a legacy of vacant niches and broken ecological interactions across global terrestrial ecosystems. Reconstructing the natural, unmodified ecosystems that preceded these events relies on high-resolution analyses of paleoecological deposits. Coprolites are a source of uniquely detailed information about trophic interactions and the behaviors, gut parasite communities, and microbiotas of prehistoric animal species. Such insights are critical for understanding the legacy effects of extinctions on ecosystems, and can help guide contemporary conservation and ecosystem restoration efforts. Here we use high-throughput sequencing (HTS) of ancient eukaryotic DNA from coprolites to reconstruct aspects of the biology and ecology of four species of extinct moa and the critically endangered kakapo parrot from New Zealand (NZ). Importantly, we provide evidence that moa and prehistoric kakapo consumed ectomycorrhizal fungi, suggesting these birds played a role in dispersing fungi that are key to NZ’s natural forest ecosystems. We also provide the first DNA-based evidence that moa frequently supplemented their broad diets with ferns and mosses. Finally, we also find parasite taxa that provide insight into moa behavior, and present data supporting the hypothesis of coextinction between moa and several parasite species. Our study demonstrates that HTS sequencing of coprolites provides a powerful tool for resolving key aspects of ancient ecosystems and may rapidly provide information not obtainable by conventional paleoecological techniques, such as fossil analyses.

William Smyth (1838–1913), a commercial taxidermist of Dunedin, New Zealand

2018 ◽  
Vol 45 (2) ◽  
pp. 292-308 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rosi Crane ◽  
B. J. GILL
Keyword(s):  
New Zealand ◽  
Museum Collections ◽  
Professional Interaction ◽  
New Zealand Birds ◽  
Public Museum

William Smyth, unable to get work in a New Zealand museum, ran a commercial taxidermy business at Caversham, Dunedin, from about 1873 to 1911 or 1912. His two decades of correspondence with Thomas Frederic Cheeseman at the Auckland Museum provide a case study of Smyth's professional interaction with one of New Zealand's main museums. We have used this and other sources to paint a picture of Smyth's activities and achievements during a time when there was great interest in New Zealand birds but few local taxidermists to preserve their bodies. Besides the Auckland Museum, Smyth supplied specimens to various people with museum connections, including Georg Thilenius (Germany) and Walter Lawry Buller (New Zealand). Smyth was probably self-taught, and his standards of preparation and labelling were variable, but he left a legacy for the historical documentation of New Zealand ornithology by the large number of his bird specimens that now reside in public museum collections in New Zealand and elsewhere.

Remarks on some disputed species of New-Zealand Birds.

Ibis ◽  
2008 ◽  
Vol 12 (4) ◽  
pp. 455-460
Author(s):  
Walter Buller
Keyword(s):  
New Zealand ◽  
New Zealand Birds

scholarly journals Accommodating travellers with pets

2019 ◽  
Vol 3 (1) ◽  
pp. 10-11
Author(s):  
Yiqi Chen ◽  
Heike Schänzel
Keyword(s):  
New York ◽  
New Zealand ◽  
Online Reviews ◽  
Point Of View ◽  
Market Expansion ◽  
Pet Owners ◽  
Public Areas ◽  
Master's Thesis ◽  
Consumer Perspective ◽  
Key Aspects

New Zealand is considered a nation of pet lovers, with 64 percent of households owning at least one pet [1]. The aim of this study [2] was to explore what the main considerations were for hospitality operators in Auckland with regards to offering pet-friendly services. To answer this question, several key aspects were considered: pet tourism trends; market expansion of pet-friendly accommodations; the profitability of allowing pets; and operational implications, such as additional investment and labour costs. This explorative research interviewed ten accommodation providers in Auckland: five pet-friendly and five non-pet-friendly. These operators represented owners or managers of hotels, motels, lodges and apartments spread across Auckland and Waiheke Island. Research on operators’ perspectives on pet tourism is unexplored, with previous literature focusing on tourists’ perceptions [3–5]. This study hopes to provide practical implications for the industry, especially for the New Zealand context. New Zealand’s pet tourism market is considered small and mainly domestic. According to popular global dog travel directory Bring Fido [6], in 2017 there were a mere fifteen pet-friendly accommodations in Auckland, in stark contrast to other cities such as New York (367), London (96) and Paris (643). Interviewees’ opinions on the profitability of accommodating pet tourists varied. Non-pet operators rejected the idea of allowing pets due to an abundance of non-pet customers and were reluctant to accept perceived pet-related risks. Their pre-conceptions were likely formed by operating in silos without conducting any research on pet tourism and its market landscape. There was a genuine fear of negative online reviews which cannot be easily amended and can have significant longevity. Their key perceived risks were related to hygiene and allergy concerns for other customers. Preventative measures were believed to involve significant investment into property renovation. Pet friendly operators, who mainly accommodated dogs, shared a different perspective through their own experiences. They expressed high trust and optimism for pet tourists and had rarely experienced any major pet-related incidents. From a hygiene and allergy point of view, the risks were considered minimal and customers bore the responsibility when stating their allergies. Pet-friendly operators stated that no additional workload or costs were incurred through accommodating pets. Significant renovations were not deemed necessary, instead relying on what they already had. However, in the unlikely event of a major pet-related incident, the interviewees expressed that their trust towards accommodating pets would waver, meaning their tolerance of risk was  not resilient. At the time of the research, pet-friendly operators were relaxed about pet policies and had not formalised them. The majority were conveying rules to pet tourists through word of mouth, such as that pets must be on a leash in public areas, instead of through written and signed agreements. Tellingly, pet-friendly operators did not perceive New Zealand’s pet tourism market as lucrative. They were allowing pets as an extension of service and lacked motivation to expand or to cater for more pets. The study highlights the potential for growth in the domestic pet tourism market despite the current stalemate, where those who allowed pets were supportive and vice versa. Improving this situation might require unified pet-friendly associations and certain levels of government intervention. In parallel, all operators should break out of silos and socialise more with their pet-friendly peers to gain knowledge and validate assumptions. Pet-friendly operators could improve engagement with pet tourists through standardised policies and formal agreements. With guidance and support from their peers, more accommodations may be capable of handling pets. Pet owners could look forward to a day when travelling with pets becomes much more accessible due to abundant pet-friendly accommodation. Corresponding author Heike Schänzel can be contacted at: [email protected] References (1) New Zealand Petfood Manufacturers Association Homepage. https://www.petfoodnz.co.nz/ (accessed Aug 13, 2017). (2) Chen, Y. Accommodating Travellers with Pets: Is Auckland Ready? Master’s Thesis, Auckland University of Technology, July 2018. http://hdl.handle.net/10292/11867 (accessed 19 June 2019). (3) Chen, A. H.; Peng, N.; Hung, K. Developing a Pet Owners' Tourism Constraints Scale – the Constraints to Take Dogs to Tourism Activities. International Journal of Tourism Research 2014, 16 (4), 315–324. https://doi.org/10.1002/jtr.1959 (4) Kirillova, K.; Lee, S.; Lehto, X. Willingness to Travel with Pets: A U.S. Consumer Perspective. Journal of Quality Assurance in Hospitality & Tourism 2015, 16 (1), 24–44. https://doi.org/10.1080/1528008X.2015.966296 (5) Zhang, Y. People's Attitudes towards Dogs in Hotel Settings. Master’s thesis, Purdue University, May 2012. https://search.proquest.com/docview/1242132630 (accessed 19 June 2019). (6) Bring Fido Homepage. https://www.bringfido.com/ (accessed Aug 13, 2017).

scholarly journals An insight into biosecurity plant-disease diagnostics at MPI

2019 ◽  
Vol 72 ◽  
pp. 281
Author(s):  
Robert K. Taylor ◽  
Merje Toome-Heller ◽  
Wellcome W.H. Ho ◽  
Brett J.R. Alexander
Keyword(s):  
New Zealand ◽  
High Throughput Sequencing ◽  
Test Methods ◽  
Molecular Techniques ◽  
Morphological Identification ◽  
Sample Type ◽  
Emerging Pathogens ◽  
Post Entry ◽  
Biochemical Testing ◽  
Diagnostic Work

The Mycology and Bacteriology team of the Ministry for Primary Industries’ Plant Health and Environment Laboratory is responsible for the identification and verification of all suspected exotic, new, and emerging pathogens affecting plants and the environment in New Zealand. We work in an applied diagnostic environment where results can have significant implications for biosecurity. Sample submissions often result in detection of new to New Zealand fungi and bacteria on plants for which information on fungal and bacterial associations is generally sparse. The complexity of testing required is quite varied with samples being submitted from post entry quarantine (looking for a known pathogen using specific tests), border or surveillance (unknown pathogens requiring multiple tests), or a biosecurity response (scaling up to test large numbers, identification resolution required to strain level). Applied test methods depend largely on the sample type and consist of morphological identification, biochemical testing, pathogenicity testing, serological and molecular techniques, including high throughput sequencing. A profile of our diagnostic work and the most commonly detected taxa and host associations are presented.

scholarly journals Reinforcing Cultural Hegemony: Pakeha Perceptions of Brand New Zealand

2008 ◽  
Author(s):  
Eveline Dürr
Keyword(s):  
National Identity ◽  
New Zealand ◽  
Cultural Hegemony ◽  
Branding Strategies ◽  
Key Aspects

The entanglement and mutual constitution of New Zealand's branding strategies, national identity and local understandings of 'New Zealandness' are discussed. The key aspects and features of the Pakeha perceptions of brand New Zealand are highlighted.

scholarly journals Martinborough's Wine Tourists and the Metro-rural Idyll

2008 ◽  
Author(s):  
Peter Howland
Keyword(s):  
New Zealand ◽  
Middle Class ◽  
Capital City ◽  
Key Aspects ◽  
Class Distinction

The key aspects and features of Martinborough, a small boutique wine village approximately one hour's drive from Wellington, the capital city of New Zealand are discussed. The entangled fundamentals of the tourists' rural and metro-rural idylls, middle-class distinction and ideal reflexive individuality are highlighthed.

Used vehicle global supply chains: perspectives on a direct-import model

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Yangyan Shi ◽  
Tiru Arthanari ◽  
V.G. Venkatesh ◽  
Samsul Islam ◽  
Venkatesh Mani
Keyword(s):  
New Zealand ◽  
Time Management ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Structured Interview ◽  
Global Supply Chains ◽  
Business Practices ◽  
Content Type ◽  
And Performance ◽  
Key Aspects ◽  
Practical Implications

Purpose This study aims to provide a comprehensive understanding of the supply chain (SC) operations of importing used vehicles into New Zealand and how such SCs affect business practices and performance. Design/methodology/approach The study uses an exploratory qualitative semi-structured interview approach to interview the different stakeholders involved in the global used vehicle SC. Findings The research identifies the overall network structure of the used import vehicle SC from Japan to New Zealand and characterises key aspects of its operations and network connections. This paper finds that Japanese buying agents have integrated increasing numbers of services to provide a trouble-free trading platform, which has created a direct-import model for used vehicle companies in New Zealand. Practical implications The findings and recommendations are useful in designing and managing the used vehicle SC for all stakeholders and effective real-time management of uncertain factors. Originality/value The paper primarily analyses SC operations by researching the cooperation and coordination between SC components and networks, based on providing the flow of used vehicles from Japan to New Zealand. It constitutes a pioneering practice-perspective research paper in this domain.

scholarly journals Draft Whole-Genome Sequences of Three Isolates of a Novel Strain of a Campylobacter sp. Isolated from New Zealand Birds and Water

2019 ◽  
Vol 8 (18) ◽  
Author(s):  
David A. Wilkinson ◽  
Anne C. Midwinter ◽  
Errol Kwan ◽  
Samuel J. Bloomfield ◽  
Nigel P. French ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
New Zealand ◽  
Intestinal Tract ◽  
Whole Genome ◽  
Genome Sequences ◽  
New Zealand Birds ◽  
Human Campylobacteriosis

Campylobacter spp. are frequently found associated with the avian intestinal tract. Most are commensals, but some can cause human campylobacteriosis.

scholarly journals High-Resolution Vegetation Mapping Using eXtreme Gradient Boosting Based on Extensive Features

2019 ◽  
Vol 11 (12) ◽  
pp. 1505 ◽  
Author(s):  
Heng Zhang ◽  
Anwar Eziz ◽  
Jian Xiao ◽  
Shengli Tao ◽  
Shaopeng Wang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
New Zealand ◽  
High Resolution ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Field Survey ◽  
Terrestrial Ecosystems ◽  
Google Earth ◽  
Gradient Boosting ◽  
Global Changes ◽  
Vegetation Map ◽  
Extreme Gradient Boosting

Accurate mapping of vegetation is a premise for conserving, managing, and sustainably using vegetation resources, especially in conditions of intensive human activities and accelerating global changes. However, it is still challenging to produce high-resolution multiclass vegetation map in high accuracy, due to the incapacity of traditional mapping techniques in distinguishing mosaic vegetation classes with subtle differences and the paucity of fieldwork data. This study created a workflow by adopting a promising classifier, extreme gradient boosting (XGBoost), to produce accurate vegetation maps of two strikingly different cases (the Dzungarian Basin in China and New Zealand) based on extensive features and abundant vegetation data. For the Dzungarian Basin, a vegetation map with seven vegetation types, 17 subtypes, and 43 associations was produced with an overall accuracy of 0.907, 0.801, and 0.748, respectively. For New Zealand, a map of 10 habitats and a map of 41 vegetation classes were produced with 0.946, and 0.703 overall accuracy, respectively. The workflow incorporating simplified field survey procedures outperformed conventional field survey and remote sensing based methods in terms of accuracy and efficiency. In addition, it opens a possibility of building large-scale, high-resolution, and timely vegetation monitoring platforms for most terrestrial ecosystems worldwide with the aid of Google Earth Engine and citizen science programs.

Strategie Management in Eleven National Libraries: A Report on a Research Study

1997 ◽  
Vol 9 (2) ◽  
pp. 101-113 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anna Chalmers
Keyword(s):  
New Zealand ◽  
Strategic Management ◽  
Research Study ◽  
Information Environment ◽  
Digital Information ◽  
The Core ◽  
The Usa ◽  
The Uk ◽  
Key Aspects ◽  
National Libraries

In 1996 the national libraries of Australia, Canada, France, Germany, Ireland, Malaysia, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Singapore, the UK and the USA took part in a study of their experiences with strategic management. A literature review had identified 15 key aspects of strategic management. Respondents were asked their views of the importance of each aspect, and how satisfied they were with the library's achievement of it. In every case the importance attached to the aspect was greater than the library's satisfaction with achievement. Each library was also asked to nominate from a checklist the reason or reasons why it had produced its first strategic document. The centrality of the digital information environment to the core functions of national libraries has been highlighted by the study.

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