JUNE 2015 ISSUE 16 ISSN 2324-5670

THE END OF THE JOURNEY FOR ALLAN WILSON CENTRE

Some of you will be aware of the news lectures, radio interviews and that the AWC’s application for continued magazine articles. funding in the latest Centre of Research Professor Maharey believes that an Excellence (CoRE) round was unsuccessful. intention to fund new CoREs meant the This result means that the AWC will close at AWC missed out. This conclusion, if right, the end of this year, and the support for our is very worrying. CoREs should be about science projects and outreach programmes excellence, not about giving everyone a will cease. turn; by their nature, CoREs should be I have to say I am extremely disappointed carrying out the very best science. by this outcome, but I am not alone. Massey It seems to me, however, that there is Vice Chancellor, Professor Steve Maharey a more likely explanation and one that is wrote, “The Government’s decision to ultimately of even greater concern. There end funding for the CoRE is not easy to is now no CoRE whose primary focus is understand given the outstanding record on ’s biodiversity and that established by the AWC.” The quality of is part of a trend of reducing scientific our research and personnel was never in research funding in that area. Readers doubt. Our scientists are at the cutting will be familiar with the decisions to edge of world-class research and are reduce Department of Conservation among New Zealand’s finest: we count research capabilities. Even more recently 8 Fellows of the Royal Society of New the Biodiversity Science Challenge was Zealand among our 21 Investigators, subsumed (in a cabinet-level decision) a proportion greater than any into the Biological Heritage Challenge, other CoRE. which now appears to be dominated by It is widely agricultural and bioprotection research. acknowledged that Scarily, all this is happening at a time when the Allan Wilson our biodiversity is under unprecedented Centre's outreach pressure, with widespread scientific concern is outstanding. for our country’s future. The review panel I do not want to finish on a down note, that evaluated our so let me say that our next two speakers proposal described in the International Speaker Series are our interactions with among our very best. Harvard University’s Māori as “exemplary”. Scott Edwards, recently elected to the elite And the scientists who American National Academy of Sciences, come to New Zealand as and New Zealander Tom Higham, now at part of our International Oxford, are both accomplished scientists Speaker Series reach about 10% and riveting speakers. I urge you to come to of the population through their talks: they will be opportunities not to a combination of public be missed!

Professor Hamish Spencer speaking to expatriate New Zealanders in London, 17 June

Scott Edwards A Small Sample Ancient DNA Uawa / Tolaga Bay An Uncommon Bird - From of a Big Journey - Secrets from Bioblitz Energy and Glimpse of Dinosaurs to DNA the Past Excitement Continue Stephen O’Brien

IN THIS ISSUE THIS IN Pg 2 Pg 4 Pg 6 Pg 7 Pg 8 Scott Edwards BIRD EVOLUTION FROM DINOSAURS TO DNA The Allan Wilson Centre welcomes Professor Scott Edwards, renowned ornithologist and evolutionary biologist, as the next speaker in our public lecture series. He is touring New Zealand 11-20 August.

Scott is Alexander Agassiz Professor of Organismic and Another hypothesis is ‘developmental time’ – other vertebrate Evolutionary at Harvard and curator of the ornithology that develop rapidly, like salamanders, also tend to have collection in Harvard’s Museum of Comparative . Birds smaller genomes. If an evolutionary driver is to have rapid are a lifelong passion for Scott, whose interest in these “hybrid division then jettisoning DNA may be an advantage. animals” was sparked after a neighbour in New York took him Interestingly, flightless birds tend to have bigger genomes birdwatching when he was 10 or 11. than birds that fly. Scott is using genome sequencing to “They’re fascinating to study because they have an affinity determine which and/or regulatory regions distinguish with mammals such as being warm blooded, but they’re also flightless from flighted species. very different – they lay eggs, have feathers and have scales on their legs.” The theory that birds are the living descendents of dinosaurs, “It was exciting to discover that although put forward not long after Darwin’sOn the Origin of Species was published, has become increasingly accepted over the years feathers are a unique trait of birds, the – but until recently, it was based almost entirely on the genes that make a feather are old. record. Scott’s work investigating bird genome sizes and how , fish, turtles – all have the genes...” feathers arose showed that they go back a very long way. “It was exciting to discover that although feathers are a unique trait of birds, the genes that make a feather are old. Scott is also known for his work in avian disease genetics. He Humans, fish, turtles – all have the genes but seem to be missing found that immune genes are extremely polymorphic (variable regulatory machinery, the switches needed to turn genes on and between individuals), which at the time was an off and make them interact in appropriate ways.” “eye-opener”. He is currently investigating a parasite interaction Many dinosaurs are now known to have had feathers, between Mycoplasma (a bacterial pathogen) and the North although simpler ones than modern birds. American house finch. These two species first came into contact Scott is also investigating why birds have such about 20 years ago. (comparatively) small genomes, and how this reflects their “Some of our studies have brought us back to these highly streamlined and high energy lifestyles. Bird genomes are just polymorphic immune genes. We haven’t yet figured out all the 1–1.5bn base pairs; humans have about 3bn base pairs. details of how the disease has affected the house finch, but we’re “This is a big difference between two groups that, in the grand homing in on the kinds of genes that scheme of things, are actually fairly closely related.” may have been important for Birds have less repetitive DNA than mammals. A major part survival of the species in the of the loss is non-coding DNA. As some non-coding DNA is face of this disease.” functional it may be that birds have simpler regulatory networks This work is providing with less redundancy than mammals. exciting insights into One theory to explain birds’ small genomes is that high how birds respond at the metabolic rate activities (such as flight and developing rapidly genetic level to environmental from egg to chick) are facilitated by having small cells, because challenges and novel threats large surface area/volume ratio enables efficient gas exchange. such as pathogens.

Using evolutionary history, , and comparative genomics, Scott has spent his career investigating how birds’ distinctive traits evolved, how they are diversifying, and how they cope with environmental challenges. PUBLIC TALKS BY PROFESSOR SCOTT EDWARDS

WELLINGTON DUNEDIN Tuesday 11 August, 6.00pm Monday 17 August, 6.30pm Te Marae, Te Papa Tongarewa, Museum of New Zealand St David Lecture Theatre,

NAPIER PALMERSTON NORTH Wednesday 12 August, 6.00pm Tuesday 18 August, 6.30pm Napier Aquarium Exhibition Hall, Marine Parade The Globe Theatre, Main Street

CHRISTCHURCH TAURANGA Thursday 13 August, 6.00pm Wednesday 19 August, 6.30pm The Chateau on the Park, 189 Deans Avenue, Riccarton Tauranga Yacht and Power Boat Club, 90 Keith Allan Drive, Sulphur Point NELSON CENTRE Friday 14 August, 6.00pm Maitai Room, Rutherford Hotel, Nelson Thursday 20 August, 6.15pm Auckland Museum Auditorium WILSON

REGISTER ONLINE: Reserve a seat for these popular lectures at DONATION ENTRY BY GOLD COIN www.allanwilsoncentre.ac.nz Click ‘Register Online’ under ‘Events’. ALLAN 3 Allan Wilson Centre Researchers Lisa Matisoo-Smith, Hamish Spencer and Russell Gray Ngati Ranana A SMALL SAMPLE OF A BIG JOURNEY Over 200 expatriate New Zealanders gathered at New Zealand House, London in June to contribute their DNA to Lisa Matisoo-Smith's deep ancestry study (The Longest Journey: Africa to Aotearoa). The mitochondrial DNA result each person receives will place their maternal ancestor on their particular branch of the family tree, going back many thousands of years.

The National St. Paul’s Charing Gallery Cathedral Cross Sampling in progress CENTRE

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ALLAN 4 Allan Wilson Centre Researchers Lisa Matisoo-Smith, Hamish Spencer and Russell Gray

Russell Gray's parallel story of radically changed assumptions the evolution of language, and about the first human settlement the strong similarities between of Aotearoa. The diversity of languages in the Pacific region, the DNA strongly suggests a was just as powerful. This, and much larger founding population the story of Allan Wilson and his than previously thought, and a discovery that all humans alive planned mass migration. today on Earth have a common We do know that in more maternal ancestor who lived in recent times, many other brave Africa c150,000 years ago, were people also left everything they revelations to most of the guests. knew, and family they loved, to We all came out of Africa. NZ House staff Ceilidh make a new life in New Zealand. Dunphy, Elizabeth Walker, The events of 16 and 17 June and Tracey Curtin, in front of They included refugees from were attended by a range of the car ving by Inia te Wiata World War II, survivors of Pol expatriates from very young New Pot's genocide, and further Zealanders on the classic OE, back, agricultural labourers Memorial to the former inhabitants of Shipton Under Wychwood, to Sir Robin Clark,an eminent impoverished by a depression in Oxfordshire, who died on the chemist from Cambridge, famous the UK in the late 19th century. voyage to New Zealand chef, Peter Gordon, and Dame Many never returned home, and Judith Mayhew (lawyer and some perished on the long and dangerous journey. academic). Sir Anand Satyanand ​While we know more and more about our origins and diverse (former Governor General), Sir genetic make up, to actually feel what it means to be a New David Skegg (President of the Zealander, and what binds us, gather together with your fellow Royal Society of NZ), Mr Rau New Zealanders in a place far from home - London, in this case - Kirikiri (Allan Wilson Centre and sing waiata such as Pokarekare ana and Whakaaria mai. Governance Board Member), and Professor Hamish Spencer Taking part in the sampling, NZ High Commissioner, The Allan Wilson Centre is grateful for (Director of the Allan Wilson Sir Lockwood Smith Centre) co-led this extraordinary the partnership and assistance of: scientific and cultural expedition. It was a celebration of science, of discovery, and new understandings of who we are, where we The Royal Society Radio NZ National come from and what our future might be. of New Zealand NZ House staff We still don't know what motivated the migration from the Ngati Ranana Pacific Islands to Aotearoa 750 years ago, but the research by Lisa University of Otago Royal Society of London and others is continuing to fine-tune our knowledge. Her analysis Max Planck Institute for the Lisa’s husband and daughter, of ancient DNA recovered from koiwi tangata (human remains) Science of Human History Brent and Tessa Smith from the archaeological site of Wairau Bar, near Blenheim, has Kiwi Expats Assn (KEA)

London Big Ben & Westminster St. James’s Buckingham Eye Westminster Palace Abbey Park Palace CENTRE

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The amazing 360 degree view from NZ House, Haymarket, London. Photo Credit: Mat thew Breen 5 ANCIENT DNA: SECRETS FROM THE PAST Associate Professor Craig Millar intrigued and entertained audiences in Nelson and Queenstown with his talk on ancient DNA methods and discoveries.

Some interesting facts: birds using DNA. Sex an estimated four specific DNA can million mummified be obtained from Ibis birds were found in both the inside and one Egyptian catacomb outside of egg shell alone… and being fragments. attacked by a penguin Craig paid homage to the “is like being grabbed heroes of DNA sequencing by needle-nose pliers technology, such as Kary and thwacked by a pair Mullis and , of jandals at the same who developed the polymerase time”. Craig would know. chain reaction (PCR) which He’s been working in amplifies small amounts of the Antarctic for over a DNA into readable quantities. decade collecting blood The rapid advances in the art Craig Millar, Wendy Newpor t- from the living and bones are truly impressive and have Smith, holding Moa fossil bone from sub-fossil penguin, outrun our capacity to make the comparative analysis sense of it. Biologists now need of which can be used to work out the rate of evolution. help from mathematicians Deciphering DNA from the swags of moa has been and computer scientists to another important area of work for Craig. They have resolved answer the questions hidden in the massive the mixed sub-fossils into 11 species or so, including the amounts of data now being collected. 250kg North Island giant female moa. A bird that large is ill- The next quantum leap after the designed for incubating eggs. It is suggested that they curled polymerase chain reaction is already around them instead. Interestingly for us humans, the job was here: massively parallel DNA allocated to males, which were much smaller than the females. sequencing. Its name says it all. Craig gave his audiences a basic introductory course in sexing

VISUALISING EVOLUTIONARY GENETICS Well known photographer, Distinguished Professor Anne Noble, and Masters photography student, Tom Hoyle, accompanied the Allan Wilson Centre mission to London in June. They invited expatriate New Zealanders attending the events at NZ House to have their silhouette portrait taken, as an extension of Lisa’s ancient ancestry study, using DNA analysis. These portraits may be used in a book Lisa is planning, and possibly an exhibition. Says Anne, “There are numerous traditions of photographic portraiture that presuppose that an image of an individual can be read for information about race, character and rank within a society. We make many assumptions through visual cues, and the histories of human CENTRE portrait typologies are fascinating because of how they have contributed to communicating mistaken meanings of racial variation, physical attributes and cultural belonging within a population.” Visualising Evolutionary Genetics is a collaboration between the WILSON Massey University School of Fine Arts and the Allan Wilson Centre to develop innovative approaches to communicating the outcomes of this study. Its purpose is to re-imagine and explore forms of portraiture

ALLAN in the light of new scientific and cultural understandings of personal identity and human descent.

6 Sir Anand Satyanand UAWA / TOLAGA BAY BIOBLITZ ENERGY AND EXCITEMENT CONTINUE

Report by Pete Handford, Manager of Groundtruth, a company contracted by the Allan Wilson Centre to help the Uawa/Tolaga Bay community formulate a vision and practical plan for restoring their area, and developing a sustainable economy based on local resources.

Rather than interest waning with time, the drive to understand and nurture the important biodiversity of Uawa/Tolaga Bay has gained momentum since the February 2015 Bioblitz. Final collation of results has been completed and an attractive summary of the species found has been published. You can find it at www.allanwilsoncentre.ac.nz or request a hard copy from Allan Wilson Centre Administrator, Lorraine Bergen, [email protected] The Bioblitz was a key event in continuing to raise awareness of the local environment as part of the Uawanui Project that has been developed jointly by Te Aitanga a Hauiti, the Uawa/Tolaga Bay community and the Allan Wilson Centre. Some key findings from the Bioblitz are helping to drive work on the ground with an expansion of predator trapping around Kaitawa Estuary to protect NZ Dotterel and other birds present. Tolaga Bay Area School is also starting a novel project with Groundtruth (who have been involved with the Uawanui Project from the beginning) to use a range of technologies to transmit image, video and audio data to learn about, and monitor, the rare NZ Dotterel and also Bats, which are our only native mammal. The community was very excited when the presence of bats was detected in February and Allan Wilson Centre Director, Professor Hamish Spencer, sighted the Dotterel in the Kaitawa Estuary. The information from the Bioblitz is both an important benchmark of the species that are present at Uawa/Tolaga Bay today, and a turning point for Te Aitanga A Hauiti and the community in building greater understanding and management of their valuable biodiversity.

It seems possible, given the recent history of modern humans and the WHEN NEANDERTHALS ultimate extinction of Neanderthals, that most encounters were hostile rather than amorous. Nevertheless, the evidence of sexual liaison is undeniably present in the genomes of all non-African humans, a recent MET (MODERN) HUMANS discovery that turned all those Neanderthal jokes on us. Tom and colleagues are trying to determine when modern humans came out of Africa and what happened when they met Neanderthals, using novel scientific dating and genetic methods. The universality of Neanderthal DNA in non-African genomes suggests that the sexual encounter/s took place soon after our departure from Africa 60,000 years ago, as it is present even in Aborigines who reached Australia up to 50,000 years ago. Even more surprising, non-Africans also carry remnants of another extinct human species named Denisovans after the Siberian cave in which a tiny, but well preserved, finger bone was discovered. It was so well preserved that it yielded a complete genome. Tom and his team are involved in research at Denisova and have new results to share with audiences in New Zealand. If you want to make sure of a place at this CENTRE

The final AWC international guest speaker is fascinating talk, register interest at [email protected] expatriate New Zealander, Tom Higham, Professor of Archaeological Science at the University of Oxford. He’ll be touring from 15 to 24 September SEPTEMBER // Professor Tom Higham

University of Oxford WILSON (see schedule below). It is an enthralling idea – the When Neanderthals and modern humans (and Denisovans) first meeting between our long lost cousins, the met: from 60,000–30,000 years ago Neanderthals - and a best selling one as imagined Professor Higham will speak in Wellington (15 Sep), Palmerston by author Jean Auel in Clan of the Cave Bear and North (16 Sep), Napier (17 Sep), Hamilton (18 Sep), Nelson (21 Sep), ALLAN its sequels. Christchurch (22 Sep), Auckland (23 Sep), Dunedin (24 Sep) 7 AN UNCOMMON GLIMPSE OF STEPHEN O’BRIEN

Conservation geneticist STEVE O’BRIEN toured New Zealand in April as the AWC’s first international series speaker for 2015

Steve O’Brien is a charismatic Florida. They were degenerate, with over 85% malformed and compelling story-teller. sperm, a high incidence of cryptorchidism (where one or both And what greater story to testicles do not descend), and a much higher susceptibility tell than the touch-and-go to disease. It took some time for Steve to convince all the recovery of the big cats from parties involved to import eight female Texas cougars from near extinction. Cheetahs the other side of the Mississippi. The population is now over are so reduced in genetic 500, and has recovered its vigour in that short space of time. diversity that they can accept The reluctance to import the cougars stemmed from common, skin grafts from each other – pre-genetic era confusions about species purity. Geographical a novel experiment directed separation doesn’t always mean a genetic difference. Sorting out by Steve to demonstrate tiger sub-species, using genetics, may be just the breakthrough that they were virtual clones. There is only an average of needed to save them from extinction. The total tiger population one difference in 300,000 DNA base pairs between them, has reduced from 100,000 to 3,000 in a century, and nothing compared to c100,000 base pairs in humans. The “DNA clock” seems to be working despite the backing of people like Vladimir dates the genetic bottleneck back 10,000 years to the late Putin and Brad Pitt. Genetic analysis showed that the small Pleistocene, when some catastrophic event in America wiped population of Amir tigers hanging on in far north east Asia was out 40 species of large mammals, including mammoth and in fact the same as the thought-to-be extinct Caspian tiger, giant sloth. Fortunately, some cheetah had migrated to the and therefore could theoretically be reintroduced East over an Ice Age land bridge and ensured the survival of to the enormous territory around the Caspian this magnificent triumph of bio-engineering just long enough Sea, where humans are sparse. Whether the for conservationists like Steve to bring science to their aid. politics allow this to happen is another matter. Steve played a direct role in saving the Florida panther But there is no more persuasive advocate (aka cougar, puma). In 1980, the population of the Florida than Steve O’Brien, who can articulate panther was just 50 and confined to swampy ground east of the scientific arguments so powerfully.

Steve O’Brien meets the cheetah brothers at Wellington Zoo

Professor Hamish Spencer Ms Wendy Newport-Smith Robin Wilkinson Glenda Lewis Director Centre Manager Pheno Researcher and Writer Editor and writer, Allan Wilson Centre Phone | 03 479 7981 Phone | 021 423 757 [email protected] [email protected] Science Tower B, Fax | 03 479 7584 [email protected] Level 2, Massey University, [email protected] Private Bag 11 222, Palmerston Partner Institutions North 4442, New Zealand Massey University, Private Bag University of Otago, Landcare Research NZ Ltd, The , Phone | 06 951 6357 11 222, Palmerston North P.O. Box 56, Dunedin PO Box 69040, Lincoln Private Bag 92019, Auckland [email protected] www.allanwilsoncentre.ac.nz , Private Bag 4800, Plant and Food Research,120 Mt Albert Road, Victoria University of Wellington, Christchurch Sandringham, Auckland 1025 P.O. Box 600, Wellington

© Allan Wilson Centre 2014. Pheno is available on request. Please email, [email protected]. Any information in this newsletter may be reused provided the Allan Wilson Centre is acknowledged as the source of the information.