DOCSLIB.ORG

Of the Ship Rat in Lowland Forest 21

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text

Load more

DANIEL: DIET OF THE SHIP RAT IN LOWLAND FOREST 21 SEA SON A l DIE T 0 F THE S HIP RAT (R A T T US R. RAT T US) IN lOWLAND FOREST IN NEW ZEALAND M. J. DANIEL Ecology Division) DSIR, Lowei~Hutt ,.".; ~ SUMMARY: The seasonal diet of ship rats in a stand of lowland podocarp~rata~broadleaf forest in North Island, New Zealand, was studied from analysis of 173 stomachs, 46 fresh droppings and 10 feeding trials. Arthropods, particularly tree-wetas. (Order Orthoptera),. were the main foods in spring and summer, while drupes, berries and nuts predominated in autumn and winter. Birds were not an important food. Seasonal variations in the diet were related to the seasonal abundance of these foods in the forest. INTRODUCTION the distribution and abundance of geckos and skinks (Whitaker 1968) and possibly of tuatara The European ship, roof or bl~k rat (Rattus r. (S phenodon punctatus) on islands, and of land rattus L.) is one of three species of rats introduced snails (Paryphanta and Placostylus spp.), native and now established in New Zealand. The others frogs (Leiopelma spp.) and rare endemic arthro- are the Norway rat (Rattus n. norvegicus Berk.) f pods such as the gjant ground weta (Deinacrida and the Polynesian rat or kiore (Rattus e. exulans spp.) (Buller 1870). Peale). Ship rats probably arrived in New Zealand in the late eighteenth and early nineteenth cen- Beveridge (1964) also found that ship rats can turies and are now widespread in to'flTlS and forests consume almost the entire seed crop of podocarp , (Dieffenbach 1843, White 1895, Wodzicki 1950, trees such as rimu (Dacrydium cupressinum), . Watson 1953). matai (Podocarpus spicatus) and kahikatea (P. dacrydioideJ) and of hardwood species such as Apart from several short notes published in the hinau (Elaeocarpus dentatus). Ring-barking of late 1800s in which the species of rat mentioned is young Pinus radiata by ship rats has been reported often open to doubt (e.g. Wilson 1878, Kingsley in Chile (Riihm 1966)-but not so far in New 1895, Buller 1871), and general surveys (Wodzicki Zealand, although podocarp and other timber tree 1950, Watson 1953, 1959), the only recent papers seedljngs are destroyed by Norway rats (Beveridge on the ecology and spread of the ship rat in New and Daniel 1965). Zealand are those by Best (1969), Daniel (1972) and Atkinson (in press) . This paper describing the seasonal foods of ship rats in indigenou~ forest is part of a long-term Buller (1873), Stead (1936), Thomson (1922) study of rodent populations and their food supply and others have suggested that ship and Norway in lowland podocarp-rata-broadleaf forest in the rats are at least partly responsible for the marked Orongorongo VaIley. Population dynamics, home reduction in numbers of species and abundance of range and reproduction have been described endemic birds. Recently ship rats irrupted on Big (Daniel 1972). South Cape Island, off Stewart Island, and exter- minated four species or subspecies of rare birds on THE STUDY AREA the island (Blackburn 1965, Merton 1965), as well as probably extenninating the southern short-tailed The study area covered about 16 ha of forest \ bat (Mystacina tuberculata robusta) (Messrs D. V. near the DSIR Field Station (41021'S, 174°58'E) ,Merton and J. McIntosh, pers. comm.). However, in the Orongorongo Valley, Wellington province. \ Best (1969) found that birds were not an import- The locality and forest vegetation have been de- ; ant food of ship rats in long established rat popu- scribed (Daniel 1972). Briefly, the forest consists !lations jn t\,\'o South Island forests. Rats may affect of three main strata: a discontinuous upper stra- / 22 PROCEEDINGS OF .THE NEW ZRALAND ECOLOGICAL SOCIETY, VOL 20, 1973 turn of emergent northern rata (M etrosideros material was identified by' comparing the colour, Tobusta) and podoca~s, (mainly rimu, I~atai ,a~d ,texture and thickness of exocarp, peri-carp and .L ",';,' '",,' miro (P. ferrugineus) varying in height frofu aJ)out endocarp fragments with a reference collection of 25m to over 35m; a discontinuous middle stratum ripe and unripe berries, drupes, seeds and nuts at about 12m to 24m consisting of several species from the study area. For arthropods, fragments of of broadleaf trees-mainly hinau, pukatea (Laur- antennae, legs and exoskeletal material were com~ elia novaezelandiae) and rewarewa (K nightia ex- pared with those of a reference collection of arth~ celsa) ; and a continuous lower stratum from about ropods. Unidentified fragments were preserved in 3m to 12m composed of small trees and shrubs. 90% alcohol for later determination by experts. Epiphytes, particularly Astelia solandri, Collo- Three methods were used to quantify stomach spermum hastatum and Freycinetia banksii, Hanes contents: such as Ripogonum scandens, Metrosideros fulgens and Muehlenbeckia australis, and five species of (1) Items were recorded as present or tree ferns are conspicuous features of this forest. absent in each stomach and the percentage frequency of occurrence was calculated (the Mean annual rainfall at the Field Station over number of stomachs in V\'hich an iteni occurred an eight year period, 1953-1960, was 2443mm expressed as a percentage of the total number range 2032 - 2743mm). Mean summer and winter of stomachs examined). temperatures over the four years 1966.69 were 15.5°C and 6.7°C respectively. Mean winter mini- (2) The number of occurrences of each mum was 2.8°C and mean summer maximum was food item was expressed as a percentage of 19.4°C. Prevailing westerly winds create turbulent the total of occurrences of all items, following conditions on the valley floor, and on the exposed Hynes (1950) and Rudge (1968). ridges gusts in excess of 160 km/hr (100 mph) are (3) A visual estimate to the nearest 10% frequent. was made of the relative volumes occupied by plant and animal matter in the contents of METHODS each stomach. L Collection of Rats Hansson (1970) discussed the usefulness and The total sample of 173 rats comprised 31 snap- limitations of these three methods. No attempt trapped on three lines from November 1966 to was made to weigh the stomachs or food items as October 1967, 125 -rats snap-trapped on and around done by Kami (1966) and Fall, Medina and the live-trapping study area from August 1968 to Jackson (1971). July 1969 and 17 rats killed during live-trapping To supplement the stomach analyses, 46 fresh studies (see Daniel 1972). droppings were collected during live-trapping from the traps and from live animals: 12 in spring 2. Stomach and Faecal Analysis (September to November), 10 in summer (Decem- Stomachs were removed from freshly killed rats ber to February), 12 in autumn (March to May) . and preserved in 90% alcohol. For analysis the and 12 in winter (June to August). The droppings . contents were placed in a petri dish and examined for each season were grouped, mixed with water in under a dissecting microscope. Fifty-three stomachs a petri dish and examined under a dissecting micro- ' out of a total of 173 (31 %) contained unidenti- scope. Although more finely comminuted than fied amorphous starchy material probably repre- many of the stomach samples, the contents of the senting kernels of hinau, rniro or nikau (Rhopalo- droppings gave a rough indication of the seasonal stylis sapida) nuts. Many food items could be frequency of plant and insect foods, and some readily identified,- e.g. the speckled femurs of tree plants and insects could be identified from smiH wetas (Hemideina thoracica), the spotted endo- fragments. The seasonal changes in plant and' carp of supplejack (Ripogonum scan dens ) berries animal foods followed ,the same trends as those; 'and the green exocarp of hinau drupes. Plant from stomach contents. DANIEL: DIET OF THE SUIl' RAT IN LOWLAND FOREST 23 TABLE 1. Analysis of 173 ship rat stomachs showing number of occurrences of each food item, its percentage frequency of occurrence and contribution to the diet. SPRING SUMMER AUTUMN WINTER ALL SEASONS % % % % % % % % % % No. Occur. Diet No. Occur- Diet No. Occur. Diet No. Occur- Diet No. Occur. Diet ence ence ence ence ence - - PLANT MATTER Unid. pericarp 10 24 16 3 7 4 24 55 36 16 43 30 53 32 20 Elaeocarpus dentatus 0 0 0 0 0 0 2 5 3 7 19 13 9 5 3 Hedycarya arborca 2 5 3 7 16 9 1 2 1 3 8 6 13 8 5 Rhipogonum scandens 3 7 5 0 0 0 6 14 9 5 14 9 14 8 5 Rhopalostylis sapida 0 0 0 0 0 0 2 5 3 1 3 2 3 2 1 Coprosma spp. 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2 5 4 2 1 1 Schefflera digitata 1 2 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 3 2 2 1 1 Corynocarpus laevigatus 0 0 0 1 2 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 1 I Macropiper excelsum 0 0 0 3 7 4 8 18 12 2 5 4 13 8 5 Green leaves'*' 1 1 27 18 10 22 13 4 9 6 2 5 4 27 16 10 Fungi 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 4 1 1 7 4 2 2 STOMACHS WITH PLANT MATTER 27 64 - U 51 - 40 89 - 34 87 -- 125 72 - ANIMAL MATTER Unid. Arthropods 4 10 7 6 13 8 4 9 6 1 3 -? 15 9 6 Orthoptera H emideina thoracica 22 54 36 25 56 33 15 34 22 5 14 9 67 40 26 Unid. Orthoptera 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 2 1 0 0 0 1 1 1 Lepidoptera adults 1 2 2 1 2 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 2 1 1 larvae 2 5 3 0 0 0 0 0 0 2 5 4 4 2 2 Phasmatodea Phasmatoda 2 5 3 2 4 3 0 0 0 1 3 2 5 3 2 Coleoptera 2 2 3 5 11 7 0 0 0 0 0 0 7 4 3 Hemiptera CicadeIlidae 0 0 0 8 18 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 8 5 3 Diptera pupae 0 0 0 2 4 3 0 0 0 1 3 2 3 2 1 Araneae Araneidae 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 3 2 1 1 1 Hymenoptera Formicidae 1 2 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 1 1 Mollusca Wainuia urnula 0 0 0 2 4 3 0 0 0 0 0 0 2 1 1 Aves U nid.
Recommended publications
  • Otanewainuku ED (Report Prepared on 13 August 2013)

    Otanewainuku ED (Report Prepared on 13 August 2013)

    1 NZFRI collection wish list for Otanewainuku ED (Report prepared on 13 August 2013) Fern Ally Isolepis cernua Lycopodiaceae Isolepis inundata Lycopodium fastigiatum Isolepis marginata Lycopodium scariosum Isolepis pottsii Psilotaceae Isolepis prolifera Tmesipteris lanceolata Lepidosperma australe Lepidosperma laterale Gymnosperm Schoenoplectus pungens Cupressaceae Schoenoplectus tabernaemontani Chamaecyparis lawsoniana Schoenus apogon Cupressus macrocarpa Schoenus tendo Pinaceae Uncinia filiformis Pinus contorta Uncinia gracilenta Pinus patula Uncinia rupestris Pinus pinaster Uncinia scabra Pinus ponderosa Hemerocallidaceae Pinus radiata Dianella nigra Pinus strobus Phormium cookianum subsp. hookeri Podocarpaceae Phormium tenax Podocarpus totara var. totara Iridaceae Prumnopitys taxifolia Crocosmia xcrocosmiiflora Libertia grandiflora Monocotyledon Libertia ixioides Agapanthaceae Watsonia bulbillifera Agapanthus praecox Juncaceae Alliaceae Juncus articulatus Allium triquetrum Juncus australis Araceae Juncus conglomeratus Alocasia brisbanensis Juncus distegus Arum italicum Juncus edgariae Lemna minor Juncus effusus var. effusus Zantedeschia aethiopica Juncus sarophorus Arecaceae Juncus tenuis var. tenuis Rhopalostylis sapida Luzula congesta Asparagaceae Luzula multiflora Asparagus aethiopicus Luzula picta var. limosa Asparagus asparagoides Orchidaceae Cordyline australis x banksii Acianthus sinclairii Cordyline banksii x pumilio Aporostylis bifolia Asteliaceae Corunastylis nuda Collospermum microspermum Diplodium alobulum Commelinaceae
  • Flora of New Zealand Mosses

    Flora of New Zealand Mosses

    FLORA OF NEW ZEALAND MOSSES BRACHYTHECIACEAE A.J. FIFE Fascicle 46 – JUNE 2020 © Landcare Research New Zealand Limited 2020. Unless indicated otherwise for specific items, this copyright work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International licence Attribution if redistributing to the public without adaptation: "Source: Manaaki Whenua – Landcare Research" Attribution if making an adaptation or derivative work: "Sourced from Manaaki Whenua – Landcare Research" See Image Information for copyright and licence details for images. CATALOGUING IN PUBLICATION Fife, Allan J. (Allan James), 1951- Flora of New Zealand : mosses. Fascicle 46, Brachytheciaceae / Allan J. Fife. -- Lincoln, N.Z. : Manaaki Whenua Press, 2020. 1 online resource ISBN 978-0-947525-65-1 (pdf) ISBN 978-0-478-34747-0 (set) 1. Mosses -- New Zealand -- Identification. I. Title. II. Manaaki Whenua-Landcare Research New Zealand Ltd. UDC 582.345.16(931) DC 588.20993 DOI: 10.7931/w15y-gz43 This work should be cited as: Fife, A.J. 2020: Brachytheciaceae. In: Smissen, R.; Wilton, A.D. Flora of New Zealand – Mosses. Fascicle 46. Manaaki Whenua Press, Lincoln. http://dx.doi.org/10.7931/w15y-gz43 Date submitted: 9 May 2019 ; Date accepted: 15 Aug 2019 Cover image: Eurhynchium asperipes, habit with capsule, moist. Drawn by Rebecca Wagstaff from A.J. Fife 6828, CHR 449024. Contents Introduction..............................................................................................................................................1 Typification...............................................................................................................................................1
  • Patterns of Flammability Across the Vascular Plant Phylogeny, with Special Emphasis on the Genus Dracophyllum

    Patterns of Flammability Across the Vascular Plant Phylogeny, with Special Emphasis on the Genus Dracophyllum

    Lincoln University Digital Thesis Copyright Statement The digital copy of this thesis is protected by the Copyright Act 1994 (New Zealand). This thesis may be consulted by you, provided you comply with the provisions of the Act and the following conditions of use: you will use the copy only for the purposes of research or private study you will recognise the author's right to be identified as the author of the thesis and due acknowledgement will be made to the author where appropriate you will obtain the author's permission before publishing any material from the thesis. Patterns of flammability across the vascular plant phylogeny, with special emphasis on the genus Dracophyllum A thesis submitted in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the Degree of Doctor of philosophy at Lincoln University by Xinglei Cui Lincoln University 2020 Abstract of a thesis submitted in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the Degree of Doctor of philosophy. Abstract Patterns of flammability across the vascular plant phylogeny, with special emphasis on the genus Dracophyllum by Xinglei Cui Fire has been part of the environment for the entire history of terrestrial plants and is a common disturbance agent in many ecosystems across the world. Fire has a significant role in influencing the structure, pattern and function of many ecosystems. Plant flammability, which is the ability of a plant to burn and sustain a flame, is an important driver of fire in terrestrial ecosystems and thus has a fundamental role in ecosystem dynamics and species evolution. However, the factors that have influenced the evolution of flammability remain unclear.
  • Conservation Biology Project Reports of Cleardale Station and Taniwha Farm, Rakaia Gorge, Canterbury, New Zealand

    Conservation Biology Project Reports of Cleardale Station and Taniwha Farm, Rakaia Gorge, Canterbury, New Zealand

    Conservation biology project reports of Cleardale Station and Taniwha Farm, Rakaia Gorge, Canterbury, New Zealand Edited by Nick Dickinson & Mike Bowie Lincoln University Wildlife Management Report No. 73 2020 ©Department of Pest-management & Conservation, Lincoln University ISSN: 1179-7738 ISBN: 978-0-86476-451-5 Lincoln University Wildlife Management Report No. 73 September 2020 Conservation biology project reports of Cleardale Station and Taniwha Farm, Rakaia Gorge, Canterbury, New Zealand Cleardale Station looking towards Rakaia River (Photo: Tanmayi Pagadala) Edited by Nick Dickinson and Mike Bowie Department of Pest-management & Conservation, Lincoln University, PO Box 85084, Lincoln 7647 Email:[email protected] i Contents List of Tables ............................................................................................................................v List of Figures .......................................................................................................................... vi Introduction ............................................................................................................................ 1 Cleardale and Taniwha Stations ............................................................................................... 2 : Habitat Preference of Birds ................................................................................... 3 Fraser Gurney Abstract ...............................................................................................................................................3
  • Nzbotsoc No 78 Dec 2004

    Nzbotsoc No 78 Dec 2004

    NEW ZEALAND BOTANICAL SOCIETY NEWSLETTER NUMBER 78 DECEMBER 2004 New Zealand Botanical Society President: Anthony Wright Secretary/Treasurer: Aaron Wilton Committee: Bruce Clarkson, Colin Webb, Carol West Address: c/- Canterbury Museum Rolleston Avenue CHRISTCHURCH 8001 Subscriptions The 2004 ordinary and institutional subscriptions are $25 (reduced to $18 if paid by the due date on the subscription invoice). The 2004 student subscription, available to full-time students, is $9 (reduced to $7 if paid by the due date on the subscription invoice). Back issues of the Newsletter are available at $2.50 each from Number 1 (August 1985) to Number 46 (December 1996), $3.00 each from Number 47 (March 1997) to Number 50 (December 1997), and $3.75 each from Number 51 (March 1998) onwards. Since 1986 the Newsletter has appeared quarterly in March, June, September and December. New subscriptions are always welcome and these, together with back issue orders, should be sent to the Secretary/Treasurer (address above). Subscriptions are due by 28th February each year for that calendar year. Existing subscribers are sent an invoice with the December Newsletter for the next years subscription which offers a reduction if this is paid by the due date. If you are in arrears with your subscription a reminder notice comes attached to each issue of the Newsletter. Deadline for next issue The deadline for the March 2005 issue (79) is 25 February 2005. Please post contributions to: Joy Talbot 17 Ford Road Christchurch 8002 Send email contributions to [email protected] or [email protected]. Files are preferably in MS Word (Word XP or earlier) or saved as RTF or ASCII.
  • Otago Peninsula Plants

    Otago Peninsula Plants

    Otago Peninsula Plants An annotated list of vascular plants growing in wild places Peter Johnson 2004 Published by Save The Otago Peninsula (STOP) Inc. P.O. Box 23 Portobello Dunedin, New Zealand ISBN 0-476-00473-X Contents Introduction...........................................................................................3 Maps......................................................................................................4 Study area and methods ........................................................................6 Plant identification................................................................................6 The Otago Peninsula environment........................................................7 Vegetation and habitats.........................................................................8 Analysis of the flora............................................................................10 Plant species not recently recorded.....................................................12 Abundance and rarity of the current flora...........................................13 Nationally threatened and uncommon plants......................................15 Weeds..................................................................................................17 List of plants .......................................................................................20 Ferns and fern allies ........................................................................21 Gymnosperms ..................................................................................27
  • The Risk of Injurious and Toxic Plants Growing in Kindergartens Vanesa Pérez Cuadra, Viviana Cambi, María De Los Ángeles Rueda, and Melina Calfuán

    The Risk of Injurious and Toxic Plants Growing in Kindergartens Vanesa Pérez Cuadra, Viviana Cambi, María De Los Ángeles Rueda, and Melina Calfuán

    Consequences of the Loss of Traditional Knowledge: The risk of injurious and toxic plants growing in kindergartens Vanesa Pérez Cuadra, Viviana Cambi, María de los Ángeles Rueda, and Melina Calfuán Education Abstract The plant kingdom is a producer of poisons from a vari- ered an option for people with poor education or low eco- ety of toxic species. Nevertheless prevention of plant poi- nomic status or simply as a religious superstition (Rates sonings in Argentina is disregarded. As children are more 2001). affected, an evaluation of the dangerous plants present in kindergartens, and about the knowledge of teachers in Man has always been attracted to plants whether for their charge about them, has been conducted. Floristic inven- beauty or economic use (source of food, fibers, dyes, etc.) tories and semi-structured interviews with teachers were but the idea that they might be harmful for health is ac- carried out at 85 institutions of Bahía Blanca City. A total tually uncommon (Turner & Szcawinski 1991, Wagstaff of 303 species were identified, from which 208 are consid- 2008). However, poisonings by plants in humans repre- ered to be harmless, 66 moderately and 29 highly harm- sent a significant percentage of toxicological consulta- ful. Of the moderately harmful, 54% produce phytodema- tions (Córdoba et al. 2003, Nelson et al. 2007). titis, and among the highly dangerous those with alkaloids and cyanogenic compounds predominate. The number of Although most plants do not have any known toxins, there dangerous plants species present in each institution var- is a variety of species with positive toxicological studies ies from none to 45.
  • Habitat Requirements, Translocation and Management of the Critically Endangered Cromwell Chafer Beetle Prodontria Lewisii Broun

    Habitat Requirements, Translocation and Management of the Critically Endangered Cromwell Chafer Beetle Prodontria Lewisii Broun

    Copyright is owned by the Author of the thesis. Permission is given for a copy to be downloaded by an individual for the purpose of research and private study only. The thesis may not be reproduced elsewhere without the permission of the Author. Habitat requirements, translocation and management of the critically endangered Cromwell chafer beetle Prodontria lewisii Broun A thesis submitted in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Masters of Science in Zoology Massey University, Palmerston North New Zealand Emma Rachel Curtin 2012 1 Abstract Translocation is an important tool for the conservation of endangered species with threatened habitats and low population numbers. Without high habitat quality, translocations have low chances of success, regardless of how many organisms are released or how well they are prepared for the release. It is therefore crucial to be able to identify sites in which translocations are most likely to be successful based on key environmental characteristics specific to the species and habitat in question. Species information is also needed to determine critical life history traits and minimum habitat fragment sizes. The Cromwell chafer beetle Prodontria lewisii Broun is an ideal candidate for translocation because it has a very limited habitat range, being entirely confined to the 81 ha Cromwell Chafer Beetle Nature Reserve (CCBNR) in Cromwell, Central Otago. The entire population is estimated to contain about 3,000 individuals. This study aimed to identify key plant and soil sites for optimum larval and adult survival by using a combination of field and laboratory-based studies. Larvae survived significantly better on the cushion plant Raoulia and on the grass Festuca rubra than on silver tussock Poa cita, despite this being the plant with which they are traditionally associated.
  • Co-Extinction of Mutualistic Species – an Analysis of Ornithophilous Angiosperms in New Zealand

    Co-Extinction of Mutualistic Species – an Analysis of Ornithophilous Angiosperms in New Zealand

    DEPARTMENT OF BIOLOGICAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES CO-EXTINCTION OF MUTUALISTIC SPECIES An analysis of ornithophilous angiosperms in New Zealand Sandra Palmqvist Degree project for Master of Science (120 hec) with a major in Environmental Science ES2500 Examination Course in Environmental Science, 30 hec Second cycle Semester/year: Spring 2021 Supervisor: Søren Faurby - Department of Biological & Environmental Sciences Examiner: Johan Uddling - Department of Biological & Environmental Sciences “Tui. Adult feeding on flax nectar, showing pollen rubbing onto forehead. Dunedin, December 2008. Image © Craig McKenzie by Craig McKenzie.” http://nzbirdsonline.org.nz/sites/all/files/1200543Tui2.jpg Table of Contents Abstract: Co-extinction of mutualistic species – An analysis of ornithophilous angiosperms in New Zealand ..................................................................................................... 1 Populärvetenskaplig sammanfattning: Samutrotning av mutualistiska arter – En analys av fågelpollinerade angiospermer i New Zealand ................................................................... 3 1. Introduction ............................................................................................................................... 5 2. Material and methods ............................................................................................................... 7 2.1 List of plant species, flower colours and conservation status ....................................... 7 2.1.1 Flower Colours .............................................................................................................
  • Flora of Australia, Volume 46, Iridaceae to Dioscoreaceae

    Flora of Australia, Volume 46, Iridaceae to Dioscoreaceae

    FLORA OF AUSTRALIA Volume 46 Iridaceae to Dioscoreaceae This volume was published before the Commonwealth Government moved to Creative Commons Licensing. © Commonwealth of Australia 1986. This work is copyright. You may download, display, print and reproduce this material in unaltered form only (retaining this notice) for your personal, non-commercial use or use within your organisation. Apart from any use as permitted under the Copyright Act 1968, no part may be reproduced or distributed by any process or stored in any retrieval system or data base without prior written permission from the copyright holder. Requests and inquiries concerning reproduction and rights should be addressed to: [email protected] FLORA OF AUSTRALIA The nine families in this volume of the Flora of Australia are Iridaceae, Aloeaceae, Agavaceae, Xanthorrhoeaceae, Hanguan- aceae, Taccaceae, Stemonaceae, Smilacaceae and Dioscoreaceae. The Xanthorrhoeaceae has the largest representation with 10 genera and 99 species. Most are endemic with a few species of Lomandra and Romnalda extending to neighbouring islands. The family includes the spectacular blackboys and grass-trees. The Iridaceae is largely represented by naturalised species with 52 of the 78 species being introduced. Many of the introductions are ornamentals and several have become serious weeds. Patersonia is the largest genus with all 17 species endemic. Some of these are cultivated as ornamentals. The Dioscoreaccae is a family of economic significance, particularly in the old world tropics where some species are cultivated or collected for their tubers and bulbils. In Australia there are 5 species, one of which is a recent introduction. The endemic and native species, commonly known as yams, are traditionally eaten by the Aborigines.
  • Phenology, Seasonality and Trait Relationships in a New Zealand Forest., Victoria University of Wellington, 2018

    Phenology, Seasonality and Trait Relationships in a New Zealand Forest., Victoria University of Wellington, 2018

    Phenology, seasonality and trait relationships in a New Zealand forest SHARADA PAUDEL A thesis submitted to Victoria University of Wellington In fulfilment of the requirements for Master of Science in Ecology and Biodiversity School of Biological Sciences Victoria University of Wellington 2018 Sharada Paudel: Phenology, seasonality and trait relationships in a New Zealand forest., Victoria University of Wellington, 2018 ii SUPERVISORS Associate Professor Kevin Burns (Primary Supervisor) Victoria University of Wellington Associate Professor Ben Bell (Secondary Supervisor) Victoria University of Wellington iii Abstract The phenologies of flowers, fruits and leaves can have profound implications for plant community structure and function. Despite this only a few studies have documented fruit and flower phenologies in New Zealand while there are even fewer studies on leaf production and abscission phenologies. To address this limitation, I measured phenological patterns in leaves, flowers and fruits in 12 common forest plant species in New Zealand over two years. All three phenologies showed significant and consistent seasonality with an increase in growth and reproduction around the onset of favourable climatic conditions; flowering peaked in early spring, leaf production peaked in mid- spring and fruit production peaked in mid-summer coincident with annual peaks in temperature and photoperiodicity. Leaf abscission, however, occurred in late autumn, coincident with the onset of less productive environmental conditions. I also investigated differences in leaf longevities and assessed how seasonal cycles in the timing of leaf production and leaf abscission times might interact with leaf mass per area (LMA) in determining leaf longevity. Leaf longevity was strongly associated with LMA but also with seasonal variation in climate.
  • Download Article As 724.4 KB PDF File

    Download Article As 724.4 KB PDF File

    66 AvailableNew on-lineZealand at: Journal http://www.newzealandecology.org/nzje/ of Ecology, Vol. 34, No. 1, 2010 special issue: Feathers to Fur The ecological transformation of Aotearoa/New Zealand Mutualisms with the wreckage of an avifauna: the status of bird pollination and fruit- dispersal in New Zealand Dave Kelly1*, Jenny J. Ladley1, Alastair W. Robertson2, Sandra H. Anderson3, Debra M. Wotton1, and Susan K. Wiser4 1School of Biological Sciences, University of Canterbury, Private Bag 4800, Christchurch 8140, New Zealand 2Ecology, Institute of Natural Resources, Massey University, Private Bag 11222, Palmerston North 4474, New Zealand 3School of Environment, University of Auckland, Private Bag 92019, Auckland 1010, New Zealand 4Landcare Research, PO Box 40, Lincoln 7640, New Zealand *Author for correspondence (Email: [email protected]) Published on-line: 9 November 2009 Abstract: Worldwide declines in bird numbers have recently renewed interest in how well bird–plant mutualisms are functioning. In New Zealand, it has been argued that bird pollination was relatively unimportant and bird- pollination failure was unlikely to threaten any New Zealand plants, whereas dispersal mutualisms were widespread and in some cases potentially at risk because of reliance on a single large frugivore, the kereru (Hemiphaga novaeseelandiae). Work since 1989, however, has changed that assessment. Smaller individual fruits of most plant species can be dispersed by mid-sized birds such as tui (Prosthemadera novaezelandiae) because both fruits and birds vary in size within a species. Only one species (Beilschmiedia tarairi) has no individual fruits small enough for this to occur. Germination of 19 fleshy-fruited species, including most species with fruits >8 mm diameter, does not depend on birds removing the fruit pulp.