DOCSLIB.ORG

A Fossil Vertebrate Fauna Accumulated by Laughing Owls (Sceloglaux Albifacies) on the Gouland Downs, Northwest Nelson, South Island

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
A Fossil Vertebrate Fauna Accumulated by Laughing Owls (Sceloglaux Albifacies) on the Gouland Downs, Northwest Nelson, South Island Checklist for authors Please use this checklist to ensure that your manuscript has a smooth passage through the editorial system Include three identical double-spaced copies of the MS, single-sided, on numbered pages; MSS presented otherwise will be delayed until three copies double-spaced copies have been provided Three copies of all figures and tables, with captions double-spaced on separate sheets Full title and suggested running header on title page Provide names and addresses of all authors on the title page No original figures or electronic copies included on first submission All figures and tables cited in text Format and conventions as far as possible in journal format as laid out in Instvuctions to Authors published in first issue of each year from March 2000 References in journal style, with no abbreviated journal or book titles For a paper, an Abstract of not more than 150 words For all submissions, up to seven keywords Ensure that the figures and tables follow the journal format so far as possible A covering letter signed by the senior or communicating author, with explicit statements that the work has not been published before, is not being considered for publication elsewhere, and that the MS has the agreement of all authors Notornis ,2001, Vol. 48: 225-233 0029-4470 O The Ornithological Society of New Zealand, Inc. 2001 A fossil vertebrate fauna accumulated by laughing owls (Sceloglaux albifacies) on the Gouland Downs, northwest Nelson, South Island TREVOR H. WORTHY Palaeofaunal Surveys, 2A Willow Park Drive, Masterton, New Zealand [email protected] Abstract A rich fossil fauna accumulated by laughing owls (Sceloglaux albfacies) during the Holocene, is described from GDlOl Cave, on the Gouland Downs, northwest Nelson, South Island, New Zealand. Twenty-eight species of bird, a tuatara, 3 frogs, at least 4 geckos, 1 skink, 2 bats, and 2 fish contribute to the species diversity. The fauna includes the first inland fossil record of New Zealand dotterel (Charadrius obscurus).The taphonomy of the deposit and the diet of the owl are discussed. Worthy, T.H. 2001. Afossil vertebrate fauna accumulated by laughing owls (Sceloglaux albfacies) on the Gouland Downs, northwest Nelson, New Zealand. Notornis 48(4): 225-233. Keywords fossil fauna; prey remains; Sceloglaux; laughing owl; taphonomy; Gouland Downs; New Zealand INTRODUCTION The exceptions are the 3 faunas from Takaka Hill, Fossil faunas reveal something of the past life in a which have been attributed to laughing owls region and provide valuable insights on past dis- (Sceloglaux albifacies). Two of these, Predator Cave tributions and ecology of animals. In addition, and Hawke's Cave owl deposits, have been de- where a fossil deposit results from the feeding ac- scribed (Worthy & Holdaway 1994a, 1996), but a tivities of a predator, it can be invaluable in under- 3rd in Kairuru Cave, has been only recently exca- standing that predator's biology. This paper de- vated by the author and R. N. Holdaway (MNZ scribes a unique fossil fauna from the Gouland collection, unpubl. data). Downs in Northwest Nelson, South Island, New The fauna described here from the Gouland Zealand. Downs is attributed to the activities of laughing owls Although fossil faunas have not been described and comes from a site at relatively high altitude in from the Gouland Downs area before, others have an area with both open and forested habitats. Laugh- been from Honeycomb Hill Cave in the Oparara ing owls preyed on a wide variety of species (Wor- Basin (Worthy & Mildenhall 1989; Worthy 1993)and thy & Holdaway 1994a,b; Holdaway &Worthy 1996), Megamania Cave in the Gunner River Valley to the and so deposits accumulating their prey remains south (Worthy 1998). To the west, small faunal as- differ greatly from the pitfall trapped faunas more semblages are known from caves on the coast near commonly found in caves. The latter are dominated Paturau (author's unpubl. data). East of Gouland by flightless species and there is a heavy bias towards Downs, faunas are known from Mt Arthur and Mt larger species being both preserved and found. The Owen (Worthy 1989) and the Takaka region (Wor- rich and diverse fauna reported here adds signifi- thy & Holdaway 199413). However, except for 3 on cantly to knowledge of the prehuman fauna of the Takaka Hill, these sites are not comparable. The area, particularly of the small vertebrates, and to many sites in Honeycomb Hill Cave are all at a knowledge of the diet of the laughing owl. lower elevation, and those at Megamania lower still. All are primarily pitfall deposits with the occasional SITE LOCATION vagrant death represented as well. On the high al- The fossil site is in GDlOl Cave at an elevation of titude sites on Mt Arthur and Mt Owen, all faunas c.620 m on the Gouland Downs, Northwest Nelson, have a pitfall origin, as do most in the Takaka area. South Island (Fig. 1). The cave lies within an out- crop of limestone about 250 m wide and 1km long in the floor of the Gouland Downs and it carries a Received 3 October 2000; accepted 23 March 2001 stream westward through a beech forest remnant. 226 Worthy Cape Farewell Tasman Mountains Gunner Downs LPJKaramea River Fig. 1 The location of GDlOl Cave, South Island, New Zealand, showing major rivers and the nearby major fossil sites of Megamania Cave and Honeycomb Hill Cave. Other major fossil localities include Mount Arthur, about 40 km east of Honeycomb Hill Cave, and Takaka Hill on the range east of and parallel to Takaka River. New Zealand metric grid. Fossil vertebrates from Gouland Downs 227 The fossils were found in the resurgence entrance rocky outcrops support a low, sparse forest of of this cave, NZMS 260,1:50,000, M26 554350. The Nothofagus spp. and Dacrydium spp. The Downs are entrance is c.10 m wide and is c.6 m high in the crossed at regular intervals by swift-flowing middle and opens to the west, so receiving after- streams with gravel or stony beds. noon sun. The floor of the entrance is, at its lowest The native avifauna of the Gouland Downs area point, c.3 m above the ground below, but the fossil- is limited at present. On 6 September 1999, I saw or bearing ledges are c.5 m above the ground and face heard the following birds within 1 km of the cave: towards the centre of the entrance. The edge of the great spotted kiwi (Apteryx haastii), blue duck ledge is U-shaped, so is furthest back from the en- (Hymenolaimus malacorhynchos), morepork (Ninox trance drip-line in the centre and converges on the novaeseelandiae), weka (Gallirallus australis), kea drip-line at either side. Walking or climbing access (Nestor notabilis), rifleman (Acanthisitta chloris) [very is not possible from this western opening, but rather common], tomtit (Petroica macrocephala), welcome is effected through a tom0 entrance c.20 m back from swallow (Hirundo tahitica), pipit (Anthus the cliff edge, and then negotiating a series of novaeseelandiae), fernbird (Bowdleria punctata), grey rockfall slopes. warbler (Gerygone igata), bellbird (Anthornis The fossil deposit is on the ledge on the true right melanura), silvereye (Zosterops lateralis), blackbird (northern) side of the entrance where the sediment (Turdus merula), and goldfinch (Carduelis carduelis). slopes down from the wall for c.3 m to the vertical Of other species, yellow-crowned parakeets drop. The sediment is composed of the weathering (~~anoram~kusauriceps) are uncommon in the area, products of the Oligocene limestone roof and walls. and kaka (Nestor meridionalis) and falcon (Falco It is a yellowish-brown sandy loam with many frag- novaeseelandiae) could be expected to visit the area. ments of barnacles, and includes many pieces of Brown creeper (Mohoua novieseelandiae) are present limestone spalled from the roof. Material that has in nearby forests. slid downslope off the ledge has been washed away The extant herpetofauna in the area is unknown. by the stream flowing from the waterfall in the cen- tre of the entrance. Fossils were found along c.5 m METHODS of this ledge from a point where the sediment ex- I first identified fossil bones at the site on 6 Sep- tends closest to the drip-line of the entrance on the tember 1999 and found that the deposit contained northern wall. Sieving of test samples showed that a diverse fauna of birds and reptiles. On 9 May bones were concentrated in the middle of the zone 2000, Don Fraser and I excavated about 2.5 m2 of around a hollow c.500 mm across and 200 mm deep the site, leaving fossiliferous sediment extending against the cave wall. The top 150 mm of the de- at least 2 m on either side. Within the 2.5 m2, work- posit in this region had a ge-ater organic compo- ing upslope from the cliff-edge, all sediment nent appearing as a reddish loam, but below this trapped behind larger limestone blocks was sieved the sediments were yellowish and had no bone. The first, followed by an area c.1 m wide about the 'nest- hollow was probably a nest. hollow'. The sediment was excavated to a depth of c.250 mm because bones were concentrated in the Extant vegetation and fauna of the study area top 150 mm; the sediment below 250 mm was bar- Druce & Simpson (1974) described the vegetation ren. The sediment was passed through a sieve (6 of the Gouland Downs. The limestone areas are mm-mesh) onto a 2 mm-mesh sieve. Bones were vegetated in a mixed silver beech (Nothofagus sorted on site from the material retained in the 6 menziesii) and mountain beech (N.
Load more

Recommended publications
  • The Beavertown News April 2021
    The Beavertown News April 2021 MARLBOROUGH ULYSSES RESCUE RIDE. TH SATURDAY 24 APRIL. Raising Funds for the NELSON/MARLBOROUGH RESCUE HELICOPTER. Meet at Picton Marina Carpark off Waikawa Rd, 11-30am. Depart 12-00 mid-day & ride through to Blenheim, ending at Brayshaw Park Carpark. Bar-B-Que Sausages, onions & sauce with bread $2-00 each. Badges $10-00. Open to all registered bikes, scooters & three wheelers. All Proceeds to The Nelson/Marlborough Helicopter. Organised by Marlborough Branch of Ulysses. 1 BRANCH COORDINATOR Tim Wills Ph 579 2363 [email protected] SECRETARY Melissa Wills Ph 579 2363 94 Howick Road, Blenheim 7201 [email protected] TREASURER Allan de Reeper Ph 579 1173 COMMITTEE MEMBERS Jock Woodley Ph 573 9139 John Sinclair Ph 578 7110 Carol Spaulding Ph 021 872 443 Kelvin Watson Ph 577 6822 Neil Dixon Ph 0224676409 Andrew Noble Ph 578 2443 CLUB NIGHT ORGANISER Kelvin Watson Ph 577 6822 WELFARE OFFICER Chris Donaldson Ph 027 853 3670 [email protected] RETREADS RIDERS (Thursday Rides) John Sinclair Ph 578 7110 Grant Johnson Ph 578 0901 BRANCH SHERIFF Jock Woodley Ph 573 9139 [email protected] BRANCH QUARTERMASTER (Ulysses gear orders) Evan Teale Ph 03 972 0481 COMMUNITY NOTICES COORDINATOR Evan Teale Ph 03 972 0481 WEBMASTER Bob Marks Ph 547 1177 [email protected] NEWSLETTER EDITOR Louise Pearce Ph 027 448 9290 [email protected] 2 Coordinator’s Word Hi everyone Welcome to April’s addition of the Marlborough Ulyssian it seems like just the other day I did the last coordinators word the months are flying by.
    [Show full text]
  • Nga¯ Tohu O Nga¯ Kairaranga: the Signs of the Weavers Hokimate Pamela Harwood Memory Connection Volume 1 Number 1 © 2011 the Memory Waka
    Memory Connection Volume 1 Number 1 © 2011 The Memory Waka Nga¯ Tohu o nga¯ Kairaranga: The Signs of the Weavers Hokimate Pamela Harwood Memory Connection Volume 1 Number 1 © 2011 The Memory Waka Nga¯ Tohu o nga¯ Kairaranga: The Signs of the Weavers Hokimate Pamela Harwood Abstract The whakapapa (genealogy) and histories of iwi Ma¯ori (tribe/peoples) are continued within oral histories, and they are represented in our taonga (Ma¯ori treasures) such as toi whakairo (carving), ta¯ moko (tattoo), and whatu raranga (weaving). This article explores findings from the feather identification of Ma¯ori ka¯kahu (cloaks) in the Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa. By examining the techniques and materials used in the making of selected cloaks, I reflect on how this information can potentially tell us about the weaver, the intended wearer, events, and the time and environment in which they were living. I argue that the discovery of possible feather “signatures” in ka¯kahu means that cloaks are a tangible form of retaining histories and memories. Finally, I propose that museums play an important role in unlocking and interpreting the knowledge needed to reconnect these taonga to their origins. Keywords: whakapapa, taonga, weavers, Ma¯ori, cloaks, feathers, signatures, museum 437 Nga¯Tohu o nga¯Kairaranga: The Signs of the Weavers Hokimate Pamela Harwood Rarangahia te korari ka kitea te wha¯nau Weave the flax and find the family Whakairotia te ra¯kau ka kitea te tupuna Carve the wood and find the ancestor Ta¯mokohia te kiri ka kitea te tangata Incise the skin and find the person.
    [Show full text]
  • Die Region Westland
    722 Die Region Westland Lake Matheson, der „Mirror Lake“ der Westküste Die Region Westland Die Westküste der Südinsel ist ein langer schmaler Streifen zwischen der Tasmansee und den Neuseeländischen Alpen. Urwald und ausgedehnte Forste, Gletscher, die fast ans Meer heranreichen, die höchsten Berge und eine Reihe von Orten aus der Goldrauschzeit findet man an der Westküste. Und in den Flüssen neuseeländische Jade – Pounamu. Wie keine andere Region des Landes (außer vielleicht Fiordland) bekommt West- Die Reg land Wind und Regen ab; es liegt genau in der Westwindzone, ohne dabei von vor- Westlan gelagerten Inseln geschützt zu sein. Große Gebiete der Küste, besonders die alten Gletschermoränen und die Flussebenen, sind von Mooren bedeckt. Durch das Abholzen des Urwaldes über weite Strecken wurde der Boden ausgelaugt, Land- wirtschaft ist kaum irgendwo möglich und überall unwirtschaftlich. Die Goldrauschphase Westlands hat einige interessante Orte hinterlassen: Black- ball, Ross und Okarito gehören dazu. Sie hat aber auch das Wachstum der Hafen- orte gefördert: Westport, Greymouth und Hokitika haben davon profitiert. Natur- phänomene wie die Karstlandschaft bei Karamea, die gestreiften Pancake Rocks bei Punakaiki, v. a. aber die beiden Tieflandgletscher Fox Glacier und Franz Josef Glacier rückten erst mit dem beginnenden Tourismus in das Bewusstsein der Neu- seeländer. Wandern, Bergsteigen, Trekking, Raften heißen die Sportarten der West- Die Reg küste, aber nicht Baden – die Strände sind dazu fast überall viel zu gefährlich und Westl das Wasser ist auch im Hochsommer zu kalt. Cape Farewell Abel Die Region WestlandTasman NP Golden723 Bay Kahurangig Motueka NP TasmanPicton Bay Nelson Westport NelsonBlenheim Paparoa NP Lakes NP MtM Travers 2338 Greymouth Lewis Kaikoura Pass Hokitika Hanmer Arthurs Arthur'sArthur Springs Pass NPN Franz Josef Pass Glacier Fox Glacier CHRISTCHURCHCHR Mt Cook NP Westland NP Mt.
    [Show full text]
  • Kiwi (Apteryx Spp.) on Offshore New Zealand Islands
    Kiwi (Apteryx spp.) on offshore New Zealand islands Populations, translocations and identification of potential release sites DOC RESEARCH & DEVELOPMENT SERIES 208 Rogan Colbourne Published by Department of Conservation PO Box 10–420 Wellington, New Zealand DOC Research & Development Series is a published record of scientific research carried out, or advice given, by Department of Conservation staff or external contractors funded by DOC. It comprises reports and short communications that are peer-reviewed. Individual contributions to the series are first released on the departmental website in pdf form. Hardcopy is printed, bound, and distributed at regular intervals. Titles are also listed in our catalogue on the website, refer http://www.doc.govt.nz under Publications, then Science and research. © Copyright May 2005, New Zealand Department of Conservation ISSN 1176–8886 ISBN 0–478–22686–1 This report was prepared for publication by Science & Technical Publishing Section; editing by Helen O’Leary and Lynette Clelland and layout by Lynette Clelland. Publication was approved by the Chief Scientist (Research, Development & Improvement Division), Department of Conservation, Wellington, New Zealand. In the interest of forest conservation, we support paperless electronic publishing. When printing, recycled paper is used wherever possible. CONTENTS Abstract 5 1. Introduction 6 2. Methods 8 3. Results 9 3.1 Islands with kiwi naturally present or known from translocations 9 3.2 Identifying island sites for potential translocation of kiwi 22 4. Discussion 22 5. Acknowledgements 23 6. References 23 Kiwi (Apteryx spp.) on offshore New Zealand islands Populations, translocations and identification of potential release sites Rogan Colbourne Kiwi Recovery Group, Department of Conservation, PO Box 10 420, Wellington, New Zealand ABSTRACT At least five species and six taxa of kiwi (Apteryx spp.) are recognised at present.
    [Show full text]
  • 12 GEO V 1921 No 57 Animals Protection and Game
    12 GEO. V.] Animals Protection and Game. [1921, No. 57. 465 New Zealand. ANALYSIS. Title. PART IV. 1. Sbort Title and commencement. AC<JLDlATIZATION DIsTRICTS AND BOOIIIITIlIIS. S. Interpretation. 21. Acolimatization distriots. 22. ~ration of existing acclimatization looie· PART I. 23. Registration of societies formed after com· AlOMALII l'BOTBOTION. mencement of tbis Aot. 3. Certain animals to be absolutely protected. 24. Registered societies to be bodies oorporate. 4. PartiaJ protection of animals. 26. Alterations of rules to be approved by tbe 5. As to animals ceasing to be absolutely pro­ Minister. tected. 26. Annual balance-sheet, &0., to be forwarded to 6. Sanotuaries for imported and native game. Minister of Finance. 27. Wbere default made in forwarding balanoe­ 7. Land may be taken for sanotuaries, &c. sheet. 28. Vesting of animals in sooieti~. 29. Societies to notify Minister of imported PART IL animals tumed at large. Governor-General GAME. may vest in societies property in suoh animals. 8. Imported game and native ga.me. 9. Open seasons for imported and native game. PART V. O1fence to take or kill ga.me.during olose GENERAL. season. 30. Restriotion on importation, liberation, or 10. Notification as to oonditions on whioh open keeping of animals. Master, owner, &o.~ season deolared. of ship to prevent noxious reptiles or in- 11. No game to be trapped. Use of metal- sects from being landed in New Zealand. patched or metal-oased bullets unlawful. I Offenee. 12. Use of heavy guns unlawful. 31. Minister may authorize catching or taking of 13. Use of cylinders. silencers, and live decoys animals for certain purposes.
    [Show full text]
  • Birds New Zealand No. 11
    No. 11 September 2016 Birds New Zealand The Magazine of the Ornithological Society of New Zealand NO. 11 SEPTEMBER 2016 Proud supporter of Birds New Zealand Proud supporter of 3 President’s Report Birds New Zealand 5 New Birdwatching Location Maps We are thrilled with our decision 7 Subantarctic Penguins’ Marathon ‘Migration’ to support Birds New Zealand. Fruzio’s aim is to raise awareness of the dedicated 8 Laughing Owl related to Morepork work of Birds New Zealand and to enable wider public engagement with the organisation. We have 9 Fiordland Crested Penguin Update re-shaped our marketing strategy and made a firm commitment of $100,000 to be donated over the 11 Ancient New Zealand Wrens course of the next 3 years. Follow our journey on: www.facebook/fruzio. 12 Are Hihi Firing Blanks? 13 Birding Places - Waipu Estuary PUBLISHERS Hugh Clifford Tribute Published on behalf of the members of the Ornithological Society of 14 New Zealand (Inc). P.O. Box 834, Nelson 7040, New Zealand. Email: [email protected] 15 Minutes of the 77th AGM Website: www.osnz.org.nz Editor: Michael Szabo, 6/238, The Esplanade, Island Bay, Wellington 6023. Phone: (04) 383 5784 16 Regional Roundup Email: [email protected] ISSN 2357-1586 (Print) ISSN 2357-1594 (Online) 19 Bird News We welcome advertising enquiries. Free classified ads are available to members at the editor’s discretion. Articles and illustrations related to birds, birdwatching or ornithology in New Zealand and the South Pacific region for inclusion in Birds New Zealand are welcome in electronic form, including news about about birds, COVER IMAGE members’ activities, bird studies, birding sites, identification, letters to the editor, Front cover: Fiordland Crested Penguin or Tawaki in rainforest reviews, photographs and paintings.
    [Show full text]
  • Conservation
    SCIENCE OF ECOLOGY AND ART OF CONSERVATION Protection of native species by applying scientific principles of conservation can save New Zealand’s threatened flora and fauna from extinction. Indeed, safeguarding species diversity and abundance will ensure today’s gene pool contributes to the ability of species’ to adapt in tomorrow’s changing environment. Greater biodiversity thereby enhances opportunities for the future evolution of new species. Ecological degradation began with the arrival of humans (circa 1280 AD), along with their cargo of predators to this archipelago. Many species were lost when Polynesians and Europeans respectively destroyed 32% and 38% of the country’s natural forests. Polynesians caused the extinction of >70 native species and European’s another 12 species. Prolonged hunting and habitat loss precipitated extinction of ~58 bird species*. Introduced predators quickly gained supremacy over smaller avian and insect species. Kiore (Rattus exulans) alone led to the loss of ~23 small bird, bat, reptile and invertebrate species. The worldwide IUCN Red List contains 784 extinct species, of which 27 have been lost in the past 20 years. The Red List’s threatened species includes 45 New Zealand birds, including the North Island kokako, kaka, kiwi, kakapo and mohua. The country’s birds are prone to predation and their numbers in most cases continue to decline (Table 1). This includes extinction of the South Island kokako, last reported to occur in Teal Creek, Mount Aspiring National Park in 1967 (Fig. 1). North Island kokako (Callaeas cinerea wilsoni) with their aquamarine wattle are few, and limited mostly to the Mainland Island Restoration Project, Otamatuna, Te Urewera National Park.
    [Show full text]
  • Machine Learning Applied to Fourteen Agricultural Datasets
    Machine Learning Applied to Fourteen Agricultural Datasets Kirsten Thomson Robert J. McQueen Machine Learning Group Department of Computer Science University of Waikato Research Report September, 1996 Table of Contents 1. INTRODUCTION............................................................................................................. 1 1.1 Machine Learning........................................................................................................ 1 1.2 The WEKA machine learning workbench.....................................................................2 1.3 Characteristics of the datasets ...................................................................................... 3 1.4 Classes and accuracy.................................................................................................... 3 1.5 WEKA Workbench functions and machine learning schemes used................................ 4 1.6 The results of the tests ................................................................................................. 4 2. APPLE BRUISING........................................................................................................... 6 2.1 Original research.......................................................................................................... 6 2.2 Machine learning..........................................................................................................6 2.3 Discussion of results.................................................................................................
    [Show full text]
  • Distributions of New Zealand Birds on Real and Virtual Islands
    JARED M. DIAMOND 37 Department of Physiology, University of California Medical School, Los Angeles, California 90024, USA DISTRIBUTIONS OF NEW ZEALAND BIRDS ON REAL AND VIRTUAL ISLANDS Summary: This paper considers how habitat geometry affects New Zealand bird distributions on land-bridge islands, oceanic islands, and forest patches. The data base consists of distributions of 60 native land and freshwater bird species on 31 islands. A theoretical section examines how species incidences should vary with factors such as population density, island area, and dispersal ability, in two cases: immigration possible or impossible. New Zealand bird species are divided into water-crossers and non-crossers on the basis of six types of evidence. Overwater colonists of New Zealand from Australia tend to evolve into non-crossers through becoming flightless or else acquiring a fear of flying over water. The number of land-bridge islands occupied per species increases with abundance and is greater for water-crossers than for non-crossers, as expected theoretically. Non-crossers are virtually restricted to large land-bridge islands. The ability to occupy small islands correlates with abundance. Some absences of species from particular islands are due to man- caused extinctions, unfulfilled habitat requirements, or lack of foster hosts. However, many absences have no such explanation and simply represent extinctions that could not be (or have not yet been) reversed by immigrations. Extinctions of native forest species due to forest fragmentation on Banks Peninsula have especially befallen non-crossers, uncommon species, and species with large area requirements. In forest fragments throughout New Zealand the distributions and area requirements of species reflect their population density and dispersal ability.
    [Show full text]
  • Native New Zealand Land Birds Present During the Holocene
    New Zealand plant and vertebrate species known to be extinct Source: Tennyson, Alan, and Paul Martinson. Extinct birds of New Zealand. Wellington: Te Papa Press, 2006. New Zealand Plant Conservation Network, http://www.nzpcn.org.nz/nz_threatenedplants/threatened_list.asp (last accessed 7 June 2007). Group Common name Scientific name Distribution Cause of extinction Last known Plants a coastal cress Lepidium obtusatum North Island Introduced browsers 1950 a prostrate shrub Logania depressa North Island Habitat loss (hydro dam) and 1847 weed infestation a limestone forget-me-not Myosotis traversii var. South Island Over-collection, weed Early 1900s cinerascens invasion a stitchwort Stellaria elatinoides North and South Habitat loss, weed invasion 1940s islands Adams mistletoe Trilepidea adamsii North Island Habitat loss, lost pollinators 1954 and dispersers, possum browsing, over-collecting Bats Greater short-tailed bat Mystacina robusta North, South and Introduced predators 1967 Stewart islands Frogs Aurora frog Leiopelma auroraensis South Island Introduced predators Pre-European Markham's frog Leiopelma markhami North and South Introduced predators Pre-European islands Waitomo frog Leiopelma North Island Introduced predators Pre-European waitomoensis Lizards Northland skink Cyclodina northlandi North Island Introduced predators Pre-European (skinks and geckos) Downloaded from Te Ara – The Encyclopedia of New Zealand All rights reserved http://www.TeAra.govt.nz 2 Narrow-bodied skink Oligosoma North Island Introduced predators Pre-European
    [Show full text]
  • Monitored Before and After an Aerial Application of 1080 Baits in the Copland Valley, Westland National Park
    Western weka (Gallirallus australis australis) monitored before and after an aerial application of 1080 baits in the Copland Valley, Westland National Park DOC SCIENCE INTERNAL SERIES 108 P.A. van Klink and A.J.S. Tansell Published by Department of Conservation P.O. Box 10-420 Wellington, New Zealand DOC Science Internal Series is a published record of scientific research carried out, or advice given, by Department of Conservation staff, or external contractors funded by DOC. It comprises progress reports and short communications that are generally peer-reviewed within DOC, but not always externally refereed. Fully refereed contract reports funded from the Conservation Services Levy (CSL) are also included. Individual contributions to the series are first released on the departmental intranet in pdf form. Hardcopy is printed, bound, and distributed at regular intervals. Titles are listed in the DOC Science Publishing catalogue on the departmental website http://www.doc.govt.nz and electronic copies of CSL papers can be downloaded from http://csl.doc.govt.nz © Copyright March 2003, New Zealand Department of Conservation ISSN 1175–6519 ISBN 0–478–22397–8 This report was prepared for publication by DOC Science Publishing, Science & Research Unit; editing by Jaap Jasperse and layout by Ruth Munro. Publication was approved by the Manager, Science & Research Unit, Science Technology and Information Services, Department of Conservation, Wellington. CONTENTS Abstract 5 1. Introduction 6 2. Methods 7 2.1 1080 possum control 7 2.2 Weka capture 7 2.3 Weka monitoring before and after the possum control operation 7 3. Results 9 3.1 Death of birds before the possum control operation 9 3.2 Survival of birds exposed to 1080 baits 9 4.
    [Show full text]
  • Typical Owls Subfamily BUBONINAE Vigors: Hawk-Owls and Allies
    Text extracted from Gill B.J.; Bell, B.D.; Chambers, G.K.; Medway, D.G.; Palma, R.L.; Scofield, R.P.; Tennyson, A.J.D.; Worthy, T.H. 2010. Checklist of the birds of New Zealand, Norfolk and Macquarie Islands, and the Ross Dependency, Antarctica. 4th edition. Wellington, Te Papa Press and Ornithological Society of New Zealand. Pages 264 & 266. Order STRIGIFORMES: Owls Regarding the following nomina dubia, see under genus Aegotheles Vigors & Horsfield: Strix parvissima Ellman, 1861: Zoologist 19: 7465. Nomen dubium. Strix parvissima Potts, 1871: Trans. N.Z. Inst. 3: 68 – Rangitata River, Canterbury. Nomen dubium. Athene (Strix) parvissima Potts; Potts 1873, Trans. N.Z. Inst. 5: 172. Nomen dubium Family STRIGIDAE Leach: Typical Owls Strigidae Leach, 1819: Eleventh room. In Synopsis Contents British Museum 15th Edition, London: 64 – Type genus Strix Linnaeus, 1758. Subfamily BUBONINAE Vigors: Hawk-owls and Allies Bubonina Vigors, 1825: Zoological Journal 2: 393 – Type genus Bubo Dumeril, 1805. Genus † Sceloglaux Kaup Sceloglaux Kaup, 1848: Isis von Oken, Heft 41: col. 768 – Type species (by monotypy) Athene albifacies G.R. Gray, 1844 = Sceloglaux albifacies (G.R. Gray). As a subgenus of Ninox. A monotypic genus endemic to New Zealand. König et al. (1999) noted that the laughing owl and the fearful owl Nesasio solomonensis of the Solomon Islands were very similar species but whether this is due to a relationship or convergence is unknown. † Sceloglaux albifacies (G.R. Gray) Laughing Owl Extinct. Known from North and South Islands and Stewart Island / Rakiura. Fossils of this owl, especially at sites where they accumulated food remains, are abundant in drier eastern regions of both main islands (Worthy & Holdaway 2002).
    [Show full text]