Parasites, in particular trematodes (Platyhelminthes: Digenea), play major roles in the population dynamics and community structure of invertebrates on soft‐sediment mudflats. Here, we provide a list of the 20 trematode species currently known to infect molluscs, crustaceans and polychaetes from Otago Harbour (New Zealand) soft‐sediment intertidal areas, as well as information on their transmission modes, life cycles, andknown...

During the past 30 years, 42 molecular studies have been undertaken in New Zealand to examine the phylogeography of coastal benthic invertebrates and plants. Here, we identify generalities and/or patterns that have emerged from this research and consider the processes implicated in generating genetic structure within populations. Studies have used various molecular markers and examined taxonomic groups with a range of life his...

We tested the hypothesis that cytochrome c oxidase subunit 1 (COI) sequences would successfully discriminate recognised species of New Zealand caddisflies. We further examined whether phylogenetic analyses, based on the COI locus, could recover currently recognised superfamilies and suborders. COI sequences were obtained from 105 individuals representing 61 species and all 16 families of Trichoptera known from New Zealand. No...

Annual direct counts of seal pups can indicate long‐term trends in population size, but mark‐recapture estimates are needed to deduce absolute numbers. A calibration between results from these two methods would facilitate the use of direct counts to estimate absolute numbers, an outcome that is relatively quick, cheap and minimises disturbance of animals. Mark‐recapture estimates for the numbers of New Zealand fur seal ( Arcto...

Previous research has identified distinct genetic, life‐history and reproductive differences between populationsof common bully ( Gobiomorphus cotidianus ) upstream and downstream of a pulp and paper mill outfall on the Tarawera River in the Bay of Plenty, New Zealand. This study investigated the distribution of common bully in the Tarawera River by examining fish collected from upstream (37 km inland) and downstream (20 km in...

The diet of the squid Nototodarus sloanii was determined from examination of stomach contents of 388 specimens of 14.3–41.0 cm dorsal mantle length sampled at depths of 211–760 m on the Chatham Rise, New Zealand. Prey items were predominantly mesopelagic fishes, with some crustaceans and cephalopods. The most important prey species identified was Maurolicus australis, followed by Lampanyctodes hectoris, and unidentified squids...

Elucidating biological shape and concomitant growth increments is an important precursor for understanding life history and chronology. Logarithmic spiral and deviations from spiral are proposed for investigating growth variation in upper squid beaks. Twenty‐three beaks of two large squid species Kondakovia longimana and Mesonychoteuthis hamiltoni were photographed to a resolution between 20 and 30 pixels per mm in the sagitta...

A study was undertaken to provide data on growth, feed conversion ratio (FCR) and faecal discharge of yellowtail kingfish ( Seriola lalandi ) fed three commercial diets used previously to culture this species in New Zealand. Fish were raised in tanks from 0.4 to 1.2 kg over the spring (water temperature 14–17°C) and summer (17–22°C) periods. There were considerable differences in volumetric and mass‐specific feed intake, and e...

Anecdotal data sources may constitute an important component of the information available about an exploited species, as record keeping may not have occurred until after exploitation began. Here, we aimed to fill any gaps in the exploitative history of the sparid snapper ( Pagrus auratus ), using social and historical research methods. Social research consisted of interviews with recreational fishers, focusing on the most and...

A model to estimate nitrogen loads from coastal catchments to New Zealand estuaries is presented. The Sub‐Catchment to Estuary Nitrogen Yield (SCENY) model estimates total nitrogen inputs from atmospheric deposition, fertiliser application, and biological nitrogen fixation for catchments with different land use practices. Nitrogen losses in the vadose zone and aquifers were assessed, and the net nitrogen yield that enters estu...

Adult yellowfin bream ( Acanthopagrus australis ) were captured from the wild and maintained in outdoor tanks until the onset of the natural spawning season (May ‐ June). Three replicate trials were conducted to examine the effects of gonadotropin releasing‐hormone analogue (GnRHa) and human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) on milt characteristics and gonadal steroid levels. Spermiating males were injected intraperitoneally with e...

Given sufficient light and heat, the growth of aquatic macrophytes and algae associated with eutrophication is generally controlled by the concentration, form and ratio between nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P). Data from 1100 freshwater sites monitored for the last 10 years by New Zealand's regional councils and unitary authorities were assessed for streams and rivers with mean nitrate/ nitrite‐N (NNN), dissolved reactive P (DR...

Using data from existing studies, assemblages of freshwater fishes and decapod crustaceans were examined at 39 sites in urbanised catchments and 57 sites in forested (reference) catchments within the greater Auckland region, New Zealand. Eleven native and 1 exotic fish species and 2 native decapod crustacean species were recorded. Species richness and fish Index of Biotic Integrity (IBI) scores were lower overall in streams in...

The use of mussel spat ropes to enable the passage of banded kokopu ( Galaxias fasciatus ) past perched culverts was tested under laboratory conditions. A 0.5 m high simulated perched culvert was fitted with one of two UV stabilised polypropylene rope types: “Russet Loop” and “Super Xmas Tree”. Four randomised replicate trials using each rope type were conducted to test their respective abilities to provide passage for “fresh‐...

Common native fish species that are rare in New Zealand rivers with high suspended solids (SS) concentrations were identified to determine which species were likely to be most affected by high SS concentrations. Mortality rates for the three most sensitive species (banded kokopu Galaxias fasciatus, redfin bully Gobiomorphus huttoni, common smelt Retropinna retropinnd ) were measured over a range of SS concentrations to identif...

The milk composition of New Zealand sea lion, Phocarctos hookeri , was determined using standard analytical methods, a MilkoScan™ FT 120 and an accelerated solvent extractor (ASE) for fat concentration. The results for fat, protein and total solid concentrations between the different analytical methods were assessed using different measures of statistical fitness including coefficient of determination, concordance correlation...

Fishing activities have the potential to alter the behaviour of cetaceans and pose a threat through bycatch. We present observations concerning the influence of inshore trawling on group size and behaviour of Hector's dolphins ( Cephalorhynchus hectori ) at Banks Peninsula, New Zealand, made during photo‐ID surveys from 2003 to 2007. Aggregations of dolphins, typically involved in what we assumed to be foraging behaviour, were...

A study was carried out to determine the food safety status of watercress ( Nasturtium officinale ) harvested from rural streams under Maori protocol. Sixty‐five sample bunches (c. 500 g) were collected from four streams in the Waikato region of New Zealand each summer from 2005 to 2007. Two streams, Southern Enclosure and Te Waihou, were within reserves and the other two, Mangapiko and Piopio, flowed through pastoral farms. T...

Polychaetes were collected from eight sites across the Chatham Rise (New Zealand) in the region of the Subtropical Front from water depths of c. 2300 m to 350 m. A total of 169 putative species representing 36 families was identified. Spionidae, Paraonidae, Cirratulidae, Syllidae, and Orbiniidae accounted for 50% of all polychaete individuals. Multivariate analysis revealed that three sites at c. 350–453 m water depth on muddy...

The diets of eight demersal fish species from the upper continental slope (c. 24CM‐50 m) were determined from samples taken during late January and early February 2004, off the Wairarapa coast, North Island, New Zealand. Diets were from a combination of benthopelagic and benthic sources, with most species exhibiting ontogenetic shifts in diet, in that larger‐bodied food (fish and/or natant decapod prawns) was more important in...

G protein‐coupled receptors (GPCRs) form a protein superfamily whose members mediate the detection of a diverse range of extracellular signals across a wide taxonomic range. With the exception of opsins, data on molluscan GPCRs are still sparse. Here, we report a preliminary characterisation of a novel GPCR gene, denoted dq646643 , from a commercially significant marine bivalve, the green‐lipped mussel ( Perna canaliculus ). L...

Nitrate runoff from pastoral fanning is of concern because it contributes to lake eutrophication. Surface flow in wetlands is a measure of the runoff likely to experience nitrate attenuation. This study assessed the potential of small headwater wetlands to reduce catchment nitrate loads by quantifying the proportion of total runoff that occurred as surface flow at the outlet of wetlands. Surface flow can be measured from wetla...

This paper describes a study to develop and test a simple harvest control (decision) rule that could be used by the commercial rock lobster industry in the CRA 5 quota management area in New Zealand. Time contraints prevented a full stock assessment, so alternatively the history of annual production was estimated from catch and catch‐per‐unit‐of‐effort (CPUE) data, and two versions of an operating model were based on the resul...

Migrating and pre‐migrating western rock lobster Panulirus cygnus were tagged with datastorage tags that recorded temperature and pressure, which was converted to depth (Pressure (kPa) — surface pressure (kPa)/10)) at Dongara and Jurien Bay in Western Australia between December 2005 and December 2007. All lobsters were fitted with tag flotation devices, and returns were made by either commercial fishers or beachcombers who loc...