Predation and intertidal zonation of barnacles at Leigh,New Zealand

Experiments using cages at four shore levels were carried out to determine the part played by the feeding of the gastropods Neothais scalaris and Lepsiella scobina on the zonation of three species of intertidal barnacles: Chamaesipho brunnea, C. columna, and Epopella plicata. The lower limit of the two larger barnacle species was determined by predation, but C. columna was affected only in the absence of the other two barnacles.     

Ecology of benthic polychaetes in the heathcote estuary,New Zealand

The distributions of 19 species of polychaetes burrowing in the intertidal sand and mudbanks of the Heathcote Estuary, New Zealand, are related to salinity, sediment grade, and length of time of exposure at low tide. Only Nicon aestuariensis Knox and Scotecolepides benhami Ehlers appear to be truly estuarine species reaching their greatest population densities in low salinities. Incidental observations of feeding and reproduction are reported.     

Breeding,settlement and survival of barnacles at artificially modified shore levels at Leigh,New Zealand

The breeding and settlement seasons of the intertidal barnacles Chamaesipho brunnea, C. columna and Elminius plicatus were determined, and experiments using cages on the shore to examine barnacle survival and growth rate at four levels were carried out at Leigh during 1964–66.

Chamaesipho brunnea bred in spring and summer; C. columna and E. plicatus bred throughout the year, but settled intermittently. When protected from predators and from overgrowth by algae, all three species survived at levels lower than normal. At higher levels C. columna, E. modestus, Balanus trigonus and Tetraclita purpuraseens survived for significant periods (C. brunnea occurs naturally higher on the shore than the highest experimental level).     

Comparison of fish populations in riffles of three braided rivers of Canterbury,New Zealand

Populations of small fish were sampled in 12–20 riffles of the lower reaches of 3 braided rivers in Canterbury, New Zealand, during periods of low, stable flows. In the Ashley, which has been least affected by floods in recent years, the standing stock of fish was severalfold higher than in the Hurunui and Rakaia Rivers, which experienced large floods over much of the time, particularly the Rakaia River. Mean abundance + 1 standard deviation (S.D.) of all species combined, amounted to 5.95 + 2.76 fish m ² for 10 species in the Ashley, 0.59 + 0.60 fish m ² for 7 species in the Hurunui, and 0.23 + 0.11 fish m ²for 6 species in the Rakaia. Mean biomass was 24.85 + 9.59, 2.11 + 1.19, and 2.50 ± 3.60 g m ²in the Ashley, Hurunui, and Rakaia Rivers, respectively. The more common species in the Ashley and Rakaia Rivers were torrentfish, longfinned eel, blue‐gilled bully, and upland bully. The same dominant species complex prevailed in the Hurunui River except that the common river galaxias was present instead of the bluegilled bully. The adverse effects of floods on fish, either directly, indirectly, or both, are considered to be a major limiting factor offish populations in braided rivers characterised by highly unstable flows and river beds, and a lack of suitable cover for fish.     

Seasonal hydrology of Port Fitzroy,Great Barrier Island,New Zealand

At 2‐monthly intervals between March 1974 and January 1975 seawater temperature and salinity (at 0 m and 5 m depths) and turbidity (as Secchi disc visibility) were measured in Port Fitzroy and adjacent bays on Great Barrier Island (36°11'S, 175°21'E). A seasonal pattern was evident in all three parameters. Variation between depths and between high and low tides was generally only slight, although differences of up to 3.6°c and 12.58‰ were recorded occasionally. Maximum temperatures (22–23°c) occurred in January, with minima (13–14°c) in July. Salinities were generally between 35.0 and 35.6‰, but values as low as 22.25‰ at the surface were recorded after heavy rainfall. Secehi disc visibility measurements of turbidity varied between 2.0 and 12.5 m, but were usually 5–9 m.

A graded series of four generalised areas was distinguished, ranging from sheltered, almost estuarine inner bays, to exposed open water with properties similar to outer Hauraki Gulf water.

The circulation through Port Fitzroy comprises the main exchange of water through the northern entrance channel, causing a southerly movement of water on the flood tide and a northerly movement on the ebb, together with a small compensatory exchange through the narrow southern entrance.     

Diel feeding periodicity of torrentfish (Cheimarrichthys fosteri) in two braided rivers of Canterbury,New Zealand

Torrentfish Cheimarrichthys fosteri Haast were collected at 4‐hour intervals over a full day in winter and summer, 1984–85, from the Ashley and Rakaia Rivers in Canterbury, New Zealand, to determine their diel feeding periodicity. Both populations fed, almost exclusively, from dusk to dawn in both seasons, with the quantity of food in their stomachs accumulating to peak levels by early morning. However, Ashley females had significantly less food in their stomachs than did males in summer, the season with a high incidence (91%) of females in spawning condition. Aquatic stages of Deleatidium spp. (Ephemeroptera: Leptophle‐biidae) and Chironomidae constituted from 85 to 98% by number and 63 to 80% by dry weight of all foods eaten. Chironomids (small prey) comprised up to 85% of the total foods eaten by number but only 17% by dry weight, while Deleatidium (large prey) comprised up to 69% of the prey by number and 63% by dry weight. Numerically, chironomids were an important component in the torrentfish diet in both seasons in the Rakaia (71 to 75%), but only so in winter in the Ashley (85%). The reported daily feeding cycle is consistent with observations in a simulated stream, that torrentfish largely remain inactive during the day and come out to feed at night.     

Mass stranding of molluscs at Te Waewae bay,southland, New Zealand (note)

A stranding of shellfish on the beach at Te Waewae Bay, Southland, occurred during a period of very cold, stormy weather in September 1970. More than 20 million shellfish were stranded, the majority being Mactra discors Gray. It is suggested that the cause was a combination of Strong inshore winds and low air temperatures, coupled with an increased flow of fresh, cold water across the beach.     

Diplophos rebainsi Krefft & Parin, 1972, an addition to the mesopelagic fish fauna of New Zealand (note)

Plankton samples taken in the south‐western Pacific Ocean and the Tasman Sea have provided, for the first time in these waters, a series of individuals of the gonostomatid Diplophos rebainsi. Observations are presented on some of the prejuvenile and adult features and on the seasonal distribution of prejuveniles off New Zealand.     

Migratory behaviour of spawning rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) in the Tongariro River,New Zealand,after habitat alteration

The movements of 92 adult rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) from Lake Taupo into the Tongariro River, New Zealand, were monitored using radio‐telemetry every 3 days during the main spawning period between May and November 2003. This study repeated one previously conducted in 1995. Differences in spawning site preference and resting locations between 1995 and 2003 probably reflect differences in the nature of the river as a result of major natural floods that occurred in 1998. Average migration times were slower than in 1995 and the correlation between flow and mean daily movement was less distinct owing to the dry and settled weather during July and August, although fish did respond to freshets when they occurred. Peak movement occurred between 1600 and 2000 h NZ Standard Time with no movement occurring between midnight and 0400. Fish adjusted their movement in response to changing photoperiod. Nineteen fish were observed above the mouths of natal tributary streams for several weeks in the main river stem before entering these tributaries.     

The distribution of algae and insects in hot spring thermal gradients at Waimangu,New Zealand

The distribution of algae and insects was examined in two hot spring outflow channels at Waimangu in the Rotorua thermal district. The upper temperature limit for algal growth was 68°c, with maximum biomass occurring at 59–62°c. Two species of Diptera were present on the algal mat, Ephydrella thermarum Dumbleton at 34–43°c and Chironomus cylindricus Freeman at 39–41°c. The composition and temperature relations of the community are similar to those found in thermal regions in other parts of the world.     

Observations of Hector's dolphins (Cephalorhynchus hectori) associating with inshore fishing trawlers at Banks Peninsula,New Zealand

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 observed following small inshore trawlers year‐round. Group size was larger for aggregations of dolphins following trawlers (mean ± SE = 22.9 ± 1.3, n = 83) than for non‐trawler groups (3.7 ± 0.2, n = 439), and dolphins were typically in a more “excited” state, frequently exhibiting aerial and sexual behaviours. We suggest that trawlers increase the availability of prey for Hector's dolphins and hence foraging behind trawlers is an energetically favourable activity. However, following trawlers probably also increases the risk of being caught in trawl nets, compounding the threats faced by this endangered species.     

Light requirements of the seagrass,Zostera muelleri,determined by observations at the maximum depth limit in a temperate estuary,New Zealand

The Kaipara Harbour in New Zealand is one of the largest estuarine systems in the world, containing significant areas of subtidal seagrass habitat (Zostera muelleri). Light availability at the maximum depth limit for Z. muelleri was measured at 2.10 (0.19 SEM) and 4.91 (0.53 SEM) mol photons m^?2 d^?1 during the winter and summer monitoring periods, respectively. The primary drivers of benthic light availability were found to be surface light availability, the timing of the low tide and water clarity. Core sampling analysis suggested that biomass of seagrass growing at the maximum depth limit was low, indicative of light limitation. The results of this study suggest that the subtidal distribution of seagrass in the Kaipara Harbour is light-limited and that reductions in water clarity due to changes in land use are likely to result in significant reductions in the extent and productivity of subtidal seagrass habitat.     

新西兰Hikurangi边缘Tuaheni滑坡复合体黏土质粉砂储层天然气水合物饱和度估算

准确评估新西兰Hikurangi边缘Tuaheni滑坡复合体（TLC）区域的天然气水合物含量与储层分布对TLC慢滑移现象与产生机制的解释有重要作用。本文分析了IODP372航次U1517站位测井和取心数据,发现在局部地层纵波速度增加（＞1.7 km/s）和电阻率升高（＞1.5 Ω·m）的104～160 mbsf层段存在天然气水合物,其中112～114、130～145和150～160 mbsf层段饱和度相对较高。根据岩性划分了不同井段对应的矿物成分含量,用于纵波速度模型计算,并利用简化三相介质（STPE）和改进的Biot-Gassmann模型（BGTL）分别估算了104～160 mbsf层段的天然气水合物饱和度,平均饱和度分别为5.2%和6.0%,最高饱和度分别为22.7%和21.6%。同时,与阿尔奇公式估算的水合物饱和度比较,在104～160 mbsf层段3种方法估算的饱和度值随深度变化相似,天然气水合物平均饱和度相近（约6.0%）,在130～145 mbsf层段的水合物平均饱和度最高（约8.5%）。本研究使用两种声速模型和更为精细的参数估算饱和度,其估算结果更为可靠,可为Tuaheni滑坡复合体慢滑移现象研究提供良好的基础数据支撑。