Tidal observations on the West Coast,South Island,New Zealand

Harmonic tidal constants, calculated from sea surface elevation observations at Jackson Bay on the West Coast of the South Island, are consistent with available semi‐diurnal and diurnal tidal phase distributions. Current observations taken over a 111 day period at mid‐depth in 1505 m of water on the southern flank of the Challenger Plateau and over a 240 day period in 1430 m of water on the South Island western coast continental slope, are subject to tidal analysis. At both sites there is a component of energy flux directed across the isobaths and only at the northern site for the M2 tide is the phase consistent with a dominant progressive barotropic tide. The successive 30 day harmonic constants at the southern continental slope site exhibit a trend in the M2 tidal ellipse speed and ellipticity suggesting the presence of a regular internal tide. Superposition of ‘internal tidal’ and barotropic tidal flows, as prescribed from progressive‐ and standing‐wave elevations, to fit the observations indicates that the ‘internal tide’ is probably associated with the first baroclinic mode. At the current‐meter depths the speeds of the ‘internal tide’ for the M2 tide are about the same as the barotropic speeds, whereas, the S2 ‘internal tide’ speeds are larger than those of the barotropic tide. The consistency of the trend in ellipse parameters lends support to the theoretical progressive trapped barotropic tidal flows being a good approximation to the actual barotropic tide. Some support for the hypothesis that the S2 tide on the West Coast of New Zealand has a substantial standing wave contribution is given by the northern observations, where the ratio of the S2: M2 internal tidal ellipse current amplitudes are substantially larger than the ratio of the elevations, the internal tide being generated by across‐isobath flows.     

Molecular evidence for three separate cryptic introductions of the red seaweed Asparagopsis (Bonnemaisoniales,Rhodophyta) in South Africa

The red seaweed genus Asparagopsis Montagne (Bonnemaisoniales) contains two widely introduced species that are considered notorious seaweed invaders worldwide, Asparagopsis armata and A. taxiformis, both characterised by heteromorphic, diplo-haplontic life histories. To uncover cryptic introductions of Asparagopsis along the South African coastline and identify ‘Falkenbergia’ isolates (i.e. tetrasporophytic life-history phase morphologically identical between species), the mitochon-drial cox2–3 spacer was sequenced from gametophytes of Asparagopsis taxiformis from Scottburgh, KwaZulu-Natal, on the East Coast, Knysna Lagoon on the South Coast and from tetrasporophytes, otherwise unidentifiable to species level, collected from False Bay near Cape Town on the South-West Coast and Tsitsikamma on the South Coast. Only tetrasporophytes of the temperate Asparagopsis armata were encountered from the Cape Peninsula (Cape Town) probably as far east as to Port St Johns, Eastern Cape province. This is considered an introduced species, and was first collected at Kommetjie (Cape Peninsula) in 1935. Gametophytes of the warm-temperate to tropical A. taxiformis were first collected at Reunion Rocks near Durban in 1984; the KwaZulu-Natal material studied here belongs to an Atlantic Mediterranean cryptic lineage. This taxon is an ecological dominant in some intertidal and shallow subtidal areas in northern KwaZulu-Natal, and is thus considered ‘introduced’ and ‘invasive’. In contrast, A. taxiformis gametophytes, collected in Knysna Lagoon in 2008, clustered with individuals of Indo-Pacific lineage 2. The latter is considered a major invasive lineage in the western Mediterranean, but at present is categorised as introduced in South Africa. This study provides molecular evidence of three independent, cryptic introductions in South Africa, one of them probably very recent, and this is discussed with respect to potential vectors responsible for transport.     

First record of Lepidocybium flavobrunneum (Pisces: Gempylidae) from New Zealand

Lepidocybium flavobrunneum (Smith, 1849) is widespread in warmer oceanic waters and has recently been recorded in the catches of tuna longline vessels in the New Zealand region. Twenty‐five specimens were caught at 31°46′‐32°03′S, 170°49′‐171°11′ E on 23–27 June 1979, thus extending the known range of the species to northern New Zealand.     

Macrobenthic polychaete assemblages of the continental shelf and upper slope off the west coast of the South Island,New Zealand

Polychaete assemblages are described from replicate box‐core samples collected in summer 1983 at 18 stations on the continental shelf and upper slope (28–943 m) off the west coast of the South Island, New Zealand, south‐eastern Tasman Sea (c. 41–43°S, 169–172°E). Three main station groupings were identified by multivariate analysis: (1) inner shelf sandy stations characterised by Prionospio australiensis, Aricidea (Acesta) sp., Magelona cf. dakini, Paraprionospio aff. pinnata, Aglaophamus sp., Heteromastus filiformis, and Magelona sp.; (2) middle to outer shelf muddy stations characterised by Levinsenia cf. gracilis, Prionospio australiensis, Paraprionospio coora, Aglaophamus verrilli, and Auchenoplax mesos; and (3) upper slope sandy mud or mud stations characterised by Prionospio ehlersi. A combination of water depth and sediment clay content provided the best correlation with the biotic pattern. Spionidae was the most abundant family (49% of polychaete individuals), which may reflect the scope for opportunistic species in a shelf environment characterised by a high input of terrigenous sediment and episodic upwelling.     

First record of Australian bonito,Sarda Australis,from New Zealand

The range of the Australian bonito, Sarda australis (Macleay, 1880), previously known only from eastern Australia and Norfolk Island, is now extended to include New Zealand. Data on two specimens examined from northern New Zealand are presented.     

基于遥感和GIS的长岛南五岛近30年海岸线时空变迁分析

海岛不仅具有很高的资源、生态和经济价值,而且对维护国家海洋权益具有重大意义。本文基于遥感和GIS技术,利用1982、1995、2006和2015年的Landsat卫星遥感影像,分析了近30年来长岛南五岛海岸线的时空变化特征。结果表明:1982年以来,长岛南五岛近30年的海岸线长度增加了9.54 km,海岸线呈向海推进趋势,平均推进速度为0.54 m/a。海岸线变化主要受人为因素的影响,变化比较大的岸段主要分布在南长山岛和北长山岛的西部,以养殖开发、填海造陆与港口建设为主。研究认为,海岸线的变化,将会导致诸如岸线侵蚀等环境问题,应注意合理开发、利用海岸线资源。     

First record of Odontaster penicillatus populations (Philippi, 1870) (Echinodermata: Asteroidea) in the Atacama and Antofagasta regions,Chile (Southeast Pacific)

We report for the first time the presence of local populations of the starfish Odontaster penicillatus in the regions of Atacama and Antofagasta, Chile. This finding indicates an extension of the distribution limit of 500 km with respect to the last observation made in 2007 in Isla Grande de Atacama. A total of 121 specimens of O. penicillatus were recorded at depths of between 8 m and 24 m. They were associated with rocky substrate and with different species of barnacles, sponges and bryozoans. The presence of O. penicillatus expands the knowledge of the benthic biodiversity of the region, and the development of studies on its ecological importance will be promoted.     

First record of manta rays off New Zealand

Three manta rays were seen and photographed in the western Bay of Plenty, New Zealand, in March 1968. Although the species or genus could not be identified, this sighting represents the first substantiated record of the manta ray family (Mobulidae) in New Zealand and confirms the statements of fishermen that, in summer, mantas occasionally appear in offshore game‐fish waters in north‐eastern New Zealand.     

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.     

First record of the crocodile shark,Pseudocarcharias kamoharai (Chondrichthyes: Lamniformes), from New Zealand waters

Commercial tuna longline fishing targeting bigeye tuna, Thunnus obesus (Lowe 1839), on the Three Kings Rise, northern New Zealand, resulted in the bycatch of a single specimen of a mature male crocodile shark, Pseudocarcharias kamoharai (Matsubara 1936). This is the first record for the New Zealand Exclusive Economic Zone, and a major southern range extension of the species in the Indo‐Pacific.     

New name for some Congericola (Parasitic Copepoda) from New Zealand conger eels

Specimens of Congericola from a New Zealand conger eel, Conger verreauxi, which were previously described as Congericola pallidus Beneden, are placed in a new species, Congericola kabatai, on the basis of the possession of a four‐segmented first antenna, a two‐segmented exopod in the third pereiopod, the presence of spines on the fourth pereiopod, and other differences in ornamentation of the pereiopods which separate it from the closely related species Congericola pallidus.     

Occurrence and use of Compsopogon coeruleus (Rhodophyta: Compsopogonaceae) in Fiji,South Pacific

The rhodophyte Compsopogon coeruleus (Balbis ex C. Agardh) Montagne is newly recorded from Fiji, South Pacific. Plants occur in dense masses in the Wainivesi River in the province of Tailevu. Local villagers collect the plants and use them to cook a “pudding” with tinned fish, very similar to “puddings” prepared by coastal Fijians using marine species such as Gracilaria and Hypnea. This is the first documented account of the use of Compsopogon as a gelling agent in the preparation of human food.     

Sediments of lakes Rotoroa and Rotoiti,South Island,New Zealand

The chemistry and mineralogy of the sediments of Lakes Rotoroa and Rotoiti, South Island, New Zealand (41° 51 S, 172° 38 E and 41° 50 S, 172° 50 E respectively) , were studied. In general, the cation exchange properties, element concentrations, and mineral compositions of the sediments show little variation between samples from each lake. However, some nutrient concentrations, notably exchangeable calcium, magnesium, and potassium, and total nitrogen and sulphur, are higher in sediments from weed beds than in sediments underlying deeper water; iron and manganese concentrations tend to show the opposite trend. Concentrations of exchangeable calcium and total nitrogen, sulphur, manganese, and iron generally decrease down the sediment profiles from the sediment/water interface. Differences between lakes, notably higher concentrations of illite and of the elements potassium, aluminium, titanium, and zirconium, and lower concentrations of calcium in the sediments of Lake Rotoiti than in those from Lake Rotoroa, are probably due mainly to the different geological settings rather than to differences in the diagenetic processes operating within the lakes. Mineralogical analyses indicate that the lake sediments are derived mainly from the valleys of the major inflow rivers rather than from the slopes at the sides of each lake.     

Diel changes in the abundance and size composition of invertebrate drift in five rivers in South Island,New Zealand

Drift was collected over 24‐h periods in five rivers in South Island, New Zealand, to determine whether diel periodicity was consistent across a range of river types, and whether the pattern was similar for different life stages/sizes of selected taxa. Total drift density (numbers per 100 m³ ) of aquatic invertebrates was greater at night than during the day in all rivers; peak abundance occurred shortly after sunset in clear water rivers and shortly before sunrise in a turbid, glacier‐fed river. Densities of drifting Deleatidium spp., Nesameletus spp. (both Ephemeroptera), Aoteapsyche spp., and Hydrobiosidae (both Trichoptera), were generally greater at night than during the day. However, the timing of peak abundance in the drift for other common taxa varied between rivers. Larger Deleatidium spp. larvae (> 1.00 mm head width) were more common in the drift at night than during the day in all rivers. However, this was not apparent for Aoteapsyche spp. and Hydrobiosidae, for which diel differences in the size of drifting animals were not consistent even within the same river. The propensity for some aquatic invertebrates to drift at night may influence fish feeding behaviour, particularly with respect to the timing of feeding and the species or life history stages of their prey.     

Exploratory limnological studies of lake Manapouri,South Island,New Zealand

Bathymetric and thermometric surveys of Lake Manapouri show that the greatest depth is 444 m and that the major portion of the lake occupies depths greater than 150 m. Stratification has developed by January, remains until June, and is followed by near isothermal conditions in late winter. The water temperature below 200 m is between 7.77° and 8.0°c throughout the year. The surface water temperature varies between 16.25°c in January‐March, and 8.0°c in August‐September. Tritium values suggest mixing has taken place to at least 400 m. Coarse sediments taken in 431 m indicate that the deep floor of the lake is not completely dominated by muddy sediments.     

First record of the Australian ascidian Eudistoma elongatum in northern New Zealand

A colonial ascidian was first reported by marine farmers in Houhora Harbour, Northland, New Zealand in early 2005 and subsequently found on oyster racks in Parengarenga Harbour and the Bay of Islands. The Northland ascidian was identified with a combination of morphological characters and DNA cytochrome c oxidase I (COI) sequence data, as Eudistoma elongatum, a species native to Australia, where it is found from northern New South Wales to Northern Queensland, and distinguished from Eudistoma circumvallatum, the only reported species in this genus from New Zealand. Ascidian larvae are weak dispersers and long distance dispersal of E. elongatum is likely to be enhanced by vectors such as oyster barges and/or movement of cultured oysters. In its native range, E. elongatum is restricted to areas with a minimum winter sea temperature of 16°C. Assuming similar biological limitations apply in New Zealand, the spread of E. elongatum might be restricted to northern New Zealand (north of latitude 37°S).     

Stranded redds of quinnat salmon in the Mathias River,South Island,New Zealand

In May and June 1974 seven naturally made, stranded redds of quinnat salmon Oncorhynchus tshawytsha (Walbaum) were excavated. Ova numbers per redd varied from 2295 to 6510 and per egg pocket from 99 to 1608. Egg pocket depths varied from 18 cm to 43 cm. The ova were found to be healthy.     

南海东沙岛西南大陆坡内潮特征

2008年4月-10月,在南海东沙岛西南大陆坡底部布放了1套全剖面锚系,同时沿大陆坡底部布放了3套近底锚系,应用谱分析和调和分析方法分析温度和海流连续观测资料,进而研究该海域的内潮特征.结果表明,东沙岛西南大陆坡存在强内潮现象,大陆坡底部温度变化受到内潮波的影响,上层海洋存在强日潮周期的内潮波振动;正压潮和斜压潮均以O...     

Records of subantarctic fur seals in New Zealand (Note)

Subantarctic fur seals (Arctocephalus tropicalis) appear as stragglers on New Zealand coasts. Four records are noted, the most recent at Antipodes Island in December 1989.     

Unreported bycatch in the New Zealand West Coast South Island hoki fishery

There are recognised benefits to managing fisheries by individual transferable quotas (ITQs), but ITQs may increase incentives to discard fish.