Vertical distribution of New Zealand shipworms (Bivalvia: Teredinidae)

In Tauranga Harbour, Lyrodus medilobatus was found in greatest numbers on test‐blocks placed near the bottom, while Bankia australis, B. neztalia, and Nototeredo edax had a more uniform vertical distribution. Shipworms occurred in the intertidal zone up to about mean sea level. In Wellington Harbour, B. neztalia was found in test‐blocks up to mean sea level, but was most abundant in blocks near the bottom. In the Bay of Islands, shipworms settled in the intertidal on test‐blocks as high as 30 cm below mean sea level. B. australis was the most abundant species in mangrove wood in northern New Zealand, and L. medilobatus occurred occasionally. No evidence was found for shipworms settling on living mangrove wood, although they frequently tunnelled from dead wood into living wood.     

Seasonal settlement of shipworms (Bivalvia: Teredinidae) in Tauranga Harbour and Wellington Harbour

The seasons of settlement of shipworms in Tauranga and Wellington harbours in 1970–72 were studied using Pinus radiata test‐blocks. At Wellington the seasonal abundance of late‐stage shipworm larvae was monitored in the plankton. In Tauranga Harbour Bankia australis, Lyrodus medilobatus, Lyrodus pedicellatus, and Nototeredo edaxspawned and settled predominantly in summer, when water temperatures were above 17–18°C. Bankia neztalia had peak periods of settlement in winter and early summer and there was no correlation of settlement with water temperature. In Wellington Harbour B. neztalia spawned and settled mainly during winter when water temperatures were 11–15°C. Total larval abundance at the 2 test sites in Wellington Harbour was an approximate indication of the relative intensity of settlement, but seasonal larval abundance did not correlate well with seasonal settlement. B. neztalia larvae settled on air‐dried Pinus radiata wood within 6 days of the immersion of the wood. Annual variations in patterns of settlement of shipworms in the 2 harbours are related to variations in water temperatures.     

Further records of Teredicola typicus C. B. Wilson, 1942 (Cgpepoda: Cyclopoida) from shipworms in Northern New Zealand (note)

Teredicola typicus, previously recorded from Bankia australis Caiman, 1920 at two sites in the Auckland area, has been found at Bay of Islands, Whangarei, Mahurangi, and Coromandel Harbours in the North Island of New Zealand. Two specimens have also been found in another shipworm, Lyrodus pedicellatus (Quatrefages, 1849) at Coromandel, a first record from this host in New Zealand.     

Distribution of Delphinidae (Cetacea) in relation to sea surface temperatures off Eastern and Southern New Zealand

Records of four species of Delphinidae, Delphinus delphis, Lissodelphis peroni, Lagenorhynchus obscurus, and Lagenorhynchus cruciger in waters to the east and south‐east of New Zealand are discussed in relation to surface temperatures.

In this region D. delphis appears to be largely confined north of the Subtropical Convergence and a minimum surface temperature of about 14°c, and near New Zealand from Hawke Bay southward in the warm water of the East Cape Current; L. peroni to the Subtropical Convergence and the subantarctic water to the south of it, between surface temperatures of 9°c and 16°c; L. obscurus to the immediate vicinity of the Subtropical Convergence and surface temperatures in summer of about 14° to 15°c, and L. cruciger across the Antarctic Convergence region, in a surface temperature range of 2° to 9°c.     

Parasitic barnacles (Cirripedia: Rhizocephala) from New Zealand off‐shore waters

Nine genera and species of rhizocephalans were recorded from the off‐shore waters around New Zealand. Mitochondrial and nuclear gene sequences were used to examine base differences between the European and New Zealand species of Parthenopea. Serial sections to study the internal structures of the reproductive organs were made for the genera Thylacoplethus and Thompsonia. Two species, Parthenopea australis n. sp. and Thylacoplethus novaezealandiae n. sp. are new to science and described in detail. Parthenopea australis n. sp. is the first rhizocephalan species recorded from the vicinity of active cold seeps. Three rhizocephalans could not be identified as they were parasitised by hyperparasitic cryptoniscine isopods. The decapodhost species comprised the taxa Paguridae, Lithodidae, Galatheidae, Chirostylidae, and Callianassidae.     

The distribution of spiny lobsters in New Zealand waters (Crustacea: Decapoda: Palinuridae)

Two species of spiny lobsters (marine crayfish) inhabit New Zealand waters: Jasus edwardsii (Hutton, 1875), and J verreauxi (H. Milne Edwards, 1851). J edwardsii, the more common species, is present along most rocky coastlines in New Zealand, but is more abundant in the south‐west of the South Island and at the Chatham Islands. The species apparently reaches its northern limit of distribution at the Three Kings Islands (34°S) and its southern limit at the Auckland Islands (51°S).

J. verreauxi, the less common species, is almost solely restricted in New Zealand waters to the north‐east coast of the North Island. It is uncommon in the west and the south of the North Island, and is rare in the South Island. J. verreauxi apparently reaches its northern limit of distribution at the Kermadec Islands (31°S), and its southern limit near Bluff (47°S) in the South Island.     

The spatio-temporal distribution and population structure of green turtles (Chelonia mydas) in New Zealand

Despite being endangered internationally and protected nationally, little consideration has been given to the occurrence of green turtles (Chelonia mydas) in New Zealand. New Zealand lies on the southern boundary of the distributional range of green turtles in the southwestern Pacific, with individuals found within these waters historically considered to be occasional visitors or stragglers incidentally carried by ocean currents. However, the present work shows that green turtles are present year round in New Zealand’s northern waters (c. 34°–38° S). A review of sighting, stranding and incidental capture data collected between 1895 and 2013 illustrate New Zealand’s green turtle population comprises post-pelagic immature juveniles to large subadults. The female:male sex ratio of 1.7:1 is similar to those reported from warm temperate foraging grounds in eastern Australia. A subsample of new recruits indicates green turtles recruit to neritic habitats at approximately 40.8?cm curved carapace length. This study suggests that New Zealand’s neritic habitats constitute a transitional developmental ground for post-pelagic immature green turtles. We observed an exponential increase in the number of documented records over time, though whether this is due to increased numbers of turtles or increased reporting rates, or both, is unclear and warrants further investigation. More broadly, this work provides a baseline understanding of the ecology of green turtles at the edge of their range, providing opportunities to investigate regional niche modelling and connectivity of this highly mobile species, while also monitoring broad-scale effects of climate-induced environmental change.     

Summer distribution of the pelagic copepod Centropages aucklandkus in New Zealand waters

The quantitative distribution of Centropages aucklandicus in summer is described. This coastal species, endemic to New Zealand, is found round the whole country except in the north. It has a northern limit coincident with the 19°c isotherm. Possible factors operating to conserve C. aucklandicus in coastal waters, temperature, salinity, food and behaviour, are discussed.     

Migrating eels in a Canterbury river,New Zealand

A fish trap in the upper reaches of the South Branch stream, Canterbury, New Zealand, caught eels from December 1957 to October 1964. The downstream migrations of immature and adult eels of both New Zealand freshwater species (short‐finned Anguilla australis and long‐finned A. dieffenbachii) were recorded. These migrations showed a seasonal and a lunar periodicity, and the larger runs were also influenced by rainfall, water volume, or the passage of a depression. Seasonal peaks were marked for mature eels of both species, and for immature A. australis, but not for immature A. dieffenbachii.     

Planktonic stages of Maurolicus muelleri (Teleostei Sternoptychidae) in New Zealand waters

The seasonality and distribution, abundance, and hydrological affinities of the planktonic stages of the sternoptychid Maurolicus muelleri (Grnelin, 1788) are described for the New Zealand region. Spawning occurred from August to March, and the planktonic stages were widespread around New Zealand. Spawning probably takes place around midday at depths greater than 250 m. Eggs and larval stages were present over temperature ranges of 9.0–15.5°c and 13–22°c respectively.     

Sperm whales in the western south pacific

The distribution and movements of sperm whales, Physeter catodon Linn., in the western South Pacific (latitudes 30–70° S, longitudes 150E‐150°W) are examined. An undetermined number of catches by nineteenth century American whaleships, 9,720 catches by pelagic fleets in 1961–70, and 427 sightings in 1967 are analysed and correlated with oceanographic data from Australian and New Zealand surveys.

The proportion of females decreases southwards, abruptly at about latitude 44° S in the Tasman Sea, and at about 46–47° S east of New Zealand. Virtually no females occur south of 50° S. The male population density also decreases southwards: the density between 50–70° S appears to be less than 25% of that between 30–50° S. Sperm whales also appear to be less abundant in the eastern part of the region away from the New Zealand plateau, but more data are required.

The pattern of distribution and its seasonal changes probably correlate with vertical temperature gradients of about 5°c in the upper 100 m of water, i.e., optimal conditions for squid schooling. Catch per unit effort in autumn is lower than in spring. A northward population shift in autumn is inferred, based on reduction of available food species and probable temperature tolerances of calves, most of which are born in February and March, towards the end of the southern summer. Some males overwinter in areas where suitable gradients persist, e.g., around the Chatham Islands.

Possibly the summer surface temperature maxima south of the South Island are low enough to inhibit the passage of breeding schools with calves from one side of the New Zealand archipelago to the other. Sperm whales do not pass through Cook Strait normally. Thus, unless considerable mixing of stocks occurs north of New Zealand in winter, there may be two “unit stocks”, one oscillating seasonally between the central Tasman Sea and the Fiji‐Tonga region, and another (probably smaller) between the east coast of the South Island and the region just north of the Chatham Islands.     

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.     

Distribution,seasonality, lengths,and feeding behaviour of whale sharks (Rhincodon typus) observed in New Zealand waters

Data from 36 whale shark (Rhincodon typus Smith, 1828) sightings off north‐east North Island, New Zealand are summarised. Sightings were concentrated over the outer shelf and shelf break in areas influenced by the East Auckland Current at sea surface temperatures (SST) of 21–24°C. Sightings occurred from late spring to early autumn (November‐April) but were most frequent in midsummer (February) when upwelling along the north‐east shelf is weakest. The data indicate whale sharks occur off north‐east New Zealand most summers, including those when SST is colder than usual. A cluster of sightings and three observations of whale sharks feeding on schools of anchovy (Engraulis australis) near Whale Island, Bay of Plenty, suggest whale sharks may aggregate seasonally in this area. Estimated total lengths (TL) of 26 whale sharks ranged from 3.5 to 15 m, with 73% between 6 and 9 m TL.     

Intertidal zone of Delaware Inlet,Nelson, New Zealand

Abstract

A study was made of Delaware Inlet (41° 10'S, 173° 26’ E), Nelson, New Zealand, during February—April 1976. The catchment contains sparse animal and human populations, and supplies unpolluted influent waters.

Over 90% of the inlet was intertidal, with surfaces of predominantly sand interspersed with mud, gravel, cobbles, and shell. Less than 10% of the sediments were colonised by macroscopic vegetation, principally Juncus spp. with Salicornia australis, Zostera muelleri, Viva lactuca and Enteromorpha spp. Two microscopic organisms (Euglena obtusa and Oscillatoria ornata) were studied. Dense aggregations of molluscs, particularly Amphibola crenata (mud snail) and Chione stutchburyi (cockle) were present in specific areas.

Salinity of the water fluctuated widely from <4‰ at the river mouth to 35.0‰ in the main channel at high tide. Nitrogen levels (N0₂‐N, NO₃‐N, NH₄‐N, Kjeldahl‐N) were determined on influent and waters of the inlet. For the main channel, levels of NO₃‐N, NH₄‐N and Kjeldahl‐N tended to be substantially higher around low water than at high tide; respective maxima and minima were 0.016 and 0.001 g.m^?3, 0.050 and 0.001 g.m^?3, and 0.35 and 0.10 g.m^?3. For water from river and streamlets, average levels of nitrogen components were similar to those for the main channel at low tide.     

Physico‐chemical features of lake Ototoa,a sand‐dune lake in northern New Zealand

Lake Ototoa is a warm monomictic lake at 36° 31’ S, 174° 14'E. During a year's study (March 1969‐March 1970), the lake became thermally stratified in November, the metalimnion being between depths of 12 m and 16 m. Surface temperatures ranged between 10.2°c (in August) and 25.2°c (in late January), and bottom temperatures between 9.7°c and 17.5°c. The annual heat budget was calculated to be 642 354 KJ.m^‐2 (15 500 cal.cm^‐2) and the work of the wind in distributing the heat income 1.730 KJ.m^‐2 (1766 g.cm.cm^‐2). Secchi disc transparencies ranged between 5 m and 9.2 m (mean 7.07 m) and were greatest in the summer. Light transmission per metre was also high, ranging between 61% and 87%. Surface waters were normally supersaturated with oxygen, but during summer stratification oxygen concentrations in the bottom waters dropped to a minimum of 2.3 mg.litre^‐2 and a positive heterograde distribution of oxygen with depth was found. The oxygen deficit was 0.015 mg.cm^‐2.day^‐1 and showed the lake to be oligotrophic. Mean surface pH was 7.82, and the ionic composition of the waters was similar to that of other small New Zealand and Australian lakes located near the sea. Compared with other New Zealand lakes PO4‐P concentrations (range 1.00–10.20 μg.litre^‐1) were low and NO3—N concentrations (range 0.12–0.60 mg.litre^‐1) high.     

Further feral poeciliid fish in New Zealand fresh waters,with a key to species

The poeciliid fish, Phalloceros caudimaculatus (commonly referred to as the “caudo"), is recorded from the wild for the first time, occurring in stock‐water troughs on a farm near Kamo in Northland, New Zealand. The populations in the stock troughs reputedly came from a nearby stream c. 10 years ago, although a preliminary search has failed to reveal them to be there now. Presence of an additional exotic fish in New Zealand fresh waters is a matter for concern, and requires management. To facilitate recognition off. caudimaculatus, and its distinction from other poeciliids present here, a diagnosis is provided to enable identification, together with notes on natural history, and a key for the identification of the five species of Poeciliidae now known from natural waters in New Zealand.     

Spawning patterns of four species of predominantly temperate pelagic fishes in the sub-tropical waters of southern Queensland

The diverse pelagic fish assemblage of sub-tropical southern Queensland includes fishes with predominantly temperate distributions, such as tailor Pomatomus saltatrix, sardine Sardinops sagax, round herring Etrumeus teres, and Australian anchovy Engraulis australis. The peak spawning seasons of P. saltatrix, S. sagax and E. teres occur during late winter and early spring (June–October). Eggs and larvae of these three species are widely distributed in shelf waters and comprise >50% of the ichthyoplankton assemblage during this period. Mean monthly sea surface temperatures (SSTs) during late winter and early spring range from 21 to 23 °C, and are thus similar to those recorded in southern Australia during summer and autumn, which is the spawning season of these three species in those temperate waters. E. australis eggs occur mainly in inshore waters, and comprise >50% of fish eggs collected during summer and autumn when mean monthly SSTs in southern Queensland exceed 27 °C. E. australis also spawns mainly during summer and autumn in temperate Australia. Hence, water temperature may be less important as a determinant of the spawning season of E. australis than it is for the other three species. The suitability of southern Queensland for spawning by predominantly temperate species during late winter and early spring may contribute to the high diversity of the region's pelagic fish assemblage. Adult P. saltatrix, S. sagax and E. teres appear to migrate northwards into southern Queensland during early winter to spawn, and larvae may be transported southwards into temperate waters by the East Australian Current. This dispersal-migration pattern is similar to those observed for several species, including P. saltatrix, in the western boundary current systems off the east coasts of North America and Africa. Hence, pelagic fishes in ecosystems off the east coast of three continents migrate into sub-tropical waters to spawn, and larvae are transported back into temperate nursery areas by the prevailing current.     

Broad classification of New Zealand inlets with emphasis on residence times

Thirty‐two New Zealand coastal inlets are tentatively classified into seven groups with probable similar circulation patterns, based on ratios of their physical parameters: volume, tidal compartment, entrance width, surface area, length, and average width. Eighteen of these have a predominant tidal flow, shown from their small ratio (ß < 4) of tidal compartment to total volume, and the cross‐sectional areas of their entrances are controlled by the tidal flow: Moutere, Waimea, Aotea, Whanganui, Avon‐Heathcote, Tauranga, Parengarenga, Porirua‐Pauatahanui, Kawhia, Nelson, Rangaunu, Raglan, Whangarei, Bluff, Otago, Hokianga, Manukau, and Whangaruru. The other fourteen range from long narrow sounds with probable strong vertical circulation (e.g., Pelorus Sound) to large bays with strong mean horizontal circulations (e.g., Tasman and Hawke Bays).

Examples of residence time calculated in inlets with ß > 4 are given for Tasman Bay, a bay with a mean horizontal circulation, which has a residence time of 1–3 months, and Pelorus Sound, an inlet with a vertically complex circulation, which has a residence time of about 20 d.