The choice of a place to live and reproduce is crucial for species� survival in providing them with adequate resources and shelter from predators or climatic conditions. Determining habitat suitability in endangered species is important for the success of translocation as a conservation tool. In addition, understanding mechanisms (source/sink system versus ecological traps) that drive habitat selection in translocated animals may be critical to population viability. In New Zealand, where ecosystems are highly vulnerable to extinction, habitat restoration on predator-free off-shore islands is an important recovery tool. Therefore, there is a need to understand the relationship between the establishment of the translocated populations and the characteristics of their new environment. Previous research indicated that re-introduced populations of Stewart Island robin (Petroica australis rakiura - Toutouwai) and South Island saddleback (Philesternus carunculatus carunculatus - Tieke) on Ulva Island (Stewart Island), New Zealand, showed preferences for coastal habitats that were characterized by low-lying dense vegetation and open ground cover. In this study, we further investigated territorial establishment in these two populations since re-introduction and looked at how birds utilised the landscape. I hypothesised that sites colonised soon after re-introduction were of high quality and later on, birds moved into unsuitable habitats. I defined habitat quality at a micro-scale in terms of vegetation structure, nest characteristics and food availability. I modeled bird presence and nesting success in relation to habitat components to determine factors in the environment that influenced breeding site selection and contributed to successful nesting in these two species. I discussed results in comparison to similar bird-habitat models developed for the South Island saddleback population on Motuara Island (Marlborough Sounds) and examined explanatory variables in each model. Translocated birds in the three studied populations first established territories in coastal scrub, and in the following years moved into larger coastal forest stands. Although vegetation structure was the primary variable explaining site selection in these populations, vegetation composition should still be considered important as it dictated the suitability of nesting substrate and the availability of food items. There was no evidence that first-colonised areas were more suitable habitats, and I concluded that these cases could not be used as examples of ecological traps. Instead, results suggested that with increased density robins and saddlebacks on Ulva have more recently settled in sites less suitable to nesting and foraging, thus underlying a source/sink structure. However, the sparse distribution of food items on Motuara contributed to a lack of territorial behavior and environmental effect on breeding success; therefore a source/sink system could not be confirmed in this population. I recommended that future translocation sites give preference to mixed-size stands with broadleaved species that are characterised by dense canopy below 4 m height and with suitable cavities in live trees. Lastly, due to robins� and saddlebacks� attraction to conspecifics and their territorial behavior, resources evenly distributed across the landscape could also increase their survival and reproductive success.

ABSTRACT One cause of declines and extinctions of island species is carnivore introduction. Four carnivores, including the small Indian mongoose (Herpestes auropunctatus), are on the IUCN’s list of 100 of the World's Worst Invasive Alien Species. My thesis summarizes global patterns of carnivore introductions and examines ecological, evolutionary, and management impacts of this mongoose. I study abundances of reptiles and amphibians on mongoose-infested and mongoose-free islands in the Adriatic Sea to determine if factors other than mongoose presence can account for abundance differences. For several reptiles and amphibians, the mongoose is implicated as causing differences. Additionally, I assess species abundance in the small mammal community and activity times of introduced ship rats (Rattus rattus) on the same islands. The mongoose is implicated in a shift in rat activity times, but it is difficult to separate mongoose impacts on small mammal abundance from rat impacts. To manage introduced carnivores, we can exclude, control, or eradicate them. I review literature data on mongoose eradication and control campaigns. I compiled a list of all islands with known mongoose populations and focused on assessing successes, failures, and challenges. The mongoose has been eradicated only on six very small islands. Management at low levels by various techniques has been attempted on many islands, with variable success. On almost all islands of introduction, the mongoose has no potential competitors of similar size. However, on three Adriatic islands where the mongoose was introduced, a similar-sized native carnivore, the stone marten (Martes foina), is present, while on one Adriatic island the small Indian mongoose is the sole carnivore. To see if character displacement occurs in the mongoose when the marten is present, and vice-versa, I examined size variation in the diameter of the upper canine tooth (the prey-killing organ) and skull length in these two species on these islands. Character displacement in both traits was evident for the mongoose but not the marten. Lastly, I developed a simulation model to examine genetic consequences of serial introductions of the small Indian mongoose and found that the potential for population genetic data to determine introduction pathways and sequences is limited.

In an unselected series of mentally retarded children in the county of Västerbotten, Sweden, the annual incidence of children with severe mental retardation (SMR) (IQ &lt; 50) and alive at the age of one year decreased from 5.3 per 1,000 in 1959 - 1963 to 3.1 per 1,000 in 1967 -1970. This was mainly due to a decrease in the incidence of Down's syndrome. In parallel the proportion of mothers 35 years of age or more at the birth of the child decreased significantly. The prevalence of children with SMR in 1976 was 3.5 per 1,000. The main cause of the SMR was prenatal in 70 percent, perinatal in 8 percent and postnatal in 1 percent. The cause of the SMR was untraceable in 20 percent of the cases. Associated CNS-handicaps occurred in 52 percent of the cases. The annual incidence of mildly mentally retarded children (IQ 50 - 69) registered at the Bureau for Provision and Services for Mentally Retarded was 4.2 per 1,000 and the prevalence in 1979 was 3.8 per 1,000. The cause of the mild mental retardation (MMR) was untraceable in 43 percent. Prenatal causes were identified in as many as 43 percent. Perinatal causes were found in 7 percent and postnatal causes in 5 percent of the cases. Associated CNS-handicaps occurred in 30 percent of the cases.A syndrome of mental retardation with X-linked inheritance not recognized previously in Sweden was characterized clinically (mainly in boys, machro-orchidism, verbal disabilities) and cytogenetically (a fragile site on the X-chromosomes seen after cui turing in special folic acid deficient media) and found to have a prevalence of 6 percent in the population of severely mentally retarded boys. This makes this syndrome the next most common cause of SMR in boys after Down's syndrome. The chromosomal fragility was also identified in female carriers, which has implications for genetic counselling.Through identification of an untreated Phenylketonurie mother giving birth to five severely mentally retarded children, attention was focused on the risks for the fetus of the growing number of Phenylketonurie women identified neonatally and treated di etarily but untreated after the age of 10 - 15 years.Great improvement in intellectual and social ability was seen in a boy with phenylketonuria although the dietary treatment was not introduced until the age of eight years.Heavy irradiation of a fetus late in gestation caused mental retardation, microcephaly, stunted growth, and eye and teeth abnormalities, although such abnormalities are thought not to result from irradiation after 20 weeks of pregnancy. / <p>Endast s.1-71: sammanfattningen (kappan) i fulltexten.</p><p>Ej med i fulltexten s.72-145: 7 delar.</p> / digitalisering@umu

Species that are introduced outside of their native ranges are an important threat to biodiversity. In southwestern Alberta, Canada, sport and bait fish have been introduced into most waterbodies. I examined the effects of introduced trout and minnows on the distribution, demography and behaviour of larval long-toed salamanders through a combination of field surveys, laboratory experiments and an outdoor mesocosm experiment. Results from field surveys at 30 high-elevation (>1500m) lakes confirmed previous studies showing an allopatic distribution of trout and long-toed salamanders. The same pattern was also documented at 27 low-elevation (<1500m) ponds. In a mesocosm experiment, salamander survival was significantly reduced in ponds containing trout or minnows. Surprisingly, larvae exposed to minnows were 28-65% smaller than larvae in control ponds, suggesting strong interspecific competition for zooplankton prey. In a series of laboratory studies, trout preyed directly on salamander hatchlings and larvae, whereas minnows injured hatchlings but did not consume them. In laboratory aquaria, salamander larvae spent significantly more time within a refuge when exposed to minnow cues, but showed no behavioural response to trout. This confirmed my expectation that long-toed salamanders lack specific behavioural responses to trout, but respond generally to disturbances within the water column. Thus, direct predation and a lack of specific antipredator behaviour are among the likely mechanisms responsible for the observed allopatic distribution of trout and long-toed salamanders. My data also show that gape-limited fish reduce growth and survival of salamanders, perhaps more so than trout, through mechanism such as competition and behavioural alteration. / ix, 76 leaves : ill., map ; 29 cm.

In our ever more populated world, the rapid expansion and intensification of agriculture is driving worldwide biodiversity loss, and the interactions between production landscapes and wildlife conservation are becoming increasingly important. Farming systems depend on ecosystem services such as biological control, while conservationists are calling for the establishment of conservation initiatives in non-preserve landscapes. Despite this, the goals of agriculture and the goals of predator-conservation are rarely mutual. Here, I demonstrate one of the first examples of a mutually beneficial scenario between agriculture and predator conservation. I used, as a case study, a reintroduction project that translocated individuals of the threatened New Zealand falcon (Falco novaeseelandiae) from the hills of Marlborough into vineyards, to determine if predators can survive within an agricultural landscape while simultaneously providing that landscape with biological control services. Examples of vertebrates providing biological control to agriculture are rare. I show that the presence of falcons in vineyards caused an economically important reduction in grape damage worth over US $230/ ha. Falcon presence caused a 78- 83% reduction in the number of introduced European pest birds, which resulted in a 95% reduction in the damage caused by these species. Falcon presence did not cause a reduction in the abundance of the native silvereye (Zosterops lateralis), but did halve the damage caused by this species. To assess the conservation value of the falcon translocations, I used remote videography, direct observations and prey analysis to measure the behavioural changes associated with the relocation of falcons from their natural habitat in the hills and into vineyards. Falcons in vineyard nests had higher nest attendance, higher brooding rates, and higher feeding rates than falcons in hill nests. Additionally, parents in vineyard nests fed their chicks a greater amount of total prey and larger prey items compared to parents in hill nests. I also found an absence of any significant diet differences between falcons in hill and vineyard habitats, suggesting that the latter may be a suitable alternative habitat for falcons. Because reintroduced juvenile falcons were released in areas devoid of adult falcons, it was possible that they were missing essential training normally provided by their parents. I used direct observations to demonstrate that the presence of siblings had similar effects to the presence of parents on the development of juvenile behaviour, with individuals flying, hunting, and playing more often when conspecifics were present. Finally, through the use of artificial nests and remote videography, I identified that falcons nesting in vineyards are likely to suffer lower predation rates. I also found that falcons in vineyards are predated by a less dangerous suite of animals (such as hedgehogs, Erinaceus europaeus, and avian predators), than their counterparts in the hills, which are predated by more voracious species (such as stoats, Mustela erminea, and feral cats, Felis catus). The work presented in this thesis has also added to the current knowledge of New Zealand falcon breeding behaviour, prey preferences, and behavioural development. Although agricultural regions globally are rarely associated with raptor conservation, and the ability of raptors to control the pests of agricultural crops has not been previously quantified, these results suggest that translocating New Zealand falcons into vineyards has potential for both the conservation of this species, and for providing biological control services to agriculture

Using a comparative approach, the presented study explores the ecology of ten species of native New Zealand broom, Carmichaelia, and their vulnerability to competition and herbivory, with the aim of gaining a better understanding of the significance of introduced species as a threat to rare indigenous plants in New Zealand. In particular, the study focuses on the relationship between characteristics of the Carmichaelia species and their vulnerability, as well as on other factors influencing the significance of introduced species as a threat. To gain a better understanding of the ecology of the Carmichaelia species, their current habitats and associated plant communities were investigated using quantitative-descriptive methods in the field. The effect of competition with introduced plants was studied in two glasshouse experiments, differentiating above ground competition for light from below ground competition for nutrients and water. The experiments focussed on the early life-stage of seedling establishment of the Carmichaelia species. The impact of herbivory by introduced mammals was studied in four field-based exclosure trials, focussing on the effects on survival and reproductive activity of adult Carmichaelia plants. The results showed that the effects of competition and herbivory vary between the different species. Furthermore, they provided a set of species characteristics that can be used as indicators to predict the vulnerability of Carmichaelia to the impact of introduced species. These indicators provide a useful tool for threatened species management, as they allow the identification of the most vulnerable species as well as the most significant threat to each species. Furthermore, the indicators can be used to group species, combining those with similar vulnerability profiles, and therefore, likely similar management needs. However, the example of the Carmichaelia species also illustrated that the use of indicators for the vulnerability of threatened species is limited and needs to be combined with case-by-case studies to verify the actual significance of threats for each population of concern. The vulnerability profiles derived from species’ characteristics can be used to guide such site specific studies, ensuring they focus on the most relevant threat factors. This combination of the understanding of general patterns in the vulnerability of species with targeted species and site-specific studies will lead to increased efficiency in the conservation management of threatened plant species.

The choice of a place to live and reproduce is crucial for species� survival in providing them with adequate resources and shelter from predators or climatic conditions. Determining habitat suitability in endangered species is important for the success of translocation as a conservation tool. In addition, understanding mechanisms (source/sink system versus ecological traps) that drive habitat selection in translocated animals may be critical to population viability. In New Zealand, where ecosystems are highly vulnerable to extinction, habitat restoration on predator-free off-shore islands is an important recovery tool. Therefore, there is a need to understand the relationship between the establishment of the translocated populations and the characteristics of their new environment. Previous research indicated that re-introduced populations of Stewart Island robin (Petroica australis rakiura - Toutouwai) and South Island saddleback (Philesternus carunculatus carunculatus - Tieke) on Ulva Island (Stewart Island), New Zealand, showed preferences for coastal habitats that were characterized by low-lying dense vegetation and open ground cover. In this study, we further investigated territorial establishment in these two populations since re-introduction and looked at how birds utilised the landscape. I hypothesised that sites colonised soon after re-introduction were of high quality and later on, birds moved into unsuitable habitats. I defined habitat quality at a micro-scale in terms of vegetation structure, nest characteristics and food availability. I modeled bird presence and nesting success in relation to habitat components to determine factors in the environment that influenced breeding site selection and contributed to successful nesting in these two species. I discussed results in comparison to similar bird-habitat models developed for the South Island saddleback population on Motuara Island (Marlborough Sounds) and examined explanatory variables in each model. Translocated birds in the three studied populations first established territories in coastal scrub, and in the following years moved into larger coastal forest stands. Although vegetation structure was the primary variable explaining site selection in these populations, vegetation composition should still be considered important as it dictated the suitability of nesting substrate and the availability of food items. There was no evidence that first-colonised areas were more suitable habitats, and I concluded that these cases could not be used as examples of ecological traps. Instead, results suggested that with increased density robins and saddlebacks on Ulva have more recently settled in sites less suitable to nesting and foraging, thus underlying a source/sink structure. However, the sparse distribution of food items on Motuara contributed to a lack of territorial behavior and environmental effect on breeding success; therefore a source/sink system could not be confirmed in this population. I recommended that future translocation sites give preference to mixed-size stands with broadleaved species that are characterised by dense canopy below 4 m height and with suitable cavities in live trees. Lastly, due to robins� and saddlebacks� attraction to conspecifics and their territorial behavior, resources evenly distributed across the landscape could also increase their survival and reproductive success.

The depiction of birds by artists such as Don Binney, Bill Hammond, Michael Parekowhai and Grant Whibley has served as metaphors in the conceptual systems of post-settler New Zealanders’ expression of identity. This project investigated unease in New Zealand post-settler identity and its dislocation from the past by considering works depicting native birds. Is depicting native - rather than introduced birds, an incongruous and romantic settler iconography in identity, leading to a re-telling of our place in this land at the expense of not only the rightful indigenous place of Maori, but of our own cultural becoming? By exploring the painting of birds as metaphors of New Zealand post-settler identity, the project aimed to contribute to the complex issues surrounding the entwined and entangled post-settler relationships of both the past and present. This painting project investigated these issues through the medium of oil paint, culminating in a body of artwork presented in an exhibition with an accompanying exegesis representing 20% of the work.

The depiction of birds by artists such as Don Binney, Bill Hammond, Michael Parekowhai and Grant Whibley has served as metaphors in the conceptual systems of post-settler New Zealanders’ expression of identity. This project investigated unease in New Zealand post-settler identity and its dislocation from the past by considering works depicting native birds. Is depicting native - rather than introduced birds, an incongruous and romantic settler iconography in identity, leading to a re-telling of our place in this land at the expense of not only the rightful indigenous place of Maori, but of our own cultural becoming? By exploring the painting of birds as metaphors of New Zealand post-settler identity, the project aimed to contribute to the complex issues surrounding the entwined and entangled post-settler relationships of both the past and present. This painting project investigated these issues through the medium of oil paint, culminating in a body of artwork presented in an exhibition with an accompanying exegesis representing 20% of the work.

Thesis (M.S.)--Oregon State University, 2010. / Printout. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 53-58). Also available on the World Wide Web.