title: Comparing plasma and faecal measures of steroid hormones in Adelie penguins Pygoscelis adeliae

authors: Ninnes, Calum Edward

subjects: Adelie penguin

abstract: Physiological measurements of both stress and sex hormones are often used to estimate the consequences of natural or human-induced change in ecological studies of various animals. Different methods of hormone measurement exist, potentially explaining variation in results across studies; methods should be cross-validated to ensure that they correlate. We directly compared faecal and plasma hormone measurements for the first time in a wild free-living species, the Adelie penguin (Pygoscelis adeliae). Blood and faecal samples were simultaneously collected from individual penguins for comparison and assayed for testosterone and corticosterone (or their metabolites). Sex differences and variability within each measure, and correlation of values across measures were compared. For both hormones, plasma samples showed greater variation than faecal samples. Males had higher mean corticosterone concentrations than females, but the difference was only statistically significant in faecal samples. Plasma testosterone, but not faecal testosterone, was significantly higher in males than females. Correlation between sample types was poor overall, and weaker in females than in males, perhaps because measures from plasma represent hormones that are both free and bound to globulins, whereas measures from faeces represent only the free portion. Faecal samples also represent a cumulative measure of hormones over time, as opposed to a plasma ‘snapshot’ concentration. Our data indicate that faecal sampling appears more suitable for assessing baseline hormone concentrations, whilst plasma sampling may best define immediate responses to environmental events. Consequently, future studies should ensure that they select the most appropriate matrix and method of hormone measurement to answer their research questions.

text: Comparing plasma and faecal measures of steroid hormones in Adelie penguins Pygoscelis adeliae Physiological measurements of both stress and sex hormones are often used to estimate the consequences of natural or human-induced change in ecological studies of various animals. Different methods of hormone measurement exist, potentially explaining variation in results across studies; methods should be cross-validated to ensure that they correlate. We directly compared faecal and plasma hormone measurements for the first time in a wild free-living species, the Adelie penguin (Pygoscelis adeliae). Blood and faecal samples were simultaneously collected from individual penguins for comparison and assayed for testosterone and corticosterone (or their metabolites). Sex differences and variability within each measure, and correlation of values across measures were compared. For both hormones, plasma samples showed greater variation than faecal samples. Males had higher mean corticosterone concentrations than females, but the difference was only statistically significant in faecal samples. Plasma testosterone, but not faecal testosterone, was significantly higher in males than females. Correlation between sample types was poor overall, and weaker in females than in males, perhaps because measures from plasma represent hormones that are both free and bound to globulins, whereas measures from faeces represent only the free portion. Faecal samples also represent a cumulative measure of hormones over time, as opposed to a plasma ‘snapshot’ concentration. Our data indicate that faecal sampling appears more suitable for assessing baseline hormone concentrations, whilst plasma sampling may best define immediate responses to environmental events. Consequently, future studies should ensure that they select the most appropriate matrix and method of hormone measurement to answer their research questions.

year: 2010

title: Genomic tools in biological invasions: Current state and future frontiers

authors: McGaughran, Angela

subjects: biological invasion

abstract: Human activities are accelerating rates of biological invasions and climate-driven range expansions globally, yet we understand little of how genomic processes facilitate the invasion process. Although most of the literature has focused on underlying phenotypic correlates of invasiveness, advances in genomic technologies are showing a strong link between genomic variation and invasion success.

Here, we consider the ability of genomic tools and technologies to: (i) inform mechanistic understanding of biological invasions; and (ii) solve real-world issues in predicting and managing biological invasions. For both, we examine the current state of the field and discuss how genomics can be leveraged in the future. In addition, we make recommendations pertinent to broader research issues, such as data sovereignty, metadata standards, collaboration, and science communication best practices that will require concerted efforts from the global invasion genomics community.

text: Genomic tools in biological invasions: Current state and future frontiers Human activities are accelerating rates of biological invasions and climate-driven range expansions globally, yet we understand little of how genomic processes facilitate the invasion process. Although most of the literature has focused on underlying phenotypic correlates of invasiveness, advances in genomic technologies are showing a strong link between genomic variation and invasion success.

Here, we consider the ability of genomic tools and technologies to: (i) inform mechanistic understanding of biological invasions; and (ii) solve real-world issues in predicting and managing biological invasions. For both, we examine the current state of the field and discuss how genomics can be leveraged in the future. In addition, we make recommendations pertinent to broader research issues, such as data sovereignty, metadata standards, collaboration, and science communication best practices that will require concerted efforts from the global invasion genomics community.

year: 2024

title: Tūtereinga o Pirirākau: He piringa rākau,  he piringa whakairo, he piringa whare, he piringa mana Māori motuhake Reclaiming identity and mana Māori motuhake

authors: Rolleston, Elisha

subjects: Ngāti Ranginui

abstract: Since the early 19th century, colonisation has deeply harmed Pirirākau, a hapū of Ngāti Ranginui in Tauranga moana, severely and consistently undermining our vitality, livelihood, ambitions, and aspirations. Colonisation through the lens of land alienation, economic impoverishment, mass settler immigration, warfare, cultural marginalisation and assimilation, and multi-level hegemonic racism has had profound negative impacts on the identity, connectedness, sense of belonging, and mana Māori motuhake for Pirirākau.

As a counter-colonial strategy, this thesis explores the role that the Tūtereinga whare whakairo has contributed towards the reclamation of the identity and mana Māori motuhake for Pirirākau. Tūtereinga whare whakairo, a mnemonic architectural vessel fashioned with anthropomorphic figures, is pivotal in the reclamation of the identity and mana Māori motuhake for Pirirākau. Our wharenui is the focal point of our marae – Tūtereinga and remains the cornerstone of the identity of Pirirākau. The historic moments manifested in its carved patterns and structural elements are inextricably connected with and dependent upon the structure of the world fabricated by mātauranga Māori. However, due to the disastrous effects of colonisation, whakairo rākau and its associated architectural practices that are central to Māori identity and mana Māori motuhake suffered decline in many parts of Aotearoa, leading to the detrimental impacts of Māori identity and mana Māori motuhake.

Our wharenui Tūtereinga is a visual representation of our identity and mana that preserves our whakapapa, history, and inter-generational narratives unique to Pirirākau in the form of whakairo rākau, tukutuku, and kōwhaiwhai, enabling the transmission of knowledge for generations through traditional narratives and customary protocols and practices.

text: Tūtereinga o Pirirākau: He piringa rākau,  he piringa whakairo, he piringa whare, he piringa mana Māori motuhake Reclaiming identity and mana Māori motuhake Since the early 19th century, colonisation has deeply harmed Pirirākau, a hapū of Ngāti Ranginui in Tauranga moana, severely and consistently undermining our vitality, livelihood, ambitions, and aspirations. Colonisation through the lens of land alienation, economic impoverishment, mass settler immigration, warfare, cultural marginalisation and assimilation, and multi-level hegemonic racism has had profound negative impacts on the identity, connectedness, sense of belonging, and mana Māori motuhake for Pirirākau.

As a counter-colonial strategy, this thesis explores the role that the Tūtereinga whare whakairo has contributed towards the reclamation of the identity and mana Māori motuhake for Pirirākau. Tūtereinga whare whakairo, a mnemonic architectural vessel fashioned with anthropomorphic figures, is pivotal in the reclamation of the identity and mana Māori motuhake for Pirirākau. Our wharenui is the focal point of our marae – Tūtereinga and remains the cornerstone of the identity of Pirirākau. The historic moments manifested in its carved patterns and structural elements are inextricably connected with and dependent upon the structure of the world fabricated by mātauranga Māori. However, due to the disastrous effects of colonisation, whakairo rākau and its associated architectural practices that are central to Māori identity and mana Māori motuhake suffered decline in many parts of Aotearoa, leading to the detrimental impacts of Māori identity and mana Māori motuhake.

Our wharenui Tūtereinga is a visual representation of our identity and mana that preserves our whakapapa, history, and inter-generational narratives unique to Pirirākau in the form of whakairo rākau, tukutuku, and kōwhaiwhai, enabling the transmission of knowledge for generations through traditional narratives and customary protocols and practices.

year: 2024