title: Evaluation of the introduction history and genetic diversity of a serially introduced fish population in New Zealand

authors: Purcell, K. M.

subjects: invasive

abstract: Understanding the introduction history and the impact of founder events on invasive species is crucial to understanding the evolutionary mechanisms driving successful invasions. Recently, there has been increased discussion of the ‘‘paradox’’ of invasions, the high success of introduced populations that presumably have limited genetic diversity associated with founder events. The western mosquitofish Gambusia affinis is an ideal species for evaluating this paradox, because it has been widely introduced from its native range in central Texas, USA. This species was introduced to the North Island of New Zealand, circa 1930, and has since invaded aquatic habitats across the North Island. We conducted a microsatellite assay of populations from both the native and introduced range to verify the documented history of invasion and to assess the impact of serial introduction events on the genetic diversity of recently established New Zealand populations. The molecular data were consistent with the documented introduction history. In addition, we found sharp reductions in the allelic richness and the heterozygosity of the introduced populations relative to the original native populations, indicating the presence of founder effects. We also observed the development of strong genetic structure within the introduced range, which is absent within the native range. Finally, we applied approximate Bayesian computation to the introduction scenario to estimate the long-term effective population sizes for the sampled populations.

text: Evaluation of the introduction history and genetic diversity of a serially introduced fish population in New Zealand Understanding the introduction history and the impact of founder events on invasive species is crucial to understanding the evolutionary mechanisms driving successful invasions. Recently, there has been increased discussion of the ‘‘paradox’’ of invasions, the high success of introduced populations that presumably have limited genetic diversity associated with founder events. The western mosquitofish Gambusia affinis is an ideal species for evaluating this paradox, because it has been widely introduced from its native range in central Texas, USA. This species was introduced to the North Island of New Zealand, circa 1930, and has since invaded aquatic habitats across the North Island. We conducted a microsatellite assay of populations from both the native and introduced range to verify the documented history of invasion and to assess the impact of serial introduction events on the genetic diversity of recently established New Zealand populations. The molecular data were consistent with the documented introduction history. In addition, we found sharp reductions in the allelic richness and the heterozygosity of the introduced populations relative to the original native populations, indicating the presence of founder effects. We also observed the development of strong genetic structure within the introduced range, which is absent within the native range. Finally, we applied approximate Bayesian computation to the introduction scenario to estimate the long-term effective population sizes for the sampled populations.

year: 2012

title: “Just wrong,” “disgusting,” “grotesque,” “offensive”: How to deal with public rejection of new potentially life-saving technologies

authors: Weijers, Dan M.

abstract: New technologies can offer solutions to security concerns, such as preventing terrorist attacks. Many new technologies are criticised on moral grounds, leading some potentially life-saving technologies to be left on the shelf (in a folder marked “rejected ideas”). In this talk, I present a procedural framework for policymakers to use when a potentially beneficial new technology is deemed morally repugnant by members of the public. The framework takes into account the possibility of different and conflicting moral beliefs, and indicates the appropriate response to moral repugnance about potentially beneficial new technologies. The example of “PAM”, the proposed anti-terrorist prediction market is used to illustrate the framework.

text: “Just wrong,” “disgusting,” “grotesque,” “offensive”: How to deal with public rejection of new potentially life-saving technologies New technologies can offer solutions to security concerns, such as preventing terrorist attacks. Many new technologies are criticised on moral grounds, leading some potentially life-saving technologies to be left on the shelf (in a folder marked “rejected ideas”). In this talk, I present a procedural framework for policymakers to use when a potentially beneficial new technology is deemed morally repugnant by members of the public. The framework takes into account the possibility of different and conflicting moral beliefs, and indicates the appropriate response to moral repugnance about potentially beneficial new technologies. The example of “PAM”, the proposed anti-terrorist prediction market is used to illustrate the framework.

year: 2018

title: Maori demography in Aotearoa New Zealand: Fifty Years on

authors: Kukutai, Tahu

abstract: Writing in the Journal of the Polynesian Society fifty years ago, budding demographer Ian Pool asked: “When is a Maori a ‘Maori’”? His assertion that cultural self-identification was the only credible way to define Māori collectively in official statistics was in stark contrast to the prevailing institutional practice of defining Māori by ‘degree of blood.’ In this article I use key insights from Ian’s paper to reflect on contemporary practices of demography, focusing specifically on the construction of Māori as a discrete population for demographic research, and the use of Māori ethnic identification as an independent variable. I conclude with some thoughts on how official statistics might be changed to better reflect the aspirations and needs of Māori in a post-settlement context.

text: Maori demography in Aotearoa New Zealand: Fifty Years on Writing in the Journal of the Polynesian Society fifty years ago, budding demographer Ian Pool asked: “When is a Maori a ‘Maori’”? His assertion that cultural self-identification was the only credible way to define Māori collectively in official statistics was in stark contrast to the prevailing institutional practice of defining Māori by ‘degree of blood.’ In this article I use key insights from Ian’s paper to reflect on contemporary practices of demography, focusing specifically on the construction of Māori as a discrete population for demographic research, and the use of Māori ethnic identification as an independent variable. I conclude with some thoughts on how official statistics might be changed to better reflect the aspirations and needs of Māori in a post-settlement context.

year: 2011