title: Systematics of New Zealand Pimelea (Thymelaeaceae)

authors: Squire, Talissa Suellen

subjects: Pimelea

abstract: Pimelea Banks and Sol. ex Gaertn. is a genus of shrubs, sub-shrubs and herbs belonging to the eudicot family Thymelaeaceae. First described 1769, the genus initially contained four species but has since grown to contain 126 species which are distributed around Australia, New Zealand and Lord Howe Island. New Zealand has 35 endemic Pimelea species, and numerous subspecies bringing the total to 51 taxa which are distributed across the North and South Islands, as well as offshore.
The most recent revision of the genus Pimelea was conducted by Colin Burrows throughout a series of five papers published from 2008 to 2011. Burrows (2011), as well as Motsi (2010), theorized that New Zealand’s Pimelea initially originated from Australia. Motsi (2010) went on to hypothesise that these species were monophyletic and that the diversity present occurred via speciation and radiation. The conclusions drawn by these two papers, however, have their limitations. Burrows (2011) based his solely on the morphology of species across New Zealand Pimelea, while Motsi (2010) only studied the molecular sequences of four New Zealand Pimelea species. Burrows, throughout a number of his papers, also studied the molecular systematics of Pimelea and attempted to organize its taxonomy but similarly only based his findings on morphological traits.
This project has four key aims, the first is to assemble and review the literature currently available about Pimelea and in particular, the New Zealand Pimelea. Due to the absence of previous research which considers both morphology and molecular phylogenetics of Pimelea, this project will include all New Zealand Pimelea taxa and will use both morphological traits and molecular analysis of the DNA sequence variation off the nuclear ribosomal inter transcriber spacer regions (ITS). Using these, this research intends to 1) test the classification of the genus sensu Burrows, 2) infer biogeographic relationships between Pimelea species within New Zealand and 3) infer the number of colonization events of Pimelea in New Zealand and hence test its monophyly.

text: Systematics of New Zealand Pimelea (Thymelaeaceae) Pimelea Banks and Sol. ex Gaertn. is a genus of shrubs, sub-shrubs and herbs belonging to the eudicot family Thymelaeaceae. First described 1769, the genus initially contained four species but has since grown to contain 126 species which are distributed around Australia, New Zealand and Lord Howe Island. New Zealand has 35 endemic Pimelea species, and numerous subspecies bringing the total to 51 taxa which are distributed across the North and South Islands, as well as offshore.
The most recent revision of the genus Pimelea was conducted by Colin Burrows throughout a series of five papers published from 2008 to 2011. Burrows (2011), as well as Motsi (2010), theorized that New Zealand’s Pimelea initially originated from Australia. Motsi (2010) went on to hypothesise that these species were monophyletic and that the diversity present occurred via speciation and radiation. The conclusions drawn by these two papers, however, have their limitations. Burrows (2011) based his solely on the morphology of species across New Zealand Pimelea, while Motsi (2010) only studied the molecular sequences of four New Zealand Pimelea species. Burrows, throughout a number of his papers, also studied the molecular systematics of Pimelea and attempted to organize its taxonomy but similarly only based his findings on morphological traits.
This project has four key aims, the first is to assemble and review the literature currently available about Pimelea and in particular, the New Zealand Pimelea. Due to the absence of previous research which considers both morphology and molecular phylogenetics of Pimelea, this project will include all New Zealand Pimelea taxa and will use both morphological traits and molecular analysis of the DNA sequence variation off the nuclear ribosomal inter transcriber spacer regions (ITS). Using these, this research intends to 1) test the classification of the genus sensu Burrows, 2) infer biogeographic relationships between Pimelea species within New Zealand and 3) infer the number of colonization events of Pimelea in New Zealand and hence test its monophyly.

year: 2016

title: On approximating the shape of one-dimensional posterior marginals using the low discrepancy points

authors: Joshi, Chaitanya

subjects: Science & Technology

abstract: A method to approximate Bayesian posterior by evaluating it on a low discrepancy sequence (LDS) point set has recently been proposed. However, this method does not focus on finding the posterior marginals. Finding posterior marginals when the posterior approximation is obtained using LDS is not straightforward, and as yet, there is no method to approximate one dimensional marginals using an LDS. We propose an approximation method for this problem. This method is based on an s-dimensional integration rule together with fitting a polynomial smoothing function. We state and prove results showing conditions under which this polynomial smoothing function will converge to the true one-dimensional function. We also demonstrate the computational efficiency of the new approach compared to a grid
based approach.

text: On approximating the shape of one-dimensional posterior marginals using the low discrepancy points A method to approximate Bayesian posterior by evaluating it on a low discrepancy sequence (LDS) point set has recently been proposed. However, this method does not focus on finding the posterior marginals. Finding posterior marginals when the posterior approximation is obtained using LDS is not straightforward, and as yet, there is no method to approximate one dimensional marginals using an LDS. We propose an approximation method for this problem. This method is based on an s-dimensional integration rule together with fitting a polynomial smoothing function. We state and prove results showing conditions under which this polynomial smoothing function will converge to the true one-dimensional function. We also demonstrate the computational efficiency of the new approach compared to a grid
based approach.

year: 2021-11-29

title: Puhi: Memories and experiences in their ceremonial role in traditional and contemporary Maori worlds

authors: Simpson, Ariana

subjects: psychology

abstract: According to early writers, Puhi are described as the treasured daughters of chiefs, were of high rank, endowed with aristocracy, and fiercely protected and respected by the tribe. They were renowned for their beauty, their courage and leadership. Although very little information and knowledge on the function and the role of Puhi is available, information has been sought from early and contemporary writings, tribal narratives, oral histories and memories and experiences of women in their ceremonial role as puhi in traditional and contemporary times. Of interest for this research is the value and belief system in which the role and function of Puhi has survived and exists today, given that in today’s society, Maori women and their children are the primary victims of domestic violence in Aotearoa. This research aims to identify and highlight the importance of kotiro in traditional and contemporary times and to provide a clearer understanding of Puhi by documenting and recording experiences, memories and early writings.

text: Puhi: Memories and experiences in their ceremonial role in traditional and contemporary Maori worlds According to early writers, Puhi are described as the treasured daughters of chiefs, were of high rank, endowed with aristocracy, and fiercely protected and respected by the tribe. They were renowned for their beauty, their courage and leadership. Although very little information and knowledge on the function and the role of Puhi is available, information has been sought from early and contemporary writings, tribal narratives, oral histories and memories and experiences of women in their ceremonial role as puhi in traditional and contemporary times. Of interest for this research is the value and belief system in which the role and function of Puhi has survived and exists today, given that in today’s society, Maori women and their children are the primary victims of domestic violence in Aotearoa. This research aims to identify and highlight the importance of kotiro in traditional and contemporary times and to provide a clearer understanding of Puhi by documenting and recording experiences, memories and early writings.

year: 2006