title: Sex- and season-dependent behaviour in a flightless insect, the Auckland tree weta (Hemideina thoracica)

authors: Wehi, Priscilla M.

subjects: Aggregation

abstract: In a polygynous mating system, males frequently compete by locating and defending sites with resources essential to female survival and reproduction. We investigated seasonal changes in site occupancy in a sexually dimorphic, harem-forming insect, the Auckland tree weta (Hemideina thoracica). First we established artificial cavities as diurnal refuge cavities and potential harem guarding sites. We then examined cavity occupancy changes, and, based on our knowledge of prior occupants, determined sex-specific patterns of arrival, departure, and aggregation at a population level throughout the year. Both season and the sex of prior occupants influenced weta occupancy patterns. Most observations were of single females. However, both males and females moved into cavities previously occupied by a weta of the opposite sex more often than expected by chance alone. Females avoided cavities where other females were present, except during summer when most harems formed. In early summer, male and female tree weta previously living apart began co-habiting. Generally there was little relationship between the number and sex of the weta inside cavities and female departure rates from cavities. Males who were sharing with other males departed cavities more frequently than single males, as might be expected in a polygynous species with male-male combat. Males were less likely to depart if they were sharing a cavity with a harem of more than two females during the summer-autumn period. Analysis of departure rates from artificial cavities indicates males are more mobile than females only in winter and spring. Based on our arrival and departure data, and high occupancy of artificial cavities, we suggest that female weta at this site are mobile and may search for mates during the summer. The data are consistent with a polygynandrous mating system as inferred for other tree weta species (Hemideina spp.).

text: Sex- and season-dependent behaviour in a flightless insect, the Auckland tree weta (Hemideina thoracica) In a polygynous mating system, males frequently compete by locating and defending sites with resources essential to female survival and reproduction. We investigated seasonal changes in site occupancy in a sexually dimorphic, harem-forming insect, the Auckland tree weta (Hemideina thoracica). First we established artificial cavities as diurnal refuge cavities and potential harem guarding sites. We then examined cavity occupancy changes, and, based on our knowledge of prior occupants, determined sex-specific patterns of arrival, departure, and aggregation at a population level throughout the year. Both season and the sex of prior occupants influenced weta occupancy patterns. Most observations were of single females. However, both males and females moved into cavities previously occupied by a weta of the opposite sex more often than expected by chance alone. Females avoided cavities where other females were present, except during summer when most harems formed. In early summer, male and female tree weta previously living apart began co-habiting. Generally there was little relationship between the number and sex of the weta inside cavities and female departure rates from cavities. Males who were sharing with other males departed cavities more frequently than single males, as might be expected in a polygynous species with male-male combat. Males were less likely to depart if they were sharing a cavity with a harem of more than two females during the summer-autumn period. Analysis of departure rates from artificial cavities indicates males are more mobile than females only in winter and spring. Based on our arrival and departure data, and high occupancy of artificial cavities, we suggest that female weta at this site are mobile and may search for mates during the summer. The data are consistent with a polygynandrous mating system as inferred for other tree weta species (Hemideina spp.).

year: 2013

title: A Review of the Dynamics and Oscillations of the Atmosphere

authors: Ross, Joseph

subjects: fluid dynamics

abstract: The atmosphere is a complex, dynamic system and the weather depends on its state. There are many different phenomena that affect the state of the atmosphere - some only involve the atmosphere, others involve the interaction between the atmosphere and the ocean. These phenomena can be modelled using many equations originating from fluid dynamics and thermodynamics, and many of them are considered here. Energy travels around the atmosphere in the form of waves, such as Kelvin waves and Rossby waves. It is possible for a triad of Rossby waves to interact with each other in a way such that resonance occurs. A computer simulation investigating the sensitivity of such waves to turbulence was completed, and it was found that the energetic dominance of the resonant triad does not persist, and the greater the turbulence added to the Rossby triad, the earlier in the integration the instabilities occur.

text: A Review of the Dynamics and Oscillations of the Atmosphere The atmosphere is a complex, dynamic system and the weather depends on its state. There are many different phenomena that affect the state of the atmosphere - some only involve the atmosphere, others involve the interaction between the atmosphere and the ocean. These phenomena can be modelled using many equations originating from fluid dynamics and thermodynamics, and many of them are considered here. Energy travels around the atmosphere in the form of waves, such as Kelvin waves and Rossby waves. It is possible for a triad of Rossby waves to interact with each other in a way such that resonance occurs. A computer simulation investigating the sensitivity of such waves to turbulence was completed, and it was found that the energetic dominance of the resonant triad does not persist, and the greater the turbulence added to the Rossby triad, the earlier in the integration the instabilities occur.

year: 2012

title: Te Mata Ira—Faces of the Gene: Developing a cultural foundation for biobanking and genomic research involving Māori

authors: Hudson, Maui

abstract: Te Mata Ira was a three-year research project (2012–2015) that explored Māori views on genomic research and biobanking for the development of culturally appropriate guidelines. A key component of this process has been to identify Māori concepts that provide cultural reference points for engaging with biobanking and genomic research. These cultural cues provide the basis for describing the cultural logic that underpins engagement in this context in a culturally acceptable manner. This paper outlines the role of two wānanga (workshops) conducted as part of the larger project that were used to make sense of the Māori concepts that emerged from other data-collection activities. The wānanga involved six experts who worked with the research team to make sense of the Māori concepts. The wānanga process created the logic behind the cultural foundation for biobanking and genomic research, providing a basis for understanding Māori concepts, Māori ethical principles and their application to biobanking and genomic research.

text: Te Mata Ira—Faces of the Gene: Developing a cultural foundation for biobanking and genomic research involving Māori Te Mata Ira was a three-year research project (2012–2015) that explored Māori views on genomic research and biobanking for the development of culturally appropriate guidelines. A key component of this process has been to identify Māori concepts that provide cultural reference points for engaging with biobanking and genomic research. These cultural cues provide the basis for describing the cultural logic that underpins engagement in this context in a culturally acceptable manner. This paper outlines the role of two wānanga (workshops) conducted as part of the larger project that were used to make sense of the Māori concepts that emerged from other data-collection activities. The wānanga involved six experts who worked with the research team to make sense of the Māori concepts. The wānanga process created the logic behind the cultural foundation for biobanking and genomic research, providing a basis for understanding Māori concepts, Māori ethical principles and their application to biobanking and genomic research.

year: 2016