title: Population genetic structures of two New Zealand corophiid amphipods and the presence of morphologically cryptic species: Implications for the conservation of diversity

authors: Schnabel, Kareen E.

subjects: aquatic ecology

abstract: We evaluated the population genetic structures (allozyme variation) of Chaetocorophium lucas i (Hurley 1954) Karaman 1979 and Paracoro‐phium excavatum (Thomson 1884) Stebbing 1899 (Amphipoda: Crustacea) from the North Island and South Island of New Zealand. Individuals of C. lucasi were found in both freshwater and estuarine habitats, whereas P. excavatum was restricted to estuarine sites. Allele frequencies showed significant inter‐ and intra‐specific differences among populations of both C. lucasi and P. excavatum. C. lucasi appears to be a single species, albeit with considerable genetic differentiation among populations (FSX = 0.51). However, P. excavatum revealed even greater levels of genetic differentiation among populations (FST = 0.81), and may consist of at least three genetically distinct species. Geographic distance, perhaps dictated by prevailing ocean currents and overland dispersal routes, best explained observed patterns of differentiation among populations of both species. From a conservation perspective, the presence of morphologically cryptic species suggests that current taxonomic inventories of aquatic amphipods may be grossly underestimated.

text: Population genetic structures of two New Zealand corophiid amphipods and the presence of morphologically cryptic species: Implications for the conservation of diversity We evaluated the population genetic structures (allozyme variation) of Chaetocorophium lucas i (Hurley 1954) Karaman 1979 and Paracoro‐phium excavatum (Thomson 1884) Stebbing 1899 (Amphipoda: Crustacea) from the North Island and South Island of New Zealand. Individuals of C. lucasi were found in both freshwater and estuarine habitats, whereas P. excavatum was restricted to estuarine sites. Allele frequencies showed significant inter‐ and intra‐specific differences among populations of both C. lucasi and P. excavatum. C. lucasi appears to be a single species, albeit with considerable genetic differentiation among populations (FSX = 0.51). However, P. excavatum revealed even greater levels of genetic differentiation among populations (FST = 0.81), and may consist of at least three genetically distinct species. Geographic distance, perhaps dictated by prevailing ocean currents and overland dispersal routes, best explained observed patterns of differentiation among populations of both species. From a conservation perspective, the presence of morphologically cryptic species suggests that current taxonomic inventories of aquatic amphipods may be grossly underestimated.

year: 2000

title: Reduction in drying time of taro using pretreatments or posttreatment with hot air drying

authors: Thamarai Selvan, Shiva Subramani

abstract: Taro is a widely cultivated crop, primarily grown for its corm, which serves as a staple food worldwide. However, due to its high moisture content, taro is highly perishable, with an unprocessed shelf life of only 15 to 20 days. Drying has been employed as a method for extending shelf life by reducing moisture content to levels that inhibit microbial growth and prevent moisture-induced deteriorative biochemical reactions. Convective hot air drying (HAD) is the most commonly used method for food drying, but it is associated with prolonged drying times and high energy consumption. This research aimed to reduce the drying time of taro by using pretreatments and posttreatments with hot air drying. HAD without pre- or posttreatments was used as a control, and drying times were compared across four pretreatment methods (microwave, blanching, ultrasonication, and osmotic dehydration) and one posttreatment method (microwave). The results indicated that microwave post-treatment after 1 hour of hot air drying at 50°C reduced total drying time by 85% compared to the control. Similarly, microwave post-treatment after 1 hour of hot air drying at 70°C reduced drying time by 75% when moisture content decreased from 2.4 (dry basis) to 1.3 (dry basis). In contrast, blanching and osmotic dehydration pretreatments at 50°C worsened drying efficiency, increasing drying time relative to the control. Microwave pretreatments at 50°C resulted in slight reductions in drying time compared to the control.  Additionally, peeling the skin before drying reduced total drying time by approximately 36% compared to skin-on samples. However, slicing was necessary, as whole peeled samples required longer drying times than sliced ones. Taro, sliced to 8 mm thickness, dried with hot air at 70°C for 1 hour, followed by 20 minutes of microwave post-treatment, reaches 0.10 (dry basis), which is the required final moisture content for taro flour production, and is suitable for industrial scale implementation. Further research is required to assess the energy consumption of microwave post-treatment and hot air drying to determine their economic and sustainable feasibility. Quantifying energy requirements is essential for balancing efficiency with cost-effectiveness.

text: Reduction in drying time of taro using pretreatments or posttreatment with hot air drying Taro is a widely cultivated crop, primarily grown for its corm, which serves as a staple food worldwide. However, due to its high moisture content, taro is highly perishable, with an unprocessed shelf life of only 15 to 20 days. Drying has been employed as a method for extending shelf life by reducing moisture content to levels that inhibit microbial growth and prevent moisture-induced deteriorative biochemical reactions. Convective hot air drying (HAD) is the most commonly used method for food drying, but it is associated with prolonged drying times and high energy consumption. This research aimed to reduce the drying time of taro by using pretreatments and posttreatments with hot air drying. HAD without pre- or posttreatments was used as a control, and drying times were compared across four pretreatment methods (microwave, blanching, ultrasonication, and osmotic dehydration) and one posttreatment method (microwave). The results indicated that microwave post-treatment after 1 hour of hot air drying at 50°C reduced total drying time by 85% compared to the control. Similarly, microwave post-treatment after 1 hour of hot air drying at 70°C reduced drying time by 75% when moisture content decreased from 2.4 (dry basis) to 1.3 (dry basis). In contrast, blanching and osmotic dehydration pretreatments at 50°C worsened drying efficiency, increasing drying time relative to the control. Microwave pretreatments at 50°C resulted in slight reductions in drying time compared to the control.  Additionally, peeling the skin before drying reduced total drying time by approximately 36% compared to skin-on samples. However, slicing was necessary, as whole peeled samples required longer drying times than sliced ones. Taro, sliced to 8 mm thickness, dried with hot air at 70°C for 1 hour, followed by 20 minutes of microwave post-treatment, reaches 0.10 (dry basis), which is the required final moisture content for taro flour production, and is suitable for industrial scale implementation. Further research is required to assess the energy consumption of microwave post-treatment and hot air drying to determine their economic and sustainable feasibility. Quantifying energy requirements is essential for balancing efficiency with cost-effectiveness.

year: 2025

title: Te karanga tūturu o maieke:  Ngāti Kuri women’s taiao geographies

authors: Ringham, Sandra Lee

subjects: Māori and Indigenous geographies

abstract: This research examines the relationships, identities and sense of belonging of Māori women of within the Ngāti Kuri iwi (tribe) and te taiao (the natural world, environment, nature, country) in Te Hiku o te Ika, Far North, Aotearoa New Zealand. It shows how Ngāti Kuri women and te taiao are embedded in - yet also resist - colonial and patriarchal discourses. 
The Kaupapa Māori and Mana Wahine theoretical framework decolonises and transforms the ways in which Māori women have been represented and marginalised. Pūrākau (storywork) as a theory and methodology ensures Ngāti Kuri women’s stories are told by them and for them. Indigenous relational geography is woven into the theoretical framework to further understand Indigenous relationships to place and diverse feelings of belonging and responsibility.
Whakawhiti kōrero (research conversations), wānanga (workshops) and tipi haere (mobile wānanga) were carried out with 19 Ngāti Kuri women. Approximately 40 people from the iwi and / or scientific communities contribute to the thesis through the initiatives of the Ngāti Kuri Relationship Working Group (NKRWG), the Auckland War Memorial Museum and other research partners and as conservationists. 
Findings are organised around three themes: identities; relationships; and a sense of belonging. The first theme introduces Ngāti Kuri women’s identities as leaders and drivers of change, disrupting and dismantling the intersection of patriarchal and colonial discourse. The pūrākau of Maieke, a founding ancestress of Ngāti Kuri, brings to light the reclamation and transformation of Māori women’s identities and geographies, as defined by participants. Pre-colonisation Ngāti Kuri women had the capacity and authority to become a governing force in the daily lives of the iwi. The second theme highlights colonial and patriarchal naming of our world. Ngāti Kuri women are reconfiguring relationships and representation through the scientific naming of taonga (culturally valuable objects and species). Values and principles of kaitiakitanga (inherited guardianship) and whakawhanaugatanga (relating well to others) guide the naming process. The third theme focuses on participants’ reflections and understandings of the ways in which they sense place and feelings of belonging. Participants’ engagement with te taiao - through singing, storying and sensing place – highlights the way te taiao re-centres and transforms Ngāti Kuri women’s relationships and experiences of belonging to iwi homelands.
Importantly, the thesis concludes with a discussion of the challenges, successes and actions of Ngāti Kuri women as they continue to strive for tino rangatiratanga (self-determination), social and environmental well-being. I conceptualise new geographies that account for, and celebrate, uniquely Ngāti Kuri understandings of identities, relationships and feelings of belonging. Finally, a short creative story ends the thesis in order to show the transformative power of Ngāti Kuri women’s te taiao experiences.

text: Te karanga tūturu o maieke:  Ngāti Kuri women’s taiao geographies This research examines the relationships, identities and sense of belonging of Māori women of within the Ngāti Kuri iwi (tribe) and te taiao (the natural world, environment, nature, country) in Te Hiku o te Ika, Far North, Aotearoa New Zealand. It shows how Ngāti Kuri women and te taiao are embedded in - yet also resist - colonial and patriarchal discourses. 
The Kaupapa Māori and Mana Wahine theoretical framework decolonises and transforms the ways in which Māori women have been represented and marginalised. Pūrākau (storywork) as a theory and methodology ensures Ngāti Kuri women’s stories are told by them and for them. Indigenous relational geography is woven into the theoretical framework to further understand Indigenous relationships to place and diverse feelings of belonging and responsibility.
Whakawhiti kōrero (research conversations), wānanga (workshops) and tipi haere (mobile wānanga) were carried out with 19 Ngāti Kuri women. Approximately 40 people from the iwi and / or scientific communities contribute to the thesis through the initiatives of the Ngāti Kuri Relationship Working Group (NKRWG), the Auckland War Memorial Museum and other research partners and as conservationists. 
Findings are organised around three themes: identities; relationships; and a sense of belonging. The first theme introduces Ngāti Kuri women’s identities as leaders and drivers of change, disrupting and dismantling the intersection of patriarchal and colonial discourse. The pūrākau of Maieke, a founding ancestress of Ngāti Kuri, brings to light the reclamation and transformation of Māori women’s identities and geographies, as defined by participants. Pre-colonisation Ngāti Kuri women had the capacity and authority to become a governing force in the daily lives of the iwi. The second theme highlights colonial and patriarchal naming of our world. Ngāti Kuri women are reconfiguring relationships and representation through the scientific naming of taonga (culturally valuable objects and species). Values and principles of kaitiakitanga (inherited guardianship) and whakawhanaugatanga (relating well to others) guide the naming process. The third theme focuses on participants’ reflections and understandings of the ways in which they sense place and feelings of belonging. Participants’ engagement with te taiao - through singing, storying and sensing place – highlights the way te taiao re-centres and transforms Ngāti Kuri women’s relationships and experiences of belonging to iwi homelands.
Importantly, the thesis concludes with a discussion of the challenges, successes and actions of Ngāti Kuri women as they continue to strive for tino rangatiratanga (self-determination), social and environmental well-being. I conceptualise new geographies that account for, and celebrate, uniquely Ngāti Kuri understandings of identities, relationships and feelings of belonging. Finally, a short creative story ends the thesis in order to show the transformative power of Ngāti Kuri women’s te taiao experiences.

year: 2022