title: Past and present benthic fauna of Lake Maratoto with special reference to the chironomidae

authors: Boubee, J. A. T.

subjects: Benthos

abstract: The benthic fauna of Lake Maratoto, a eutrophic dy (dystrophic) lake in the Waikato basin, was investigated from 19/9/78 to 13/3/80. Core samples were taken at approximately fortnightly intervals from six stations of varying depths. Fifty taxa were recognised and the distribution and seasonal abundance of the 20 major ones is given together with notes on their biology. A major emphasis was placed on Chironomidae which, after oligochaetes, were the most numerous benthic macroinvertebrates encountered. 
The fauna had a clumped distribution and was concentrated on the edge of the lake. This was due to higher food supplies and more diverse sediment types on the edges and anoxic conditions in the centre. Some re-distribution of the fauna occurred during periods of wind turbulence but planktonic activity in the Chironomidae was of short duration. 
The annual mean standing crop of chironomid larvae was 2970 per sq. m. This was made up of 40% Calopsectra funebris, 37% Chironomus zealandicus, 5% Kiefferulus opalensis, 5% Tanypodinae, and 1% Podonominae and Orthocladiinae. Photographs of some of the distinguishing features of the chironomid taxa identified are given as well as measurements for separating larval instars. 
Recruitment in the chironomids was continuous but with periods of increased rates. Species with dissolved haemoglobin in the blood (e.g. Chironomus zealandicus and Cladopelma curtivalva) increased in numbers during the summer, while in winter, species which lacked this trait e.g. Calopsectra funebris were more abundant. Lowest numbers were recorded in the spring. It is hypothesised that increases in larval numbers are linked to algal production and eventual sedimentation of autochthonous organic matter. 
Principal component analyses were used to predict the limnological characteristics of a lake from knowledge of its surficial sediment chironomid remains. Dystrophic lakes were characterised by high numbers of most species, particularly Kiefferulus opalensis, Tanypodinae, Calopsectra spp. and Paucispini gera spp. but low numbers of Paratanytarsus a gameta. Clear lakes had proportionally more Corynocera sp. and Cladopelma curtivalva while lakes which were dominated by Paratanytarsus agameta, Orthocladiinae and Polypedilum spp. were productive and/or turbid. 
The developmental history of Lake Maratoto . since its formation 17,000 years ago was studied by analysis of chironomid remains from a 4 m sediment core. Numbers of fossils were low initially but climatic improvement about 14,000 yr B.P. led to an increase which culminated at 5,000 yr B.P •. Peat, which began to develop close to the lake about 12,000 yr B.P. had significant effects in the top section of the core, with maximum influence on the fauna about 7,000 years ago. Other changes in the core were largely expressions of climatically controlled fluctuations of water level which altered the area of the littoral zone. 
Twelve stratigraphic zones of chironomid microfossils were derived from cluster and multiple discriminant analyses. These are discussed in relation to zones derived from pollen, stratigraphy and chemical analyses of the sediments

text: Past and present benthic fauna of Lake Maratoto with special reference to the chironomidae The benthic fauna of Lake Maratoto, a eutrophic dy (dystrophic) lake in the Waikato basin, was investigated from 19/9/78 to 13/3/80. Core samples were taken at approximately fortnightly intervals from six stations of varying depths. Fifty taxa were recognised and the distribution and seasonal abundance of the 20 major ones is given together with notes on their biology. A major emphasis was placed on Chironomidae which, after oligochaetes, were the most numerous benthic macroinvertebrates encountered. 
The fauna had a clumped distribution and was concentrated on the edge of the lake. This was due to higher food supplies and more diverse sediment types on the edges and anoxic conditions in the centre. Some re-distribution of the fauna occurred during periods of wind turbulence but planktonic activity in the Chironomidae was of short duration. 
The annual mean standing crop of chironomid larvae was 2970 per sq. m. This was made up of 40% Calopsectra funebris, 37% Chironomus zealandicus, 5% Kiefferulus opalensis, 5% Tanypodinae, and 1% Podonominae and Orthocladiinae. Photographs of some of the distinguishing features of the chironomid taxa identified are given as well as measurements for separating larval instars. 
Recruitment in the chironomids was continuous but with periods of increased rates. Species with dissolved haemoglobin in the blood (e.g. Chironomus zealandicus and Cladopelma curtivalva) increased in numbers during the summer, while in winter, species which lacked this trait e.g. Calopsectra funebris were more abundant. Lowest numbers were recorded in the spring. It is hypothesised that increases in larval numbers are linked to algal production and eventual sedimentation of autochthonous organic matter. 
Principal component analyses were used to predict the limnological characteristics of a lake from knowledge of its surficial sediment chironomid remains. Dystrophic lakes were characterised by high numbers of most species, particularly Kiefferulus opalensis, Tanypodinae, Calopsectra spp. and Paucispini gera spp. but low numbers of Paratanytarsus a gameta. Clear lakes had proportionally more Corynocera sp. and Cladopelma curtivalva while lakes which were dominated by Paratanytarsus agameta, Orthocladiinae and Polypedilum spp. were productive and/or turbid. 
The developmental history of Lake Maratoto . since its formation 17,000 years ago was studied by analysis of chironomid remains from a 4 m sediment core. Numbers of fossils were low initially but climatic improvement about 14,000 yr B.P. led to an increase which culminated at 5,000 yr B.P •. Peat, which began to develop close to the lake about 12,000 yr B.P. had significant effects in the top section of the core, with maximum influence on the fauna about 7,000 years ago. Other changes in the core were largely expressions of climatically controlled fluctuations of water level which altered the area of the littoral zone. 
Twelve stratigraphic zones of chironomid microfossils were derived from cluster and multiple discriminant analyses. These are discussed in relation to zones derived from pollen, stratigraphy and chemical analyses of the sediments

year: 1983

title: The Epidemiology of Streptococcus equi subspecies equi in New Zealand in Relation to Vaccine Efficacy

authors: Zhang, Heng

subjects: S. equi

abstract: Strangles is caused by host restricted pathogen Streptococcus equi subspecies equi (S. equi) and is the most frequently diagnosed equine disease. This highly contiguous disease accounts for approximate 30% of recorded incidents of equine disease annually (Harrington, Sutcliffe, & Chanter, 2002). Strangles is characterized by abscessation of the lymph nodes of the head and neck. The severity of this disease varies largely depending on the immune status of the affected animal (Sweeney et al., 2005). Diagnosis of strangles can be complicated by the presence of other beta haemolytic streptococci, especially the closely related S. zooepidemicus. Moreover, the current method used to detect S. equi in the carriage state – via samples from the guttural pouches of apparently healthy horses after recovery from strangles - is not always practical. 

Currently there are two vaccines for strangles available in NZ. One is a non-encapsulated and attenuated strain of S. equi, Pinnacle® IN (Ford Dodge, USA), which is administered intranasally. Another is an inactivated bacterin, Equivac® S (Pfizer, NZ), used intramuscularly. However, the efficacy of these two vaccines to the three NZ S. equi strains is not clear. Also the level of induced antibodies with the sera of inoculated animals is unkown. 

In this study, an enzyme-linked immuno-sorbent assay (ELISA) and an indirect fluorescent-antibody assay (IFA) were developed to detect specific antibodies in sera from horses either infected with S. equi, or vaccinated with Pinnacle or Equivac S, or unvaccinated. Four peptides synthesized by GenScript (GenScript, USA) were used for the ELISA study. Of these, three peptides targeted the N-terminal variable regions of S. equi strains 99, 100 and the vaccine strain. The other was a PEPK repeats peptide, corresponding to a region present in the N-terminal region of the S. equi protein SzPSe. Both ELISA and IFA results showed that relatively high levels of antibodies were induced following vaccination or infection. Also, the induced antibodies demonstrated cross-reactivity to all three S. equi strains tested. ELISA for the PEPK peptide produced higher ODs than seen with the three SeM peptides, suggesting that there were more antibodies against PEPK peptide within the sera. The IFA results showed a difference in titre between pre-vaccinated horses and post-vaccinated horses; whilst the ELISA results did not. This may be due to serological reactivity between those four peptides and ‘natural antibodies’ induced by exposure to the closely related S. zooepidemicus. Further evidence in support of this result was seen in western blotting, which showed that ‘natural antibodies’ in serum from pre-vaccinated horses reacted serologically with proteins from S. equi. IFA was shown to be the better method for the diagnosis of strangles and for the study of the antibody responses after vaccination or infection.

ELISA and IFA results also showed that the observed antibody levels induced by Pinnacle and Equivac S were similar, indicating the comparable efficacy of these two vaccines. All of the vaccinated horses had high levels of pre-existing antibodies within their sera, even one year after vaccination. This may suggest that an increase in the interval of booster time could be acceptable. However, it is acknowledged that antibody titres do not necessarily equal protection from infection. Western blotting results indicated that a stronger immunity was formed after natural infection than seen in horses after. This is because after infection the entire immune system (both humoral and cell-mediated) will be stimulated.

text: The Epidemiology of Streptococcus equi subspecies equi in New Zealand in Relation to Vaccine Efficacy Strangles is caused by host restricted pathogen Streptococcus equi subspecies equi (S. equi) and is the most frequently diagnosed equine disease. This highly contiguous disease accounts for approximate 30% of recorded incidents of equine disease annually (Harrington, Sutcliffe, & Chanter, 2002). Strangles is characterized by abscessation of the lymph nodes of the head and neck. The severity of this disease varies largely depending on the immune status of the affected animal (Sweeney et al., 2005). Diagnosis of strangles can be complicated by the presence of other beta haemolytic streptococci, especially the closely related S. zooepidemicus. Moreover, the current method used to detect S. equi in the carriage state – via samples from the guttural pouches of apparently healthy horses after recovery from strangles - is not always practical. 

Currently there are two vaccines for strangles available in NZ. One is a non-encapsulated and attenuated strain of S. equi, Pinnacle® IN (Ford Dodge, USA), which is administered intranasally. Another is an inactivated bacterin, Equivac® S (Pfizer, NZ), used intramuscularly. However, the efficacy of these two vaccines to the three NZ S. equi strains is not clear. Also the level of induced antibodies with the sera of inoculated animals is unkown. 

In this study, an enzyme-linked immuno-sorbent assay (ELISA) and an indirect fluorescent-antibody assay (IFA) were developed to detect specific antibodies in sera from horses either infected with S. equi, or vaccinated with Pinnacle or Equivac S, or unvaccinated. Four peptides synthesized by GenScript (GenScript, USA) were used for the ELISA study. Of these, three peptides targeted the N-terminal variable regions of S. equi strains 99, 100 and the vaccine strain. The other was a PEPK repeats peptide, corresponding to a region present in the N-terminal region of the S. equi protein SzPSe. Both ELISA and IFA results showed that relatively high levels of antibodies were induced following vaccination or infection. Also, the induced antibodies demonstrated cross-reactivity to all three S. equi strains tested. ELISA for the PEPK peptide produced higher ODs than seen with the three SeM peptides, suggesting that there were more antibodies against PEPK peptide within the sera. The IFA results showed a difference in titre between pre-vaccinated horses and post-vaccinated horses; whilst the ELISA results did not. This may be due to serological reactivity between those four peptides and ‘natural antibodies’ induced by exposure to the closely related S. zooepidemicus. Further evidence in support of this result was seen in western blotting, which showed that ‘natural antibodies’ in serum from pre-vaccinated horses reacted serologically with proteins from S. equi. IFA was shown to be the better method for the diagnosis of strangles and for the study of the antibody responses after vaccination or infection.

ELISA and IFA results also showed that the observed antibody levels induced by Pinnacle and Equivac S were similar, indicating the comparable efficacy of these two vaccines. All of the vaccinated horses had high levels of pre-existing antibodies within their sera, even one year after vaccination. This may suggest that an increase in the interval of booster time could be acceptable. However, it is acknowledged that antibody titres do not necessarily equal protection from infection. Western blotting results indicated that a stronger immunity was formed after natural infection than seen in horses after. This is because after infection the entire immune system (both humoral and cell-mediated) will be stimulated.

year: 2013

title: He waipuna koropupū: Taranaki Māori wellbeing and suicide prevention

authors: Cameron, Ngaropi

abstract: The research project He Waipuna Koropupū aimed to explore and share a knowledge base that could inform practice in relation to Taranaki Māori suicide. The project was grounded upon the notion that through Taranaki knowledge and information we can make significant changes in our approach to life and to our whānau relationships. The project was primarily about whānau ora and the wellbeing of future generations; through the reclamation and sharing of Taranaki Māori knowledge that can support intergenerational change and transformation. Taranaki Māori whānau (extended family groupings), hapū (subtribal grouping) and iwi (tribal grouping) deserve access to Kaupapa Māori approaches in order to help reclaim and inform decision making processes.

text: He waipuna koropupū: Taranaki Māori wellbeing and suicide prevention The research project He Waipuna Koropupū aimed to explore and share a knowledge base that could inform practice in relation to Taranaki Māori suicide. The project was grounded upon the notion that through Taranaki knowledge and information we can make significant changes in our approach to life and to our whānau relationships. The project was primarily about whānau ora and the wellbeing of future generations; through the reclamation and sharing of Taranaki Māori knowledge that can support intergenerational change and transformation. Taranaki Māori whānau (extended family groupings), hapū (subtribal grouping) and iwi (tribal grouping) deserve access to Kaupapa Māori approaches in order to help reclaim and inform decision making processes.

year: 2017