title: Aspects of the biology of the freshwater crayfish Paranephrops Planifrons White in Lake Rotoiti

authors: Devcich, Alan A.

subjects: Freshwater Crayfish

abstract: Aspects of the biology of Paranephrops planifrons White in Lake Rotoiti were studied and comparisons made with P. planifrons inhabiting neighbouring Lakes Okataina and Rotorua. Two migrations upwards occurred, in spring and summer, the first thought to be associated with temperature and egg-hatching, the second due to hypolimnetic deoxygenation. Hence in late summer and early autumn crayfish were concentrated above and within the thermocline. Movement downwards occurred in early winter, after lake turnover and this was thought to be associated with gonad maturation, induced by low temperatures and shorter photoperiod. During winter crayfish distributed evenly over the lake floor. There were two breeding seasons, in late autumn and winter (the larger of the two) and late spring and summer. Lake Okataina P. planifrons bred annually, during late autumn and winter, and showed no apparent seasonal movement patterns. Moulting occurred during the warmer months.

Average densities of 0.030, 0.014 and 0.003 adult crayfish/m. ² were calculated for Lakes Rotoiti, Okataina and Rotorua respectively. In these populations a broad inverse relationship was found between density and mean population size, for individual sizes were small in Wright’s Bay, Rotoiti compared to those in Lakes Okataina and Rotorua and other parts of Rotoiti. Sizes of males and females were not significantly different and mean size was constant throughout all depths. Sex ratios of 1.9:1 and 2.3:1 in favour of males were found in Lakes Rotoiti and Okataina respectively. Stomach content analyses revealed that the diet was mainly detritus, but also included animal remains and vascular plant material. Sediment analyses showed that food quality was essentially the same at all depths. Feeding was continuous at depths greater than 20m. but in shallower water it took place only at night. It appeared that P. planifrons does not display homing and the home range is extensive. Observations revealed that territorial behaviour occurred and males were not dominant over females, although larger crayfish were dominant over smaller animals.

text: Aspects of the biology of the freshwater crayfish Paranephrops Planifrons White in Lake Rotoiti Aspects of the biology of Paranephrops planifrons White in Lake Rotoiti were studied and comparisons made with P. planifrons inhabiting neighbouring Lakes Okataina and Rotorua. Two migrations upwards occurred, in spring and summer, the first thought to be associated with temperature and egg-hatching, the second due to hypolimnetic deoxygenation. Hence in late summer and early autumn crayfish were concentrated above and within the thermocline. Movement downwards occurred in early winter, after lake turnover and this was thought to be associated with gonad maturation, induced by low temperatures and shorter photoperiod. During winter crayfish distributed evenly over the lake floor. There were two breeding seasons, in late autumn and winter (the larger of the two) and late spring and summer. Lake Okataina P. planifrons bred annually, during late autumn and winter, and showed no apparent seasonal movement patterns. Moulting occurred during the warmer months.

Average densities of 0.030, 0.014 and 0.003 adult crayfish/m. ² were calculated for Lakes Rotoiti, Okataina and Rotorua respectively. In these populations a broad inverse relationship was found between density and mean population size, for individual sizes were small in Wright’s Bay, Rotoiti compared to those in Lakes Okataina and Rotorua and other parts of Rotoiti. Sizes of males and females were not significantly different and mean size was constant throughout all depths. Sex ratios of 1.9:1 and 2.3:1 in favour of males were found in Lakes Rotoiti and Okataina respectively. Stomach content analyses revealed that the diet was mainly detritus, but also included animal remains and vascular plant material. Sediment analyses showed that food quality was essentially the same at all depths. Feeding was continuous at depths greater than 20m. but in shallower water it took place only at night. It appeared that P. planifrons does not display homing and the home range is extensive. Observations revealed that territorial behaviour occurred and males were not dominant over females, although larger crayfish were dominant over smaller animals.

year: 1974

title: An investigation of a Mollicute-like organism inhabiting the human gastrointestinal tract

authors: Care, Andrew Shane

subjects: Mollicute

abstract: The microflora inhabiting the human gastrointestinal tract can be considered an essential 'metabolic organ', in a symbiotic relationship with its host. Due to the low cultivability and inappropriate sampling methodology the microflora is poorly explored and ill-defined. 

Preliminary, molecular-based research at the University of Waikato revealed the presence of 16S rRNA gene sequences originating from novel Mollicute-like species inhabiting the human GI tract. A ~830bp 'consensus' sequence representing these novel Mollicute-like sequences was classified within the Mollicute Genus Anaeroplasma the type species of which is Anaeroplasma abactoclasticum. It also displayed near exact matches with 16S rRNA sequences obtained from the human GI tract and matches of high similarity to those from the mouse GI tract in the NCBI database.

This thesis describes an attempt to design and create primers that would amplify and characterize full-length versions of these Mollicute-like sequences from samples obtained from the mucosal surface of the human gastrointestinal tract. Primers sets targeted extended 5' and 3' versions of these novel 'known' sequences and were designed from sequence matches found in the preliminary work and other related sequences from the NCBI database.

The attempt to amplify a full-length version of these novel Mollicute-like sequences was proven to be unsuccessful. No sequences were classified within the Genus Anaeroplasma, although 81% of amplicons from the 5' extending primer sets were classified within the same division as the Mollicutes, the Firmicutes, only 6% of the sequenced amplicons from the 3' extending primer set belonged to this division. Phylograms containing these 'relevant' sequences and the 'consensus' sequence grouped the 'consensus' sequence separately, indicating a lower relatedness than would have been seen if any of the amplicons contained the 'consensus' sequence.

text: An investigation of a Mollicute-like organism inhabiting the human gastrointestinal tract The microflora inhabiting the human gastrointestinal tract can be considered an essential 'metabolic organ', in a symbiotic relationship with its host. Due to the low cultivability and inappropriate sampling methodology the microflora is poorly explored and ill-defined. 

Preliminary, molecular-based research at the University of Waikato revealed the presence of 16S rRNA gene sequences originating from novel Mollicute-like species inhabiting the human GI tract. A ~830bp 'consensus' sequence representing these novel Mollicute-like sequences was classified within the Mollicute Genus Anaeroplasma the type species of which is Anaeroplasma abactoclasticum. It also displayed near exact matches with 16S rRNA sequences obtained from the human GI tract and matches of high similarity to those from the mouse GI tract in the NCBI database.

This thesis describes an attempt to design and create primers that would amplify and characterize full-length versions of these Mollicute-like sequences from samples obtained from the mucosal surface of the human gastrointestinal tract. Primers sets targeted extended 5' and 3' versions of these novel 'known' sequences and were designed from sequence matches found in the preliminary work and other related sequences from the NCBI database.

The attempt to amplify a full-length version of these novel Mollicute-like sequences was proven to be unsuccessful. No sequences were classified within the Genus Anaeroplasma, although 81% of amplicons from the 5' extending primer sets were classified within the same division as the Mollicutes, the Firmicutes, only 6% of the sequenced amplicons from the 3' extending primer set belonged to this division. Phylograms containing these 'relevant' sequences and the 'consensus' sequence grouped the 'consensus' sequence separately, indicating a lower relatedness than would have been seen if any of the amplicons contained the 'consensus' sequence.

year: 2009

title: Tino rangatiratanga in health policies and practises

authors: Wihongi, Helen Annette

subjects: tino rangatiratanga

abstract: The purpose of my doctoral research was to investigate tino rangatiratanga in health policies and practises in Aotearoa. My research involved defining tino rangatiratanga and exploring the expression of tino rangatiratanga in health policy and practises. A kaupapa Māori analysis of the 1996 National Cervical Screening Programme’s Policy document was at the core of the policy investigation. The analysis involved developing a kaupapa Māori analysing framework and then analysing the 1996 National Cervical Screening Policy document for empirical and normative judgements at four discursive levels, health gains, health objectives, health goals and fundamental underlying values. A Kaupapa Māori research design drew on interdisciplinary scholarship on colonisation, Te Tiriti o Waitangi, community psychology, public policy, disability theory, feminist theory and discourse theory.

I argue that the dominance of Western cultural norms and state-directed policies were made possible by the signing of Te Tiriti o Waitangi. The signing of Te Tiriti saw Crown sovereignty being implemented and tino rangatiratanga ignored. The consequences for Māori have been disastrous with loss of land and economic base which has resulted in poor health status. I also argue that tino rangatiratanga has the potential to transform the social and political context that frame Aotearoa society. Such an approach raises a critical dilemma for the state as meaningful recognition of tino rangatiratanga requires waiving full and absolute sovereignty which currently resides in the state. Hence some scholars argue that tino rangatiratanga is a site for constructive engagement where state and Māori relationships can be renegotiated. The extent to which this potential for constructive engagement is being realised in however is inadequately explored in the scholarly literature. Exploring the relationships between tino rangatiratanga and health policies and practises as undertaken in my thesis will therefore contribute to scholarly knowledge on the subject.

The findings from the research show that tino rangatiratanga is indeed a complex, fluid, multi-faceted and context related concept. Within the context of my research, tino rangatiratanga is defined as Māori sovereignty, self determination, and positive Māori development. As a Māori value it is about mana and tapu of rangatira or leadership personified. Within policies, tino rangatiratanga has emerged through resistance and demonstration and is actualised through Tiriti legislation and policies.

The legitimation of tino rangatiratanga in cervical screening services sees Māori leadership at national, regional and local levels and Māori involvement through wide ranging consultation but the Crown still controls the policy process and therefore the outcomes. Most cervical screening services are still owned and operated by the Crown or Crown agencies.

One of the consequences of Crown control is that Māori women are still twice as likely to get cervical cancer and four times more likely to die from it. To some degree this may be the result of resource allocation and the result of discriminatory service practices but also the result of resistance to the procedure itself.

Tino rangatiratanga within cervical screening services could be strengthened through iwi ownership of some cervical screening register sites. At the time of my field work (2000) there were 14 sites, all owned and operated by Crown agents. Tino rangatiratanga could also be strengthened through funding criteria that ensure practitioners are safe to practise, through the adoption of less invasive procedures and through the legitimation of Māori healing practises such as rongoā and karakia.

Overall if tino rangatiratanga is to be given full effect within the policy domain Māori must have a well established asset base, they must be in control of the decision making making process including resource allocation, service delivery must address the diversities of Māori realities and Māori must be the recipients of policy decisions made.

text: Tino rangatiratanga in health policies and practises The purpose of my doctoral research was to investigate tino rangatiratanga in health policies and practises in Aotearoa. My research involved defining tino rangatiratanga and exploring the expression of tino rangatiratanga in health policy and practises. A kaupapa Māori analysis of the 1996 National Cervical Screening Programme’s Policy document was at the core of the policy investigation. The analysis involved developing a kaupapa Māori analysing framework and then analysing the 1996 National Cervical Screening Policy document for empirical and normative judgements at four discursive levels, health gains, health objectives, health goals and fundamental underlying values. A Kaupapa Māori research design drew on interdisciplinary scholarship on colonisation, Te Tiriti o Waitangi, community psychology, public policy, disability theory, feminist theory and discourse theory.

I argue that the dominance of Western cultural norms and state-directed policies were made possible by the signing of Te Tiriti o Waitangi. The signing of Te Tiriti saw Crown sovereignty being implemented and tino rangatiratanga ignored. The consequences for Māori have been disastrous with loss of land and economic base which has resulted in poor health status. I also argue that tino rangatiratanga has the potential to transform the social and political context that frame Aotearoa society. Such an approach raises a critical dilemma for the state as meaningful recognition of tino rangatiratanga requires waiving full and absolute sovereignty which currently resides in the state. Hence some scholars argue that tino rangatiratanga is a site for constructive engagement where state and Māori relationships can be renegotiated. The extent to which this potential for constructive engagement is being realised in however is inadequately explored in the scholarly literature. Exploring the relationships between tino rangatiratanga and health policies and practises as undertaken in my thesis will therefore contribute to scholarly knowledge on the subject.

The findings from the research show that tino rangatiratanga is indeed a complex, fluid, multi-faceted and context related concept. Within the context of my research, tino rangatiratanga is defined as Māori sovereignty, self determination, and positive Māori development. As a Māori value it is about mana and tapu of rangatira or leadership personified. Within policies, tino rangatiratanga has emerged through resistance and demonstration and is actualised through Tiriti legislation and policies.

The legitimation of tino rangatiratanga in cervical screening services sees Māori leadership at national, regional and local levels and Māori involvement through wide ranging consultation but the Crown still controls the policy process and therefore the outcomes. Most cervical screening services are still owned and operated by the Crown or Crown agencies.

One of the consequences of Crown control is that Māori women are still twice as likely to get cervical cancer and four times more likely to die from it. To some degree this may be the result of resource allocation and the result of discriminatory service practices but also the result of resistance to the procedure itself.

Tino rangatiratanga within cervical screening services could be strengthened through iwi ownership of some cervical screening register sites. At the time of my field work (2000) there were 14 sites, all owned and operated by Crown agents. Tino rangatiratanga could also be strengthened through funding criteria that ensure practitioners are safe to practise, through the adoption of less invasive procedures and through the legitimation of Māori healing practises such as rongoā and karakia.

Overall if tino rangatiratanga is to be given full effect within the policy domain Māori must have a well established asset base, they must be in control of the decision making making process including resource allocation, service delivery must address the diversities of Māori realities and Māori must be the recipients of policy decisions made.

year: 2010