title: How do runners select their shoes? An in-store experience

authors: Fife, Andrew

abstract: We aimed to identify factors that influence running shoe selection and how salespeople and runners experience the in-store selection process. In a cross-sectional design, we surveyed 101 runners (buyers and non-buyers) and 38 salespeople in specialty running stores. Surveys contained questions about demographics, factors influencing shoe choice, sources of footwear advice/education, conscious behaviour, and perceived influence of salespeople on selection. There were no significant differences between buyers and non-buyers regarding how much runners thought about their purchases (i.e., level of consciousness). Salespeople were significantly younger than runners and believed a greater number of factors and sources of advice influenced shoe selection. Runners most frequently identified fit, comfort, and gait analysis or injury prevention as most influential in selecting shoes, in that order. Salespeople believed comfort was the most important for runners. Buyers and non-buyers prioritised advice on running shoes from salespeople, friends, and family, while salespeople primarily got their information from peers. Buyers and non-buyers visiting speciality running stores largely reflect the same population. Salespeople advising runners significantly differed from their target clientele in several regards and overestimated their influence on runners’ selection. We caution runners to carefully consider the advice from salespeople as many employees make recommendations that are not evidence-based and may have limited experience.

text: How do runners select their shoes? An in-store experience We aimed to identify factors that influence running shoe selection and how salespeople and runners experience the in-store selection process. In a cross-sectional design, we surveyed 101 runners (buyers and non-buyers) and 38 salespeople in specialty running stores. Surveys contained questions about demographics, factors influencing shoe choice, sources of footwear advice/education, conscious behaviour, and perceived influence of salespeople on selection. There were no significant differences between buyers and non-buyers regarding how much runners thought about their purchases (i.e., level of consciousness). Salespeople were significantly younger than runners and believed a greater number of factors and sources of advice influenced shoe selection. Runners most frequently identified fit, comfort, and gait analysis or injury prevention as most influential in selecting shoes, in that order. Salespeople believed comfort was the most important for runners. Buyers and non-buyers prioritised advice on running shoes from salespeople, friends, and family, while salespeople primarily got their information from peers. Buyers and non-buyers visiting speciality running stores largely reflect the same population. Salespeople advising runners significantly differed from their target clientele in several regards and overestimated their influence on runners’ selection. We caution runners to carefully consider the advice from salespeople as many employees make recommendations that are not evidence-based and may have limited experience.

year: 2024-06-04

title: Nematode beta diversity on the continental slope of New Zealand: spatial patterns and environmental drivers

authors: Leduc, Daniel

subjects: Challenger Plateau

abstract: The management of marine biodiversity relies on sound knowledge of beta (or turnover) and gamma (or regional) diversity patterns, but such knowledge is largely lacking for continental slope environments. Here, we used free-living nematodes to investigate spatial and environmental patterns of beta and gamma diversity on 2 major seabed features of the New Zealand continental slope, Chatham Rise and Challenger Plateau. Species gamma diversity on Chatham Rise was about twice that observed on Challenger Plateau, which likely reflected the greater number of sites sampled and greater range of environmental conditions encompassed by our sampling on the former. Mean Bray-Curtis dissimilarity in community structure/composition (i.e. beta diversity) between Chatham Rise and Challenger Plateau, though high (>80%), was only marginally greater than within-region dissimilarity, and the beta diversity patterns we observed were mainly driven by factors acting at smaller (i.e. among-site) spatial scales. Sediment physicochemical characteristics (i.e. microhabitat heterogeneity) were the main environmental driver of nematode species and genus beta diversity, and explained about a fifth of the variability. Spatial structure explained a similar proportion of species beta diversity, which, because our sampling strategy was designed to maximise the range of environments sampled across the study areas, may suggest an influence of environment at scales beyond that of the individual cores. A similarity profile test (SIMPROF) identified 9 sample groups based on species data, suggesting a relatively high level of heterogeneity on the open slope of New Zealand.

text: Nematode beta diversity on the continental slope of New Zealand: spatial patterns and environmental drivers The management of marine biodiversity relies on sound knowledge of beta (or turnover) and gamma (or regional) diversity patterns, but such knowledge is largely lacking for continental slope environments. Here, we used free-living nematodes to investigate spatial and environmental patterns of beta and gamma diversity on 2 major seabed features of the New Zealand continental slope, Chatham Rise and Challenger Plateau. Species gamma diversity on Chatham Rise was about twice that observed on Challenger Plateau, which likely reflected the greater number of sites sampled and greater range of environmental conditions encompassed by our sampling on the former. Mean Bray-Curtis dissimilarity in community structure/composition (i.e. beta diversity) between Chatham Rise and Challenger Plateau, though high (>80%), was only marginally greater than within-region dissimilarity, and the beta diversity patterns we observed were mainly driven by factors acting at smaller (i.e. among-site) spatial scales. Sediment physicochemical characteristics (i.e. microhabitat heterogeneity) were the main environmental driver of nematode species and genus beta diversity, and explained about a fifth of the variability. Spatial structure explained a similar proportion of species beta diversity, which, because our sampling strategy was designed to maximise the range of environments sampled across the study areas, may suggest an influence of environment at scales beyond that of the individual cores. A similarity profile test (SIMPROF) identified 9 sample groups based on species data, suggesting a relatively high level of heterogeneity on the open slope of New Zealand.

year: 2012

title: eDNA-based detection of New Zealand freshwater mussel (kākahi) populations using digital PCR

authors: Ferris, Kelsey

subjects: eDNA

abstract: Globally, freshwater mussels are one of the most endangered taxa due to pollution, nutrient loading, habitat fragmentation, and species introduction attributable to anthropogenic activities. New Zealand freshwater mussels (kākahi) are ecological engineers and integral species in freshwater ecosystems. However, kākahi populations are expected to decline 70% by 2024 in part due to their unique reproductive cycle involving an obligatory phoretic relationship with declining native fish. Kākahi distribution and abundance throughout New Zealand is poorly understood due to time-consuming surveying techniques of concealed and morphologically cryptic species. A rapid and reliable method is required for the detection and identification of these ‘Threatened’ kākahi populations for conservation and management. Therefore, this study aimed to i) validate an environmental DNA (eDNA) based detection method for New Zealand freshwater mussels using digital PCR (dPCR); ii) determine the most appropriate sampling season for kākahi eDNA; and iii) determine whether eDNA could be used to detect effects of fish barriers on kākahi distribution.
In vivo trials determined that filtration of field samples within 24 hours of collection minimised eDNA degradation and that prefiltration effectively removed inhibitory detritus and glochidia. The lowest concentration of eDNA which could accurately be detected to infer abundance (≥3.2 copies/µL) or presence (0.32-3.19 copies/µL) of kākahi eDNA was determined.  Duplicate field samples were collected from the Waingaro River and Kahuhuru Stream at sites downstream of fish barriers and upstream of low-flow or all-flow barriers in December, May, and August to investigate spatial and temporal variation in eDNA concentrations. As hypothesised, December was the most effective month to sample, yielding the highest eDNA concentrations due to reduced dilution and heightened water temperatures. Based on eDNA, kākahi species distribution did not appear correlated with fish barriers, but all-flow barriers likely impeded fish host movement to significantly reduce the total kākahi eDNA concentrations found upstream. 
eDNA detection can be used by regional councils to effectively infer presence/absence of kākahi populations and direct further conventional surveying efforts to the most impactful locations. This method allows rapid determination of distribution and densities at a national scale to aid conservation management of this taonga (treasured) species.

text: eDNA-based detection of New Zealand freshwater mussel (kākahi) populations using digital PCR Globally, freshwater mussels are one of the most endangered taxa due to pollution, nutrient loading, habitat fragmentation, and species introduction attributable to anthropogenic activities. New Zealand freshwater mussels (kākahi) are ecological engineers and integral species in freshwater ecosystems. However, kākahi populations are expected to decline 70% by 2024 in part due to their unique reproductive cycle involving an obligatory phoretic relationship with declining native fish. Kākahi distribution and abundance throughout New Zealand is poorly understood due to time-consuming surveying techniques of concealed and morphologically cryptic species. A rapid and reliable method is required for the detection and identification of these ‘Threatened’ kākahi populations for conservation and management. Therefore, this study aimed to i) validate an environmental DNA (eDNA) based detection method for New Zealand freshwater mussels using digital PCR (dPCR); ii) determine the most appropriate sampling season for kākahi eDNA; and iii) determine whether eDNA could be used to detect effects of fish barriers on kākahi distribution.
In vivo trials determined that filtration of field samples within 24 hours of collection minimised eDNA degradation and that prefiltration effectively removed inhibitory detritus and glochidia. The lowest concentration of eDNA which could accurately be detected to infer abundance (≥3.2 copies/µL) or presence (0.32-3.19 copies/µL) of kākahi eDNA was determined.  Duplicate field samples were collected from the Waingaro River and Kahuhuru Stream at sites downstream of fish barriers and upstream of low-flow or all-flow barriers in December, May, and August to investigate spatial and temporal variation in eDNA concentrations. As hypothesised, December was the most effective month to sample, yielding the highest eDNA concentrations due to reduced dilution and heightened water temperatures. Based on eDNA, kākahi species distribution did not appear correlated with fish barriers, but all-flow barriers likely impeded fish host movement to significantly reduce the total kākahi eDNA concentrations found upstream. 
eDNA detection can be used by regional councils to effectively infer presence/absence of kākahi populations and direct further conventional surveying efforts to the most impactful locations. This method allows rapid determination of distribution and densities at a national scale to aid conservation management of this taonga (treasured) species.

year: 2020