title: Population Genetics and Autecology of the Endemic Shrub Epiphyte Pittosporum cornifolium

authors: Clarkson, Fiona Marie

subjects: autecology

abstract: A comprehensive investigation of the population genetics and autecology of the endemic New Zealand shrub epiphyte Pittosporum cornifolium (Pittosporaceae) is presented. Pittosporum cornifolium has a wide geographic range and is well adapted to a variety of lifestyles namely terrestrial, rupestral, and more commonly, epiphytic. The primary habitats of P. cornifolium are lowland and coastal ecosystems which, in recent times (<200 years) have been subjected to widespread clearance and fragmentation resulting in major reductions to the species potential population range. The study focused on five populations in the North Island from Coromandel to Taranaki where habitat loss of lowland and coastal ecosystems has been significant. Population-level genetic analysis using Inter-Simple Sequence Repeat (ISSR) markers revealed that while P. cornifolium exhibited high genetic diversity at the species-level, genetic diversity was relatively low at the population-level. The outcrossing dioecious breeding system and unique evolutionary history of P. cornifolium are likely to be key factors influencing the observed high intra-specific diversity whereas reduced genetic diversity at population-level is probably due to geographic isolation caused by recent habitat fragmentation. Ecological parameters were investigated to determine the current ecological status of the five populations and results did not reveal any substantial ecological impediments to regeneration and dispersal modes. Ecological data were incorporated with information from national data sets to provide a more comprehensive overview of P. cornifolium autecology and to develop a predicted environmental distribution map. Key findings indicate P. cornifolium is typically affiliated with old growth forest systems and well drained low nutrient substrates, while low mean daily temperatures (<0.6°C) restrict environmental distribution. Both genetic and autecological research was applied to determine levels of intra-specific divergence in cultivated P. cornifolium individuals from the Poor Knights Islands (outer Hauraki Gulf), which are morphologically distinct from mainland forms. The Poor Knights Islands individuals were the most genetically distinct as revealed by ISSR analysis, having higher pairwise levels of genetic distance than iii mainland populations as well as more unique loci. A single mutation in the sequence of the Internal Transcribed Spacer (ITS) region was revealed in the Poor Knights Islands individuals, distinguishing them from mainland P. cornifolium and additional members of a monophyletic clade which have shared ITS sequences. Furthermore, P. cornifolium from the Poor Knights Islands have significant morphological and anatomical differences such as larger leaves and leaf tissue depths. Long term isolation on the offshore islands is likely to have had the most significant effect on this population divergence. The differences in the Poor Knights Islands individuals may warrant the delineation of a new subspecies or even species. However, a more comprehensive examination of the taxon across its mainland range, the Poor Knights Island group, and other northern offshore islands where the species is present is recommended to clarify current inferences. The results of this research have provided a framework for the development of species specific conservation and restoration strategies for P. cornifolium and reveal the importance of provenance and microhabitat (lifestyle) when sourcing seed for reintroduction projects.

text: Population Genetics and Autecology of the Endemic Shrub Epiphyte Pittosporum cornifolium A comprehensive investigation of the population genetics and autecology of the endemic New Zealand shrub epiphyte Pittosporum cornifolium (Pittosporaceae) is presented. Pittosporum cornifolium has a wide geographic range and is well adapted to a variety of lifestyles namely terrestrial, rupestral, and more commonly, epiphytic. The primary habitats of P. cornifolium are lowland and coastal ecosystems which, in recent times (<200 years) have been subjected to widespread clearance and fragmentation resulting in major reductions to the species potential population range. The study focused on five populations in the North Island from Coromandel to Taranaki where habitat loss of lowland and coastal ecosystems has been significant. Population-level genetic analysis using Inter-Simple Sequence Repeat (ISSR) markers revealed that while P. cornifolium exhibited high genetic diversity at the species-level, genetic diversity was relatively low at the population-level. The outcrossing dioecious breeding system and unique evolutionary history of P. cornifolium are likely to be key factors influencing the observed high intra-specific diversity whereas reduced genetic diversity at population-level is probably due to geographic isolation caused by recent habitat fragmentation. Ecological parameters were investigated to determine the current ecological status of the five populations and results did not reveal any substantial ecological impediments to regeneration and dispersal modes. Ecological data were incorporated with information from national data sets to provide a more comprehensive overview of P. cornifolium autecology and to develop a predicted environmental distribution map. Key findings indicate P. cornifolium is typically affiliated with old growth forest systems and well drained low nutrient substrates, while low mean daily temperatures (<0.6°C) restrict environmental distribution. Both genetic and autecological research was applied to determine levels of intra-specific divergence in cultivated P. cornifolium individuals from the Poor Knights Islands (outer Hauraki Gulf), which are morphologically distinct from mainland forms. The Poor Knights Islands individuals were the most genetically distinct as revealed by ISSR analysis, having higher pairwise levels of genetic distance than iii mainland populations as well as more unique loci. A single mutation in the sequence of the Internal Transcribed Spacer (ITS) region was revealed in the Poor Knights Islands individuals, distinguishing them from mainland P. cornifolium and additional members of a monophyletic clade which have shared ITS sequences. Furthermore, P. cornifolium from the Poor Knights Islands have significant morphological and anatomical differences such as larger leaves and leaf tissue depths. Long term isolation on the offshore islands is likely to have had the most significant effect on this population divergence. The differences in the Poor Knights Islands individuals may warrant the delineation of a new subspecies or even species. However, a more comprehensive examination of the taxon across its mainland range, the Poor Knights Island group, and other northern offshore islands where the species is present is recommended to clarify current inferences. The results of this research have provided a framework for the development of species specific conservation and restoration strategies for P. cornifolium and reveal the importance of provenance and microhabitat (lifestyle) when sourcing seed for reintroduction projects.

year: 2011

title: Gossypol's effects on ingestive behaviour in mice: The first step in a systematic process to define gossypol's suitability for use in murine pest management

authors: Churchill, Geoff

subjects: Gossypol

abstract: Gossypol, synthesised by the cotton plant, Gossypium, causes physiological and behavioural changes in mammals, suggesting it may be suitable for murine pest management. One of the most under-studied responses to gossypol, especially in the house mouse, Mus musculus, is its effect on ingestive behaviour, with some authors reporting anorexia and others observing no effect on energy metabolism. Importantly, there has been no systematic analysis of gossypol’s effect on food intake in mice. Therefore, the goal of this thesis was to provide the initial step in defining gossypol’s effect on feeding behaviour in mice by observing their responses after exposure to precise doses of gossypol delivered via injection. Mice underwent two injection intraperitoneal (IP) paradigms; acute and chronic (11 daily injections) exposures to 0 (vehicle), 10, 30, 100 and 300 mg/kg b.wt., and 0 (vehicle) and 100 mg/kg b.wt. respectively. The intakes of bland (chow) and palatable tastants were measured during the acute exposure. An increase in chow intake was observed at 1 and 3 hr post-exposure with 300 mg/kg b.wt. dose. An increase in glucose intake was also observed in mice injected with 100 mg/kg b.wt. at 1 and 12 hr post-exposure. Neither of these hyperphagia responses showed a complementary increase in body weight. During the chronic exposure, body weight and chow intake were measured throughout the injection period and on select days of the 40 day post-exposure period. While there was no difference in food intake and body weight during the gossypol exposure, on day 10 post-exposure, food intake had increased by 50% and was still elevated on day 40, but no differences in body weight were noted. To examine whether this increase in food intake was an effect of a long-term anxiogenic response associated with a likely post-exposure malaise, several anxiety assessment tests were performed, showing no change. This thesis shows that gossypol affects feeding behaviour in mice. Interestingly, no anorexigenic effect was observed, but in fact moderate hyperphagia without changes in body weight was shown in both acute and chronic paradigms. The data from this thesis can be built upon with future studies using oral administration to develop the understanding of this important aspect of gossypol and to more precisely determine gossypol’s suitability for enhancing murine pest management.

text: Gossypol's effects on ingestive behaviour in mice: The first step in a systematic process to define gossypol's suitability for use in murine pest management Gossypol, synthesised by the cotton plant, Gossypium, causes physiological and behavioural changes in mammals, suggesting it may be suitable for murine pest management. One of the most under-studied responses to gossypol, especially in the house mouse, Mus musculus, is its effect on ingestive behaviour, with some authors reporting anorexia and others observing no effect on energy metabolism. Importantly, there has been no systematic analysis of gossypol’s effect on food intake in mice. Therefore, the goal of this thesis was to provide the initial step in defining gossypol’s effect on feeding behaviour in mice by observing their responses after exposure to precise doses of gossypol delivered via injection. Mice underwent two injection intraperitoneal (IP) paradigms; acute and chronic (11 daily injections) exposures to 0 (vehicle), 10, 30, 100 and 300 mg/kg b.wt., and 0 (vehicle) and 100 mg/kg b.wt. respectively. The intakes of bland (chow) and palatable tastants were measured during the acute exposure. An increase in chow intake was observed at 1 and 3 hr post-exposure with 300 mg/kg b.wt. dose. An increase in glucose intake was also observed in mice injected with 100 mg/kg b.wt. at 1 and 12 hr post-exposure. Neither of these hyperphagia responses showed a complementary increase in body weight. During the chronic exposure, body weight and chow intake were measured throughout the injection period and on select days of the 40 day post-exposure period. While there was no difference in food intake and body weight during the gossypol exposure, on day 10 post-exposure, food intake had increased by 50% and was still elevated on day 40, but no differences in body weight were noted. To examine whether this increase in food intake was an effect of a long-term anxiogenic response associated with a likely post-exposure malaise, several anxiety assessment tests were performed, showing no change. This thesis shows that gossypol affects feeding behaviour in mice. Interestingly, no anorexigenic effect was observed, but in fact moderate hyperphagia without changes in body weight was shown in both acute and chronic paradigms. The data from this thesis can be built upon with future studies using oral administration to develop the understanding of this important aspect of gossypol and to more precisely determine gossypol’s suitability for enhancing murine pest management.

year: 2014

title: Weaving the realities and responsibilities: Crossing culture and concepts of healing within co-existing mental health and addictive disorders.

authors: McLachlan, Andre David

subjects: Maori

abstract: Within ‘Mainstream’ western and Kaupapa Māori services, competing priorities often mean that cultural and clinical services are not implemented in unison. Without this ‘unison’, treatment of Māori with co-existing mental health and addictive disorders may be ineffective. This paper reflects the journey of a small social service agency ‘Pai Ake Solutions Limited’ (PASL) in integrating western clinical approaches within tikanga Māori values. 
Pai Ake Solutions Limited (PASL) provides a range of group and individual services to whānau who are affected by mental illness and co-existing substance use problems. The initial development of the service was based on the whakaaro of providing ‘pai ake’ (better) services for whānau in the greater Waikato. These services were initially founded on the strong values of founders Mihaka Hohua and the late Ritchie Re Cribb, which were influenced by the practices and experiences of Ngati Kahangungu, Ngati Haua, and Waikato-Maniopoto. From an initial non-clinical service provision contract, PASL began receiving referrals from individuals and whānau whose needs were not being met by mainstream service providers. Encouraging outcomes and an internal agency review of clientele utilising the service, identified that those accessing PASL services were experiencing socially and clinically significant mental and physical health, addiction and psychosocial problems.

text: Weaving the realities and responsibilities: Crossing culture and concepts of healing within co-existing mental health and addictive disorders. Within ‘Mainstream’ western and Kaupapa Māori services, competing priorities often mean that cultural and clinical services are not implemented in unison. Without this ‘unison’, treatment of Māori with co-existing mental health and addictive disorders may be ineffective. This paper reflects the journey of a small social service agency ‘Pai Ake Solutions Limited’ (PASL) in integrating western clinical approaches within tikanga Māori values. 
Pai Ake Solutions Limited (PASL) provides a range of group and individual services to whānau who are affected by mental illness and co-existing substance use problems. The initial development of the service was based on the whakaaro of providing ‘pai ake’ (better) services for whānau in the greater Waikato. These services were initially founded on the strong values of founders Mihaka Hohua and the late Ritchie Re Cribb, which were influenced by the practices and experiences of Ngati Kahangungu, Ngati Haua, and Waikato-Maniopoto. From an initial non-clinical service provision contract, PASL began receiving referrals from individuals and whānau whose needs were not being met by mainstream service providers. Encouraging outcomes and an internal agency review of clientele utilising the service, identified that those accessing PASL services were experiencing socially and clinically significant mental and physical health, addiction and psychosocial problems.

year: 2008