title: Does invasiveness predict competition outcomes between ecologically similar invasive blowflies?

authors: Nunn, Daniel

abstract: Biological invasion is a complex puzzle, and its significance is at an all-time high. Current research highlights that the success of invasive species is partly due to their superior performance in key behavioural traits, such as aggression and boldness, especially when compared to ecologically similar native species. However, less attention has been given to differences in these traits among invasive species themselves. Not all invaders are created equal; they vary in their degree of invasiveness, often characterised by the extent of their global spread. If behavioural traits are crucial for invasiveness, it stands to reason that more invasive species - those with greater success - should outperform less invasive ones.

I tested this hypothesis using larval competition between differentially invasive blowfly species. Calliphora stygia has a limited distribution, found only in Australia and New Zealand, whereas Lucilia sericata and Lucilia cuprina (Lucilia spp.) are invaders with almost global distributions. Under direct laboratory competition, the highly invasive Lucilia spp. exhibited fewer body size reductions than C. stygia, regardless of intra- or interspecific competition levels. These findings suggest that competitive traits may exist along a continuum from native to invasive species, increasing predictably with invasiveness. This insight highlights invasiveness as a potentially reliable metric for predicting competition outcomes between ecologically similar sympatric invaders.

text: Does invasiveness predict competition outcomes between ecologically similar invasive blowflies? Biological invasion is a complex puzzle, and its significance is at an all-time high. Current research highlights that the success of invasive species is partly due to their superior performance in key behavioural traits, such as aggression and boldness, especially when compared to ecologically similar native species. However, less attention has been given to differences in these traits among invasive species themselves. Not all invaders are created equal; they vary in their degree of invasiveness, often characterised by the extent of their global spread. If behavioural traits are crucial for invasiveness, it stands to reason that more invasive species - those with greater success - should outperform less invasive ones.

I tested this hypothesis using larval competition between differentially invasive blowfly species. Calliphora stygia has a limited distribution, found only in Australia and New Zealand, whereas Lucilia sericata and Lucilia cuprina (Lucilia spp.) are invaders with almost global distributions. Under direct laboratory competition, the highly invasive Lucilia spp. exhibited fewer body size reductions than C. stygia, regardless of intra- or interspecific competition levels. These findings suggest that competitive traits may exist along a continuum from native to invasive species, increasing predictably with invasiveness. This insight highlights invasiveness as a potentially reliable metric for predicting competition outcomes between ecologically similar sympatric invaders.

year: 2024

title: The reality of culture in the development of a national special education training initiative

authors: Medcalf, John

subjects: New Zealand special education

abstract: The New Zealand Government is supporting a major new initiative in special education through the creation of a nationwide network of 750 Resource Teachers Learning and Behaviour (RTLB) whose role is to provide specialist mainstreamed services through direct support of teachers working with students who have moderate learning and behaviour difficulties. This paper introduces and discusses the national professional developmental programme for Resource Teachers of Learning and Behaviour (RTLB).

text: The reality of culture in the development of a national special education training initiative The New Zealand Government is supporting a major new initiative in special education through the creation of a nationwide network of 750 Resource Teachers Learning and Behaviour (RTLB) whose role is to provide specialist mainstreamed services through direct support of teachers working with students who have moderate learning and behaviour difficulties. This paper introduces and discusses the national professional developmental programme for Resource Teachers of Learning and Behaviour (RTLB).

year: 2003-09

title: Mana Wahine reworking the power to name taonga

authors: Ringham, Sandra Lee

abstract: The capacity of Indigenous peoples to officially name taonga species (flora and fauna) within taxonomy signifies resilience and a reworking of western scientific processes and institutions. This article explores the ways in which Ngāti Kuri women contribute to environmental justice through the naming of taonga species. Ngāti Kuri were the first tribe in the world to install a tribal name into the co-authorship of a nomenclature. The article explores the ways in which Ngāti Kuri women, both past and present, rework environmental relationships and knowledge in both tribal and non-tribal spaces in Aotearoa's most northern region.

text: Mana Wahine reworking the power to name taonga The capacity of Indigenous peoples to officially name taonga species (flora and fauna) within taxonomy signifies resilience and a reworking of western scientific processes and institutions. This article explores the ways in which Ngāti Kuri women contribute to environmental justice through the naming of taonga species. Ngāti Kuri were the first tribe in the world to install a tribal name into the co-authorship of a nomenclature. The article explores the ways in which Ngāti Kuri women, both past and present, rework environmental relationships and knowledge in both tribal and non-tribal spaces in Aotearoa's most northern region.

year: 2023-01-01