ORCID Profile
0000-0002-5452-6994
Current Organisation
University of Otago
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Publisher: Cambridge University Press (CUP)
Date: 02-04-2018
DOI: 10.1017/S0959270918000096
Abstract: Human disturbance can have behavioural, physiological and population-level consequences on wildlife. Unregulated tourism is having a negative effect on the endangered Yellow-eyed Penguin Megadyptes antipodes on mainland New Zealand . Subantarctic Yellow-eyed Penguins are exposed to tourism on Enderby Island in the Auckland Islands group, 450 km south of New Zealand. Restrictions and guidelines for tourism are in place on Enderby Island, but there has been little study on the efficacy of these. We quantified behavioural responses of the Yellow-eyed Penguin on Enderby Island to human presence by documenting movement patterns and behaviour of penguins in the presence and absence of humans, through both controlled approaches and monitoring penguin behaviour in the presence of tourists. We used these data to model the effective approach distances for reducing disturbance. Human presence caused a significant drop in the probability of a successful transit to or from their nest, and significantly increased the time penguins spent alert and decreased the time spent preening. Modelling showed the distance from a human to a penguin is a significant predictor of the likelihood of a bird displaying disturbance behaviour, with the current minimum approach guideline of 5 m not sufficient for preventing disturbance. Our results indicate that the minimum approach guideline needs to be revised if the probability of disturbance is to be reduced. Modelling the appropriateness of minimum approach guidelines by predicting the probability of disturbance is a useful technique that could be applied to other species and systems. Worldwide, management guidelines need to be scientifically evaluated to ensure efficacy and cater for the more sensitive species affected.
Publisher: Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory
Date: 22-04-2022
DOI: 10.1101/2022.04.21.489127
Abstract: New Zealand has many endemic passerine birds vulnerable to emerging infectious diseases. Yet little is known about viruses in passerines, and in some countries, including New Zealand, the virome of wild passerines has received little research attention. Using metatranscriptomic sequencing we characterised the virome of New Zealand endemic and introduced species of passerine. Accordingly, we identified 34 possible avian viruses from cloacal swabs of 12 endemic and introduced bird species not showing signs of disease. These included a novel siadenovirus, iltovirus and avastrovirus in the Eurasian blackbird ( Turdus merula , an introduced species), song thrush ( Turdus philomelos , introduced) and silvereye ( Zosterops lateralis , introduced), respectively. This is the first time novel viruses from these genera have been identified in New Zealand, likely reflecting prior unders ling. It also represents the first identification of an iltovirus and siadenovirus in blackbirds and thrushes globally. These three viruses were found only in introduced species and may pose a risk to endemic species if they were to jump species boundaries, particularly the iltoviruses and siadenoviruses that have a prior history of disease associations. Further virus study and surveillance is needed in New Zealand avifauna, particularly in Turdus populations and endemic species.
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 03-2020
DOI: 10.1016/J.TIM.2019.10.010
Abstract: Understanding the emergence of pathogenic viruses has dominated studies of virus evolution. However, new metagenomic studies imply that relatively few of an immense number of viruses may lead to overt disease. This suggests a change in emphasis, from viruses as habitual pathogens to integral components of ecosystems. Here we show how viruses alter interactions between host in iduals, populations, and ecosystems, impacting ecosystem health, resilience, and function, and how host ecology in turn impacts viral abundance and ersity. Moving to an ecosystems perspective will put virus evolution and disease emergence in its true context, and enhance our understanding of ecological processes.
Publisher: Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory
Date: 05-10-2022
DOI: 10.1101/2022.10.04.510907
Abstract: Viral transmission between host species underpins disease emergence. Both host phylogenetic relatedness and aspects of their ecology, such as species interactions and predator-prey relationships, may govern cross-species virus transmission and zoonotic risk, although their relative impact is unknown. By characterising the virome of a relatively isolated island ecological community linked through a food web we show that phylogenetic barriers result in distantly related host species sharing fewer viruses. Host ecology had a much smaller influence on overall virome composition. Network analysis revealed that hosts with a high ersity of viruses were more likely to gain new viruses, and that generalist viruses were more likely to infect new hosts. Such a highly connected ecological community heightens the risk of disease emergence, particularly among closely related species. Sequencing of an entire island virome reveals that closely related hosts have highly connected virus communities, increasing emergence risk.
Publisher: Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory
Date: 13-07-2022
DOI: 10.1101/2022.07.13.499983
Abstract: Translocation is a common tool in wildlife management and been responsible for many conservation successes. During translocations, any associated infectious agents are moved with their wildlife hosts. Accordingly, translocations can present a risk of infectious disease emergence, although they also provide an opportunity to restore natural infectious communities (‘infectome’) and mitigate the long-term risks of reduced natural resistance. We used metatranscriptomic sequencing to characterise the infectome of 41 toutouwai (North Island robin, Petroica longipes ) that were translocated to establish a new population within the North Island of New Zealand. We also screened for pathogenic bacteria, fungi and parasites. Although we did not detect any known avian diseases, which is a positive outcome for the translocated toutouwai population, we identified a number of novel viruses of interest, including a novel avian hepatovirus, as well as a ergent calici-like virus and four hepe-like viruses of which the host species is unknown. We also revealed a novel spirochete bacterium and a coccidian eukaryotic parasite. The presumably non-pathogenic viruses and microbial species identified here support the idea that the majority of microorganisms likely do not cause disease in their hosts, and that translocations could serve to help restore and maintain native infectious communities. We advise greater surveillance of infectious communities of both native and non-native wildlife before and after translocations to better understand the impact, positive or negative, that such movements may have on both host and infectome ecology.
Publisher: MDPI AG
Date: 23-06-2022
DOI: 10.3390/V14071364
Abstract: New Zealand/Aotearoa has many endemic passerine birds vulnerable to emerging infectious diseases. Yet little is known about viruses in passerines, and in some countries, including New Zealand, the virome of wild passerines has been only scarcely researched. Using metatranscriptomic sequencing we characterised the virome of New Zealand endemic and introduced species of passerine. Accordingly, we identified 34 possible avian viruses from cloacal swabs of 12 endemic and introduced bird species not showing signs of disease. These included a novel siadenovirus, iltovirus, and avastrovirus in the Eurasian blackbird (Turdus merula, an introduced species), song thrush (Turdus philomelos, introduced) and silvereye/tauhou (Zosterops lateralis, introduced), respectively. This is the first time novel viruses from these genera have been identified in New Zealand, likely reflecting prior unders ling. It also represents the first identification of an iltovirus and siadenovirus in blackbirds and thrushes globally. These three viruses were only found in introduced species and may pose a risk to endemic species if they were to jump species boundaries, particularly the iltoviruses and siadenoviruses that have a prior history of disease associations. Further virus study and surveillance are needed in New Zealand avifauna, particularly in Turdus populations and endemic species.
Publisher: Oxford University Press (OUP)
Date: 2022
DOI: 10.1093/VE/VEAC032
Abstract: Although water-borne viruses have important implications for the health of humans and other animals, little is known about the impact of human land use on viral ersity and evolution in water systems such as rivers. We used metatranscriptomic sequencing to compare the ersity and abundance of viruses at s ling sites along a single river in New Zealand that differed in human land-use impacts, ranging from pristine to urban. From this, we identified 504 putative virus species, of which 97 per cent were novel. Many of the novel viruses were highly ergent and likely included a new subfamily within the Parvoviridae. We identified at least sixty-three virus species that may infect vertebrates—most likely fish and water birds—from the Astroviridae, Birnaviridae, Parvoviridae, and Picornaviridae. No putative human viruses were detected. Importantly, we observed differences in the composition of viral communities at sites impacted by human land use (farming and urban) compared to native forest sites (pristine). At the viral species level, the urban sites had higher ersity (327 virus species) than the farming (n = 150) and pristine sites (n = 119), and more viruses were shared between the urban and farming sites (n = 76) than between the pristine and farming or urban sites (n = 24). The two farming sites had a lower viral abundance across all host types, while the pristine sites had a higher abundance of viruses associated with animals, plants, and fungi. We also identified viruses linked to agriculture and human impact at the river s ling sites in farming and urban areas that were not present at the native forest sites. Although based on a small s le size, our study suggests that human land use can impact viral communities in rivers, such that further work is needed to reduce the impact of intensive farming and urbanisation on water systems.
Publisher: Inter-Research Science Center
Date: 27-08-2020
DOI: 10.3354/MEPS13415
Abstract: In long-lived marine predators such as penguins, foraging behaviour is related to breeding success. Yellow-eyed penguins Megadyptes antipodes are thought to be predominantly benthic foragers around mainland New Zealand, with previous e studies showing little variation in ing behaviour and minimal change by year or breeding status. This apparent absence of foraging flexibility may be linked to local prey availability and therefore also to foraging success, factors believed to contribute to the current population decline. Here, we undertook the first detailed study of yellow-eyed penguin ing and foraging behaviour in the subantarctic Auckland Islands, part of the original ancestral range of the species that colonised mainland New Zealand. We collected e logs from 134 foraging trips made by 73 breeders from Enderby Island, Auckland Islands, in the New Zealand subantarctic. Pelagic es and foraging trips were recorded in the subantarctic population—a foraging strategy not previously published in e studies on this species. Changes between benthic and pelagic foraging were recorded for in iduals within foraging trips, within a breeding season, and between years. Differences in ing behaviour between the subantarctic and that reported for mainland New Zealand are likely influenced by local bathymetry and environmental conditions, and prey availability. However, the subantarctic population shows a greater use of pelagic foraging not evident in the northern population, even in areas that have a similar depth to some mainland foraging areas. This observed foraging flexibility may have implications for breeding success and potentially the long-term population trends of these 2 genetically similar populations.
Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Date: 07-09-2023
Publisher: Inter-Research Science Center
Date: 25-11-2021
DOI: 10.3354/MEPS13911
Abstract: Foraging behaviour is crucial to breeding success for marine predators, including seabirds. Yellow-eyed penguins Megadyptes antipodes are central-place, predominantly benthic foragers around mainland New Zealand. The northern (mainland) population of this Endangered species is declining, with changes in the marine environment a suspected cause, particularly warming water and poorer foraging success. We undertook a detailed foraging study of the data-deficient subantarctic population, which is distinct from the northern population. Over 2 breeding seasons, we collected 91 GPS foraging logs from 69 breeding yellow-eyed penguins from Enderby Island, Auckland Islands, New Zealand. The mean foraging distance was 24 km from shore (max 47 km). Foraging area size was greater for females and for pelagic foragers, although benthic foragers travelled further from shore on average. Diving plasticity was evident both in ing behaviour and foraging area use. Foraging area and distance from shore were greater for all birds in a year of greater breeding effort and fledging success (2016). Foraging occurred over continental shelf waters, similar to the mainland, and in areas up to 150 m deep, so any differences in foraging behaviour compared to those reported for the northern population are likely influenced by local bathymetry, environmental conditions, and in idual preference. Despite comparable bathymetry in some areas, the southern population showed greater foraging plasticity, with 62% of foraging trips categorised as pelagic, implying that subantarctic foraging conditions may differ from the predominantly benthic mainland foraging. Variable foraging conditions may therefore have implications for future breeding success in the subantarctic.
Publisher: Wiley
Date: 12-03-2022
DOI: 10.1002/AQC.3797
Abstract: Diet is a key factor affecting seabird foraging behaviour, ultimately influencing survival, breeding success and long‐term population viability. The density and distribution of prey species in the marine environment are influenced by many factors including climate effects such as El Niño southern oscillation and climate change that alter water temperature. While poor quality diet has been implicated as a contributing factor in the decline of some mainland New Zealand yellow‐eyed penguin ( Megadyptes antipodes ) populations, little is known about their diet in the subantarctic where the majority of the species breeds. Blood and feather s les (n = 63) were collected for stable isotope analysis of diet from 25 in idual birds breeding on subantarctic Enderby Island, Auckland Islands, New Zealand, from 2015 to 2018. Diet data were analysed by factors such as breeding year, sex and foraging behaviour. Stable isotope analysis demonstrated significant changes in diet during each year of the study, which included both El Niño and La Niña conditions. Diet during El Niño conditions comprised lower trophic level prey, which were more benthic, and found closer to shore than diet during La Niña. Coupled with the reported variable breeding success of yellow‐eyed penguins in the subantarctic, variable diet suggests prey availability is likely to be a limiting factor in some years. Prey availability is therefore expected to be a major influence on survival and breeding success of this endangered species in the future, particularly if the effects of climate change become more pronounced. This research highlights an urgent conservation need to identify prey species utilized by the southern population, along with their distribution in time and space, and therefore also the effect of diet on long‐term population stability.
Publisher: CSIRO Publishing
Date: 2019
DOI: 10.1071/WR17147
Abstract: Context Locating cryptic animals is an important aspect of many wildlife management programs and research studies. However, this process can be inefficient, time-consuming and expensive. Unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), unmanned aircraft systems (UASs) or drones fitted with a camera are increasingly being used for counting and monitoring wildlife however, these are often not suitable for cryptic species. Very high-frequency (VHF) radio-tracking is commonplace however, single-channel VHF receivers mean that animals must be tracked in idually, or scanning receivers must be used but this raises the possibility of signals being missed. Aims We aimed to test the effectiveness of aerial VHF tracking using a multi-channel receiver for locating wildlife. Methods We tracked wildlife fitted with VHF transmitters operating on in idual frequencies, by means of a UAV with a multi-channel VHF receiver to simultaneously monitor all frequencies. This offered distinct advantages over traditional single-channel scanning receivers. To test and compare this novel method, yellow-eyed penguins (Megadyptes antipodes) were located on nests hidden under vegetation on Enderby Island in the New Zealand subantarctic, using manual ground searching, unassisted ground VHF tracking, as well as using location flights by the UAV Drone Ranger system. Key results The UAV system allowed for faster nest location than did all other methods, with a higher cumulative success (number of nests found each day) and lower search effort required (person hours per nest). Conclusions Aerial VHF tracking can greatly extend the search range and minimise search effort compared with ground VHF tracking or manual searching. Implications This technology has applications for locating and tracking a wide range of wildlife, particularly cryptic species that may be difficult to find using other methods.
No related grants have been discovered for Rebecca French.