Showing posts tagged new zealand
ronbeckdesigns: Phellodon sinclairii, New Zealand (photo by myxonz )

ronbeckdesigns:

Phellodon sinclairii, New Zealand

(photo by myxonz )

(Reblogged from photonasty)
Conserving New Zealand’s Endangered Birds: Takahē - Squawking from the tussocks The flightless takahē is a unique bird, a conservation icon and a survivor. The takahē was once thought to be extinct, but was rediscovered in 1948. Even today, despite years of conservation effort, the takahē remains critically endangered. The Department of Conservation Takahē Recovery Programme in partnership with Mitre10 Takahē Rescue is committed to ensuring the survival, growth and security of takahē populations throughout New Zealand… (read more: Dept. of Conservation - NZ) View high resolution

Conserving New Zealand’s Endangered Birds:

Takahē - Squawking from the tussocks

The flightless takahē is a unique bird, a conservation icon and a survivor. The takahē was once thought to be extinct, but was rediscovered in 1948. Even today, despite years of conservation effort, the takahē remains critically endangered.

The Department of Conservation Takahē Recovery Programme in partnership with Mitre10 Takahē Rescue is committed to ensuring the survival, growth and security of takahē populations throughout New Zealand…

(read more: Dept. of Conservation - NZ)

Rising Numbers May Not Be Enough to Save Tigers and Kiwis by Traci Watson The little spotted kiwi is a shy worm-eater so small it can be cradled in a child’s arms. The Bengal tiger is a 220-kilogram predator that shouldn’t be cradled in anyone’s arms. But new research shows the cuddly bird and the powerful feline share an unfortunate fate: Though their numbers have stabilized or are even rising, some populations are suffering from profound genetic isolation or loss of genetic diversity—enough in some cases to leave them deeply vulnerable to new diseases and other threats. Taken together, the findings demonstrate that “just because population sizes of threatened species have recovered doesn’t mean that they are okay,” writes Richard Frankham, a professor emeritus at Macquarie University in Australia and an author of several conservation-genetics textbooks who was not involved with the work, in an e-mail. “Genetic management of fragmented animal and plant populations is one of the most important, largely ignored issues in conservation biology.”… (read more: Science/AAAS)      (photos: (left) Aditya Joshi; (right) Andrew Digby) View high resolution

Rising Numbers May Not Be Enough to Save Tigers and Kiwis

by Traci Watson

The little spotted kiwi is a shy worm-eater so small it can be cradled in a child’s arms. The Bengal tiger is a 220-kilogram predator that shouldn’t be cradled in anyone’s arms. But new research shows the cuddly bird and the powerful feline share an unfortunate fate: Though their numbers have stabilized or are even rising, some populations are suffering from profound genetic isolation or loss of genetic diversity—enough in some cases to leave them deeply vulnerable to new diseases and other threats.

Taken together, the findings demonstrate that “just because population sizes of threatened species have recovered doesn’t mean that they are okay,” writes Richard Frankham, a professor emeritus at Macquarie University in Australia and an author of several conservation-genetics textbooks who was not involved with the work, in an e-mail. “Genetic management of fragmented animal and plant populations is one of the most important, largely ignored issues in conservation biology.”…

(read more: Science/AAAS)     

(photos: (left) Aditya Joshi; (right) Andrew Digby)

Taka-she the Takahe Ruffles a Few Feathers

by David Benson

Birds of a feather flock together.

And so it proved at Orokonui Ecosanctuary yesterday, in the Orokonui Valley near Waitati, New Zealand, as two endangered takahe (Porphyrio hochstetteri) waddled off into a brave new world.

Resident takahe Quammen and his new female friend from Kapiti Island, Paku, spent the past three weeks in a pen getting on beaking terms and were released into the 307ha sanctuary at 11am yesterday.

”We hope they’ll be one of the stars of the show at Orokonui, along with the kaka,” conservation manager Elton Smith said…

(read more: Otago Daily Times)        (photo: Stephen Jaquiery)

North Island Brown Kiwi (Apteryx mantelli), New Zealand View high resolution

North Island Brown Kiwi (Apteryx mantelli), New Zealand

(Source: blackoutraven)

(Reblogged from huneceaulage)

Home page | New Zealand Birds Online

The digital encyclopedia of New Zealand birds.

astronomy-to-zoology:

Fiordland Crested Penguin (Eudyptes pachyrhynchus)

Also known as the Fiordland penguin or the Tawaki, the Fiordland crested penguin is a species of crested penguin found along the Fiordland coast of New Zealand and Stewart Island. Like other penguins the Fiordland penguin is mainly pelagic and will spend long times at sea feeding on squid, fish and crustaceans, which are usually caught near the shore. During the breeding season Fiordland crested penguins will build their nests in coastal temperate forests, one penguin will tend to the nest and guard its chick while the other will go out and catch food. Once the young is old enough its guardian will leave to hunt as well, and after the chick molts it will leave the nest and move on out to sea. Currently the Fiordland crested penguin is listed as vulnerable as its threatened by introduced predators like dogs and cats. 

Phylogeny

Animalia-Chordata-Aves-Sphenisciformes-Spheniscidae-Eudyptes-pachyrhynchus

Image Source(s)

(Reblogged from astronomy-to-zoology)
Deepsea urchins (reminiscent of cacti) grow on the lavas at Rumble V volcano. This was the first time that this species was observed alive on the seafloor. New Zealand, Kermadec Arc. April 15, 2005. Credit: New Zealand-American Submarine Ring of Fire 2005 Exploration; NOAA Vents Program. View high resolution

Deepsea urchins (reminiscent of cacti) grow on the lavas at Rumble V volcano. This was the first time that this species was observed alive on the seafloor. New Zealand, Kermadec Arc. April 15, 2005.

Credit: New Zealand-American Submarine Ring of Fire 2005 Exploration; NOAA Vents Program.

'Monster' Carcass Washes Ashore in New Zealand : DNews

A mysterious marine monster washed ashore in New Zealand last week — and it’s not the first time. DNA analysis provides some answers. It turned out to be a…

The Paradise Shelduck (Tadorna variegata) is a large goose-like duck endemic to New Zealand. Uncommon prior to European settlement, populations of this prized game bird have increased considerably due to habitat changes and deliberate provisioning on ponds by duck hunters. Before the arrival of Europeans, the Māori hunted Paradise Shelducks, but overexploitation of smaller duck populations was prevented by a taboo on hunting during the breeding season. More about this species on EOL: http://eol.org/pages/1047362 (“Surfer chicks” image by Dave Young via Flickr) View high resolution

The Paradise Shelduck (Tadorna variegata) is a large goose-like duck endemic to New Zealand.

Uncommon prior to European settlement, populations of this prized game bird have increased considerably due to habitat changes and deliberate provisioning on ponds by duck hunters. Before the arrival of Europeans, the Māori hunted Paradise Shelducks, but overexploitation of smaller duck populations was prevented by a taboo on hunting during the breeding season.

More about this species on EOL: http://eol.org/pages/1047362

(“Surfer chicks” image by Dave Young via Flickr)

Flightless Birds: All 18 Penguin Species

Many penguin species threatened and endangered…

astronomy-to-zoology:

Little Barrier Island Giant Weta (Deinacrida heteracantha)

…is a species of weta once found throughout New Zealand but is now only found on Little Barrier Island. Like most giant wetas this species is a nocturnal herbivore and has a diet of leaves, fungi and small invertebrates. But unlike other wetas this species is not social and pretty passive, despite its genus name meaning ‘terrible grasshopper’. The only thing terrible about them is their weight, as they are the heaviest of all giant wetas with one specimen reported weighing 71g that’s 3x heavier than a house mouse!

Phylogeny 

Animalia-Arthropoda-Insecta-Orthoptera-Anstostomatidae-Deinacrida-heteracantha

Image Source(s)

(Reblogged from astronomy-to-zoology)
Baby Kiwi Hatches at Rainbow Springs in Fairy Springs, New Zealand, just in time for Easter… (read more: Rainbow Springs) View high resolution

Baby Kiwi Hatches at Rainbow Springs in Fairy Springs, New Zealand, just in time for Easter…

(read more: Rainbow Springs)

Haast’s Eagle and Moa The famous flightless bird of New Zealand, the moa were enormous avians — some of which stretched more than 3.5 m from toe to beak — and were the dominant herbivores in the land down under the land down under until the Maori hunted them to extinction around 1400 A.D. Before the arrival of man, though, moas feared another predator: the incredible Haast’s Eagle. The largest known raptor to have ever lived, Haast’s Eagles would soar with their 3-m wingspans and then dive down on poor moas at speeds up to 80 km/hr. The predatory birds went extinct when their major food source — moas — was obliterated. Image: John Megahan/PLoS Biology (via: Wired Science) View high resolution

Haast’s Eagle and Moa

The famous flightless bird of New Zealand, the moa were enormous avians — some of which stretched more than 3.5 m from toe to beak — and were the dominant herbivores in the land down under the land down under until the Maori hunted them to extinction around 1400 A.D.

Before the arrival of man, though, moas feared another predator: the incredible Haast’s Eagle. The largest known raptor to have ever lived, Haast’s Eagles would soar with their 3-m wingspans and then dive down on poor moas at speeds up to 80 km/hr. The predatory birds went extinct when their major food source — moas — was obliterated.

Image: John Megahan/PLoS Biology

(via: Wired Science)

astronomy-to-zoology:

Brothers Island Tuatara (Sphenodon guntheri)

While it may look like a lizard, this species of reptile is actually one of the sole surviving members of a clade of reptiles that lived 200 million years ago. As you might of guessed by its name this living fossil can only be found on Brothers Island off of New Zealand. This tuatara species is a nocturnal hunter emerging from its burrow at night to feed on small invertebrates, eggs and even small birds. A special movement of its jaw allows them to eat their bony prey quite easily. Reproduction in this species is very competitive as females only reproduce once every 2-5 years. And as such males go through brutal fights with each-other to get a chance to mate.

Phylogeny

Animalia-Chordata-Reptilia-Rhynchocephalia-Sphenodontidae-Spehenodon-guntheri

Image Source(s)

(Reblogged from astronomy-to-zoology)