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Background: Although exclusive breastfeeding is recommended for the first six months of life, research suggests that breastfeeding initiation rates and duration among Indigenous communities differ from this recommendation. Qualitative studies point to a variety of factors influencing infant feeding decisions; however, there has been no collective review of this literature published to date. Therefore, the objective of this scoping review was to identify and summarize the qualitative literature regarding Indigenous infant feeding experiences within Canada, the United States, Australia, and Aotearoa. Methods: Using the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses- Scoping Reviews and the Joanna Briggs Institute Guidelines, in October 2020, Medline, Embase, CINAHL, PsycINFO, and Scopus were searched for relevant papers focusing on Indigenous infant feeding experiences. Screening and full-text review was completed by two independent reviewers. A grey literature search was also conducted using country-specific Google searches and targeted website searching. The protocol is registered with the Open Science Framework and published in BMJ Open. Results: Forty-six papers from the five databases and grey literature searches were included in the final review and extraction. There were 18 papers from Canada, 11 papers in the US, 9 studies in Australia and 8 studies conducted in Aotearoa. We identified the following themes describing infant feeding experiences through qualitative analysis: colonization, culture and traditionality, social perceptions, family, professional influences, environment, cultural safety, survivance, establishing breastfeeding, autonomy, infant feeding knowledge, and milk substitutes, with family and culture having the most influence on infant feeding experiences based on frequency of themes. Conclusions: This review highlights key influencers of Indigenous caregivers' infant feeding experiences, which are often situated within complex social and environmental contexts with the role of family and culture as essential in supporting caregivers. There is a need for long-term follow-up studies that partner with communities to support sustainable policy and program changes that support infant and maternal health. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: Species responses to global warming will depend on intraspecific diversity, yet studies of factors governing biogeographic patterns of variability are scarce. Here, we investigate the evolutionary processes underlying genetic and phenotypic diversity in the flightless and cold‐adapted grasshopper Sigaus piliferus, and project its suitable space in time. Location: Te Ika‐a‐Māui Aotearoa—North Island of New Zealand. Methods: We used mitochondrial sequences to investigate population connectivity and demographic trends using phylogeographic tools and neutrality statistics. Metric data were used to document phenotypic variation using naïve clustering. We used niche metrics to assess intraspecific niche variation, and niche modelling to investigate suitability under past and future scenarios. Multiple matrix regressions with randomization explored the processes contributing to phenotypic differentiation among grasshopper populations. Results: Niche models and demographic analyses suggest suitable space for this grasshopper was more restricted during glacial than interglacial stages. Genealogical relationships among ND2 haplotypes revealed a deep north–south split partly concordant with phenotypic and niche variation, suggesting two ecotypes that have mixed during recolonisation of the central volcanic region. Multiple matrix regressions with randomization indicate a link between climate and phenotypic differentiation inferred from leg and pronotum dimensions but not pronotum shape. Niche projections predict severe habitat reduction due to climate warming. Main conclusions: The current distribution and intraspecific diversity of S. piliferus reflect complex biogeographical scenarios consistent with Quaternary climates and volcanism. Phenotypic divergence appears adaptive. Current levels of genetic and phenotypic variation suggest adaptive potential, yet the pace of anthropogenic warming over the next 50 years could result in small populations that may collapse before adapting. Differences in niche features between diverging intraspecific lineages suggest distinct responses to climate change, and this has implications for prioritising conservation actions and management strategies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: To assesses the alcohol-related burden of child maltreatment among Māori in Aotearoa New Zealand. We compared the risk of child maltreatment among Māori (0-17 years) exposed to parents with alcohol-related hospitalisation or mental health/addiction service use. We also conducted a sensitivity analysis to estimate the number of cases of maltreatment that could be attributed to alcohol among Māori., Methods: A cohort study of 16,617 Māori aged 0-17 and their parents from 2000 to 2017 was conducted using the Statistics New Zealand Integrated Data Infrastructure. A Bayesian piecewise exponential model estimated the risk of time to first child maltreatment event. This analysis used data from child protection, hospital, mortality and police records, and specifically focused on the risk associated with exposure to parents with an alcohol-attributable hospitalisation or mental health/addiction service use event. Potential confounders for both parents and Māori (0-17 years) were included. We calculated a population-attributable fraction to estimate the proportion of maltreatment cases that could be attributed to alcohol in 2017., Results: Results showed a 65% increased risk for young Māori exposed to parents with heavy alcohol use. We estimated 17% of substantiated child maltreatment among Māori could be attributed to parental hazardous alcohol consumption., Discussion and Conclusions: Severe or hazardous alcohol consumption among parents is a risk factor for child maltreatment among Māori. Māori alcohol consumption and harm are symptomatic of wider inequities related, among other things, to the ongoing effects of colonisation, as well as gaps in the regulation of alcohol sales., (© 2024 The Author(s). Drug and Alcohol Review published by John Wiley & Sons Australia, Ltd on behalf of Australasian Professional Society on Alcohol and other Drugs.)

Detection and attribution experiments are designed for the causal diagnosis of features in the climate system, including trends in mean climate and extreme events. While several detection and attribution data sets now exist, the coarse resolution of the climate models used (∼100‐km) often hinders their application to topographically complex regions like Aotearoa New Zealand and small island nations. The coarse atmospheric resolution may also be detrimental for simulating certain features of the atmospheric circulation, including the jets, blocking and cyclones. To address this, here we introduce a new set of climate model runs consisting of high‐resolution atmospheric simulations from the Conformal Cubic Atmospheric Model (CCAM) non‐hydrostatic global model. The variable‐resolution grid employed by CCAM enables targeted high‐resolution simulations over New Zealand (12‐km) and intermediate resolution over the wider South Pacific region (12–35‐km). Simulations from the historical experiment (years 1982–2021), consisting of ten initial condition ensemble members, are presented and evaluated here. The evaluation focuses on the representation of the large‐scale atmospheric circulation over the Southern Hemisphere including the jet streams, storm tracks, cyclones, blocking and teleconnections, as well as more localized temperature and precipitation variability and extremes specifically over New Zealand. While certain biases are highlighted and discussed for the large‐scale atmospheric circulation, CCAM is found to perform especially well for various precipitation and temperature‐based extreme indices at smaller scales across New Zealand, generally outperforming state‐of‐the‐art reanalysis and coarser resolution global atmospheric models. These results support further application of the CCAM ensemble for studying weather and climate extremes in attribution studies. Plain Language Summary: The coarse resolution of climate model output is particularly problematic for small island nations or regions with complex terrain, like New Zealand. Here we present a new set of climate model simulations based on a stretched grid global atmospheric model which enhances the resolution over New Zealand (12‐km) and the South Pacific region (12–35‐km). A comprehensive evaluation of the model is presented, including for the jets, storm tracks, cyclones, blocking, teleconnections, and localized extremes and variability. While certain biases are highlighted at the large scale, the model ensemble is shown to perform particularly well at simulating the variability and extremes of temperature and precipitation over New Zealand. Key Points: A new perturbed initial condition ensemble of historical high‐resolution climate model simulations is presented targeting New ZealandThe jets, storm tracks, cyclones, blocking, teleconnections, and localized extremes and variability are evaluatedThe ensemble is compared against various CMIP6 and AMIP models showing encouraging results over New Zealand [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Medicinal cannabis products containing Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) are increasingly accessible. Yet, policy guidelines regarding fitness to drive are lacking, and cannabinoid-specific indexations of impairment are underdeveloped. Aims: To determine the impact of a standardised 1 mL sublingual dose of CannEpil®, a medicinal cannabis oil containing 100 mg cannabidiol (CBD) and 5 mg THC on simulated driving performance, relative to placebo and whether variations in vehicle control can be indexed by ocular activity. Methods: A double-blind, within-subjects, randomised, placebo-controlled, crossover trial assessed 31 healthy fully licensed drivers (15 male, 16 female) aged between 21 and 58 years (M = 38.0, SD = 10.78). Standard deviation of lateral position (SDLP), standard deviation of speed (SDS) and steering variability were assessed over time and as a function of treatment during a 40 min simulated drive, with oculomotor parameters assessed simultaneously. Oral fluid and plasma were collected at 30 min and 2.5 h. Results: CannEpil did not significantly alter SDLP across the full drive, although increased SDLP was observed between 20 and 30 min (p < 0.05). CannEpil increased SDS across the full drive (p < 0.05), with variance greatest at 20–30 min (p < 0.001). CannEpil increased fixation duration (p < 0.05), blink rate (trend p = 0.051) and decreased blink duration (p < 0.001) during driving. No significant correlations were observed between biological matrices and performance outcomes. Conclusions: CannEpil impairs select aspects of vehicle control (speed and weaving) over time. Alterations to ocular behaviour suggest that eye tracking may assist in determining cannabis-related driver impairment or intoxication. Australian and New Zealand Clinician Trials Registry, https://anzctr.org.au(ACTRN12619000932167). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

New forests can bring many benefits; however, public concern over wildfires can create a dilemma for restoration ecologists, managers, and policy makers advocating for forestation. In southern montane New Zealand, destocking following pastoral tenure review and forestation incentives have resulted in an increase in woody vegetation, raising concerns over fire risk. We used abundance‐weighted community flammability metrics to investigate changes in the flammability of montane grassland within Mahu Whenua Ecosanctuary following destocking, and the relative flammability of woody communities likely to establish naturally in this area. While woody species cover increased following destocking, a decrease in highly combustible graminoids and shrubs, and increased abundance of non‐flammable herbaceous species meant community flammability metrics reduced or showed no change. Woody communities that could potentially develop in the area varied substantially in structure and composition. Open, species‐rich, shrublands showed lower flammability metrics for both understorey and canopy than mixed dense shrubland/forests or species‐poor beech (Nothofagaceae) forests. For active forestation projects where fire is undesirable, a low‐flammability herbaceous understorey can reduce fire risk. Where desirable forest species are highly combustible but fire‐intolerant, e.g. New Zealand beech, fire risk could be reduced by maintaining buffer zones of low‐flammability vegetation or applying planting strategies such as nucleation that accelerate the development of closed canopy forest patches more likely to have moisture‐retentive ground layers. However, in historically burnt landscapes, additional information will be needed to define the wider pool of low‐flammability species appropriate for forestation programs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Extensive scientific ocean drilling in the Australasian region for 50 years has generated public-domain geoscience knowledge on a scale that no other science program could. Predominantly continuous coring, commonly to depths of 1000 m or more below the sea bed, has revealed the nature and origin of the continental margins, the plateaus and ridges, and the deep ocean, and put them into their plate-tectonic context. Many Australian and New Zealand scientists have played important roles in the 50 two-month regional expeditions, including building the international proposals that led to them. Large International teams aboard ship exchanged ideas and often formed long-term scientific partnerships. Most are not formally marine geoscientists or marine microbiologists. Scientists from Australia and New Zealand were also involved in numerous expeditions outside this region, but this is not their story. There have been ground-breaking results addressing global questions, such as the nature and history of plate tectonics, subduction zones and island arcs, spreading centres and polymetallic ore deposits, ocean basins and ridges, and subseafloor microbiology. Without this research, relatively little would be known about the geological history of the oceans and indeed of the continents over the last ca 150 million years. The most widely researched field has been oceanographic and climate history, which depends on plate-tectonic configuration, the thermal circulation from the Equator to the poles, and the links and constraints of deep-water circulation in the oceans. The change from a generally warm globe during the existence of Gondwana to a cooling globe after Antarctica became isolated from the rest of that supercontinent at about 33 Ma, when the deep-water Antarctic Circumpolar Current developed, cutting off the warm water and leading to a complete reorganisation of oceanic currents. Microbiological studies have shown that large communities of microbes occur deep within oceanic sediments, and also where hot fluids vent from young oceanic spreading centres and submarine island arcs. Lithospheric plate creation and destruction is outlined in the Australasian region. The history of the isolation of Antarctica, icehouse and global current systems are summarised. Mantle plume (hotspot) evolution is presented. Feeder zones of hydrothermal systems and their novel biology are given. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: Repeated cycles of Pleistocene glaciation have influenced phylogeographic structure of taxa on New Zealand's South Island. Many taxa became restricted to refugia at either end of the island during glaciation, resulting in an area of low endemicity in central South Island. This area of low endemism is typified by the so‐called beech (or biotic) gap, where the absence of Nothofagus forest (and many other plant and invertebrate taxa) has been attributed to repeated glaciation. Some taxa, however, appear to have persisted in situ in localized refugia within the biotic gap. We test these alternative hypotheses in a large flightless alpine wētā (grasshopper). Location: Southern Alps, South Island, New Zealand. Taxon: Hemideina maori Pictet & Saussure, 1891 (Orthoptera: Anostostomatidae). Methods: We used phylogeographic analysis of mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase I (cox1) and 25 nuclear DNA (nuDNA) markers to test for Pleistocene glacial microrefugia within the current montane South Island range of Hemideina maori. Results: We identified eight deeply differentiated mtDNA lineages with limited sharing of haplotypes among populations. Genetic differentiation assessed using nuDNA revealed a similar pattern, with three groups broadly corresponding to the deepest mtDNA splits. The central South Island region exhibits substantial endemic mtDNA diversity and a distinctive nuclear lineage. Main conclusions: These results indicate that H. maori likely persisted in microrefugia within the biotic gap during glaciation. These deep lineages are estimated to have started diverging prior to the initiation of glaciation, up to 3 Ma. These results add to a growing number of Southern Hemisphere examples of deep phylogeographic differentiation in glaciated alpine regions compared to Europe and North America, probably reflecting less intense glaciation. We suggest that other Southern Alps species showing northern and southern clades alone are more montane than alpine, and were reliant on warmer habitat to the north and south during glacial eras. Thus, there are species‐specific responses to climatic processes, influenced by distinctive habitat requirements and physiological traits. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Tetrodotoxin (TTX) is one of the most potent naturally occurring compounds and is responsible for many human intoxications worldwide. Paphies australis are endemic clams to New Zealand which contain varying concentrations of TTX. Research suggests that P. australis accumulate the toxin exogenously, but the source remains uncertain. The aim of this study was to identify potential bacterial TTX-producers by exploring differences in bacterial communities in two organs of P. australis : the siphon and digestive gland. Samples from the digestive glands of a non-toxic bivalve Austrovenus stutchburyi that lives amongst toxic P. australis populations were also analyzed. Bacterial communities were characterized using 16S ribosomal RNA gene metabarcoding in P. australis sourced monthly from the Hokianga Harbor, a site known to have TTX-bearing clams, for 1 year, from ten sites with varying TTX concentrations around New Zealand, and in A. stutchburyi from the Hokianga Harbor. Tetrodotoxin was detected in P. australis from sites all around New Zealand and in all P. australis collected monthly from the Hokianga Harbor. The toxin averaged 150 μg kg–1 over the year of sampling in the Hokianga Harbor but no TTX was detected in the A. stutchburyi samples from the same site. Bacterial species diversity differed amongst sites (p < 0.001, F = 5.9) and the diversity in siphon samples was significantly higher than in digestive glands (p < 0.001, F = 65.8). Spirochaetaceae (4–60%) and Mycoplasmataceae (16–78%) were the most abundant families in the siphons and the digestive glands, respectively. The bacterial communities were compared between sites with the lowest TTX concentrations and the Hokianga Harbor (site with the highest TTX concentrations), and the core bacterial communities from TTX-bearing individuals were analyzed. The results from both spatial and temporal studies corroborate with previous hypotheses that Vibrio and Bacillus could be responsible for the source of TTX in bivalves. The results from this study also indicate that marine cyanobacteria, in particular picocyanobacteria (e.g., Cyanobium , Synechococcus , Pleurocapsa , and Prochlorococcu s), should be investigated further as potential TTX producers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose:New rehabilitation strategies for post-stroke upper limb rehabilitation employing visual stimulation show promising results, however, cost-efficient and clinically feasible ways to provide these interventions are still lacking. An integral step is to translate recent technological advances, such as in virtual and augmented reality, into therapeutic practice to improve outcomes for patients. This requires research on the adaptation of the technology for clinical use as well as on the appropriate guidelines and protocols for sustainable integration into therapeutic routines. Here, we present and evaluate a novel and affordable augmented reality system (Augmented Reflection Technology, ART) in combination with a validated mirror therapy protocol for upper limb rehabilitation after stroke. Method:We evaluated components of the therapeutic intervention, from the patients’ and the therapists’ points of view in a clinical feasibility study at a rehabilitation centre. We also assessed the integration of ART as an adjunct therapy for the clinical rehabilitation of subacute patients at two different hospitals. Results:The results showed that the combination and application of theBerlin Protocol for Mirror Therapytogether with ART was feasible for clinical use. This combination was integrated into the therapeutic plan of subacute stroke patients at the two clinical locations where the second part of this research was conducted. Conclusions:Our findings pave the way for using technology to provide mirror therapy in clinical settings and show potential for the more effective use of inpatient time and enhanced recoveries for patients. Implications for RehabilitationComputerised Mirror Therapy is feasible for clinical useAugmented Reflection Technology can be integrated as an adjunctive therapeutic intervention for subacute stroke patients in an inpatient settingVirtual Rehabilitation devices such as Augmented Reflection Technology have considerable potential to enhance stroke rehabilitation [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

ABSTRACT New insight is provided regarding 21st century projections of synoptic scale atmospheric circulation over the New Zealand region. Daily mean sea level pressure patterns from a number of general circulation models ( GCMs) participating in the 5th Coupled Model Intercomparison Project ( CMIP5) were analysed through a self-organizing map ( SOM) technique. In terms of simulating the synoptic climatology found in reanalyses, an initial model evaluation revealed quite substantial differences in model skill. Generally, those models with relatively high horizontal atmospheric resolution skilfully simulated the historical frequency and mean lifetime of large scale synoptic patterns over this region. Analysing future projections under this smaller subset of better-performing models indicated robust and quite substantial increases in the annual frequency of widespread anticyclonic conditions over New Zealand, accompanied by a general decrease in widespread low pressure. These projected changes in frequency of synoptic occurrences become the most pronounced towards the end of the 21st century and for winter, whereas changes in the average synoptic pattern lifetime remain small. While not robust for all models in this subset, significant 21st century trends in the intensification of geostrophic westerly flow conditions within certain synoptic patterns were also found. Linking synoptic patterns to surface climate variables has also provided evidence that these circulation changes may collectively manifest as a significant non-uniform climatic change across New Zealand. These findings should encourage further focused studies on circulation-relevant applications and impacts in a climate change context. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In several relatively recent decisions, the House of Lords and the Court of Appeal have declared, relying on a series of early 20th century admiralty cases, that the occurrence of supervening events is irrelevant to the determination of damages for negligent injury to property. The principle has been described as 'a firm sub-rule' that applies to cases of property damage but not to other categories of loss. This paper, conversely, contends that the proper and consistent position in law is that a court tasked with assessing damages for property injury should take into account the impact of relevant supervening events. It asserts that the more recent decisions of the courts have misconstrued the early precedents, confused facially similar but factually distinct categories of cases, and fashioned an exceptional sub-rule that is inconsistent with broader principles of the common law of damages. 'Losses in any event' are relevant to the measure of loss in cases of damaged property. It is therefore proposed that the presumed sub-rule be discarded and the relevance of subsequent events acknowledged. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

ABSTRACT A cluster analysis-based synoptic classification scheme, known as the Kidson types, was applied to reanalyses and Coupled Model Inter-comparison Project phase 3 ( CMIP3) general circulation model ( GCM) output over New Zealand to identify the potential for future changes in regional circulation. Results indicate that a number of GCM 20th century control runs reproduce the type frequencies observed in reanalysis data. Application to future scenario runs for the periods 2046-2065 and 2081-2100 displays little variation in the annual frequency of the synoptic types relative to the 20th century, especially when uncertainty associated with the model ensemble is considered. This is surprising in the context of previous work on possible future movements in jet position and subsequent impacts on weather patterns. A sensitivity analysis that mimics the movement of the jet position was performed, revealing that the annual type frequencies are relatively insensitive to change. To determine whether this is a problem with the synoptic typing scheme, a correlation-based classification technique was also used, but showed similar results. This work highlights issues with applying synoptic classification schemes to GCM output and indicates that if such schemes are to be used they should be designed and tested with this application in mind. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Seasonal snow directly affects New Zealand's economy through the energy, agriculture and tourism sectors. In New Zealand, little is known about the long-term variability of the snow cover and the expected impacts of climate change on snow cover. The lack of systematic historical snow observations in New Zealand means that information on interannual variability, trends and projections of future seasonal snow must be generated using simulation models. We use a temperature index snow model to calculate the accumulation and ablation of the current (1980-1999) snowpack for more than 37,000 third-order river basins with 100 m contour intervals, resulting in over 200,000 individual model elements in New Zealand. Using this model, which captures the gross features of snow under the current climate, we assess the range of likely effects of climate change on seasonal snow in New Zealand using downscaled temperature and precipitation changes from the middle of the road (A1B) climate change projections from 12 general circulation models (GCMs). For each of the 12 GCMs, we consider two future time periods 2030-2049 (mid-point reference 2040) and 2080-2099 (mid-point reference 2090). These future time periods are compared to simulations of current, 1980-1999 (mid-point reference 1990), seasonal snow. Our results show that on average at a national scale, at nearly all elevations, the 2040s and 2090s result in a decrease in snow as described by all of our summary statistics: snow duration, percentage of precipitation that is snow and peak snow accumulation in each year. This decrease in snow is more marked at elevations below 1,000 m but is evident at all but the very highest elevations. Relative to snow simulations for average peak snow accumulation for the present, we observe that by the 2040s, depending on the GCM used, there is a reduction of between 3 and 44 % at 1,000 m, and an increase of 8 % through to a reduction of 22 % at 2,000 m. By the 2090s, the average reduction is greater, with a decrease of between 32 and 79 % at 1,000 m and between 6 and 51 % at 2,000 m. More substantial reductions are observed below these elevations. When we consider the elevation where snow duration exceeds 3 months, we see a rise in this elevation from 1,550 m in the 1990s to between 1,550 and 1,750 m by the 2040s and 1,700 and 2,000 m by the 2090s, depending on the GCM used. The results of this work are consistent with our understanding of snow processes in general and with work from other similar mid-latitude locations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The little spotted kiwi (Apteryx owenii) is a flightless ratite formerly found throughout New Zealand but now greatly reduced in distribution. Previous phylogeographic studies of the related brown kiwi (A. mantelli, A. rowi and A. australis), with which little spotted kiwi was once sympatric, revealed extremely high levels of genetic structuring, with mitochondrial DNA haplotypes often restricted to populations. We surveyed genetic variation throughout the present and pre-human range of little spotted kiwi by obtaining mitochondrial DNA sequences from contemporary and ancient samples. Little spotted kiwi and great spotted kiwi (A. haastii) formed a monophyletic clade sister to brown kiwi. Ancient samples of little spotted kiwi from the northern North Island, where it is now extinct, formed a lineage that was distinct from remaining little spotted kiwi and great spotted kiwi lineages, potentially indicating unrecognized taxonomic diversity. Overall, little spotted kiwi exhibited much lower levels of genetic diversity and structuring than brown kiwi, particularly through the South Island. Our results also indicate that little spotted kiwi (or at least hybrids involving this species) survived on the South Island mainland until more recently than previously thought. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Global climate is changing in response to increased greenhouse gas concentrations in the atmosphere. This change may have multiple hydrological effects. The most obvious effect of climate change on hydrology is through changes in rainfall patterns, but hydrology is also strongly affected by changing temperatures (e.g., changes in evapotranspiration and snowfall). In this paper we focus on the effects of climate change on the Clutha River, in the South Island of New Zealand. We present an analysis of the projected weekly averaged flows of the Clutha at Balclutha, comparing the current situation (1980-1999) with two future time periods (2030-2049 and 2080-2099) for one \"middle of the road\" emission scenario, A1B, using data from the IPCC Fourth Assessment Report. The investigation used the distributed hydrological model TopNet, which includes a snow model. The model was validated against 20-year streamflow records for three locations in the catchment. Climate predictions of 12 different Global Circulation Models for the A1B scenario (as well as the average of those 12) were used as input to the model. In the future scenarios annual precipitation increases in this catchment. The total yearly streamflow increases as a response (∼6% for 2040 scenario and ∼10% for 2090 scenario); however the relative contribution of snowmelt to streamflow decreases. The most striking change is in the seasonality of streamflow. Streamflow in winter and spring increases substantially, whereas stream-flow in summer and autumn is relatively unchanged. Two factors contribute to this effect: 1) total precipitation increases over winter and spring (up to 40% in some areas of the catchment for the 2090 scenario), whereas it remains constant or decreases slightly over summer and autumn in some areas, and 2) during winter and spring, precipitation falls more often as rainfall (rather than snow) in the future scenarios. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Leiopelma hochstetteri belongs to a singular anuran lineage endemic to New Zealand that diverged from other frogs about 200 million years ago. The species now is reduced to a series of isolated populations in the northern half of the North Island and Great Barrier Island. We have used mitochondrial and nuclear sequence data to examine the genetic affinities of extant populations of L. hochstetteri. Phylogenetic reconstructions reveal that populations are highly structured. Each of the geographically isolated populations harbours independent mtDNA lineages as well as different degrees of nuDNA differentiation. Moreover, molecular dating reveals that this structure originated in the early Pleistocene. This pattern of genetic structure likely results from unfavourable climatic conditions during the Pleistocene combined with the low dispersal ability of the species. Isolated populations in forested refugia existed even in the southern part of the distribution of the species during glacial cycles. Previously published variation in chromosome numbers and isozyme data are consistent with the new evidence. We identified 13 evolutionary significant units (ESUs) that should serve as the focus for future management and conservation of this species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim Increasing our understanding of the effects of the Last Glacial Maximum (LGM) and determining the location of refugia requires studies on widely distributed species with dense sampling of populations. We have reconstructed the biogeographic history of Clitarchus hookeri (White), a widespread species of New Zealand stick insect that exhibits geographic parthenogenesis, using phylogeographic analysis and ecological niche modelling. Location New Zealand. Methods We used DNA sequence data from the mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit I gene to reconstruct phylogenetic relationships among haplotypes from C. hookeri and two undescribed Clitarchus species. We also used distribution data from our own field surveys and museum records to reconstruct the geographic distribution of C. hookeri during the present and the LGM, using ecological niche modelling. Results The ecological niche models showed that the geographic distribution of C. hookeri has expanded dramatically since the LGM. Our model predicted large areas of suitable LGM habitat in upper North Island, and small patches along the east coast of South Island. The phylogeographic analysis shows that populations in the northern half of North Island contain much higher levels of genetic variation than those from southern North Island and South Island, and is congruent with the ecological niche model. The distribution of bisexual populations is also non-random, with males completely absent from South Island and very rare in southern North Island. Main conclusions During the LGM C. hookeri was most likely restricted to several refugia in upper North Island and one or more smaller refugia along the east coast of South Island. The unisexual populations predominate in post-glacial landscapes and are clearly favoured in the recolonization of such areas. Our study exemplifies the utility of integrating ecological niche modelling and phylogeographic analysis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Last Glacial Maximum (LGM) severely restricted forest ecosystems on New Zealand’s South Island, but the extent of LGM distribution for forest species is still poorly understood. We used mitochondrial DNA phylogeography (COI) and ecological niche modelling (ENM) to identify LGM refugia for the mycophagous beetle Agyrtodes labralis (Leiodidae), a forest edge species widely distributed in the South Island. Both the phylogenetic analyses and the ENM indicate that A. labralis refuged in Kaikoura, Nelson, and along much of the South Island’s west coast. Phylogeography of this species indicates that recolonization of the largely deforested east and southeast South Island occurred in a west–east direction, with populations moving through the Southern Alps, and that the northern refugia participated little in interglacial population expansion. This contradicts published studies of other New Zealand species, in which recolonization occurs in a north–south fashion from many of the same refugia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We have used phylogeographic analysis of mitochondrial DNA (COI and COII genes) and ecological niche modelling (ENM) to reconstruct the population history of Argosarchus horridus (White), a widespread species of New Zealand stick insect. These data were used to address outstanding questions on the role of glacial refugia in determining the distribution and genetic structure of New Zealand species. Phylogeographic analysis shows a general pattern of high diversity in upper North Island and reduced diversity in lower North Island and South Island. The ENM indicates that during the last glacial maximum, A. horridus was largely restricted to refugia around coastal areas of North Island. The ENM also suggests refugia on the northeast coast of South Island and southeast coast of North Island and this prediction is verified by phylogeographic analysis, which shows a clade restricted to this region. Argosarchus horridus is also most likely a geographic parthenogen where males are much rarer at higher latitudes. The higher levels of genetic variation in northern, bisexual populations suggest southern and largely unisexual populations originated from southwardly expanding parthenogenetic lineages. Bayesian skyline analysis also provides support for a recent population size increase consistent with a large increase in geographic distribution in the late Pleistocene. These results exemplify the utility of integrating ENM and phylogeographic analysis in testing hypotheses on the origin of geographic parthenogenesis and effects of Pleistocene environmental change on biodiversity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Understanding the biological significance of Pleistocene glaciations requires knowledge of the nature and extent of habitat refugia during glacial maxima. An opportunity to examine evidence of glacial forest refugia in a maritime, Southern Hemisphere setting is found in New Zealand, where the extent of Pleistocene forests remains controversial. We used the mitochondrial phylogeography of a forest-edge cicada ( Kikihia subalpina) to test the hypothesis that populations of this species survived throughout South Island during the Last Glacial Maximum. We also compared mitochondrial DNA phylogeographic patterns with male song patterns that suggest allopatric divergence across Cook Strait. Cytochrome oxidase I and II sequences were analyzed using network analysis, maximum-likelihood phylogenetic estimation, Bayesian dating and Bayesian skyline plots. K. subalpina haplotypes from North Island and South Island form monophyletic clades that are concordant with song patterns. Song divergence corresponds to approximately 2% genetic divergence, and Bayesian dating suggests that the North Island and South Island population-lineages became isolated around 761 000 yearsbp. Almost all South Island genetic variation is found in the north of the island, consistent with refugia in Marlborough Sounds, central Nelson and northwest Nelson. All central and southern South Island and Stewart Island haplotypes are extremely similar to northern South Island haplotypes, a ‘northern richness/southern purity’ pattern that mirrors genetic patterns observed in many Northern Hemisphere taxa. Proposed southern South Island forest habitat fragments may have been too small to sustain populations of K. subalpina, and/or they may have harboured ecological communities with no modern-day analogues. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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