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The skills, insights, and genetic data gathered by molecular ecologists are pivotal to addressing many contemporary biodiversity, environmental, cultural, and societal challenges. Concurrently, the field of molecular ecology is being revolutionised by rapid technological development and diversification in the scope of its applications. Hence, it is timely to review the future opportunities of molecular ecological research in Aotearoa New Zealand, and to reconcile them with philosophies of open science and the implications for Indigenous data sovereignty and benefit sharing. Future molecular ecologists need to be interdisciplinary, equipped to embrace innovation, and informed about the broader societal relevance of their research, as well as advocates of best practice. Here, we present an ideal future for molecular ecology in Aotearoa, based on the perspectives of 23 early career researchers from tertiary institutions, Crown Research Institutes, research consultancies, and government agencies. Our article provides: a guide for molecular ecologists embarking on genetic research in Aotearoa, and a primer for individuals in a position to support early career molecular ecologists in Aotearoa. We outline our goals and highlight specific considerations – for molecular ecology and the scientific community in Aotearoa – based on our own experience and aspirations, and invite other researchers to join this dialogue. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Southern Hemisphere long-finned pilot whale (Globicephala melas edwardii) is a top predator in the New Zealand pelagic food web, feeding predominantly on arrow squids. This study quantified trace element concentrations (Al, As, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, Hg, Ni, Mn, Pb, Se, V, Zn) in four tissues (blubber, kidney, liver, muscle) from 21 individuals from stranding sites in New Zealand. Maximum Cd and Hg concentrations were measured in liver and kidney, respectively. Selenium had a positive correlation with Cd and Hg, suggesting the involvement of Se in Cd and Hg detoxification. Arrow squids from the whales' stomach contents were DNA barcoded and identified as Nototodarus sloanii. Trace element concentrations were measured in squid samples from the whale stomach contents. The significant correlation for Hg between the squid tissue and the whale tissue suggests that arrow squids play a major role in trace element uptake by G. m. edwardii. • Cd and Cu were highest in kidney tissue • Al, Fe, Hg Se and Zn were highest in liver tissue • Females generally exhibited higher Cd, Hg and Se concentrations than males • Cd and Hg concentrations were comparable to G. m. melas from the North Atlantic • Prey items were identified by DNA barcoding as arrow squid, Nototodarus sloanii [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The New Zealand arrow squids , Nototodarus gouldi and N. sloanii , play an important role in the marine food web, and are both economically important fishery species. This study compares trace element concentrations (As, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, Hg, Ni, Mn, Pb, U, and Zn) in these animals from different fishing locations within New Zealand's Exclusive Economic Zone (Auckland Islands, Chatham Rise, Dunedin, Golden Bay, Taranaki, and West Coast of the South Island). Muscular mantle (the tissue usually consumed by humans) and digestive gland tissue (the primary organ for trace element accumulation) concentrations were compared among regions, revealing size, species, and sampling location effects. Overall, N. gouldi had higher concentrations of As and Zn. The Taranaki region had the highest concentrations for Cd, Co, Cu, and Zn in both tissues analysed. To assess the bioaccessibility of these trace elements to humans, an in-vitro digestion simulation experiment was conducted, revealing bioavailable concentrations overall below the maximum levels presently considered tolerable for human consumption. However, the in-vitro digestion had no observable effect upon Cd concentrations in arrow squid mantle tissue (implying that the measured concentrations are bioaccessible to humans), and revealed that Cd had the highest potential impact on marine food webs and human health. Digestive gland concentrations in particular indicate that arrow squids can be considered important vectors for trace element transfer to top predators (mean concentration for Cd: 123 ± 148 μg g−1 dw), with region-specific differences. Image 1 • Trace element concentrations were higher in the digestive gland than the mantle. • Size, species, and sampling location showed effects on trace element concentrations. • Regional differences in specimens from the South Island (West Coast and Taranaki). • Trace element mantle tissue concentrations below maximum tolerable concentrations. • In - vitro digestion simulation for bioaccessibility showed no effect on Cd. Trace element concentrations in New Zealand's arrow squids vary considerably by region, but appear to fall below permissible levels for human consumption (assessed using an in-vitro digestion approach). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Chatham Rise, one of the highest offshore-primary production regions in New Zealand waters, hosts a great abundance and diversity of deep-sea cephalopods including the greater hooked squid, Moroteuthopsis ingens. Stable isotope ratios of carbon (δ 13 C) and nitrogen (δ 15 N) and trace element concentrations (Ag, As, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, Hg, Ni, Pb, Se, V, and Zn) were assessed in female and male specimens of different size classes (89–563 mm mantle length). Values of δ 13C and δ 15N were overall higher in females and δ13C was further influenced by size and sex. Both muscular mantle (the largest fraction of the total body mass) and digestive gland (the known main storage organ for Ag, Cd, Cu and Zn in many cephalopods) tissues were analysed. Higher levels of Cd were observed in males than in females. A positive effect was found between size and Hg concentrations, which could be related to the ontogenetic descent of larger specimens into deeper waters, where they are exposed to higher Hg concentrations, and/or dietary shifts toward Hg-enriched prey with increasing size. This study provides trace element data for this abundant and ecologically important species, and further reveals higher trace element concentrations (especially Hg) in M. ingens from the Chatham Rise, compared to specimens from the sub-Antarctic zone. • Ag, Cd, Cu, Fe, Pb were highest in the digestive gland compared to mantle. • Ag and Hg concentrations showed a positive correlation with size. • Cd concentrations varied between the sexes (highest in large females). • Stable isotope values support an ontogenetic shift in habitat. • Results suggest M. ingens is a vector for Cd and Hg in NZ pelagic predators. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The southern arrow squid, Nototodarus sloanii (Ommastrephidae), is a key species in New Zealand's pelagic ecosystem and is commercially fished. Specimens in this study were caught along the Chatham Rise—one of New Zealand's most heavily targeted fisheries areas. Nine different tissue types were analysed from 15 female and 15 male specimens for 13 trace elements (As, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, Hg, Ni, Mn, Pb, Sb, V, and Zn). Trace element concentrations varied among tissue types with the highest concentrations observed in the digestive gland, the branchial hearts, and the kidney. The mean observed concentrations of As, Cd, Hg, and Pb in the muscular tissues were less than their respective maximum permissible levels for seafood consumption for adults. However, analysis of market squid showed that Cd contamination from the digestive gland to the mantle tissue occurs and can potentially pose a threat to human consumers. We recommend regular testing of the potential exposure of Cd in human diets. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cephalopods are important in the diets of humans and many other apex predators, and can play an important role in the bioaccumulation of metals. In this study, metal concentrations were analysed in the commercially and ecologically important southern arrow squid, Nototodarus sloanii (Gray 1849), from a heavily targeted fisheries area on New Zealand's Chatham Rise. A variety of tissue types were compared in order to assess the bioaccumulation in edible tissues (mantle and arms) and other organs (digestive gland, kidney, and hearts). Although metal concentrations varied among tissue types, the highest concentrations were found in the digestive gland (for Cd, Cu, Fe, Ni, Zn) and branchial hearts (for Cr, U). We report the first Cd concentrations for N. sloanii from the Chatham Rise, with mean values of 3.11 μg. g -1 in the mantle and 102.53 μg. g -1 in the digestive gland. Our data suggest that concentrations observed in the mantle tissue (which forms the majority of the muscle tissue) and digestive gland (the primary organ for metal accumulation) can be used to estimate the animal's total body burden for all metals analysed. The toxicological and dietary consequences for predators (including humans) feeding on arrow squid can be inferred from measurements of mass and metal concentration in these tissues. Arrow squid represent an important vector for Cd transfer within the pelagic Chatham Rise food web. These are the first recorded baseline data for metal concentrations for any squid in this oceanic region.