Edward Minot | Massey University (original) (raw)
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Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina - UFSC (Federal University of Santa Catarina)
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Papers by Edward Minot
Http Dx Doi Org 10 1080 03014223 2000 9518243, Mar 30, 2010
Http Dx Doi Org 10 1080 00480169 2000 36172, Feb 22, 2011
Notornis
We studied the New Zealand morepork (Ninox novaeseelandiae) over 2 breeding seasons on Mokoia I, ... more We studied the New Zealand morepork (Ninox novaeseelandiae) over 2 breeding seasons on Mokoia I, Lake Rotorua, North Island, New Zealand. Ten pairs were monitored in the 1995/96 breeding season and 8 in the 1996/97 season. Nest sites included tree cavities, hollows amongst tree fern fronds, nest boxes provided for saddleback (Philesturnus carunculatus), and scrapes on the ground. Nest cavities were 0-5.2 m agl. Clutch size was 1-3 eggs; egg dimensions averaged 39.0 mm × 32.9 mm. The incubation period for 1 clutch was at least 24 days. Only females were observed to incubate eggs and brood nestlings; males roosted nearby. Two chicks were weighed and measured throughout their development and the nestling period was determined for 1 chick. Nestling development is described. Breeding success was lower in the year after a poisoning operation to eradicate mice from the island. Juvenile mortality was high after fledging. The dispersal of 4 juveniles was monitored, and females appeared to mo...
Reintroduction biology of Australian and New Zealand …, 1994
Ecological Modelling, 2001
Applied Animal Behaviour Science, 2003
Applied Animal Behaviour Science, 2011
Ecological Modelling, 2001
Avian Pathology, 2007
Sub-lingual oral fistulas are a consistently observed lesion affecting the New Zealand stitchbird... more Sub-lingual oral fistulas are a consistently observed lesion affecting the New Zealand stitchbird (hihi: Notiomystis cincta). This lesion, which has not been reported in other species, is usually only recognized when the tongue protrudes below the bird's mandible from a hole in the oral-cavity floor. In this study, we surveyed the prevalence of oral fistulas in a free-living population of stitchbirds on Tiritiri Matangi Island in 2002, 2003 and 2005. Between surveys, individuals with a fistula were caught and the progress of their lesion was monitored. The majority of birds with a fistula had a small localized lesion alongside the edge of the mandible without the tongue protruding. Oral fistulas were generally not associated with any reduction in the bird's condition or productivity, but if the tongue consistently deviated through the fistula it affected nectar-feeding efficiency. No fistulas were found in nestlings, but 9% to 10% of adult birds had some form of oral fistula, suggesting that it developed after fledging. Repeated measurement of birds showed that the size of the fistulas did not progress beyond the formation of the initial hole unless the tongue protruded. This protrusion resulted in continuous rubbing and erosion of the oral cavity floor and, ultimately, the mandible itself. Histopathology confirmed that fistulas occur in the thinnest part of the floor of the oral cavity, at the attachment point of the skin to the mandible. Despite long-term monitoring of this population, the formation of an oral fistula has never been observed and its aetiology remains elusive.
Habitat fragmentation and invasive species are two of the greatest threats to species diversity w... more Habitat fragmentation and invasive species are two of the greatest threats to species diversity worldwide. This is particularly relevant for oceanic islands with vulnerable endemics. Here, we examine how habitat fragmentation influences nest predation by Rattus spp. on cup-nesting birds in Samoan forests. We determined models for predicting predation rates by Rattus on artificial nests at two scales: (i) the position of the bird's nest within the landscape (e.g. proximity to mixed crop plantations, distance to forest edge); and (ii) the microhabitat in the immediate vicinity of the nest (e.g. nest height, ground cover, slope). Nest cameras showed only one mammal predator, the black rat (Rattus rattus), predating artificial nests. The optimal model predicting nest predation rates by black rats included a landscape variable, proximity to plantations and a local nest site variable, the percentage of low (<15 cm) ground cover surrounding the nest tree. Predation rates were 22 ± 13% higher for nests in forest edges near mixed crop plantations than in edges without plantations. In contrast, predation rates did not vary significantly between edge habitat where the matrix did not contain plantations, and interior forest sites (>1 km from the edge). As ground cover reduced, nest predation rates increased. Waxtags containing either coconut or peanut butter were used as a second method for assessing nest predation. The rates at which these were chewed followed patterns similar to the predation of the artificial nests. Rural development in Samoa will increase the proportion of forest edge near plantations. Our results suggest that this will increase the proportion of forest birds that experience nest predation from black rats. Further research is required to determine if rat control is needed to maintain even interior forest sites populations of predator-sensitive bird species on South Pacific islands.
Http Dx Doi Org 10 1080 03014223 2000 9518243, Mar 30, 2010
Http Dx Doi Org 10 1080 00480169 2000 36172, Feb 22, 2011
Notornis
We studied the New Zealand morepork (Ninox novaeseelandiae) over 2 breeding seasons on Mokoia I, ... more We studied the New Zealand morepork (Ninox novaeseelandiae) over 2 breeding seasons on Mokoia I, Lake Rotorua, North Island, New Zealand. Ten pairs were monitored in the 1995/96 breeding season and 8 in the 1996/97 season. Nest sites included tree cavities, hollows amongst tree fern fronds, nest boxes provided for saddleback (Philesturnus carunculatus), and scrapes on the ground. Nest cavities were 0-5.2 m agl. Clutch size was 1-3 eggs; egg dimensions averaged 39.0 mm × 32.9 mm. The incubation period for 1 clutch was at least 24 days. Only females were observed to incubate eggs and brood nestlings; males roosted nearby. Two chicks were weighed and measured throughout their development and the nestling period was determined for 1 chick. Nestling development is described. Breeding success was lower in the year after a poisoning operation to eradicate mice from the island. Juvenile mortality was high after fledging. The dispersal of 4 juveniles was monitored, and females appeared to mo...
Reintroduction biology of Australian and New Zealand …, 1994
Ecological Modelling, 2001
Applied Animal Behaviour Science, 2003
Applied Animal Behaviour Science, 2011
Ecological Modelling, 2001
Avian Pathology, 2007
Sub-lingual oral fistulas are a consistently observed lesion affecting the New Zealand stitchbird... more Sub-lingual oral fistulas are a consistently observed lesion affecting the New Zealand stitchbird (hihi: Notiomystis cincta). This lesion, which has not been reported in other species, is usually only recognized when the tongue protrudes below the bird's mandible from a hole in the oral-cavity floor. In this study, we surveyed the prevalence of oral fistulas in a free-living population of stitchbirds on Tiritiri Matangi Island in 2002, 2003 and 2005. Between surveys, individuals with a fistula were caught and the progress of their lesion was monitored. The majority of birds with a fistula had a small localized lesion alongside the edge of the mandible without the tongue protruding. Oral fistulas were generally not associated with any reduction in the bird's condition or productivity, but if the tongue consistently deviated through the fistula it affected nectar-feeding efficiency. No fistulas were found in nestlings, but 9% to 10% of adult birds had some form of oral fistula, suggesting that it developed after fledging. Repeated measurement of birds showed that the size of the fistulas did not progress beyond the formation of the initial hole unless the tongue protruded. This protrusion resulted in continuous rubbing and erosion of the oral cavity floor and, ultimately, the mandible itself. Histopathology confirmed that fistulas occur in the thinnest part of the floor of the oral cavity, at the attachment point of the skin to the mandible. Despite long-term monitoring of this population, the formation of an oral fistula has never been observed and its aetiology remains elusive.
Habitat fragmentation and invasive species are two of the greatest threats to species diversity w... more Habitat fragmentation and invasive species are two of the greatest threats to species diversity worldwide. This is particularly relevant for oceanic islands with vulnerable endemics. Here, we examine how habitat fragmentation influences nest predation by Rattus spp. on cup-nesting birds in Samoan forests. We determined models for predicting predation rates by Rattus on artificial nests at two scales: (i) the position of the bird's nest within the landscape (e.g. proximity to mixed crop plantations, distance to forest edge); and (ii) the microhabitat in the immediate vicinity of the nest (e.g. nest height, ground cover, slope). Nest cameras showed only one mammal predator, the black rat (Rattus rattus), predating artificial nests. The optimal model predicting nest predation rates by black rats included a landscape variable, proximity to plantations and a local nest site variable, the percentage of low (<15 cm) ground cover surrounding the nest tree. Predation rates were 22 ± 13% higher for nests in forest edges near mixed crop plantations than in edges without plantations. In contrast, predation rates did not vary significantly between edge habitat where the matrix did not contain plantations, and interior forest sites (>1 km from the edge). As ground cover reduced, nest predation rates increased. Waxtags containing either coconut or peanut butter were used as a second method for assessing nest predation. The rates at which these were chewed followed patterns similar to the predation of the artificial nests. Rural development in Samoa will increase the proportion of forest edge near plantations. Our results suggest that this will increase the proportion of forest birds that experience nest predation from black rats. Further research is required to determine if rat control is needed to maintain even interior forest sites populations of predator-sensitive bird species on South Pacific islands.