The Ecology and Conservation Group
Monique Jansen van Rensburg
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Postgraduate StudentMSc StudentEmail: Building 5, Gate 4, Oteha Rohe, Albany Campus, Massey University. Tel: +64 9 414 0800 ext 41197 Fax: +64 9 443 9790 Research Title: Supervisor: Assoc Prof Dianne Brunton & Dr. Brett Gartrell Advisors: & Dr Rosemary Barraclough |
RESEARCHParasitism in little blue penguins (Eudyptula minor) and correlations with body condition, survival and nest success.
I plan to examine the parasitic load of penguins during the breeding and non-breeding seasons (including the moulting period). I propose to develop the study by: comparing parasitic loads from different nest types; examining parasitic loads in chicks; carrying out control experiments on nests; carrying out post-mortems on little blue penguin carcasses collected from the island; and obtaining samples from little blue penguins from other sites for comparison, including samples from captive little blue penguin populations. Jacqueline Geurts (MSc student) has looked at the breeding and foraging ecology of little blue penguins on the island. We have agreed to collaborate our findings. Our aim is to determine which factors threaten this population, which will enable us to recommend management practices that best suit this species. We propose to publish our results. |
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FUNDING BODIES
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PUBLICATION/ REPORTSVan Rensburg M 2005. An African Experience. Journal of the Endangered Wildlife Trust 52: 42-43. |
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CONFERENCES ATTENDED2007 - New Zealand Veterinarian Association Wildlife Society Conference, Auckland, New Zealand. 2007 - 6th International Penguin Conference, Tasmania, Australia. 2006 - The Joint Conference of the NZ Ecological Society and the Ecological Society of Australia, Wellington, New Zealand. 2005 - Molecular Biology and Evolution Conference, Auckland, New Zealand. |
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EXPERIENCESWorked as volunteer for:
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ACKNOWLEDGEMENTSI would like to thank the funding bodies for their financial support of this project. A special thanks to Jacqueline Geurts for all her help in the months leading up to the start of this project. This project would not have been possible without the help of many many volunteers, both in the field and the lab! Thank you to all of you. The work is covered by the Department of Conservation Research Permit and Massey University Animal Ethics Approval. |
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I propose to undertake a year-long project on Tiritiri Matangi Island in the Hauraki Gulf (30km east of Auckland) studying ecto- and endoparasitism in little blue penguins (Eudyptula minor).
There has been evidence of large parasite loads in little blue penguins and other penguin species, and that this has been detrimental to the birds.
It has been found that parasitic load is often associated with starvation.
During my thesis year I want to investigate the incidence of ecto-, haemo- and gastro-intestinal parasite infestation in little blue penguins on the island and how this level of infestation correlates with body condition and the health of these birds.
This ultimately determines their ability to cope with environmental stresses, contributing to survival and nest success.
Therefore I would like to expand the study to include the monitoring of nest success of individuals and relating this to body condition and the presence/absence and extent of parasitism.