Academic literature on the topic 'Banks Peninsula District'

We describe Dixonius pawangkhananti sp. nov. from coastal limestone hills in Cha-am District, Phetchaburi Province, peninsular Thailand. The new species differs from all currently recognized Dixonius by the following combination of morphological characters and pattern: maximal known snout-vent length of 42.6 mm; 16 longitudinal rows of dorsal tubercles; 30 to 32 paravertebral scales; 16 longitudinal rows of ventral scales across the abdomen; six precloacal pores in males, no pores in females; a marked canthal stripe; and a sexually dimorphic dorsal pattern consisting of bands (males) or blotches (females). This description brings the number of Dixonius species to ten, with four species endemic to Thailand.

We describe a colorful and distinctively patterned, karst-dwelling pitviper, Trimeresurus kuiburi sp. nov., from the isolated, coastal massif of Khao Sam Roi Yot in Kui Buri District, Prachuap Khiri Khan Province, in northern Peninsular Thailand. The new species, member of the ‘Cryptelytrops group’ sensu Malhotra & Thorpe (2004) and morphologically and genetically allied to Trimeresurus kanburiensis and T. venustus, differs from all pitviper taxa by a combination of red/purple bands on a green dorsum; a white concave suborbital stripe in males (straight and less visible in females); white, spaced vertebral dots in males (absent in females); pale green belly lacking dark dots or stripe on the lateral sides of the ventrals; partially fused first supralabial and nasal scale; 19 dorsal scale rows at midbody; 164–171 ventrals; 63–65 subcaudals in males, 51–53 in females; maximal known SVL of 451 mm; and long, papillose hemipenes.

Research subject. The Savabeisky sulfide copper-nickel ore occurrence, located in the central part of the Khengur (Central Pay-Khoy) gabbro-dolerite complex of the Pay-Khoy, within the Yugorsky Peninsula, located in the Far North-East of the European part of Russia, in the Arkhangelsk region, between the Barents and Kara Seas.Materials and methods. Samples of copper-nickel ores with noble metal mineralization were studied. Palladium tellurides and bismuthtellurides were characterized using optical and scanning electron microscopy, electron backscatter diffraction (EBSD), X-ray structural analysis and Raman spectroscopy.Results. Bismuthtellurides in the Paykhoysko-Vaigach-Yuzhnonovozemelskiy region – michenerite, merenskyite and unidentified palladium telluride of the kotulskite–merenskyite series with crystal formula Pd2(TeSbBi)3 – were found for the first time. The unit cell parameter of Pay-Khoy michenerite was calculated using X-ray diffraction analysis data: a = 6.638(2) Å. According to Raman spectroscopy, the palladium tellurides and bismuthtellurides of the Savabeisky ore occurrence were distinguished into 4 groups: Sb-kotulskite (does not contain Raman-active modes), unnamed PGM Pd2(TeSbBi)3 (bands in the range 95–103, 121–126 cm–1, obtained for the first time), Sb-merenskyite (band 126–135 cm–1), michenerite (bands with maxima 100 and 116 cm–1, obtained for the first time). The Kikuchi lines for michenerite and the mineral of the kotulskite–merenskyite series were obtained by the EBSD method.Conclusions. The diagnosis of palladium tellurides and bismuthtellurides is a rather complicated problem (wide variations in compositions, low hardness, small size, thin intergrowths of several individuals, the presence of impurities, etc.) affecting the determination of their mineral form and requiring an integrated approach. The Raman spectra of michenerite and unnamed PGM can be used as standards for the rapid identification of their natural forms, in contrast to EBSD, which requires improved sample preparation. The relatively high content of antimony in the ore minerals and noble metals minerals at the Savabeisky ore occurrence is the antimony metallogenic specificity characteristic of the entire Uralsko-Novozemelskiy province.

On the east side of the Southern Alps of the South Island lies the province of Canterbury. Within this province there are five district regions, North, Central, Mid, and South Canterbury (all running from the mountains to the sea and separated by major rivers), and Banks Peninsula. Central and Mid Canterbury are home to the Selwyn and Ashburton District Councils (respectively) and sit side by side in the centre of Canterbury. Selwyn District has a northern boundary with the Waimakariri River, Christchurch City, and Banks Peninsula. Ashburton District has a southern boundary with the Rangitata River. The mighty braided Rakaia River is the dividing boundary between the two districts. Canterbury Regional Council (ECAN), based in Christchurch, has control over environmental issues in the area.

Hector�s dolphin (Cephalorhynchus hectori) is an endangered coastal species endemic to New Zealand. Their distribution, like other marine organisms, is intertwined with the dynamics of their local habitats, and at a larger scale, the coastal waters around New Zealand. The main purpose of this thesis was to identify specific habitat requirements of this rare dolphin. Hector�s dolphin distribution around the South Island was quantified along several temporal and spatial scales. Large-scale density analyses of abundance surveys found over half of the South Island�s current population occurred within only three main regions. Two of these strongholds are along the west coast and the third is located around Banks Peninsula on the east coast. Smaller-scale analyses at Banks Peninsula found the majority of the dolphin community was preferentially using core regions within the marine mammal sanctuary. Monthly surveys showed that in summer and autumn statistically more dolphins occurred within inshore regions ([less than or equal to]one kilometre), spread throughout the surveyed coastline. From May through winter, dolphin densities rapidly declined. Remaining dolphins were significantly clumped in more offshore waters of eastern regions. The lowest encounter rates occurred between August and September. Certain 'hotspots' consistently had higher dolphin densities throughout the study period while others were preferred seasonally. To address habitat preferences, surveys simultaneously collected oceanographic samples using a CTD profiler. In general, physical variables of the Peninsula�s eastern and southeastern waters varied less, despite being regularly exposed to upwellings and the varied presence of sub-tropical waters. Semi-sheltered bays and shallow inshore waters were highly variable and more susceptible to spatially discrete influences, such as localised river outflows and exchange events. Several hydrographic features were seasonally predictable due to their dependence on climate. The stratification and location of the two dominant water masses (neritic and sub-tropical) accounted for over half of the temporal and spatial variability observed in oceanographic data. Possible relationships between oceanographic features and aggregations of dolphins within Banks Peninsula were examined using global regression and a spatial technique known as geographical weighted regression (GWR). GWR models out-performed corresponding global models, despite differences in degrees of freedom and increased model complexity. GWR results found relationships varied over localised scales that were concealed by global methods. Monthly GWR models suggested the seasonal presence and strength of local oceanographic fronts influenced dolphin distribution. Dolphin aggregations coincided with the steepest gradients between water masses along eastern regions of the Peninsula, and strong exchange events along the edges of the study area. The continued survival of this endangered species is contingent on its protection. Long-term monitoring programmes are needed for the three main strongholds identified in this study. The occurrence of Hector�s dolphin 'hotspots' along frontal zones within Banks Peninsula also suggests alternative and increased protection strategies are needed for this sanctuary to be effective. In light of this thesis� findings and based on marine protection research, future sanctuaries need to consider why Hector�s dolphins are preferentially using particular regions and how their association with certain oceanographic features can help make informed decisions on more appropriate protected areas.