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Impact of human-animal interaction on the behavioural expression of cats (Felis catus) and dogs (Canine lupus familiaris) : a thesis presented in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of MSc (Animal Science), Massey University, Palmerston North, New Zealand
(Massey University, 2026) Chang, Albert
Cats and dogs perceive and interpret the world differently from humans and the two species, which influences their behaviours and should be considered in the context of human animal interactions to prevent problem behaviours and increase welfare. The common ancestors of both species had different hunting strategies, which is reflected in differences of their physical structure. Visual capacities also differ, and affect vision in the dark, movement detection capabilities, and acuity. Both have whiskers to provide information and utilise smell for gathering information. They have a wide range of hearing frequencies, which helps intra- and interspecies social communication. Cats and dogs are both affected by their social environment and genetics, which can influence their fear of humans and personality traits. Animal behaviour is a broad field of study, with ethograms used as a tool to distinguish individual behaviours in cats and dogs. Behaviours that can be studied include active, inactive, and maintenance behaviours in cats and dogs. Traditional behavioural research has utilised observation by the owner or researcher. However, to examine animal activity and behaviour in a more natural setting, wearable technologies such as animal-borne cameras, pedometers, and accelerometers can be used. Triaxial accelerometers measure acceleration along three axes which can be correlated with observed activity and behaviour in both cats and dogs. Human-animal relationships exist as psychological and physical bonds, which are influenced by humans (personality and attention), and the animal itself. Research into human interactions with cats and dogs has examined how human health can be affected either positively or negatively. Further research has examined how cats and dogs are affected physically and psychologically by this interaction. There have been multiple studies on problem behaviours and prevention strategies. However, little is known of the effects of human-animal interactions on the behaviour and welfare of cats and dogs themselves. Stress responses are commonly used as indicators of cat and dog welfare. Behavioural and physiological indicators of stress included changes in behaviours and/or non-specific markers such as blood pressure, heart and respiratory rates, or specific markers that include activity of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis and glucocorticoid levels. A minimally invasive method to determine HPA function in cats and dogs was to measure faecal glucocorticoid metabolite (FGM) concentrations over an extended period. Knowledge of the effects of human-animal interaction on pet behaviour can be used to improve husbandry practices, resulting in better management practices and technology. The main objectives of this thesis were to determine if changes in the total duration and frequency of human-animal interaction had an impact on the activity levels and behavioural expressions of cats and dogs. A secondary objective was to assess FGMs as a tool to measure changes in stress levels within these animals. Behaviours assessed were classified using previously validated random forest (RF) machine learning (ML) models developed with ActiGraph wGT3X-BT triaxial accelerometers in colony cats and dogs, which all fell under the broad behaviour categories of active, inactive, or maintenance behaviours. For cats the specific behaviours assessed included locomotion, eating, grooming, littering, lying, scratching, sitting, and standing over 28 days. For dogs these included barking, drinking, eating, locomotion, scratching, sniffing, lateral recumbency, lying head-down, lying head-up, sitting, and standing over 35 days. All animals were kept under normal colony conditions, with two additional sessions of human-animal interaction time at specified times (Monday, Friday) and during the respective study periods. Weather data and faecal sample collection occurred concurrently to the study. Data analysis was conducted primarily using general linear mixed models (GLMM) in R (R Studio). Comparisons between groups and study period were examined to determine any effect of treatment. Additional human-animal interaction resulted in significantly increased overall dynamic body acceleration (ODBA) in both species. Similarly, locomotive behaviour increased significantly throughout the trial in both cats and dogs. Among the cats, changes were observed only in the treatment group. However, changes occurred in both groups of dogs, indicating that the additional presence of the researcher could have also affected the control animals. Species specific changes included a significant decrease of scratching behaviour in cats, a trend of increased barking behaviour in dogs, and a significant decrease of sniffing among dogs. Faecal glucocorticoid metabolite (FGM) concentrations were analysed using a faecal cortisol enzyme linked immune-sorbent assay (ELISA) and showed a decrease in glucocorticoid concentrations in both cats and dogs. This showed that additional interaction had the potential to increase welfare in colony cats and dogs, which may extend to the home setting.
Working in uncertain times : how illegitimate tasks deplete psychological resources and undermine employee outcomes in organisational settings : a thesis submitted in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Arts in Psychology at Massey University, Albany, New Zealand
(Massey University, 2026) De Paula Reis, Dominique Dos Santos
This study began as replication of Zong et al.’s study on the impact of illegitimate tasks on work disengagement. This research now provides an extension to Zong et al.’s research as it investigates the effect of illegitimate tasks on employee well-being, work engagement, and organisational commitment. It aims to better understand the effects of illegitimate tasks on employees, in addition to gaining a perspective on how co-worker support moderates the effects of illegitimate tasks on ego depletion. This research utilised an online survey method to gather data from participants in both Australia and New Zealand who work either full-time or part-time and experience illegitimate task assignment. The results indicate that illegitimate tasks have a depleting effect on employee well being, organisational commitment, and work engagement. Illegitimate tasks negatively impact employees both directly, in the case of organisational commitment and indirectly, through ego depletion, across all dependent variables. A significant finding of this research is the absence of a moderating effect of co-worker support. The absence of a moderating effect is evident at all levels of co-worker support (low, medium and high). From the research findings, it is suggested that organisations eliminate or reduce illegitimate tasks. Proactive measures are encouraged as a means to improve employees’ overall functioning at work, in addition to contributing positively towards organisational outcomes. Addressing and reducing illegitimate tasks is increasingly important within the current context of global economic pressures and rapid technological change, as these conditions are likely to intensify role demands and expose employees to the related resource depletion.
Exploring the prevalence and molecular basis of tomato leaf mould caused by Fulvia fulva on disease-resistant tomato cultivars in commercial New Zealand glasshouses : a thesis presented in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Science in Plant Breeding at Massey University, Palmerston North, New Zealand
(Massey University, 2026) Ferrada-Hartley, Francisco
Leaf mould disease, caused by the fungus Fulvia fulva (formerly Cladosporium fulvum), can significantly reduce tomato yields in commercial glasshouses. Protection against this disease has predominantly been based on the introgression of one or two Cf resistance genes from wild tomato species. For example, most resistant cultivars contain the Cf-9 locus, which harbours the resistance genes Cf-9B and Cf-9C. In all cases, these Cf genes encode immune receptors that recognise specific virulence factors of F. fulva called effectors. Unfortunately, however, resistance conferred by Cf genes can be overcome through mutation or deletion of the genes encoding the recognised effectors. This has led to the global emergence of F. fulva strains capable of overcoming all deployed Cf genes. As such, currently deployed Cf genes no longer provide reliable control against leaf mould disease. Recently, wild tomato plants with one or more of 10 new Cf resistance genes were identified, suggesting that these genes could be stacked in commercial tomato cultivars through breeding to provide durable resistance. However, before these Cf genes can be introduced into commercial tomato cultivars, it must first be determined whether they have already been overcome by F. fulva through mutation of the corresponding effector genes. In the current study, I aimed to address this knowledge gap by investigating F. fulva strains present in commercial tomato glasshouses across New Zealand. Specifically, this project sought to determine the prevalence of leaf mould on various cultivars currently grown in the country, particularly those carrying Cf-derived resistance genes (including cultivars marketed as “Ff:A–E”, which harbour the Cf-9 locus). Initial glasshouse observations revealed apparent leaf mould symptoms on cultivars previously considered to be resistant. Establishing whether these cultivars remain protected, or whether their resistance genes have been widely overcome, is essential for informing future breeding programmes. To address this aim, a field survey was conducted across 20 tomato growing sites in New Zealand, encompassing mostly commercial glasshouses, during which leaf mould-infected samples were collected, for the most part, from tomato cultivars considered to be resistant. Leaf mould was recorded on all four resistant cultivars sampled, indicating that these cultivars did not remain reliably protected under the conditions encountered, though confirming this pattern nationally would require wider scrutiny across more cultivars and locations. F. fulva was isolated from three samples (one from a resistant cultivar and two from F. fulva collections), visually characterised, stored, and prepared for genomic DNA extraction. The three isolates spanning a temporal range (collected in the 1980s, 2022 and 2025) were whole-genome sequenced, and the coding sequences of 20 known avirulence (Avr) and extracellular protein (Ecp) effector genes were reconstructed and compared against published reference alleles to identify mutations, truncations and gene-loss events. The effector repertoire was largely conserved, with changes concentrated in the Avr genes: a mutation profile consistent with the predicted evasion of several deployed Cf genes. In contrast, the effectors recognised by the recently identified resistances were largely intact across all isolates, indicating that these new Cf genes are predicted to remain effective and represent viable candidates for deployment. Together, these findings provide a first genomic assessment of the current status of leaf mould resistance in commercially grown tomato cultivars in New Zealand. By clarifying which Cf resistance genes appear to have been overcome and which are predicted to remain effective, this research supports evidence-based cultivar deployment, reduces the risk of resistance breakdown, and strengthens Integrated Pest Management (IPM) strategies within the New Zealand tomato industry.
Exploring young people’s understandings of relationships and sexuality education (RSE) in Aotearoa New Zealand : a thesis presented in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Arts in Psychology at Massey University, Aotearoa (New Zealand)
(Massey University, 2026) Brogan, Melody Shea Collecutt
Relationships and Sexuality Education (RSE) plays an important role in supporting young people’s sexual and emotional wellbeing by developing their knowledge and skills to navigate relationships, sexuality, and identity. However, concerns remain about whether current approaches adequately reflect young people’s lived experiences and the complexities of contemporary sexual lives. In Aotearoa New Zealand, RSE has traditionally prioritised biological understandings of sexuality and risk prevention, with less emphasis on emotional, relational, and identity-based aspects of wellbeing. I explored young people’s understandings of school-based RSE in Aotearoa New Zealand and its relevance to their sexual and emotional wellbeing. Drawing on a contextualist epistemological framework, an anonymous online qualitative survey was conducted with 32 tertiary students aged 18 years and older who had completed school-based RSE within the previous five years. Data were analysed using Braun and Clarke’s (2006) reflexive thematic analysis. Four themes were developed: (1) RSE had limited usefulness and was incomplete; (2) RSE experienced as not inclusive; (3) how RSE was delivered shaped student engagement; and (4) informal sources became a substitute for RSE. Participants described RSE as largely focused on biology, sexual health risks, and pregnancy prevention, while emotional intimacy, communication, pleasure, diverse identities, and real-world relationship experiences were often absent or insufficiently addressed. When formal education did not meet their needs, participants actively sought knowledge through peers, online resources, and personal experience. The findings highlight a disconnect between the RSE participants received and the knowledge and skills they considered necessary to navigate contemporary sexual and relational experiences. By centring young people’s voices, the findings demonstrate the need for RSE that is more inclusive, relational, and responsive to young people’s realities, moving beyond predominantly biological and risk-based approaches to better support lifelong sexual and emotional wellbeing.
Phenotypic variation is greater in the absence of gene flow in three alpine grasshoppers
(The Royal Society, 2026-04-02) Meza-Joya FL; Morgan-Richards M; Trewick S
Alpine organisms distributed on mountain ranges with broad latitudinal and elevational gradients provide an appropriate setting to explore clinal phenotypic variation and the role of gene flow. We used Bayesian generalized linear mixed models to investigate body size variation along genetically connected (elevation) and disrupted (latitude) gradients in three flightless alpine grasshopper species endemic to the Southern Alps (Kā Tiritiri o Te Moana) of New Zealand (Aotearoa), and test whether variation relates to geographic differences in environmental conditions. We found latitudinal size clines in all species, but little phenotypic variation was explained by elevation. Size clines are consistent with theoretical expectations of local adaptation, with minor roles for plasticity and drift. Size variation in each species has distinct climatic association, potentially reflecting microhabitat selective pressures and distinct evolutionary histories. Latitudinal size clines suggest that phenotypic differences may result from barriers to gene flow among mountaintop populations, while gene flow on steep elevational clines homogenizes body size. Rapid environmental change imposes selection that could result in local adaptation, but we have shown here that selection pressure cannot be considered in isolation from gene flow when predicting how populations will respond to climate change.