Invertebrate survey of offshore islands in relation to potential food sources for the little spotted kiwi, apteryx oweni (aves: Apterygidae)

Abstract

An invertebrate survey of forest on Kapiti, Blumine, Long, Motuara, Pickersgill, and Red Mercury Islands showed that the same major invertebrate groups were present on all the islands. The same groups are also present in mainland broadleaf-podocarp forest of the Orongorongo Valley, near Wellington. The invertebrates eaten by the little spotted kiwi (Apteryx oweni Gould) on Kapiti Island were also found in reasonable numbers on some of the other offshore islands. The relationship between invertebrates and their predators was examined; habitat diversity seems important for the survival of larger invertebrates in the presence of mammalian predators. © 1987 Taylor & Francis Group, LLC.