Student’s research looking at Spider habits

Student’s research looking at the preferred living conditions of spiders unique to Northland

For his research project on the new Bachelor of Applied Science degree at NorthTec, student, Brett Thompson, is examining whether two types of the Pahoroides spider have differing habitat preferences.

The outcome of the research Brett is undertaking in Pukenui Forest, Whangarei, aims to explain how these spiders might be distributed there.

Brett will be testing a hypothesis in relation to the question raised in a scientific paper by spider experts Mike Fitzgerald and Philip Sirvid that featured in Te Papa Museum’s latest research publication, Tuhinga, volume 22. Their findings suggest that one of the two species of the spider, Pahoroides confusa, prefers living in damper conditions.

Both researchers, well-respected leaders in their field, are based out of Te Papa in Wellington.

Dr Fitzgerald, Honorary Research Associate at Te Papa, and formerly a scientist at DSIR, is sure Brett will do a sterling job with the research. Also, one of Brett’s supervisors, Dr Fitzgerald said there would be scope for Brett to discover unknown characteristics about the Pahoroides spider’s habitat and behaviour.

“There could be a whole lot of environmental variability but we will need to wait to see what the research uncovers?”

Dr Fitzgerald said working on this type of research project gives students like Brett confidence, as well as the opportunity to think about a problem and how to set about solving it; attributes they will need in the field of scientific research,” he commented.

Dr Fitzgerald spent most of his career as an animal ecologist working with mammals and birds. It was towards the end of his career that he switched to spider science.

While this type of research is a considerable weight to be carrying on inexperienced shoulders, Brett is taking it all in his stride.

“I would like to answer the habitat preference question for Mike and Philip who are well-respected in their field. It is a real honour for a student like me to be in contact with scientists/researchers of their calibre,” Brett said.

To him, the project is really exciting and he cannot wait to carry out the methods he has devised for these investigations. He expects to complete the research this year.

Brett had a previous career in Telecommunications based in Auckland, but after his wife found work at the Northland Regional Council, he decided on a change of career at NorthTec.

Originally, Brett was only going to be doing the Conservation and Environmental Management Diploma (Level 6) but decided to carry on his studies at NorthTec by enrolling on the new Bachelor of Applied Science degree (Biodiversity Management) offered for the first time this year, in partnership with Unitec. The Conservation and Environmental Management Certificate and Diploma courses are a pathway onto the applied science degree which has intakes for Semester Two starting on 16 July.

Undertaking the Bachelor of Applied Science degree is enabling Brett to decide which research field he would prefer to be working in, a process he terms an “ongoing discovery.”

However, Brett says he chose this particular research project as he has a curiosity when it comes to insects and spiders that “sing out to him” with their alien-like characteristics capturing his enthusiasm for science.

Brett says what he would like to be able to do is incorporate some of the technical skills he has from a background in Telecommunications with scientific research. “This is where my love lies. I think this kind of approach could be quite important in a scientific realm.”

Brett said there was the possibility now he could carry on with a Masters after his degree at NorthTec or even combine this qualification with some further research work.

NorthTec’s own authority on spiders and senior tutor, Dr Olly Ball, said that having students on the applied science degree involved in such cutting-edge research is a credit to those in the industry who are willing to work alongside NorthTec students.

Dr Ball was one of several contributors of specimens that were used in the research paper ‘A revision of the genus Pahoroides’.

He described the research work Brett would be undertaking as fascinating and cannot wait to see what findings Brett comes up with.

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