College of Science Outreach
Rangatira Island Biology Challenge-Answers
1. Rangatira Island is part of the Chatham Islands. Using http://maps.google.co.nz find
Rangatira Island on the map. Which larger island in the Chatham Island group is just to the
North-West of Rangatira Island?
Pitt Island
2. The South Island of New Zealand is to the west of the Chatham Islands. Looking at the map,
estimate how far away Christchurch is from the Chatham Islands.
Between 800 and 900 km (888km to be exact)
3. Got to http://www.outreach.canterbury.ac.nz/chatham and click on the Food Web Game link
on the right of the screen under “related links”. Click “Explore” and then click onto FOREST
DAY and look around until you find the Snipe.
Look at the photos, food web and read the information about the Snipe then describe and
explain a physical and behavioural adaptation of the Snipe.
Physical The snipe has brown and white, speckled feathers which makes them
well camouflaged against the forest floor and vegetation. Since they are
nocturnal their colouring helps them to remain hidden during the day.
Behavioural Snipes defend their territory from other breeding pairs. This
behaviour ensures the survival of their chicks.
Another behavioural adaptation is being nocturnal. This helps them to hide from
predators during the day and therefore increases their survival.
4. While on FOREST DAY, find the Broad-billed Prion. Look at the photos, food web and read
the information and describe and explain a physical and a physiological adaptation of the
Broad-billed Prion.
Physical The bill is wide and contains comb-like fringes- this enables them to
filter plankton out of the water, efficiently.
They also have webbed feet to help them swim.
Physiological
A salt gland above their nasal passages enables them to excrete salt. This is
important as they take in large volumes of sea water while feeding.
Science Outreach: www.outreach.canterbury.ac.nz
5. Go back to the map and click on FOREST EDGE. Find the Tui, Kakariki and flax. Look at
the food web, photos and read the information about all three organisms. Describe and
explain how the Tui and the Kakariki will be affected if the Flax were to be badly affected by
a disease.If flax decreases in number then Tui numbers would decline as the flax
nectar is an important part of the Tui diet as it important for their breeding.
Harriers feed on both Tui and Kakariki. If Tui numbers decrease then more
Kakariki would be preyed on by Harriers and the Kakariki numbers would also
decrease.
6. Go back to the map and find TWO organisms that occupy the same habitat but different
niches. Describe the habitat and explain how the niches of your chosen organisms differ.
There are many examples of 2 organisms that share a habitat but have different
niches. One example is the Weta and Rangatira spider. They both live in forests
and are both active at night. They do not occupy the same niche, however, as
weta are scavengers and eat plants on land whereas the Rangatira spider finds
its food in water like insects, tadpoles and even small fish.
7. Go back to the map and click on MARINE. Find the fur seal and look at the photos. Describe
and explain at least 2 physical adaptations that are evident in the photos.
* They have large flippers. These would enable them to be good swimmers.
* They are dark brown in colour which makes them well camouflaged on the
rocks.
* They have long whiskers which would help them detect and catch prey.
* They are torpedo shaped which would make them more efficient swimmers.
8. Explore the map and, using the collect function (the hand icon), “collect” organisms that
would be in a food web that includes weta and flax. Then go to the SCIENTIST HUT and
construct the food web on the wall of the hut. You can keep checking your answer by clicking
“Check”.
Go back to http://www.outreach.canterbury.ac.nz/chatham and click on blog material link
on the right of the screen under “related links” (or go directly to www.blackrobin.org.nz ).
Explore the website and share in the adventures and interesting biology of the team on
Rangatira Island.
Science Outreach: www.outreach.canterbury.ac.nz