Wellington South Research Articles

Spatial variation in the rocky temperate benthic mesophotic communities of the Wellington region in New Zealand

ABSTRACT Temperate mesophotic ecosystems (TMEs) have only recently been recognised as distinct ecosystems and generally occur between 30 and 150 m at the limit of photosynthetic light penetration. In this study, we surveyed the benthic communities inhabiting rocky deep-water features in two regions at the south of New Zealand’s North Island to assess small (1–2 km) and larger (10–100 km) scale variation in the benthic communities they support: the Wellington South Coast (WSC) and the Kāpiti Coast (KC). We deployed Remotely Operated Vehicles at seventeen sites, three on the WSC and 14 on the KC, covering a depth range of 26 to 72 m. There was significant variation in the benthic community composition between sites, at both spatial scales, and with depth. Across all sites, sponges and bryozoans were by far the most abundant organisms, covering around 30% of the substrate, with all other groups having <5% cover. The sponges and bryozoans created complex three-dimensional structure on the seafloor, providing habitat and refuge for other mobile organisms. Our work provides an important baseline against which any future changes can be compared and will support future spatial management in this region.

Causes of permanent vertical deformation at subduction margins: Evidence from late Pleistocene marine terraces of the southern Hikurangi margin, Aotearoa New Zealand

Theoretical studies of the seismic cycle at convergent plate boundaries anticipate that most coseismic deformation is recovered, yet significant permanent vertical displacement of the overriding plate is observed at many subduction margins. To understand the mechanisms driving permanent vertical displacement, we investigate tectonic uplift across the southern Hikurangi subduction margin, Aotearoa New Zealand, in the last ∼200 ka. Marine terraces preserved along the Wellington south coast have recently been dated as Marine Isotope Stage (MIS) 5a (∼82 ka), 5c (∼96 ka), 5e (∼123 ka) and 7a (∼196 ka) in age. We use these ages, together with new reconstructions of shoreline angle elevations, to calculate uplift rates across the margin and to examine the processes responsible for their elevation. The highest uplift rate—1.7 ± 0.1 mm/yr–and maximum tilting—2.9° to the west–are observed near Cape Palliser, the closest site to (∼50 km from) the Hikurangi Trough. Uplift rates decrease monotonically westward along the Palliser Bay coast, to 0.2 ± 0.1 mm/yr at Wharekauhau (∼70 km from the trough), defining a gently west-tilted subaerial forearc domain. Locally, active oblique-slip upper-plate faults cause obvious vertical offsets of the marine terraces in the axial ranges (&amp;gt;70 km from the trough). Uplift rates at Baring Head, on the upthrown side of the Wairarapa-Wharekauhau fault system, are ∼0.7–1.6 mm/yr. At Tongue Point, uplift on the upthrown side of the Ōhāriu Fault is 0.6 ± 0.1 mm/yr. Dislocation and flexural-isostatic modelling shows that slip on faults within the overriding plate—specifically the Palliser-Kaiwhata Fault and the Wairarapa-Wharekauhau fault system—may dominate uplift in their immediate hanging walls. Depending on their slip rate and geometry, slip on these two upper-plate fault systems could plausibly cause &amp;gt;80% of late Pleistocene uplift everywhere along the south coast of North Island. Our modelling suggests that subduction of the buoyant Hikurangi Plateau contributes uplift of 0.1–0.2 mm/yr and uplift due to sediment underplating at Tongue Point and Wharekauhau is likely ≤0.6 mm/yr but could be significantly lower. Earthquakes on the subduction interface probably contribute ≤0.4 mm/yr of late Pleistocene uplift, with ≤10% of uplift due to each earthquake being stored permanently, similar to other subduction zones. These results indicate a significant contribution of slip on upper-plate faults to permanent uplift and tilting across the subduction margin and suggest that in regions where upper-plate faults are prevalent, strong constraints on fault geometry and slip rate are necessary to disentangle contributions of deeper-seated processes to uplift.

Pleistocene marine terraces of the Wellington south coast – their distribution across multiple active faults at the southern Hikurangi subduction margin, Aotearoa New Zealand

ABSTRACT Along the south coast of the North Island of New Zealand, elevated Pleistocene marine terraces provide evidence for vertical deformation associated with active crustal faults and the westward subduction of the Pacific Plate at the southern Hikurangi margin. We have reassessed the age and elevation of these terraces. Optically Stimulated Luminescence (OSL) data of their cover bed sediments (20 new ages) provide the first numerical ages for most of these terraces. Shore platform elevations have been surveyed using differential Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) measurements of the wave-cut bedrock straths underlying these terraces. These new data allow the terraces to be temporally correlated across the margin. Seven different-aged terraces were identified and mapped along the Wellington south coast; these are preserved discontinuously between the westernmost site at Tongue Point, and Ngawi near Cape Palliser, to the east. The OSL data indicate that most of these terraces formed at MIS 5a, 5c, 5e (Last Interglacial) and 7a. The terraces are best preserved within the Hikurangi margin forearc, where they decrease in altitude towards the west, indicating long wavelength, westward tectonic tilting. The terraces are locally offset by a number of active crustal faults, most notably the Wairarapa and Ohariu faults.

Acceleration loggers reveal fine-scale heterogeneity in wave exposure along an open coast

Wave action shapes species distributions and ecological interactions within the intertidal- and shallow-subtidal zone. Empirical estimates of wave exposure within these zones are limited by logistical constraints and/or cost. Hydrodynamic models of wave action poorly resolve fine-scale heterogeneity in wave energetics that are important for biology. We used cost-effective accelerometers to continuously measure fine-scale wave exposure across 12 locations (i.e., two depth strata at each of six sites), over sixteen consecutive months. We categorised wave exposure at each of our sites a priori (as ‘exposed’ or ‘sheltered’) based on shore topography. We compared in situ measurements of acceleration with a nearby wave rider buoy and evaluated variation in water acceleration and frequency of large wave events among sites and between depths. Wave height data significantly correlated with accelerometer data confirming accelerometers sufficiently measure wave action. Our analyses indicate significant fine-scale variation in acceleration, and differences in timing and frequency of large wave events during the study period. In situ acceleration had limited correspondence with shore-based (a priori) assessments of wave exposure. These results demonstrate the spatial and temporal differences in water acceleration on the Wellington south coast and highlight the limitations of surface topography to predict fine-scale wave action. This study also emphasizes the need for fine scale wave action measurements to better explain patterns in intertidal/shallow subtidal organism traits.

Short-term temporal variability in a temperate sponge assemblage

Despite the importance of sponges in marine benthic communities, still little is known about patterns of natural temporal variability, which is important for developing suitable management and monitoring strategies. Here, we examined the temporal variation of sponge assemblages on the Wellington South Coast in New Zealand over a 2-year period. Subtidal monitoring stations were established at three sites separated by a maximum distance of approximately 6 km. We found significant differences in sponge abundance and assemblage composition between sites, and also between seasons; however, there were no significant differences between the 2 years for a given season, suggesting the presence of cyclical seasonal variation. Over 60 % of the spatio-temporal assemblage variation could be explained by just eight sponge species, demonstrating the importance of just a few dominant species in driving assemblage composition patterns. Furthermore, the temporal changes were primarily driven by calcareous sponge species. Our results demonstrate the dynamic but cyclical nature of temperate sponge assemblages, which are correlated with seasonal temperature changes.

Modelling the effect of wave forces on subtidal macroalgae: A spatial evaluation of predicted disturbance for two habitat-forming species

In shallow marine environments, wave-induced disturbance can have a major influence on species abundance and distribution patterns. Understanding how waves affect habitat engineers, such as macroalgae, is therefore important for understanding subtidal community dynamics. In this study a wave model (SWAN) was used to identify the spatial distribution of wave forces across the Wellington south coast (New Zealand) for average and extreme conditions. The predicted distribution of wave-induced disturbance for two macroalgal species was then evaluated by applying wave-model predictions to a biomechanical threshold for Ecklonia radiata and to parameterise a biomechanical model that predicts probability of stipe failure for giant kelp, Macrocystis pyrifera. Analyses revealed that direct damage to E. radiata was unlikely as a result of regular wave conditions consistent with it being widespread in this region. However, storm conditions could cause damage to E. radiata plants across ∼40% of rocky reefs where E. radiata occurs, but would likely only affect the largest individuals, potentially imposing a spatially variable upper size limit in E. radiata communities. Across all locations stipe failure probabilities for M. pyrifera were predicted to be <15% during storm events and <5% under frequently occurring wave conditions. However, there was a negative correlation between the presence of M. pyrifera and predicted stipe failure probabilities, suggestive of wave-induced limitation despite the low predicted failure rates. This study represents a novel application of wave modelling to understand how biomechanical thresholds act on a geographic level, and provides an important step-forward in advancing a mechanistic understanding of macroalgal distributions.

Effects of near‐future ocean acidification, fishing, and marine protection on a temperate coastal ecosystem

Understanding ecosystem responses to global and local anthropogenic impacts is paramount to predicting future ecosystem states. We used an ecosystem modeling approach to investigate the independent and cumulative effects of fishing, marine protection, and ocean acidification on a coastal ecosystem. To quantify the effects of ocean acidification at the ecosystem level, we used information from the peer-reviewed literature on the effects of ocean acidification. Using an Ecopath with Ecosim ecosystem model for the Wellington south coast, including the Taputeranga Marine Reserve (MR), New Zealand, we predicted ecosystem responses under 4 scenarios: ocean acidification + fishing; ocean acidification + MR (no fishing); no ocean acidification + fishing; no ocean acidification + MR for the year 2050. Fishing had a larger effect on trophic group biomasses and trophic structure than ocean acidification, whereas the effects of ocean acidification were only large in the absence of fishing. Mortality by fishing had large, negative effects on trophic group biomasses. These effects were similar regardless of the presence of ocean acidification. Ocean acidification was predicted to indirectly benefit certain species in the MR scenario. This was because lobster (Jasus edwardsii) only recovered to 58% of the MR biomass in the ocean acidification + MR scenario, a situation that benefited the trophic groups lobsters prey on. Most trophic groups responded antagonistically to the interactive effects of ocean acidification and marine protection (46%; reduced response); however, many groups responded synergistically (33%; amplified response). Conservation and fisheries management strategies need to account for the reduced recovery potential of some exploited species under ocean acidification, nonadditive interactions of multiple factors, and indirect responses of species to ocean acidification caused by declines in calcareous predators.

Post-construction avian mortality monitoring at Project West Wind

Post-construction avifauna investigations were undertaken at Project West Wind, Meridian Energy Limited's 62-turbine wind farm on the Wellington south coast. These investigations were required in accordance with the resource consent conditions to quantify the level of avian mortalities occurring at the wind farm, particularly in regard to New Zealand falcon (Falco novaeseelandiae), kākā (Nestor meridionalis) and kererū (Hemiphaga novaeseelandiae). This is the first comprehensive study at a New Zealand operating wind farm. The methods included three field components necessary to calculate annual estimates of mortalities across the wind farm site: routine turbine searches; carcass detection trials; and carcass removal trials. Results from years 1 and 2 of a three-year programme are presented. To date, mortalities have been recorded for 17 taxa at 18 of the 24 study turbines. There have been no recorded mortalities of falcon, kākā or kererū. Australasian harrier (Circus approximans) has been the species for which the most mortalities have been recorded. Overall estimated annual mortality rates for years 1 and 2 were calculated to be approximately six and five birds per turbine respectively.

Adding value to stretched communities through nursing actions: The Wellington South Nursing Initiative

Nurses provide health services to many groups with unmet health needs. Communities with consistently unmet needs are generally ‘stretched’ as they are under pressure. For children and families this pressure impacts their ability to live healthy lifestyles. The Wellington South Nursing Initiative involves two nurses providing an innovative population-based nursing service to stretched urban communities, particularly children and families, predominantly through networking and project work. Projects are specifically focused activities developed and implemented to address areas of health need. The projects cluster around five overarching areas: enhancing individual and community potential, growing safer families and communities, minimising negative harmful or risky behaviour, maximising general health and wellbeing and addressing specific health needs. Critical elements of the nurses’ practice are the use of public health principles combined with a community development approach, relational practice and working for sustainability. The initiative provides important insights into how nurses can enter and work with communities and enhance the potential of children, families and the wider community.

Diet Composition of Two Temperate Calcareous Sponges: Leucosolenia echinata and Leucetta sp. from the Wellington South Coast, New Zealand

Aquaculture trials were conducted in the East Aegean Sea with Dysidea avara and Chondrosia reniformis to test the possibility of growing these sponges in the vicinity of sea-based fish farms. Culturing sponges in the vicinity of fish farms may have two benefits: the sponges may grow faster due to an increased availability of organic food and the pollution caused by the fish farms is remediated by the filtering activities of the sponges. An initial trial was conducted to compare growth of the two sponge species under floating fish cages to growth in a natural, pristine environment. Explants of D. avara were grown suspended on nylon threads, explants of C. reniformis were grown in cages constructed of stainless steel. After being one year in culture, nearly 100% of all explants of D. avara survived. Growth was highest underneath the fish cages, but growth rates were low compared to earlier studies. For C. reniformis survival at the pristine site was 100%, and growth was estimated at 800% per year. All explants cultured underneath the fish cages died due to smothering with sediment. After the initial trial, a new, cost-saving and growth promoting method for D. avara was tested at the fish farm location. Explants were grown on PVC pins that were mounted into a metal frame. Growth of the sponges on the pins was eight times faster than that of sponges growing on threads. We conclude that culturing D. avara under floating fish cages is feasible when using the new methodology.

Diet Composition of Two Temperate Calcareous Sponges: Leucosolenia echinata and Leucetta sp. from the Wellington South Coast, New Zealand

Sponges are an important component of benthic ecosystems in New Zealand, and as suspension feeders they can process large volumes of water meaning that their interaction with the water column is likely to be of great importance. Our research focuses on the functional role of sponges as suspension feeders in temperate rocky subtidal ecosystems on the Wellington South Coast, New Zealand. We investigated the diet composition of two common species of calcareous sponges (Leucosolenia echinata and Leucetta sp.) by identifying and quantifying food particles from water samples using flow cytometry, and estimating the removal efficiency for these species. The natural diet of both species included heterotrophic bacteria, Prochlorococcus sp. and Synechococcus sp., similar to that previously reported for demosponges. We found significant differences in the number of picoplanktonic organisms present between ambient and exhalent water for both study species. Prochlorococcus and Synechococcus were removed with the highest efficiency irrespective of sponge species (52-57%). Both species had similar overall removal efficiencies, but we detected significant differences in the removal rates of the three types of bacteria in each species. Our study is the first to investigate the natural diet of calcareous sponges in temperate rocky subtidal reefs using flow cytometry and we provide evidence for differences in the diets of calcareous sponges and demosponges.

Spatial Variability of Sponge Assemblages on the Wellington South Coast,New Zealand

The aim of this study was to provide baseline data for sponge biodiversity on the Wellington South Coast, New Zealand. Eighteen sites were qualitatively sampled resulting in the identification of 65 different sponge taxa. Forty-three of these species were also reported from a quantitative survey of three vertical wall sites in 8-10m depth conducted as part of a long-term monitoring study. All three sites had a similar mean number of species per quadrat, however, the percentage cover of sponges and sponge density varied significantly between sites. ANOSIM showed that all three sites were significantly different from each other (P<0.001), which is likely the result of differences in environmental conditions. The Wellington South Coast has a diverse sponge assemblage, which is atypically dominated by calcareous species of the genus Clathrina. This appears to be unusual for New Zealand, and although the reasons for this situation are unknown, we hypothesise that this situation is explained by the low levels of nutrients on the Wellington South Coast, allowing calcareous sponges to proliferate at the expense of the demosponges.

ExHALED Study: Prevalence of smoking and harm levels in an emergency department cohort

To determine the prevalence of smoking among ED patients compared with the general New Zealand (NZ) smoking prevalence. Secondary outcomes were to determine smokers' level of nicotine dependence, readiness to quit and engagement with primary health care. This was a prospective, cross-sectional prevalence study of ED patients seen consecutively over 6 days in Wellington Hospital, Wellington South, NZ. Medically stable patients > or = 18 years were asked about their smoking habits by a closed-question survey. Five hundred and twenty-eight patients comprised the study group. The ED smoking prevalence was 33.1% and higher than the general NZ smoking prevalence of 20.7%. Of those who smoked, 26.3% were 'moderately' to 'very highly' dependent on nicotine (Fagerstrom Test for Nicotine Dependence, FTND score > or = 5). Of those who smoked, 74.9% stated they wanted to quit, 42.9% wanted to quit within the next month and 60.6% wanted an ED quit smoking pack. There were 13.6% of ED patients not registered with a general practitioner; of this, 61.1% were current smokers and 70.5% wanted to quit smoking. The prevalence rates of smoking are higher among patients attending Wellington Hospital ED than the general NZ population and the majority would like to quit smoking. One in four ED smokers have a high FTND score and are considered nicotine-dependent. Many patients who were not registered with a general practitioner smoked, and the majority wanted to quit. Finally, there is significant interest from ED patients in receiving quit smoking packs from the ED.

Larval quality is shaped by matrix effects: implications for connectivity in a marine metapopulation

Variation in the phenotype or "quality" of dispersing individuals can shape colonization success and thus local dynamics and patterns of connectivity in a metapopulation. In marine reef systems, larval dispersal typically connects fragmented populations, and larval quality may be shaped by developmental history at the natal reef (e.g., parental effects) and/or by conditions in the pelagic environment (e.g., food, temperature, hydrodynamics, predator regime). We extract information recorded within the incremental bands of fish "ear stones" (otoliths) to reconstruct the early life histories of reef fish, to evaluate whether larval quality is a function of natal populations, dispersal histories, or both. We sampled sagittal otoliths from 282 common triplefins (Forsterygion lapillum) collected at approximately weekly, intervals between December 2003 and March 2004, from three sites within Wellington Harbor (New Zealand) and three sites along the adjacent Wellington South Coast. We used image analysis to quantify otolith traits and to reconstruct five larval phenotypes (pelagic larval duration, size-at-hatch, early larval growth, late larval growth, and an instantaneous larval growth rate), followed by a principal components analysis to derive a composite measure of larval quality. We used laser ablation-inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry to quantify otolith microchemistry, followed by a set of cluster analyses (based upon 13 statistical descriptors of time series for each of 11 elemental ratios) to identify and characterize two putative natal "source populations" and two putative "larval dispersal histories." We evaluated the relationship between larval quality, source populations, and dispersal histories using two-way ANOVA and MANOVA, and determined that larval quality of F. lapillum is a function of larval dispersal history and not source population identity. Specifically, larvae of F. lapillum with microchemical signatures consistent with retention and/or entrainment in the nutrient-enriched Wellington Harbor had traits associated with elevated larval quality (i.e., short pelagic larval durations, small size-at-hatch, fast larval growth, and fast instantaneous growth rates). Our results suggest that conditions in the pelagic larval environment shape larval quality and potentially mediate metapopulation connectivity. In the case of F. lapillum from Wellington Harbor, environmentally induced heterogeneity in larval quality may limit connectivity by favoring successful replenishment by locally retained larvae over long-distance dispersers.

Intracranial Metastatic Melanoma Presenting With Bilateral Hearing Loss

Departments of *Neurosurgery and †Otolaryngology, Christchurch Hospital, Christchurch, New Zealand Address correspondence and reprint requests to Dr. Arthur S. Yang, Department of Neurosurgery, Wellington Hospital, Private Bag 7902, Wellington South 6242, New Zealand; E-mail: [email protected]

Guest Editorial: Primary care workforce planning: What's happened to the 'Logan' report?

CORREsPOnDEnCE TO: sue Pullon senior Lecturer, department of Primary Health Care and General Practice, University of Otago, PO Box 7343, Wellington south 6242, new Zealand sue.pullon@otago.ac.nz Health care is a labour-intensive business, and a high quality health professional workforce one of its most crucial assets. Even in a small country like New Zealand, best estimates gauge the health care workforce at well over 100 000 people, with about a third (c.35 000) working in primary care.1-4 Health workforce planning has never been more challenging; significant global shortages of doctors, nurses, midwives, pharmacists, health care managers and others, combined with a lack of ability to train sufficient numbers of health professionals for our own needs, make recruitment and retention of a stable, fit-for-purpose health care workforce particularly challenging.5

A baseline biological survey of the proposed Taputeranga Marine Reserve (Wellington, New Zealand): spatial and temporal variability along a natural environmental gradient

Abstract Four macroalgal, four macroinvertebrate and eight fish species were surveyed at eight sites (three inside, five outside the proposed reserve) over three years before the establishment of the Taputeranga Marine Reserve (MR) on Cook Strait (Wellington, New Zealand). This baseline data set was used to estimate temporal and spatial variability in size and abundance of these taxa, and will be used to quantify taxon‐specific changes in size and abundance once the MR is established. Statistically significant differences in size and/or abundance were observed for many taxa among the sites. These differences are consistent with the existence of a natural environmental gradient from the west (entrance to Cook Strait) to the east (Wellington Harbour). This gradient highlights the importance of conducting a pre‐reserve baseline survey at multiple sites and over multiple years to better understand the conservation or fisheries benefits that MRs are expected to deliver. Two macroalgal, one macroinvertebrate, and six fish species showed statistically significant seasonal variation in abundance. Subsequent multi‐taxa monitoring needs to include a seasonal component to capture this natural variability. This multi‐site and multi‐year data set represents one of the most comprehensive and robust baseline data sets available anywhere in the world. It will be used to quantify the ecological changes associated with a newly established full no‐take marine reserve. Ongoing monitoring will enhance understanding of the sizes and abundances of key taxa, allow a detailed determination of the conservation effects of reserve establishment, and inform management decisions for Wellington's south coast. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley &amp; Sons, Ltd.

Certificate in Aeromedical Retrieval and Transport

It was so refreshing to study an area of medicine that I had no prior exposure to. It really fired my interest in the field of aeromedical transport FURTHER INFORMATION Ms Maureen Gordon, programme officer AVMX, Department of Medicine, Wellington School of Medicine, PO Box 7343, Wellington South, New Zealand. Tel: (+64/0) 4 385 5590, fax (+64/0) 4 389 5427, email deptmed@wnmeds.ac.nz, www.otago.ac.nz/aviation_medicine Doctors interested in aeromedical transport of patients. It is also suitable for doctors doing air ambulance work, retrieval, or repatriation. I did it in 2004 while working as an intensive care registrar in New Zealand. I was between …

Growth and reproductive phenology of the kelp Lessonia variegata in central New Zealand

A field study of Lessonia variegata growing in depths of 8–10 m on the south coast of Wellington, New Zealand investigated morphometric and biomass indices measured on destructively harvested entire algae, rates of blade elongation measured in situ using a blade hole punch technique, and timing of fertility over a 2‐year period. Blade fertility was estimated using a fertility score based on the visual appearance of the reproductive tissue. Lessonia variegata attained a maximum length of 154 cm, a density of 0.8 to 2.1 individuals m‐2, and developed an areal biomass ranging from 1700 to 6000 g fresh weight (FW) m‐2. The highest proportion of fertile blades (up to 100% of sampled blades) occurred during winter and the end of the fertile period coincided with the onset of the longer days and warmer temperatures of summer. Blade elongation occurred more rapidly in summer months (0.117cm day‐1, SE = 0.015) than winter months (0.041cm day‐1, SE = 0.009). The slower winter blade elongation rate meant that growth could not overcome tip ablation and average blade length reduced from 51.5cm (SE = 1.9) to 30.8 cm (SE = 1.7) between March and September 2003. Average blade length increased again over the following summer months to 40.7cm (SE = 1.6). Blade biomass dominated total fresh weight biomass (average 64% of total). Two parameters that are relatively easily measured on live macroalgae in situ, holdfast diameter and girth of all stipes collectively, predicted total biomass with an r2 = 0.91, suggesting these could be useful tools for assessment of this potentially harvestable resource on Wellington's south coast.

Schizophrenia, theory of mind, and persecutory delusions

Introduction. There is already a substantial body of evidence supporting Frith's (1992) theory that theory of mind (ToM) is impaired in people with schizophrenia. However, a specific relationship between impaired ToM and paranoid delusions, while intuitively reasonable, has only been demonstrated in two studies to date. Correspondence should be addressed to Richard J. Siegert, Rehabilitation Teaching and Research Unit, Department of Medicine, Wellington School of Medicine & Health Sciences, University of Otago, PO Box 7343, Wellington South, New Zealand; e‐mail: rsiegert@wnmeds.ac.nz This research was supported by a Victoria University Science Faculty research grant. Thanks to Max Coltheart and other members of the Macquarie Centre for Cognitive Science who provided valuable feedback and support in the early stages of this research. Preliminary results were presented at the Australian Conference of Cognitive Neuropsychology and Neuropsychiatry, Deakin University, 2001. Methods. A total of 25 participants with schizophrenia were classified as paranoid or nonparanoid and compared with 38 healthy controls on a variety of ToM tasks. These tasks included verbal and nonverbal, and first and second order ToM tasks. Results. Participants with schizophrenia performed significantly more poorly than healthy controls on both the first and second order verbal ToM tasks but not on the nonverbal ToM tasks. However, the ToM deficit was only observed for those participants with schizophrenia who had persecutory delusions. There was also a strong relationship observed between the severity of persecutory delusions and length of illness. Conclusions. This study represents only the third demonstration of a specific link between paranoid delusions and ToM impairment. Reasons why previous findings on this issue have been so inconsistent are considered. Further research is needed to explore the relationships among paranoia, ToM, and length of illness.