Cerius otagensis

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Cerius otagensis
Status NZTCS NC.svg
Nationally Critical (NZ TCS) [1]
Scientific classification OOjs UI icon edit-ltr.svg
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Coleoptera
Family: Anthribidae
Genus: Cerius
Species:
C. otagensis
Binomial name
Cerius otagensis
Holloway, 1982 [2]

Cerius otagensis is a species of flightless fungus weevil that is endemic to New Zealand. [2] It has been found in only two locations in the Central Otago region. [3]

Contents

Discovery

Only four female specimens have ever been collected and the male of the species remains unknown. The species was discovered by J. S. Dugdale on 25 November 1974 at Gentle Annie Creek, Kawarau Gorge. Three specimens were collected by him while beating a Carmichaelia shrub. On 27 October 1981 a fourth specimen was collected by J. C. Watt 4 kilometres (2.5 mi) north of Lindis Crossing as a result of beating Carmichaelia petriei . [2] These collections indicate that C. otagensis is likely to be associated with Camichaelia. [3]

Description

This species was first described in 1982 by B. A. Holloway and the holotype specimen is held in the New Zealand Arthropod Collection at Landcare Research. [2] C. otagensis is a small beetle measuring between 2.4–2.7mm in length and has a width of 1.3–1.4mm. Its head is covered with silver and yellow scales and its body also has mainly yellow and silver scales but with dark brown scales scattered amongst them. [2] One specimen was dissected and evidence of fungi, possibly of the genus Stigmella , was found in its gut indicating that C. otagensis feeds upon that genus of fungi. [2]

Related Research Articles

<i>Carmichaelia</i> Genus of legumes

Carmichaelia is a genus of 24 plant species belonging to Fabaceae, the legume family. All but one species are native to New Zealand; the exception, Carmichaelia exsul, is native to Lord Howe Island and presumably dispersed there from New Zealand.

<i>Phlebopus marginatus</i> Species of fungus

Phlebopus marginatus, commonly known as the salmon gum mushroom in Western Australia, is a member of the Boletales or pored fungi. An imposing sight in forests of south-eastern and south-western Australia, it is possibly Australia's largest terrestrial mushroom, with the weight of one specimen from Victoria recorded at 29 kg (64 lb). Initially described in 1845 as Boletus marginatus, and also previously known by scientific names such as Phaeogyroporus portentosus and Boletus portentosus, it is not as closely related to typical boletes as previously thought.

<i>Cyptotrama asprata</i> Species of fungus

Cyptotrama asprata, commonly known as the golden-scruffy collybia or spiny woodknight is a saprobic species of mushroom in the family Physalacriaceae. Widely distributed in tropical regions of the world, it is characterized by the bright orange to yellow cap that in young specimens is covered with tufts of fibrils resembling small spikes. This fungus has had a varied taxonomical history, having been placed in fourteen genera before finally settling in Cyptotrama. This species is differentiated from several other similar members of genus Cyptotrama by variations in cap color, and spore size and shape.

<i>Suillus lakei</i> Species of fungus

Suillus lakei, commonly known as the matte Jack, Lake's bolete, or the western painted Suillus, is a species of fungus in the family Suillaceae. It is characterized by the distinctive reddish-brown tufted fibers or small scales on the cap, and the presence of a woolly veil on the stem. The caps can reach diameters of up to 15 cm, while the stems are between 6 and 12 cm long and usually 1–3 cm thick. On the underside of the cap is a layer of spongy yellow to yellow-brown angular pores; these pores are covered with a whitish partial veil when young. A mycorrhizal fungus, S. lakei grows in association with Douglas fir, and is found where this tree occurs. It is native to northwestern North America, but has been introduced to Europe, South America, and New Zealand. The mushroom is edible, but opinions vary considerably as to its quality.

<i>Amanita nothofagi</i> Species of fungus

Amanita nothofagi is a species of fungus in the family Amanitaceae. Endemic to New Zealand, the species was first described by mycologist Greta Stevenson in 1962. The fruit bodies have dark brown caps that are up to 13 cm (5.1 in) in diameter and covered with patches of soft greyish-brown scales or warts. The gills underneath the cap are crowded together, free from attachment to the stem, and white, becoming tinged with yellow in age. The stem of the mushroom is 4–14 cm (1.6–5.5 in) long by 0.5–2.5 cm (0.2–1.0 in) thick, and has a ring. The spore print is white, and individual spores are spherical to ellipsoid, measuring 7.5–9 by 7.5–9 micrometres. The mushroom may be confused with another New Zealand species, A. australis, but can be distinguished by certain characteristics. Amanita nothofagi is a mycorrhizal species, and grows in association with native New Zealand trees such as Southern Beech.

<i>Metacrias strategica</i> Species of moth

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<i>Thambotricha</i> Genus of moths

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<i>Carmichaelia petriei</i> Species of legume

Carmichaelia petriei is a species of New Zealand broom in the genus Carmichaelia. It is endemic to New Zealand. C. petrieis is possibly a host plant for the critically endangered fungus weevil Cerius otagensis.

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<i>Geodorcus sororum</i> Species of beetle

Geodorcus sororum is a large flightless species of stag beetle in the family Lucanidae. It was discovered in 1973 by Mr. A. Wright on an expedition to Middle Sister Island/Te Awanui, one of The Sisters Islands/Rangitatahi which are part of the Chatham Islands in New Zealand. This holotype specimen is held in the New Zealand Arthropod Collection. It was first described by Beverley Holloway in 2007. The name sororum is translated from Latin to mean "belonging to the sisters".

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<i>Hierodoris polita</i> Species of moth, endemic to New Zealand

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<i>Carmichaelia australis</i> Species of legume

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<i>Stenoperla prasina</i> Species of stonefly endemic to New Zealand

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References

  1. Leschen, R.A.B; Marris, J.W.M; Emberson, R.M.; Hitchmough, R.A.; Stringer, I.A.N (2012). "The Conservation Status of New Zealand Coleoptera". New Zealand Entomologist. 35 (2): 91–98. doi:10.1080/00779962.2012.686311. S2CID   219566068.
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 6 Holloway, B.A. (1982). Fauna of New Zealand ([2nd impr.]. ed.). Wellington, N.Z: DSIR. ISBN   0-477-06703-4 . Retrieved 21 May 2016.
  3. 1 2 Streamlands and Curraghmore Conservation Resources Report DOCDM-133012 (Report). Land Information New Zealand. July 2007. Retrieved 22 May 2016.