Geodorcus servandus

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Geodorcus servandus
Geodorcus servandus.jpg
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: Lucanidae
Genus: Geodorcus
Species:
G. servandus
Binomial name
Geodorcus servandus
(Holloway, 2007) [2]

Geodorcus servandus is a large flightless species of stag beetle in the family Lucanidae. It was discovered by P.R. Kettle in December 1960 and this holotype specimen is held in the New Zealand Arthropod Collection. [3] It was first described by Beverley Holloway in 2007. [2] Its type location is Mount Tuhua summit, near Lake Kaniere on the West Coast of New Zealand. The name servandus is a Latin word meaning "[something] to be preserved, conserved, looked after". [2]

Contents

Description

This large Geodorcus ranges in length (including mandibles) from 24 to 35 millimetres (0.9 to 1.4 in) (males) and from 21.3 to 31 millimetres (0.8 to 1.2 in) (females). Despite being larger than many other Geodorcus species, the mandibles are relatively short. They demonstrate sexual dimorphism with an overall size difference and obvious differences in mandible shape and size. Male and female specimens also differ in the depth of small punctures on the dorsal surface; males being shallow and females deep. In both, the pitted surface is conspicuous. The exoskeleton ranges from dull to glossy black. The ribs on the elytra are less conspicuous in this Geodorcus. Vestigial wings are present underneath the elytra. This species resembles Geodorcus montivagus most closely. [2]

Distribution and habitat

This species has only been found in one location, on Mount Tuhua at 1,122 metres (3,681 ft) above sea level. It was found underneath Celmisia daisies on the summit. In 1984 the summit was visited specifically to search for G. servandus and only a small patch of Celmisia was present. On searching this area, only a specimen of the closely related G. helmsi was found. [2]

History of discovery

This distinctive stag beetle was described from specimens originally collected in December 1960 by Dr. P.R. Kettle during surveys primarily undertaken for terrestrial molluscs on Mount Tuhua's summit. However it was not until 2007 that formal publication of this new species of Geodorcus was made. The author of the species, Dr Beverley Holloway, had by then long-retired from her position as an entomologist at DSIR, and the Dominion Museum before that. She continued her studies as a hobby, finally publishing a major work on the Lucanidae of New Zealand, in which seven new endemic species of stag beetle were then described, including, G. servandus. Referring to it as a "spectacular stag beetle", Dr Holloway expressed reluctance at having to reveal the type locality on Mount Tuhua in its formal scientific description for fear that both its population and its habitat might be destroyed by "overzealous New Zealand entomologists and foreign collectors". The name servandus in Latin means "preserve, look after, conserve" and refers to the author's concern to see action taken to ensure its survival. [2]

Conservation

Like other Geodorcus species, G. servandus is absolutely protected under Schedule 7 of The 1953 Wildlife Act, making it an offense to collect or harm a specimen. [4] Its status as nationally critical is due to its rarity after significant searches and presence in only one location. [1] If this species was specifically searched for in the future, care would need to be taken to avoid damaging the small area of fragile habitat in its type location. Pitfall trapping could be a less harmful method of surveying for this species, if individuals were released soon after collection. [2]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">False stag beetle</span> Genus of beetles

The false stag beetles (Diphyllostoma) are a group of three species of rare beetles known only from California. Almost nothing is known of their life history beyond that the adults are diurnal and females are flightless; larvae have not been observed.

<i>Lucanus cervus</i> Species of beetle

Lucanus cervus, known as the European stag beetle, or the greater stag beetle, is one of the best-known species of stag beetle in Western Europe, and is the eponymous example of the genus. L. cervus is listed as Near Threatened by the IUCN Red List.

<i>Odontolabis cuvera</i> Species of beetle

Odontolabis cuvera, the golden stag beetle, is a beetle of the family Lucanidae, stag beetles.

<i>Chiasognathus grantii</i> Species of beetle

Chiasognathus grantii is a species of stag beetle found in Argentina and Chile. It is known as Darwin's beetle, Grant's stag beetle, or the Chilean stag beetle.

<i>Cyclommatus</i> Genus of beetles

Cyclommatus is a genus of the family Lucanidae, also known as the stag beetle. The majority of the species from the genus Cyclommatus are located in Southeast Asia, though some species are found in China and Taiwan as well. The genus Cyclommatus also consists of three subgenera: Cyclommatus, Cyclommatinus and Cyclommatellus. Each subgenera contains 80, 24 and 3 species respectively. In total, the genus Cyclommatus consists of a total of 134 species, though more are still being discovered to this day.

<i>Lucanus laminifer</i> Species of beetle

Lucanus laminifer is a species of beetles of the family Lucanidae.

<i>Paralissotes reticulatus</i> Species of beetle

Paralissotes reticulatus, also called the New Zealand reticulate stag beetle, is a native species of stag beetle from New Zealand. Although they do have wings they are flightless.

<i>Dorcus parallelus</i> Species of beetle

Dorcus parallelus, more commonly known as the Antelope stag beetle, is a species from the Lucanidae family. Extensive research has not been done on this species. D. parallelus has been seen to be endemic to Northern America, and highlightable features of this species would be its impressive size and distinctive antler-like mandibles useful during mating. These beetles are often compared to Dorcus parallelipipedus, the sister species mainly concentrated in Europe.

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

Geodorcus helmsi, known as New Zealand giant stag beetle or Helms's stag beetle, is a large, slow-moving, flightless stag beetle in the family Lucanidae. It is endemic to New Zealand.

<i>Geodorcus</i> Genus of beetles

Geodorcus is a genus of beetles belonging to the family Lucanidae. They are endemic to New Zealand. All Geodorcus species are protected under Schedule 7 of The 1953 Wildlife Act, making it an offense to hunt, kill or possess a specimen.

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

Geodorcus capito is a large flightless species of stag beetle in the family Lucanidae. It is endemic to the Chatham Islands in New Zealand.

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

Geodorcus alsobius, or Moehau stag beetle, is a large flightless species of stag beetle in the family Lucanidae. It is found only on Mt Moehau, the highest mountain in the Moehau Range on the Coromandel Peninsula in New Zealand.

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

Geodorcus auriculatus is a large flightless stag beetle that is found in the southern part of the Coromandel Peninsula and on Mount Te Aroha in the Kaimai range of New Zealand.

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

Geodorcus ithaginis, the Mokohinau stag beetle, is a large flightless species of stag beetle in the family Lucanidae. It was described by Thomas Broun in 1893 after being discovered in the Mokohinau Islands by Andreas Stewart Sandager, a lighthouse keeper on the islands. The species survives only on the small unnamed island "Stack H", in a patch of vegetation the size of a living room, and is in extreme danger of extinction.

Geodorcus montivagus is a large flightless species of stag beetle in the family Lucanidae. It is known from only one female specimen found on the Victoria Range in New Zealand. It was found in tussock at 1,220 metres (4,000 ft) above sea level.

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

Geodorcus novaezealandiae is a large flightless species of stag beetle in the family Lucanidae. It is the type species and smallest member of the genus Geodorcus. It is endemic to New Zealand.

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

Geodorcus philpotti is a large flightless species of stag beetle in the family Lucanidae. It was named by Major Thomas Broun after Mr A. Philpott, who discovered it at Hump Ridge near Invercargill. It is endemic to New Zealand.

<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".

<i>Paralissotes</i> Genus of beetles

Paralissotes is a genus of stag beetle that is endemic to New Zealand.

<i>Hoherius</i> Species of insect

Hoherius meinertzhageni, the ribbonwood fungus weevil, is an endemic New Zealand beetle that has been recorded feeding on the ribbonwood species Plagianthus regius and Plagianthus divaricatus and the mountain lacebark, Hoheria glabrata.

References

  1. 1 2 Leschen, R.A.B; Marris, J. W.M.; Emberson, R. M.; Nunn, J.; Hitchmough, R. A.; Stringer, I. A.N. (July 2012). "The conservation status of New Zealand Coleoptera". New Zealand Entomologist. 35 (2): 2. doi:10.1080/00779962.2012.686311. S2CID   219566068.
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Holloway, B.A. "Lucanidae (Insecta: Coleoptera)" (PDF). Landcare New Zealand. Landcare Research. pp. 97–99. Archived from the original (PDF) on 17 May 2017. Retrieved 17 July 2017.
  3. ↑ "NZinverts database on BiotaNZ at Landcare Research" . Retrieved 6 June 2022.
  4. ↑ "Wildlife Act 1953". New Zealand Legislation. Parliamentary Counsel Office. Retrieved 17 July 2016.
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