Mecodema curvidens

Last updated

Mecodema curvidens
Mecodema curvidens.jpg
Status NZTCS NT.svg
Not Threatened (NZ TCS)
Scientific classification OOjs UI icon edit-ltr.svg
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Coleoptera
Suborder: Adephaga
Family: Carabidae
Genus: Mecodema
Species:
M. curvidens
Binomial name
Mecodema curvidens
Broun, 1915

Mecodema curvidens Broun is a medium-bodied ground beetle that is geographically widespread throughout the central areas of the North Island, New Zealand, which includes the entomological regions [1] of Auckland (AK), Waikato (WO), Coromandel (CL), Bay of Plenty (BP), Taupo (TO), Rangitikei (RI), Whanganui (WI), Hawkes Bay (HB) and Wellington (WN). Recently, the species M. occiputale Broun was synonymised under M. curvidens (Seldon & Buckley 2019). Mecodema curvidens is relatively common through its range except in the southern area of the Hunua Ranges (Auckland) and Wellington regions. [2]

Contents

Diagnosis

Distinguished from other North Island Mecodema species by having:

  1. pronotal carina with 4–6 setae each side (curvidens species group);
  2. a vertexal groove that is narrow and defined entire length;
  3. distinctive form of the basal lobe and setal distribution along ventral edge of the left paramere. [3]

Description

Length 18–26 mm, pronotal width 5.4–7.53 mm, elytral width 6.13–8.56 mm. Colour of entire body glossy to matte black, except coxae to tarsi reddish-brown to black. [3]

Conservation status

Under the New Zealand Threat Classification System, this species is listed as "Not Threatened". [4]

References

  1. Crosby, T. K.; Dugdale, J. S.; Watt, J. C. (March 1976). "Recording specimen localities in New Zealand: An arbitrary system of areas and codes defined". New Zealand Journal of Zoology. 3 (1): 69. doi: 10.1080/03014223.1976.9517903 . ISSN   0301-4223.
  2. SELDON, DAVID S.; LESCHEN, RICHARD A. B. (2011-04-22). "Revision of the Mecodema curvidens species group (Coleoptera: Carabidae: Broscini)". Zootaxa. 2829 (1): 1. doi:10.11646/zootaxa.2829.1.1. hdl: 2292/8777 . ISSN   1175-5334. S2CID   82528785.
  3. 1 2 Seldon, D.S.; Buckley, T.R. (2019). "The genus Mecodema Blanchard 1853 (Coleoptera: Carabidae: Broscini) from the North Island, New Zealand". Zootaxa. 4598 (1): zootaxa.4598.1.1. doi:10.11646/zootaxa.4598.1.1. ISSN   1175-5334. PMID   31716064.
  4. Leschen, R. A.B.; Marris, J. W.M.; Emberson, R. M.; Nunn, J.; Hitchmough, R. A.; Stringer, I. A.N. (2012-07-01). "The conservation status of New Zealand Coleoptera" . New Zealand Entomologist. 35 (2): 91–98. doi:10.1080/00779962.2012.686311. ISSN   0077-9962.