A new species of fossil Scutus Montfort, 1810 from New Zealand (Mollusca: Gastropoda: Fissurellidae)

ABSTRACT

A new fossil species of the genus Scutus (Scutus mirus n. sp.) is described from five Late Oligocene to Early Miocene (Waitakian to Altonian; 25.2–15.9?Ma) localities in the South Island, New Zealand. It is one of the oldest fossil species of Scutus known and probably inhabited very shallow, sub-tropical waters surrounding Zealandia during this time. The holotype of Scutus petrafixus Finlay, 1930 is re-examined; it is possibly from All Day Bay, Kakanui (Waitakian 25.2–21.7?Ma). The New Zealand species documented herein significantly expand our understanding of the fossil record of this shallow-marine molluscan lineage, and by proxy, also indicate the presence of very shallow coastal marine environments around the late Oligocene and early Miocene in southern Zealandia.     

Polytrichum commune Hedw. and Polytrichadelphus magellanicus (Hedw.) Mitt. used as decorative material on New Zealand Maori cloaks

Abstract

Confirmation of the occurrence of the moss Ptychomnion densifolium on the main islands of New Zealand is provided and the features which separate it from the more common P. aciculare are outlined. A brief account of the history of P. densifolium in New Zealand is given and its morphology there is discussed. A key to the two species in New Zealand is provided and habitat differences between them outlined. New Zealand material differs from type locality (Tristan d' Acunha) material in having longer and more twisted acumens, and in this respect is similar to New Zealand material of P. aciculare. New Zealand populations of P. densifolium are recognisable in having stem leaves reflexed from an oblong sheathing base, and well developed basal leaf plications. It is a relatively widespread species in New Zealand, occurring in mostly upper elevation, open sites.     

Accidental importation of a Japanese bat into New Zealand

Abstract

A juvenile female Japanese pipistrelle (Pipistrellus javanicus abramus) wap found dead on 9 December 1981 in Hamilton, New Zealand, in a package of car parts from Japan. This is apparently the first accidental importation of an exotic bat to New Zealand.     

A new genus of Aeolothripidae (Thysanoptera) from New Zealand and New Caledonia

Desmidothrips n.gen. is described from New Zealand, with walkerae n.sp. as type‐species. Aeolothrips inauditus Bianchi from New Caledonia is transferred to this new genus. Desmidothrips is related to the Australian genus Desmothrips, and is the only member of the Aeolothripidae native to New Zealand.     

New records of anglerfishes (Antennariidae) from New Zealand

Abstract

Three species of anglerfish, Histrio histrio, Antennarius ocellatus, and A. nummifer, are newly recorded from northern New Zealand waters. A. tridens is redescribed, and variations in its colour pattern are illustrated.     

Pselaphotumulus,a new genus of pselaphine endemic to New Zealand (Coleoptera: Staphylinidae: Pselaphinae: Pselaphitae)

ABSTRACT

Pselaphotumulus Owens and Carlton, gen. nov., is described as the sixth genus in the tribe Pselaphini known from New Zealand. Three new species are described: Pselaphotumulus aorerei, sp. nov., Pselaphotumulus dubius, sp. nov. and Pselaphotumulus unus, sp. nov.. Three species, Pselaphus cavelli (Broun 1893), Pselaphus oviceps (Broun 1917) and Pselaphus urquharti (Broun 1917) are transferred to Pselaphotumulus, nov. combs. Lectotypes from type series in the New Zealand Broun Collection (Natural History Museum, London) are designated for these three species. Habitus photographs, distributional maps and line drawings of diagnostic characters are provided for each species. A key to species is provided. Searches of museum collections have not yielded representatives outside of New Zealand, suggesting that this is the first endemic genus in the tribe Pselaphini described from the New Zealand’s main islands, specifically, the South Island. Pselaphotumulus species exhibit restricted distribution patterns that approximately coincide with the Pacific/Indo Australian Plate boundary.     

New records of aphid hosts of Entomophthora aphidis and E. planchoniana in New Zealand

Examination of diseased aphids from the Christchurch area of New Zealand during summer 1974 established new records of Entomophthora aphidis and E. planchoniana attacking Macrosiphum hellebori and E. planchoniana parasitising Aulacorthum solani, plus the first record for New Zealand of E. aphidis infecting Myzus persicae.     

Conservation status of New Zealand frogs, 2009

Abstract

A reappraisal of the conservation status of the New Zealand frog fauna is presented using the 2008 version of the New Zealand Threat Classification System. Of New Zealand's four extant endemic species, three are judged to be ‘Threatened’ (Leiopelma hamiltoni being ‘Nationally Critical’, and L. pakeka and L. archeyi being ‘Nationally Vulnerable’) and one ‘At Risk’ (L. hochstetteri ‘Declining’). Three Leiopelma species are listed as extinct—they are known from bone deposits in caves throughout the country until some time in the last 1000 years. Three introduced and naturalised Litoria species are abundant in New Zealand although two (L. aurea and L. raniformis) are threatened in their country of origin (Australia). An additional unidentified frog taxon from northern Great Barrier Island is listed as ‘Data Deficient’.     

Mnioloma fuscum (Marchantiopsida: Calypogeiaceae), an unexpected addition to the indigenous flora of New Zealand

Abstract

Mnioloma fuscum, a liverwort species known to date primarily from tropical-montane regions, is reported for New Zealand for the first time. Its occurrence in New Zealand is unexpected as the next nearest known site is believed to be the Solomon Islands, some 3500 km distant. The occurrence of Mnioloma fuscum in New Zealand highlights the contribution tropical regions have made to the composition of New Zealand's hepatic flora.     

New records of Conidae (Mollusca: Gastropoda) from the New Zealand region

Abstract

Conus howelli Iredale is recorded from New Zealand. C. howelli and C. raoulensis Powell are considered to be very closely related, and Kermasprella Powell is thus probably a svnonvm of Endemoconus Iredale. C. teramachii (Kuroda) and C. smirna Bartsch ' Rehder are recorded from off northern New Zealand, and the known range of C. kermadecensis Iredale is extended southward.     

New genera and species of Leptophlebiidae (Ephemeroptera) from New Zealand

Abstract

New genera Isothraulus, Arachnocolus, and Penniketellus are established for three species of leptophlebiid mayfly from New Zealand. Each genus is monotypic and endemic to New Zealand. Isothraulus and Arachnocolus are known only from the northern North Island, and Penniketellus is known only from the Arthur's Pass area of the central South Island. The male and female imago, nymph, and egg of Isothraulus abditus n.sp., the male imago, male subimago, and nymph of Arachnocolus phillipsi n.sp., and the male and female imago, female subimago, and egg of Penniketellus insolitus n.sp. are described. The relationships of each genus and the ecology of nymphs of each species are discussed.     

Arthropoda of the subantarctic islands of New Zealand

Ischyroplectron isolatum (Hutton) is redescribed from the Bounty Islands, south‐east of New Zealand. The relationships of the subantarctic Orthoptera are discussed. A key is given to the four genera of Rhaphidophoridae.     

Five new species of Thripidae (Thysanoptera) endemic to New Zealand

Abstract

Three new species of genus Thrips are described—austellus, coprosmae, and phormiicola—which are closely related to the common New Zealand species T. obscuratus (Crawford). The systematic and zoogeographic significance of this endemic species-group is discussed. Physemothrips hadrus n.sp. is described from the South Island; the only other member of this genus is from Macquarie Island. Anaphothrips zelandicus n.sp. is described from the South Island and the Chatham and Antipodes islands, A. woodi Pitkin is recorded from New Zealand, and the relationships of these two species to the Australian fauna are discussed.     

Hair follicle mites (Demodex spp.) in New Zealand

Reports of demodicids in New Zealand are reviewed to 1972. Skin scrapings from 516 individual mammals of 21 species were examined for Demodex spp. Thirteen species were recovered from 10 host species; 8 are demodicids not previously reported from New Zealand. Six domestic mammal species examined had an incidence of demodicidosis from 4% to 60%. Peculiar small demodectic lesions are reported from cattle eyelids. Histological sections of swine eyelids showing no gross signs of infestation revealed a typical granulomatous response. Demodectic infestations are of some economic concern in New Zealand, and are more common and important than had been supposed.     

Phylogenetic topology and timing of New Zealand olive shells are consistent with punctuated equilibrium

The olive shells of the genus Amalda comprises readily recognized species of marine neogastropod mollusks found around the world. The New Zealand Amalda fauna has particular notoriety as providing one of the best demonstrations of evolutionary morphological stasis, a prerequisite for punctuated equilibrium theory. An excellent fossil record includes representation of three extant endemic Amalda species used to explore patterns of form change. However, the phylogenetic relationship of the New Zealand Amalda species and the timing of their lineage splitting have not been studied, even though these would provide valuable evidence to test predictions of punctuated equilibrium. Here, we use entire mitogenome and long nuclear rRNA gene cassette data from 11 Amalda species, selected from New Zealand and around the world in light of high rates of endemicity among extant and fossil Amalda. Our inferred phylogenies do not refute the hypothesis that New Zealand Amalda are a natural monophyletic group and therefore an appropriate example of morphological stasis. Furthermore, estimates of the timing of cladogenesis from the molecular data for the New Zealand group are compatible with the fossil record for extant species and consistent with expectations of punctuated equilibrium.     

Protura in native and exotic forests in the North Island of New Zealand

Abstract

This study provides data on population and community ecology of Protura in native forests and Pinus radiata plantations in New Zealand. Abundance, age structure, sex ratios, biodiversity, and relationship with soil chemistry are discussed. Protura were significantly more abundant in pine plantations in comparison to native forests. Among native forests, Protura were most abundant under Southern beech (Nothofagus solandri). The abundance patterns may reflect the association between Protura and fungal communities in the soil. No correlation was found between soil organic matter, nitrogen, phosphorous, pH, cation exchange capacity, and the density of Protura. Protura assemblage composition was significantly related to forest type. New Zealand endemic species were associated with native forests; species with distribution outside New Zealand dominated in pine plantations. The distribution records within New Zealand were expanded for five species. The Protura fauna of New Zealand was increased to 18 species. Berberentulus capensis, Eosentomon australicum and Australentulus tillyardi are new records for New Zealand fauna.     

Redescription of Neotrombicula naultini (Dumbleton, 1947) and descriptions of two new species of chiggers from New Zealand (Acari: Trombiculidae)

Abstract

Neotrombicula naultini (Dumbleton, 1947) was redescribed from the type specimen and additional specimens collected off Hoplodactylus granulatus (= Dactylocnemus granulatus), Hoplodactylus maculatus, and Hoplodactylus pacificus in New Zealand. Neotrombicula sphenodonti and Microtrombicula hoplodactyla were described, as new species, from specimens collected from New Zealand reptiles.     

Synopsis of Grimmia Hedw. in New Zealand,including Grimmia wilsonii sp. nov.

Abstract

The New Zealand Grimmia Hedw. specimens from AK, AKU, BM, CHR, OTA and WELT have been revised and a bryological field trip to the New Zealand Southern Alps was made to study specimens in their natural habitats. As a result of the revision and the field trip, G. anodon, G. austrofunalis, G. orbicularis and G. tortuosa were added to the moss flora. A key is presented, the species are briefly discussed and Grimmia wilsonii H.C. Greven sp. nov. is described and illustrated.     

A pseudodontorn (Pelecaniformes: Pelagornithidae) from the middle Pliocene of Hawera,Taranaki, New Zealand

Abstract

The distal portion of a right humerus and the proximal end of a radius, belonging to a ‘bony-toothed bird’ (family Pelagornithidae), were collected from marine sediments at Hawera, North Island, New Zealand, and are of Waipipian age (middle Pliocene). This is the first record of a pseudodontorn from the North Island, the third for New Zealand. These specimens extend the world geological time range for this family of extinct birds (previously early Eocene to late Miocene) into the middle Pliocene.