Gymnobathra ambigua explained

Gymnobathra ambigua is a species of moth in the family Oecophoridae. It is endemic to New Zealand. This species has been classified as critically endangered by the Department of Conservation.

Taxonomy

This species was first described by Alfred Philpott in 1926 under the name Barea ambigua using male specimens collected by Mr. W. Heighway at Horseshoe Lake, Christchurch in November and December.[1] [2] In 1988, John S. Dugdale assigned Barea ambigua to the genus Gymnobathra.[3] The taxonomy of this species continues to be debated, with some experts regarding Gymnobathra ambigua as being a synonym of G. thetodes and arguing that Dugdale wrongly synonymised G. thetodes under G. dinocosma.[4] The holotype specimen is held at the Canterbury museum.

Distribution

G. ambigua is endemic to New Zealand.[5] [6] Specimens have been collected at Spreydon and Bottle Lake in Christchurch.[7] [8] The species has also been found at Riccarton Bush.[9]

Conservation status

This species has the "Nationally Critical" conservation status under the New Zealand Threat Classification System.[10] It is regarded as sparse and data poor.

External links

Notes and References

  1. Philpott. Alfred. 1926. New Zealand Lepidoptera: notes and descriptions.. Transactions and Proceedings of the New Zealand Institute. 56. 387–399.
  2. Book: Hudson, G. V.. The Butterflies and Moths of New Zealand. Ferguson & Osborn Ltd.. 1928. Wellington. 289. George Hudson (entomologist).
  3. Dugdale. J. S.. Lepidoptera - annotated catalogue, and keys to family-group taxa. Fauna of New Zealand. 1988. 14. 92. 1 May 2018. 27 January 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20190127012448/https://www.landcareresearch.co.nz/__data/assets/pdf_file/0017/26324/FNZ14Dugdale1988.pdf. dead.
  4. Patrick. Brian. 2014. Conservation status of five data deficient moth taxa: Epichorista lindsayi, "Cnephasia" paterna, Stathmopoda endotherma, Gymnobathra ambigua and Scythris "stripe". The Weta. 48. 15–35. 2018-05-26. 2018-02-02. https://web.archive.org/web/20180202221654/http://publications.ento.org.nz/index.php/weta/issue/download/5/full%20issue%20Weta%2048. dead.
  5. Web site: Gymnobathra ambigua (Philpott, 1926). www.nzor.org.nz. Landcare Research New Zealand Ltd. 2018-04-29.
  6. Book: New Zealand Inventory of Biodiversity. Volume two. Kingdom Animalia: Chaetognatha, Ecdysozoa, Ichnofossils. Canterbury University Press. 2010. 9781877257933. Gordon. Dennis P.. 2. Christchurch, N.Z.. 462. 973607714.
  7. Web site: Gymnobathra ambigua. 22 November 2002. Auckland War Memorial Museum. 1 May 2018.
  8. Web site: Gymnobathra ambigua. 22 November 2002. Auckland War Memorial Museum. 1 May 2017.
  9. Christchurch District Plan Site of Ecological Significance Riccarton Bush. Shadbolt. Antony B.. 23 September 2014. 10 December 2018.
  10. Hoare. R.J.B.. Dugdale. J.S.. Edwards. E.D.. Gibbs. G.W.. Patrick. B.H.. Hitchmough. R.A.. Rolfe. J.R.. 2017. Conservation status of New Zealand butterflies and moths (Lepidoptera), 2015. New Zealand Threat Classification Series. 20. 6.