Mecodema haunoho explained

Mecodema haunoho is the only ground beetle (Carabidae) species that is endemic to Little Barrier Island (Hauturu).^{[1] [2]} It is sister species of the Great Barrier Island (Aotea) species M. aoteanoho and both are closely related to M. manaia, a species found in Bream Head, Northland, New Zealand.^[3]

Diagnosis

Distinguished from other North Island Mecodema species by having:

1. the prothoracic carina narrow the entire length, moderately crenulated with 3 setae along each side (curvidens species group);
2. the distinctive shape of the penis lobe.

Description

Length 20.5–24.1 mm, pronotal width 5.1–5.9 mm, elytral width 6.3–6.8 mm. Colour of the entire body is matte to glossy black.

Natural history

Found throughout the island, but more commonly encountered in the broadleaf forests of the southern and southwestern areas of Hauturu.

Notes and References

1. Seldon. D.S.. Buckley. T.R.. 2019. The genus Mecodema Blanchard 1853 (Coleoptera: Carabidae: Broscini) from the North Island, New Zealand. Zootaxa. en. 4598. 1. zootaxa.4598.1.1. 10.11646/zootaxa.4598.1.1. 31716064. 164710644 . 1175-5334.
2. Book: Hauturu: the history, flora and fauna of Te Hauturu-o-Toi Little Barrier Island. Veitch, C.R., Wade, L.. 2019. 9780995109582. Auckland, New Zealand. 1106097068.
3. Seldon. David S.. Leschen. Richard A.B.. A revision of the Mecodema curvidens species group (Coleoptera: Carabidae: Broscini). Zootaxa. 2011. 2829. 1–45. 10.11646/zootaxa.2829.1.1. 2292/8777. free.