Mecodema jacinda explained

Mecodema jacinda is a large-bodied ground beetle endemic to Maungatautari Sanctuary, Waikato, New Zealand. It is the largest species of Mecodema found on Maungatautari, which also has the medium-sized M. curvidens inhabiting the forest. It is named after former New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern.^[1]

Diagnosis

Differing from all other North Island Mecodema species by:

1. vertex smooth, vertexal groove defined by a few obsolescent punctures;
2. the pronotal carina broad the entire length with 8–12 setae each side;
3. interval 7 strongly convex in apical ⅓ (very distinctive);
4. the shape of the apical portion of the penis lobe.^[2]

Description

Length 29–36 mm, pronotal width 7.9–10.2 mm, elytral width 9.1–11.6 mm. Colour of entire body matte to glossy black (especially pronotum).

Natural history

Relatively common and can be found under logs and rocks in native forest.

Notes and References

1. Web site: 2019-12-20. Jacinda's lichen-ness. 2020-07-07. Newsroom. en-AU.
2. 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.