5 research outputs found
Taxonomy and diversity of New Zealand cave wētā (Orthoptera; Rhaphidophoridae)
Species are the fundamental unit for ecology and evolution. Taxonomy, the naming of
species, grabbles with the problem of accurately representing these fundamental units.
In this research I targeted a group of understudied and undervalued insects that are
common throughout New Zealand. This work focuses on Rhaphidophoridae, a family of
Orthoptera found globally, but the diversity in New Zealand is poorly understood and
poorly described. I have been the first to use high specimen numbers in order to
establish within and between species differences of New Zealand cave wētā. I have
established the importance of multiple taxonomic methods. At no stage was the aim to
fully resolve all issues, but rather to identify morphological characters that are useful in
distinguishing species, and integrating mtDNA sequence data to test species hypotheses.
I focused first on cave wētā specimens that came from a biodiversity studied but had not
been identified to genus or species. I was able to identify characters that could
distinguish between the taxa present in this sample and developed a method that could
be transferred to other locations. Two key findings were that multiple cave wētā species
co-exist across a range of habitats and that variation in abundance was species
dependent. Of importance was my finding that juveniles cannot be distinguish and
placed with their correct adult form due to changes in both subgenital plate shape and
apical spines.
From three regions in North Island New Zealand I was able to distinguish and identify
fourteen putative cave wētā species. mtDNA sequence data were use to test putative
species clusters identified by morphology and allowed me to confidently pair male and
female specimens. Combinations of apical leg spines and subgenital plate shape could
consistently diagnose most taxa. Many of the species are new to science. Therefore I
described three new species in the genus Neonetus. I reviewed our current knowledge of
the endemic genera Pleioplectron, Weta and Miotopus and based on evidence from
mtDNA sequences and large samples I was able to clarify current species and describe
one new Miotopus species. As with many insect species, male terminalia are the key to
distinguishing among species, and species within the same genus have similar female
subgenital plates
Wellington geckos meet Wairarapa geckos : hybridisation between two genetically and morphologically distinct populations of the New Zealand common gecko complex (Hoplodactylus maculatus) : a thesis presented in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Masters of Science in Zoology at Massey University, Palmerston North, New Zealand
The purpose of this study was to use molecular techniques and morphological measurements to set out to find whether a hybrid zone exists between two coastal populations of the common gecko (Hoplodactylus maculatus), on the Wellington south coast. I collected geckos from five sites in a coastal transect from the population of small geckos to the large geckos. Using four genetic loci, one mitochondrial (16S) and three nuclear (Rag-1, Rag-2, C-mos), I was able to determine that the coastal populations do have geneflow, however each population maintains some unique alleles. Morphological evidence reveals a significant difference in gecko sizes from Turakirae Head and those caught at Ocean Beach, separated by just 15 km. Adult geckos at Turakirae Head are on average 10mm smaller (snout-to-vent) than adult geckos at Ocean Beach, representing almost a doubling in average weight. The centre of the steep frequency clines of four characters is coincident and the widths are concordant. The narrower morphological clines indicate stronger selection on the size of the gecko, than on genetic loci
Reinstatement of the New Zealand cave wētā genus Miotopus Hutton (Orthoptera: Rhaphidophoridae) and description of a new species
Comparison of morphological and genetic data from New Zealand forest cave wētā suggests we should recognise the genus Miotopus proposed by Hutton (1898). A new species within this genus is described (Miotopus richardsi sp. nov.). Both Miotopus diversus (Hutton, 1898) and Miotopus richardsi sp. nov. are common in native forests and widespread in New Zealand. Here we provide their known distributions and key traits
Reinstatement of the New Zealand cave wētā genus Miotopus Hutton (Orthoptera: Rhaphidophoridae) and description of a new species
Comparison of morphological and genetic data from New Zealand forest cave wētā suggests we should recognise the genus Miotopus proposed by Hutton (1898). A new species within this genus is described (Miotopus richardsi sp. nov.). Both Miotopus diversus (Hutton, 1898) and Miotopus richardsi sp. nov. are common in native forests and widespread in New Zealand. Here we provide their known distributions and key trait