Isoplectron armatum
| Isoplectron armatum | |
|---|---|
Scientific classification 
| |
| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Arthropoda |
| Class: | Insecta |
| Order: | Orthoptera |
| Suborder: | Ensifera |
| Family: | Rhaphidophoridae |
| Genus: | Isoplectron |
| Species: | I. armatum
|
| Binomial name | |
| Isoplectron armatum Hutton, 1896
| |
Isoplectron armatum is a species of tokoriro (cave wētā) that is endemic to New Zealand.[1]
Taxonomy
[edit]This species was described by Hutton in 1896 from a single adult male specimen from Dunedin. The name "armatum" is from the latin 'armed' (equipped with weapons) and refers to the conspicuous spine under the hind femur of adult males.
In 1937 Heinrich Hugo Karny described Isoplectron aciculatum from a male specimen from North Island New Zealand.[1] In 2024 three species were shown to be synonymous with Isoplectron armatum, which was divided into two sub-species.[2]
Description
[edit]The body is coloured light rusty brown, darkly marbled dorsally. The abdomen and thorax have dark markings and eyes are green.[1] As adults their bodies are 8.5 - 16.8mm long.[2]
Distribution
[edit]This species is only known from New Zealand.[1] Isoplectron armatum is the most common species in the genus and found south of Taupō in the North Island (sub-species I. a. aciculatum) and throughout South Island (sub-species I. a. armatum).[2] During the day this species can be found hiding under tree bark or inside artificial refugia, often in groups of up to ten individuals.[3]
Conservation status
[edit]Under the New Zealand Threat Classification System, this species is listed as "Not Threatened"[4]
References
[edit]- ^ a b c d Wytsman, P.; Wytsman, P.; Townsend, Lee Hill; Wytsman, P. (1902). Genera insectorum. Vol. 206–207. Bruxelles: L. Desmet-Verteneuil [etc.]
- ^ a b c Hegg, Danilo; Morgan-Richards, Mary; Trewick, Steven A. (2024). "Revision of the New Zealand cave wētā genus Isoplectron Hutton (Orthoptera: Rhaphidophoridae), with synonymy of Petrotettix Richards and Setascutum Richards, and the description of a new genus". European Journal of Taxonomy. 971: 1–75. doi:10.5852/ejt.2024.971.2761. ISSN 2118-9773.
- ^ Bowie, Mike H.; Hodge, Simon; Banks, Jonathan C.; Vink, Cor J. (2006). "An appraisal of simple tree-mounted shelters for non-lethal monitoring of weta (Orthoptera: Anostostomatidae and Rhaphidophoridae) in New Zealand nature reserves". Journal of Insect Conservation. 10 (3): 261–268. doi:10.1007/s10841-005-5594-3. ISSN 1366-638X.
- ^ Trewick, S; Hegg, D; Morgan-Richards, M; Murray, T; Watts, C; Johns, P; Michel, P (2022). "Conservation status of Orthoptera (wētā, crickets and grasshoppers) in Aotearoa New Zealand, 2022" (PDF). New Zealand Threat Classification Series. 39: 1–28.