Fauna of New Zealand 69 - Landcare Research

Fauna of New Zealand 69 21
The four species of Mecyclothorax occur on the
North and South Islands, and on some off-shore islands
(Kermadecs, Three Kings, Chathams). They inhabit forests,
fields, sand dunes, and the vicinity of streams. These
beetles are often found during the day in leaf-litter and
under fallen branches. Mecyclothorax ambiguus is often
seen in large numbers at the base of Lupinus plants growing
on sand dunes.
The genus Meonochilus, with six species, is restricted
to the North Island. These beetles are forest-dwelling
and active at night on mossy logs or trees. They hide during
the day under logs, fallen branches, stones, and in
leaf-litter.
The genus Rossjoycea is known from a single species
occurring in one locality in southern Westland, South Island.
Rossjoycea glacialis is the largest New Zealand
moriomorphine species (9.2–10.3 mm in length). It has
been collected in shrubby-grassy rocky areas above the
Franz Josef glacier. The bilobed pro- and mesotarsi suggest
plant-climbing abilities.
Seven species of Selenochilus and six species of Molopsida
are found on the North Island and in northern
areas of the South Island. Selenochilus species superficially
resemble Northern Hemisphere representatives
of Phonias, a subgenus of Pterostichus (Pterostichini).
Selenochilus species are unique among New Zealand
moriomorphines in having verticillate setae medially on
the second antennal segment. Their enlarged and heavily
ciliate maxillae suggest specialised feeding, possibly on
millipedes. They live in forests where they can be found
during the day mostly under logs and stones. Selenochilus
hutchisonae new species has been collected in large
numbers by pitfall trapping. Molopsida species are also
forest-dwellers. They are mostly associated with wood,
hiding during the day in and under fallen rotten branches
and logs. Some species occasionally climb on trees. Most
taxa have strongly convex and ovate elytra, giving them a
“hump-backed” appearance.
Tarastethus (six species), previously a junior synonym
of Molopsida, is restricted to the South Island.
Members of this genus are active at night on trees and
logs. They are primarily associated with wood, hiding
during the day under the loose bark of fallen tree-trunks
as well as in and under logs. The bilobed pro- and mesotarsi
of Tarastethus may be associated with their climbing
abilities.
Trichopsida new genus, is known from 18 species,
several of which had been previously assigned to Molopsida.
Trichopsida occurs in southern areas of the
North Island and on the South Island. Species are found
in forests where they live deep in the soil, in the thick
leaf-litter, or under embedded stones. This genus is
unique among New Zealand moriomorphines in having
palpi with setose terminal segments. Many species
have strongly reduced eyes, inflated tempora, pale and
flattened body, and long pubescence, suggesting subterranean
habits similar to those of Anillina (Bembidiini)
that live deep in soil fissures and in thick leaf-litter. Some
species of Trichopsida can be collected only by using
soil-washing techniques.
Trechini. This tribe is represented by 11 genera and 34
flightless species distributed from the North Island to the
subantarctic islands. All taxa are endemic to New Zealand,
except Kenodactylus audouini which also occurs
on the Falkland Islands, South Georgia Island, and in
Patagonia. A high proportion of New Zealand trechines
are cave-dwellers; many species are riparian (e.g., most
Duvaliomimus species); some species live in the vicinity
of seashores under stones and among gravel (e.g.,
Kenodactylus, Maoritrechus, Oarotrechus); one species
(Kiwitrechus karenscottae) is found in the humus and
leaf-litter of Nothofagus rainforests. Cave-dwelling species
are usually pale in colour, flat-bodied, without eyes, and
with long antennae and legs. Trechine species are probably
predacious (as suggested by mouthpart morphology). The
most diverse genus is Duvaliomimus with 13 species and
two subspecies. Members of this genus are gregarious
and nocturnal, hiding during the day under stones and
among gravel.
MORPHOLOGY AND TERMINOLOGY
Figures 1–4 provide a basic understanding of the morphological
structures used to describe and identify
ground-beetles. Most of the morphological terms used in
this work can be found in Jeannel (1941–1942), Lindroth
(1961–1969), Ball & Bousquet (2001), and Larochelle &
Larivière (2005, 2007a). A glossary of technical terms is
also provided (Appendix A, p. 89).
Materials
METHODS AND CONVENTIONS
This synopsis is based on our 20 years of laboratory research
and extensive fieldwork carried out in over 1000
localities, an extensive survey of the world literature up
to now, and identification of carabids and recording of
information associated with adult specimens from the
following entomological museums and collections: