MUDDY FEET - Auckland Regional Council

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4.2 Invertebrates
Studies of the invertebrate fauna of the Miranda coastal area include the pitfall trap (ground)
invertebrate studies by Flynn (2003) and Walls (2003). This method of trapping produced
specimens of about 100 types of invertebrates. Most of these were only identified to family
or group level. Walls (2003) also looked at the invertebrate fauna associated with native,
compared with introduced, plant species at the Miranda Reserve. Other survey work at the
Reserve includes collections by Chris Green of the Auckland Conservancy (DoC) and Peter
Maddison of EcoQuest.
4.3 Brown Garden Snail
The introduced Brown Garden Snail, Cornu [= Cantareus] aspersum, is frequent under
driftwood and debris in the coastal area. Gasowski (2003) and Sherwonit (2003) studied the
biology and ecology of the snail in relation to climate, distance from the shore and vegetation
type, etc. This snail caused significant damage by rasping the surface of the tracking tunnel
cards.
4.4 Mangroves
Motta (2002) studied the invertebrate fauna on mangrove trees at 5 different sites along the
Miranda Stream and found differences in the distribution and abundance of mites (Acari),
spiders (Araneae) and bark lice (Psocoptera)
Appendix 4.1 Preliminary List of Invertebrates (identified to species)
Phylum : ARTHROPODA
Class : ARACHNIDA
Order : ACARI
Family : ERIOPHYIDAE
Acalitus avicenniae (Lamb)
Erineum on mangrove, Avicennia
Order : ARANEAE
Family : ARANEIDAE
*Eriophora pustulosa (Walckenaer) – Garden Orbweb Spider
Family : PISAURIDAE
Dolomedes minor (Koch) – Nurseryweb Spider
Family : THERIDIDIIDAE
Achaearanea veruculata Urquhart – New Zealand Cobweb Spider
Steatoda capensis Hann – False Katipo
Class : INSECTA
Order : COCCINELLIDAE
Coccinella undecimpuncata L. – Elevenspotted Ladybird
Family : CURCULIONIDAE
Gymnetron pascuorum (Gyllenhal)
Family : SCARABAEIDAE
EcoQuest Education Foundation EQRS/1 12/04