Mecodema atrox

Mecodema atrox is a medium-sized (17–24 mm length, 6–8 mm width) ground beetle species that is closely related to Mecodema curvidens (a very widespread species throughout the Bay of Plenty and Central Plateau).[1] Mecodema atrox is relatively rare in comparison due to its preferred habitat, the coastal broadleaf forests of the Coromandel Peninsula, a forest type that is in decline. The body of Mecodema atrox is black and the legs are dark reddish-brown. They can be distinguished from other Mecodema species by a number of characters, including the pattern of asetose punctures along the elytral striae.[1]

Mecodema atrox
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Coleoptera
Family: Carabidae
Genus: Mecodema
Species:
M. atrox
Binomial name
Mecodema atrox
Britton 1949

This species is part of the curvidens group[2][3] that has a geographical distribution from Northland (including the Three Kings Island) to Banks Peninsula, South Island. Species of the curvidens group predominantly follow an eastern distribution including species on the offshore islands (e.g., Poor Knights Island, Hauturu (Little Barrier Island)[4] and Aotea (Great Barrier Island). There are no species from this group found in the Auckland entomological region,[5] but they are found in the Coromandel Peninsula.[3]

Description

See Seldon & Buckley 2019.

Natural History

Nothing is known of the larvae and little is known of the adults, but M. atrox is a coastal forest-dweller that feeds on a range of ground invertebrates. It is flightless with low dispersal capabilities, however it is a species within a ground beetle genus that has dispersed across New Zealand and many offshore islands.

References
  1. Seldon, D.S.; Buckley, T.R. (2019). "The genus Mecodema Blanchard 1853 (Coleoptera: Carabidae: Broscini) from the North Island, New Zealand". Zootaxa. 4598 (1): zootaxa.4598.1.1. doi:10.11646/zootaxa.4598.1.1. ISSN 1175-5334. PMID 31716064.
  2. Britton, E.B. (1949). "The Carabidae (Coleoptera) of New Zealand Part III - A revision of the tribe Broscini". Transactions of the Royal Society of New Zealand. 77 (4): 533–581.
  3. Seldon, David S.; Leschen, Richard A.B. (2011). "Revision of the Mecodema curvidens species group (Coleoptera: Carabidae: Broscini)". Zootaxa. 2829: 1–45. doi:10.11646/zootaxa.2829.1.1.
  4. Hauturu : the history, flora and fauna of Te Hauturu-o-Toi Little Barrier Island. Veitch, C.R., Wade, L. Auckland, New Zealand. 2019. ISBN 9780995109582. OCLC 1106097068.CS1 maint: others (link)
  5. Crosby, T. K.; Dugdale, J. S.; Watt, J. C. (1976). "Recording specimen localities in New Zealand: An arbitrary system of areas and codes defined". New Zealand Journal of Zoology. 3 (1): 69. doi:10.1080/03014223.1976.9517903. ISSN 0301-4223.
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