Deinacrida carinata
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Foveaux Strait giant wētā | |
|---|---|
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Scientific classification  | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Arthropoda |
| Class: | Insecta |
| Order: | Orthoptera |
| Suborder: | Ensifera |
| Family: | Anostostomatidae |
| Genus: | Deinacrida |
| Species: | D. carinata |
| Binomial name | |
| Deinacrida carinata Salmon, 1950 | |
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Deinacrida carinata, also known as the Herekopare wētā or Foveaux wētā, is one of the smallest of the 11 species of giant wētā that belong to the genus Deinacrida, and is a member of the family Anostostomatidae.[1][2] It is endemic to New Zealand and is currently restricted to a few offshore predator-free islands: Herekopare Island, Kundy Island, Tihaka / Pig Island and Whenua Hou / Codfish Island. D.carinata is a protected species and is nationally endangered.
Deinacrida carinata is the smallest species of giant wētā, with a body length of around 25-40mm.[2][3] Furthermore, this species displays sexual dimorphism, with adult females being larger and weighing around 6g, whereas males typically weigh around 2g.[2][4] This species is a dull brown colour which helps with its camouflage to avoid being detected by predators. In addition, D. carinata have prominent spines on their tibia, which they use as a form of defence against their attackers.[5]
Taxonomy
Deinacrida carinata was described from specimens collected by Major R.A. Wilson on Herekopare Island in 1929. However, this species was formally described by John Salmon in 1950.[6] Salmon around that time also developed a key for identifying tree and ground wētā.[5] Accordingly, D.carinata can be distinguished from other wētā by its size, upper femur (which lack spines), and 'notched' markings on the pronotum.[5] In addition, phylogenetic analysis placed D.carinata in a monophyletic clade along with the sub-alpine sister species Deinacrida tibiospina, which is its closest living relative.[7][8]
Biology
Little is known about the biology of this species however, like most other wētā species D. carinata is nocturnal, spending most of its time during the day sheltering under rocks and logs and coming out to feed at night.[9] They are predominantly herbivorous and feed on a variety of leaves, flowers, fruits, lichens and grasses, but will occasionally eat other invertebrates.[10][3]
Distribution and habitat
Deinacrida carinata is the most southern species of giant wētā.[3] The species occurs only on offshore predator-free islands - Herekopare Island, Kundy Island and Tihaka/Pig Island.[2][4] In 2009 this species was translocated to Whenua Hou/Codfish Island.[11][12] It is thought that D. carinata was once more widespread and its current distribution suggests a relict pattern. However, there are no records of D.carinata ever having existed on the mainland.[3] D. carinata is predominantly ground-dwelling, although it is most likely semi-arboreal.[3] It can be found inhabiting areas such as grasslands, low-growing shrubs, clearings and forest margins.[4] In past survey's D. carinata has been observed in native woody shrub species on Herekopare island,[13] and has been recorded persisting amongst cocksfoot (Dactylis glomerata), Californian thistle (Cirsium arvense), southern nettle (Urtica australis) cabbage tree (Cordyline australis), Carex sedge and harakeke/flax (Phormium tenax).[2][4][13]
