Biology:Phaulacridium otagoense

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Short description: Species of grasshopper

Phaulacridium otagoense
Phaulacridium otagoense.JPG
Scientific classification edit
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Orthoptera
Suborder: Caelifera
Family: Acrididae
Subfamily: Catantopinae
Tribe: Catantopini
Genus: Phaulacridium
Species:
P. otagoense
Binomial name
Phaulacridium otagoense
Ritchie & Westerman, 1984
Phaulacridium otagoense Distribution.png
The distribution of P. otagoense in New Zealand

Phaulacridium otagoense is an endemic New Zealand grasshopper found at low elevation throughout the central South Island (Mackenzie Basin and Central Otago).[1]

Distribution and habitat

The New Zealand P. otagoense is found on very dry slopes & riverbeds between an elevation of 140 metres (460 ft) on the Earncleugh Historic Tailings Reserve ( [ ⚑ ] 45°14′08″S 169°21′17″E / 45.23553212°S 169.354802°E / -45.23553212; 169.354802) and 1,200 metres (3,900 ft) on the Benmore Range ( [ ⚑ ] 44°24′11″S 170°06′35″E / 44.40318866°S 170.1097396°E / -44.40318866; 170.1097396). The most southern known location is found at Lake Roxburgh ( [ ⚑ ] 45°28′45″S 169°19′04″E / 45.47905638°S 169.3178169°E / -45.47905638; 169.3178169) and the most northern known location is found on the Richmond Range ( [ ⚑ ] 43°51′35″S 170°39′00″E / 43.85974492°S 170.6501142°E / -43.85974492; 170.6501142).[1] The distribution of P. otagoense is being reduced by expansion and hybridization with P. marginale.[2] Where these two grasshopper species meet populations consist of individuals with mixed phenotype, intermediate between the two parental taxa.[3]

Species description

The wings on P. otagoense are micropterous (small wings) between 1–2 millimetres (0.039–0.079 in) making this species flightless like most of New Zealand grasshoppers. However, unlike Phaulacridium marginale no fully winged adults have ever been found.

Male body length 5–10 millimetres (0.20–0.39 in); Female body length 10–15 millimetres (0.39–0.59 in).

Type information

References

  1. 1.0 1.1 Morris, S.J. 2002. Identification guide to grasshoppers (Orthoptera: Acrididae) in Central Otago and Mackenzie Country. DOC Science Internal Series 26. Department of Conservation, Wellington. 17 p.
  2. Sivyer, Louisa; Morgan‐Richards, Mary; Koot, Emily; Trewick, Steven A. (2018). "Anthropogenic cause of range shifts and gene flow between two grasshopper species revealed by environmental modelling, geometric morphometrics and population genetics" (in en). Insect Conservation and Diversity 11 (5): 415–434. doi:10.1111/icad.12289. ISSN 1752-4598. 
  3. Morgan‐Richards, Mary; Vilcot, Maurine; Trewick, Steven A. (2021). "Lack of assortative mating might explain reduced phenotypic differentiation where two grasshopper species meet" (in en). Journal of Evolutionary Biology 35 (4): 509–519. doi:10.1111/jeb.13879. ISSN 1010-061X. PMID 34091960. 


Wikidata ☰ Q10626716 entry