Mecodema godzilla is a large-bodied ground beetle endemic to the North Island, New Zealand. It was described from two specimens, which are housed in two different entomological collections, the Auckland Museum and Lincoln University.
Mecodema godzilla | |
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Dorsal view of the male specimen (holotype) | |
Scientific classification | |
Domain: | Eukaryota |
Kingdom: | Animalia |
Phylum: | Arthropoda |
Class: | Insecta |
Order: | Coleoptera |
Family: | Carabidae |
Genus: | Mecodema |
Species: | M. godzilla
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Binomial name | |
Mecodema godzilla Seldon & Buckley, 2019
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Diagnosis
editCan be distinguished from other North Island Mecodema species by:
- its size (34–36 mm long and 11.5–13 mm wide);
- elytra truncated by steep apical slope;
- lateral carina broad and reflexed upward the entire length.[1]
Description
editLength 34.3–36.4 mm, pronotal width 10.1–11.2 mm, elytral width 11.7–12.9 mm. Colour of head and pronotum black to glossy black, elytra matte reddish-brown to matte black, ventrally (including legs) brown to matte black.[1]
Natural history
editFound on the scree and tussock slopes of Mt Ruapehu.