Saphobiamorpha maoriana is a species of beetle endemic to New Zealand.[1] It was first described by Albert E. Brookes in 1944. It has been collected in the Westland District and in Fiordland.
| Saphobiamorpha maoriana | |
|---|---|
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Scientific classification 
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| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Arthropoda |
| Class: | Insecta |
| Order: | Coleoptera |
| Family: | Scarabaeidae |
| Genus: | Saphobiamorpha |
| Species: | S. maoriana
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| Binomial name | |
| Saphobiamorpha maoriana Brookes, 1944
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Taxonomy
editThis species was first described by Albert Brookes in 1944 using specimens collected from a Kea carcass in high country tussock adjoining native forest.[2] The holotype specimen is held at Te Papa.[3]
Description
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Brookes described this species as follows:
Dull blackish-brown, elongate, antennae and palpi fulvus, anterior and last joints of intermediate and posterior tarsi piceorufous. Head widest just in front of eyes, where it is roundly angulate and flatly depressed, obliquely narrowed in front and behind, clypeus emarginate, depressed, forming distinct angles with the sides, base rounded, whole surface finely rugosely punctate.[2]
The adults of this species is flightless and have a length of 13 mm.[4] They are black in colour.[4] The elytra is flattened and slightly convex.[5]
Distribution
editThis species is endemic in New Zealand and as well as being observed in Westland, this species has also been observed at Secretary Island in Fiordland.[4] As at 2002, this species has yet to be found in modified habitats.[6]
References
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- ^ "Saphobiamorpha maoriana Brookes, 1944". Biota of New Zealand. Retrieved 2 November 2024.
- ^ a b Brookes, Albert Eugene (1944-03-01). "Descriptions of Two New Genera and Species of New Zealand Beetles, and Notes on Other Described Species". Transactions and Proceedings of the Royal Society of New Zealand. 73: 262–266.
- ^ "Saphobiamorpha maoriana Brookes". collections.tepapa.govt.nz. Retrieved 2024-11-02.
- ^ a b c Harris, Anthony (17 September 2018). "Two strange rare beetles". Otago Daily Times. p. 11. Retrieved 2 November 2024.
- ^ R. M. Emberson; E. G. Matthews (January 1973). "INTRODUCED SCARABAEINAE (=COPRINAE) (COLEOPTERA) IN NEW ZEALAND". New Zealand Entomologist. 5 (3): 348. doi:10.1080/00779962.1973.9723040. ISSN 0077-9962. Wikidata Q54576526.
- ^ "Appendix 2. Additional information supporting an application to introduce exotic pastoral dung beetles into New Zealand" (PDF). Retrieved 2 November 2024.