Koekotroides pekehau, J.-P & Myers & Shepherd, 2025

J. - P, Olivier, Myers, Alan A. & Shepherd, Lara D., 2025, A new genus and six new species of endemic landhopper in the family Arcitalitridae (Amphipoda: Talitroidea) from New Zealand, Zootaxa 5691 (2), pp. 277-311 : 296-300

Koekotroides pekehau sp. nov.

( Figs 13–15 )

Genus A sp. 2 ( Ball et al. 2024).

Type material. Holotype: female ( MNZ CR.027735 ), body length 10.0 mm, Unuwhao , Northland, New Zealand, broadleaved native forest, pitfall trap, coll. Ball O.J.-P., 13 November 2006 . Allotype: male ( MNZ CR.027734 ), body length 6.0 mm, same data as holotype . Paratypes: 1 female ( MNZ CR.022707 / 027733 ), body length 8.0 mm, same data as holotype ; 3 males ( MNZ CR.027749 ), body lengths 6.0 mm, same data as holotype ; 2 females ( MNZ CR.027748 ), body lengths 8.0 mm, same data as holotype .

Etymology. Pekehau refers to jumping or leaping in the wind. Pekehau expresses the strength and vitality of the species to survive in the taiao (natural environment) while being critical contributors to the ongoing health and wellbeing of our ecosystems. Pekehau utilises the natural forces of the hau (winds) to carve pathways of life through the habitats of this species, which include Unuwhao (whao—carve), the misty environs of Kohuroa (kohu—mist, roa—long) and beyond to Haupātōtō (the beating wind). Ko te hau e toiriiri mai ra te kitea (tis the vibrating winds that ignites the imagination).

Description. Adult female 6.0–10.0 mm.

Head. Antenna 1 extending to at least half of the way along peduncle article 5 of antenna 2; article 3 of peduncle longer than article 2; flagellum consisting of 4–5 articles. Antenna 2 as long as head and first 2.5 pereonites combined, article 4 length 2.5–3 times breadth; article 5 at least 1.5 times length of article 4; flagellum subequal in length to peduncle, consisting of about 11–14 articles. Maxilliped strongly splayed; endopodite apex subacute, inner margin strongly arcuate; exopodite distally arcuate with rounded apex; palp article 2 without distomedial lobe; article 4 absent.

Pereon. Gnathopod 1 coxa sub-trapezoidal, anterior margin weakly sinuate or nearly straight; basis broadening distally; merus posterior margin without lobe covered in palmate setae; carpus stout, without lobe covered in palmate setae, posterior margin evenly convex; propodus, about 0.65 times length of carpus, sub-rectangular, posterior margin with 3 long, straight or weakly curved, spear-like robust setae, palm distinct (parachelate), weakly oblique. Gnathopod 2 basis slender, 3 times as long as broad; merus produced posterodistally into a lobe covered in palmate setae; carpus stout, posterior margin covered in palmate setae; propodus slender mitten-shaped in both sexes (femipod), slightly longer than carpus, distal lobe apically rounded, covered in palmate setae; dactylus very short. Pereopod 3–4 parallel-sided in lateral view, anterior margin concave distally in frontal view. Pereopod 5 basis broad medioproximally, narrowing distally; carpus and merus subequal in length; propodus approximately 1.3 times longer than carpus. Pereopod 6 basis subrectangular, posterior margin weakly convex; propodus approximately 1.3 times length of carpus. Pereopod 7 basis orbicular to weakly obovate, almost as broad as long, posterior margin with small serrations each with a small seta; merus, carpus and propodus each progressively a little longer than the preceding article.

Pleon. Epimeron 1 shortest, posterior margin nearly straight or slightly convex; posteroventral corner with or without a subacute process. Epimeron 2 ventral margin weakly convex to nearly straight, deepest posteriorly; posteroventral corner extended into subacute process; posterior margin nearly straight along distal half, widest medially. Epimeron 3 as deep as epimeron 2 at anteroventral corner; ventral margin convex anteriorly, strongly concave posteriorly; posteroventral corner usually with subacute process; posterior margin sinuate, smooth or weakly notched. Pleopods 1–3 biramous; exopodites usually slightly shorter than endopodites. Pleopod 1 endopodite 0.4 times length of peduncle. Pleopod 2 shorter than pleopod 1; endopodite 0.4 times length of peduncle. Pleopod 3 shortest; endopodite 0.5 times length of peduncle. Uropod 1 peduncle longer than subequal rami, outer margin with 2 dorsal robust setae distally; distolateral robust seta approximately 0.5 times length of exopodite; exopodite without dorsal robust setae; endopodite with 2 dorsal robust setae. Uropod 2 peduncle subequal in length with endopodite; endopodite slightly longer and stouter than exopodite with 2 marginal robust setae; exopodite without marginal robust setae. Uropod 3 peduncle bulbous, with 1 very long lateral robust seta; ramus approximately 0.3 times length of peduncle, with 1 long apical seta, sometimes with an additional short seta. Telson as broad as long, undulate, not incised apically, deep longitudinal furrow present ventrally, 1 large apical robust seta and 3 large dorsal robust setae on each side.

Habitat. Later successional native forest, dominated by taraire ( Beilschmiedia tarairi ), pūriri ( Vitex lucens ), karaka ( Corynocarpus laevigatus ), kohekohe ( Didymocheton spectabilis ) and nīkau ( Rhopalostylis sapida ).

Distribution. North Island, Northland, Te Paki Ecological District (Unuwhao, Kohuroa, Tāputaputa, Haupātōtō ).

Remarks. Koekotroides pekehau sp. nov. shares with K. ngaokiroa sp. nov. the complete loss of article 4 on the maxilliped palp and the presence of 3 dorsal setae on the telson. It can be distinguished from K. ngaokiroa sp. nov. by the parachelate palm on the propodus of gnathopod 1 in both sexes (simple in K. ngaokiroa sp. nov.). Koekotroides pekehau sp. nov. is the largest described species in the genus by body length.

Figures

FIGURE 13. Koekotroides pekehau sp. nov. female paratype (head and antennae, maxilliped, pleopods 2–3, epimera 2–3, uropods 1–3, telson), Unuwhao, Te Paki Ecological District, Northland. Scale bars a = uropod 3, telson; b = epimera, pleopods, uropods 1–2; c = maxilliped; d = head.

FIGURE 14. Koekotroides pekehau sp. nov. female paratype (gnathopod 1 (detail of palm), gnathopod 2), Unuwhao, Te Paki Ecological District, Northland.

FIGURE 15. Koekotroides pekehau sp. nov. female paratype (pereopods 3–7), Unuwhao, Te Paki Ecological District, Northland.