Mecodema aoteanoho, Seldon, David S. & Leschen, Richard A. B., 2011

Seldon, David S. & Leschen, Richard A. B., 2011, Revision of the Mecodema curvidens species group (Coleoptera: Carabidae: Broscini), Zootaxa 2829, pp. 1-45 : 23-24

Mecodema aoteanoho , sp. n.

Figures: 5, 14c, 25a, 26b.

Diagnosis. Head broad but body convex. Clypeus with a single setose puncture on each side bearing 2 setae. Prothoracic carina narrow, crenulated and extended to beyond anterior angle. Pronotal fovea shallow and narrow. Elytra striae with regularly distributed, small asetose punctures. Setose punctures of 3rd, 4th and 5th ventrites absent. Apical portion of aedeagus symmetrically rounded with a moderate twist to right of vertical axis. Dorso-apical portion of central spicule, not greatly expanded. Basal lobe of left paramere rectangular, arm relatively large and apical lobe small, with setation along apical ½ of ventral edge.

Description. Length 19–24 mm. Colour black. Head broad but body convex. Microsculpture of frons may be present, absent on vertex. Vertexal groove narrow, defined entire length. Form of microsculpture on anterior area of clypeus, sulcate. Clypeus with a single setose puncture on each side, bearing 2 setae. Form of lobes of mentum, square. Submentum constriction narrow with 6 setae. Prothoracic carina narrow, crenulated and extended to beyond anterior angle. Pronotum broad but moderately convex, posterior lateral sinuation angle slightly angled inward, pronotal fovea shallow and narrow, rugose microsculpture may be present laterally on pronotal disc. Elytra narrow and convex, striae with regularly distributed small asetose punctures, intervals slightly convex. Setose punctures of mesocoxae present, absent on metacoxae. Setose punctures of 3rd, 4th and 5th ventrites absent. Apical portion of aedeagus symmetrically rounded with a moderate twist to right of vertical axis. Dorso-apical portion of central spicule, not greatly expanded. Left paramere basal lobe rectangular, arm relatively large, apical lobe relatively small, with setation along apical ½ of ventral edge.

Comments. The description of this species is based on 24 specimens that have been collected from several localities on Great Barrier Island. The holotype is male, with the genitalia contained in a silicon genitalic tube and pinned with specimen. Most specimens have been found in relatively undisturbed, mature native broadleaf forests that range from coastal to the highest points (600 m) of the island. Mecodema aoteanoho is the first described carabid species endemic to Great Barrier Island and is the sister species to M. haunoho (Little Barrier Island). The close relationship among these species is supported by the central spicule of the apical plate (fig. 26).

Distribution. North Island: CL, Great Barrier Island (only).

Holotype: Male labelled ( NZAC) NEW ZEALAND CL Great Barrier I 23–28 Mar 1978 ESNZ Field Trip / Whangaparapara Track x under logs [hw] / HOLOTYPE Mecodema aoteanoho n. sp. design. Seldon & Leschen 2010 [red label].

Paratype material examined: 1, Kaitoke, Great Barrier Is., on ground. 25-11-57 J.C. Watt. / Collection J.C. Watt / J.I. Collection / PARATYPE Mecodema aoteanoho n. sp. design. Seldon & Leschen 2010 ( NZAC); 1, NEW ZEALAND CL Great Barrier I. Rosalie Bay Road, 15 Sep 1999, S.E. Thorpe / under stone in bush / AMNZ 29938 Auckland Museum New Zealand / PARATYPE Mecodema aoteanoho n. sp. design. Seldon & Leschen 2010; 1, NEW ZEALAND CL Great Barrier I Rosalie Bay Road 17 Sep 1999 S.E. Thorpe / under stone in bush / AMNZ 40770 Auckland Museum New Zealand / PARATYPE Mecodema aoteanoho n. sp. design. Seldon & Leschen 2010; 1, NEW ZEALAND Great Barrier I. Little Windy Hill, 260m, 17–21.ii 2002, J.W. Early / Forest. YPT L21104 / AMNZ 49087 Auckland Museum New Zealand / PARATYPE Mecodema aoteanoho n. sp. design. Seldon & Leschen 2010; 2, NEW ZEALAND CL Great Barrier I Little Windy Hill 180m 31 iii–30iv 2003 K. Parsons Pit trap. L12123 / AMNZ 54671 Auckland Museum New Zealand / PARATYPE Mecodema aoteanoho n. sp. design. Seldon & Leschen 2010; 1, NEW ZEALAND CL Great Barrier I Little Windy Hill viii 2002 K. Parsons L11750 / AMNZ 52228 Auckland Museum New Zealand / PARATYPE Mecodema aoteanoho n. sp. design. Seldon & Leschen 2010; 1, NEW ZEALAND CL Great Barrier I. Little Windy Hill xi 2002 K. Parsons / AMNZ 52943 Auckland Museum New Zealand / PARATYPE Mecodema aoteanoho n. sp. design. Seldon & Leschen 2010; 1, NEW ZEALAND CL Great Barrier I., Little Windy Hill, 18.vii.2002, K. Parsons. Under rock in forest. L11654 / AMNZ 51444 Auckland Museum New Zealand / PARATYPE Mecodema aoteanoho n. sp. design. Seldon & Leschen 2010; 1, NEW ZEALAND CL Great Barrier I. Little Windy Hill, 200m 20.xi–19.xii.2002 K. Parsons Pitfall trap. L11906 / AMNZ 52944 Auckland Museum New Zealand / PARATYPE Mecodema aoteanoho n. sp. design. Seldon & Leschen 2010; 1, NEW ZEALAND CL Great Barrier I. Little Windy Hill, 200m pitfall trap, 26.x–27.xi.2003 K. Parsons / AMNZ 56001 Auckland Museum New Zealand / PARATYPE Mecodema aoteanoho n. sp. design. Seldon & Leschen 2010; 1, NEW ZEALAND CL Great Barrier I. Little Windy Hill, 200m 8.vii– 25.viii.2003 K. Parsons Pitfall Trap. L12299 / AMNZ 55384 Auckland Museum New Zealand / PARATYPE Mecodema aoteanoho n. sp. design. Seldon & Leschen 2010; 3, NEW ZEALAND CL Great Barrier I. Little Windy Hill, 200m 18.ix–3.xi.2003 pitfall trap K. Parsons / AMNZ 55384, 55385 & 55376 Auckland Museum New Zealand / PARATYPE Mecodema aoteanoho n. sp. design. Seldon & Leschen 2010; 2, NEW ZEALAND CL Great Barrier I. Little Windy Hill, 200m pitfall trap, 27.xi–18.xii. 2003 K. Parsons / AMNZ 55999 & 56000 Auckland Museum New Zealand / PARATYPE Mecodema aoteanoho n. sp. design. Seldon & Leschen 2010; 2, NEW ZEA- LAND CL Great Barrier I Te Paparahi pitfall A 21 Jan 2002 A. Warren / AMNZ 61663 & 61769 Auckland Museum New Zealand / PARATYPE Mecodema aoteanoho n. sp. design. Seldon & Leschen 2010; 3, NEW ZEA- LAND CL Great Barrier I Te Paparahi pitfall A3 & A 25 Feb 2002 A. Warren / AMNZ 61657, 61770 & 63294 Auckland Museum New Zealand / PARATYPE Mecodema aoteanoho n. sp. design. Seldon & Leschen 2010; 2, NEW ZEALAND CL Great Barrier I Te Paparahi pitfall A3 & 23 Apr 2002 A. Warren / AMNZ 61584 & 61658 Auckland Museum New Zealand / PARATYPE Mecodema aoteanoho n. sp. design. Seldon & Leschen 2010. Additional material viewed from MONZ.

Etymology. The name is based on its sister taxa M. haunoho and the close proximity of the two Barrier Islands. It is derived from ‘aotea’, the Māori name for Great Barrier Island and ‘noho’, which means ‘dwell, inhabit’.