Manaaki Whenua Press (62)

Fauna of New Zealand 44 : Lycosidae

ISBN: 9780478093476

Author: C Vink    Publisher: Manaaki Whenua Press

The family Lycosidae (wolf spiders) has more than 2200 known species that are found worldwide, especially in open habitats. Twenty-seven species are found in Ne...


The family Lycosidae (wolf spiders) has more than 2200 known species that are found worldwide, especially in open habitats. Twenty-seven species are found in New Zealand, two of which are introduced, while the remaining twenty-five species are endemic to New Zealand. In this significant new work, the twenty-seven species are revised with one new genus and fourteen new species described.



Wolf spiders are easily recognised by the carrying of the spherical egg sac behind the adult female and the subsequent transport of the young on her abdomen. Like most lycosid species, New Zealand wolf spiders are habitat specific and are found in mountain screes, riverbeds, beaches, tussock grasslands, forest, swamps, and marshes. The most commonly seen species, Anoteropsis hilaris, has been investigated as a possible bioindicator and biomarker for organophosphate insecticide contamination, and is also thought to be a beneficial predator of insect pests.



This Fauna contribution contains descriptions of all genera and species, with information on synonymy, type data, geographical distribution, and subfamilial status. Habitus images of adults, illustrations of important structural features, and distribution maps are provided, and a key to adults is given. In addition, a phylogenetic analysis examining the relationships of species in the genus Anoteropsis is presented and contains significant phylogenetic structure. This is the first issue of the series to cover spiders, and includes a 16-page section in colour of the wolf spider species.


Bind: paperback


Pages: 94


Publication Date: 28-02-2014


$37.50
Fauna of New Zealand 47 : Erotylidae

ISBN: 9780478093506

Author: Richard Leschen    Publisher: Manaaki Whenua Press

This contribution treats the nine species of the New Zealand Erotylidae, a small family considering there are approximately 3500 species worldwide. In New Zeala...


This contribution treats the nine species of the New Zealand Erotylidae, a small family considering there are approximately 3500 species worldwide. In New Zealand there has been little research into this family of beetles, perhaps because they tend to be mostly small and brown, though elsewhere they can be big and beautiful.



Part of this contribution proposes an amended classification for the world fauna of Erotylidae, by erecting two new tribes, describing two new genera, and making changes to generic status and family placement. How the New Zealand members of Erotylidae fit into this new classification is of primary importance for understanding the origins of our local fauna and how they relate to other erotylids. It also considers the phylogenetic or family relationships which the New Zealand species have with erotylid beetles throughout the rest of the world, such as Australia, New Caledonia, South America, and possibly South Africa.



The family can be easily separated from other groups, but a microscope will be necessary to discriminate these species from similar families such as Cryptophagidae. The identification keys which are supplied with this Fauna will help. The species are not difficult to identify, some having distinctive colour patterns that make for easy recognition. New Zealand’s fauna reflects the mixture of feeding types which make up the erotylid family, some feeding on fungus, others on plants and the remainder being scavengers feeding on plant and fungus tissues.



Annotated keys to the higher taxa and genera of all subfamilies except Erotylinae and Languriini are provided and biological information, including cycad feeding and mycophagy, is summarised.


Bind: paperback


Pages: 108


Publication Date: 28-02-2014


$42.50
Fauna of New Zealand 48 : Scaphidiinae

ISBN: 9780478093537

Author: Ivan Lobl    Publisher: Manaaki Whenua Press

There are about 1400 species of Scaphidiine beetles worldwide. Robust beetles, generally black in colour and shiny, their interesting body form, morphology and...


There are about 1400 species of Scaphidiine beetles worldwide. Robust beetles, generally black in colour and shiny, their interesting body form, morphology and biology make this group one of the more intrinsically interesting members of Staphylinidae. Although their relatives are predatory, all scaphidiines feed on fungus and often have very well defined host-use patterns. New Zealand is particularly important to the development of a stable classification for the entire world fauna, because it contains some of the most primitive members of the group.



In this contribution, the 23 species of New Zealand’s fauna are revised and illustrated, with one genus and 15 species described as new. A key to the species is provided, as are diagnoses for the genera, including larval information where available. Distribution and other biological information is summarised for each species.



Twenty-one of the 23 New Zealand species are endemic. While some species are widespread throughout the country, others are more regionally distributed. About half are flightless and lack well-developed hind wings for flight. Most species are mainly forest dwelling and are collected by leaf litter sifting or by hand collecting from host fungi. Rarely collected species may be indicative of certain microhabitats that are threatened or rare.


Bind: paperback


Pages: 94


Publication Date: 28-02-2014


$37.50
Fauna of New Zealand 49 : Lithinini

ISBN: 9780478093575

Author: Jason Weintraub    Publisher: Manaaki Whenua Press

Lithinini are one of the most widespread tribes of ennomine looper moths, being represented on every continent except Antarctica. These small, narrow-bodied mot...


Lithinini are one of the most widespread tribes of ennomine looper moths, being represented on every continent except Antarctica. These small, narrow-bodied moths are one of the few groups of herbivorous insects for whom ferns are a primary food source. New Zealand’s lithinine moth fauna is wholly endemic and for a relatively small country, surprisingly diverse, having three genera comprising eight species. In fact it’s not so surprising, because New Zealand’s forests provide an optimal environment for these moths, which exploit ferns as their primary food source, and are well adapted to life in temperate rainforest with high pteridophyte diversity and biomass.



Adult lithinine moths visit flowers of various plants such as native Myrtaceae and cultivated Loganiaceae to feed on nectar, while the females deposit eggs on or near the ferns on which the larvae feed. The larvae of Lithinini exhibit a characteristic defense mechanism when disturbed, dropping or jumping off the host plant and twisting rapidly if the disturbance continues. Lithinini use a wide range of plants as host plants, from the low-growing members of the forest herb layer to broad-leaved ferns and the towering tree ferns.



In this Fauna the New Zealand Lithinini are reviewed with a general discussion of morphology and natural history. A key is provided to the eight species, and comprehensive distribution data are provided for all taxa. Host plant association data and information on immature stages are reviewed for all New Zealand genera and summarised.


Bind: paperback


Pages: 48


Publication Date: 28-02-2014


$24.50
Fauna of New Zealand 50 : Heteroptera

ISBN: 9780478093582

Author: M-C Larivière    Publisher: Manaaki Whenua Press

There may be around 37 000 described species of Heteroptera or true bugs worldwide, and possibly another 25 000 species remaining to be described. The New Zeala...


There may be around 37 000 described species of Heteroptera or true bugs worldwide, and possibly another 25 000 species remaining to be described. The New Zealand fauna, currently comprising 29 families, 136 genera, and 305 species, may be relatively small compared with larger regions, but New Zealand is a biodiversity “hot spot” for true bugs, as 82% of its known species do not occur anywhere else in the world.



The New Zealand fauna of Heteroptera is mostly terrestrial, with about 20 species belonging to aquatic and semi aquatic families. It is relatively easy to recognise true bugs on the basis of three main characteristics, but they may be more difficult to identify at a species level. In addition, information on New Zealand true bugs accumulated over the last 150 years is not easily accessible, and until now no up-to-date catalogue has been published since 1977.



With this new catalogue the authors aim to provide specialist as well as non-specialist readers with a detailed overview of all available knowledge on the taxonomy, distribution, biology, and dispersal of New Zealand Heteroptera. The format of the catalogue has been developed with the interests of systematists and other biologists in mind to allow easy informational retrieval, comparison between genera and species, and synthesis of data.


Bind: paperback


Pages: 330


Publication Date: 04-03-2014


$89.00
Fauna of New Zealand 53 : Harpalini

ISBN: 9780478093698

Author: A Larochelle    Publisher: Manaaki Whenua Press

Harpaline ground beetles



The tribe Harpalini belongs to the subfamily Harpalinae which contains over 19 000 taxa worldwide, distributed...


Harpaline ground beetles



The tribe Harpalini belongs to the subfamily Harpalinae which contains over 19 000 taxa worldwide, distributed in all biogeographic regions. Compared with larger or warmer regions of the world, the New Zealand fauna is relatively small, but NZ is a biodiversity ‘hot-spot’, with 42 out of 57 recorded species and 11 out of 20 recorded genera found nowhere else in the world.



Harpaline ground beetles are potentially useful as bioindicators and biocontrol agents, and make an attractive study group for biologists investigating evolutionary and ecological hypotheses. They are taxonomically diverse, generally abundant in the field,and demonstrate ecological preferences and a flexible set of responses to environmental factors. In addition their populations may be reliably sampled with relative ease. Over 50% of native species are known from 10 populations or fewer. All but one of these very special species are new to science and all are of potential conservation concern.



This faunal review is intended for a wide audience, and provides an inventory of New Zealand taxa, concise treatment of their taxonomy, identification keys, illustrations and maps, and a summary of all available information on species distribution, ecology, biology and dispersal power. As such it provides a solid foundation for studies of other types, and baseline information for systematists, identifiers, ecologists, and biosecurity and conservation managers.


Bind: paperback


Pages: 160


Publication Date: 04-03-2014


$55.00
Fauna of New Zealand 52 : Raphignathoidea

ISBN: 9780478093711

Author: Qing-Hai Fan    Publisher: Manaaki Whenua Press

Raphignathoid mites



Mites of the superfamily Raphignathoidea are biological control agents of spider mites, eriophyid mites, and scale ...


Raphignathoid mites



Mites of the superfamily Raphignathoidea are biological control agents of spider mites, eriophyid mites, and scale insects in agriculture and forestry. The majority of the species are free-living predators, but a few are phytophages, feeding on moss, and symbionts or parasites of insects.



The superfamily can be dated back at least 56 million years. It belongs to the supraorder Acariformes, order Prostigmata, and comprises about 770 species, and 57 genera in eleven families. They are worldwide in distribution, abundant in most of the geographical regions, and are even found in the Antarctic region.



In this contribution the mite superfamily Raphignathoidea is comprehensively revised. Keys to world families and genera are provided. The taxonomy, biology, and ecology of world Raphignathoidea are briefly reviewed so the 76 species, including 21 new species, now recognised from New Zealand can be placed in context. The species belong to 20 genera (including 1 new genus) and 5 families. Known stages (of specimens available) are diagnosed, keyed, described, and illustrated with line drawings, and notes are provided on the taxonomic references, habitats, and distribution of each species.


Bind: paperback


Pages: 400


Publication Date: 04-03-2014


Tag:
$89.00
Fauna of New Zealand 55 : Criconematina

ISBN: 9780478093810

Author: W M Wouts    Publisher: Manaaki Whenua Press

Criconematina nematodes



Criconematina are nematodes, or unsegmented roundworms, belonging to the group Tylenchida. Tylenchids are plant...


Criconematina nematodes



Criconematina are nematodes, or unsegmented roundworms, belonging to the group Tylenchida. Tylenchids are plant parasitic nematodes with a hardened mouth piece which they use to puncture plant cells, and many tylenchids cause damage to agricultural crops. This is especially true in monocultures where their population numbers can build up to high levels when favoured crops are replanted in quick succession.



Criconematina are microscopic and transparent nematodes, generally feeding on tree roots. Their damage is restricted to commercial orchards planted with infested plant material or replanted in infested soil. In their native habitat they generally cause no damage.



There are 68 species of criconematids known to be present in New Zealand, and 47 of these are endemic. This fauna covers all 68 species, 16 of which are new to science, and includes detailed descriptions for the female of each species, including morphometrics and illustrations, supplemented by SEM micrographs of morphological details. Details of males and juveniles are given if available.



A diagnosis is presented to distinguish each species from other New Zealand species. Locations and plant species associations of each species are indicated and the significance of each species as a taxonomic unit is commented upon. Lists of nematode species present at various localities and associated with individual plant species are given in appendices, and keys to all taxa covered are provided.


Bind: paperback


Pages: 232


Publication Date: 04-03-2014


$65.00
Fauna of New Zealand 56 : Tyrophagus

ISBN: 9780478093865

Author: Qing-Hai Fan    Publisher: Manaaki Whenua Press

The genus Tyrophagus comprises a group of primarily fungivorous mites, including the mould mites, commonly found in stored food products and decaying organic ma...


The genus Tyrophagus comprises a group of primarily fungivorous mites, including the mould mites, commonly found in stored food products and decaying organic matter. They are also associates of various insects, or inhabitants of vertebrate nests. They are the most abundant and economically important mites inhabiting stored food and products. Some Tyrophagus species are also facultatively phytophagous and can cause economic damage to plants, including both ornamental flowers and vegetables grown in greenhouses.



Tyrophagus belongs to the supraorder Acariformes, order Astigmata, family Acaridae. Currently, it comprises about 35 species and is worldwide in distribution. In this contribution species of the genus Tyrophagus present in New Zealand are comprehensively revised, along with species found in Australia and other Oceanian countries. Ten species, including two new species, are described and illustrated from New Zealand.



Identification keys to adult males and females are given, along with taxonomic references, hosts/habitats and distribution data of each species. This will help identification and facilitate requests for rapid quarantine decisions from trading partners.


Bind: paperback


Pages: 291


Publication Date: 04-03-2014


$80.00
Fauna of New Zealand 58 : Alysiinae

ISBN: 9780478093902

Author: Jocelyn Berry    Publisher: Manaaki Whenua Press

Alysiines are small braconid wasps that occur throughout the world. The subfamily is quite distinctive, and can be recognised by their large, outwardly-directed...


Alysiines are small braconid wasps that occur throughout the world. The subfamily is quite distinctive, and can be recognised by their large, outwardly-directed and non-over-lapping mandibles, which they use to escape from the puparium (cocoon) of their host.



All alysiines are endoparasitoids (internal parasitoids) of flies. The adult female lays her eggs into the egg or larva of the host fly, and her progeny emerge from the host puparium. Alysiines can play an important role in the regulation of pest insects, and one species has been deliberately introduced for the biological control of blowflies.



Twenty-one species of alysiines are recorded. Of these, 13 are new species and four are described species from other countries that have not previously been recorded from New Zealand. About three-quarters of the species are endemic, that is, known from nowhere else in the world.



Each species treatment includes a full synonymy or reference to a full synonymy, a regional bibliography, a diagnosis, list of material examined, collection localities, list of known hosts and bionomics. Appendices include host-parasitoid and parasitoid-host lists for New Zealand records, maps of collection localities, and details of all non-type material examined in this study


Publication Date: 04-03-2014


$45.00
© 2024 Nationwide Book Distributors