| Occultastella | |
|---|---|
Scientific classification
| |
| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Arthropoda |
| Class: | Insecta |
| Order: | Orthoptera |
| Suborder: | Ensifera |
| Family: | Rhaphidophoridae |
| Subfamily: | Macropathinae |
| Genus: |
Occultastella Trewick, 2024 |
| Species: | O. morgani
|
| Binomial name | |
| Occultastella morgani Trewick, 2024
| |
Occultastella is a monotypic genus of cave wētā in the family Rhaphidophoridae. The sole member of this genus, Occultastella morgani, was described in 2024, and is endemic to New Zealand.
The genus name is based on two Latin words, occulta (hidden), referencing the secretive nature of the genus, and stella (star), referencing the pale, flame-shaped markings on the head of Occultastella morgani. [1] The species epithet morgani is a reference to New Zealand researcher Mary Morgan-Richards, who has made significant contributions to the understanding of New Zealand cave wētā. [1]
The genus Occultastella and species Occultastella morgani were both described by Steven A. Trewick in 2024. [1] Occultastella morgani is approximately 11 mm (0.43 in) in length, with its antennae being longer than its body. Occultastella morgani is typically dark brown to black in colour. The head of the species has a distinctive cream/white candle flame marking on each side of the midline of the pronotum. [1]
Occultastella morgani was originally found in the coal seam soils of the Denniston Plateau in the West Coast Region of the South Island of New Zealand, [2] and can be found in the northwestern South Island, including Kahurangi National Park and the Westport area. [1] Trewick was surprised to find a new genus on the Denniston Plateau, due to the history of coal mining had on the local ecosystem. [2]
- ^ a b c d e Trewick, Steven A. (19 July 2024). "Two new genera of tokoriro (Orthoptera: Rhaphidophoridae: Macropathinae) from Aotearoa New Zealand". Zootaxa. 5481 (5): 531–546. doi: 10.11646/ZOOTAXA.5481.5.3. ISSN 1175-5334. Wikidata Q128095156.
- ^ a b "Three new wētā species discovered, including one named after Boudica". Radio New Zealand. 30 July 2024. Retrieved 31 July 2024.
| Occultastella | |
|---|---|
|
Scientific classification
| |
| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Arthropoda |
| Class: | Insecta |
| Order: | Orthoptera |
| Suborder: | Ensifera |
| Family: | Rhaphidophoridae |
| Subfamily: | Macropathinae |
| Genus: |
Occultastella Trewick, 2024 |
| Species: | O. morgani
|
| Binomial name | |
| Occultastella morgani Trewick, 2024
| |
Occultastella is a monotypic genus of cave wētā in the family Rhaphidophoridae. The sole member of this genus, Occultastella morgani, was described in 2024, and is endemic to New Zealand.
The genus name is based on two Latin words, occulta (hidden), referencing the secretive nature of the genus, and stella (star), referencing the pale, flame-shaped markings on the head of Occultastella morgani. [1] The species epithet morgani is a reference to New Zealand researcher Mary Morgan-Richards, who has made significant contributions to the understanding of New Zealand cave wētā. [1]
The genus Occultastella and species Occultastella morgani were both described by Steven A. Trewick in 2024. [1] Occultastella morgani is approximately 11 mm (0.43 in) in length, with its antennae being longer than its body. Occultastella morgani is typically dark brown to black in colour. The head of the species has a distinctive cream/white candle flame marking on each side of the midline of the pronotum. [1]
Occultastella morgani was originally found in the coal seam soils of the Denniston Plateau in the West Coast Region of the South Island of New Zealand, [2] and can be found in the northwestern South Island, including Kahurangi National Park and the Westport area. [1] Trewick was surprised to find a new genus on the Denniston Plateau, due to the history of coal mining had on the local ecosystem. [2]
- ^ a b c d e Trewick, Steven A. (19 July 2024). "Two new genera of tokoriro (Orthoptera: Rhaphidophoridae: Macropathinae) from Aotearoa New Zealand". Zootaxa. 5481 (5): 531–546. doi: 10.11646/ZOOTAXA.5481.5.3. ISSN 1175-5334. Wikidata Q128095156.
- ^ a b "Three new wētā species discovered, including one named after Boudica". Radio New Zealand. 30 July 2024. Retrieved 31 July 2024.