Zelandoperla fenestrata | |
---|---|
Scientific classification | |
Domain: | Eukaryota |
Kingdom: | Animalia |
Phylum: | Arthropoda |
Class: | Insecta |
Order: | Plecoptera |
Family: | Gripopterygidae |
Genus: | Zelandoperla |
Species: | Z. fenestrata
|
Binomial name | |
Zelandoperla fenestrata
Tillyard, 1923
|
Zelandoperla fenestrata is a widespread endemic New Zealand ‘long-tailed’ stonefly that is often abundant in high-gradient stony streams, from near sea-level up to alpine elevations. [1] The species name 'fenestrata' refers to the window-like rectangular patterning visible on the wings of non-melanic adult specimens.
This species is highly polymorphic in terms of wing length, with numerous wing-reduced, flightless populations found at high elevations above the alpine treeline. [2] While wing-reduced forms of Z. fenestrata were previously considered to be a distinct species (Z. pennulata), recent genomic research indicates that flightless ecotypes have evolved independently and repeatedly across distinct upland regions of southern New Zealand. [1] [3] Full-winged and vestigial-winged ecotypes within this complex can sometimes be found together in sympatry, and can be either fully interbreeding or reproductively isolated. [4] [5]
Zelandoperla fenestrata also exhibits a striking colour polymorphism, with highly melanic specimens closely mimicking the warning colouration of the co-distributed but unrelated toxic black stonefly Austroperla. [6] [7] Melanic Zelandoperla specimens were previously considered to represent a distinct species (Z. tillyardi) but recent genomic analyses indicate that melanic and non-melanic ecotypes are fully interbreeding and thus conspecific. [1] [6]
The Banks Peninsula population of the Z. fenestrata species group has highly reduced wings and is thus flightless. [1] This Banks Peninsula lineage is genetically highly divergent from other lineages within the species group, and is now considered to be a distinct but as yet undescribed species. [8] This geographically restricted lineage (Zelandoperla sp. 1 (BJF00160)) was listed as ’Nationally Vulnerable’ under the 2018 New Zealand Threat Classification ranking.
Zelandoperla fenestrata | |
---|---|
Scientific classification | |
Domain: | Eukaryota |
Kingdom: | Animalia |
Phylum: | Arthropoda |
Class: | Insecta |
Order: | Plecoptera |
Family: | Gripopterygidae |
Genus: | Zelandoperla |
Species: | Z. fenestrata
|
Binomial name | |
Zelandoperla fenestrata
Tillyard, 1923
|
Zelandoperla fenestrata is a widespread endemic New Zealand ‘long-tailed’ stonefly that is often abundant in high-gradient stony streams, from near sea-level up to alpine elevations. [1] The species name 'fenestrata' refers to the window-like rectangular patterning visible on the wings of non-melanic adult specimens.
This species is highly polymorphic in terms of wing length, with numerous wing-reduced, flightless populations found at high elevations above the alpine treeline. [2] While wing-reduced forms of Z. fenestrata were previously considered to be a distinct species (Z. pennulata), recent genomic research indicates that flightless ecotypes have evolved independently and repeatedly across distinct upland regions of southern New Zealand. [1] [3] Full-winged and vestigial-winged ecotypes within this complex can sometimes be found together in sympatry, and can be either fully interbreeding or reproductively isolated. [4] [5]
Zelandoperla fenestrata also exhibits a striking colour polymorphism, with highly melanic specimens closely mimicking the warning colouration of the co-distributed but unrelated toxic black stonefly Austroperla. [6] [7] Melanic Zelandoperla specimens were previously considered to represent a distinct species (Z. tillyardi) but recent genomic analyses indicate that melanic and non-melanic ecotypes are fully interbreeding and thus conspecific. [1] [6]
The Banks Peninsula population of the Z. fenestrata species group has highly reduced wings and is thus flightless. [1] This Banks Peninsula lineage is genetically highly divergent from other lineages within the species group, and is now considered to be a distinct but as yet undescribed species. [8] This geographically restricted lineage (Zelandoperla sp. 1 (BJF00160)) was listed as ’Nationally Vulnerable’ under the 2018 New Zealand Threat Classification ranking.