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Improved Resolution of Cave Weta Diversity

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Improved Resolution of Cave Weta Diversity New Zealand Journal of Zoology, 2015 Vol. 42, No. 1, 1–16, http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/03014223.2014.983939 RESEARCH ARTICLE Improved resolution of cave weta diversity (Orthoptera: Rhaphidophoridae): ecological implications for Te Paki, Far North, New Zealand JL Fitnessa, M Morgan-Richardsa, OJ-P Ballb, AJR Godfreyc and SA Trewicka* aEcology Group, Institute of Agriculture and Environment, Massey University, Palmerston North, New Zealand; bNorthTec, Applied and Environmental Sciences Department, Whangarei, New Zealand; cInstitute of Fundamental Sciences, Massey University, Palmerston North, New Zealand (Received 27 February 2014; accepted 29 October 2014) The New Zealand cave weta fauna is large and diverse but poorly described. This study aimed to improve the strategies for cave weta identification and, in doing so, build an understanding of population dynamics and distribution of the taxon across three habitat types in the Te Paki Ecological District. Species identification used morphological traits and metric analysis of specimens in pitfall traps. Although nearly half the individuals were juveniles (< 10 mm long) that could not readily be distinguished from one another, four species were identified from the larger specimens. Capture rates of cave weta varied by species, habitat, month and the interactions of these variables. Nearly half of all identified cave weta individuals in our sample were Neonetus variegatus, which was abundant across all three habitats (pine forest, native forest and shrubland) throughout the year, but were caught in pitfall traps in the greatest numbers in some pine forest sites. A species of Pachyrhamma was also abundant and showed seasonal variation in capture rate, but no adults were captured by pitfall traps. Talitropsis sp. and Pallidoplectron sp. were least frequent in our sample. Taxonomic resolution improves ecological inference, but, as with other invertebrates, trapping method and design influence sampling outcome among species. Keywords: biodiversity; cave cricket; cave weta; Neonetus; Pachyrhamma; Pallidoplectron; Rhaphi- dophoridae; Talitropsis Introduction Larivière 2004). It is common practice in studies Invertebrates provide a huge range of ecosystem seeking to contrast biodiversity across habitats or services and functions that are largely unknown to time to taxonomically round-up to family and the public or policy makers (Cardoso et al. 2011). order level, discarding potentially informative eco- Deficiency of ecological information is due in logical information about habitats, seasons and Downloaded by [Massey University Library] at 14:16 30 April 2015 part to inadequate species discovery and classifica- species (Moeed & Meads 1992; Crisp et al. 1998; tion reliant on scant information from different col‐ Bowie et al. 2006; Ruscoe et al. 2013). Inadequate lecting locations and taxa being confounded. In taxonomic discrimination can influence all types New Zealand, where species-level endemism is of downstream biodiversity assessments (Whittaker high (Trewick & Morgan-Richards 2009) and in‐ 1972). vertebrate diversity is inadequately characterised A primary use of biodiversity data is in the (Gordon 2010), studies of the distribution and abun‐ establishment of conservation criteria for habitats dance of forest invertebrates is impeded by lack of and areas (Kremen et al. 1993). It is generally taxonomic resolution (Giangrande 2003; Ward & assumed that diversity of native invertebrate species *Corresponding author. Email: [email protected] © 2015 The Royal Society of New Zealand 2 JL Fitness et al. is greatest in the least modified areas, where the but in most cases this is the limit of our under- highest diversity of indigenous plants exists (Crisp standing of their biology. Their light-shy nocturnal et al. 1998), but determining the biodiversity of any habit, sexual dimorphism and incomplete meta- area, whether natural or modified, is currently morphosis all impede taxonomic resolution, but our intractable at the species level for many invertebrate recent (unpublished) observations indicate that groups. Similarly, estimation of ecosystem function forests in central New Zealand are typically occu- or community health tends to be dependent on few pied by about six different cave weta species. readily recognised species rather than on the most The first task for efficient progress with the relevant taxa (Hilty & Merenlender 2000). For taxonomy and complementary ecological analysis example, Australian ants are often used as bio- of cave weta is to identify characters and strategies indicators to assess effects of habitat disturbance that are useful in detecting differences between (Hoffmann & Andersen 2003), and tree weta taxa. Clarification of terminology is essential to (Hemideina thoracica [White, 1846]) abundance make such tools usable. Here we approach the to assess the impact of predator control in New general problem by explicitly examining how best Zealand (Ruscoe et al. 2013). to detect distinct taxa with the assumption of no Cave weta (Orthoptera: Rhaphidophoridae) are prior information about the taxa at a location. abundant, widespread and diverse in most terrest- Using cave weta from an extensive sampling rial New Zealand habitats, but few species have programme in Te Paki Ecological District (Far been considered in detailed ecological analyses. North, New Zealand), we set out to establish an This is largely because their inadequate taxonomy approach to distinguish putative species, deter- currently limits their value in comparing regional mine what taxa exist in the area, and use this biodiversity or assessing the effects of habitat information to explore their seasonal distribution modification on biodiversity. There are 55 and abundance among habitat types and sites. described New Zealand Rhaphidophoridae species assigned to 16 genera (Eades et al. 2013). Addi- tional diversity certainly exists, with many new Methods species awaiting description. At the same time, Study region and sampling genus- and species-level taxonomy needs revision Te Paki Ecological District in Northland (Fig. 1)is and will involve some synonymy. For example, two genera have recently been discarded (Cook regarded as a biodiversity hotspot within New et al. 2010), and this attrition continues a long Zealand, with a high number of endemic species tradition within the New Zealand literature of including herbaceous plants (de Lange 2008), revision and synonymy for invertebrates. Most lizards (Chapple et al. 2008), insects (Winterbourn taxonomic work has relied on few individuals 2009; Buckley & Bradler 2010) and land snail from single locations, and the collection of species (Sherley 1996; Lux et al. 2009). The area Downloaded by [Massey University Library] at 14:16 30 April 2015 Rhaphidophoridae in general has been limited. In has a high proportion of native vegetation, but part this is due to the expectation that cave weta most of this is regenerating after anthropogenic occupy caves. The scarce, locally distributed, fire and agricultural modification (Lux et al. large-bodied cave-dwelling species (mostly genus 2009). The range of native habitat types includes Pachyrhamma Brunner von Wattenwyl, 1888) kauri (Agathis australis) forest, mixed broadleaf- dominate the literature at the expense of the podocarp forest, coastal forest, wetlands, gum- majority, which are relatively small, abundant, lands and shrublands. There are also extensive cryptic forest-dwelling species (e.g. Hutton 1897; plantations of introduced pine (Pinus radiata). Richards 1959, 1960; see also www.wetageta. Sampling was carried out in three habitat types: massey.ac.nz). In fact, various cave weta species native forest (coastal broadleaf and conifer broad- occupy almost all terrestrial and arboreal habitats leaf); pine plantation; and shrubland. The latter is in New Zealand from bogs to alpine scree fields, dominated by mānuka (Leptospermum scoparium) Cave weta diversity at Te Paki 3 N Whakapaku Far North Unuwhao Darkies Ridge Kerr Point Radar Bush Kohuroa North Island Taumataroa Flat Spirits Bay South Island Shrubland Native Forest Pine Forest 5km Figure 1 Study location in Te Paki Ecological District, Far North, New Zealand, showing location of pitfall trap sites, in native forest, shrubland and pine forest habitat. and kānuka (Kunzea ericoides), but includes sedge- be focused on the morphology of the larger land and gumland elements. Cave weta and other individuals that were more likely to be adult. invertebrates were collected as part of a larger study Most weta species descriptions rely on character- of Te Paki biodiversity using a stratified design istics of adults and currently there are no reliable comprising three randomly selected sites in each of data on morphological variation among juvenile the three habitat types. Lethal pitfall trapping at each stages within and between species. Our experience site involved a cluster of eight traps placed in two and available species descriptions indicate that rows of four with each trap 10 m from its neighbour. adult cave weta are rarely less than about 10 mm Our sampling sites correspond to sites 18–26 of Ball long (frons to posterior tip of abdomen) so we et al. (2013). The traps consisted of a plastic sleeve examined and gathered data from the larger 110 mm in diameter sunk to just below ground individuals in all time periods and habitats. We level, inside of which was placed a snug-fitting expected to encounter large juveniles as well as plastic collecting cup (100 mm
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