Phaulacridium otagoense

Phaulacridium otagoense

Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Arthropoda
Class:	Insecta
Order:	Orthoptera
Family:	Acrididae
Genus:	Phaulacridium
Species:	P. otagoense
Binomial name
*Phaulacridium otagoense* Ritchie & Westerman, 1984

The distribution of P. otagoense in New Zealand

Phaulacridium otagoense is an endemic New Zealand grasshopper found in low altitudes throughout the central South Island (Mackenzie Basin and Central Otago).^[1]

Distribution and habitat

A overview of the P. otagoense habitat.
Lowburn 45°00′16″S 169°12′46″E / 45.00431105°S 169.2126835°E

The New Zealand P. otagoense is found on very dry slopes & riverbeds between the altitude of 140 metres (460 ft) on the Earncleugh Historic Tailings Reserve (45°14′08″S 169°21′17″E / 45.23553212°S 169.354802°E / -45.23553212; 169.354802) and 1,200 metres (3,900 ft) on the Benmore Range (44°24′11″S 170°06′35″E / 44.40318866°S 170.1097396°E / -44.40318866; 170.1097396). The most southern known location is found at Lake Roxburgh (45°28′45″S 169°19′04″E / 45.47905638°S 169.3178169°E / -45.47905638; 169.3178169) and the most northern known location is found on the Richmond Range (43°51′35″S 170°39′00″E / 43.85974492°S 170.6501142°E / -43.85974492; 170.6501142).^[1]

Species description

The wings on P. otagoense are micropterous (small wings) between 1–2 millimetres (0.039–0.079 in) making this species flightless like most of New Zealand grasshoppers. However, unlikely Phaulacridium marginale no fully winged adults have ever been found.

Male body length 5–10 millimetres (0.20–0.39 in); Female body length 10–15 millimetres (0.39–0.59 in).

Type information

Ritchie & Westerman, 1984: The taxonomy, distribution and origins of two species of Phaulacridium (Orthoptera: Acrididae) in the South Island of New Zealand. Biological Journal of the Linnean Society (1984) 21: 283-298. With 4 figures
Type locality: Omarama. 44°29′06″S 169°57′21″E / 44.48506863°S 169.9558613°E / -44.48506863; 169.9558613.
Type specimen: Male; 9 Jan 1974; M. Westerman; Holotype is deposited in the Canterbury Museum, Christchurch.
Paratypes. Are deposited in the Canterbury Museum, Christchurch, Natural History Museum, London & Australian National Insect Collection, Canberra.

References

1 2 Morris, S.J. 2002. Identification guide to grasshoppers (Orthoptera: Acrididae) in Central Otago and Mackenzie Country. DOC Science Internal Series 26. Department of Conservation, Wellington. 17 p.

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