Invertebrate survey of coastal habitats and podocarp forest on Ulva Island, Rakiura National Park, New Zealand

Michel, Pascale; White, Helen K.; Dickinson, Katharine J. M.; Barratt, B. I. P.; Fitzgerald, Brian M.; Johns, P. M.; Nunn, John T.; Eyles, A. C.; Andrew, Ian G.

doi:10.1080/03014220809510131

Cited by 2 publications

(2 citation statements)

References 13 publications

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“…Of the 42 species detected here, 15 (36%) are likely to be TPED endemics. Comparable rates of regional endemism have not been observed in any other study involving spider communities in indigenous New Zealand ecosystems (Alley et al 2001;Derraik et al 2001;Michel et al 2008;Malumbres-Olarte 2010;Malumbres-Olarte et al 2013a, 2013bLamont 2017). For four of these species (C. reinga, Gasparia tepakia, Novalaetesia anceps, and S. hollowayi) only one sex was available for the original descriptions.…”

Section: Conservation and Other Study Implicationsmentioning

confidence: 94%

“…The fact that spiders respond to changing environmental conditions means they can also be used as indicators of various habitat characteristics, including seral stage (Wise 1993;Willett 2001;Gerlach et al 2013). Spiders have been included in some studies of biodiversity in indigenous ecosystems in New Zealand (Berndt 1998;Alley et al 2001;Derraik et al 2001;Sinclair et al 2005;Michel et al 2008;Affeld et al 2009;Lamont et al 2017), though few of the studies have investigated detailed environmental predictors of those communities (but see Hodge et al 2007;Malumbres-Olarte et al 2013a, 2013b.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Effect of plant composition on epigeal spider communities in northern New Zealand forest remnants

Ball¹,

Fitzgerald²,

Pohe³

et al. 2022

NZJE

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Te Paki Ecological District (TPED) in northern Northland, New Zealand, is well known as an ecologically significant centre of endemism. However, due to extensive anthropogenic habitat degradation, native forest has been reduced to small, isolated remnants and many of its endemic species are threatened with extinction. Epigeal spider communities (species living on or near the ground) were surveyed within TPED by pitfall trapping at seven native forest remnants differing in plant composition and apparent seral stage to investigate how spider communities varied within them. Surveys were conducted four times over a 12-month period coinciding with winter, spring, summer and autumn. Changes in spider communities were related to differences in plant composition, which were in turn associated with differences in apparent seral stage of the vegetation. Spider communities in forests at later seral stages were dominated by species such as Rinawa sp., Porrhothele sp. and Uliodon sp., whereas Euryopis nana, Cambridgea reinga, Stanwellia hollowayi and Hypodrassodes apicus were most prevalent in remnants at earlier seral stages. These species could potentially serve as useful bioindicators of ecological succession or restoration. Apart from soil organic matter content none of the predictor variables tested, including plant species richness, were significantly correlated with spider richness or diversity. Spider richness and diversity are most likely determined by a complex interaction of environmental and temporal factors that operate at different spatial scales. This study has increased our understanding of the ecological associations of spider communities and established that TPED is an important centre of endemism for spiders in New Zealand. We have also demonstrated the importance of forest remnants as reservoirs of indigenous spider diversity and helped resolve several historical taxonomic issues. Furthermore, we demonstrate the need for taxonomic research in this region of New Zealand and highlight the value of such biodiversity surveys.

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Section: Conservation and Other Study Implicationsmentioning

confidence: 94%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Effect of plant composition on epigeal spider communities in northern New Zealand forest remnants

Ball¹,

Fitzgerald²,

Pohe³

et al. 2022

NZJE

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

Notes on the distribution, ecology, and life history of Maotoweta virescens (Orthoptera, Rhaphidophoridae, Macropathinae) and a comparison of two survey methods

Tweed¹,

Wakelin²,

McKinlay³

et al. 2023

JOR

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When described in 2014, Maotoweta virescens was believed to be one of New Zealand’s rarest cave wētā (Rhaphidophoridae). Here, we present new information about the distribution, ecology, and life history of the species. M. virescens has now been recorded from indigenous forest sites throughout the length of the western South Island, where it can occur in relatively high abundance. M. virescens shows a close association with arboreal mosses, particularly Weymouthia mollis, roosting within them during the day and feeding on them at night. The wētā has also been documented feeding on lichens and dead insects. The species is hypothesized to have a lifecycle of approximately one year, closely linked to season. Eggs are thought to hatch out relatively quickly after being laid in summer and early autumn, with the species overwintering as nymphs and maturing the following late spring through to early-autumn. Further work is required to fully understand its biology. A comparison was made between active night searching and vegetation beating as two different methods for the detection and monitoring of M. virescens. Beating of W. mollis and other suitable M. virescens microhabitats was found to be significantly more effective than night searching. Our results show that M. virescens is widespread and can occur at relatively high densities within South Island temperate forests, with the species’ perceived rarity to date largely owing to a lack of survey effort and the past use of ineffective sampling methods.

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Invertebrate survey of coastal habitats and podocarp forest on Ulva Island, Rakiura National Park, New Zealand

Cited by 2 publications

References 13 publications

Effect of plant composition on epigeal spider communities in northern New Zealand forest remnants

Effect of plant composition on epigeal spider communities in northern New Zealand forest remnants

Notes on the distribution, ecology, and life history of Maotoweta virescens (Orthoptera, Rhaphidophoridae, Macropathinae) and a comparison of two survey methods

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Invertebrate survey of coastal habitats and podocarp forest on Ulva Island, Rakiura National Park, New Zealand

Cited by 2 publications

References 13 publications

Effect of plant composition on epigeal spider communities in northern New Zealand forest remnants

Effect of plant composition on epigeal spider communities in northern New Zealand forest remnants

﻿Notes on the distribution, ecology, and life history of Maotoweta virescens (Orthoptera, Rhaphidophoridae, Macropathinae) and a comparison of two survey methods

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Notes on the distribution, ecology, and life history of Maotoweta virescens (Orthoptera, Rhaphidophoridae, Macropathinae) and a comparison of two survey methods