Mecodema kokoromatua
Mecodema kokoromatua (curvidens group)
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Arthropoda
Class:	Insecta
Order:	Coleoptera
Suborder:	Adephaga
Family:	Carabidae
Genus:	Mecodema
Species:	M. kokoromatua
Binomial name
Mecodema kokoromatua Seldon, Leschen & Liebherr, 2012

Mecodema kokoromatua is a medium-bodied ground beetle endemic to Northland, New Zealand. Its range is restricted to coastal forest behind the sand dunes and below the southern areas of the Ahipara Escarpment, Herekino, Northland, New Zealand. ^{[1] [2]} This species is within the curvidens species group and is related to the geographically widespread M. parataiko .

Contents

• Diagnosis
• Description
• Natural history
• References

Diagnosis

Differs from other North Island Mecodema species due to having:

1. less than or equal to six setae along the pronotal carina (curvidens species group);
2. mesocoxa and metacoxa with setose punctures absent;
3. the shape of the left paramere basal lobe is a small and very narrowly rectangular with a short slope to arm, terminal lobe with tuft of medium length setae. ^[2]

Description

Length 22–25 mm, pronotal width 4–4.5 mm, elytral width 5–5.5 mm. Colour of entire body matte to glossy black, coxae may be dark reddish-brown. ^[2]

Natural history

Restricted to sandy soils of the Pleistocene dune systems with coastal broadleaf forest of southwestern Ahipara District, Northland.

References