Occultastella is a monotypic genus of tokoriro (cave wētā) in the family Rhaphidophoridae. The sole member of this genus, Occultastella morgana, was described in 2024, and is endemic to New Zealand.
| Occultastella | |
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Scientific classification 
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| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Arthropoda |
| Class: | Insecta |
| Order: | Orthoptera |
| Suborder: | Ensifera |
| Family: | Rhaphidophoridae |
| Subfamily: | Macropathinae |
| Genus: | Occultastella Trewick, 2024 |
| Species: | O. morgana
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| Binomial name | |
| Occultastella morgana Trewick, 2024
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Etymology
editThe genus name is based on two Latin words, occulta (hidden), referencing the secretive nature of the genus, and stella (star), referencing the pale, flame-shaped markings on the head of Occultastella morgana.[1] The species epithet morgana is a reference to New Zealand researcher Mary Morgan-Richards, who has made significant contributions to the understanding of New Zealand tokoriro (cave wētā).[1]
Taxonomy and morphology
editThe genus Occultastella and species Occultastella morgana were described by Steven A. Trewick in 2024.[1] Occultastella is sister to the Rhaphidophoridae species endemic to the Snares Islands (Insulanoplectron spinosum).[2] These nocturnal crickets are wingless and silent. Occultastella morgana is approximately 11 mm (0.43 in) in length, with its antennae being longer than its body. Occultastella morgana is typically dark brown to black in colour. The head of the species has a distinctive cream/white candle flame marking on each side of the midline of the pronotum.[1]
Distribution
editOccultastella morgana was originally found in the coal seam soils of the Denniston Plateau in the West Coast Region of the South Island of New Zealand,[3] and can be found in the northwestern South Island, including Kahurangi National Park and the Westport area.[1] Trewick was surprised to find a new genus on the Denniston Plateau, due to the history of coal mining had on the local ecosystem.[3]
References
edit- ^ a b c d e Trewick, Steven A. (19 July 2024). "Two new genera of tokoriro (Orthoptera: Rhaphidophoridae: Macropathinae) from Aotearoa New Zealand". Zootaxa. 5481 (5): 531–546. doi:10.11646/ZOOTAXA.5481.5.3. ISSN 1175-5334. Wikidata Q128095156.
- ^ Dowle, Eddy J.; Trewick, Steven A.; Morgan-Richards, Mary (2024). "Fossil-calibrated phylogenies of Southern cave wētā show dispersal and extinction confound biogeographic signal". Royal Society Open Science. 11 (2). Bibcode:2024RSOS...1131118D. doi:10.1098/rsos.231118. ISSN 2054-5703. PMC 10864783. PMID 38356874.
- ^ a b "Three new wētā species discovered, including one named after Boudica". Radio New Zealand. 30 July 2024. Retrieved 31 July 2024.