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Zelandoperla maungatuaensis
Zelandoperla maungatuaensis, commonly known as the Maungatua stonefly, is a species of flightless stonefly so far known only from a single mountainside in Otago, New Zealand. HistoryThe species was first discovered in 2017 by Professor Jon Waters, below the summit of Mt Maungatua, a mountain which overlooks Dunedin Airport.[1] Researchers from the University of Otago returned to collect more, but only found nymphs, from which they were able to rear a single male to adulthood in the laboratory.[2][3] The species was formally described by PhD student Brodie Foster in 2019 following DNA analysis.[4][2] DescriptionAdult males of the species are 2 cm in length with a dark brown to black body.[4] Legs are striped with a yellow to light brown colour. Its wings are reduced and dark brown in colour with a small yellow spot.[2] Nymphs at the final instar stage are between 13.2 and 17.6 mm in length. They are thick-set with a finely serrated notum. No adult females of the species have yet been observed.[2] DistributionThe Maungatua stonefly has only been found in subalpine streams along the eastern side of the Maungatua Range near Dunedin in Otago.[5][4][2] Its ancestors are thought to have been blown into the area around 2 million years ago, and the species since lost its wings in response to the cold and windy environment.[1] References
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