Geodorcus servandus

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Geodorcus servandus is a large flightless species of stag beetle in the

family Lucanidae. It was discovered by P.R. Kettle in December 1960 Geodorcus servandus
and this holotype specimen is held in the New Zealand Arthropod Conservation status
Collection.[3] It was first described by Beverley Holloway in 2007.[2] Its
type location is Mount Tuhua summit, near Lake Kaniere on the West
Coast of New Zealand. The name servandus is a Latin word meaning "
[something] to be preserved, conserved, looked after".[2]
Nationally Critical (NZ TCS)[1]
Scientific classification
Contents Kingdom: Animalia
1 Description Phylum: Arthropoda
2 Distribution and habitat
Class: Insecta
3 History of discovery
4 Conservation Order: Coleoptera
5 References
6 External links Family: Lucanidae
Genus: Geodorcus
Species: G. servandus
Description
Binomial name
This large Geodorcus ranges in length (including mandibles) from 24 to Geodorcus servandus
35 millimetres (0.9 to 1.4 in) (males) and from 21.3 to 31 millimetres (Holloway, 2007) [2]
(0.8 to 1.2 in) (females). Despite being larger than many other
Geodorcus species, the mandibles are relatively short. They demonstrate
sexual dimorphism with an overall size difference and obvious differences in mandible shape and size. Male
and female specimens also differ in the depth of small punctures on the dorsal surface; males being shallow and
females deep. In both, the pitted surface is conspicuous. The exoskeleton ranges from dull to glossy black. The
ribs on the elytra are less conspicuous in this Geodorcus. Vestigial wings are present underneath the elytra. This
species resembles Geodorcus montivagus most closely.[2]

Distribution and habitat

This species has only been found in one location, on Mount Tuhua at 1,122 metres (3,681 ft) above sea level. It
was found underneath Celmisia daisies on the summit. In 1984 the summit was visited specifically to search for
G. servandus and only a small patch of Celmisia was present. On searching this area, only a specimen of the
closely-related G. helmsi was found.[2]

History of discovery
This distinctive stag beetle was described from specimens originally collected in December 1960 by Dr. P.R.
Kettle during surveys primarily undertaken for terrestrial molluscs on Mount Tuhua's summit. However it was
not until 2007 that formal publication of this new species of Geodorcus was made. The author of the species,
Dr Beverley Holloway, had by then long-retired from her position as an entomologist at DSIR, and the
Dominion Museum before that. She continued her studies as a hobby, finally publishing a major work on the
Lucanidae of New Zealand, in which seven new endemic species of stag beetle were then described, including,
G. servandus. Referring to it as a "spectacular stag beetle", Dr Holloway expressed reluctance at having to
reveal the type locality on Mount Tuhua in its formal scientific description for fear that both its population and
its habitat might be destroyed by "overzealous New Zealand entomologists and foreign collectors". The name
servandus in Latin means "preserve, look after, conserve" and refers to the author's concern to see action taken
to ensure its survival.[2]

Conservation
Like other Geodorcus species, G. servandus is absolutely protected under Schedule 7 of The 1953 Wildlife Act,
making it an offense to collect or harm a specimen.[4] Its status as nationally critical is due to its rarity after
significant searches and presence in only one location.[1] If this species was specifically searched for in the
future, care would need to be taken to avoid damaging the small area of fragile habitat in its type location.
Pitfall trapping could be a less harmful method of surveying for this species, if individuals were released soon
after collection.[2]

References
1. Leschen, R.A.B; Marris, J. W.M.; Emberson, R. M.; Nunn, J.; Hitchmough, R. A.; Stringer, I. A.N. (July
2012). "The conservation status of New Zealand Coleoptera" (http://www.tandfonline.com/doi/suppl/10.1
080/00779962.2012.686311?scroll=top). New Zealand Entomologist. 35 (2): 2. Retrieved 17 July 2017.
2. Holloway, B.A. "Lucanidae (Insecta: Coleoptera)" (https://www.landcareresearch.co.nz/__data/assets/pdf
_file/0019/26326/FNZ61Lucanidae.pdf) (PDF). Landcare New Zealand. Landcare Research. pp. 9799.
Retrieved 17 July 2017.
3. "Landcare Research" (http://nzinverts.landcareresearch.co.nz/default.aspx?from=details&SpecimenID=1
6642062). Retrieved 21 July 2017.
4. "Wildlife Act 1953" (http://www.legislation.govt.nz/act/public/1953/0031/latest/whole.html#DLM27709
0). New Zealand Legislation. Parliamentary Counsel Office. Retrieved 17 July 2016.

External links
Link to specimen held in New Zealand Arthropod Collection.

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This page was last edited on 2 August 2017, at 12:35.

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