Abstract
Nine species of terrestrial isopods are reported for the Polynesian island of Rapa Nui (Easter Island) based upon museum materials and recent collections from field sampling. Most of these animals are non-native species, but two are new to science: Styloniscus manuvaka sp. n. and Hawaiioscia rapui sp. n. Of these, the former is believed to be a Polynesian endemic as it has been recorded from Rapa Iti, Austral Islands, while the latter is identified as a Rapa Nui island endemic. Both of these new species are considered ‘disturbance relicts’ and appear restricted to the cave environment on Rapa Nui. A short key to all the oniscidean species presently recorded from Rapa Nui is provided. We also offered conservation and management recommendations for the two new isopod species.
Highlights
Rapa Nui (Easter Island) is one of the most ecologically degraded islands in Polynesia
The purpose of this paper is to identify the terrestrial isopod fauna of Rapa Nui, including the descriptions of two new species
Caves are zonal environments often consisting of four principle zones: (1) an entrance zone representing a combination of both surface and cave climatic conditions; (2) a twilight zone where light is diminished and surface climate conditions are progressively dampened; (3) a transition zone characterized by complete darkness with a further diminished influence of surface climate conditions; and, (4) a deep zone where environmental conditions remain relatively stable over time and the evaporation rate is negligible (Howarth 1980, 1982)
Summary
Rapa Nui (Easter Island) is one of the most ecologically degraded islands in Polynesia. A number of factors including geographic isolation, island size and low topographic relief (Rolett and Diamond 2004) predisposed Rapa Nui to dramatic human-induced environmental change. Researchers have described the arthropod communities of Rapa Nui as being impoverished (Kuschel 1963, Campos and Peña 1973, Desender and Baert 1997). Of the nearly 400 known arthropod species, only 30 species (~5%) have been identified as either endemic or indigenous with the remaining species either intentionally or accidentally introduced to the island (Wynne et al 2014, Bernard et al 2015)
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