Threat Classification System Research Articles

New Zealand Lithothelium (Pyrenulaceae) — description of a new species Lithothelium kiritea sp. nov., with notes on L. australe

Lithothelium kiritea A.J. Marshall, Aptroot, de Lange & Blanchon sp. nov. (Pyrenulaceae) is described from Aotearoa / New Zealand. The new species has a mainly coastal and mostly westerly distribution in Aotearoa / New Zealand and is thus far known only from the bark of living Cordyline australis (Asparagaceae). The new species is separated from Lithothelium australe (treated here as endemic to the Chatham Islands), by its corticolous, rather than saxicolous habit, white to pale buff (when fresh) thallus and large ascospores (measuring 32−40 × 12−15 μm). Lithothelium kiritea is easily recognised and usually abundant in the locations where it has been found, yet it seems to have not been collected until 1973 when it was sampled once and then not collected again until 2018. Currently, specimens matching L. kiritea have not been reported from Australia, so we recommend it be searched for there. Within Aotearoa / New Zealand, we propose that the species be assessed as ‘Not Threatened’ using the New Zealand Threat Classification System.

Leptospermum tairawhitiense (Myrtaceae), a new species from Aotearoa / New Zealand, segregated from Leptospermum scoparium s. l.

Leptospermum tairawhitiense G.J. Atkins, de Lange & M.A.M. Renner sp. nov. (Myrtaceae) is segregated from L. scoparium J.R. Forst. & G. Forst. (sensu lato). The new species is endemic to Tairāwhiti / East Cape, Te Ika a Māui / North Island of Aotearoa / New Zealand. The new species is genetically distinct from L. scoparium sensu lato, L. hoipolloi L.M.H. Schmid & de Lange, and L. repo de Lange & L.M.H. Schmid, and chemically it is distinguished by having unusually high levels of triketones. Morphologically, Leptospermum tairawhitiense differs from these species in vegetative characters by the shortly and densely branching growth habit; the often suckering growth habit; the patent leaves, arising at 70–90° from the stem; the lamina is narrow-lanceolate, elliptic lanceolate, or rarely narrowly ovate and (3.0–4.8–6.2(–9.0) mm long by (1.0–1.3(–2.1) mm wide and coloured dull green to dark green, red-tinged, ± glaucescent (new growth yellow-green, red-tinged, glaucescent); and in reproductive characters, the flowers are cupped and small in comparison to other species, being 8–14 mm in diameter, with 5(–8) white petals, 5.0–7.0 × 4.6–6.4 mm and 20–32 stamens with white or pink filaments. The capsules of Leptospermum tairawhitiense are up to 6.8 mm wide and 5.5 mm tall when unopened, with exserted valves that comprise half the capsule height in profile, and when opened the valves exceed the capsule rim. A conservation assessment using the New Zealand Threat Classification System is proposed and a revised key to Leptospermum of Aotearoa / New Zealand provided.

Leptospermum hoipolloi (Myrtaceae), a new species from Aotearoa / New Zealand, segregated from Leptospermum scoparium s. l.

Leptospermum hoipolloi de Lange & L.M.H. Schmid sp. nov. (Myrtaceae) is segregated from L. scoparium J.R. Forst. & G. Forst. (sensu lato). The new species is endemic to Te Ika a Maui / North Island and the northern part of Te Wai Pounamu / South Island of Aotearoa / New Zealand. The new species is morphologically distinguished from L. scoparium s. str. by the distinctly sericeous, narrower, and longer (up to 30 × 6 mm) lanceolate to elliptic lanceolate leaves, larger (up to 30 mm in diameter) flowers (these white, pink-tinged, pink-streaked or red); capsules up to 15.1 × 14.1 mm (unopened) and 16.6 × 18.0 mm (opened). Three formae are recognised, f. hoipolloi, for those plants with shorter, narrower, glabrescent leaves, mostly white (occasionally pink tinged or red) flowers, and smaller capsules; f. procumbens L.M.H. Schmid & de Lange f. nov., for those plants with a decumbent / prostrate growth habit, and silver-white to silvery grey hairy leaves, larger, white, pink-tinged or pink flowers, and larger capsules; and f. incanum (Cockayne) de Lange & L.M.H. Schmid f. comb. & stat. nov., for those plants previously recognised as L. scoparium var. incanum Cockayne, and which have an erect shrub growth habit, with longer, often broader leaves, whose young and maturing lamina is invested in silvery-grey or grey hairs; larger white, pink-tinged or streaked, pink or red flowers and capsules. Conservation assessments using the New Zealand Threat Classification System are proposed and a revised key to the Leptospermum of Aotearoa / New Zealand provided.

A list of the invertebrates of the Mackenzie area, New Zealand

ABSTRACT A list of 3052 invertebrate taxa of the Mackenzie area, South Island, New Zealand is compiled from published surveys, museum catalogues and other sources. The class Insecta comprised 90% of all taxa recorded, followed by Arachnida (5%). The most diverse orders were Lepidoptera (24%), Diptera (19%), Coleoptera (18%) and Hymenoptera (11%). Over all taxa, 64% are endemic, 6% native, 7% exotic and 23% undetermined. Twenty-eight are only found in the Mackenzie region and 123 are assessed in the New Zealand Threat Classification System.

The biota and geology of Ngārango Otainui: A mixed indigenous / naturalised vegetation association of the Māngere Inlet, Manukau Harbour

An account of the geology, vegetation associations, mycobiota, flora and avifauna of Ngārango Otainui, a 0.309 ha island located at the eastern end of the Māngere Inlet, Manukau Harbour, Tāmaki Makaurau / Auckland is provided. This appears to be the first comprehensive account of the island’s geology, vegetation and biota. The island has been mapped by others as Puketoka Formation; our survey confirmed this, noting that the basal exposed portion of the island appears to be a distal, heavily weathered ignimbrite over which is deposited a series of tephras (Hamilton Ashes). The flora and mycobiota of the island, assessed over three visits (2009 and 2021) recorded 125 taxa from 57 families and 100 genera from Ngārango Otainui, and vouchers for 119 (95%) of these obtained. Fifty-two (54%) of the vascular plants and four (36%) of the bryophytes are naturalised to New Zealand and most of these dominate the island’s vegetation. Earliest imagery (1940) available suggests that the island was then dominated by grassland, and that since then the island has developed a woody vegetation dominated by naturalised plants, mostly from dispersal from nearby Auckland City urban sources. Fourteen of these plants are regarded as pest species within the Auckland Council Region. During two visits (January and November 2021) 14 species of bird were noted on or around the island. While no nationally threatened taxa were found, one plant, Bromus arenarius, five lichens and three birds seen are listed as ‘At Risk’ by threat listing panels using the New Zealand Threat Classification System. Nine vegetation associations (and sparsely vegetated landforms) were recognised. These are described in this paper and their extent given and mapped. Since aerial imagery became available for the island, 55% of the island has been lost through erosion, which is ongoing.

Morphological analyses support recognition of three new threatened species of bracteate–prostrate

Statistical analyses of two morphological datasets, including 190 newly measured specimens, showed that individuals of Myosotis (Boraginaceae) from Te Waipounamu / South Island, Aotearoa, New Zealand, identified a priori with three different informal tag names, belong to the bracteate–prostrate group, are morphologically distinct from each other and from other species, and merit scientific description. Myosotis hikuwai Meudt, Prebble & G.M.Rogers is known from one location near Wānaka (Otago), has an unusual erect, spring annual habit, and is most similar to M. brevis and M. glauca, with which it is sympatric. Myosotis venticola Meudt & Prebble comprises plants that were sometimes previously identified as M. cheesemanii from certain ranges in Otago and southern Canterbury, but with retrorse trichomes present on the abaxial and adaxial side of the rosette leaves. Myosotis ultramafica Meudt, Prebble & Rance comprises individuals from ultramafic sites in certain ranges in Southland, and is most similar to M. cheesemanii and M. lyallii. We recommend that all three new species are listed as Threatened under the New Zealand Threat Classification System. In addition to descriptions and illustrations, the three new species are also included in a revised key to the nineteen species of southern hemisphere bracteate–prostrate Myosotis.

Lagenophora schmidiae (Asteraceae), a critically threatened new species from Aotearoa / New Zealand

Lagenophora schmidiae de Lange & Jian Wang ter sp. nov. (Asteraceae) is described, illustrated and differentiated from L. montana Hook.f. The new species was first recorded from Aotearoa / New Zealand in 1974, when it was identified as L. montana. This relatively recent recognition reflects in part the fact that the new species is extremely uncommon, and has often been confused with the superficially similar L. barkeri Kirk, with which it often grows. A conservation status for L. schmidiae of ‘Threatened / Nationally Critical’ using the New Zealand Threat Classification System is proposed, as the new species is known only from small populations, many of which are threatened by alien weed invasion.

Using meta-population models to guide conservation action

Biodiversity conservation is limited by resources, data, and time for execution. To maximize efficacy, it is best if conservation plans are strategically evaluated for cost, feasibility, and likely impact prior to implementation. We present a framework to systematically examine the likely impact of proposed conservation plans for threatened taxa. As a case study of this framework we use the national Action Plan for Seabird Conservation in New Zealand and 27 threatened seabirds identified for conservation interventions. To evaluate impact, we applied a recently developed seabird meta-population viability analysis model (seabird mPVA) that employs the most current population and adjustable demographic data to assess threatened seabird viability at a global scale under various management scenarios. This publicly available, web-based tool is intended to meet the needs of threatened seabird managers at the initial phase of conservation planning. We used the seabird mPVA to model population trends and potential seabird viability gains from conservation actions that include: bycatch mitigation, invasive species removal, and seabird translocation prescribed in the action plan for individual species. Our model’s ranking of New Zealand seabirds by current quasi-extinction vulnerability roughly correlated with the seabirds’ IUCN Red List status and New Zealand Threat Classification System. We found modeled conservation impact of proposed actions and assigned priority to be generally positively correlated, but variable in magnitude. If all prescribed conservations actions were implemented, our model predicted significant mitigation of quasi-extinction risk for nine species (Antipodean Albatross, Auckland Island Shag, Black-fronted Tern, Fairy Tern, Rough-faced Shag, Northern Royal Albatross, Pitt Island Shag, Stewart Island Shag, Yellow-eyed Penguin). This approach, and our model, can be adapted to other taxonomic groups to provide a consistent framing for the prioritization of species for conservation investment and predictions about the benefits of specific conservation actions for those species.

A new, enigmatic species of black-eyed gecko (Reptilia: Diplodactylidae: Mokopirirakau/) from North Otago, New Zealand.

The New Zealand endemic gecko genus, Mokopirirakau, is notable for its ecology, with some species inhabiting extreme alpine environments, as well as for the large number of geographically circumscribed, species-level lineages awaiting formal description. In, 2018, a population superficially similar in colour and morphology to the black-eyed gecko (M. kahutarae) was discovered in alpine greywacke rock outcrops in the Oteake Conservation Park, North Otago, ~400 km south of the nearest M. kahutarae populations in the upper South Island. Genetic and morphological data indicate that this population is distinct, sister to a clade comprising M. granulatus and M. kahutarae. It can be distinguished from all but one Mokopirirakau species by colour pattern, and from M. kahutarae by smaller adult body size, eye and supraciliary characters, mouth and throat colour, ventral scale row count, tail length, toe shape, and lamellar count. Using an integrated taxonomic approach, we here formally describe this form as a new species, M. galaxias sp. nov., as well as discuss its ecology, likely distribution (particularly with respect to M. kahutarae), and potential conservation issues and requirements. Mokopirirakau galaxias sp. nov. should be considered "Threatened-Nationally Endangered" (qualifiers Data Poor) in the New Zealand Threat Classification System due to the low abundance and restricted known distribution, with potential threats from invasive predatory mammals and climate change. It should be considered Data Deficient in the IUCN Red List system.

Recognition of Geranium cruentum sp. nov. (Geraniaceae) resolves a taxonomic conundrum in New Zealand cranesbills

ABSTRACT A new species, Geranium cruentum, is described from New Zealand. Geranium cruentum is distinguished from G. brevicaule by its dark green leaves, broadly elliptic to obovate primary lobes with a deep sinus between the lobes, fewer secondary lobes, conspicuous dark reddish purple-brown blotches, and prominent leaf hair bases. Geranium cruentum is known from a single ostensibly wild collection made in 1993 from the Von River valley, Southland, and despite repeated searches has not been re-collected from the wild. It may be extinct in the wild but is cultivated in several gardens. As it persists ex situ in cultivation its conservation status is assessed as Threatened, Nationally Critical, using the New Zealand Threat Classification System.

Utilising museum data for comparative analysis of threatened insect species

Insect conservation is often impeded by a lack of species-specific data leading to difficulties in assessment of conservation and threat status. Utilising specimens and records held within natural history museums may help to overcome such limitations. We used specimens and their associated data from the New Zealand Arthropod Collection to provide a comparative analysis of threatened species and their related non-threatened congeners. A range of insect groups were covered, including families from the five mega-diverse insect orders. Data on the locality, date, habitat, and morphological measurements, were recorded for nearly 25,000 specimens from 460 species, of which 31 are Threatened and 104 are At Risk. Results found the Protected Area Network provided significantly less coverage for insect species classified as Threatened or At Risk. Body size, geographical distribution, and environmental variables were not consistent predictors of the current threat classification system. There were a disproportionately large number of At Risk species found on offshore islands. The current New Zealand threat classification system, based on trends in geographical occurrence and population sizes, does not accurately reflect the conservation needs of most insect species. This has significant implications for the utility of threat assessments for insect conservation.

From Vagrant to Resident: occurrence, residency and births of leopard seals (Hydrurga leptonyx) in New Zealand waters

ABSTRACTIn contrast to previous reports that leopard seals (Hydrurga leptonyx) are rare vagrants to New Zealand, we show that this species is a regular member of the marine fauna of this region. We present a first analysis from the New Zealand Leopard Seal Database – an extensive collation of 2,711 records of leopard seals within New Zealand between 1200 and 2018. Of these records, 51.2% (n = 1,408) were photographic. Leopard seal sightings have increased over time and been reported in all seasons and regions of New Zealand. Sightings are predominantly of adult individuals of good or excellent body condition, which differs to previous hypotheses suggesting that leopard seals visiting New Zealand shores are primarily juvenile animals in poor health condition. A total of 176 unique individuals have been identified in the New Zealand Leopard Seal Catalogue between 2014 and 2018 and preliminary results indicate that numbers per annum have continued to increase over time. Three leopard seal births and a number of juvenile animals (34% of the NZ records) have been documented. Considering the information presented here and the current definitions in the New Zealand Threat Classification System, the threat status of leopard seals within New Zealand waters should be reclassified from Vagrant to Resident.

A new leaf-mining moth from New Zealand, Sabulopteryxbotanica sp. nov. (Lepidoptera, Gracillariidae, Gracillariinae), feeding on the rare endemic shrub Teucriumparvifolium (Lamiaceae), with a revised checklist of New Zealand Gracillariidae.

Sabulopteryxbotanica Hoare & Patrick, sp. nov. (Lepidoptera, Gracillariidae, Gracillariinae) is described as a new species from New Zealand. It is regarded as endemic, and represents the first record of its genus from the southern hemisphere. Though diverging in some morphological features from previously described species, it is placed in genus Sabulopteryx Triberti, based on wing venation, abdominal characters, male and female genitalia and hostplant choice; this placement is supported by phylogenetic analysis based on the COI mitochondrial gene. The life history is described: the larva is an underside leaf-miner on the endemic divaricating shrub Teucriumparvifolium (Lamiaceae), and exits the mine to pupate in a cocoon in a folded leaf of the host plant. The remarkable history of the discovery and rediscovery of this moth is discussed: for many years it was only known from a single sap-feeding larva found in a leaf-mine in a pressed herbarium specimen of the host. The adult was discovered by BHP in Christchurch Botanic Gardens in 2013. Most distribution records of the moth come from a recent search for mines and cocoons on herbarium specimens of T.parvifolium. Sabulopteryxbotanica has high conservation status, and is regarded as ‘Nationally Vulnerable’ according to the New Zealand Department of Conservation threat classification system, based on the rarity and declining status of its host plant. However, the presence of apparently thriving populations of S.botanica on cultivated plants of T.parvifolium, especially at the type locality, Christchurch Botanic Gardens, suggests that encouraging cultivation of the plant could greatly improve the conservation status of the moth. A revised checklist of New Zealand Gracillariidae is presented, assigning all species to the currently recognised subfamilies. The Australian Macarostolaida (Meyrick, 1880) is newly recorded from New Zealand (Auckland), where it is established on Eucalyptus.

Lost and Found: Taxonomic revision of the speckled skink (Oligosoma infrapunctatum; Reptilia; Scincidae) species complex from New Zealand reveals a potential cryptic extinction, resurrection of two species, and description of three new species.

New Zealand has a diverse skink fauna, comprising 45 described native species, and at least 15 undescribed taxa, within the single genus Oligosoma Girard, 1857. One of the earliest described, and best known, species is the speckled skink, Oligosoma infrapunctatum (Boulenger 1887). Despite a relatively stable taxonomic history for nearly 114 years, recent molecular work has indicated that O. infrapunctatum represents a species complex, comprising numerous genetically divergent, range restricted taxa. We completed the first stage of a taxonomic revision of O. infrapunctatum, conducting a morphological re-evaluation of existing voucher material, and newly collected specimens, and generated a molecular phylogeny for the species complex. This allowed us to distinguish six species: O. infrapunctatum, two species resurrected from synonymy (O. newmani, O. robinsoni), and three new species (O. salmo sp. nov., O. albornense sp. nov. O. auroraensis sp. nov.). The name bearing type population of O. infrapunctatum has not been located again for at least 130 years: it remains to be rediscovered and may already be extinct. Two of the six species here are considered 'Nationally Critical' (O. albornense sp. nov., O. salmo sp. nov.) under the New Zealand Threat Classification System, the others are Nationally Vulnerable (O. auroraensis sp. nov.) and At Risk-Relict (O. newmani, O. robinsoni). Further taxonomic work will be required to determine the taxonomy of other speckled skink genetic lineages in the South Island, particularly O. aff. infrapunctatum "cobble", O. "Hokitika", O. "Southern North Island" and O. "Westport".

Decline in New Zealand's freshwater fish fauna: effect of land use

The number of New Zealand’s freshwater fish listed as threatened has increased since 1992 when the first New Zealand threat classification system list was compiled. In this study, temporal and land cover-related trends were analysed for data on freshwater fish distribution, comprising more than 20000 records for the 47 years from January 1970 to January 2017 from the New Zealand Freshwater Fish Database. The analysis included individual species abundance and distribution trends, as well as an index of fish community integrity, namely the Index of Biotic Integrity (IBI). Of the 25 fish species that met the requirements for analysis to determine changes in the proportion of sites they occupied over time, 76% had negative trends (indicating declining occurrence). Of the 20 native species analysed for the proportion of sites occupied over time, 75% had negative trends; 65% of these were significant declines and more species were in decline at pasture sites than natural cover sites. The average IBI score also declined over the time period and, when analysed separately, the major land cover types revealed that the IBI declined at pasture catchment sites but not at sites with natural vegetation catchments.

A New Species of Pittosporum Described from the Poor Knights Islands, Northland, Aotearoa/New Zealand

Here we describe Pittosporum roimata, the only vascular plant endemic to the Poor Knights Islands, Northland, Aotearoa/New Zealand. This new species has previously been referred to as a distinct yellow-flowered variant of Pittosporum cornifolium (tāwhiri karo, wharewhareatua), a morphologically similar epiphytic shrub known from both main islands of New Zealand as well as other offshore islands. We have segregated this new species from P. cornifolium based on morphology, DNA sequence variation, as well as distribution. Pittosporum roimata is distinguished from P. cornifolium by flowers with yellow petals, larger inflorescences, and producing several terminal fruits per stem. Herbarium specimens of P. roimata statistically have larger leaves and shorter petioles than specimens of P. cornifolium. Pittosporum roimata is locally common on the islands of Tawhiti Rahi, Aorangi, and Aorangaia, growing on rocky substrates associated with Xeronema callistemon (raupo taranga) and Metrosideros excelsa (pōhutukawa). Using the current New Zealand Threat Classification System, we suggest a preliminary classification of this new species as ‘at risk/naturally uncommon’ qualified data poor [DP], one location [OL].

Riccia cavernosa (Ricciaceae): a new addition to the liverwort flora of New Zealand

ABSTRACTRiccia (Ricciaceae) is a widespread, cosmopolitan genus of thalloid liverworts. Here we document the presence of R. cavernosa Hoffm. in New Zealand for the first time. A full description based on New Zealand specimens is provided. Riccia cavernosa was discovered in New Zealand in February 2016 growing on the margins of a series of artificial wetlands constructed to aid in the recovery of a threatened endemic wading bird (Himantopus novaezelandiae). Following a review of the status of R. cavernosa in New Zealand we conclude that the species is most likely a recent natural, long distance trans-Tasman wind-dispersed arrival from Australia where the species is locally common. The discovery increases the number of Riccia reported from New Zealand from 10 to 11. Prior to the discovery of R. cavernosa, only four of the 10 Riccia recorded from New Zealand were considered indigenous. The conservation status of R. cavernosa is briefly discussed and a provisional assessment of ‘Threatened/Nationally Critical’ assigned to the species using the New Zealand Threat Classification System.

Lecanora kohu, a new species of Lecanora (lichenised Ascomycota: Lecanoraceae) from the Chatham Islands, New Zealand

ABSTRACTLecanora kohu Printzen, Blanchon, Fryday et de Lange is described as new to science from Rangatira (South East Island), Chatham Islands. It is morphologically similar to L. symmicta (Ach.) Ach., from which it is distinguished by the continuous, areolate thallus, immersed apothecia with pale pink to pink-brown discs, and by the presence of atranorin and psoromic acid rather than usnic acid, zeorin and xanthones in the thallus. The new species is so far known only from Rangatira (South East Island), the southernmost of the three main islands of the Chatham Islands group where it was collected twice in 2015 on the bark of Melicytus chathamicus (Violaceae) and on the bark of an undescribed species of Muehlenbeckia (Polygonaceae), M. aff. australis. Using the New Zealand Threat Classification System, the new species has been assessed as ‘Data Deficient’.

Geranium rubricum (Geraniaceae), a new species from ultramafic soils in the Red Hills, northern South Island, New Zealand

A new species, Geranium rubricum, is described from the Red Hills, northern South Island, New Zealand. Geranium rubricum is distinguished by its rhizomatous and compact growth habit, small and coriaceous leaves up to 10 mm in diameter, large sepals with uniformly sized appressed hairs, and large flowers up to 25 mm in diameter. G. rubricum is restricted to soils associated with ultramafic rock outcrops and scree slopes. It is known from seven small subpopulations in the Red Hills, and the conservation status is assessed using the New Zealand Threat Classification System as Nationally Endangered.

Carex applanata (Cyperaceae), a new species from southern New Zealand

ABSTRACTA new species, Carex applanata, is described from the Old Woman, Old Man, Umbrella, Garvie, Pisa and The Remarkables Mountains in southern Central Otago and northern Southland. This low-growing sedge is distinctive in the congested spikes on culms shorter than the leaves, female flowers above male, and flattened habit. It occupies a habitat type rare in the region, but within suitable sites the population can number in the hundreds of plants. Carex applanata is considered to have a conservation status of ‘At Risk/Naturally Uncommon’—qualified RR (‘Range Restricted’) and DP (‘Data Poor’) using the New Zealand Threat Classification System because the species is naturally confined in its habitat preferences, but as a newly described alpine species it is poorly known.