Geodorcus servandus facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Geodorcus servandus |
|
|---|---|
| Conservation status | |
 Nationally Critical (NZ TCS) |
|
| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Geodorcus
|
| Species: |
servandus
|
Geodorcus servandus is a large, special type of stag beetle that cannot fly. It belongs to a family of beetles called Lucanidae. This amazing beetle was first found in December 1960 by P.R. Kettle. Later, in 2007, a scientist named Beverley Holloway officially described it.
This beetle's only known home is on Mount Tuhua, which is near Lake Kaniere on the West Coast of New Zealand. Its name, servandus, comes from a Latin word meaning "to be preserved" or "looked after." This name was chosen because people are worried about keeping this unique beetle safe.
Contents
What Does Geodorcus servandus Look Like?
This big Geodorcus beetle can be quite long!
- Males are usually about 24 to 35 millimeters (about 1 to 1.4 inches) long, including their mandibles (jaws).
- Females are a bit smaller, typically 21.3 to 31 millimeters (about 0.8 to 1.2 inches) long.
Even though they are larger than many other Geodorcus species, their mandibles are fairly short.
Differences Between Males and Females
Male and female Geodorcus servandus beetles show sexual dimorphism. This means they have clear differences in their size and the shape of their mandibles.
- Males have shallower (less deep) small pits on their top surface.
- Females have deeper pits.
Both sexes have a very noticeable pitted surface.
Color and Other Features
The hard outer shell, called the exoskeleton, can be dull or shiny black. The ribs on their wing covers, called elytra, are not very obvious on this beetle. They also have tiny, unused wings hidden under their elytra, but they cannot fly. This species looks most like another beetle called Geodorcus montivagus.
Where Does Geodorcus servandus Live?
This special beetle has only ever been found in one place: on the summit of Mount Tuhua. This mountain peak is about 1,122 meters (3,681 feet) above sea level.
Its Home on the Mountain
Scientists found these beetles living under Celmisia daisies right at the top of the mountain. In 1984, people went back to Mount Tuhua specifically to look for G. servandus. They found only a small patch of Celmisia daisies. When they searched this area, they found a closely related beetle, G. helmsi, but not G. servandus. This shows how rare and hard to find this beetle is.
How Was This Beetle Discovered?
This unique stag beetle was first found in December 1960. Dr. P.R. Kettle collected the first specimens while he was surveying for land snails on Mount Tuhua's summit.
Dr. Holloway's Work
However, it took many years for this new species of Geodorcus to be officially described. This happened in 2007, thanks to Dr. Beverley Anne Holloway. She was an entomologist (a scientist who studies insects) who had retired from her job. But she loved her work so much that she kept studying beetles as a hobby!
Dr. Holloway wrote a very important book about the Lucanidae (stag beetles) of New Zealand. In this book, she described seven new species of stag beetles that are endemic (only found) in New Zealand, including G. servandus.
The Meaning of Its Name
Dr. Holloway called G. servandus a "spectacular stag beetle." She was worried about revealing its exact location on Mount Tuhua in her scientific description. She feared that too many collectors might harm the beetle's small population and its habitat. That's why she chose the name servandus. In Latin, this word means "preserve," "look after," or "conserve." The name shows her strong wish to protect this special beetle.
Protecting Geodorcus servandus
Like other Geodorcus species, G. servandus is fully protected by law under The 1953 Wildlife Act. This means it is against the law to collect or harm any of these beetles.
Why It Needs Protection
This beetle is considered "nationally critical." This is because it is extremely rare, even after many searches, and it has only been found in one small area.
If scientists need to search for this species in the future, they must be very careful. They need to avoid damaging the small, delicate habitat where it lives. One way to search for them that causes less harm is using "pitfall trapping." This method involves setting up traps that the beetles fall into. If this is done, the beetles should be released quickly after they are collected to keep them safe.
