FAUNA OF NZ 67 PELORIDIIDAE

Explore the rich biodiversity of New Zealand with 'Fauna of NZ 67 Peloridiidae', a comprehensive guide focusing on the unique family of moss bugs, also known as peloridiids. This captivating paperback, authored by M-C Lariviére and published by Manaaki Whenua Press, delves into the world of these primitive insects belonging to the suborder Coleorrhyncha. With 78 engaging pages, this book highlights the significance of these living fossils that thrive in the wet moss of temperate and subantarctic rainforests.

New Zealand is a biodiversity hotspot, housing three genera and 13 endemic species of Peloridiidae. These remarkable insects are flightless, making them a vital element for understanding the biogeographic history of Gondwana, as 36% of all global species from this group are found here. This concise review offers an inventory of New Zealand's moss bug taxa, enriched with identification keys and essential information on species distribution and biology.

Ideal for entomologists, nature enthusiasts, or anyone fascinated by the unique fauna of New Zealand, this book serves as a crucial resource for understanding these extraordinary creatures. Delve into the complexities of their taxonomy and discover the secrets of a group that plays a pivotal role in our understanding of evolutionary biology. Get your copy of 'Fauna of NZ 67 Peloridiidae' today, and explore the incredible world of New Zealand's endemic moss bugs!

Author: M-C LariviÄŤre Publisher: Manaaki Whenua Press
Bind: paperback

Pages: 78
Publication Date: 04-03-2014

The family Peloridiidae or moss bugs are primitive members of the insect order Hemiptera. Often called ‘living fossils’, peloridiids belong to the suborder Coleorrhyncha and live in the wet moss of temperate and subantarctic rainforests. Seventeen genera and 36 species are known from Chile, Argentina, New Zealand, New Caledonia, and eastern Australia.



New Zealand can be regarded as a biodiversity ‘hotspot’ for these insects: the three genera and 13 New Zealand species are endemic, meaning they do not occur anywhere else. New Zealand has the most diversified fauna at the species level, with 36% of all world species in this group of special significance for the Southern Hemisphere, with evolutionary roots dating back to the break-up of Gondwana. Moss bugs have hardened forewings and all New Zealand species lack hind wings, so are flightless, which makes them an ideal model group to test Gondwanan biogeographic hypotheses.



This Fauna offers a concise review of this ‘iconic’ Gondwanan group, reconciling results published by Burckhardt (2009) and Burckhardt et al. (2011) with a study of specimens contained in New Zealand entomological collections and museums. This faunal review aims to provide an inventory of New Zealand taxa, a concise treatment of their taxonomy, identification keys to genera and species, and a summary of information available on species distribution and biology.