Geodorcus capito
{{short description|Species of beetle}}
{{Use New Zealand English|date=July 2024}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=March 2017}}
{{Speciesbox
| image = Geodorcus capito.jpg
| status = NV
| status_system = NZTCS
| status_ref =
| genus = Geodorcus
| species = capito
| authority = (H.C.Deyrolle, 1873){{cite report |last1=Emberson |first1=Rowan M. |title=The beetle fauna (Coleoptera) of the Chatham Islands, with additional species, corrections, and updated taxonomic, biological and distributional information to end 2002 |publisher=Lincoln University |hdl=10182/4177}}
| synonyms =
- Dorcus capito
- Lissotes capito Deyrolle, 1873{{cite journal|last1=Parry|first1=F.J.Sidney|title=XII. Characters of seven nondescript Lucanoid Coleoptera, and remarks upon the genera Lissotes, Nigidius and Figulus|journal=Transactions of the Royal Entomological Society of London|date=1873|volume=21|page=339|url=https://www.biodiversitylibrary.org/item/51216#page/359/mode/1up|accessdate=11 November 2016}}
- Lissotes dispar Broun 1910
}}
Geodorcus capito is a large flightless species of stag beetle in the family Lucanidae. It is endemic to the Chatham Islands in New Zealand.
Description
The exoskeleton of Geodorcus capito varies in colour from glossy black to brownish black. Adults show distinct sexual dimorphism. Including mandibles, male beetles range in length from 17.0–27.0 mm; females from 15.0–19.5 mm. Male and female beetles can be distinguished by the distinct ribbed elytra with obvious branching setae on the male beetle, whilst a female beetle has more vague ribbed elytra and barely visible setae.
Distribution
This stag beetle is found throughout the Chatham Islands, including on Chatham Island, Pitt Island, Rangatira, Mangere Island and Little Mangere Island.{{cite journal|last1=Trewick|first1=Steven A.|title=Molecular evidence for dispersal rather than vicariance as the origin of flightless insect species on the Chatham Islands, New Zealand.|journal=Journal of Biogeography|date=2000|volume=27|issue=5|page=1191|doi=10.1046/j.1365-2699.2000.00492.x|url=https://www.researchgate.net/publication/227668179|accessdate=15 January 2017}}
It is now thought to be restricted to the southern end of Chatham Island and is less common on Pitt Island than previously. It is possible that vulnerable species like G. capito have been restricted in their distribution by grazing and habitat loss on Chatham Island and pig rooting on Pitt Island.
Habitat
All Geodorcus are nocturnal forest species. Adult G. capito beetles have been seen at night on the ground and on trees. During the day, beetles can be seen hiding under rotten branches and inside debris on tree trunks. All life cycle stages, including eggs, have been seen in moss covered cavities of trees on Chatham Island. On smaller islands adults have been collected under rocks in coastal forest.
Diet
Conservation
Like other Geodorcus species, G. capito is protected under Schedule 7 of The 1953 Wildlife Act, making it an offense to collect or harm a specimen.{{cite web|title=Wildlife Act 1953|url=http://www.legislation.govt.nz/act/public/1953/0031/latest/whole.html#DLM277090|website=New Zealand Legislation|publisher=Parliamentary Counsel Office|accessdate=4 November 2016}}
The Chatham Island stag beetle has suffered a large reduction in its range on the inhabited Chatham Islands.
References
{{Reflist}}
External links
{{Commons}}
{{Wikispecies}}
- [http://naturewatch.org.nz/taxa/389753-Geodorcus-capito Citizen Scientists observations of Geodorcus capito.]
{{Taxonbar|from=Q680774}}
Category:Beetles described in 1873