Mecodema godzilla

Mecodema godzilla is a large-bodied ground beetle endemic to the North Island, New Zealand. It was described from two specimens, which are housed in two different entomological collections, the Auckland Museum and Lincoln University.

Mecodema godzilla
Dorsal view of the male specimen (holotype)
Scientific classification
Domain:	Eukaryota
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Arthropoda
Class:	Insecta
Order:	Coleoptera
Suborder:	Adephaga
Family:	Carabidae
Genus:	Mecodema
Species:	M. godzilla
Binomial name
Mecodema godzilla Seldon & Buckley, 2019

Diagnosis

Can be distinguished from other North Island Mecodema species by:

1. its size (34–36 mm long and 11.5–13 mm wide);
2. elytra truncated by steep apical slope;
3. lateral carina broad and reflexed upward the entire length.^[1]

Description

Length 34.3–36.4 mm, pronotal width 10.1–11.2 mm, elytral width 11.7–12.9 mm. Colour of head and pronotum black to glossy black, elytra matte reddish-brown to matte black, ventrally (including legs) brown to matte black.^[1]

Natural history

Found on the scree and tussock slopes of Mt Ruapehu.