Mecodema manaia

Mecodema manaia is a medium-sized ground beetle species found in the native forests of Bream Head and Mt Manaia, Northland, New Zealand.^[1] This species shares the forests of Bream Head with a large-bodied species, Mecodema tewhara, with both inhabiting slightly different forest type.^[2]

Mecodema manaia
Dorsal view of specimen
Scientific classification
Domain:	Eukaryota
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Arthropoda
Class:	Insecta
Order:	Coleoptera
Suborder:	Adephaga
Family:	Carabidae
Genus:	Mecodema
Species:	M. manaia
Binomial name
Mecodema manaia Seldon & Leschen, 2011

Diagnosis

Distinguished from other North Island Mecodema species by having:

1. the pronotal carina with 3–4 setae along each side (curvidens species group);
2. pronotum overall shape squared, midline poorly defined, medial impressions and microsculpture absent;
3. elytral interval 7 curved inwardly to parallel humeral angle;
4. ventrites 3 and 4 without setose punctures, ventrite 5 with 1 setose puncture each side of midline.^[2]

Description

Length 24.5–28.7 mm (0.96–1.13 in), pronotal width 6.5–7.7 mm (0.26–0.30 in), elytral width 7.8–9.2 mm (0.31–0.36 in). Colour of entire body matte to glossy black.^[2]

Natural history

Mecodema manaia is found in the native broadleaf forest, especially areas with deep leaf litter.