New species of stone beetle are found in the New Zealand mountains

New insects found in the Maungatua Mountains are unable to fly and are isolated within a narrow habitat.

Maungatua Beetle.(Photo: University of Otago).

Zoologists from Otago University have discovered an unknown species of insect that lives on the Maungatua Mountains, near Dunedin, south of New Zealand. The new creature, known as the Maungatua stone bug , is only found in an area several hundred meters near streams right below the mountain top.

Professor Jon Waters, the lead researcher, said he happened to find the Maungatua stone beetle while collecting data on a more common insect."We found an abnormality right after seeing them and DNA analyzes showed that it was a completely new species. It is interesting that there are still new discoveries about native animals in New Zealand" , Waters share.

Study authors: Brodie Foster (left) and Professor Jon Waters.(Photo: University of Otago).

DNA analyzes also show that the Maungatua stone beetle may have lived on Earth 2 million years ago. Unlike most winged insects that have the ability to fly, the wings of the Maungatua stone beetle are reduced almost entirely through evolution. They have adapted to the conditions of high winds in the high mountains. The loss of flight may be the reason why this beetle is isolated within such a small geographic area.

"The number of Maungatua stone beetles is limited due to the small habitat range. But it is important that we have found them and populations of species are still safe," said Brodie Foster, co-author of the study. Scientists' findings were published in New Zealand's Journal of Zoology.