New Mecyclothorax spp. (Coleoptera, Carabidae, Moriomorphini) define Mont Mauru, eastern Tahiti Nui, as a distinct area of endemism.

ABSTRACT: Seven species of Mecyclothorax Sharp precinctive to Mont Mauru, Tahiti, Society Islands are newly described: Mecyclothorax tuteisp. n., Mecyclothorax tihotiisp. n., Mecyclothorax putaputasp. n., Mecyclothorax toretoresp. n., Mecyclothorax anaanasp. n., Mecyclothorax pirihaosp. n., and Mecyclothorax porosp. n. These seven constitute the first representative Mecyclothorax species recorded from Mauru, and their geographic restriction to this isolated massif defines it as a distinct area of endemism along the highly dissected eastern versant of the Tahiti Nui volcano. Each of the new species has a closest relative on another massif of Tahiti Nui, supporting speciation associated with vicariance caused by extensive erosional valley formation, especially the development of Papenoo Valley. Comparison of the known elevational distributions of the new discoveries on Mont Mauru to the elevational diversity profile of the comparatively well-sampled Mont Marau, northwest Tahiti Nui, suggests that numerous Mecyclothorax species remain to be discovered in higher-elevation habitats of Mont Mauru.

SUBMITTER: Liebherr JK 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3487650 | biostudies-literature | 2012

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature