Pactola kuscheli sp. nov. (Coleoptera: Curculionidae), a potential cause for the decline of the threatened New Caledonian conifer, Agathis montana de Laubenfels, 1969 (Araucariaceae)

Agathis montana is a conifer endemic to New Caledonia and one of the most threatened (Critically Endangered) plant species of this area. The exact causes of its decline are still unknown. The authors describe the characteristics of A. montana, the history and methodology of population monitoring, and possible factors causing the decline and habitat degradation. In 2014, some twigs showing symptoms suggesting attack by wood‐boring insects were collected. From these, imagines of an unknown weevil species belonging to the genus Pactola Pascoe (Eugnomini) were reared. The new species is described as Pactola kuscheli Mazur sp. nov. Colour photographs of the dorsal habitus, line drawings of taxonomically relevant structures and a key to all New Caledonian species of Pactola are provided. The biology of P. kuscheli Mazur sp. nov. is described and its role as a key threatening process of A. montana is discussed.

[1]  R. Beever,et al.  A taxonomic revision of Phytophthora Clade 5 including two new species, Phytophthora agathidicida and P. cocois , 2015 .

[2]  M. Mazur,et al.  A new species of Pactola Pascoe, 1876 (Coleoptera: Curculionidae: Eugnomini) from New Caledonia. , 2015, Zootaxa.

[3]  G. Watson.  Unaspis lansivora sp. n. (Hemiptera: Diaspididae), a new pest of Lansium domesticum (Meliaceae), and a key to Unaspis species. , 2015, Zootaxa.

[4]  M. Mazur.  Review of the New Caledonian species of the genus Pactola Pascoe, 1876 (Coleoptera: Curculionidae: Eugnomini), with description of two new species . , 2014, Zootaxa.

[5]  B. Burns,et al.  Absence of evidence is not evidence of absence: Feral pigs as vectors of soil-borne pathogens , 2013 .

[6]  F. Tron,et al.  Interannual Precipitation and Temperature Variability Near Mt. Panié Wilderness Reserve and its Connection to Kauri (Agathis montana) Die-Back , 2013 .

[7]  G. Taylor,et al.  Potential economic pests of solanaceous crops: a new species of Solanum-feeding psyllid from Australia and first record from New Zealand of Acizzia solanicola (Hemiptera: Psyllidae). , 2013, Zootaxa.

[8]  P. Morat,et al.  Le référentiel taxonomique Florical et les caractéristiques de la flore vasculaire indigène de la Nouvelle-Calédonie , 2012 .

[9]  Henrique M. Pereira,et al.  Global Biodiversity Change: The Bad, the Good, and the Unknown , 2012 .

[10]  M. Mazur.  First record of the tribe Eugnomini Lacordaire, 1863 (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) from Fiji with description of Pactola fiji sp. n. , 2012 .

[11]  J. Ragle,et al.  IUCN Red List of Threatened Species , 2010 .

[12]  B. Fontaine,et al.  Not Knowing, Not Recording, Not Listing: Numerous Unnoticed Mollusk Extinctions , 2009, Conservation biology : the journal of the Society for Conservation Biology.

[13]  J. Gurevitch,et al.  Are invasive species a major cause of extinctions? , 2004, Trends in ecology & evolution.

[14]  R. Mittermeier,et al.  Biodiversity hotspots for conservation priorities , 2000, Nature.

[15]  J. Berry,et al.  Phylum Arthropoda, subphylum hexapoda: Protura, springtails, Diplura, and insects , 2010 .

[16]  A. Clarke,et al.  Invasive phytophagous pests arising through a recent tropical evolutionary radiation: the Bactrocera dorsalis complex of fruit flies. , 2005, Annual review of entomology.

[17]  W. Engels,et al.  Araucaria beetles worldwide: evolution and host adaptations of a multi-genus phytophagous guild of disjunct Gondwana- derived biogeographic occurrence , 2005 .

[18]  M. Wanat.  Genera of Australo-Pacific Rhadinocybinae and Myrmacicelinae, with biogeography of the Apionidae (Coleoptera: Curculionoidea) and phylogeny of the Brentidae (s. lato) , 2001 .

[19]  G. Kuschel.  Beetles in a suburban environment : a New Zealand case study : the identity and status of Coleoptera in the natural and modified habitats of Lynfield, Auckland, 1974-1989 , 1990 .

[20]  N. Myers.  Threatened biotas: "Hot spots" in tropical forests , 1988, The Environmentalist.

[21]  B. May.  Immature stages of Curculionoidea (Coleoptera): Rearing records 1964-1986 , 1987 .

[22]  P. Morat,et al.  Changements dans la végétation de la Nouvelle-Calédonie au cours du Tertiaire: la végétation et la flore des roches ultrabasiques , 1987 .

[23]  J. Styles.  NOTES ON NEW ZEALAND WEEVILS (COLEOPTERA : CURCULIONOIDEA) , 1973 .