Abstract
A new genus of terrestrial amphipod, Kahurangiorchestia gen. nov. (Talitroidea, Makawidae), is described from New Zealand, based on an integrated assessment of morphological and molecular data. Three new species, Kahurangiorchestia incolanikau sp. nov., K. heaphyensis sp. nov. and K. breviseta sp. nov., are reported from the northwestern South Island and from Taranaki in the North Island. The known diversity of New Zealand terrestrial amphipods is increased and the previously unrecognised regional endemism of Talitroidea in the northwestern South Island is highlighted. The disjunct distribution of K. breviseta sp. nov. between Taranaki in the North Island and Nelson in the extreme north of the South Island, supports a historical biogeographic connection between these regions. Two species, K. breviseta sp. nov. and K. incolanikau sp. nov., may be of potential conservation concern. The phylogenetic relationship of the three new species of Kahurangiorchestia gen. nov. are assessed with mitochondrial gene 16S sequences.
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