Koekotroides taapinea sp. nov.

(Figs 5–7)

Genus A sp. 4 (Ball et al. 2024).

Type material. Holotype: female (MNZ CR.027741), body length 5.0 mm, North Cape, Northland, New Zealand, early successional kānuka (Kunzea sp.) forest, pitfall trap, coll. Ball O.J.-P., 15 August 2008. Allotype: male (MNZ CR.027740), body length 4.5 mm, same data as holotype. Paratypes: 3 females (body lengths 4.5–5.0 mm), 1 juvenile (body length 4.0 mm) (MNZ CR.027739), 13 February 2009, otherwise same data as holotype.

Etymology. Represents te hononga (the connection) to a local tupuna (ancestor) Pineaha Mare (Murray), and honours his legacy in contributing profound indigenous esoteric knowledge to our taiao (natural environment) narratives. The name unites or brings together whakapapa (genealogy), the map of infinite inter-connectedness with local tūpuna (ancestors) and the taiao (natural environment), linked to the spiritual domain.

Description. Adult female 4.0– 5.5 mm.

Head. Antenna 1 extending to at least half of the way along peduncle article 5 of antenna 2; article 3 of peduncle longer than article 2, narrower; flagellum consisting of 4 articles. Antenna 2 article 4 length 2.8 times breadth; article 5, 1.5 times length of article 4; flagellum subequal in length to peduncle, consisting of about 10–11 articles. Maxilliped moderately splayed; endopodite apex broadly rounded; exopodite distally arcuate with blunt apex; palp article 2 without distomedial lobe; article 4 small but distinct.

Pereon. Gnathopod 1 coxa sub-trapezoidal, anterior margin weakly sinuate to nearly straight; basis anterior margin weakly concave proximally; merus posterior margin without lobe covered in palmate setae; carpus elongate, posterior margin with triangular swelling, without lobe covered in palmate setae; propodus short, about 0.7 times length of carpus, semi-elliptical, posterior margin with 4 long, straight or weakly curved spear-like robust setae, palm oblique, simple. Gnathopod 2 basis slender, 3.5 times as long as broad; merus, produced posterodistally into a lobe covered in palmate setae; carpus and propodus short, stout; carpus posterior margin with lobe covered in palmate setae; propodus mitten-shaped in both sexes (femipod), slightly longer than carpus, distal lobe elongate, apically rounded, covered in palmate setae; dactylus very short. Pereopod 3–4 basis parallel-sided in lateral view, anterior margin concave distally in frontal view; ischium short; merus long; carpus 0.6 times length of merus; propodus only a little longer than carpus. Pereopod 5 basis evenly narrowing distally, margins weakly convex; carpus and merus subequal in length; propodus approximately 1.2 times longer than carpus. Pereopod 6 basis sub-elliptical, slightly narrower distally, margins weakly convex; carpus subequal in length to merus; propodus approximately 1.3 times length of carpus. Pereopod 7 basis orbicular to weakly elliptical, slightly longer than wide, posterior margin with small serrations each with a small seta; merus, carpus and propodus each progressively a little longer than the preceding article.

Pleon. Epimeron 1 shallower than epimera 2–3, posterior margin nearly straight; posteroventral corner with or without a small, blunt process. Epimeron 2 ventral margin weakly convex to nearly straight, deepest posteriorly; posteroventral corner drawn out into a long subacute process; posterior margin weakly sinuate, with distinct concavity above posteroventral corner, widest medially. Epimeron 3 as deep as epimeron 2 at anteroventral corner; ventral margin convex anteriorly and weakly concave posteriorly, posteroventral corner with strong blunt to subacute process; posterior margin smooth, strongly sinuate, convex medially and concave distally. Pleopods 1–3 biramous; exopodites usually slightly shorter than endopodites. Pleopod 1 longest; endopodite 0.45 times length of peduncle. Pleopod 2 slightly shorter than pleopod 1, endopodite, 0.4 times length of peduncle. Pleopod 3 shortest, endopodite 0.4 times length of peduncle. Uropod 1 peduncle longer than the subequal rami, outer margin with 2 dorsal robust setae distally; distolateral robust seta approximately 0.3 times length of exopodite; exopodite without dorsal robust setae; endopodite with 1 dorsal robust seta. Uropod 2 peduncle subequal in length with endopodite; endopodite longer and stouter than exopodite with 2 marginal robust setae; exopodite without marginal robust setae. Uropod 3 peduncle bulbous, with 1 very long lateral robust seta; ramus approximately 0.3 times length of peduncle, with 1 long apical seta and sometimes an additional short seta. Telson as broad as long, undulate, not incised apically, deep longitudinal furrow present ventrally, 1 large apical robust seta and 2 large dorsal robust setae on each side.

Habitat. Early successional native forest, dominated by kānuka (Kunzea sp.) and hangehange (Geniostoma ligustrifolium).

Distribution. North Island, Northland, Te Paki Ecological District (North Cape only).

Remarks. Koekotroides taapinea sp. nov. is most closely related to K. moowhitihauuru sp. nov. from which it can be distinguished by the structure of epimera 2 and 3 (see remarks under K. moowhitihauuru sp. nov.).