- Source: Apterygon okarito
Apterygon okarito is a species of louse belonging to the family Menoponidae.
Taxonomy
This species was described in 2004 by Ricardo Palma and Roger Price. The species name "okarito" refers to the type locality which is of the same name. The holotype is stored at Te Papa Museum under registration number AI.012588.
Description
Males of this species are identical to others in the Apterygon genus an can only reliably be separated by minor differences in genitalia. The females are also identical and can be separated by their chaetotaxy.
Distribution
As a consequence of its host species distribution, this species only occurs in Westland, New Zealand.
Host
The only known host species of this lice is the Okarito Kiwi. This host restriction has also been used as evidence of the Okario Kiwi being a distinct species.
Conservation status
Under the New Zealand Threat Classification System, this species is listed as Nationally Critical with the qualifiers of "Conservation Dependent", "Increasing" and "One Location".
References
External links
Apterygon okarito discussed on RNZ Critter of the Week, 26 February 2021
