Riekoperla darlingtoni
Encyclopedia
Riekoperla darlingtoni, the Mount Donna Buang wingless stonefly, is a species of stonefly in the family Gripopterygidae, which is endemic to Australia
.
, a mountain peak in the Victorian Central Highlands
which lies in one of the oldest and highest areas of dissected Palaeozoic
rocks (formed approximately ) in the Central Highlands of Victoria. The area is also popular tourist attraction throughout the year and the summit is a Scenic Reserve.
) with myrtle beech (Nothofagus cunninghamii) as a dominant understory tree species. The surrounding forest is dominated by mountain ash (Eucalyptus regnans
). It apparently occurs only in the area within 1 kilometre (0.621372736649807 mi) of the summit of Mount Donna Buang, particularly on the southern slopes and is restricted to the small temporary streams which flow through forest dominated by alpine ash.
The adult stonefly lives within rolled pieces of alpine ash bark suspended in low vegetation along natural drainage courses and in the vicinity of streams. The aquatic nymphs live under stones and in silty gravel in the drainage lines. Of particular scientific interest is the species' ability to survive the annual drying of its habitat, both in the egg stage and by burrowing down to a damper level and its seasonal flexibility in growth and emergence times, which enhances survival during the extremes of climate experienced on mountain tops.
The species has not been discovered in other similar areas despite deliberate searches.
in 1931 from the Mount Donna Buang area. A distinguishing feature of the species is its long antennae
(up to 100% of its body length).
Australia
Australia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area...
.
Distribution
Riekoperla darlingtoni is found on Mount Donna BuangMount Donna Buang
Located approximately 80 km from Melbourne, Mount Donna Buang in Victoria, Australia, at is the closest snowfield to Melbourne.In winter, it usually receives snow suitable for snowplay and tobogganing, and during the non winter months the area is well visited by bushwalkers...
, a mountain peak in the Victorian Central Highlands
Central highlands (Victoria)
The Central Highlands is a region of Victoria. This term is mainly used in a geological context to describe the part of the Great Dividing Range in Victoria that is outside of the Alpine areas. The area is situated east of Ballarat, south of Bendigo, north and east of Melbourne, west of the Alpine...
which lies in one of the oldest and highest areas of dissected Palaeozoic
Paleozoic
The Paleozoic era is the earliest of three geologic eras of the Phanerozoic eon, spanning from roughly...
rocks (formed approximately ) in the Central Highlands of Victoria. The area is also popular tourist attraction throughout the year and the summit is a Scenic Reserve.
Habitat
The area providing habitat for Riekoperla darlingtoni supports tall sclerophyll forest dominated by alpine ash (Eucalyptus delegatensisEucalyptus delegatensis
Eucalyptus delegatensis, commonly known as Alpine Ash or Gum-topped stringybark or White-top, is a sub-alpine or temperate tree of southeastern Australia. A straight, grey-trunked tree, it reaches heights of over 90 metres in suitable conditions. The tallest currently known specimen is located in...
) with myrtle beech (Nothofagus cunninghamii) as a dominant understory tree species. The surrounding forest is dominated by mountain ash (Eucalyptus regnans
Eucalyptus regnans
Eucalyptus regnans, known variously by the common names Mountain Ash, Victorian Ash, Swamp Gum, Tasmanian Oak or Stringy Gum, is a species of Eucalyptus native to southeastern Australia, in Tasmania and Victoria...
). It apparently occurs only in the area within 1 kilometre (0.621372736649807 mi) of the summit of Mount Donna Buang, particularly on the southern slopes and is restricted to the small temporary streams which flow through forest dominated by alpine ash.
The adult stonefly lives within rolled pieces of alpine ash bark suspended in low vegetation along natural drainage courses and in the vicinity of streams. The aquatic nymphs live under stones and in silty gravel in the drainage lines. Of particular scientific interest is the species' ability to survive the annual drying of its habitat, both in the egg stage and by burrowing down to a damper level and its seasonal flexibility in growth and emergence times, which enhances survival during the extremes of climate experienced on mountain tops.
The species has not been discovered in other similar areas despite deliberate searches.
Relatives
The small brown, wingless stonefly, is one of the only two wingless stoneflies in Australia, and the species was first collected by DarlingtonC. D. Darlington
Cyril Dean Darlington FRS was an English biologist, geneticist and eugenicist, who discovered the mechanics of chromosomal crossover, its role in inheritance, and therefore its importance to evolution.-Early life:...
in 1931 from the Mount Donna Buang area. A distinguishing feature of the species is its long antennae
Antenna (biology)
Antennae in biology have historically been paired appendages used for sensing in arthropods. More recently, the term has also been applied to cilium structures present in most cell types of eukaryotes....
(up to 100% of its body length).