Council has ‘obligations to protect' endemic species
Otago is home to 360 species found nowhere else in the world, a new report says.
Otago Regional Council biodiversity senior scientist Scott Jarvie said as many as 88% of those regionally endemic species were identified as having heightened risks of extinction.
The council had "statutory obligations to protect" those species, Dr Jarvie said.
The list of species endemic to the region should be treated as preliminary, but his report would provide evidence to support biodiversity management across Otago, he said.
Regional endemics to Otago include the recently described Otago shag. Photo: Oscar Thomas
While digital record-keeping had enabled the creation of such an extensive list, a lack of information "about almost all the species" was identified as an issue.
There were "lesser known taxonomic groups" such as fungi, freshwater invertebrates and spiders not included in the present list.
And of the 360 species identified as endemic to the region, only 194, or about 54%, had been assessed nationally for their threat status.
Otago was home to 25 nationally critical species, 15 nationally endangered species and six nationally vulnerable species, he said.
Regional endemics to Otago include the nine non-migratory galaxiids. Photo: DOC
"Well-known regional endemics to Otago include the flightless Cromwell chafer beetle, the large-bodied and spectacularly coloured Otago skink, the nine non-migratory galaxiids, and recently described Otago shag," Dr Jarvie said.
The most numerous species group of "regional endemics" was invertebrates, with 302 species, he said.
Indigenous vascular plants followed with 40 species.
There were nine regionally endemic freshwater fish, six reptiles found nowhere else on the planet and two bryophytes (mosses and liverworts) — as well as the Otago shag.
The fossil record and archaeological midden analysis found the large shags were once spread widely along the east coast of the South Island but after human arrival they became restricted to rocky cliffs and islands off Otago's coast.
Regional endemics to Otago include the spectacularly coloured Otago skink. Photo: Carey Knox
"Endemic species often have specialised adaptations that allow them to survive only in unique habitats.
"Such specialisations often make them susceptible to the effects of environmental disturbances."
The regionally endemic species list would soon be cross-referenced with a recently completed Climate Change Vulnerability Assessment for terrestrial organisms, he said.
Councillors will consider the report at today's science and resilience committee meeting.
hamish.maclean@odt.co.nz
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