Description Générale

Information from Olesen 2016 : New species of Lynceus that represents the first record from New Caledonia and the first of a remote insular endemic laevicaudatan. New Caledonia (NC) and New Zealand (NZ) were part of “Zealandia”, a Gondwana-derived microcontinent that sank (except NC and NZ) after having separated
from the northeastern margin of Australia ca 80 Ma. It has been discussed whether New Caledonia’s
biodiversity is that of an ancient continental island, which has retained ancient groups since its separation
from the northeastern margin of Australia, or whether it is an oceanic island with a composite biota
dominated by more recent colonization and neo-endemism, a so-called ‘Darwinian’ island (Gillespie &
Roderick 2002; Grandcolas et al. 2008). The discovery of a new endemic, doline-inhabiting Lynceus
is interesting in this context. The new species was found during a biological survey undertaken in
connection with a nickel and cobalt mining project in the southern part of New Caledonia.

Particularite

Olesen J., Pöllabauer C., Sigvardt Z.M.S. & Rogers D.C. 2016. A new species of Lynceus Müller, 1776 from
New Caledonia (Crustacea: Branchiopoda: Laevicaudata) from dolines, with remarks on zoogeography. European
Journal of Taxonomy 224: 1–18. http://dx.doi.org/10.5852/ejt.2016.224