Mcleans Island invertebrate inventory and analysis

Abstract

Biodiversity of endemic invertebrate species from this short grassland interspersed with moss and a few trees was moderate at 5.1-5.9 endemic species per native vascular plant species. In all 229 terrestrial insect species (72-84 % endemic) recorded from McLeans Island with 169 species from the short grassland cushion plant areas with (71-80 %) endemic species. The adjacent pine windbelt was the main reserviour for 42 species an (there were at least 16 aquatic species. Gorse, broom and willow supported three more specialist introduced insect species. None of the species were definite vagrants. A further 26 species of the other larger invertebrates (spiders, harvestmen, millipedes, slaters) were found among the grassland.