This highly anticipated web resource (
www.stoneflies.org.nz) is the most comprehensive source of information on New Zealand stoneflies. The site was designed to incorporate information that is directly relevant to researchers, consultants, students and the general public. It includes multi-access taxonomic keys, descriptions, distributions, photographs and more.
The website is separated into six key areas of information:
- Comprehensive key to adults*
- Comprehensive key to larvae (those that can currently be determined)*
- Individual keys to species for each stonefly genera, both adult and larval
- Fact sheets summarising available information: includes distribution maps and tables, descriptions, ecological notes and photos where available
- A species checklist
- Full text access to all non-copyright publications
*Comprehensive keys begin with a key to genera and then link directly to appropriate individual generic keys. This two tiered approach allows more experienced users to skip directly to individual generic keys.
The website is considered to be in a beta test phase and we encourage users to report any difficulties, errors or omissions. We are aware that some people have problems loading the java virtual machine that is required to run lucid web-based keys. Full instructions on installing this free software and an explanation on how to get the most from a lucid based key are given in online help files.
If you have any trouble accessing the site, or have any feedback, suggestions, or images to contribute to the fact sheets please contact Steve Pawson (
Steve.Pawson@gmail.com).
This project was made possible by generous funding by the Department of Conservation-administered Terrestrial and Freshwater Biodiversity Information System (TFBIS).
Stephen Pawson & Ian McLellan
Ecological Society newsletter 125, July 2008 7
