On 1 July 2025, NIWA merged with GNS Science to become Earth Sciences New Zealand.

A range of specimens of Palpatophora utiliformis

Kareen Schnabel, NIWA

A range of specimens of Palpatophora utiliformis gathered from a number of unrecorded locations around the lower North Island of New Zealand. Note the range of size of the oral groove, possibly indicating some hidden diversity. Maybe this most common species is indeed represented by a species complex, something will have to be determined by experts in future studies.