What was a significant ecological role giant wētā played in the ancient New Zealand forest floors?
Answer
Decomposers breaking down tough cellulose in rotting logs
Their consumption of decaying wood made them significant decomposers, cycling nutrients by breaking down tough cellulose in an ecosystem that historically lacked large browsing mammals to perform similar functions.
Related Questions
To which geological era do the giant wētā's ancient lineage date back?What primary phenomenon is cited as the main driver behind the giant wētā’s substantial size?Approximately how much weight can a large female *wetapunga* exceed, according to the text?To which family of insects do wētā belong, sharing ancestry with crickets and grasshoppers?What has become the giant wētā's greatest vulnerability since the arrival of settlers?Which statement accurately describes the wing status of adult giant wētā?During daylight hours, where do giant wētā typically spend their time sheltering?What was a significant ecological role giant wētā played in the ancient New Zealand forest floors?Which specific species is noted as the largest by mass among the giant wētā group?What characteristic of the giant wētā makes reintroduction into former predator-filled habitats exceptionally difficult?