Metallyticus

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Metallyticus
Metalliticussplendidus.JPG
Metallyticus splendidus
Scientific classification Red Pencil Icon.png
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Mantodea
Family: Metallyticidae
Handlirsch, 1925
Genus: Metallyticus
Westwood, 1835
Species

see text

Synonyms
  • MetalleuticaWestwood, 1834

Metallyticus is a genus of praying mantis. It is the only genus in the monotypic family Metallyticidae. They are mostly found in South-East Asia. The species of the genus are dark, somewhat flattened and cockroach-like, and often with a cuticle that is reflective and metallic in appearance. [1] [2]

Contents

The phylogenetic position of Metallyticidae relative to other mantis families has been studied using both morphological and molecular characters, but consensus on its placement has not been achieved. [3] Along with the genera Chaeteessa and Mantoida , Metallyticus is considered a member of the basal Mantodea, [3] though some scientists consider the application of this term to extant species to be misleading. [4] Metallyticidae species have several autapomorphic traits, including their metallic coloration and the enlarged spine on their front legs. They also have many plesiomorphic traits, including a relatively short pronotum and full wings in both sexes. [3]

Of the five species, M. splendidus and M. violaceus are the most abundant. Most specimens for scientific study have been found in Sumatra, Borneo, Java, and the Malay Peninsula. [3]

Species in this family are distinct from other mantises in their method of prey capture; Metallyticus species typically dart to capture prey, remaining close to the ground, rather than waiting to ambush. These species are usually found in or under bark of decaying trees. [3]

Species

Related Research Articles

Mantidae Family of praying mantises

Mantidae is one of the largest families in the order of praying mantises, based on the type species Mantis religiosa; however, most genera are tropical or subtropical. Historically, this was the only family in the order, and many references still use the term "mantid" to refer to any mantis. Technically, however, "mantid" refers only to members of the family Mantidae, and not the 14 remaining families of mantises. Some of the most recent classifications have promoted a number of the mantid subfamilies to the rank of family, e.g. Iridopterygidae, Sibyllidae, Tarachodidae, Thespidae, and Toxoderidae, while other classifications have reduced the number of subfamilies without elevating to higher rank.

Hymenopodidae Family of praying mantises

Hymenopodidae is a family of the order Mantodea (mantises), which contains six subfamilies. Some of the species in this family mimic flowers and are found camouflaged among them; these are called flower mantises. Their coloration is aggressive mimicry, luring prey to approach close enough to be seized and eaten.

<i>Creobroter</i> Genus of praying mantises

Creobroter is a genus of flower mantises in the tribe Hymenopodini; species are concentrated in Asia. The name comes from the Greek kreo-, meaning "flesh") and broter" meaning "eating", therefore, "flesh-eating", an apt name for a predatory insect. Both sexes have long wings and are capable fliers. Full-grown males are about 3 to 4 cm in length; females are about 4 to 5 cm.

<i>Metallyticus splendidus</i> Species of praying mantis

Metallyticus splendidus is a rare species of praying mantis found in Southeast Asia. It has an iridescent appearance.

Diabantia is a genus of praying mantises in the family Thespidae. It is monotypic, being represented by the single species, Diabantia minima.

Thespidae Family of praying mantises

Thespidae is a family of Neotropical insects in the order Mantodea. Following a major revision of this order in 2019, the old-world subfamilies Haaniinae and Hoplocoryphinae, previously placed here, have been upgraded to family level.

Toxoderidae Family of praying mantises

Toxoderidae is a family of praying mantises.

Deroplatyinae Subfamily of praying mantises

Deroplatyinae is a subfamily in the new (2019) family Deroplatyidae, containing species found in South-East Asia.

Acromantini Tribe of praying mantises

Acromantini is a tribe of mantis in the family Hymenopodidae, which contains 9 genera and 35 species:

Deroplatyini is a tribe of the subfamily Deroplatyinae of the family Mantidae of Mantodea.

Caliris is a genus of mantises in the family Haaniidae. Species in this genus are found in Asia.

<i>Orthodera</i> Genus of praying mantises

Orthodera is a genus of praying mantises that can be found in Australia and Southeast Asia, with one species said to be the only native species of mantis of New Zealand.

Metallyticus fallax is a species of praying mantis found in Southeast Asia. It has an iridescent appearance. It is very similar to Metallyticus splendidus.

Thespinae is a subfamily of mantids in the family Thespidae. There are 16 genera and at least 40 described species: found in Australasia, Central and South America.

Hierodulinae Subfamily of praying mantises

The Hierodulinae are a subfamily of praying mantids, originally used by Brunner von Wattenwyl. It was restored as part of a major revision of mantid taxonomy, and now contains genera previously placed elsewhere in the family Mantidae.

Nanomantidae Family of praying mantises

The Nanomantidae are a new (2019) family of praying mantises, based on the type genus Nanomantis. As part of a major revision of mantid taxonomy, genera and tribes have been moved here, substantially replacing the old family Iridopterygidae.

Gonypetidae Family of praying mantises

The Gonypetidae are a new (2019) family of praying mantids, based on the type genus Gonypeta. The first use of "Gonypetidae" was by Westwood and it has been revived as part of a major revision of mantid taxonomy; the subfamily Iridopteryginae having been moved here from the obsolete family Iridopterygidae. The Gonypetinae include Asian genera transferred from the obsolete taxa Amelinae and Liturgusidae.

Deroplatyidae Family of praying mantises

The Deroplatyidae are a new (2019) family of praying mantises, based on the type genus Deroplatys. As part of a major revision of mantis taxonomy, the subfamily Deroplatyinae has been moved here from the previously-structured family Mantidae.

Dactylopterygidae is a family of praying mantises, based on the type genus Dactylopteryx. The first use of "Dactylopterygidae" was by Giglio-Tos and it has recently (2019) been revived as part of a major revision of mantis taxonomy; three genera have been separated from others in the subfamily Liturgusinae and moved here from the family Liturgusidae.

Ephestiasula is a genus of praying mantises belonging to the family Hymenopodidae. The species of this genus are found in India.

References

  1. ↑ "genus Metallyticus Westwood, 1835: Mantodea Species File". mantodea.speciesfile.org. Retrieved 2021-02-01.
  2. ↑ "Metallyticus". tolweb.org. Retrieved 2021-02-01.
  3. 1 2 3 4 5 Wieland, Frank (2008). "The genus Metallyticus reviewed (Insecta:Mantodea)" (PDF). Species, Phylogeny and Evolution. 1: 147–170.
  4. ↑ Krell, Frank T.; Cranston, Peter S. (2004). "Which side of the tree is more basal?". Systematic Entomology. 29 (3): 279–281. doi:10.1111/j.0307-6970.2004.00262.x
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