| Metallyticus splendidus | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Metallyticus splendidus | |
Scientific classification  | |
| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Arthropoda |
| Class: | Insecta |
| Order: | Mantodea |
| Family: | Metallyticidae |
| Genus: | Metallyticus |
| Species: | M. splendidus |
| Binomial name | |
| Metallyticus splendidus Westwood, 1835 | |
Metallyticus splendidus (informally known as the iridescent bark mantis) is a rare species of praying mantis found in Southeast Asia. [1] It has an iridescent appearance. [2]
M. splendidus was originally described by J. O. Westwood in 1835 as having a short, oval-shaped body, a blunt head, thick anterior femora, round eyes, and simple antennae. In the same work, Westwood described the genus Metallyticus as distinct from other mantis genera by the iridescent color, short pronotum, and the exposed tip of the abdomen when wings are closed. [3] Ermanno Giglio-Tos added additional descriptions of M. splendidus in 1927, noting the presence of yellow marks on the legs and vertex, and providing a description of the smoky, blackish wings. [4] [5]
Males and females of M. splendidus differ in coloration (males are blue-violet and females are golden-green) and size (females are around 31 millimetres (1.2 in) long whiles males measure 21 millimetres (0.83 in)). [4]
M. splendidus has been described as a basal mantis, [6] though some systematists argue that the application of this term to extant taxa can be misleading. [7] Several morphological traits of M. splendidus are plesiomorphic, such as its short prothorax and lack of discoidal spines. M. splendidus also have less ventral cervical sclerites than other species in their genus. Other traits of M. splendidus and other Metallyticus species are autapomorphic, including the metallic coloration and large outer spine on the front femur. [4] M. splendidus has been represented in morphological and molecular phylogenies, which have shown it to be nested within the monophyletic family Metallycidae, though the position of this family with respect to other mantis lineages remains in question. [8] [9]
The egg of M. splendidus is roughly shaped like a prolate spheroid, with a slight anterior constriction and concave dorsal side. Eggs measure about 3.2 millimetres (0.13 in) long and 1 millimetre (0.039 in) wide. A U-shaped fissure from which larvae rupture the eggshell, known as the hatching line, is present at the anterior pole of the egg. When raised at room temperature, eggs typically take 80–90 days to hatch. Eggs are laid in egg cases (öothecae) in groups of 20–30. [6]
The iridescent bark mantis is an active hunter both day and night. Its usual habitat is dead trees (e.g. Vatica rassak ), where its prey are likely to be found. [10] While nymphs have been reported on the surface of bark, [8] adult M. splendidus individuals tend to be found underneath the bark, feeding on butterflies, termites, flies, and mainly cockroaches. They typically dart to catch prey and bring them back to a crevice to feed, rather than ambushing them like most mantis species. [4] When running, this species also uses all six legs rather than holding the foremost pair aloft like many other mantises. [8]
The iridescent bark mantis is sold as an exotic pet, though vendors report it is difficult to raise. [11] This species survives in temperatures of 25–30 °C (77–86 °F) and at a humidity of 60-70% during the day, and 70-90% humidity during the night, and is non-cannibalistic. [11]
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.
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.
Eremiaphilidae is a small Old World family of praying mantids, based on the type genus Eremiaphila. As part of a major revision of mantid taxonomy, this family now contains the subfamily Tarachodinae, which includes tribes and genera previously placed in the now obsolete Tarachodidae.
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.
Rhombodera is a genus of praying mantises native to Asia and possessing common names such as shield mantis, hood mantis, and leaf mantis because of their extended, leaf-like thoraxes.
Thespidae is a family of 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. Many genera are Neotropical, but the Thespinae are represented in Africa, Asia, Europe, and North America.
Stenophylla is a genus of praying mantis in the subfamily Stenophyllinae, which is now placed in the family Acanthopidae. It the sole genus of the tribe Stenophyllini.
Miomantidae is a family of praying mantises in the order Mantodea.
Metallyticus fallax is a species of praying mantis found in Southeast Asia. It has an iridescent appearance. It is very similar to Metallyticus splendidus.
Iridopteryginae is a subfamily of mantises in the family Gonypetidae. There are two tribes, distributed in tropical Asia.
Tropidomantinae is a subfamily of mantises in the new (2019) family Nanomantidae. Within the single tribe Tropidomantini there are six genera, distributed in Asia and the Pacific.
Acontistini is a tribe of neotropical mantises in the superfamily Acanthopoidea, and family Acanthopidae. There are 7 genera and more than 30 described species in Acontistini. In 2016, several genera were moved from Acanthopidae to a newly created family Acontistidae, but this has not been accepted in most recent classifications.
Photinaidae is a family of mantises in the order Neotropical Mantodea, in the superfamily Acanthopoidea. There are about 11 genera and more than 40 described species in Photinaidae.
Thespinae is a subfamily of mantises in the family Thespidae. There are 16 genera and at least 40 described species: found in most continents.
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.
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.
The Gonypetidae are a new (2019) family of praying mantids, based on the type genus Gonypeta. The name was created 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.
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.
The Majangidae are a revived (2019) family of praying mantids from Madagascar.