A novel form of wasp mimicry in a new species of praying mantis from the Amazon rainforest, Vespamantoida wherleyi gen. nov. sp. nov. (Mantodea, Mantoididae)

PeerJ

article

Gavin J. Svenson¹  Henrique M. Rodrigues¹ 

[1] Department of Invertebrate Zoology;Department of Biology, Case Western Reserve University

关键词: Hymenoptera;    Mantoida;    Neotropics;    Praying mantis;    Mimicry;    Wasp;    Morphology;    Mantodea;   

DOI  :  10.7717/peerj.7886

学科分类：社会科学、人文和艺术（综合）

来源: Inra

【 摘 要 】

A wasp mimicking praying mantis (Mantodea) of the early evolving Mantoididae family was discovered in 2013 at a research station near the Amazon River in Northern Peru. This adult specimen exhibited a striking bright red/orange and black coloration pattern that was undocumented in all known praying mantis species. We tested the status of this new specimen using external morphology, male genital dissections, and geographic distribution. Our findings demonstrate the specimen to represent a new species, Vespamantoida wherleyi gen. nov. sp. nov., that is closely allied with a recently described species, Mantoida toulgoeti Roy, 2010, both of which are included within the newly erected genus. To support our actions, we present high resolution images of museum preserved and living specimens, morphological illustrations, a generic-level distribution map, and recorded video of the behavior of the holotype taken in the field at the time of collection. The bright red/orange coloration contrasted with black markings, the general appearance of a hymenopteran that includes a narrowed wasp waist, and the locomotory patterns and antennal movements mark this newly discovered species as unique among all hymenopteran mimicking Mantoididae as well as all other praying mantises.

【 授权许可】

CC BY