Selection for predation, not female fecundity, explains sexual size dimorphism in the orchid mantises

Here we reconstruct the evolutionary shift towards floral simulation in orchid mantises and suggest female predatory selection as the likely driving force behind the development of extreme sexual size dimorphism. Through analysis of body size data and phylogenetic modelling of trait evolution, we recovered an ancestral shift towards sexual dimorphisms in both size and appearance in a lineage of flower-associated praying mantises. Sedentary female flower mantises dramatically increased in size prior to a transition from camouflaged, ambush predation to a floral simulation strategy, gaining access to, and visually attracting, a novel resource: large pollinating insects. Male flower mantises, however, remained small and mobile to facilitate mate-finding and reproductive success, consistent with ancestral male life strategy. Although moderate sexual size dimorphisms are common in many arthropod lineages, the predominant explanation is female size increase for increased fecundity. However, sex-dependent selective pressures acting outside of female fecundity have been suggested as mechanisms behind niche dimorphisms. Our hypothesised role of predatory selection acting on females to generate both extreme sexual size dimorphism coupled with niche dimorphism is novel among arthropods

The Long-Baseline Neutrino Experiment: Exploring Fundamental Symmetries of the Universe

The preponderance of matter over antimatter in the early Universe, the dynamics of the supernova bursts that produced the heavy elements necessary for life and whether protons eventually decay --- these mysteries at the forefront of particle physics and astrophysics are key to understanding the early evolution of our Universe, its current state and its eventual fate. The Long-Baseline Neutrino Experiment (LBNE) represents an extensively developed plan for a world-class experiment dedicated to addressing these questions. LBNE is conceived around three central components: (1) a new, high-intensity neutrino source generated from a megawatt-class proton accelerator at Fermi National Accelerator Laboratory, (2) a near neutrino detector just downstream of the source, and (3) a massive liquid argon time-projection chamber deployed as a far detector deep underground at the Sanford Underground Research Facility. This facility, located at the site of the former Homestake Mine in Lead, South Dakota, is approximately 1,300 km from the neutrino source at Fermilab -- a distance (baseline) that delivers optimal sensitivity to neutrino charge-parity symmetry violation and mass ordering effects. This ambitious yet cost-effective design incorporates scalability and flexibility and can accommodate a variety of upgrades and contributions. With its exceptional combination of experimental configuration, technical capabilities, and potential for transformative discoveries, LBNE promises to be a vital facility for the field of particle physics worldwide, providing physicists from around the globe with opportunities to collaborate in a twenty to thirty year program of exciting science. In this document we provide a comprehensive overview of LBNE's scientific objectives, its place in the landscape of neutrino physics worldwide, the technologies it will incorporate and the capabilities it will possess.Comment: Major update of previous version. This is the reference document for LBNE science program and current status. Chapters 1, 3, and 9 provide a comprehensive overview of LBNE's scientific objectives, its place in the landscape of neutrino physics worldwide, the technologies it will incorporate and the capabilities it will possess. 288 pages, 116 figure

Majangella moultoni Giglio-Tos 1915

Majangella moultoni Giglio-Tos, 1915 (FIGURES 1A–B; 2A–B; 3A–B; 4A; 5B, F; 6) Majangella moultoni: GIGLIO- TOS, 1915: 95; GIGLIO- TOS, 1927: 310; BEIER, 1931: 151; BEIER, 1935: 14; EHRMANN, 2002: 213; OTTE & SPEARMAN, 2005: 134; BRAGG, 2010: 24, 30, Figs. 6, 18, 36. Holotype: Male deposited in Sarawak Museum; Type Locality: Sadong, Borneo Material Examined. 1 ♂ — Borneo, Sabah, Tawau district, Brumas camp, 500–700 ft., 17–31.x.1973, C.J.M. Pruett, B.M. 1974–277, clay, shale and limestone hills. Primary rainforest, genitalia prep. MAJ07 (Locality M. m.1) (BMNH); 1 ♂ — Borneo, Sabah, Tawau, 25 May 1996, genitalia prep. MAJ13 (Locality M. m.2) (MNHN); 1 ♂ — Indonesia, Sumatra, Sumatera Utara Prov., 18 km N. of Prapat, at MV light, 14 Nov.1985, J.D. Weintraub collector, genitalia prep. MAJ01 (Locality M.m.3) (USNM); 1 ♂ — Indonesia, Sumatra, Sumatera Utara Prov., 18 km N. of Prapat, nr. Tigadolok, at MV light, 8 Nov.1985, J.D. Weintraub collector, genitalia prep. MAJ02 (Locality M.m.4) (USNM); 1 ♂ — West Sumatra, Mt. Sanggul, Landai env., 1200-1500m, 30 km N of Payakumbuh, leg. Jakl, 1.2007, Stiewe genitalia prep. No. Ma.Su. (Locality M. m.5) (Stiewe Coll.); 1 ♂ — West Malaysia, Cameron Highlands, leg. Wang, 4.XI.1986 (Locality M.m.6) (Stiewe Coll.); 1 ♂ — West Malaysia, Cameron Highlands, Sep 2002, Patride Folschveiller, genitalia prep. MAJ08 (Locality M.m.7) (MNHN); 1 ♂ — West Malaysia, Cameron Highlands, genitalia prep. MAJ09 (Locality M. m.8) (MNHN). Localities presented in Bragg (2010): 1 ♂ — Thailand, Phuket. Local collector. v.1996 (Locality M.m.9) (PEB-MI57); 1 ♂ — Sabah, Kinabalu N.P., 1580m. Anthony Lamb. April 1982 [ex. c. L. Chan's collection] (Locality M.m.10) (PEB-M228); 1 ♂ — Sabah, Crocker Range, Kota Kinabalu-Tambunan road. S. Chew, 26.ix.2006 (Locality M. m.11) (PEB-M345); 1 ♂ — Sabah, Danum Valley Conservation Area, Light trap. Ling Kai Lin, 21.v.2009 (Locality M. m.12) (BORN). Diagnosis. The largest of the three species, M. moultoni exhibits a subtle green pigmentation across the wings and body with comparatively paler brown pigment across the body. The process on the vertex is bifid as in M. ophirensis, but longer and more emarginated with both processes appearing more parallel. This species can also be easily distinguished based on the interruption of the black marking on the inner surface of the forefemora, which forms a pale transverse band cutting through the black region about two thirds from the base to the terminus. Original Description of Majangella moultoni by Giglio-Tos (1915: 95): “Moultoni n. sp. ♂. Mellea. Processus verticis brevis, apice bifido. Pronoti dentes marginales majors nigri, minors interpositi concolores: discus metazonae maculis duabus nigris inter sulcum et gibbas notatus, alteraque utrinque in medio metazonae: ampliatione lata, angulis acutis. Elytra abdomen longe superantis, submembranacea, albido olivaceo brunneoque marmorata. Alae hyalinae. Coxae anticae spinas 5–6, 3 basalibus fortioribus, armatae, inter spinas spinulis nonnullis minutis; intus apice nigro, nitido, ima basi nigro, signata. Femora antica intus fascia media irregulari transversa nigra sinata, maculaque praeapicali, spinis internis nigris. Long. Corp.mm. 36; long. Pron. 11; metaz. 7,5; lat. Pron.5; long. Elytr.30.” Translation: “Moultoni n. sp. ♂. Honey colored. Process of vertex short, apex bifid. Greater marginal denticles of the pronotum are black, the smaller interposed being the same color [as pronotum]: metazonal plate with two black spots between transverse sulcus and conical projections, and one on both sides in the middle of the metazone; lateral expansion [supra-coxal bulge], acute angled. Elytra surpassing the length of the abdomen, semi-translucent, whitish marbled with olive and brown. Hindwings hyaline. Forecoxa with 5–6 spines, 3 basal are most robust, armed, between with a few tiny spines; inner surface of distal apex black, shining, markedly black proximally. Inner surface of the forefemora with an irregular black mark interrupted medially, terminating pre-apically, internal spines black. Body Length 36 mm; length of pronotum 11 mm; metazone 7.5 mm; width of pronotum 5 mm; length of elytra 30 mm.” Redescription. Male (Figs. 1A & 1B). Length measurement from head to tip of abdomen 34–37 mm, of forewings 28–30.5 mm, of pronotum 9.9–10.8 mm, of metazone 6.5–7 mm, of forecoxae 8–9 mm, of forefemora 9.5–11 mm, of metathoracic femora 9–9.5 mm, of metathoracic tibiae 8.5–10 mm, of metathoracic tarsi 7–8 mm, and width of head 6 mm. Head (Figs. 2A & 2B): Process of the vertex bifid and strongly emarginated with the two processes projecting dorsally and appearing nearly parallel; margins either closely parallel and straight or with slight to moderate bulging in some specimens. The two small, symmetrical, conical protuberances located between the parietal sutures and the lateral depressions of the central bulge are small and appear as a dull conical bulge. Clypeus with a moderately defined transverse carina that is mostly defined laterally and nearly absent medially; medial carina moderately defined; lower lip slightly emarginated medially. Pronotum (Figs. 3A & 3B): The two posterior prozonal processes with prominent, large tubercles running up the posterior ridge, which steeply ascends to the forward oriented terminus. Two symmetrically placed conical processes in the anterior portion of the metazone are with prominent tubercles. Forelegs (Fig. 4A): A black marking on the inner surface of the femora interrupted by a pale transverse band cutting through the black region about two-thirds from the base to the terminus. Femora with 13–15 internal spines. Tibiae with 11 external spines and 12–13 internal spines. Legs: Preapical lobes on femoral carina are distinctly triangular. Carina of metathoracic femora always includes small lobe at the base, which is very small and resembles only slight bulging; may or may not include an additional small lobe medially. Wings: Forewings mostly hyaline with green and brown pigmentation on veins and in limited cells; costal region opaque greenish-brown; distinct brown mottling in costal and discoidal regions covering multiple cells in broad splotches. Hindwings hyaline and lack the strong brown pigmentation in the distal portion of the costal and discoidal areas of the hindwing seen in the other two species, but if present it is subtle and faint; veins in the costal region are pigmented green. Abdomen: The posterior margin of sternites with a medial lip that is emarginated, forming two symmetrical, pronounced rounded lobes; the carina running along the midline is pronounced and extending anteriorly. Male Genitalia (Figs. 5B–F): The tip of the pseudophallus sclerotized and terminating with a bulb or simply truncate, rarely with a slight curve to one side.Published as part of Svenson, Gavin J. & Vollmer, William, 2014, A case of the higher-level classification of praying mantises (Mantodea) obscuring the synonymy of Majangella Giglio-Tos, 1915 (Liturgusidae, Liturgusinae) and Ephippiomantis Werner, 1922 (Hymenopodidae, Acromantinae), pp. 103-119 in Zootaxa 3797 (1) on pages 109-112, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.3797.1.10, http://zenodo.org/record/491539

Majangella carli Giglio-Tos 1915

Majangella carli Giglio-Tos, 1915 (FIGURES 1C–E; 2C; 3C–D; 4B; 5J–M; 6) Majangella carli: GIGLIO- TOS, 1915: 95; GIGLIO- TOS, 1927: 310; BEIER, 1935: 14; BEIER, 1942: 141; EHRMANN, 2002: 213; OTTE & SPEARMAN, 2005: 134; BRAGG, 2010: 24–25, Figs. 7, 19. Holotype: Male listed as deposited in “Mus. Ginevra”, but this specimen cannot be located in the MNHG. We are certain of this repository since the patronym is derived from Dott. Carl, a former assistant at the “ Museo di Ginevra ”. Therefore, we are afraid the specimen is lost or has been borrowed and not returned to the MNHG; Type Locality: “ Sumatra ”. Material Examined. 1 ♂ — Borneo, Sarawak, Lambir Hills National Park, 4.198279°N, 114.041914°E, 15 October 2006, Coll: G.J. Svenson, MN330 Primary Voucher, genitalia prep. MAJ03 (Locality M. c.1) (GSMC); 1 ♂ — Borneo, Sabah, Tawau district, Brumas camp, 500–700 ft., 17–31.x.1973, C.J.M. Pruett, B.M. 1974–277, clay, shale and limestone hills, primary rainforest, genitalia prep. MAJ05 (Locality M. c.2) (BMNH); 1 ♂ — Borneo, Sabah, Sandakan district, Rumidi estate, River Labuk. 50–150 ft, 14–31.ix.1973, C.J.M. Pruett., B.M. 1974–277, heavy forest near plantations, genitalia prep. MAJ06 (Locality M. c.3) (BMNH); 1 ♂ — Borneo, Sabah, Tenom, 18.I.2006, S. Chew leg., Stiewe genitalia prep. No. Ma.Bo. (Locality M. c.4) (BMNH); 1 ♂ — West Malaysia, Cameron Highlands, XII.2000, genitalia prep. MAJ10 (Locality M. c.5) (MNHN); 1 ♂ — Burma, Dawna, H. Lehmann jr. Leg., 28. V.1996, Stiewe genitalia prep. No. Ma.Bu. 01 (Locality M. c.6) (Stiewe Coll.). Localities presented in Bragg (2010): 1 ♂ —East Java. Native collector. ii. 2008 (Locality M.c.7) (PEB-M359). Although females are not known for the other two species, it was brought to our attention late in this study that a female specimen is housed in the ZSMC (Zoologische Staatssammlung, München, Germany) and identified as such by Max Beier. We have neither examined this specimen nor verified its identification, but Martin Stiewe has photographed and briefly examined this specimen (Fig. 1E). Unfortunately, it is the only known representative for the genus and will not be included here in the description of M. carli. Perhaps in the future, females for all three species will be discovered and described. Based on the image taken by M. Stiewe, the female is strikingly similar in overall habitus to the male, which does not explain why females have remained unknown for so long as we have previously guessed them to be sexually dimorphic to males. Diagnosis. The smallest of the three species, colored brown with dark mottling that is similar to M. ophirensis, though the external surface of the forefemora has darker brown mottling. The process of the vertex forming a single projection that narrows distally to a dull, rounded point. This species can also be distinguished based on the uninterrupted black marking on the inner surface of the forefemora with two small pale markings along the dorsal edge flanking the widest part of the foliaceous expansion. Original Description Majangella carli by Giglio-Tos (1915: 95): “ ♂. M. Moultoni similis sed distincta: statura minore, colore testaceo, processus verticis apice integro, gibba antica prozonae pronoti humiliore, angulis ampliationis nonnihil rotundatis, maculis nigris inter sulcum pronoti et gibbas metazonae nullis, costa alarum basi virescente, apice infuscato maculato, femoribus anticis intus a sulco unguiculari ad apicem nigro-nitidis, maculis tribus flavis ad marginem superum. Long. corp. mm. 28; ling. pron. 10; long. metaz. 7; lat. pron. 4; long. elytr. 26.” Translation: “ ♂. M. Moultoni similar but distinct: small stature, colored a dull red, the single process of vertex at the apex, process on the prozone of the pronotum lower, the corners of the process somewhat rounded, with black markings between the pronotal sulcus and the processes of the metazone, costal region becoming green at the base of the wings, mottled a dusky color at the apex, inside of the forefemora black-shiny from tibial groove to the apex, three yellow spots on the outer margin distally. Body length 28 mm; length of pronotum 10 mm; length of metazone 7 mm; width of pronotum 4 mm; length of elytra 26 mm.” Redescription. Male (Figs. 1C & 1D). Length measurement from head to tip of abdomen 29–30 mm, of forewings 22–26 mm, of pronotum 8.5–9.5 mm, of metazone 5.5–6.5 mm, of forecoxa 7–8 mm, of forefemora 9–9.5 mm, of metathoracic femora 8–8.5 mm, of metathoracic tibiae 7–8 mm, of metathoracic tarsi 5–6 mm, and width of head 5–5.5 mm. Head (Fig. 2C): Process of the vertex forming a single projection that narrows distally to a dull, rounded point. The two small, symmetrical, conical protuberances located between the parietal sutures and the lateral depressions of the central bulge are strongly present and terminate with a distinct protuberance. Clypeus with the medial process projecting towards the lower margin, which creates a strong fold or ledge at the lower margin of the process that extends laterally; the transverse carina present, but smaller and not creating a strong edge to the lower margin above the lower lip, but only a small ridge extending from lateral margin to abut the medial carina medially; medial carina narrow, but distinct; lower lip emarginated medially. Pronotum (Figs. 3C & 3D): The two posterior prozonal processes with moderately sized tubercles running up the posterior ridge, which slowly ascends to a dull rounded terminus. Two symmetrically placed conical processes in the anterior portion of the metazone are mostly smooth with very few tubercles. Forelegs (Fig. 4B): Uninterrupted black marking on the inner surface of the forefemora with two small pale markings along the dorsal edge flanking the widest part of the foliaceous expansion. Femora with 15 internal spines. Tibiae with 11–12 external spines and 12 internal spines. Legs: Preapical lobes on femoral carina projecting distally and resembling a small, narrowing process. Carina of metathoracic femora may or may not include a small lobe at the base, which is very small and resembles only slight bulging; does not include any additional small lobes medially. Wings: Forewings mostly hyaline with brown and some black pigmentation on veins and in limited cells; costal region opaque brown or dark brown; distinct brown mottling in costal and discoidal regions covering multiple cells in broad splotches. Hindwings hyaline, but has strongly distinct brown markings in the costal region of the hindwing about two-thirds the distance from the base to the distal tip with the remainder of the wing hyaline, particularly from the dark marking to the tip of the wing. Abdomen: The posterior margin of sternites with a medial lip that is slightly emarginated, forming two symmetrical, broadly rounded lobes; the carina running along the midline is barely elevated and extending anteriorly just beyond the posterior margin and dissipating quickly. Male Genitalia (Figs. 5J–M): The tip of the pseudophallus sclerotized and terminating with a narrowing tip that is slightly curved.Published as part of Svenson, Gavin J. & Vollmer, William, 2014, A case of the higher-level classification of praying mantises (Mantodea) obscuring the synonymy of Majangella Giglio-Tos, 1915 (Liturgusidae, Liturgusinae) and Ephippiomantis Werner, 1922 (Hymenopodidae, Acromantinae), pp. 103-119 in Zootaxa 3797 (1) on pages 113-114, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.3797.1.10, http://zenodo.org/record/491539

Majangella Giglio-Tos 1915

Majangella Giglio-Tos, 1915 Majangella: GIGLIO- TOS, 1915: 93; GIGLIO- TOS, 1919: 66; GIGLIO- TOS, 1927: 309, 310, 700; BEIER, 1931: 151; BEIER, 1935: 6, 13; BEIER, 1942: 141; BEIER, 1964: 943; BEIER, 1968: 8; EHRMANN, 2002: 213, 375; OTTE & SPEARMAN, 2005: 134; BRAGG, 2010: 21-22, 24–25, 30, Figs. 3, 6 –7, 18–19, 36. = Ephippiomantis: WERNER, 1922: 123; GIGLIO- TOS, 1927: 651; WERNER, 1933: 267; BEIER, 1934: 15; BEIER, 1964: 939; BEIER, 1968: 6; EHRMANN, 2002: 135, 374; OTTE & SPEARMAN, 2005: 75; SVENSON & WHITING, 2009: Fig. 3. syn. nov. Type species: Majangella moultoni Giglio-Tos, 1915 by original designation. Original Descriptions. Included to provide strong evidence of synonymy. Original Description of Majangella by Giglio-Tos (1915: 93): “Gen. Majangella n. Gen Caput latum. Clypeus facialis prominens, triangularis. Clypeus frontalis transverses, basi bigranulato margine supero angulato, medio in dentem acutum producto. Oculi rotundati, prominentes. Ocelli magni. Vertex in medio super ocellos in processum conicum breve productus, inter processum et oculos tuberculo conico minute utrinque instrumetus. Summus vertex truncutas, ad oculos tuberculo rotundato parum distinto. Pronotum coxis ant. paulo longius marginibus fortiter dentatis, ampliatione lata, angulari, prozona compressa, antice in gibbam unicam rotundata, postice in gibbas binas conicas acutas elevate, sulco supracoxali profundo, metazona pone sulcum in gibbas binas conicas acutas elevate. Elytra longa, subopaca, laxe reticulate. Alae hyalinae, vena discoidali ramosa. Abdomen dilatatum, segmentis posticis angulis lobatis, acutis. Femora antica margine supero crenulato, a basi ultra medium in laminam lobum rotundatum formantem elevato, sulco unguiculari pone medium sito, spinus discoidalibus 4, spinis esternis 4 intus incurvis, longis. Tibiae anticae extus spinis 11, 1–6 ab apice erectis, 7–11 basalibus procumbentibus. Femora 4 postica basi nonnihil incrassate, subtus ante apicem lobulo dentiforme instructa. Tibiae 4 apice nonnihil attentuato. Lamina supraanalis transversa brevis. Cerci graciles longi.” Translation: “Gen. Majangella n. Gen Head broad. Clypeus prominent, triangular. Frontal shield transverse, the base rough with upper margin angulate, producing a medial acute process. The eyes rounded, prominent. Ocelli large. A short conical process is produced medially above the ocelli on the vertex, small conical tubercles present on each side between the process of vertex and the eyes. The uppermost vertex is truncate, a rounded tubercle a slight distance before the eyes. Forecoxae a little longer than pronotum and the margins strongly dentate, supracoxal bulge wide, angulate, prozone compressed, anteriorly with a single rounded process, located posteriorly are two elevated and pointed, conical processes, supracoxal sulcus deep, after sulcus on the metazone are two elevated and pointed, conical processes. Elytra long, sub-opaque, loosely reticulate. Hindwings hyaline, discoidal vein branching. Abdomen dilated, segments with posterior corners forming angular, acute lobes. Forefemora with upper margin crenulate, from the base to beyond the middle forming an elevated lamellar, rounded lobe, the tibial groove located proximal to the middle, 4 discoidal spines, 4 external spines that are long and curved inward. Foretibiae with 11 external spines, spines 1–6 from the apex are erect, 7–11 toward the base are decumbent. The 4 hind femora thickened at the base, furnished with a ventral denticulate pre-apical lobe. The 4 tibia simple at the apex. Supra-anal plate transverse, short. Cerci long, slender.” Original Description of Ephippiomantis by Werner (1922: 123): “ Ephippiomantis n. g. Generi Acromantis proximum, sed tuberculis duabus valde prominentibus pronoti ante sulcum transversum, duobusque pone sulcum sitis, acutis, appositis contiguis, post-positis distantibus, processu verticis distincte bifido, necnon elytris maculates sat distincta. Diese merkwürdge Acromantine, die im Habitus ebenso an Haania erinnert, wie sie in den wichtigen morphologischen Merkmalen sich völlig an Acromantis anschliesst, ist an den zwei Paaren von kegelförmigen Pronotumhöckern, zwischen denen sich eine sattelartige Vertiefung befindet (daher der Genusname), stammt aus Sumatra.” Translation: “ Ephippiomantis n. g. Closest to genus Acromantis, but well-enough distinguishable by the two very prominent tubercles on the pronotum anterior to the transverse sulcus and the two [tubercles] lying posterior to the sulcus, being acuminate [pointed], closely adjacent, the posterior ones distant [from each other?], by the vertical process being distinctly bifid, as well as by the speckled elytra. This strange Acromantine, resembling in habit as to Haania, as in the important morphological features that completely connects it to Acromantis is the two pairs of conical pronotal cusps, between which a saddle like depression is located (hence the genus name), comes from Sumatra.”Published as part of Svenson, Gavin J. & Vollmer, William, 2014, A case of the higher-level classification of praying mantises (Mantodea) obscuring the synonymy of Majangella Giglio-Tos, 1915 (Liturgusidae, Liturgusinae) and Ephippiomantis Werner, 1922 (Hymenopodidae, Acromantinae), pp. 103-119 in Zootaxa 3797 (1) on pages 104-105, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.3797.1.10, http://zenodo.org/record/491539

Case 3402 PHOTININI LeConte, 1881 (Insecta, Coleoptera) and PHOTININAE Giglio-Tos, 1915 (Insecta, Mantodea): proposed resolution of homonymy between family-group names

Volume: 64Start Page: 243End Page: 25

Response to “An exceptionally preserved 110 million years old praying mantis provides new insights into the predatory behaviour of early mantodeans”

Hörnig, Haug & Haug (2017) published a description of a new specimen of Santanmantis axelrodi MB.I.2068, an extinct species of praying mantis from the Crato Formation of Brazil. According to Hörnig, Haug & Haug (2017), the discovery of this new specimen brought with it implications for praying mantis character evolution and predatory behavior; it is with these lines of reasoning that we find fault. More specifically, we point to four flawed assumptions in their study that led to their unsubstantiated conclusion that S. axelrodi employed their mesothoracic legs in prey capture

A survey of the praying mantises of Rwanda, including new records (Insecta, Mantodea)

Tedrow, Riley, Nathan, Kabanguka, Richard, Nasasira, Svenson, Gavin J. (2015): A survey of the praying mantises of Rwanda, including new records (Insecta, Mantodea). Zootaxa 4027 (1): 67-100, DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.4027.1.

Supplementary Figure S2 from A Cretaceous-aged Palaeotropical dispersal established an endemic lineage of Caribbean praying mantises

Recent phylogenetic advances have uncovered remarkable biogeographic histories that have challenged traditional concepts of dispersal, vicariance and diversification in the Greater Antilles. Much of this focus has centred on vertebrate lineages despite the high diversity and endemism of terrestrial arthropods, which account for 2.5 times the generic endemism of all Antillean plants and non-marine vertebrates combined. In this study, we focus on three Antillean endemic praying mantis genera, <i>Callimantis</i>, <i>Epaphrodita</i> and <i>Gonatista</i>, to determine their phylogenetic placement and geographical origins. Each genus is enigmatic in their relation to other praying mantises due to their morphological affinities with both Neotropical and Old World groups. We recovered the three genera as a monophyletic lineage among Old World groups, which was supported by molecular and morphological evidence. With a divergence at approximately 107 Ma, the lineage originated during the break-up of Gondwana. Ancestral range reconstruction indicates the lineage dispersed from an African + Indomalayan range to the Greater Antilles, with a subsequent extinction in the Old World. The profound ecomorphic convergence with non-Caribbean groups obscured recognition of natural relationships within the same geographical distribution. To the best of our knowledge, the lineage is one of the oldest endemic animal groups in the Greater Antilles and their morphological diversity and restricted distribution mark them as a critical taxon to conserve

The evolution of startle displays : a case study in praying mantises

Anti-predator defences are typically regarded as relatively static signals that conceal prey or advertise their unprofitability. However, startle displays are complex performances that deter or confuse predators and can include a spectacular array of movements, colours and sounds. Yet, we do not fully understand the mechanisms by which they function, their evolutionary correlates, or the conditions under which they are performed and evolve. Here, we present, to our knowledge, the first phylogenetically controlled comparative analyses of startle displays including behavioural data, using praying mantises as a model system. We included 58 species that provide a good representation of mantis diversity and estimated the strength of phylogenetic signal in the presence and complexity of displays. We also tested hypotheses on potential evolutionary correlates, including primary defences and body size. We found that startle displays and morphological traits were phylogenetically conserved, whereas behavioural traits were highly labile. Surprisingly, body size was not correlated with display presence or complexity in phylogenetically controlled analyses. Species-rich clades were more likely to exhibit displays, suggesting that startle displays were probably involved in lineage diversification. We suggest that to further elucidate the conditions under which startle displays evolve, future work should include quantitative descriptions of multiple display components, habitat type, and predator communities. Understanding the evolution of startle displays is critical to our overall understanding of the theory behind predator–prey dynamics