From abf12c6961fcc3ba1e8b6b87fd3e898b9f45850d Mon Sep 17 00:00:00 2001 From: ggserver Date: Thu, 24 Apr 2025 19:13:22 +0000 Subject: [PATCH] Add updates up until 2025-04-24 19:07:18 --- .../62/CC6362614255D15FFF15FB3F089150A0.xml | 837 ++++++++++++++++++ .../62/CC636261425BD159FF15FB9F099E553B.xml | 311 +++++++ .../62/CC636261425DD15BFF15FE5E094257CB.xml | 302 +++++++ .../62/CC636261425FD15DFF15FB790ED2558B.xml | 340 +++++++ 4 files changed, 1790 insertions(+) create mode 100644 data/CC/63/62/CC6362614255D15FFF15FB3F089150A0.xml create mode 100644 data/CC/63/62/CC636261425BD159FF15FB9F099E553B.xml create mode 100644 data/CC/63/62/CC636261425DD15BFF15FE5E094257CB.xml create mode 100644 data/CC/63/62/CC636261425FD15DFF15FB790ED2558B.xml diff --git a/data/CC/63/62/CC6362614255D15FFF15FB3F089150A0.xml b/data/CC/63/62/CC6362614255D15FFF15FB3F089150A0.xml new file mode 100644 index 00000000000..e7f86161cda --- /dev/null +++ b/data/CC/63/62/CC6362614255D15FFF15FB3F089150A0.xml @@ -0,0 +1,837 @@ + + + +Discovery and formal description of the female of Microphotina Beier, 1935 (Mantodea: Photinaidae), with an updated key to species and remarks on the role of Citizen Science in advancing Mantodea biodiversity studies + + + +Author + +Rivera, Julio +Institut de recherche en biologie végétale, Département de sciences biologiques, Université de Montréal, 4101 Sherbrooke East, Montreal, QC, Canada H 1 X 2 B 2 & Montreal Insectarium, 4101 Sherbrooke St E, Montreal, Quebec, H 1 X 2 B 2, Canada + + + +Author + +Hausherr, Nicolas +Association d’Etude des Mantes de Guyane (AEMG), PK 19,5 Route du Dégrad Saramaca, 97310 Kourou, French Guiana + + + +Author + +Lanna, Leonardo Moutinho +Programa de Pós-Graduação em Zoologia, Universidade Federal do Pará / Museu Paraense Emílio Goeldi, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, R. Augusto Corrêa, 1, Guamá, Belém, 66075 - 110, Pará, Brazil & Projeto Mantis, independent organization, itinerant laboratory, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil + +text + + +Zootaxa + + +2025 + +2025-04-15 + + +5621 + + +2 + + +231 +248 + + + + +https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5621.2.4 + +journal article +10.11646/zootaxa.5621.2.4 +1175-5326 +15262552 +344D42C3-055A-43CA-98FB-553F557A862B + + + + + + + +Microphotina viridescens +( +Chopard, 1912 +) + + + + + + + +Figs. 1 +, +2A–D +, +3A–G +, +4D +, +5A–B, D +, +6A–G + + + + + + + +Photina viridescens +Chopard, 1912: 324 + + +[original description, m]. + + + + + +Microphotina viridescens +( +Chopard, 1912 +) + +: + +François & Roy, 2015: 394 + +[rescued from synonymy with + +M. vitripennis + +, taxonomy, morphology, distribution, photo of +holotype +, male genitalia]; + +Rivera & Svenson, 2020: 101 + +[checklist, taxonomy]; + +Moulin & Roy, 2020: 37 + +[checklist, DNA barcoding data]; + + +Schwarz +et al +., 2020: 31 + + +[comparison to + +M. panguanensis +Schwarz, 2020 + +, in key to species]; + + +Lanna +et al +., 2023: 88 + + +[checklist, taxonomy, in key to species, distribution]; + +Moulin, 2025: 160 + +[checklist, taxonomy, male genitalia, in key to FG species]. + + + + + +Material examined. +All material from +French Guiana +. + +1 male +, +1 female +with egg case, +Roura +, +Réserve +naturelle régionale +Trésor +, +4.61042 +-52.2790 +, elev. + +250m + +, + +25.XI.2022 + +( +AEMG +— +N. Hausherr +leg.) + +; + +1 female +with egg case, +Roura +, +Réserve +naturelle régionale +Trésor +, +4.61042 +-52.2790 +, elev. + +250m + +, + +26.XI.2022 + +( +AEMG +— +N. Hausherr +leg.) + +; + +1 male +, +Roura +, near +Fourgassier +, ca. + +4 km +NW Réserve + +naturelle régionale +Trésor +, +4.6379 +-52.3021 +, + +114m + +, + +25.XI.2022 + +( +E. Serres +leg.) + +; + +1 male +, +Roura +, nr. +Fourgassier +, + +4km +NW Réserve + +naturelle régionale +Trésor +, +4.6379 +-52.3021 +, + +114m + +, + +26.XI.2022 + +( +E. Serres +leg.) + +; + +1 female +, +Kourou +, end of +Dégrad Saramaka +road, elev. + +9m + +, +5.0143 +-52.6989 +, + +25.VII.2022 + +( +E. Loeb +leg) + +. +We +also examined +one male +and +one female +reared from each of the +two egg +cases collected. They are labeled as the progenitor females as indicated above. + + + + +Distribution. +Widespread in FG, with records from Cacao, Kourou, Mana, Maripasoula, Montsinéry-Tonnegrande, +Regina, Roura, Saint-Georges +, and Saint-Laurent-du-Maroni communes. + + + + +Description, Female +. Coloration ( +Fig. 1A–D +) of living individuals uniformly leaf green, except for a whitish strip extending between the proximal half of the forewing’s costal area and the base of the pronotal metazona, and a large yellowish-orange region over abdominal terga 1–4 (concealed by the wings when at rest). In drypreserved specimens, body coloration, including the abdomen, fading to pale green to yellowish, with whitish regions becoming less conspicuous. Measurements in +Table 1 +. + + + +TABLE 1. +Measurements of studied females (mm). + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + +
+Specimen + +Female 1 +c + +Female 2 +d + +Female 3 + +Female 4 + +Female 5 +
Body lengtha2934323129
Head Length3.633.753.713.743.45
Head Width5.565.75.775.695.35
Lower Frons width2.242.252.282.362.07
Lower Frons length0.410.410.410.40.39
Pronotal length (prozona + metazona)9.6910.1010.3310.519.37
Prozona2.792.892.922.982.65
Metazona6.97.217.417.536.72
Pronotal width2.732.772.822.82.54
Ratio metazona/prozona2.472.492.532.532.54
Forewing Length14.3714.615.2415.3413.99
Hindwing Length12.29----
Hindwig Width8.11----
Forecoxal Length6.586.966.927.086.6
Forecoxal Width1.021.341.041.12-
Forefemoral Length8.428.738.478.97.89
Forefemoral Width1.832.001.971.661.51
Foretibia Lengthb3.894.074.154.264.14
Foretibia Length (with tibial spur)5.15.355.675.795.02
Mesofemur Length8.38.478.448.967.67
Mesotibia Length6.246.796.947.246.38
Mesotarsus Length3.96----
Metafemur Length-9.189.199.458.52
Metatibia Length9.9110.5110.3210.899.66
+ + + +aApproximated +; body length measurements may vary due to the non-rigid nature of the abdomen. + + +bAs +measured from the proximal bend of the tibia to the metatarsal insertion. + + +cSpecimen +portrayed in Fig. 1C + + +dSpecimen +portrayed in Fig. 1D + + + +Head ( +Fig. 1E +) distinctly wider than long, pentagonal in shape. Juxtaocular bulges moderately developed and elevated as much as the vertex, extending above an imaginary line connecting the top of the compound eyes. Compound eyes kidney-shaped with rounded lateral margins, ocelli minute. Lower frons narrow, approximately 5.5–6 times wider than long. Antennae filiform and slightly longer than the pronotum, flagellomeres of the basal third green but darkening towards the distal third, becoming primarily dark brown. + + +Pronotum ( +Fig. 1F +) moderately robust, its surface smooth, longitudinal carina inconspicuous, only faintly indicated across the supracoxal sulcus. Lateral margins of the pronotum bearing small triangular denticles, the same absent along the supracoxal dilation. Ratio metazona/prozona = 2.47–2.54 (average ≈ 2.5). Anterior margin of prozona rounded, lateral margins almost parallel. + + +Prothoracic legs relatively robust. Forecoxae surface smooth, inner aspect with short and scattered pilosity (especially concentrated on the basal third), anterior and posterior margins with small serrulations, apical lobes strongly divergent. Foreleg spination formula: F=4DS/14AvS/5–6PvS; T=14–16AvS/19PvS. Forefemora ( +Fig. 1G– H +) with tibial spur groove at its proximal third. The third DS the longest, second DS slightly longer than the fourth, and first DS very small, almost indistinct. Forefemoral AvS equidistant, similar in size, except for the shorter 11th and 13th, and four basalmost AvS arranged in two rows. Forefemoral typically with 5 PvS, exceptionally 6 ( +Fig. 1H +). Distance between 1st and 2nd PvS is shortest among any other contiguous pair within the same series. Each genicular lobe bearing a small spine. Foretibiae dorsal margin mostly straight, PvS and AvS declined, increasing in size distally, PvS smaller than AvS. All foreleg spines pale green with dark tips. + + +Meso- and metathoracic legs narrow ( +Fig. 1C–D +), midtibiae shorter than corresponding femora. + + +Mesothoracic wing membrane green and opaque, veins slightly darker than surrounding membrane, creating a contrasting reticulated pattern. Stigma elongated and green, matching the color (=concolorous) of the veins. Costal area whitish proximally, progressively turning green distally, bearing irregular reticulation. Metathoracic wings opaque, costal area yellowish green, discoidal area yellow except for a narrow green distal portion, anal area orange ( +Figs. 1A‒D +). Wings typically reaching just beyond the distal margin of tergum 5 In resting position (variable depending on the degree of abdominal distention). + + + +FIGURE 1 +. Female of + +Microphotina viridescens + +. A) Dorsal habitus of a living specimen. B) Captive individual showing the vivid coloration of the metathoracic wing and abdominal terga. C) Dorsal habitus of the specimen shown in A, but with wing coloration slightly faded after preservation. D) Dorsal habitus of a pinned specimen with a distended abdomen (notice yellowish coloration of abdomen acquired after preservations). E) Head, frontal view. F) Pronotum, dorsal view. G) Forefemur, anteroventral aspect. H) Forefemur, posteroventral aspect, highlighting supernumerary PvS; I) Female genitalia. J) Gonapophysis 8 (gp8) in lateral view. Abbreviations: AG (accessory gland sclerite), agsl (accessory gland supporting lobe), al (aulax), CX8 (coxae 8), cxvl (ventrolateral coxal lobelet), DS (discoidal spines), gp8 (gonapophysis 8), gp9 (gonapophysis 9), gpal8 (apical lobe of gonapophysis 8), gl9 (gonoplac 9), GPm9 (mesal gonapophyseal sclerite 9), PvS (posteroventral spine), job (juxtaocular bulge). Scale bars (mm): C–D = 5 mm, E–H = 1 mm. + + + +Abdomen fusiform, lacking lobes or projections. Supraanal plate triangular with a rounded apex. Cerci setulose, longer than the supraanal and subgenital plates, comprising 11 visible cercomeres (first visible cercomere consisting of a few fused segments), last cercomere conical with rounded tip, longer than wide. Genitalia ( +Fig. 1I +) with apical lobe (gpal8) of gonapophysis 8 (gp8) bearing long setae. The aulax (al), a longitudinal dorsal groove located in the middle of gp8 accommodating the rachis of gp9, elongated, its internal ridge extending forward to form a trapezoidal protrusion ending in a narrow, curved lobe; in lateral view, the tip of gp8 appearing wrench-like ( +Fig. 1J +). Apex of gonoplac 9 (gl9) truncated and shallowly notched. Gonapophysis 9 (gp9) pointy, with the rachis and mesal gonapophyseal sclerite 9 (GPm9) well-sclerotized, the latter being narrow and straight. The accessory gland supporting lobe (agsl) membranous, accessory gland sclerite (AG) moderately sclerotized. Coxae 8 (CX8) elongated. The ventrolateral coxal lobelet (cxvl) well-developed, laterally projected and forked. + + +Ootheca ( +Fig. 2A–D +) semi-spherical, outer wall thin and smooth, caramel brown in color (unhatched egg cases may have a greenish tinge); no visible traces of external coating on the outer wall. The proximal end of the ootheca fully or partially encircling the attaching substrate; in this case, the petiole of a leaf or its midvein. At the fixation point, the emergence area forming an angle of 100–120 degrees relative to the substrate; as a result, the ventral surface of the ootheca exposed. The emergence area itself convex and distally raised (better observed in the lateral view), forming a ridge with a slightly curved apex. The emergence area encompassing 18–20 openings (the same are sealed with a whitish, spongious material in freshly laid specimens). Inside the ootheca, approximately 62– +75 eggs +observed, the eggs in contact with the inner wall, as indicated by the rounded scars left at their point of contact. Measurements (mm): length (from tip to fixation point): 10.98–11.13; width: 7.18–7.2; length of emergence area: 11.11–11.33; max. girth: 23.17–24.2; width of emergence area: 1.42–1.62. + + + + +Remarks on male morphology. +The examined males of + +M. viridescens + +match the redescription provided by +François & Roy (2015) +. However, we find it pertinent to clarify two aspects that we consider ambiguous in +François & Roy’s (2015) +treatment of this species: (i) the chromatic characteristics of the male wings and (ii) the anatomical details of the left phallomere’s posterior process (paa). + + +The male +holotype +of + +M. viridescens + +( +Fig. 3A +) is peculiar because its wings possess a yellowish green, tessellated pattern, a unique feature not observed in males of any other member of the +Photinainae +. Concerning this attribute, +François & Roy (2015 +, p. 394) wrote (translated from French): i) “Wide elytra [...] more or less translucent with pale green veins, the costal and radial veins of the same color as the apex, +which is of a deeper green shade +”; ii) “Wings [...] with a +similar coloration pattern, the apex being more or less greenish +, as observed in the +holotype +”; and iii) “The male +holotype +is distinguished from all others by +its less translucent flight organs with more extensive opaque borders +…” Based on our analysis of specimens, we find that the text by +François & Roy (2015) +is ambiguous in characterizing the wing pigmentation, as it suggests that this characteristic is +more +accentuated in the +holotype +, thus implying that the same trait is present in other males but to a lesser extent. Unfortunately, +François & Roy (2015) +only portrayed the male +holotype +, and thus this character could not be corroborated in other specimens reported within the same publication. + + +To clarify this issue, we consulted with N. Moulin, who informed us that male specimens of this species reported by +François & Roy (2015) +and deposited at the MNHN have, like the specimens we examined, typical male + +Microphotina + +wings, i.e., hyaline and unpigmented ( +Fig. 3B +). This confirms that the +holotype +of + +M. viridescens + +corresponds to an anomalous individual in which wing pigmentation attributes, commonly observed in females, may have been expressed, possibly in response to the activity of an internal parasite, as speculated by +François & Roy (2015) +. There are other reported cases of intersexual specimens designated as +holotypes +in the taxonomic history of Neotropical +Mantodea +. For example, +Lombardo & Umbriaco (2011) +discovered that + +Parastagmatoptera abnormis +Beier, 1963 + +was a parasite-induced intersexual individual of + +P. flavoguttata +(Audinet-Serville, 1839) + +( +Mantidae +), while +Agudelo (2014) +reported a similar case in the “female” +holotype +of + +Photina gracilis +Giglio-Tos, 1915 + +, which turned out to be a remarkable case of a fully feminized male of + +Photina vitrea +(Burmeister, 1838) + +( +Photinaidae +). In the previous cases, the presence of horsehair worms (Nematomorpha) inside the abdominal cavities of the examined type specimens was confirmed through direct observation or dissections. The presence of such a parasite inside the abdomen of the +holotype +of + +M. viridescens + +is pending confirmation. + + + +FIGURE 2 +. Oothecae of + +M. viridescens + +and relatives ( +Cardiopterinae ++ +Photinainae +). A) Right lateral view (specimen 1). B) Left lateral view (specimen 2) showing the mode of attachment to the substrate. C) Dorsal view. D) Frontal view (notice ridged emergence area). E) Ootheca diversity in +Photinainae +and its sister group, +Cardiopterinae +(evolutionary affinities +sensu +Rivera & Svenson, 2016 +). Overall, the oothecae of +Photinainae +can be distinguished from those of +Cardiopterinae +by their caramel brown coloration, compact and globular shape, thick and hard outer wall, and raised emergence area (except in + +Hicetia + +). Not to scale. + + + +The conformation of the phallomeres of + +M. viridescens + +, the features of the distal margin of the subgenital plate, and the slight asymmetry of the styli (observed in some specimens), are all recognizable in our examined material. The left phallomere’s posterior process (paa) was not clearly represented in +François & Roy (2015: 394 +, Fig 10) and thus we picture and describe it here in greater detail ( +Figs. 3C–D +). Overall, the genital complex of + +M. viridescens + +conforms with the “ +Type +3” morphology of +Rivera & Svenson (2020) +. The left phallomere has the afa reduced to a narrow, sclerotized region that is wider in its distal half and is anteriorly accompanied by a well-developed, membranous lobe. The paa is well-developed and robust, hammerhead-like, with an irregular distal margin ( +Fig. 3D +). The ventral phallomere is guttiform with elongated and narrow bl, its tip curved and strongly sclerotized, and right lateral margin with a small, sclerotized region (better observed in the ventral view) ( +Fig. 3E +). The right phallomere has a large patch of setiform spines ( +Figs. 3F–G +). Consistent with +François & Roy (2015) +, the subgenital plate is even (not notched) in between the styli; the latter may be slightly asymmetrical in terms of size and shape in some specimens. + + +Our observations confirmed that the ventral phallomere’s paa of + +M. viridescens + +is hammerhead-like, as in + +M. panguanensis + +Schwarz +et al +., 2020 + + +and + +M. cristalino + +Lanna +et al +., 2023 + + +, sharing more similarities with the latter. In + +M. viridescens + +the paa ventral margin is also irregular but to a lesser extent than the condition observed in + +M. cristalino +( + +Lanna +et al +., 2023 + +) + +, while the afa lacks the proximal swelling observed in the latter species. Furthermore, the paa of + +M. viridula +Roy, 2019 + +is also hammerhead-like ( +Fig. 3H +) and not simple as originally depicted in +Roy (2019: 64 +, +Fig. 4B–D +), thus evidencing its close affinities with the aforementioned species. In light of the new information, we updated the key to + +Microphotina +spp. + +(males) as follows: + + + + \ No newline at end of file diff --git a/data/CC/63/62/CC636261425BD159FF15FB9F099E553B.xml b/data/CC/63/62/CC636261425BD159FF15FB9F099E553B.xml new file mode 100644 index 00000000000..521ce910c8d --- /dev/null +++ b/data/CC/63/62/CC636261425BD159FF15FB9F099E553B.xml @@ -0,0 +1,311 @@ + + + +Discovery and formal description of the female of Microphotina Beier, 1935 (Mantodea: Photinaidae), with an updated key to species and remarks on the role of Citizen Science in advancing Mantodea biodiversity studies + + + +Author + +Rivera, Julio +Institut de recherche en biologie végétale, Département de sciences biologiques, Université de Montréal, 4101 Sherbrooke East, Montreal, QC, Canada H 1 X 2 B 2 & Montreal Insectarium, 4101 Sherbrooke St E, Montreal, Quebec, H 1 X 2 B 2, Canada + + + +Author + +Hausherr, Nicolas +Association d’Etude des Mantes de Guyane (AEMG), PK 19,5 Route du Dégrad Saramaca, 97310 Kourou, French Guiana + + + +Author + +Lanna, Leonardo Moutinho +Programa de Pós-Graduação em Zoologia, Universidade Federal do Pará / Museu Paraense Emílio Goeldi, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, R. Augusto Corrêa, 1, Guamá, Belém, 66075 - 110, Pará, Brazil & Projeto Mantis, independent organization, itinerant laboratory, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil + +text + + +Zootaxa + + +2025 + +2025-04-15 + + +5621 + + +2 + + +231 +248 + + + + +https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5621.2.4 + +journal article +10.11646/zootaxa.5621.2.4 +1175-5326 +15262552 +344D42C3-055A-43CA-98FB-553F557A862B + + + + + + +Citizen Science and +Mantodea +Biodiversity Research + + + + + + +The elusive nature of praying mantises presents many challenges in studying their biodiversity.One primary limitation is obtaining sufficient specimens for accurate taxonomic characterization, understanding geographical distribution, and uncovering biological patterns ( +Rivera 2010b +). This scarcity is compounded by sex biases in collections and the rarity of certain lineages found in difficult-to-survey habitats. Additionally, academic researchers face increasingly complex regulations and bureaucratic hurdles that restrict access to and movement of specimens for study (Welch +et al +. 2019). Extended fieldwork utilizing various trapping methods can alleviate some of these challenges (e.g., + +Schwarz +et al +. 2020 + +; + +Lanna +et al +. 2023 + +), but time and resource constraints often make this impractical for individual researchers in the long run. Despite the dedicated efforts of a handful of scattered specialists worldwide, a persistent shortage of expertise hampers research into +Mantodea biodiversity +, necessitating complementary approaches to expedite the global inventory of praying mantis diversity amid the current biodiversity crisis. + + +Citizen science, a collaborative research approach involving public participation, significantly enhances scientific knowledge through collective data contributions that extend beyond the capabilities of professional researchers ( +Silvertown 2009 +; + +Bonney +et al +. 2016 + +; + +Sun +et al +. 2021 + +). Data gathered by the public can be accessed by researchers, validated, and integrated into various projects to enhance our understanding of nature and its processes. Citizen Science-driven research has helped map threatened species ( + +Zapponi +et al +. 2017 + +; Wilson +et al +. 2017), monitor invasive and pestiferous organisms ( + +Vendetti +et al +. 2018 + +; + +Schade +et al. +2019 + +; + +Streito +et al +. 2021 + +), discover new species or uncharted populations (Kasalo +et al +. 2020; + +Mesaglio +et al +. 2021 + +), and track population range expansion ( + +Jones +et al +. 2019 + +). Citizen science has proven instrumental in advancing our understanding of biodiversity and conservation and highlighted the importance of charismatic species as focal points for public awareness and action ( + +Ducarme +et al +. 2013 + +; + +Albert +et al +. 2018 + +; + +Castillo-Huitrón +et al +. 2020 + +). The charismatic appeal of praying mantises could potentially be harnessed to engage the public in advancing the study of their biodiversity through Citizen Science initiatives. + + +In the context of +Mantodea biodiversity +studies, at least two strategies can be employed depending on the level of public involvement in the scientific processes and the desired outcome (adapted from + +Shirk +et al +. 2012 + +): + +a) Participatory (or Contributory) Citizen Science (PCS) involves research projects led by professional scientists, with the public typically restricted to quantitative or qualitative data collection with minimal to no input into research design or data analysis. Tasks are usually simple, requiring little time, logistics, and resource investment, facilitating broad public participation. PCS projects are also ideal for accompanying research initiatives that aim to raise awareness or educate the public on focal topics such as environmental issues or conservation needs. +b) Collaborative Citizen Science (CCS) encourages active collaboration with engaged citizen scientists to set research goals, refine methodological approaches, and interpret findings, while professional scientists maintain leadership in research design and data analysis. Tasks are typically designed to foster stronger engagement and leverage available expertise and capabilities, leading to a deeper understanding of the scientific process. CCS projects require a greater investment in time and resources from engaged citizens, as well as training and coordination; as a result, CCS typically involves fewer participants. + +PCS as a method in praying mantis biodiversity studies has gained traction in recent years. This trend is greatly facilitated by citizen science platforms like iNaturalist, which use artificial intelligence-powered computer vision models to help users identify organisms. Citizen scientists enabled the initial application of iNaturalist to +Mantodea +studies to detect and track invasive species. The global trade in praying mantises as popular arthropod pets, combined with their egg cases’ natural dispersal abilities, has led to many species spreading far beyond their native ranges ( +Schwarz & Ehrmann 2018 +; + +Battiston +et al +. 2022 + +). iNaturalist has proven invaluable for the detection of these invaders, especially in Europe (e.g., + +Cianferoni +et al +. 2018 + +; +Fearn 2018 +; Moulin 2020; + +Battiston +et al +. 2020 + +; + +Pintilioaie +et al +. 2021 + +; +van der Heyden & Schwarz 2021 +; +Fasano & De Martino 2023 +). Additionally, georeferenced records from iNaturalist have significantly contributed to our understanding of species distribution, habitats, ecological preferences, phenology and community composition in different regions ( +de la Fuente 2023 +; Connors 2023; + +Connors +et al +. 2022 + +; + +Connors +et al +. 2023 + +; + +Greyvenstein +et al. +2023 + +; + +Mirzaee +et al +. 2024 + +; + +Luna +et al +. 2024 + +). The use of iNaturalist in +Mantodea +studies is still in its nascent stages, and we anticipate numerous additional applications. For example, taxonomy could also greatly benefit from PCS projects supported by this platform. iNaturalist records can inform taxonomy by revealing undocumented sexually dimorphic traits, discovering new species, and filling gaps in our knowledge of species’ geographic distribution, thereby providing insights into the geographic boundaries between species and species groups. Additionally, iNaturalist records may uncover taxonomically informative color traits observable only in live specimens, further shedding light on how chromatic patterns and morphological traits are integrated into specific habitats for cryptic purposes. Virtual surveys of +type +localities via iNaturalist can also offer valuable insights into the traits of a given species when physical examination of primary +type +(or topotypical) specimens is not possible. Similarly, data retrieved from iNaturalist can further be used to identify ecological trends across different scales, including impacts of climate change, niche modeling, and biogeographic patterns, all aspects rarely explored in +Mantodea +studies due to data limitations, but otherwise requiring urgent attention. Overall, PCS projects are ideal for gathering data encompassing broad geographic areas and temporal scales, valuable for circumscribing species, and understanding biodiversity patterns and ecological dynamics in +Mantodea +. + + +CCS projects in +Mantodea +studies have received less emphasis compared to PCS initiatives. CCS projects are particularly suited for focused efforts requiring accurate and detailed data. Unlike PCS, CCS projects foster scientific collaboration and capacity-building within communities and organizations. Examples include monitoring target species or populations, conducting surveys to map species distribution, tracking seasonal shifts in local species abundance, or long-term observation of biological trends. These initiatives benefit from direct partnerships with individuals and organizations actively engaged in fieldwork in accessible praying mantis habitats. The present study, resulting from the active engagement of the Association d’Étude des +Mantes +de +Guyane +( +AEMG +), illustrates how CCS projects can enhance praying mantis biodiversity research. + + +Based in +FG +, +AEMG +was founded by Citizen Scientist Nicolas Hausherr (a co-author) and Emma Loeb with the goal of expanding our knowledge of the local praying mantis fauna through structured surveys and scientific observation of breeding colonies of local species. Since its beginnings in 2017, +AEMG +has made significant progress in species identification and data validation thanks to the support of local entomologists and praying mantis taxonomists. For instance, +AEMG +has documented the complete life cycles of 10 species and discovered the egg cases of 25 species in +FG +, including regionally rare species like + +Paratithrone royi + +and + +M. viridescens + +. The association obtained legal status in 2022 and now conducts praying mantis inventories in two reserves, including the Trésor Regional Nature Reserve where work on + +M. viridescens + +and other species has been conducted ( + +Hausherr +et al +. 2024 + +). +AEMG +also promotes public outreach by fostering a network of naturalists in +FG +. The collaboration between +AEMG +, mantis specialists and the local naturalist network exemplifies the critical role that CCS projects and engaged local individuals and organizations can play in advancing +Mantodea biodiversity +studies in the Guianian region and supporting local conservation initiatives. + + + + \ No newline at end of file diff --git a/data/CC/63/62/CC636261425DD15BFF15FE5E094257CB.xml b/data/CC/63/62/CC636261425DD15BFF15FE5E094257CB.xml new file mode 100644 index 00000000000..68858d804de --- /dev/null +++ b/data/CC/63/62/CC636261425DD15BFF15FE5E094257CB.xml @@ -0,0 +1,302 @@ + + + +Discovery and formal description of the female of Microphotina Beier, 1935 (Mantodea: Photinaidae), with an updated key to species and remarks on the role of Citizen Science in advancing Mantodea biodiversity studies + + + +Author + +Rivera, Julio +Institut de recherche en biologie végétale, Département de sciences biologiques, Université de Montréal, 4101 Sherbrooke East, Montreal, QC, Canada H 1 X 2 B 2 & Montreal Insectarium, 4101 Sherbrooke St E, Montreal, Quebec, H 1 X 2 B 2, Canada + + + +Author + +Hausherr, Nicolas +Association d’Etude des Mantes de Guyane (AEMG), PK 19,5 Route du Dégrad Saramaca, 97310 Kourou, French Guiana + + + +Author + +Lanna, Leonardo Moutinho +Programa de Pós-Graduação em Zoologia, Universidade Federal do Pará / Museu Paraense Emílio Goeldi, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, R. Augusto Corrêa, 1, Guamá, Belém, 66075 - 110, Pará, Brazil & Projeto Mantis, independent organization, itinerant laboratory, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil + +text + + +Zootaxa + + +2025 + +2025-04-15 + + +5621 + + +2 + + +231 +248 + + + + +https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5621.2.4 + +journal article +10.11646/zootaxa.5621.2.4 +1175-5326 +15262552 +344D42C3-055A-43CA-98FB-553F557A862B + + + + + + +Key to genera of +Microphotinini +(females) + + + + + + + + +1. Metazona/prozona ratio ≤ 2.6. Whitish stripe on the sides of the pronotum subtly visible near the base. Forewings with contrasting reticulation (veins stand out against the membrane). Abdominal pleural membranes pale pink. Cerci about twice as long as supraanal plate, conical, fully green or yellowish............................................ + +Microphotina + + + + + +- Metazona/prozona ratio ≥ 3. Whitish stripe on the sides of the pronotum reaching as far as the supracoxal dilatation. Forewings with concolorous membrane and veins. Abdominal pleural membranes strikingly white. Cercus length about three times that of supraanal plate, flattened, largely pigmented in a dark purplish................................... + +Chromatophotina + + + + + + + +The current evidence suggests that + +Microphotina + +is paraphyletic ( +Rivera & Svenson 2016 +; + +Lanna +et al +. 2023 + +). Our analysis of + +M. viridescens + +revealed it possesses a reduced afa (left phallomere) and a hammerhead-like paa (ventral phallomere), traits shared with + +M. viridula + +, + +M. panguanensis + +, and + +M. cristalino + +, evidencing their close relationship ( + +Lanna +et al +. 2023 + +). Identified as + +Microphotina +sensu lato + +in + +Lanna +et al +. (2023) + +, this group stands apart from its sister clade + +M. vitripennis + +( +sensu stricto +) + + +Chromatophotina +spp. + +, as revealed by +Rivera & Svenson (2016) +, and provides additional support to the hypothesis the species sharing reduced afa and hammerhead-like paa may warrant reclassification under a new genus, distinct from + +Microphotina +s. str. + +A detailed morphological analysis of the female of + +M. vitripennis + +will be necessary to resolve the paraphyly of + +Microphotina + +for further refinement of the systematic of +Microphotinini +. + + + + +Natural History. +In Roura, specimens were captured in two different sites. +One male +was found in the area called the +zone basse savane +, in the middle of RNRT. This male specimen was attracted to our light trap in an open area (savannah), but it most likely flew in from the neighboring forest. Additional male specimens were collected in an open area surrounded by primary forest near RNRT’s reception area. Males flew to the light trap between 11:00 p.m. and 2:00 a.m. All of the female specimens obtained at RNRT were also observed or collected in the reception area, specifically in the vicinity of the parking lot and in the picnic area. The female obtained at Kourou was found on a tree at the edge of a degraded forest. All the + +M. viridescens + +females were spotted well above ground level (4–6 meters high). Dislodging the females from their perches using a net equipped with a 5-meter-long pole proved to be challenging because, upon disturbance, they pressed their bodies firmly against the leaf on which they were perching to enhance crypsis ( +Fig. 5A +). Surprisingly, three of the +four females +examined were found on the same tree at RNRT, all within a radius of about 5 meters. Furthermore, +two females +were guarding +one egg +case each. + + +While in captivity, females wandered their enclosure during the night, only to return to guard their egg cases, motionless, during the day. Hatching occurred almost simultaneously, with nymphs emerging sequentially from the proximal region toward the apex of the ootheca ( +Fig. 6A +). The nymphs emerged from the ootheca while hanging in a head-down position from a relatively short hatching thread that connects the tip of the abdomen to the ootheca ( +Kenchington 1969 +). After descending a few millimeters, they underwent the first ecdysis, remaining suspended, as protonymphs (first instar, +sensu +Scherrer & Aguiar 2022 +), until fully extending their legs. Soon after completing hatching, the protonymphs exhibited high mobility and acquired a distinct color pattern ( +Fig. 6B +). The head had a pale green vertex, a dark stripe crossing the ocellar region, and the rostrum is of a pale cyan color. The body was of a pale dark green shade laterally and ventrally but broadly dark along the dorsum of the thorax and abdomen. The forelegs were pale dark green, as were the mid and hindlegs, except for the apex of their metatarsi and their corresponding tarsomeres, which were very dark. Deuteronymphs (second instar onward, +sensu +Scherrer & Aguiar 2022 +) ( +Figs. 6C–G +) became uniformly green, had reduced mobility, and adopted the cryptic strategy of the adults, pressing their bodies against the abaxial surface of leaves. Interestingly, the whitish strip on the side of the body was visible in both sexes during the last nymphal stage, but only females retained this character as adults ( +Fig. 6F–G +). Rearing proved challenging, and high mortality occurred throughout development, especially during the first two instars. The observed oothecae produced 20–30 individuals (hatching success ≈ 27–48%). Full development under the provided conditions took 92 days for the first specimen (a female) and up to 120 days for the last specimen (a male), with males and females undergoing 6 and 7 nymphal instars, respectively. + + + + +Similarly, the female of + +M. viridescens + +fixes her oothecae to narrow and cylindrical substrates, such as petioles and leaf midveins, fern rachises, stems, and branches. The ovipositing strategy, a marked globular shape and brown coloration, are all consistent characters across +Photinainae +. In their natural environment, these physical attributes give the oothecae a strong resemblance to the spheroidal galls that certain insects form on these plant structures. This resemblance likely provides a survival benefit to the developing embryos. + + + +FIGURE 6 +. Nymphal development in + +Microphotina viridescens + +. A) Hatching batch of protonymphs soon after their first molt (an emerging pronymph can be observed in the far back of the ootheca). B) Protonymph (nymph 1). C) Deuteronymph 1 (nymph 2). D) Deuteronymph 2 (nymph 3). E) Deuteronymph 3 (nymph 4, female). F) Deuteronymph 6 (nymph 7, subadult female). G) Deuteronymph 5 (nymph 6, subadult male). + + + +The discovery of + +M. viridescens + +well above ground level supports the hypothesis of + +Lanna +et al +. (2023) + +that the habitat of + +Microphotina + +lies within higher levels of vegetation. Finding multiple females on a single tree, close to each other, some even guarding their egg cases, is particularly noteworthy. Assuming this is the natural behavior of + +M. viridescens + +, such aggregation could be explained by two, not mutually exclusive, scenarios: i) Individuals remain close to their natal territory throughout development, adulthood, and reproduction; ii) Individuals have a strong preference for certain tree species as ovipositing and breeding grounds, leading them to aggregate on those with suitable characteristics (e.g., foliage density, prey abundance). Our observations of captive specimens showed that individuals become markedly sedentary after reaching the second instar. However, the mechanism promoting aggregations, especially given the high risk of cannibalism under natural conditions, requires further explanation. One hypothesis is that females have adaptations enabling higher tolerance among individuals that reduce the risk of cannibalism. To support this hypothesis, we would expect to observe specific behavioral or physiological traits that mitigate such risk. In any case, our observation of the distribution and reproductive behavior of the female of + +M. viridescens + +suggests a potential specialization for specific microhabitats within the forest’s upper-level foliage, both in well-conserved and disturbed areas. + + +Our first observation of egg case guarding in + +Microphotina + +sheds light on the prevalence of this behavior within the +Photinaidae +( +Fig. 5D–E +). Egg case guarding is characterized by the female mantis staying close to her ootheca and actively defending it from potential threats. This behavior usually persists throughout the incubation period and ends shortly before or after the eggs hatch. In some instances, the female remains near her nymphs during their initial aggregation phase ( +Schwarz 2017 +). Since +Polak’s (1933) +first description of this behavior in +Mantodea +, it has been observed in various species, though inconsistently ( +Schwarz 2017 +). In +Photinaidae +, this behaviour has been reported in + +Cardioptera +Burmeister, 1838 + +( +Cardiopterinae +), + +Photina + +and + +Chromatophotina + +( +Terra 1992 +, +1996 +; +Rivera 2010a +) ( +Photinainae +). The observed behavior under breeding conditions, combining daytime egg case guarding with nocturnal wandering, likely reflects a balance between parental care and foraging needs. This is the first report of this behavior in the +Photinaidae +. + + + + \ No newline at end of file diff --git a/data/CC/63/62/CC636261425FD15DFF15FB790ED2558B.xml b/data/CC/63/62/CC636261425FD15DFF15FB790ED2558B.xml new file mode 100644 index 00000000000..ea7a6a16853 --- /dev/null +++ b/data/CC/63/62/CC636261425FD15DFF15FB790ED2558B.xml @@ -0,0 +1,340 @@ + + + +Discovery and formal description of the female of Microphotina Beier, 1935 (Mantodea: Photinaidae), with an updated key to species and remarks on the role of Citizen Science in advancing Mantodea biodiversity studies + + + +Author + +Rivera, Julio +Institut de recherche en biologie végétale, Département de sciences biologiques, Université de Montréal, 4101 Sherbrooke East, Montreal, QC, Canada H 1 X 2 B 2 & Montreal Insectarium, 4101 Sherbrooke St E, Montreal, Quebec, H 1 X 2 B 2, Canada + + + +Author + +Hausherr, Nicolas +Association d’Etude des Mantes de Guyane (AEMG), PK 19,5 Route du Dégrad Saramaca, 97310 Kourou, French Guiana + + + +Author + +Lanna, Leonardo Moutinho +Programa de Pós-Graduação em Zoologia, Universidade Federal do Pará / Museu Paraense Emílio Goeldi, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, R. Augusto Corrêa, 1, Guamá, Belém, 66075 - 110, Pará, Brazil & Projeto Mantis, independent organization, itinerant laboratory, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil + +text + + +Zootaxa + + +2025 + +2025-04-15 + + +5621 + + +2 + + +231 +248 + + + + +https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5621.2.4 + +journal article +10.11646/zootaxa.5621.2.4 +1175-5326 +15262552 +344D42C3-055A-43CA-98FB-553F557A862B + + + + + + +Key to males of + +Microphotina + +( +sensu lato +) + + + + + + + + +1. Ventral phallomere bearing elongated lateral patch of setae ventrally ( +Fig 4A +); On left phallomere, afa large, strongly hook-like ( +Fig 4B +.). Distributed in +French Guiana +and Northeastern Amazonia ( +Brazil +: Amazonas, +Pará +)..... + +Microphotina vitripennis + + + + +- Ventral phallomere lacking elongated patch of setae ventrally; left phallomere with afa reduced, shaped differently from above.............................................................................................. 2 + + + + + +2. Left phallomere with afa distinctly unguiform ( +Fig. 4C +). Distributed in Western Amazonia ( +Peru +)................................................................................................... + +Microphotina panguanensis + + + + +- Left phallomere with afa not unguiform................................................................... 3 + + + + + +3. Subgenital plate between the styli even ( +Fig. 4D +). Distributed in +French Guiana +............... + +Microphotina viridescens + + + + + +- Subgenital plate between styli notched ( +Fig. 4E–F +).......................................................... 4 + + + + + + +4. Distal notch of subgenital plate narrow, styli insertions outside of the notch ( +Fig. 4E +). Distributed in +French Guiana +.......................................................................................... + +Microphotina viridula + + + + + +- Distal notch of subgenital plate broad, styli insertions within the notch ( +Fig. 4F +). Distributed in southern Amazonia ( +Brazil +: +Mato Grosso +)...................................................................... + +Microphotina cristalino + + + + + + + +Comparative taxonomy and systematics. +The female of + +Microphotina + +superficially resembles that of + +Chromatophotina + +, but there are some evident differences between them. Relative to + +Chromatophotina + +, + +Microphotina + +has a more compact build, resulting in a relatively shorter and stouter body ( +Figs. 5B–E +). This is exemplified by pronotal proportions: the ratio metazona/prozona is ≤ +2.6 in + +Microphotina + +, while in + +Chromatophotina + +it is ≥ 3. As in + +Chromatophotina + +, + +Microphotina + +also exhibits a whitish pigmentation along the sides of the pronotum, which stems from the whitish costal area of the mesothoracic wings, altogether forming a continuous stripe. However, in + +Microphotina + +, this stripe is only subtly visible near the base of the pronotum, whereas in + +Chromatophotina + +the same reaches as far as the supracoxal dilatation. Moreover, the costal area of the forewings is only partially whitish in + +Microphotina + +, whereas in + +Chromatophotina + +it is strikingly white throughout its entire extent.Another distinguishing feature is the strongly contrasting crossveins of the forewings of + +Microphotina + +, which stand out against the membrane. In contrast, + +Chromatophotina + +has the forewing membrane and crossveins concolorous.Additionally, the longitudinal veins of the forewings are more tightly arranged in + +Microphotina + +and subtend less complex reticulation, compared to + +Chromatophotina + +. Differences observed in the abdomen include the abdominal pleural membrane, which is pale pink in + +Microphotina + +but strikingly white in + +Chromatophotina + +. Lastly, + +Microphotina + +has shorter and conical monochromatic cerci, while in + +Chromatophotina + +the same are noticeably elongated, flattened, and in great part pigmented in a dark purplish color. Overall, + +Microphotina + +has a more compact body form compared to the more elongated + +Chromatophotina + +, akin to the difference between the sister genera + +Photina +Burmeister, 1838 + +and + +Hicetia +Saussure & Zehntner, 1894 + +( +Photinaini +), where + +Photina + +is the robust form and + +Hicetia + +the slender one. The ootheca of + +Microphotina + +closely resembles that of + +Chromatophotina + +, as well as + +Orthoderella +Giglio-Tos, 1897 + +, and + +Paraphotina +Giglio-Tos, 1915 + +, in the Orthoderellini ( +Fig. 2E +). They all share a similar overall shape and structure, outer wall characteristics (coloration, smooth texture), and a curved, ridged emergence area ending in a short, blunt residual process. + + + +FIGURE 5 +. A) Female of + +Microphotina viridescens + +under a leaf, adopting the typical cryptic posture of the +Photinaidae +(photo by N. Hausherr). B) A different female specimen, showing the extent of the whitish strip between the proximal section of the costal area and the base of the metazona (photo by N. Hausherr). C) + +Chromatophotina awajun +Rivera, 2010 + +(from Tarapoto, Peru), showing a more extensive and intensely expressed white stripe on the pronotum and mesothoracic wing (iNatObs: 187846650, photo by Diego Deza, license CC-BY-NC). D) Female of + +M. viridescens + +guarding her ootheca (photo by N. Hausherr). E) + +Chromatophotina cofan +Rivera, 2010 + +(from Pastaza, Ecuador) guarding her ootheca (iNatObs: 53791526, photo by Ferhat Gundogdu, license CC0). + + + +In light of the new information, we present a key to distinguish between + +Microphotina + +and + +Chromatophotina + +: + + + + \ No newline at end of file