Metallyticus splendidus

Metallyticus splendidus
	Metallyticus splendidus
Scientific classification
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 very rare species of praying mantis found in Southeast Asia. It has an iridescent appearance.[1][2]

Biology and ecology

M. splendidus has several plesiomorphic morphological traits, such as its short prothorax, a lack of discoidal spines. Unlike the other mantid species, the Metallyticus species are unique because of their iridescent colouring, meaning this is the only genus with this characteristic.[3] M. splendidus also have less ventral cervical sclerites than other species in their genus.[3]

This mantis tends to rest underneath the bark of trees, feeding on butterflies, termites, flies, and mainly on cockroaches. They also chase after their prey, rather than ambushing them like most mantis species.[3] This species is also one of the non-cannibalistic species.[4]

Sexual Dimorphism

M. splendidus is a difficult species to gender, but males typically grow to be around 3.5 centimetres (1.4 in), while females are around 4 centimetres (1.6 in). Also, males take seven moults to reach adulthood, and females take eight.[4]

Environmental Conditions

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.[4]

Taxonomical Description

M. splendidus can be classified by their three different colors; "testaceous", "yellowish", and "brownish" that different authors and scientists have deemed fit. [5]

gollark: The shield generator.

gollark: I estimate that the power supply for it will fail by maybe tomorrow.

gollark: Well, not crash, be booted off.

gollark: Oh, you would just crash too.

gollark: So it should run out reasonably fast, actually.

References

"Archived copy". Archived from the original on 2011-06-06. Retrieved 2008-07-18.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link) Tree of Life Web Project. 2005
Texas A&M University
Wieland, Frank (September 2008). "The genus Metallyticus reviewed (Insecta: Mantodea)" (PDF). Entomoresin.
USMANTIS. "Metallyticus splendidus. Iridescent bark mantis". USMANTIS. Retrieved 2018-03-23.
Weiland, Frank (30 September 2008). "The genus Metallyticus reviewed (Insecta: Mantodea)" (PDF). Phylogeny and Evolution. 1: 147–170 – via Google Scholar.

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[1] "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 2011-06-06. Retrieved 2008-07-18.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link) Tree of Life Web Project. 2005

[2] Texas A&M University

[:0-3] Wieland, Frank (September 2008). "The genus Metallyticus reviewed (Insecta: Mantodea)" (PDF). Entomoresin.

[:1-4] USMANTIS. "Metallyticus splendidus. Iridescent bark mantis". USMANTIS. Retrieved 2018-03-23.

[5] Weiland, Frank (30 September 2008). "The genus Metallyticus reviewed (Insecta: Mantodea)" (PDF). Phylogeny and Evolution. 1: 147–170 – via Google Scholar.