Mantis ID question

[badjuju]

I picked up a mantis today and I am trying to id it. I dont have a pic yet, but my question is, are the G. smithii the only one that have the distinctive red spots on the telson on each side? I think this it what it is. Looks like it as far as the pics I have seen but this so far is the only thing that sticks out when it fans it tail out. I will post a pic when I get one of him.

 

[justinl]

as far as i know yes, if you only look at the species commonly found in the trade. A pic would help greatly. G. smithii also has very distinct meral spots that are a dark purple to black in a thing white ring. Meral spots are the big markings on the inner portion of the rapts.

 

[badjuju]

yep then thats what he is. thanks for the info.

 

[Gonodactylus]

There is one other Gonodactylus, G. acutirostris, that may have these red "bumps" and purple meral spots. It is closely related to G. smithii.

Roy

 

[justinl]

Dr. Roy, does G. acutirostris show up in the hobby often? If they are so closely related, do they also inhabit the same areas (that are prone to collection)?

 

[Gonodactylus]

No, it has been described from the Red Sea. There is some question whether it is a good species. There seems to be a lot of regional variation in this species and it may well represent a complex of species. I know that the animals that I have collected in Guam certainly don't look like your standard green G. smithii from Australia.

Roy

 

[badjuju]

I should be able to get a pic next week, and I will post it. Not the expert and the fish store didnt know either. but either way this one has character thats for sure.

 

[J2FcM]

Does it look like Motoko?

http://picasaweb.google.com/Menz.Jeff/MotokoTheMantis#

 

[badjuju]

yep sure does.

 

[justinl]

verrrry interesting. You wouldn't have a pic of one would you Dr. Roy?