telson and dactlys????????

[cateyes]

i recently got a 2.5" dusty red mantis with white meral spots.. i'm trying to get some info to help ID him. i've seen questions about "telson" and "dactyls", what are these and where are they located??


also, what other "things" can i look for, that will help with an ID???


thanks a lot,,,lisa

 

[sharkdude]

telson is the center plate of the tail, and dactyls are the clubs on smashers or the spears on spearers

 

[cateyes]

thanks sharkdude,,
are there different colors or shapes of these to look for?

 

[sharkdude]

I believe so, especially with spiky vs smooth telson, etc, but I'm no expert.
check the lurkers guide to stomatopods.