''Acanthops'' is a

genus Genus ( plural genera ) is a taxonomic rank used in the biological classification of extant taxon, living and fossil organisms as well as Virus classification#ICTV classification, viruses. In the hierarchy of biological classification, genus com ...

of mantises in the

family Family (from la, familia) is a Social group, group of people related either by consanguinity (by recognized birth) or Affinity (law), affinity (by marriage or other relationship). The purpose of the family is to maintain the well-being of its ...

Acanthopidae, containing 20

species In biology, a species is the basic unit of classification and a taxonomic rank of an organism, as well as a unit of biodiversity. A species is often defined as the largest group of organisms in which any two individuals of the appropriate s ...

that can be found in Central and South America.

Description

Most species in ''Acanthops'' are colloquially referred to as the

dead leaf mantis Dead leaf mantis is a common name given to various species of praying mantis that mimic dead leaves. It is most often used in reference to species within genus ''Deroplatys'' because of their popularity as exotic pets. Examples include '' D. d ...

, a common name also used for species in several other mantid genera. The genus name translates from the Greek nouns ''ἄκανθα'' and ''ὅψ'' as "thorn eye", referring to the presence in all ''Acanthops'' species of a shorter or longer conical

tubercle In anatomy, a tubercle (literally 'small tuber', Latin for 'lump') is any round nodule, small eminence, or warty outgrowth found on external or internal organs of a plant or an animal. In plants A tubercle is generally a wart-like projection ...

on top of each eye. Note that such ocular tubercles also occur in various other mantid genera. ''Acanthops'' species have an unusual degree of

sexual dimorphism Sexual dimorphism is the condition where the sexes of the same animal and/or plant species exhibit different morphological characteristics, particularly characteristics not directly involved in reproduction. The condition occurs in most ani ...

compared to other mantids. The flightless female resembles a curled dead leaf folded back on itself, and weighs twice as much as the males do. It has reduced wings that can be raised to reveal bright

warning colors Aposematism is the advertising by an animal to potential predators that it is not worth attacking or eating. This unprofitability may consist of any defences which make the prey difficult to kill and eat, such as toxicity, venom, foul taste or ...

on the abdomen. The male has long functional wings that resemble a flat or rolled-up dead leaf at rest. When perched, males often assume a posture where the head, grasping legs and prothorax add to the

camouflage Camouflage is the use of any combination of materials, coloration, or illumination for concealment, either by making animals or objects hard to see, or by disguising them as something else. Examples include the leopard's spotted coat, the ...

effect by recreating the appearance of a dead leaf's shriveled petiole and stipules.

Taxonomy

The following species are currently considered valid:https://www.gbif.org/species/1404248 ''Acanthops'' entry in GBIF 1500leafmantis closecropDSC4637 DxO

*'' Acanthops bidens'' Hebard, 1922 *'' Acanthops boliviana'' Chopard, 1916 *'' Acanthops brunneri'' Saussure, 1871 *'' Acanthops centralis'' Lombardo & Ippolito, 2004 *'' Acanthops coloradensis'' González, Miller & J Salazar, 2011 *'' Acanthops contorta'' Gerstaecker, 1889 *'' Acanthops elegans'' Lombardo & Ippolito, 2004 *'' Acanthops erosa'' Serville, 1839 *'' Acanthops erosula'' Stal, 1877 *'' Acanthops falcata'' Stal, 1877 *'' Acanthops falcataria'' (Goeze, 1778) *'' Acanthops fuscifolia'' (Olivier, 1792) *'' Acanthops godmani'' Saussure & Zehntner, 1894 *'' Acanthops occidentalis'' Lombardo & Ippolito, 2004 *'' Acanthops onorei'' Lombardo & Ippolito, 2004 *''

Acanthops parafalcata ''Acanthops'' is a genus of mantises in the family (biology), family Acanthopidae, containing 20 species that can be found in Central and South America. Description Most species in ''Acanthops'' are colloquially referred to as the dead leaf ma ...

'' Lombardo & Ippolito, 2004 *'' Acanthops parva'' Beier, 1941 *'' Acanthops royi'' Lombardo & Ippolito, 2004 *''

Acanthops soukana ''Acanthops'' is a genus of mantises in the family Acanthopidae, containing 20 species that can be found in Central and South America. Description Most species in ''Acanthops'' are colloquially referred to as the dead leaf mantis, a common nam ...

'' Roy, 2002

References

External links

''Acanthops'' entry in Mantodea Species File website''Acanthops'' images at Project Noah
{{Taxonbar, from=Q1995165 Acanthopidae Mantodea of South America Mantodea genera Taxa named by Jean Guillaume Audinet-Serville

Description

Taxonomy

See also

References

External links