''Choeradodis'' is a
genus
Genus ( plural genera ) is a taxonomic rank used in the biological classification of living and fossil organisms as well as viruses. In the hierarchy of biological classification, genus comes above species and below family. In binomial nom ...
of
praying mantises
Mantises are an order (Mantodea) of insects that contains over 2,400 species in about 460 genera in 33 families. The largest family is the Mantidae ("mantids"). Mantises are distributed worldwide in temperate and tropical habitats. They hav ...
with
common name
In biology, a common name of a taxon or organism (also known as a vernacular name, English name, colloquial name, country name, popular name, or farmer's name) is a name that is based on the normal language of everyday life; and is often contrast ...
s such as shield mantis, hood mantis (or hooded mantis), and leaf mantis (or leafy mantis) because of their extended, leaf-like
thoraces.
Wood-Mason, J. 1880. Synopsis of the species of Choeradodis, a remarkable genus of Mantodea common to Indian and Tropical America. Journal of the Asiatic Society of Bengal 47(1):82-84.[ Texas A&M University] The distinguishing characteristic of ''Choreododis'' from which it takes its common names is a laterally expanded thorax. This adaptation for the purpose of
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 b ...
, as well as a rounded
wing case and a
habit
A habit (or wont as a humorous and formal term) is a routine of behavior that is repeated regularly and tends to occur subconsciously. of staying relatively flattened, aid its
leaf
A leaf ( : leaves) is any of the principal appendages of a vascular plant stem, usually borne laterally aboveground and specialized for photosynthesis. Leaves are collectively called foliage, as in "autumn foliage", while the leaves, ...
mimicry
In evolutionary biology, mimicry is an evolved resemblance between an organism and another object, often an organism of another species. Mimicry may evolve between different species, or between individuals of the same species. Often, mimicry f ...
.
Distribution
''Choeradodis'' is widely distributed. In the Americas, members of this genus are found in the
Neotropical realm
The Neotropical realm is one of the eight biogeographic realms constituting Earth's land surface. Physically, it includes the tropical terrestrial ecoregions of the Americas and the entire South American temperate zone.
Definition
In bioge ...
from South America to Mexico. In Asia, members of this genus dwell in the same
climate zone
Climate classifications are systems that categorize the world's climates. A climate classification may correlate closely with a biome classification, as climate is a major influence on life in a region. One of the most used is the Köppen climate ...
of India.
Species
The following species are recognised in the genus ''Choeradodis'':
*''
Choeradodis columbica'' (Columbian shield mantis
)
*''
Choeradodis rhombicollis'' (Peruvian shield mantis )
*''
Choeradodis rhomboidea'' (tropical shield mantis, hooded mantis, leaf mantis
*''
Choeradodis stalii'' (tropical shield mantis, hooded mantis, leaf mantis )
*''
Choeradodis strumaria'' (leaf mantis, hooded mantis
Leaf Mantis - ''Mantis strumaria'')
See also
*List of mantis genera and species
The following list of mantis genera and species is based on the "Mantodea Species File", which is the primary reference for the taxonomy shown here.
The insect Order (biology), order Mantodea consists of over 2,400 species of mantises in about 460 ...
*Leaf mantis
Leaf mantis (and leafy mantis) is a common name for certain praying mantises including:
*those often also called shield mantis, i.e. species within '' Choeradodis'', '' Rhombodera'', and similar genera
*Dead leaf mantis species such as those within ...
*Shield mantis
Shield mantis, hood mantis (or hooded mantis) and leaf mantis (or leafy mantis) are common names for certain praying mantises with an extended thorax aiding it in camouflage and leaf mimicry. The terms are used for species in the following genera: ...
References
Mantidae
Mantodea genera
Mantodea of North America
Mantodea of South America
{{mantidae-stub