Choeradodis | |
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Scientific classification | |
Domain: | Eukaryota |
Kingdom: | Animalia |
Phylum: | Arthropoda |
Class: | Insecta |
Order: | Mantodea |
Family: | Mantidae |
Subfamily: | Choeradodinae |
Genus: | Choeradodis Serville, 1831 |
Species | |
several; see text | |
Synonyms | |
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Choeradodis is a genus of praying mantises with common names such as shield mantis, hood mantis (or hooded mantis), and leaf mantis (or leafy mantis) because of their extended, leaf-like thoraces.[1][2][3][4] The distinguishing characteristic of Choreododis from which it takes its common names is a laterally expanded thorax. This adaptation for the purpose of camouflage, as well as a rounded wing case and a habit of staying relatively flattened, aid its leaf mimicry.[5] Tiny liverworts, lichens and fungi have been found growing on the pronotum and wing case of many Choeradodis mantids; these appear to be opportunistic growths rather than an example of coevolution with the mantids to afford extra camouflage.[6]
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: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link) Texas A&M University