Apteromantis aptera is a species of praying mantis endemic to the Iberian Peninsula.[2] It was first described by José María Hugo de la Fuente Morales in 1894. It was previously considered to be endangered by the IUCN, but has been downgraded to least concern, as the populations are rising and they are spreading to new habitats in south-central Spain and southern Portugal.[1]

Apteromantis aptera
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Mantodea
Family: Amelidae
Genus: Apteromantis
Species:
A. aptera
Binomial name
Apteromantis aptera
(Fuente, 1894)
Synonyms
  • Ameles aptera Fuente, 1894
Geographic distribution of the Iberic endemism Apteromantis aptera marked on orange.

This species may be brown, grey or green in colour. They can be distinguished from other mantids by the very angular eyes that taper to (upward and outwards facing) points. The nymphs hide low down in grasses and jump with agility, making them difficult to tell apart from small grasshoppers.

See also

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References

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  1. ^ a b Battiston, R. (2014). "Apteromantis aptera". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2014: e.T1935A21426204. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2014-1.RLTS.T1935A21426204.en. Retrieved 14 November 2021.
  2. ^ José Manuel Grosso-Silva; Patrícia Soares-Vieira (2004). "First record of Apteromantis aptera (Fuente, 1894) for Portugal and confirmation of the occurrence of Perlamantis alliberti Guérin-Méneville, 1843 (Dictyoptera, Mantodea)" (PDF). Boletín de la S.E.A. 35: 277.